Posted on 09/24/2016 12:05:39 PM PDT by Hojczyk
In East Cleveland, City Council members had long balked at the idea of dissolving their city. But with no viable solution short of an economic miracle in sight, they agreed last month to pursue annexation without the list of demands —
"Without a revenue stream, I don't know how we would exist," said Thomas Wheeler, president of East Cleveland City Council. He and mayor Gary Norton agreed their city is out of options and needs money now.
East Cleveland has millions in unpaid bills and hasn't been able to borrow money on the municipal credit market for years. The city can barely make payroll even after deep cuts in its workforce. Wheeler said only five firefighters were available to respond to a recent house fire.
East Cleveland residents tired of crumbling streets, abandoned buildings and anxious waits for emergency services appear ready to be absorbed by Cleveland in the hope they will receive basic city services long in short supply.
"They don't fix anything around here," Robert Occhionero said.
Occhionero said residents on Savannah Avenue have been filling potholes as best they can to avoid being awakened by the sound of vehicles rattling through them.
Nearby, abandoned homes line the street that Morris Glenn and Anthony Donner call home. Donner cuts the grass on one of the vacant lots across Northfield Avenue because the city doesn't. Donner said he also clears storm sewer grates to try stopping their street from turning into a riverbed during heavy rains.
The men said East Cleveland has become so dangerous that people have armed themselves, knowing it could be a long wait for police. Call 911, they said, and there's a chance you'll be put on hold.
"Nobody wants to live here," Glenn said. "I'm only here by necessity."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I’ve been to East Cleveland. It’s the gateway to Dante’s fifth circle.
yep, at least it was. i cannot imagine it has improved.
“Two struggling Ohio cities consider banding together”
So they can pool their failure?
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