Primary Election Edition September, 2025
New Vision For Ward One
Hope is here Ward 7
GardenHood News is with Mark Crosby, candidate for Ward one council here in the city of Cleveland, Mr. Crosby, I'm sorry that I interrupted you before, but you were speaking about your feelings about the reason why you are running, which is what we at GardenHood News want our readers to know...
"I'm running because I feel this is the only area left in Cleveland to actually put together a real plan to show our people that we can do something right. Right now, the city of Cleveland is going in many directions with the way that the way that the government is going right now, a lot of people are going to be out of work. And the sad part about it is that until now we have not leadership to show how together to just fill the void. What I am finding out door to door is right now is many people feel intimidated. So we need to come together in strength . In the many parts of Ward 1 I keep hearing that concern and more put a community together so we can live together. We don't have to be in each other's business, but we do need each other to strive and survive, and that's the issue I'm dealing with right now."
So Mr. Crosby, how would you suggest that Ward 1
which actually goes from like 147 th and Kinsman
all the way out here to the very end of Cleveland at Harvard, where it starts being Warrensville , and south down Lee Road to 480 freeway. Still, how do you see Ward one coming together as a cohesive ward with equal benefits no matter where you reside?
" Well just one of my concepts, if we just put one business up and everybody, 16,000 people, spend $1 a day, we can invest in social programs, and we can reinvest in other businesses that can take care of our needs. We need about 34 additional black businesses over here to be able to hire people, to be able to take care of their needs, as far as their children go, as far as the family go, and hopefully we can support and also take care of our elderly, which is a prized possession of any community. So that's one part. The other part is the social programming, which we can teach our children how to live together as a community, to give them that community respect as it would be in the Jewish community or Hispanic or Asian community like a Newburgh Heights. We need to practice some of these things. We don't have to all believe in the same religion, but we do have to believe in community."
Mr. Crosby you spoke about attracting more small businesses in the ward.
"I would like to see much more development
businesses and jobs.. So you can't go and get coffee or creamer or, you know, a sandwich, or, you know, even go and get a piece of cheese, because everything there is either liquor or some type of junk food. So if you go to a corner store that's created for the needs of the community. You know exactly what they eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, what they need for snacks, and how they can stay healthy. And it's your own community."
Okay? You had also mentioned about a lack of planning, and you've been resident here since the early 90s. . And so, what have you been feeling as a homeowner for three decades
about the plans that that currently exist within Ward 1?
My wife and I educated our family here, making sure that our children, all 7 of them, went to college, they went to high school in this district. They had needs, all seven that grew up in this community, and they're doing things in different areas, and we trying to, matter of fact, we got two of them back in this area, and we're trying to make sure that we can invite other family members back here, but the target is to make sure that their kids can grow up, or the children can grow up with some sense of community pride, then they can reinvest that back into their children, and then we go on from there, but we have to have some type of rule regulation as far as the community go, where we're going to live and we're going to be able to enjoy our community, be able to change, train our children, take care of the needs, and even be able, sometimes To help our neighbors if they have a need."
"Well, with the with the street club opportunities to be able to create different street clubs in different areas in the community, we can actually teach, or we can all agree on certain things that we want to see in our communities. There, for instance, you got $140,000 that landscapers take out of here from just doing grass. Okay? You have people who know how to grow fruits and vegetables or grow food or take care of animals. You have other people here who has a great understanding of how to make clothes or how to draw, those things are businesses in the making, those things that we can create, as we did back in the day in the 50s and 60s and even in the 70s, when things that we believe in communities as fast as we were coming in. So we need to bring that back. We need to en gage those type of talents or those type of philosophies that we got from our grandparents or great grandparents. Ward one can be a competitive community in Cleveland" . And so you were speaking about $140,000 in landscaping, because you're right. I'm looking outside your window, these lawns are very well manicured. Are there any locally residential businesses that are getting their share of the 140K? " We can get other people involved, so we can start organizing and have at least seven fundraisers, , and reinvest back into the community. My wife and I, we had a family development program. We owned a childcare center in Lorain, and most of the children there were white kids, and they had a lot of issues. But the thing about it, and even though the ladies that work with us, they were smart ladies, but they was they had their dysfunction because of their family situation, but they took care of those kids, sure, and those children had emotional issues, or they had learning disabilities, and all we had to do was put the program and give them the attention, and my wife gave them that beautiful smile, and they just stood at attention, and we were able to get along with the families. I'm trying to get myself into with the City Council. The social programs are fine but its about creating the dollars through business development and reinvesting back into the social programs. And that was the problem that kind of scarred Ward one. And this was back in the what 2000s". Crosby is open to beautifying the community that he lives in. Open to working with organizations committed to this goal. His goal is to find the residents who are not comfortable with the streets being in disrepair. Tired of crime rates rising and lack of the overall safety. "History is a reminder of times past in places like Murray Hill for instance. We rent the structures they built. Yet they have everything in their area since the late 1900's. They have the areas oldest corner store still in operation. They took their street philosophy and turned it into a community. We need that mentality here in Ward 1. "
Built the neighborhood for a store or slaughterhouse, etc, like Murray Hill. Murray Hill, because they got everything. It's been around since the late 1900s okay? And they have the oldest corner store in Cleveland, you understand? And the whole thing now is because of the fact that they took that street philosophy and turned it into a community, and that's what we need to do. Well, it's
The one thing I could say about Ward One is that
our money needs to stay in our community. Yes, ma'am, they get to running up the street. It's a beautiful idea to have our dollars stay in the Ward.
Mr. Crosby are you in the meantime still making that delicious popcorns in various flavors?? That answer is yes!!
GardenHood News recently got reacquainted with Mike Rogalski candidate for ward number seven. (Currently Ward 3 Kerry McCormack) Michael, thank you so much for this interview, and I really am hoping for a distinct victory in your ward for the primary race. Michael, can you please tell me a little bit about you and your upbringing here in the Northeast Ohio area?, I grew up in the east side, and the rings suburbs, mainly, Bedford, Bedford heights, and then I moved to Cleveland Heights and graduated from Cleveland Heights High School as a teenager. I come from a pretty disadvantaged background. I lost or my dad passed away when I was an infant, and my maternal grandparents passed away around the same time, and my maternal grandfather was deceased before I was born, in my maternal grandmother was sick with Alzheimer's and dementia until she passed away when I was a preteen, and so I pretty much just had my mom, and she has had her own chronic illnesses, which was very difficult. So it was a lot of there wasn't a lot of support of illness and death, and we didn't have a lot of money either. So it was, it a struggle. I mainly grew up in communities I lived in was minority majority. I graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. I went to Cleveland State, and I got a bachelor's degree in urban studies. It's concentrated in urban management, in urban planning,
City Regional management and urban planning. And I got my start at Cleveland Housing court. I interned with the late judge Raymond Pianka. That's where I met you Marvetta, and I was a clerk there for some time, and then I went on to work for Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services in both the Child Support Enforcement Agency and at the Division of senior and adult services. I was an elected board member to my union. It was AFSCME Local 27 and then I went on. After that, I went on to do a stint in higher education, where I had some administrative roles and I did a little bit of teaching. And then I moved on to health care, largely because, as my mom has got older, I've had to become even more of a caregiver than I was. So I got involved in health care, doing becoming an independent provider with the state of Ohio, the social work, keeping the elderly and disabled clients in their home as long as possible. And I also work part time at a hospital, doing administrative work. And I've been involved in the County Democratic I've been involved in politics since I was a teenager. I got my start Bedford Walton Hill Democratic club and the Bedford Heights Democratic club.
And I've always sort of been active
so some of my work at the county precluded me from being super involved with the party, but I was the secretary of the Bedford Walton Hills Democratic club for a while, I have lived in the city of Cleveland since 2008 when I began at Cleveland State, it was a I lived downtown for a long time, it was a way different city back then, but the city, it has gotten better over time, at least downtown and on the near west side, and it's also the difference I've noticed as an adult between living in the city and the suburbs. I actually find people in the city are a lot friendlier and a lot more understanding. It's, I think it's a people in the burbs, it's a lot less people, aren't horrible in the suburbs, but there's a friendliness that comes along with being in an urban environment. Social skills. You learn how to interact with your neighbors because you have no choice with each other. So I really appreciate that's my favorite part about living in the city, also proximity to all kinds of places throughout the county, but really just the culture of living in the city, where people actually sort of talk to each other
I ran for City Council in 2021 against Kerry McCormick, and I had It was in ward three, I had no anticipation of winning. It was my way to become more involved my community and get to know people, and to sort of set up an environment where I could run in the future and people would already be comfortable with me, because they've gotten to know me. And this year I wasn't planning on Kerry McCormick and Jenny Spencer not running for reelection. So I figured, if there was ever a moment, this is it to run it's now!"
So my next question to you, I'm a voter. I live in the Tremont area, and I've been there a minute, so I've seen the area go from very undesirable to desirable, very uninhabited by homeowners of distinction and businesses, but now we have a total new landscape. Tell why I should vote for you in in September, at the primary.
"So I hear you loud and clear. You are not the only one I'm hearing. For people that are longtime residents, people that have endured living on the near west side in Tremont when it was not the best place. 20, or more years ago, I do, I recognize that what you're telling me, You're not the only one telling me you guys that were here through when things were tough, you actually were part of the reason why things got better, how the community improved. It improved because you stayed. It was improved because of you were being a responsible and active community member. And now you feel penalized, and now you feel financially threatened to where you can't stay in the neighborhood anymore. You're feeling the financial threat comes from the fact the sort of the city and whoever the council persons are, are in bed with real estate developers, the incentive programs that were brought about in the 90s under Mayor Michael White. They were, they were meant as a time, as a different time, like you, as you began your question, there's a time when nobody wanted to live in the city of Cleveland, and it was a purpose was to attract people to live here. So that program has been affected more effective in certain areas than others of the city. And one area where it's been hugely effective is the near west side tree hunt, where investment, the amount of investment, that occurs on the near west side is probably the highest county wide. So what that was that doing to long time people like yourself, is the investment has been so intense and targeted specifically for wealthy individuals and luxury properties, that investment is driving up costs to the point where it's making it unaffordable for anybody, essentially, who is not a who's not wealthy, to stay in the in the neighborhood or in the community. It increases property taxes, home insurance, car insurance, costs for everything are going up. There was there's a fine balance between development improving the community, and then it reaches a point where there's gasoline on a fire. So one of the first things I want to do is stop all of the incentives that are driving wild development on the near west side, and it's being paid for on the backs of existing residents, most of whom are not, wealthy." Michael, I want you to close your eyes and think ahead
you won the race. Tell me about your first 30 days as council person in ward seven.
"So first 30 days,
the main priorities would would be to begin legislation and try to work with my colleagues to do something up to sort of reduce or end the tax abatements, not city. So the thing that I want to, I guess, everyone should recognize, is development is not bad in most of the city is thirsty for any development. So the quiet part, out loud is if developers cannot build, or developers don't get the incentives they're getting on the near west side. They can get those incentives somewhere else in the city. They'll go to those places we want. I want to share development citywide. I want to stop the unequal, uneven development, because it is, it is, it does become a negative, and it is a negative at this point. So my first 30 days is to start addressing any programs that I can to work on ending abuses, with the tax increment financing, with tax abatements, setting up a fund for seniors and vulnerable residents to assist with paying their property taxes. And I want to sort of redirect the community development corporations to stop any involvement in the development of luxury properties. So we can do things very quickly. It will it will take some cooperation, but I think it's possible."
Okay, is there anything I missed? Is there anything you want to say as far as why you want to serve the people in the new Ward seven of Cleveland?
"Well, I think the biggest thing is so rarely does it ever happen that there are not one but two council people that are not running for reelection in a ward, they've been redistricting the same Ward our ward is, is at a point. It's at a point of essentially no return, essentially whoever is going to be the council person, but they're going to continue on with the schemes of development and luxury development over everybody else, and at the expenses that are and at the expense of everybody else. Can be someone like me who actually cares about the human aspect of living in the ward and understanding that this thought that you'll be okay regardless of what happens, I do understand that a lot of people are already not okay, and it's going to it'll get worse unless there are changes. And ultimately, there are three choices in this race for city council candidates. I do not believe the relief many of the residents are looking for and in retaining affordability in the neighborhood. I don't believe my opponents are going to be offering much or anything at all. In that regard, it's a candidate, it's a kick. It's a race where there's a candidate, a candidate B, and I'm Option Z, as in zebra. So it's a choice. It doesn't have to be a choice of one of the Lesser Evils. It can be a choice of hope. So I want to give hope to people who are concerned and vulnerable."
Wow, I really have enjoyed talking with you, Michael, and I hope that our readers have the same feeling, because you just nailed it. You just really put the nail in a coffin for somebody. And quite honestly, for those people who live in your ward, you know that's the kind of targeting that I want to do, so that they can actually see and hear from you as the candidate, because not all of the residents go to the forums. They don't go to all of the forums. And so this is a way for your thoughts to be out there, for people to understand and overstand just who you are. Okay, anything more?
I guess ultimately, my candidacy is also for you to get to know me, to understand me, and to continue building trust with residents. And also it's a ask for help. If you're able to help in any capacity financially, to put a yard sign in your yard, to help distribute literature, it's truly appreciated. Okay, well, it just wealth it just wealth extraction. So the beam is essentially wealth extraction on the backs of those that are not wealthy in our community.
Well, I tell you what, I've enjoyed speaking with you, and I've enjoyed this interaction I feel that the people of Ward 7 will be intrigued and relieved to know that someone has actually listened to them, okay? And that the $100k that both of the other contenders have amassed does not have to be factor. I know that you have conveyed this to the people you have engaged....And that's a beautiful thing. That is a beautiful thing, because so often that's not the case
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Feeney for Garfield
Mayoral candidate of Garfield Heights, Jim Feeney, GardenHood News appreciates the opportunity to cover you and let the people of Northeast Ohio know what vision you see for the city. Because a lot of people, such as myself, are old enough to remember when there were two sections of Garfield. There was a white section as well there was a black section of Garfield. And my stepson who was murdered 31 years ago here in this city. So I want to be able to give a vision of what you have in your top priorities.
“ One thing I'd like to say about Garfield Heights. I chose to come to Garfield Heights when I got married. I didn't have to come here, I chose Garfield Heights as my home. Okay, I was born and raised in Slavic Village. I love Slavic Village. But this is where I live, where I raised my family and where I want to serve all the people.”
A lot of people are opposed to the building of a county jail in Garfield and Feeney would rather have people prosper than be in prison...
“The parents have to have the tools necessary to raise responsible children free from crime. And for those who choose not to, be held accountable. Failure to do so, will result in future criminals. Which I don't want. If I can reach one child in that manner, then they will reach two…” “I have helped a lot of young men and women get jobs and prosper. I don’t mention things like this on social media. I have been ridiculed by the present administration for spending time in the restaurant.” I wanted to see just what the youths were doing with their time and the choices they made. He pulled one such young man aside and offered the same advice that his father gave him. That young man took his advice. He was given the opportunity to work during school at McDonald’s. He is now a High School graduate and is in McDonald’s university. Upon graduation, he has the opportunity to be a General Manager and perhaps own his own franchise. This young man was aware that having the wrong associates could land him in prison and made better choices… But the current mayor who weeks ago called “The Trash Boys” Trash on a working microphone during the Taste of Turney event. Visit their Facebook page
Feeney is passionate about Recreation Services meeting the needs of the people who live there. Many hours of operation don't work with schedules. As well, with the right people the existing structure can be 100% better. The Ice skating rink sits empty during non winter months instead of in service in some fashion. Programming with Seniors in mind ie exercise swimming aquatic therapies etc. Having been a survivor of back surgeries he knows the benefits. Juvenile Recreation is important to Feeney. Average everyday citizens can also serve as Role Models / Mentors to them. Such a movement can cut down on the number of Teenage births. Self love and pride instilled is a great thing, Feeney said. As mayor he does not want to be addressed as mayor but Jim. One thing more, he has been criticized about not working a job for the last twenty years. He says he started working at 8 cleaning dog poop. He has performed hard labor his whole life with membership in the Teamsters. He has survived 4 back surgeries. The state put him on total disability. He has rods, screws and more in his body. The current administration makes fun of Feeney's situation as well as his wife on social media. Jim earned a college degree in accounting and business management. And runs a Non Profit that addresses the needs of others.
He has been asked why he wants to serve the city. His answer is I want to be mayor because I am the only person who gives a shit about the people of Garfield Heights. If this city does not turn around, we will be the next Slavic Village. And I can’t let that happen.”
Our Story
GardenHood News for a Time Such As This September, 2025
People have asked me why I have undertaken the task of putting this project together for the people of NorthEast Ohio. News sources are selective of the stories told and for the most part the people that I talk to everyday are not aware of a Mayors Race in Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, and Garfield Heights to name a few places. They are not aware of the Gerrymandered Wards of Cleveland. Nor the civil wars between four councilpeople on the East Side. There are plenty of folks who gathered up petitions and are running for council. And even the Write Ins have an opportunity to get people to the polls.
In this Primary Issue this is the main focus, but we also want to keep stories out in the public. Lest we forget, the tragic gas explosion in Rainbow Terrace aka Garden Valley. In June of this year over 100 people were affected by the blast. Cordale Sheffield lost his life saving his stepchildren. They are still hospitalized… Minister Pam Brown from Let’s Pray Ministries has been serving that community for years before this. Her tireless efforts at the Food Pantry at 71st and Kinsman served thousands of hungry. Even after the closing, she continues to reach out to the impacted families. Read her words, and find out just how you can help them too.
Special thanx for the candidates who put their faith in my abilities to take the words and bring them to the ears of the voters. And the advertisers who helped with this vision…
One thing for certain, we support people of all faiths here. During the past week doubters have spoken out against prayers and positive thoughts. I totally support prayers for others and not preying on others. But I also know that Faith without Works is Dead… And Faith and Fear can not dwell in the same place… The people of this region must stand up, get off their asses and demand change of a positive source. And then hold those elected to their promises…
I promise I will continue to tell it as I see it..
Respectfully
Marvetta Rutherford
GardenHood News
Vote on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 like your life depends on it.. Because it does….
News
Hello I am Pastor Pamela Brown a.k.a. Pastor Pam, Of Let’s Pray Ministries, I have been in this ministry for over 11 years helping people in crisis. They call me preacher of the streets. I do not wait for the people I go to the people as Jesus did. Helping people that are in human trafficking, drug addiction,Homeless,Domestic violence Street violence gang violence in school an online bullying environment. Today I come to you about Garden Valley explosion and Fire which has hurt over 100 men, women, and children. We have opened a program called WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. Helping and Aiding people have gone to devastating tragedies in their life. We are also trying to locate the Garden valley fire victims so that we can assist them during this time of need. PLEASE CALL (216) 324-530. They have been placed in new locations which I have been told Lake shore central area in the West side area please contact us immediately so we can assist you. We will keep this program open for year for all Garden Valley Fire victims. Will you have helped in refurnishing homes with appliances furniture and beds as well as personal needs and clothing. Taking Children shopping for back to school haircuts and letting them talk through how devastated they were people don’t understand how it affected the children lives and it will haunt them a lifetime. We also had one death, two children still remain in the burn unit critically injured three newborns were also affected physically by this fire explosion. Giving counseling to the people that have been affected in this devastating explosion. We deliver these items personally to the homes of all the people that have had to renew their lives during this tragedy I Pastor Pam am asking for your help for these people be able to rebuild their lives due to the they have been devastated mentally, physically, and psychologically it’s time for them to be able to heal with your help. We are asking for donations of all Types. you can also donate Clean and in good condition also accepting monetarily donations. Venmo:Let’s Pray Ministries @Letpray Cash app. Letspray4u All donations are accepted. Volunteers are needed. Remember we all go through crisis in your life. Please call for drop off times as well as pick up time Drop offs location Ask for Pastor Pam UNITED Temple Church The tabernacle & Let’s Pray Ministries 14284 Superior Rd. Cleveland Hts. OH 44118 For pick up Call (216) 324-5303 Call (216)785-8109
#Cleveland We have a Real Choice in Laverne Jones Gore In June, 2025 the people signed enough petitions to put Laverne Jones Gore on the ballot for mayor. She is running as an Independent against the current mayor Justin Bibb. This race will not be on the Primary Ballot Tuesday, September 9, 2025. We do not want you to think that the job of taking a #NewDirection is finished when you vote to elect the council in the city of Cleveland and other municipalities. This first primary sets the tone for the people of the region. Doing the same things as before without real commitment is unlikely to gain change. Change is needed to go from the poorest city of our size in America. But, we can regain the title of the Best Location In the Nation. #TeamGore has been ready for a debate with the current mayor. But no dates have been given. Perhaps you the citizens can tweet on X and post on Facebook and Instagram and anywhere else you follow him. You deserve to hear from the people who want to serve the city. Until then, we at GardenHood News will support change in a positive nature… See you Soon!!
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