Polensek

[Stephen Eisel]

Well he sure accomplished a lot.

He represented the City of Cleveland's Legal Department, on their letterhead.

He sent and defended a rant, a crazed and hateful statement.

He made national news as an idiot.

Not to mention, he gave reactionaries a platform to rant from.

Again I ask, what are any of you doing to make the world a better place?
Do you think hate speech is helpful? Do you think that the world is only fit for "certain" people. Do you think that everyone agrees with you?

Did it ever occur to you that other people, besides a couple of us on this forum, don't even bother to point out the flaws in your thinking because of your reactionary rants?

The letter head says " City of Cleveland Legislative Department" Is not Polensek a member of that body? The majority of the letter talks about the criminal history of Arsenio and his actions. Polensek points out that the actions of Winston are dumb, stupid and a moron.. Yep! His actions (Ardenio)were definitely dumb stupid and moronic. Too bad that everyone is being reactive after the fact.

[Dee Krupp]

Do we know for a fact that nobody ever tried to help Arsenio or reach out to him?

Here's an excerpt from the article:

"Polensek first met 17-year-old Arsenio Winston last year, when he met with the teen and his mother to try to get the boy to turn his life around."

While we don't know to what extent he tried to get him to turn his life around, he tried something.

[sharon kinsella]

I still don't see anyone answering the questions I asked. This happened on another thread and the thread died.

I wonder why that is? Hmmm.

[Dave Sharosky]

"Again I ask, what are any of you doing to make the world a better place?" Right now working 2 jobs (1 full, 1 part time) along with my fiancee working full time so we can afford to have a decent, small home (which we're redoing the lawn, front and back), so we can try to have a small respectful wedding, so I can help take care of my mother and she can help her parents of who both are on disability, so we can help donate the the Cleveland City Mission, so we can donate to the church, so we can donate to the Cancer Society.

"Do you think hate speech is helpful?" I don't think it was a hate speech. My opinion.

"Do you think that the world is only fit for "certain" people." If you mean law abiding people, with self respect, morals, some sort of dignity and class...well I would like to see more of them in this world.

Do you think that everyone agrees with you? No. Never expected it. That's why I enjoy discussing things on the Deck.

"Did it ever occur to you that other people, besides a couple of us on this forum, don't even bother to point out the flaws in your thinking because of your reactionary rants?" I don't consider them rants. And what "other" people are you talking about? Do you know "other" people than on the Deck that aren't discussing issues with me? Do you know me personally? Are you the government (Enemy of the State)????

Does that answer your questions?

[sharon kinsella]

Yes Dave, you did answer my questions.

Have to ask my cousin who works at the City Mission about your wonderful generosity.

Yes, there are other people on the forum who won't discuss things with you. They've called me and written me.

No I don't know you personally, but, oh yes, I know you.

[Dave Sharosky]

Yes Dave, you did answer my questions.

Have to ask my cousin who works at the City Mission about your wonderful generosity.

Yes, there are other people on the forum who won't discuss things with you. They've called me and written me.

No I don't know you personally, but, oh yes, I know you.

Sharon,

The name is actually under my fiancees last name from the city mission for which we donate. And trust me, after listening to what you just said, there's no way in hell I'm going to give it to you.

Everything I've stated on here or tried to get a discussion going has been fair and in my opinion issues that need discussing. My rants? They scare you? In what way? Is this the gestapo? Interesting. Very interesting.

Before I go, I would like other peoples quick opinion on this matter. If she's serious and everyone feels this way, then I will cancel my name from the deck and note post anything anymore.

[sharon kinsella]

Number one - you don't scare me.

Number two - what are you so angry about?

Number three - if you want free flow discussion why are you saying you will leave because not everyone agrees with you.

In case you haven't noticed, I am the one who goes against the flow on a lot of these threads. I'm not a young man. I am an old woman and I put my money where my mouth is. Not monetarily, figuratively.

I have done everything in my power for social justice.

I have spent my life in social justice.

I will die doing social justice.

[Dave Sharosky]

Actually,

I'm finished here. I've enjoyed the time, bantering and discussing issues with my fellow lakewood neighbors. I was weary of using my real name, especially on the web. That was partially why. There's a lot of good and passionate people here no matter what side you stand on. Good luck to all.

Dave

[Dee Krupp]

Yes Dave, you did answer my questions.

Have to ask my cousin who works at the City Mission about your wonderful generosity.

WOW! I don't know either of you, but I agree this is crossing the line. How is it your business to ask your cousin about somebody's donation?

[/quote]Yes, there are other people on the forum who won't discuss things with you. They've called me and written me.[/quote]

And if you're going to make accusations, then back them up. You're opening a can of worms. What is that statement proving?

[Bryan Schwegler]

Yes Dave, you did answer my questions.

Have to ask my cousin who works at the City Mission about your wonderful generosity.

WOW! I don't know either of you, but I agree this is crossing the line. How is it your business to ask your cousin about somebody's donation?

Dee I agree. Sharon's response is just....well inappropriate IMHO.

[Gary Rice]

Let's say I was still teaching, and not retired.

Let's say this was a civics discussion, and you were my students.

First of all, I would remind the users of profanity that the effectiveness of that means of expression is virtually nil, particularly with the educated policy makers of a community.

A hundred years ago, use of verbal profanity could well result in ones mouth being washed out with soap.

Type profanity on line? Well' I guess one should at least wash their hands!

Mr. Polensek seems to have been frustrated in his efforts to deal with this young man. Although I've not seen the text of his remarks, I've seen a TV interchange between Polensek and the mother (she, by phone) so I have a general idea about what went down. I really think the situation could have been handled a great deal better. Considering the historic communication difficulties between the groups of people in his ward, it would seem that the councilman could have expressed himself with a bit more care.

If for example as alleged, the word "moron" was used in some way, that used to be a term for certain people having certain mental capabilities. It is not commonly used today, and is certainly not a complementary term when applied in a pejorative sense.

Could there have been a better way to express his concerns? I believe so.

As one who had to deal with the public for 31 years, I've constantly needed to remind myself and my colleagues that a certain respect and courtesy is always in order, particularly with one's written communication. One placed in a position of authority needs to be mindful of the public trust placed in him, or her.

To me, one of the best things about coming from a small Pennsylvania town to the "big city" was being around a wealth of different people. Some people do seem more at home "among their own", but that's not me.

I've learned the blues from the best of the black musicians, Slovenian Polkas from the Slovaks, heck, I even spent awhile in a Greek band. What an experience for a drummer! All of these people made good money here in Cleveland. Never once was I bothered while playing in bands around town! I've played for Arabs, Jews, Chinese, you name them; great people all.

All deserve respect.

As a teacher, I've had to deal with everyone who walked into my classroom as well. I've even lost a few students over the years to the world of drugs.

If anyone thinks that drug abuse is new to Lakewood, or anywhere else, I think you'll need to get a little more education. If anyone thinks drug abuse is a racial thing, you'll need even more education. This advice comes from one trained to deal with alcohol and chemical dependence.

Drug abuse is everyone's concern.

But so is respectful civil interaction.

And by the way, some of you will need to check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. I could probably find my correcting pen, if I had to do so.

[sharon kinsella]

I have crossed no lines.

I have not spouted hateful things at underpowered groups of people. Who have I personally attacked. Go back and read the threads. All I did was ask about what proactive activities people were doing besides finger pointing and blaming.

I have a right to stand up for what I believe in.

I'm not whispering about anything, I put it all right out here.

Why do you fell threatened by me. What could I possibly do to you.

People won't always post things on here for fear of retribution. When I get weary, people call me or message me to give me their support.

Some have posted, some don't have the energy to deal with all the animosity.

I have proposed proactive activities on these threads - go back and read them.

You want my resume - here it is.

In 1965 I ran a day camp at Our Lady of Fatima Parish at E. 55th and Lexington. During the race riots in Cleveland, I was taken out of the Hough neighborhood on the floor of a school bus because people were shooting at us.

I worked on the reforms in the Catholic Church during Vatican II and was subsequently excommunicate for my work with R2N2 (the Reproductive Rights National Network).

I was one of the first members of Hard Hatted Women of Cleveland and also worked in a professional capacity for them as an organizer and Job Placement person. Through Hard Hatted Women I helped place many women in jobs that women had NEVER held before.

Economic equity for women is a vital component in fighting poverty.

I worked at WomenSpace and 9to5 National Association for Women running their National Job Problem Hotline. To this day people call me for advice and referrals when they have problems on the job.

I won an award from WomanSpace for my work with the Women and Alcohol project which is now WARS, a separate agency.

I was a domestic violence counselor for the YWCA.

I have performed for free for numerous non-profits including Greater Cleveland Community Shares.

Want more or is that enough?

[Rick Uldricks]

Want more or is that enough?

No. Yes.

[Grace O'Malley]

Since when is ANY Cleveland politician a saint? Every single member of council, past and present, are responsible for the mess they have made of a once beautiful city.

Polensak wrote that letter for one reason and one reason only: publicity for himself.

If any are so naive as to think otherwise, then his letter worked.

[Bryan Schwegler]

I have crossed no lines.

Sharon,
Allow me to quote you directly where I think you crossed the line:

Have to ask my cousin who works at the City Mission about your wonderful generosity.

Yes, there are other people on the forum who won't discuss things with you. They've called me and written me.

No I don't know you personally, but, oh yes, I know you.

Then you state...

People won't always post things on here for fear of retribution.

And that's exactly why Dave save he's leaving. You are going to discuss private donation activity and you apparently are having negative discussions about him with others off the Deck. Both of those seem like retribution to me...the first part of the quote to be honest, almost is either a threat at worst or calling him out as if he's a liar at best.

Sharon, trying to get private information on someone because of something they posted on here is inappropriate, that's where I think you crossed the line. Getting the information is unethical or even possibly illegal.

I really think everyone that posts here is passionate about the future of Lakewood...we may just disagree at times about what's best. People should be able to post here openly without fear of retribution or privacy invasion.