Letters to the Editor
June 2010

Residents urged to demand voice in how block grant dollars are distributed

To the editor: (Plain Press, June 2010) In response to the May Plain Press article “City Council to discuss future of Community Development Corporations,” I’ve always understood Community Development Block Grant funds were to be used to meet the needs of low-income residents and that the mission and purpose of Community Development Corporations were to also work with residents and businesses to meet those needs.

The question then becomes: who determines the needs and how they will be addressed?

Nowhere in this article did it mention where or when either of these entities plan to bring us, the residents to the table to be part of this most important decision making process.

In part I must agree with Councilman Matt Zone, Community Development Corporations should not be babysitters. Nor should they be doing the jobs of city inspectors or police. Instead they should be bringing residents together to organize around issues determined by the residents and together work to resolve them.

Councilman Kevin Kelly’s comments regarding distinction between providing leadership and exerting control on the part of City Council is a point well taken and should apply the same for Community Development Corporations and other non-profits.

Until residents, whether homeowners or renters have an equal part in these discussions and decision-making, this will only continue to be just another power play over who will control the money.

It is time all Cleveland residents raise our voices again as we did in the late 1970s and 1980s. Remember, both City Council and local Community Development Corporations are accountable to us! These are our tax dollars.

Gloria Aron
W. 81st Street

Ask Congress to support Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act

To the editor: (Plain Press, June 2010) On behalf of more than 5.5 million citizen-activists nationwide, the 60 Plus Association asks Congress to support the passage of H.R. 2057/S.3181, the “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act.”

The Right to Repair Act is a good piece of bipartisan legislation that requires automakers to provide the same service information, safety alerts and tools to independent auto repair shops, as well as to consumers, that the automaker dealership service centers receive. This bill would increase competition in the auto repair industry in the United States, which we believe would benefit senior consumers.

Opponents of this legislation don’t give consumers, especially seniors, credit. They are savvy enough to shop and compare. Competition keeps rates down and keeps companies on their toes - answering to consumers on technology, service and price. As for the property rights concerns cited by the car companies, the bill states that their trade secrets and proprietary information will be protected.

This legislation, which has attracted supporters on both sides of the aisle, is good for seniors and all consumers. Times, technologies and service providers have changed, and now Congress needs to change the law so that all auto repair facilities can fairly compete for seniors’ business.

Please visit www.righttorepair.org to send a message in support of the Right to Repair Act to your congressional representatives.

Jim Martin
Chairman
60 Plus

News & Articles | Archives