FORUMS
Wed. Sept 25, 7:00 pm
CHUH School Board Candidates
Cleveland Heights City Council Candidates
Wed. Oct. 2, 7:00 pm
Cleveland Heights Governance Issue
CHUH School Board Candidates
Cleveland Heights City Council Candidates
Wed. Oct. 2, 7:00 pm
Cleveland Heights Governance Issue
Both Noble Neighbors Election Forums will be held at Noble Road Presbyterian Church, 2780 Noble Road.
Noble Neighbors submit our forum questions to the candidates and issue spokespeople two weeks in advance of their forum. It is our posture to offer voters a forum that is most informative, allowing each voter to make decisions based on candidates' thoughtful, prepared and targeted responses. Audience members will be asked to agree to a social contract for the evening - to listen quietly and respectfully and to allow all other audience members to do the same. Audience members will not be allowed to vocalize or make any other attention garnering noise or gesture either in support or in opposition to a candidate. Audience members will not be permitted to have private conversations with other audience members during the forum or to distract other audience members in any way.
Cleveland Heights City Governance
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Citizens for an Elected Mayor https://www.citizensforanelectedmayor.com
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Cleveland Heights Citizens for Good Government
www.saynotopoliticaldeals.com |
Communications with issue representatives for the October 2 Election Forum - submitted September 18, 2019
Hello city governance issue position representatives,
Thank you for your willingness to participate in our Noble Neighbor Election Forum on Wednesday, October 2, 7pm, at Noble Road Presbyterian Church, 2780 Noble Road. Parking is available across Noble Road at the church's parking lot at the corner Noble and Navahoe Roads. You may arrive as early as 6:30pm. Greeters will help you locate restrooms and drinking fountains.
In this lengthy email you will find logistics, procedures, policies and the questions for which we are asking you to prepare responses.
You are welcome to bring one print item to place on our tables at the two entrances to the meeting space. The print item may be as large as 8 1/2" x 11". You are welcome to bring other print material to hand out after the forum, we simply do not have more table space to offer you at the entrances. Yard signs may be distributed after the meeting.
Firstly, Noble Neighbors does not endorse candidates or ballot initiative positions. We know that among our active members, we do not see eye to eye on voting matters. We do agree that we should all be active, informed voters and we respect each person's right to cast their ballot. In light of this, we believe the best thing we can do for voters is to offer them clarity on ballot initiatives. Our method is to present to you the questions that most Noble Neighbors are raising and to ask you to prepare thorough and thoughtful responses. Time permitting, we will ask you a few additional questions compiled from audience submissions during the forum evening.
Please be aware that we will ask the audience to agree to a social contract - to listen to the representatives' presentations without vocal or other attention garnering response, either in support or opposition to a position. It is our posture that the best way we can serve voters is to give them an opportunity to hear each side without distraction. Please inform your supporters of this social contract and that their behavior will reflect on your position.
We expect similar, respectful behavior from the issue representatives - to allow audience members to watch and listen without distraction, which in this era is a notable contrast to nationally televised debates.
The forum will be live-streamed on Facebook.
You are welcome to have as many as three representatives for your position on the stage. Six chairs will be provided, three for each position. It is up to you how you choose which representative will speak for which question. Note that the entire side must stay within the time limit, not each representative.
Noble Road Presbyterian Church has a simple sound system set up. One microphone on a stand will be provided at the front and center of the platform. One person at a time can speak from that standing position, then return to their chair. I will also be on the platform at a lecturn on the side. My role will be to announce the questions, facilitate audience question submission, and attend to a few other details.
Timing reminders will be simple. Our timer will sit in the first row and will hold up cards indicating how much time is left. The audience may be able to see the cards as well. It is our expectation that you will honor the time limits.
Forum Agenda and Questions
The first side to speak their opening statement will be chosen at random during the forum. The opposing side will be the first to respond to the first question, and so on, alternating which side is the first to speak throughout the evening.
You will note that we are focusing on the document for which we will be casting votes with the exception of the last question. For each of the first four questions, please comment on the similarities and differences between the current City of Cleveland Heights charter provisions and the proposed amendment to the city charter.
Forum Opening: Noble Neighbors - 10 minutes
Opening Statement: 2 minutes per side
1. 3 minutes per side
Accountability for its publicly elected officials and appointed executive officials.
2. 3 minutes per side
The balance of power between the executive officials and city council.
3. 3 minutes per side
Executive powers, including the hiring and firing of city staff.
4. 3 minutes per side
The provision in the proposed amendment to allow the full-time elected mayor to hold additional employment.
5. 3 minutes per side
Offer an estimate on the cost vs. benefit to the city if the proposed amendment to the charter is passed.
Questions compiled from audience submissions: 1 minute per side
Closing statements: 3 minutes per side
Forum Closing: Noble Neighbors - 1 minute
One-on-one and small group conversations: Approx. 30 minutes
You will note that this is not a debate format. You are not given additional time to respond to the opponent's statements immediately following the statement. You will have the opportunity to respond to your opponent's statements (as well as promote your own position) during your closing statement.
I'm looking forward to an informative election forum!
Dr. Brenda H. May - on behalf of Noble Neighbors
Thank you for your willingness to participate in our Noble Neighbor Election Forum on Wednesday, October 2, 7pm, at Noble Road Presbyterian Church, 2780 Noble Road. Parking is available across Noble Road at the church's parking lot at the corner Noble and Navahoe Roads. You may arrive as early as 6:30pm. Greeters will help you locate restrooms and drinking fountains.
In this lengthy email you will find logistics, procedures, policies and the questions for which we are asking you to prepare responses.
You are welcome to bring one print item to place on our tables at the two entrances to the meeting space. The print item may be as large as 8 1/2" x 11". You are welcome to bring other print material to hand out after the forum, we simply do not have more table space to offer you at the entrances. Yard signs may be distributed after the meeting.
Firstly, Noble Neighbors does not endorse candidates or ballot initiative positions. We know that among our active members, we do not see eye to eye on voting matters. We do agree that we should all be active, informed voters and we respect each person's right to cast their ballot. In light of this, we believe the best thing we can do for voters is to offer them clarity on ballot initiatives. Our method is to present to you the questions that most Noble Neighbors are raising and to ask you to prepare thorough and thoughtful responses. Time permitting, we will ask you a few additional questions compiled from audience submissions during the forum evening.
Please be aware that we will ask the audience to agree to a social contract - to listen to the representatives' presentations without vocal or other attention garnering response, either in support or opposition to a position. It is our posture that the best way we can serve voters is to give them an opportunity to hear each side without distraction. Please inform your supporters of this social contract and that their behavior will reflect on your position.
We expect similar, respectful behavior from the issue representatives - to allow audience members to watch and listen without distraction, which in this era is a notable contrast to nationally televised debates.
The forum will be live-streamed on Facebook.
You are welcome to have as many as three representatives for your position on the stage. Six chairs will be provided, three for each position. It is up to you how you choose which representative will speak for which question. Note that the entire side must stay within the time limit, not each representative.
Noble Road Presbyterian Church has a simple sound system set up. One microphone on a stand will be provided at the front and center of the platform. One person at a time can speak from that standing position, then return to their chair. I will also be on the platform at a lecturn on the side. My role will be to announce the questions, facilitate audience question submission, and attend to a few other details.
Timing reminders will be simple. Our timer will sit in the first row and will hold up cards indicating how much time is left. The audience may be able to see the cards as well. It is our expectation that you will honor the time limits.
Forum Agenda and Questions
The first side to speak their opening statement will be chosen at random during the forum. The opposing side will be the first to respond to the first question, and so on, alternating which side is the first to speak throughout the evening.
You will note that we are focusing on the document for which we will be casting votes with the exception of the last question. For each of the first four questions, please comment on the similarities and differences between the current City of Cleveland Heights charter provisions and the proposed amendment to the city charter.
Forum Opening: Noble Neighbors - 10 minutes
Opening Statement: 2 minutes per side
1. 3 minutes per side
Accountability for its publicly elected officials and appointed executive officials.
2. 3 minutes per side
The balance of power between the executive officials and city council.
3. 3 minutes per side
Executive powers, including the hiring and firing of city staff.
4. 3 minutes per side
The provision in the proposed amendment to allow the full-time elected mayor to hold additional employment.
5. 3 minutes per side
Offer an estimate on the cost vs. benefit to the city if the proposed amendment to the charter is passed.
Questions compiled from audience submissions: 1 minute per side
Closing statements: 3 minutes per side
Forum Closing: Noble Neighbors - 1 minute
One-on-one and small group conversations: Approx. 30 minutes
You will note that this is not a debate format. You are not given additional time to respond to the opponent's statements immediately following the statement. You will have the opportunity to respond to your opponent's statements (as well as promote your own position) during your closing statement.
I'm looking forward to an informative election forum!
Dr. Brenda H. May - on behalf of Noble Neighbors
CHUH School Board Candidates
Jim Posch j_posch@chuh.org Beverly Wright bev_wright@chuh.org Both confirmed participation
CH City Council Candidates
Craig Cobb ccobb@clvhts.com www.councilmancraigcobb.com Confirmed participation
Mary Dunbar MDunbar@clvhts.com www.marydunbar.com Confirmed participation
Melody Hart melodyjoyhart@gmail.com www.hartforcitycouncil.com Confirmed participation
Anthony L Mattox Jr anthonylmattoxjr@gmail.com Confirmed participation
Carol Roe mayorroe@clvhts.com https://carolroe.com Confirmed participation
Davida Russell Ladydrussell@gmail.com Schedule conflict
Kahlil Seren kseren@clvhts.com Confirmed participation
Mary Dunbar MDunbar@clvhts.com www.marydunbar.com Confirmed participation
Melody Hart melodyjoyhart@gmail.com www.hartforcitycouncil.com Confirmed participation
Anthony L Mattox Jr anthonylmattoxjr@gmail.com Confirmed participation
Carol Roe mayorroe@clvhts.com https://carolroe.com Confirmed participation
Davida Russell Ladydrussell@gmail.com Schedule conflict
Kahlil Seren kseren@clvhts.com Confirmed participation
Communications with candidates for the September 25 Election Forum - submitted September 11, 2019
Letter to CHUH School Board CandidatesHello Jim and Beverly,
I look forward to hearing from both of you to confirm your participation. The forum will be held at Noble Road Presbyterian Church, 2780 Noble Road. A parking lot is available across Noble Road at the corner of Navahoe Road. You may choose to arrive as early at 6:30pm. Since you are running unopposed, the CHUH School Board Candidate section of our forum will be more cooperative than competitive. I'm asking you to decide between yourselves which of you will answer question 1, and then the other will answer question 2. Each of you will have an opportunity to speak a closing statement. You are welcome to choose to coordinate your remarks for the closing statements or to compose your remarks independently of each other. You will notice that there is no opening statement opportunity. Since the CHUH School Board Candidates' forum focus is informational and not persuasive, we have removed that opportunity for the sake of time. Also for the sake of time, and since you are running unopposed, we will not take questions from the audience. The presentations by the CHUH School Board Candidates will take place at the beginning of the evening followed by a forum for the Cleveland Heights CIty Council candidates. You are welcome to stay for that section of the evening and to take questions one-on-one following all the presentations. Or, you are welcome to choose to leave after your presentation is completed. Your presence at the end will not be considered an expectation. The forum will be live-streamed and/or video recorded. The questions we are asking you: 1. Three minutes, EITHER Jim Posch OR Beverly Wright Please describe the plans the school board has for Noble Elementary School and for Oxford Elementary School in the future. Discuss both building plans and programming plans. 2. Three minutes, EITHER Jim Posch OR Beverly Wright - the person who did not answer question 1. Please offer district statistics: a. What percentage of school-aged children in the CHUH district attend CHUH schools vs. private or home schools? b. What percentage of school-aged children within the Noble and Oxford Elementary School boundaries attend CHUH schools vs. private or home schools? c. What is the attendance/truancy rate for the CHUH district? Describe the 5 year trend. d. What is the attendance/truancy rate for Noble and Oxford Elementary Schools? Describe the 5 year trend. e. What is the impact of the EdChoice (school voucher system) on the CHUH district? f. What is the total amount of unpaid taxes (school revenue) in the CHUH district? g. Offer additional statistics that are relevant to this discussion. In light of these statistics, discuss your priorities for Noble and Oxford Elementary Schools and Monticello Middle School. 3. Three minutes each. Both candidates speak. Closing statements Thank you for being willing to continue serving our school district! Dr. Brenda H. May - on behalf of Noble Neighbors *********************************************************** From an email exchange on Sept. 12: From Jim Posch: ...Would you object if we covered the two topics together? There isn't very much to say concerning your question #1... but we can discuss our process thus far as to how we're looking at the buildings. There are some studies we're conducting we can discuss. It'll only take 30 sections. We can divide up the balance of question 2. From Noble Neighbors: ...That sounds like a great idea, to morph the questions into one presentation... We're assigning school board candidates 12 minutes. You are welcome to use these any way you wish while meeting our goals - to learn more about our neighborhood schools and to hear from each of you. |
Letter to CH City Council CandidatesTO: Craig Cobb, Mary Dunbar, Melody Joy Hart, Anthony Maddox Jr., Carol Roe, Davida Russell, and Kahlil Seren, Thank you for considering your participation in the Noble Neighbors Election Forum on Wednesday, September 25, 7:00pm at Noble Road Presbyterian Church, 2780 Noble Road. Please reply to this email to confirm your participation. Include the URL of your campaign information site. At the beginning of the evening, we will ask the audience to agree to a social contract - to listen to the candidates' presentations without vocal or other attention garnering response, either in support or opposition to a candidate. It is our posture that the best way we can serve voters is to give them an opportunity to hear each candidate without distraction. Please inform your supporters of this social contract and that their behavior will reflect on your candidacy. The forum will begin with reports from the CHUH School Board candidates. The forum section for the CH CIty Council candidates will follow, at approximately 7:20pm. The forum will be live-streamed and/or video recorded. Below, you will find the questions we are asking you to address on September 25. While the subject matter for each question deserves much more attention that we can afford each of you that evening, we will be listening for your perspective and priorities as you address each issue. Noble Neighbors will be pleased to direct audience members to your social media for your more complete responses. In an effort to be fair, the opening statements, question responses and closing statements will be presented in rolling alphabetical order. A randomly selected first speaker will be drawn during the forum for each statement and response. So, for example, if Hart were to be selected as the first speaker for the opening statement, she would be followed by Maddox, Roe, Russell, Seren, Cobb and Dunbar. If Russell were to be selected as the first speaker for the next question, she would be followed by Seren, Cobb, Dunbar, Hart, Maddox and Roe. I hope this makes sense and seems fair for you. Time permitting, we will ask you an additional question or two gleaned from audience input. We will offer the audience an opportunity to write their questions on cards and we will collect them. We will sort the cards by topic and ask you a question (or two) that pertains to the most requested topic(s). On September 25, you each are welcome to bring one print item, up to an 8 1/2" x 11" size to be placed at each of the two entrances to the meeting space for audience members to pick up. While you are certainly welcome to bring more print material for hand distribution after the formal presentations, we do not have table space available for more than one item per candidate. You are welcome to distribute yard signs after the formal presentations. The event begins at 7pm. You are encouraged to arrive as early at 6:30 to find parking, which is all off-site. A parking lot is available across Noble Road at the corner of Navahoe Road or you may park on the street. Greeters will be present to help you and audience members find restrooms and drinking fountains. Seating will be reserved for candidates only in the front row. Family and friends may sit in other seating areas. You will be invited to sit on the chairs on stage as the CH City Council candidate section begins. Thank you for participating in our local democracy! Dr. Brenda H. May - on behalf of Noble Neighbors ************************************************************* Questions for CH City Council candidates: Opening Statement - One minute per candidate Question 1. One minute per candidate Describe your most significant contributions to the Noble Neighborhood. Describe your most significant contributions to the city as a whole. Question 2. Two minutes per candidate Offer your perspective on the Noble Road Corridor Planning project as a whole. Describe your priorities for the development of the Noble Road business districts. Describe your solutions to the challenges faced in the Noble Road business districts. Question 3. Two minutes per candidate Considering the Noble neighborhoods beyond Noble Road itself, what are the most significant issues that need to be addressed? How will you address those issues as a member of Council? Question 4. Two minutes per candidate If the ballot initiative to elect a full time mayor in Cleveland Heights passes, you would serve on City Council two years before a mayor would be elected. Describe the direction that you would advocate for Council to take regarding the several economic development initiatives that are already in progress. What other directions would you advocate for Council to take regarding current city priorities? Closing statement - One minute per candidate |