Real Estate: Frank Talk on Sales, Housing Issues and the Future
April 3, 2016
9:30 am - 10:45 am


Below you will find what's coming, what's happened and what's just ahead with Community Forums at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland. Watch for our new brochure  here, or on the left side of this email. Forums cover a wide variety of topics to educate ourselves and others about issues that affect us all. We encourage interaction with speakers, panelists, and each other.  We hope you will join us at an upcoming  Forum, Conversations That Matter  event!



What's ahead?
April 17 
Climate Change and Poverty: Who's Accountable?
 










Community Forums Discussions That Matter
All are welcome!

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Shaker Heights, OH
44122

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April 3
Real Estate: Frank Talk on Sales, Housing Issues and the Future
What's really happening with foreclosures and property values throughout Cuyahoga County communities, including inner ring suburbs? How is Zillo impacting home sales? Are land banks and proactive demolition of foreclosed homes effective in maintaining real estate values? Jim Rokakis, Director, Thriving Communities Institute and Vice President, Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

What you Missed:
March 20 
The Cleveland Consent Decree, Community Safety, and Suburban Neighborhoods
March 20, 2016:  The Cleveland Consent Decree and its Impacts on Suburban Neighborhoods.
Our speakers were James Hardiman, Vice President of the Cleveland NAACP, and Rev. Dr. Yvonne Conner, member of GCC's Criminal Justice Team and the Cleveland Community Police Commission. 
 
Mr. Hardiman provided a brief history of the Decree, starting with requests by both the NAACP and ACLU that DOJ investigate the Cleveland Police Dept.  Once DOJ issued its findings, the question became what to do about implementing reform, which led to the Consent Decree.  The Decree has a limited life, 5 years, but has potential to make CPD a model police department. 
 
It was noted that in the community itself did not have a seat at the table in the negotiations leading to the Consent Decree, which involved only the City and DOJ.  Nonetheless, GCC presented recommendations to Mayor Jackson and DOJ and will be monitoring implementation of the Decree.  Dr. Conner noted that the Community Police Commission has an official role and constraints in monitoring the Decree, whereas GCC does not have such constraints and take a broader view.  As a 501(c)(3) agency, GCC is, however, constrained from political activity, such as candidate endorsements.  Both Mr. Hardiman and Dr. Conner are members of the bias-free task force that is involved with monitoring. 
 
There was considerable attention to the need for improved screening of applicants for the police department and increased training, particularly with regard to use of approaches other than lethal force and with respect to dealing with minority communities, persons with mental illness or drug addiction, and similar situations. 
 



What's Next:
April 17
Climate Change and Poverty: Who's Accountable?
What are Cuyahoga County and Cleveland doing to minimize the impact of climate change? How are lower income citizens specifically affected? Can urban farms, home weatherization, tree planting and climate action workshops reduce carbon dioxide emissions meaningfully? Mike Foley, Director, Cuyahoga County Director of Sustainability, in conversation with Kim Foreman, Director, Environmental Health Watch

 

What we do and why we do it.
As Unitarian Universalists, we organize forums to "search and serve", i.e. search for answers and serve the community, an important goal for our entire congregation. The forums support personal reflection, social action, and encourage individual and collective growth.  All are invited.
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