Breur Tower: Time for Action

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ms. Daryl Davis, event coordinator
216-631-0557 (day) or daryl.davis@sbcglobal.net

TAXPAYERS PROTEST COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’
SPENDING $32 MILLION TO CREATE EMPTY LOT

A coalition of good government and fiscal responsibility advocates, environmentalists and historic preservationists will assemble at 5:00 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2007 outside the Ameritrust Tower, located at East 9th Street between Euclid and Prospect Avenues, to protest the Cuyahoga County Commissioners' plan to raze the building.

Last year the Commissioners purchased the 29-story tower designed by world- renowned architect Marcel Breuer for $21 million. Demolition, including asbestos abatement, is estimated to cost $11 million. On the
surface this appears to be a $32,000,000 expenditure to create an empty lot. Upon closer examination the costs associated with the commissioners plan exceed this.

The coalition is picketing in order to call attention to the fact that Commissioners Tim Hagan and Jimmy Dimora ignored input from their fellow Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones and architectural experts who objected to the proposed project from the standpoint of its cost and the loss to Cleveland's skyline of one of its historically significant buildings. The coalition is opposed to the demolition of the tower, whether the
site is used to create a new county administration center or not.

Total cost for building the new county administration complex has been estimated at $164 million with contracts of $10 million and $13.5 million already awarded to R.P. Carbone Construction and Robert P.
Madison International, Architects. It is likely that the estimated cost is too low and will increase during construction.

Dimora and Hagan have said they want the new administration building to be “green” or “sustainable”. Destruction of the Ameritrust Tower, and the resultant waste of its “embodied energy” effectively cancels-out any legitimate claim the project may make to environmental responsibility.

The “embodied” energy contained in the structure can be estimated at 15 gallons of gasoline per square foot; equal to approximately $11,000,000. Discounting the other environmental costs associated with the demolition of the tower, this figure brings the total amount of wasted public funds to well over $44,000,000.

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 042407

American Planning Assn presents:

April 24, 2007 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes - Senate: Cloture Motion, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act House: District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act House: Water Resources Development Act House: Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act Upcoming Congressional Bills - Senate: America Competes Act House: 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act House: Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act House: Wild Horse Protection Bill

Recent Senate Votes

Cloture Motion, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act - Vote Rejected (55-42, 3 Not Voting) The Senate rejected this motion to take up a bill that would have allowed the federal government to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act - Vote Passed (241-177, 1 Present, 14 Not Voting) This bill would increase the size of the U.S. House of Representatives to 437 by granting the District of Columbia a full vote in the chamber and adding another seat in Utah. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Water Resources Development Act - Vote Passed (394-25, 14 Not Voting) The House passed this $15 billion bill funding improvements to the nation's waterways. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act - Vote Passed (269-134, 30 Not Voting) The House voted to give shareholders in public companies a nonbinding vote on executive compensation. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

America Competes Act - S.761 This Senate bill would authorize funding intended to strengthen science, technology, math and engineering education. 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act - H.R.362 This bill would authorize funding to train math and science teachers. Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act - H.R.363 This bill would authorize funding for science and engineering research. Wild Horse Protection Bill - H.R.249 This bill would prohibit the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses and burros.

"Bill To Revitalize Amtrak Moves Forward, Heads To Senate Floor"

More good news regarding the nations passenger rail.

Press Release of Senator Lautenberg

http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=273085&

Lautenberg Bill To Revitalize Amtrak Moves Forward, Heads To Senate Floor

Integral Part of $19.2 Billion Package Will Put Nation's Passenger Rail
System Back On Track

Contact: Michael Pagan (202) 228-6393
Wednesday, April 25, 2007



WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legislation Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Trent
Lott (R-MS) sponsored to authorize full funding for America's passenger rail
needs for the next six years today was approved unanimously by the Senate
Commerce Committee and moved one step closer to becoming law. Sens.
Lautenberg and Lott authored similar legislation in 2005 that was approved
by the Senate by a vote of 93 to 6, but was not taken up by the House of
Representatives. The Lautenberg-Lott measure -- the Passenger Rail
Investment and Improvement Act of 2007 -- would authorize $11.4 billion in
federal funds for Amtrak and other rail passenger rail programs over six
years. Sens. Lautenberg and Lott have also proposed providing another $7.8
billion over six years for passenger rail development through the issuance
of federal bonds to States and Amtrak. This proposal is awaiting
consideration by the Senate Finance Committee.

The funds would be used to implement a comprehensive plan to revitalize and
reform Amtrak that would enhance security, put new on-time service standards
in place and make fundamental operational reforms in order to provide the
best quality service to its passengers. In addition, the legislation would
put the passenger rail system on solid financial footing with predictable
levels of capital and operational funding, a debt refinancing plan, and a
new financial accounting system.

"After several gloomy years, the future of America's passenger railroad is
bright. Our legislation will provide the necessary resources to bring Amtrak
up to speed as a real alternative to taking a plane or driving a car," said
Lautenberg. "People in New Jersey rely on Amtrak and want to be sure that
the system will be there for them in the future. With this plan, it will."

More than 25 million Americans ride Amtrak every year, and with the
increased congestion in America's airports and on its highways, passenger
rail is a vital alternative for intercity travel throughout the country.

The Lautenberg plan contains the following provisions:

• Funding Levels -- the six-year authorization plan, coupled with the
bonding proposal, would fully-fund Amtrak by authorizing $3.2 billion a year
for six years: $1.9 billion in annual appropriations and another $1.3
billion annually in bond authority.

• New State Grant Program -- included in the $3.2 billion annual total is
an average of $237 million in capital grants to states.

Improving the Northeast Corridor

• Northeast Corridor up to State-of-Good Repair -- the bill will provide
sufficient funding (100 percent federal) and direction to bring the
Northeast Corridor up to a "state-of-good-repair," including vital tunnel
life safety work in the Hudson River Tunnels.

• Improve Governance of Northeast Corridor -- the bill would improve
governance in the Northeast Corridor by giving States like New Jersey a
bigger voice in infrastructure and operations decisions.

Amtrak "Reform" Provisions to Reduce Annual Appropriations

• Operational Reforms -- the bill reduces Amtrak's annual appropriations
need by requiring certain reforms, expected to reduce Amtrak's operating
costs by 40 percent over the life of the bill.

• Debt Refinancing - the bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to
attempt to refinance Amtrak's $3 billion in outstanding debt.

• New financial accounting system - the bill requires a new financial
accounting system for Amtrak to provide more transparency and better control
costs.

Provisions that will Improve Rail Service

• New Service Quality Standards - the bill would improve service for
passengers by requiring new standards for service quality (on-time
performance, on-board and station services, cost recovery, connectivity,
etc.) and by requiring periodic reporting of Amtrak's performance of these
measures by the Federal Railroad Administration.

• Improve Delays -- the bill would authorize the federal Surface
Transportation Board to issue fines to freight railroads who delay Amtrak
trains.

• Sets a Level Playing Field for Competition -- the bill ensures that any
private entity who competes against Amtrak complies with the same federal
laws that apply to Amtrak.

Other Provisions—Security and Board of Directors

• Amtrak Rail Security -- the bill includes a security title, which will
require important rail security improvements to the entire U.S. rail system.


• Restructure Board of Directors -- the bill would restructure the board
of directors by ensuring a bipartisan 9-member board of qualified members.
The bill is cosponsored by 37 Senators. ###

New Tool for Citizens to Monitor Air Quality

Press release from the City of Cleveland:

From:
Cleveland Department of Public Health
Tamara McBride, Cleveland Department of Public Health
(216) 664-3921 or (216) 857-7472
Andrea V. Taylor, City of Cleveland
(216) 664-4171 or (216) 857-7998

For Immediate Release

April 24, 2007
Cleveland Department of Public Health Provides New Tool for Citizens to Monitor Air Quality

CLEVELAND --- Sunday’s fresh air and sunshine was a perfect day for Zoo visitors as they celebrated Earth Fest 2007. Among the organizations providing education and information, was the Division of Air Quality launching a new initiative, Citizens Air Monitoring Program (CAMP) at the Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is the “Local Air Agency” for Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. As an agent of the Ohio EPA, DAQ ensures that regulated air pollutants from industrial and commercial sources are in compliance with federal, state and local air regulations. CAMP is a new program that promotes citizen involvement and opportunities for residents to participate in resolving air quality issues directly.

CAMP allows residents to collect air samples personally with a vacuum canister, and DAQ arranges for lab testing to produce results that may help determine sources of air pollution.

“This program is an essential partnership between the Public Health and the community, says Matt Carroll, Director, CDPH. “We are enlisting the help of the community to capture evidence that may help verify complaints about odors and smoke. The impact of this citizen involvement could help us determine from where problems are being caused and how to create solutions.”

Training will be available to any resident who is interested in CAMP. The CAMP program will allow the community and public health to work together to find solutions to air quality problems together. For more information about CAMP, call 664-7432.

About Division of Air Quality

The DAQ is composed of three sections that work together to achieve the objective of meeting Federal clean air standards. The Field Monitoring Section measures air pollution levels at more than 20 sites in Cuyahoga County for six National Ambient air Criteria Pollutants. These measurements determine compliance to the overall air quality requirements in the city and county. The Engineering Section operates the permit system that requires all industrial and commercial sources of air pollution to register and obtain permits. The permit system identifies sources and establishes limits on the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere. The Enforcement Section conducts inspections and maintains surveillance on pollution sources and responds to complaints from the public about a variety of air pollution issues.

All sections work together on the common goal to improve the quality of life in the City of Cleveland, allowing Cleveland to be a desirable place to live and work.
-30-

CSU: College of Eduaction

Most of the discussion currently heard on and off campus these days seems to be centered around the completed Recreation Center, the under design Student Center, or the who-what-where-why-when-&-how of the proposed Center for the Visual Arts. (By the way, the official start of the Law Building began this past Monday.)
What has not been discussed much is the soon to be started College of Education.
NBBJ are the architects.
Construction is slated to begin this fall with completion sometime in early 2009.

These are schematic renderings, but it is likely the final building will closely resemble what is drawn.

Legslative Action: 10th District and State - 041607

American Planning Assn presents:

April 16, 2007 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes - Senate: Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 Senate: HOPE Act Upcoming Congressional Bills - Senate: Intelligence Authorization Act, FY2007 Senate: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 House: RECOVER Act House: Water Resources Development Act of 2007 House: Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act

Recent Senate Votes

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (63-34, 3 Not Voting) The Senate voted to reverse President Bush's 2001 decision prohibiting government funds from being spent to create new lines of embryonic stem cells. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio HOPE Act - Vote Passed (70-28, 2 Not Voting) The Senate passed this bill that would increase funding for adult stem cell research. Sen. George Voinovich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

Intelligence Authorization Act, FY2007 - S.372 The Senate is expected to complete action early in the week on this bill authorizing intelligence-related expenditures for the current fiscal year. Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 - S.3 Following completion of the intelligence bill, the Senate is scheduled to begin work on this bill that would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices. RECOVER Act - H.R.1361 This bill would allow approved lenders to originate and administer Small Business Administration disaster loans. Water Resources Development Act of 2007 - H.R.1495 This $14 billion bill would provide funds for a variety of Army Corps of Engineers water infrastructure projects. Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act - H.R.363 This House bill authorizes appropriations for science and engineering research and education.