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Lawyer opens new doors in IsraelZashin & Rich partner establishes an international custody center By ARIELLE [email protected]

Cleveland attorney Andrew Zashin just won a case for a father inBudapest, Hungary. His wife had leftthe country, taking their two chil-dren to the United States, and the father wanted them back.

As people become more mobile,Mr. Zashin said, child abductions andcustody disputes are on the rise. In aneffort to provide resources to parentsdealing with such issues internationally, Mr. Zashin,co-managing partner of lawfirm Zashin & Rich, Co., hasstarted an Israeli organiza-tion to serve as a clearing-house for information and aresource for those involvedin such cases.

The Center for Interna-tional Child Custody andRelocation, or CICCAR — a wordthat means “roundabout” in Hebrew— is based in Israel, but Mr. Zashinsaid his own practice will remain in Cleveland and that CICCAR’s connection to the area will be strong.He is planning a January symposiumin Cleveland on cross-border childcustody disputes and is applying forcontinuing legal education credit forparticipants.

Mr. Zashin splits his time betweenCleveland and Israel and said Israelwas an ideal location for the organiza-tion. Its geographic location makesmost of Europe, Asia and Africa easilyaccessible and the amount of immi-gration and emigration to and fromthe country make it a hotbed for suchcustody disputes. In the fiscal year thatended Sept. 30, 2008, there were 17

custody disputes between the twocountries tracked by the U.S. Depart-ment of State.

The State Department followscases that deal with the Hague Convention, or abductions betweencountries that have agreed to extra-dition. Between the United Statesand those 69 countries, there were1,120 new cases in 2008. The greatestnumber of cases involved Mexico,followed by Canada, the UnitedKingdom and Germany.

Mr. Zashin is quick tonote that those cases arejust the abductions whereparents knew how to file aHague-related complaint.In plenty of instances, hesaid, people are not savvyenough to do so. Divorceswhere the parents wouldlive in different countriesor splits where parents

were unmarried would not becounted by the State Department,but the resources available throughCICCAR still might aid people inthose cases.

“Hague issues have become somainstream,” Mr. Zashin said. “Noone is doing anything like whatwe’re doing at this level.”

Dr. Deborah Koricke, a psychologistwith the Center for Effective Livingin Beachwood and Rocky River whorecently worked on an internationaldispute with Mr. Zashin, said theneed for the organization is “prettycritical.”

“As society is more and more mobile, we have huge challenges regarding child custody issues,” shesaid. “When the situation is an international one, the challengesare different.”

In addition to his altruistic

reasons for starting CICCAR, Mr.Zashin said it is a way for Zashin &Rich to raise its international profile. The two entities are unrelated,but Mr. Zashin said some new busi-ness might come about as a result ofhis connection to the project.

Mr. Zashin said he enjoys thework he does in Cleveland as a family law attorney, but is alwayslooking for a new challenge. He saidhe saw CICCAR as a “way to breakout of the box.” He has been involved in more than a dozen international custody disputes, hasconsulted on more and has lecturedon and written about the cases.

“My hope is that I’m addingsomething very special to the profession,” Mr. Zashin said. “Thesecases are becoming more and morerelevant. The world’s not gettingbigger, it’s getting smaller.”

Two attorneys who have workedwith Mr. Zashin — Jim Cahn at Hermann, Cahn & Schneider andRobert Strassfeld, director of the Insti-tute for Global Security Law and Policy at Case Western Reserve University — said they see benefits tothe project. Mr. Cahn said he recentlycalled Mr. Zashin as a “shortcut” forinformation in international child-custody matters and would have usedCICCAR if the organization was “mature,” as it would shorten thelearning curve on a case.

Mt. Strassfeld said the link couldbenefit Cleveland as conflicts regarding children increase in coming years.

“At the core are issues of family.How we resolve family disputes is acritical part of normalcy in our lives,”he said. “These kinds of issues willcome up again and again with theglobal economy we have.” ■

Zashin

The University ofAkron has spent thelast 10 months formulating a new strategic plan for its curriculum and for more construction projects, but now offi-cials are trying to figure out how toget around recession-induced road-blocks to accomplishingthat plan.

That was the crux oflast week’s state of theuniversity address byAkron president LuisProenza. He noted that heand hundreds throughoutthe community have created a plan to improvethe university, but reachingthose goals will be challenging.

“Across the country, seriousstate revenue deficiencies are likelyto extend through the next year ofthis biennium and into the next,” hesaid. “The worst effects of the major recession are yet to come forOhio, and all public agencies and institutions are facing significantcuts into the foreseeable future.”

As a result, the university is pursuing partnerships with privatedevelopers to build at least threenew academic/research buildings,three residence halls and two orthree more parking decks, Dr.

Proenza said.The collabora-

tive approach isquite different from how the univer-sity completed $500 million in newbuildings, renovations and additionsto existing structures. That waspaid for the traditional way — by

raising $606 million in acapital campaign that concluded last year andby relying on financial helpfrom the state.

But those sources likelyare tapped out or are notas reliable as in the past,so Akron is trying to findnew sources of income tocontinue to renovate its

campus and programs, Dr. Proenzasaid.

“We’re better organizing ourselves,” he said. “We are lookingfor new students and new researchpartners in order to have the levelof revenue necessary to keep ourcosts down for students and providethe level of compensation our facultyand staff so richly deserve.”

Though finances are tough, Dr.Proenza said the university will forgeahead with plans announced lastyear to overhaul the curriculum to include entrepreneurship.

— Shannon Mortland

University of Akron president navigates through economic storm

ON THE WEB Story from www.CrainsCleveland.com

Proenza

20091102-NEWS--12-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 10/29/2009 3:18 PM Page 1

to Kent State University’s CentennialResearch Park.

And in the middle, the city ofAkron has placed a big bet on itsBiomedical Corridor, an arc ofland that wraps around the University of Akron and includesUniversity Park, a 50-block arearipe for redevelopment.

Each of these centers have slightlydifferent emphases, though they alltend to focus on the chemical andengineering bases that built Akroninto the Rubber City, backed up withmanufacturing and logistics strengths.

“You can see (the) I-76 (corridor)as having several nuclei, not justone nucleus,” said Richard Rebadow,

executive vice president of theGreater Akron Chamber. “We havegeographic clusters as opposed toindustry clusters.”

Bringing things into focusIf the clusters have a common

theme, it’s more about whatthey’re not focusing on.

Bethany Dentler, executive director of the Medina CountyEconomic Development Corp.,said the region is making a consciouseffort to diversify away from its traditional reliance on the auto industry, leaving almost a blankslate.

By JAY [email protected]

It’s a pretty basic concept —universities make good anchors for economic develop-ment — they generate ideas

and researchthat can beturned intobusinesses.

So itshouldn’t be surprising that eco-nomic development efforts along

the Interstate 76 corridor that extends east and west from Akron— as well as future prospects for thearea — focus on university centers.

“There’s a lot of excitement forinvesting in university towns,” saidDaniel D. Smith, Kent’s economicdevelopment director.

The feeling is reciprocal. The state’scolleges and universities are beingencouraged to collaborate withbusinesses to develop new industries.

Indeed, Eric Fingerhut, Ohio’shigher education chancellor, inSeptember urged university

Ideas, research generated can lead to new business

CORRIDORS OF COMMERCENOVEMBER 2-8, 2009 CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS 13

Officials see future in promising development at university centers

LEGEND

Infrastructure PAGE 15

Economic developmentPAGE 14

Population PAGE 15

The roadahead

SIGNS OF THE TIMESI-76 region’s retail landscape offers a mix of the good and bad

By JOHN [email protected]

Looking at the retailsituation along Interstate 76 throughPortage, Summit and Medina

counties is a little like inspecting a coresample from a big tree: There aretraces of days gone by, marks of thepresent and a few hints of what thefuture may have in store.

Akron’s Chapel Hill Mall sits aboutfour miles north of Interstate 76, alongtime anchor of that area’s busyretail and restaurant district. At 42years old, the mall has seen its shareof ups and downs, though even inthese tough retail times, almost all of

its 863,406 square feet ofleasing space is occupied,according to general managerTed Martin.

“We’ve got two vacanciesright now,” Mr. Martin said,

“and both of them are under 3,000square feet.”

Over the past few years, as big-boxretailers and department stores haveshuttered locations nationwide,Chapel Hill has been fortunate tokeep its JCPenney, Macy’s and Searsanchor stores. And though it lost a26,000-square-foot tenant last yearwhen clothing chain Steve & Barry’sdeclared bankruptcy, Chapel Hilllanded a Shoe Dept. Encore store to

See RETAIL Page 16

See ROAD Page 16

Retail

trustees gathered in Newark to “ensure their institutions are driving economic growth.

That attitude is taking holdacross the I-76 corridor.

To the west, where I-76 splits offeast from Interstate 71, Medina Countyand its economic development non-profit corporation see opportunityin the Medina County UniversityCenter in Lafayette Township, abranch of the University of Akron.

To the east of Akron, Kent has begun to attract high-tech tenants

INSIDE: A more in-depth look at whatthe universities surrounding Interstate76 are doing. Page 14


By CHUCK [email protected]

These days, many universitiesaren’t content to simplyteach and publish.

Indeed, the universitiesalong the Interstate 76 corridor areamong those in Northeast Ohiothat list economic developmentamong other more traditional duties. For years, they have beenspinning out technologies andhelping develop area real estate.

Recently, however, economicdevelopment has become an evenbigger priority at the University ofAkron, Kent State University andthe Northeastern Ohio UniversitiesColleges of Medicine and Pharmacy.

Case in point: Akron’s five-yearstrategic plan for the first time willlist economic development andentrepreneurship among the university’s formal priorities, saidBarry Rosenbaum, senior fellowwith the University of Akron Research Foundation, whichserves as a liaison between the university and the business community.

“We’re starting to get morerecognition on the street for drivingeconomic development,” Mr.Rosenbaum said.

Commercialization of universitytechnologies is one of the key eco-nomic development strategies atAkron, Kent State and NEOUCOM.

At Akron, for instance, inventiondisclosures and revenue from university spinoff technologiesboth more than doubled between2004 and 2007, according to themost recent statistics available.

Plus, the university has workedto foster collaborations with the business community and to turnits technologies into spinoff com-panies via the University of AkronResearch Foundation, which cantake equity in companies andavoid red tape because in a legalsense it is not part of the university.

The university also is makingsome changes on the academic side.For instance, it now prefers to hirefaculty who have experience workingwith industry, said research founda-tion senior fellow Gordon Schorr.

“We aren’t just hiring academi-cians,” Mr. Schorr said. “We’relooking for people who can bridge.”

Town and gownJust as Akron is considered a

hub of polymer expertise, KentState University’s Liquid CrystalInstitute is considered “the Meccaof liquid crystal research,” saidTamas Kosa, chief operating officerof Kent State spinoff AlphaMicronInc., which makes ski goggles andother liquid crystal-based productsthat dim with the push of a button.

Crystal Diagnostics, a startupthat uses liquid crystal-basedpathogen detection technologyfrom Kent State and NEOUCOM, isscheduled to become AlphaMicron’sneighbor in Kent State’s CentennialResearch Park next year.

The company, which is doingprototype development and test-ing at NEOUCOM, is one example

of that school’s efforts to promotepublic-private partnerships, saidWalter E. Horton Jr., vice presidentfor research and associate dean forgraduate students at NEOUCOM.

“On an average year I talk to,say, 20 to 25 companies that areainterested in being associated withthe medical school and pharmacyschool,” he said.

On the real estate side of economicdevelopment, the University ofAkron has played a key role in developing the University Parkcommunity that surrounds muchof its campus, said Ken Stapleton,executive director of the UniversityPark Alliance, which works to develop real estate in the neigh-borhood.

The university founded thealliance in 2001 and continues topromote its efforts. For instance, ithas set aside $200,000 that it isusing to give rebates to people whobuy new town homes being builtin University Park’s Spicer Villagedevelopment.

“(The university is) a very keypart of this whole puzzle,” he said.

Kent State also is making effortsto redevelop areas outside its campus, said Lori Wemhoff, interimexecutive director of the Kent AreaChamber of Commerce. She notedhow the university is consideringinvesting $3 million to help finance construction of a $14 million hotel and convention center on East Erie Street.

She added that several stores inthe recently completed Acorn Alley, a pedestrian-friendly corridorof shops and restaurants in down-town Kent, have formed partner-ships with schools in the university.

“The whole idea is to pull townand gown together,” Ms. Wemhoffsaid.

The traditional routeThe universities also have fueled

economic development in the region by tweaking their traditionalroles as institutions for teachingand research.

When NEOUCOM proposed theidea of opening its own pharmacyschool in 2005, it had to show theOhio Board of Regents that the region’s pharmacy industry neededthe additional talent.

“We had to make a really strongcase that Northeast Ohio was inthe sweet spot for needing phar-macists,” Dr. Horton said.

Kent State not only churns outgraduates who can be found incompanies throughout the region,but groups within the school occasionally conduct economicdevelopment-related research forlocal entities, said Greg Wilson, associate vice president for univer-sity relations and economic devel-opment. In September, for instance, the school launched theCity and Community Studies Initiative, which will provide inter-disciplinary research on issuesconcerning Northeast Ohio.

“A lot of these institutions dohelp the economy, some in moredirect ways, some in less direct,”Mr. Wilson said. ■


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Universities expand rolesto include emphasis oneconomic development


By JOEL [email protected]

There seems to be some slightdisagreement along Interstate 76 about what will drive redevelopment and

bring new business to the area first:multimillion-dollar upgrades at theheadquarters of Akron’s two big tiremakers, Goodyear Tire & RubberCo. and Bridgestone Firestone, orthe rapidly building momentum to transform the area around I-76 intoon a top high-tech corridor.

Goodyear is in the process of finalizing plans for its $900 million,600-acre headquarters project indowntown Akron, and Bridgestone’s240,000-square-foot, $100 milliontechnical center also is in the works.Akron deputy mayor of economicdevelopment Bob Bowman saidbusiness interest has been steady inthe areas surrounding those pro-jects, from information technologyfirms to retail establishments.

The area’s push into biomedicineand bioinnovation also is drivinggrowth and there’s the potential formore, say community leaders andthose involved with initiatives suchas the Akron Biomedical Corridor,started in 2006 by Akron Mayor DonPlusquellic, and the Austen BioInno-vation Institute in Akron (ABIA).

The latter, a partnership amongAkron General Medical Center,Akron Children’s Hospital, SummaHealth System, the University of

Akron and the Northeastern OhioUniversities Colleges of Medicineand Pharmacy, is combining thepower of all five members to makeconnections across the world.

ABIA representatives have metwith officials in Helsinki, Finland,and there’s a “buzz” there over thework being done in Akron, Mr.Bowman said. Meanwhile, the cityof Akron through the Akron GlobalBusiness Accelerator, a small busi-ness incubator, has established apipeline into Germany and Israel,through which deals with early stagecompanies eventually will flow.

Overall, the ABIA currently has15 to 20 companies interested indoing business in the Akron area,said Walter E. Horton, vice presidentfor research at NEOUCOM.

“It’s all about growing the opportunities for the region,” Dr.Horton said. “ Having the structurethe institute does means we canoffer companies something: talentrecruitment, physical space, rela-tionships with hospitals, popula-tion for clinical trials and otherthings these companies need.”

High-tech driveAside from the ABIA and business

accelerator, the region’s high-techfoundation takes other forms: TheUniversity of Akron in Septemberbroke ground on a $13 million poly-mer innovation center, which willsupplement its Institute of PolymerScience and Polymer Engineering.

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By JOEL [email protected]

It’s a cycle that’s reaping benefitsfor the areas surrounding Akronand Interstate 76, according toofficials in those communities.

Strong institutions, such as hospitals and universities, drawpeople. Many of those people becomebetter educated, making for amore qualified work force. Compa-nies relocate to the communitieswith a more qualified work force,which helps them develop betterproducts and be more successful.

That, in turn, allows the com-munities to pitch themselves as abetter place for even more compa-nies, institutions and residents.

Wadsworth assistant director ofpublic service Rob Peters said theUniversity of Akron, located 12miles east, is one of the institutionsthat’s helping to drive this cycle.

“Companies see the universityas a benefit from an employmentstandpoint,” said Mr. Peters, whosecommunity saw a nearly 11% increase in population from 2000to 2008, according to U.S. CensusBureau figures. “They’re able to getbetter employees in this area.”

To help feed that well-qualifiedwork force, Stark State College ofTechnology in North Canton andthe University of Akron have beenoffering evening courses in Barberton.

“Employers are concerned about

work force development. Educationis a stimulus; our employers are ableto draw from an enhanced workforce, and that in turn will attractmore companies to the region,” saidBarberton Mayor Bob Genet.

Tallmadge, meanwhile, is drawing more young professionals,said economic development directorPat Carano. The increase likely isdue to the surge in high-tech companies and initiatives at nearby Kent State University, UAand Akron’s hospital systems.

To keep those people in Tallmadge,the city has started a young profes-sionals organization, similar to theCleveland Professional 20/30 Club.

“Who better to promote the townand region than these young lead-ers?” asked Mr. Carano. “We want tokeep that talent here, to attract morenew-economy-type business.”

In Kent, liquid crystals are thename of the game, with youngcompanies — such as Alpha-Micron — outgrowing their spaces.Kent hung onto AlphaMicron,which makes products such as skigoggles and is looking to enterlarger markets, by giving themspace and a favorable lease atKSU’s Centennial Research Park.

“These are high-tech jobs we’recreating and trying to keep them intown,” said Kent economic development director Daniel D.Smith. “Then we try to start the cycle all over again.” ■

Strong institutions promotecommunity, population growth

Area leaders say potential from biomedical push is highInnovative progress gaining worldwide buzz Kent State, meanwhile, has taken the

lead on liquid crystals, and fuel cellshave become a focus at Stark StateCollege of Technology in North Can-ton and at its neighbor, the U.S.headquarters of Rolls Royce’s fuel cellsubsidiary.

Those advancements should playwell here, with a manufacturingbase that’s adapting and shifting tonew-economy technology.

“These technologies are drivingwhat most of our business productslook like,” said Connie Krauss, Summit County’s director of com-munity and economic development.“It will fit into our advanced manu-facturing base, rather than old-linemanufacturing from years past.”

Nearby communities have kept awatchful eye on developments. Tallmadge, which earlier this decadeannexed two-thirds of neighboringBrimfield Township in a joint eco-nomic development district arrange-ment, is one such community.

An “older community, withoutnecessarily industrial space to spare,”said economic development directorPat Carano, Tallmadge has used theJEDD land as an alternative: Industrial

Tube and Steel, formerly located inAkron, completed construction of a110,000-square-foot building in September, and DermaMed, whichmakes adhesives for medical appli-cations, should move into an 82,000-square-foot facility this month.

Tallmadge officials, like others inthe I-76 corridor, are hopeful themomentum from the high-tech drive will bring more development.

“Anything that happens inAkron benefits us, and benefits the region,” Mr. Carano said. ■

20091102-NEWS--15-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 10/30/2009 10:37 AM Page 1

“Anything could happen. … Itgives us an opportunity to be creative,” she said. “What newthings can we put together thatwill differentiate us and our regionfrom the competition?”

Eastern Medina County, which hasseen its base of auto and transporta-tion-related industries sag, is tryingto rebuild around its new universitycenter, which takes 44 acres in a100-acre Innovation Park, plannedas a high-tech business park.

The county also is seeking $1.9million in federal stimulus money tohelp it build an $8.3 million fiber-optic line to connect businesses andinstitutions in the park and in thebroader county with fiber networksin the Cleveland and Akron areas.

In Akron itself, the focus is onbiomedicine, specifically what’sbeing called the Biomedical Corridor,which includes the University ofAkron, the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicineand Pharmacy, Akron Children’sHospital, Akron General HealthSystem and Summa Health System.

The corridor runs from the

Akron General/Akron Children’scomplex along the west edge ofdowntown and connects with AkronCity and the university. Key to thearea’s redevelopment is the AustenBioInnovation Institute, a researchcenter that is focusing on biopoly-mers, medical devices, orthopedicsand wound healing. The institutehopes to find a permanent homebefore the end of the year.

The hope is that the institute,which was created and funded bythe five corridor founders, localgovernment and the John S. andJames L. Knight Foundation, willcreate 2,400 jobs.

Nearby, the University of Akronin September broke ground for a$13 million National Polymer Innovation Center, a 43,000-square-foot building that is tohouse 10 laboratories that willconduct research in biopolymersand other related fields.

Laying the groundworkSome of the most exciting devel-

opments are happening in andaround Kent, where Kent State’sinfluence is attracting high-tech firms.

Centennial Research Park is a41,000-square-foot former busgarage attached to 10 undevelopedacres. The garage already has beenredeveloped for two high-tech liquid crystal tenants AlphaMicronand Crystal Diagnostics.

To make the town even more attractive to new business, saidKent’s Mr. Smith, the city is planninga $48 million downtown facelift.

The city, through a nonprofit,has assembled a three-acre cityblock for a project it calls the KentCentral Gateway. The plans includea $14 million hotel and conferencecenter, a new municipal courtbuilding, retail and office space.

The university has pledged a $3million investment in the project.

Dave Ruller, Kent’s city manager,explained on his blog, Kent 360,that the university and the citywant to be catalysts for “an economic revival that leveragesthe assets and capabilities that arewell within Kent’s reach to createjobs, build new technologies,spawn entrepreneurship and bethe kind of place people are proudto call home in Northeast Ohio.” ■


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CORRIDORSOFCOMMERCE

fill the space.“As far as sales in our mall, there

are certain retailers that are doingvery well, and everybody else is kindof maintaining a steady sales perfor-mance,” Mr. Martin said. “I think thearea is very accessible, and I thinkwe have found probably the perfectmix of retailers for our customers.”

Across town, the picture of another onetime regional anchormall couldn’t be more different.Rolling Acres, northwest of I-76, attracted no interest in an onlineauction in May, with a starting bid ofjust $2.5 million for the 49.5-acreproperty and the retail spaces thathave been standing vacant since themall closed in 2008.

In addition to handling theRolling Acres property, NAI Cummins Real Estate holds thelisting for several of the mall’s separately owned former anchorspaces, and Akron-based agentJennifer Fernandez said she has seensome activity in those properties.

“We have the former Dillard’s,”she said. “And we have the formerTarget also for sale in our office. Isold (the former Macy’s) to a buyerwho owns a storage facility company.They only had a need for half ofthe space, so the first floor is backon the market on a lease basis.”

The only remaining retail at thesite are a Sears and a JCPenneyoutlet store, both propertiesowned by their parent companies.

Tim Dimoff, who has managedthe property for California-basedInvest Commercial LLC since thatcompany bought Rolling Acres for$1.7 million in July 2006, says theowners are pitching developers onrenovating the site as a multi-usebusiness complex. “We’ve had someencouraging reaction from differentdevelopers along that line,” he said.

Meanwhile, the urban stretch of I-76 includes massive undertakingspacked with dollars and retail poten-tial: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s$900 million headquarters reloca-tion and the Riverwalk project,which aims to redevelop the areaeast of downtown.

Although the credit crunch hadstalled things earlier this year forCalifornia-based developer Indus-trial Realty Group, a financing dealin May set the ball rolling again. Inaddition to a new headquarters forthe company, plans call for a retailcomplex along the Little Cuyahogajust south of the interstate.

Off the beaten pathChange already has come to the

outlying suburban and rural areasalong I-76.

In Portage County, downtownRavenna has seen the number ofboarded-up storefronts increase,and Detroit’s automotive woeshave shaken things up.

“The auto industry closed threeof our dealerships,” noted JackFerguson, executive director of theRavenna Area Chamber of Com-merce. “ And they were all within 100yards of each other.”

Not far to Ravenna’s southwest,though, in Brimfield Township justsouth of Kent, Cleveland-based 3DReal Estate Partners’ retail center,The Cascades, has drawn shoppersand tenants since opening in 2006anchored by a Super Wal-Mart.

The smaller towns and farmcountry west of Akron have hadtheir landscapes similarly altered.

Over the past three years, theWadsworth Crossings shoppingcenter at I-76 and state Route 261has filled its spaces with the likesof Target, Lowe’s and Kohl’s, bothreflecting and fueling growth allaround its vicinity, according toBarberton-South Summit Chamberof Commerce CEO Joe Fazek.

Couple that growth with what’sgoing on one exit west, where I-76intersects state Route 94, Mr. Fazekpoints out, and you’ve got a blue-print for a development explosion.

“Downtown Wadsworth is reap-ing the benefits as well, just becauseof natural traffic,” he said, notingthat Home Depot and Panera Breadhave opened locations north of I-76.

Most of I-76 between Wadsworthand Rolling Acres, he said, “is ripefor renovation, because the land isavailable.” ■

Retail: Rolling Acres’ futurelikely as a multi-use complex

Road: Institutions fuel revitalization continued from PAGE 13

continued from PAGE 13



NORTHEAST OHIO'S MOST AFFLUENT COMMUNITIESRANKED BY MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME(1)

Education Housing units

Rank Community

Medianhousehold

incomeMedian owner-occupied

housing valueNumber ofhouseholds Population

Projectedpopulation

growth2009-2014 4 year % Post-Grad % Owner % Renter %

Average traveltime to work

(minutes) County

1 Hunting Valley $288,462 $1,077,519 277 705 (2.4) 38.5 35.1 85.6 14.4 26.5 Cuyahoga

2 Bentleyville $207,500 $555,556 278 889 (3.8) 40.0 37.2 98.2 1.8 27.8 Cuyahoga

3 Gates Mills $147,727 $485,938 847 2,255 (5.8) 29.5 37.3 92.9 7.1 31.4 Cuyahoga

4 Pepper Pike $145,768 $389,384 2,123 5,695 (3.5) 33.4 38.2 95.6 4.4 24.2 Cuyahoga

5 Sugar Bush Knolls $144,048 $276,613 112 305 12.8 28.2 35.6 98.2 1.8 27.0 Portage

6 Kirtland Hills Village $127,381 $472,727 317 818 12.8 27.6 19.9 89.9 10.1 25.1 Lake

7 Moreland Hills $124,752 $396,154 1,213 3,033 (4.9) 35.0 31.1 98.0 5.0 25.9 Cuyahoga

8 Hudson $110,865 $274,363 7,623 23,075 1.2 40.6 26.0 90.2 9.9 28.8 Summit

9 Waite Hill $106,000 $463,636 229 537 8.0 30.7 26.5 86.0 14.0 23.2 Lake

10 Orange $103,616 $293,516 1,210 3,262 0.6 31.4 27.4 95.7 4.3 25.9 Cuyahoga

11 South Russell $98,688 $288,221 1,346 3,921 (1.2) 38.0 27.6 97.7 2.3 28.6 Geauga

12 Boston Heights $94,965 $312,500 518 1,513 10.6 29.5 10.9 90.5 9.5 26.9 Summit

13 Solon $94,953 $255,024 7,616 21,919 0.0 28.5 22.1 87.6 12.4 26.0 Cuyahoga

14 Bainbridge $91,953 $236,515 1,292 3,407 0.9 40.4 22.1 93.0 7.0 27.3 Geauga

15 Highland Heights $91,688 $250,925 2,975 8,596 2.5 22.8 20.6 97.3 2.7 21.3 Cuyahoga

16 Brecksville $88,728 $244,350 4,922 12,829 (2.1) 25.2 22.4 88.4 11.6 27.2 Cuyahoga

17 Bratenahl $85,714 $213,274 683 1,253 (3.8) 28.0 35.7 84.8 15.2 21.2 Cuyahoga

18 Bay Village $82,738 $188,672 5,748 14,460 (6.1) 36.0 18.3 92.2 7.8 26.2 Cuyahoga

19 Aurora $82,530 $229,823 5,679 14,625 3.7 29.0 12.1 80.9 19.1 29.1 Portage

20 Macedonia $81,443 $191,486 3,820 10,449 5.6 23.2 7.3 95.6 4.4 25.3 Summit

21 Peninsula $80,172 $253,226 271 662 3.8 21.4 17.1 78.6 21.4 25.6 Summit

22 Strongsville $79,625 $189,917 15,987 42,350 (2.2) 24.3 13.1 82.3 17.7 28.9 Cuyahoga

23 Avon $79,542 $199,446 6,472 17,620 16.7 22.6 9.6 88.0 12.0 26.1 Lorain

24 Valley View $78,901 $189,527 731 1,994 (5.2) 14.4 7.8 92.1 7.9 22.7 Cuyahoga

25 Silver Lake $78,811 $188,715 1,292 3,097 1.6 30.6 19.4 95.9 4.1 24.9 Summit

26 Richfield $77,554 $213,636 1,450 3,794 6.5 16.4 8.3 89.3 10.7 27.3 Summit

27 Westfield Center $77,027 $189,107 417 1,059 0.2 34.2 12.9 90.7 9.4 24.8 Medina

28 Mayfield Village $76,478 $230,543 1,277 3,084 (6.2) 27.4 18.1 82.4 17.6 25.7 Cuyahoga

29 Westlake $75,841 $203,344 12,556 30,443 (2.3) 27.6 17.9 75.4 24.6 26.7 Cuyahoga

30 Kirtland $75,767 $211,018 2,796 7,435 5.2 21.4 11.1 86.6 13.4 24.7 Lake

31 Chagrin Falls $74,228 $259,487 1,673 3,637 (5.8) 38.1 23.2 73.1 26.9 27.2 Cuyahoga

32 Avon Lake $74,203 $185,735 9,244 24,619 12.8 26.7 15.8 85.8 14.2 27.4 Lorain

33 Fairlawn $72,929 $179,994 2,886 6,989 (2.5) 28.0 18.9 66.2 33.8 23.8 Summit

34 University Heights $72,376 $148,790 4,588 12,604 (6.2) 28.1 27.0 74.9 25.1 23.7 Cuyahoga

35 Twinsburg $72,361 $196,563 7,152 17,917 2.6 26.3 12.3 76.8 23.3 27.8 Summit

36 Shaker Heights $71,462 $190,361 10,991 26,187 (6.4) 26.0 35.4 65.2 34.8 25.3 Cuyahoga

37 Walton Hills $70,786 $187,079 876 2,276 (3.1) 14.5 5.1 96.9 3.1 26.9 Cuyahoga

38 Beachwood $70,663 $261,688 4,642 11,061 (5.1) 24.2 26.1 64.3 35.7 23.6 Cuyahoga

39 Independence $70,249 $213,566 2,574 6,734 (3.2) 18.2 10.8 94.5 5.5 23.5 Cuyahoga

40 Broadview Heights $68,763 $193,085 7,113 17,530 4.0 23.9 13.1 76.0 24.1 27.7 Cuyahoga

41 Canfield $68,750 $151,923 2,642 6,483 (7.4) 24.2 16.5 83.8 16.2 24.1 Mahoning

42 Sheffield Village $68,065 $164,773 1,340 3,562 8.7 17.2 5.5 87.8 12.2 25.3 Lorain

43 North Royalton $68,026 $185,494 11,758 29,374 1.1 21.0 8.5 74.3 25.8 29.7 Cuyahoga

44 Olmsted Falls $67,678 $153,431 3,292 8,171 1.1 24.9 11.8 83.8 16.2 29.7 Cuyahoga

45 Munroe Falls $67,141 $156,051 1,943 5,157 (1.5) 20.3 13.6 85.7 14.3 24.8 Summit

46 Chesterland $65,770 $174,177 1,050 2,672 0.6 15.5 8.1 90.1 9.9 29.6 Geauga

47 Seven Hills $65,677 $178,040 4,696 11,564 (2.4) 14.5 7.6 96.6 3.4 25.5 Cuyahoga

48 Mentor $65,398 $152,787 20,102 51,915 1.9 18.8 9.0 87.6 12.4 25.0 Lake

Crain's Cleveland Business does not independently verify the information and there is no guarantee these listings are complete or accurate. We welcome all responses to ourlists and will include omitted information or clarifications in coming issues. Business lists and The Book of Lists are available to purchase at www.crainscleveland.com.(1) Information for this list of communities in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark and Summit counties is based on 2009 estimates from NielsenClaritas, www.claritas.com.

RESEARCHED BY Deborah W. Hillyer


wages and benefits when a new contract is negotiated in 2011.

Ford’s Brook Park operation waspromised significant new enginework if the contract is approved nationwide, Mr. Gammella said. Thenew work would provide jobs for theroughly 640 UAW members slated tobe out of work when Ford closes itsBrook Park casting plant, whichmakes engine blocks, as scheduled atthe end of 2010.

Mr. Gammella said Ford haspromised that the plant would bebuilding small, fuel-efficient engineswith four cylinders or fewer — exactly

the kind of work Mr. Gammella hashoped to land as he eyes a nationshifting from pickup trucks and SUVsto smaller, less-thirsty cars and othersmall vehicles.

“We would become the premierengine plant for Ford in North Amer-ica,” Mr. Gammella said. “Everybodyworking here, even when the foundrycloses, would be able to keep theirjob.”

Mr. Gammella largely has done hispart. He asked his local to approvenew concessions for Ford, and theyvoted 61% to 39% in favor of acceptingthe contract changes.

“I was ecstatic,” he said.

Then came the agony That was Oct. 22, when Local 1250

became the first to vote on and ap-prove the new deal. But by the follow-ing Monday, Mr. Gammella’s ecstasyturned to anxiety as he watched lo-cals in Livonia and Plymouth, Mich.,as well as a big local near Kansas City,Mo., vote against the concessions.

“Kansas City voted against it 92%,”Mr. Gammella said. “I can’t believe it.In this economy? … And the KansasCity plant was also promised newwork. I really don’t understand that.”

UAW vice president Bob King, whowas lobbying for a “yes” vote along


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Ford: Local UAW favors compromisewith other union officials, was report-edly all but shouted off site by angryunion members opposed to the dealwhen he visited Ford plants in Michi-gan to lobby before voting began. Officials at the UAW International inDetroit were not available to discussthe matter last week.

Neither is Ford ready to talk aboutthe vote, or about possible new workfor Brook Park. Ford spokeswomanMarcey Evans said the companywould not comment until the unionvote was completed nationwide.

An optimistic noteFord wants about the same deal

from the UAW that the union alreadyhas given this year to Chrysler andGeneral Motors, except without thechanges to retiree benefits that those

companies won. However, unlike GM and Chrysler,

Ford has been gaining market shareand did not seek a governmentbailout. Mr. Gammella said he under-stands why some union members arenot happy about the concessions —he’d rather avoid them as well — butthat in today’s economy it’s simplyunwise not to work with Ford for theoverall health of the company and thesecurity of its workers.

If the contract concessions are voted down, Brook Park still might getmore engine work, but it also mightwatch that work go to Mexico or over-seas, Mr. Gammella said. That’s whyhe said he urged members to acceptthe concessions and get the workguaranteed to them with a “yes” votenationally. ■


The Tribe has a deal for you■ Knowing it will be easier than ever for season-ticket holders to say no when askedto renew, the Cleveland Indians are trying tomake it more difficult.

First, they extended last season’s offer ofbuy-one-get-one-free season tickets from theview boxes, located in the upper deck, to theinfield lower boxes. Then, they upped the antefor early renewals: Anyone who re-upped bylast Monday, Oct. 26, got an incentive packageyou could call surprising, if not shocking.

Renewing ticket holders got loaded tickets,which add $2 to $5 to every ticket, dependingon where they’re located. For instance: IfCrain’s renewed its figurative four season tickets in the field box area, it would get $4, for use atthe concession or souvenirstands, added on to eachticket. That’s four tickets,multiplied by 81 homegames, multiplied by $4, or$1,296.

Here’s the surprising part: Earlyrenewals also received one-time usageof a suite. That’s 16 tickets and parkingpasses for a suite rental at a regular-seasongame at Progressive Field, valued at $1,800.

“We understand the realities of the busi-ness, the economy and the situation we’rein,” said Curtis Danburg, the Indians’ directorof communications. “We understand the reality of where the team is. We had to becompetitive, and we had to be aggressive.”

The Indians this month will hold a select-a-seat event at Progressive Field, after which the

team will have a better handle on season-ticketrenewals, Mr. Danburg said. Still, he said, theresponse to the incentive package “was verywell received.

“It definitely factored into people’s deci-sions. That was our goal. We wanted to makeit tough for them to say no.” — Joel Hammond

Say, how about a little of your DNA …■ Those applying for a job at the Universityof Akron might be asked for more than a fewreferences — to the apparent disgust of atleast one current employee.

The university’s trustees approved in August a new policy on criminal background

checks for potential employees. Thepolicy notes that applicants will needto submit fingerprints and could beasked to submit a DNA sample, too.Employees were notified of the policyOct. 20.

A statement from the universitysaid the school included DNA testingin its policy because national discus-sions have indicated that finger-

printing will give way to DNA tests asa form of criminal identification, so it

wants to be ready if the Ohio State HighwayPatrol starts using DNA technology.

Adjunct faculty member Matt Williams,who had been teaching four courses this semester in communications and continuingeducation, resigned last week over the newpolicy, according to an Oct. 29 story on InsideHigherEd.com.

The American Association of UniversityProfessors in Washington, D.C., said it

believes background checks should be limitedto people who are considered for “positionswith significant security considerations.”— Shannon Mortland

Let’s shed a little light on the subject of LEDs■ Great, just what we need — some local company glomming money off the govern-ment for a new “green” technology, trying todecide where to build its manufacturing plant.

Wait — that is what we need! So heads up,Strongsville, home to Momentive Perfor-mance Products, which just found out it’s receiving $4.5 million in federal money to develop LED lighting. The lights operate usingabout one-quarter of the electricity requiredto produce the same amount of light from anincandescent bulb, Momentive spokesmanEd Farris said.

Momentive didn’t invent this sort of lighting,but it’s come up with a better way of makingit, Mr. Farris said. Instead of producing indi-vidual crystals for the light-emitting diodes,Momentive can make a bigger crystal andthen cut it into smaller ones, doing so less expensively and with a higher quality outcome, Mr. Farris said.

So now the company needs to build a pilotplant to begin making the stuff. It could be inStrongsville, where the Albany, N.Y.-basedcompany developed the technology, but itmight not be. Momentive just got word of theaward last week and isn’t that far along in itsplanning, Mr. Farris said.

“If it’s in Strongsville, if it’s in California, if it’s in Albany, we really don’t know,” he said.— Dan Shingler

MILESTONESCOMPANY: Graffiti Headware,ClevelandTHE OCCASION: Its 25th anniversary

Here’s a moment for a tip of the cap.The company

opened its doors in1984 and has grownto about 60 employ-ees. It manufacturesmore than 10,000baseball caps andembroidered cloth-ing per week for cor-porate clients andother customers.

Graffiti wasfounded by Abe andBarb Miller, picturedat right, who still manage day-to-day operations.

For information about the company, visitwww.GraffitiCaps.com.

COMPANY: National Survey Research Center, ClevelandTHE OCCASION: Its 60th anniversary

The full-service marketing research and con-sulting firm, founded in 1949, includes amongits services focus groups, in-person interviews,telephone interviews and statistical analysis.

Clients range in size from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

For information, visit www.nsrc.com.

REPORTERS’ NOTEBOOKBEHIND THE NEWS WITH CRAIN’S WRITERS

THEINSIDER

THEWEEK OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1

The big story: Memphis-based Thomas &Betts Corp. is closing its manufacturing plant atEast 116th Street and Harvard Avenue in Cleveland,resulting in the loss of 117 jobs, according to a company filing made with the state of Ohio. Themaker of electrical components used in residentialand commercial construction filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN)Act letter with the state, saying it was moving thejobs, though it did not specify a new location forthe work. The company expects to cease local operations in stages between Nov. 23 and March31, 2010, according to the filing.

Almost ready: Chancellor University saidthe much-anticipated Jack Welch ManagementInstitute MBA and Master in Management program will begin online and at the school’s

Cleveland campus startingJan. 4, 2010. The start ofclasses had been delayeddue to Jack Welch’s recent bout with discitis,

a rare but curable infection of thespine. Mr. Welchhas recovered and

is working with Chancellor University officials to finalize coursework and curriculum.

Get in line: Preformed Line Products Co.signed a definitive agreement to acquire theDulmison business unit of Tyco Electronics Ltd.Preformed Line did not say what it will pay forDulmison, which makes pole line hardware andvibration control products for electric utilities.Dulmison is based in Australia and has opera-tions in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, China,Mexico and the United States. The transaction isexpected to close within 90 days.

The WIMP factor: Researchers at Case Western Reserve University received a $3.2 millionfederal grant to design the world’s largest WIMPcatcher. There’s no reason for bullies to rejoice.WIMP stands for “weakly interacting massive particles,” which are unlike the atoms that makeup regular matter. WIMPs actually are dark matter,which is believed to hold galaxies together but areway beyond invisible. With the three-year grantfrom the National Science Foundation, the CWRUresearchers will design a WIMP catcher that is2,000 times larger than a similar detector in Italyand 70 times bigger than one slated to start operating next year in South Dakota.

Charting a new course: Charter Onenamed a former Michigan executive from the bankas the new president of its Ohio region. Kenneth E.Marblestone, 52, has been with Charter One since2005. In Michigan, he was head of Specialized Industries, creating the portfolio and building it to$500 million in three years. Charter One is part ofRhode Island-based Citizens Financial Group. Mr.Marblestone replaces Randall G. Stickler, who leftthe bank in March to become senior executive vicepresident and commercial real estate director atHuntington National Bank.

For the record: Specialty chemicals producerFerro Corp. of Cleveland said it will sell 29.5 millionshares of common stock and will use up to $50 million of the proceeds to pay costs associated withrestructuring programs and other strategic initia-tives.


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But have they seenhow we treat Mangini?■ The New York Times lauded Cleveland in an editorial that took some cities to taskfor what the paper called a“compassion deficit.”

New laws prohibiting loitering“have increased 11 percent andbans on public camping are up 7percent, according to a survey ofmore than 200 cities andtowns by the National Coali-tion for the Homeless,” TheTimes noted.

But the paper included Cleveland amongcities taking a more progressive approach. InCleveland, “instead of the anti-begging andanti-loitering route being taken elsewhere, thecity government coordinates with homelessadvocates to make shelter and food programsmore efficient,” the paper said.

Other than the undisclosederrors, system works great■ Electronic medical records seem to makesense in our digital age, but a piece in TheWashington Post, which quoted a CaseWestern Reserve University professor,raised some doubts.

Among them: “Legal experts say it is impos-sible to know how often health IT mishaps

occur. Electronic medical records are notclassified as medical devices, so hospitals are not required to report problems.”

Many health care IT contracts also do notallow hospitals to discuss computer flaws, according to Sharona Hoffman, a professor oflaw and bioethics at CWRU.

“Doctors who report problems can losetheir jobs,” she told the newspaper.“Hospitals don’t have any incentive todo so and may be in breach of contractif they do.”

A little bit of this,a little bit of that

■ Variety reported that the TVLand cable channel is getting into original pro-gramming and has ordered a pilot of a showcalled “Hot in Cleveland.” The pilot, from a for-mer “Frasier” writer, “revolves around threefortysomething (female) friends from L.A. whowind up stuck in Cleveland and decide tostay there when they realize the locals con-sider them glamorous,” according to Variety.

■ Web site The Daily Beast purports to have aformula that produces a ranking of “America’sSmartest Cities.” It’s based on a mix of educa-tion levels, book-reading habits and participa-tion in civic life. Cleveland ranked 31st.. “Braindrain may be an issue as Cleveland strugglesto get back on a solid economic footing, butCase Western Reserve University remains anintellectual draw,” the web site said. No. 1 onthe list is Raleigh-Durham, N.C.



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These low mile, BMWs are a great way to get into a gorgeous new BMW and are pricedto sell. Current model year sales demos and service loaners are eligible for all newretail and lease programs.

BMW Loaners include the balance of 4 year 50,000 mile warranty as well as 4year 50,000 mile Ultimate Service.

SERVICE LOANERS‘09 BMW 328i 8,915 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$31,900 ‘09 BMW 528i xDrive 3,975 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . .$44,900 ‘09 BMW 528i xDrive 5,135 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . .$46,500 ‘09 BMW 528i xDrive 5,505 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . .$46,500 ‘09 BMW 535i 8,300 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$46,900 ‘09 BMW 528i xDrive 4,270 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . .$47,900 ‘09 BMW 535i xDrive 5,775 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . .$49,900

SALES DEMOS‘09 BMW 135cv 250 mi . . . . . . .Save $5,125. . .$44,900‘09 BMW X5 4.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Save $7,920. . .$67,900‘09 BMW X6 5.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Save $9,020. . .$75,900‘09 BMW 650i 5,000 mi. . . . . .Save $10,970. . .$79,900‘09 BMW 335CIC . . . . . . . . . . . .Save $6,245. . .$50,900‘09 BMW 750Li . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Save $9,720. . .$85,900‘10 BMW 550iSport . . . . . . . . . . .Save $5,545 . .$66,900

2009 Quattroporte SGrey/chocolate 2,800 miles. $111,900

* 36 month lease. Total due at signing $5,393 includes 1st payment, $3,995 in Cap reduction, $795 acquisition fee and document fees. $0 security deposit. Tax,title and registration fees extra. Customer responsible for excess wear and tear. 10,000 miles per year. 30¢ per mile over. M.S.R.P. $52,300. Others available atsimilar savings. Picture for illustration purpose only. Expires 11/8/09.

LEASES STARTING AT36MOS.

$599

SOLD

JAGUAR Mercedes BenzXF Sedan E-Class E350

Leather Seats: Standard $1,590Navigation: Standard $3,950 - Prem. pkg.Heated front seats: Standard Incl. prem. pkgSplit-folding rear seat: Standard $430Voice Controls: Standard Incl. prem. pkg.HD radio: $1,875, incl. Incl. prem. pkg.

with B&W AudioSatellite radio: Standard Incl. prem. pkg.Port. audio interface: Standard Incl. prem. pkg.Bluetooth connectivity: Standard Incl. prem. pkg.Power rear sunshade: $450 Incl. prem. pkg.

• Standard 18-inch wheels and tires on XF are not available on E350• E350 Premium 1 Package also includes rearview camera that is available on XF as part of the

Vision Package

LLAANNDD RROOVVEERR SSOOLLOONN6137 KRUSE DR.• SOLON • 1-866-210-6707

wwwwww..llaannddrroovveerrssoolloonn..ccoomm

2009 Range Rover Sport HSE

DESIGNED FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY

LEASESSTARTING AT

$799*36 MOS.

MSRP $62,895

* 36 month lease. Total due at signing $1,499. Tax, title and registration fees extra. Customer responsible for excess wear and tear. 10,000 miles per year. 30¢ permile over. Other Range Rover Sport HSE’s available at similar savings. Expires 11/8/09.

SOLDSOLDSOLD

Ohio. More than half of that Ohio-spent money, $13.5 million, is funneled through Strategic MediaPlacement Inc. and The StrategyGroup for Media Inc., two mediastrategy and TV production firms inDelaware, Ohio, operated by RexElsass, a Republican consultant.

Another $6.1 million went toStrategic Public Partners Group, aColumbus campaign consultingfirm led by Thomas Whatman, aformer executive director of theOhio Republican Party.

But $5.2 million was spent onprinting contracted to companiesin Florida, New Hampshire and theDistrict of Columbia. Ohio Jobs andGrowth, which had the added

expense of gathering petitions toget Issue 3 on the ballot, also spentabout $7 million with out-of-statefirms for petition signature collec-tion, canvassing and “voter contactconsultants.”

Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman forOhio Jobs and Growth, defendedthe way his campaign spent itsmoney. He said it spent some of itsprinting with out-of-state firms because they specialize in politicaldirect mailing.

TruthPAC, supported largely byJeff Jacobs, a Clevelander who ischairman of West Virginia-basedMTR Gaming Group Inc., reportedspending $5.4 million. Most of thatmoney — $4.8 million — was spentbuying time on Ohio television and

radio stations, though a commis-sion, typically as much as 15%, ispaid to the ad firm that producesand places the broadcast ads. Inthis case, McLaughlin & Associatesof Blauvelt, N.Y., handled that work.

Only $113,917.56 of the remaining$600,000 spent by TruthPAC wasspent with Ohio businesses, including the Bricker & Eckler lawfirm, which billed $37,868 for legalservices, and Theis Consulting, apublic relations firm in Clevelandthat was paid $45,000 for the firstthree months of the campaign.

Much of the rest went to politicalconsulting and web developmentfirms in Florida, North Carolina andthe District of Columbia.

Sandy Theis, spokeswoman for


Cash: Issues 5, 6 spend closer to home TruthPAC, said she was not awareof how her campaign spent its money but would check. She hadnot returned the call as of Crain’sdeadline last Friday.

Close to homeThe local campaigns for the

government reform ballot issue inCuyahoga County did a better job atspending money locally, based onreports filed with the CuyahogaCounty Board of Elections

Real Reform Done Right, thecampaign committee promoting Issue 5 that would create a chartercommission to explore the possiblerestructuring of Cuyahoga Countygovernment, reported spending atotal of $64,327.77, all of it with either local firms or with U.S. PostalService. Velocity Direct, a Westlakeprinter, was paid $24,247.85.

New Cuyahoga Now, the group

that created and is championing Issue 6 for a new county charter, reported spending $489,456. Itslargest out-of-state expense was$90,514 to National Petition Man-agement Inc., a Brighton, Mich., firmthat gathers petition signatures.Most of its spending, $244,056, wentthrough Burges and Burges, a polit-ical consulting firm in Euclid.

“There is some business that absolutely ought to be spent in thelocal marketplace,” said Dick Clough,president of Northeast Ohio Communications Advocates, atrade council for 28 area marketingcommunications organizations thatcampaigns to raise awareness of thecapabilities of its member printers,ad agencies, web design and otherrelated service providers.

“Political business is one. So is government,” he said. “They ought tobe spending their money here.” ■
