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Jun

9

National reviews of Ohio’s public schools

Filed Under Politics | 4 Comments

I don’t really know – I can only gauge how my district’s schools are doing according to…me.  But here are three new sets of data just out:

1. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave Ohio a grade of B

(hattip to Buckeye Battle Cry)

2. Ohio schools (total of 26) in Newsweek’s Top 1500 public schools in the country list

RANK
 DISTRICT
 LOCATION
60 Walnut Hills Cincinnati
69 Wyoming Wyoming
113 Indian Hill Cincinnati
163 Chagrin Falls Chagrin Falls
214 Solon Solon
275 Oakwood Dayton
291 Olentangy Liberty Powell
333 Dublin Jerome Dublin
415 Beachwood Beachwood
421 Orange Pepper Pike
443 Mariemont Mariemont
448 Bexley Bexley
449 Shaker Heights Shaker Heights
666 Sycamore Cincinnati
712 Olentangy Lewis Center
724 Upper Arlington Upper Arlington
754 Ottawa Hills Ottawa Hills
793 Bay Bay Village
929 Dublin Coffman Dublin
1034 Hudson Hudson
1094 Dublin Scioto Dublin
1252 Firestone ** Akron
1306 Turpin Cincinnati
1349 Bellbrook Bellbrook
1379 Perry Perry

3. Euclid High School’s graduation rates top in country – I’m particularly excited to hear about this recognition because the graduation year noted in the Plain Dealer article is 2006, the end of the second year of small schools reform implementation. I spent hundreds of hours following the students, parents, teachers, administrators, community stakeholders and reformers from 2004-2006 at that school.  I’d love to hear follow-up from them about whether they think that effort is responsible for the results.

You can read the Diplomas Count 2009 article that includes the Euclid mention here.

You can read, browse and consider all the Diplomas Count 2009 data and narrative here.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:10 pm June 9th, 2009 in Politics | 4 Comments 

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Jun

9

Mary Jane Skala (Sun News): “The Failure of State Government”

Filed Under Cleveland+, democracy, Energy, Government, leadership, Media, OH17, OH24th, Ohio, Politics, Statehouse, Taxes, Ted Strickland, Utilities | Comments Off

Mary Jane Skala, an editor at Sun News, is not happy.  And she’s written a very clear and well-stated editorial to explain why: the glut of situations that our elected officials say they will fix and then…don’t.

Reading between the lines, it seems to boil down to the impact of the erosion of home rule, unfunded mandates passed on to taxpayers and a whole lot of politics.

Skala’s editorial on this topic, at this time, is an excellent use of online media – she does not have to wait for the papers to publish and be delivered on Thursday.  And she shouldn’t have to – the issues she raises represent longstanding tugs of war between Columbus, elected officials and voters.  I discovered it because of some google alerts I have set up, but if all paying subscribers to the Sun News papers had an RSS feed or some kind of an automatic email that would let them get such “Breaking news” items, just think how much more the buzz could spread and how many more people would engage and maybe make an impact?

I do want to drop a big, obvious hint that I would love to read a follow-up editorial by her suggesting what we do next – as voters, taxpayers, residents, readers. How about it, yes?

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:00 pm June 9th, 2009 in Cleveland+, democracy, Energy, Government, leadership, Media, OH17, OH24th, Ohio, Politics, Statehouse, Taxes, Ted Strickland, Utilities | Comments Off 

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Jun

9

Frances Strickland, Chris Redfern headline County Democratic Judiciary event

Filed Under Announcements, Cleveland+, Democrats, Government, leadership, Ohio, Politics, Women | Comments Off

I received a reminder for this event (coming in two days) from the Cuyahoga County Women’s Democratic Caucus.  Although I can’t attend, I did want to post the information for those who might be interested and didn’t know about it. First Lady of Ohio, Frances Strickland, is always worth going to hear.

Please join us for…
A reception honoring the 
Elected Cuyahoga County Democratic Judiciary
With special guests
Frances Strickland
First Lady of Ohio
&
Chris Redfern,
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman
 
Thursday, June 11, 2009
5:00 - 7:30 pm 
Johnny’s Downtown
1406 West 6th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113 
Guest: $35 per ticket
 

Sponsor: $100

Co-chair sponsor: $250
Host sponsor: $500


HOST SPONSOR
Richard Demsey Co., L.P.A 
CO-CHAIR SPONSORS  

Michelle Sheehan; Myra Barsoum Stockett; Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLP; Collins & Scanlon; Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease; Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis; Cuyahoga County Young Democrats; McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., L.P.A.; Douglass & Associates Co., L.P.A. ; Brouse McDowell, L.P.A 

 

SPONSORS
Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus; Jimmy Dimora, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Chair; Bill Mason, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor; Parma Mayor Dean DePiero; Jan Roller; Christine Lobas;  Landskroner.Grieco.Madden LLC; Nickie Antonio, Lakewood City Council Member; Ronnie Ezzo; Jennifer Sammon;Tracy Turoff; Irene Rennillo; Janet Carson, Geauga County Democratic Party Chair 

Please make checks payable to the Ohio Democratic Party, 340 East Fulton Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Proceeds to benefit the Ohio Democratic Womens Caucus and theCuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus

 

Please RSVP to Liz Shirey at liz@ohiodems.org or 614-207-7013 or by mailing your contribution by Monday, June 8, 2009

Authorized by the Ohio Democratic Party, Chris Redfern, Chairman, 340 East Fulton St., Columbus, OH 43215. Contributions to the Ohio Democratic Party are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for Federal Income Tax purposes. Contributions are subject to the limits and prohibitions of the Federal Elections Campaign Act. Federal law requires political committees to report the nam, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in any calendar year. Not authorized by any federal candidate or campaign committee. This is a solicitation solely by the Ohio Democratic Party and not by or on behalf of any officeholder.
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By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:45 pm June 9th, 2009 in Announcements, Cleveland+, Democrats, Government, leadership, Ohio, Politics, Women | Comments Off 

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Jun

9

Filet minon with a side of guns: OH HB 203

Filed Under Cleveland+, Crime, Culture, democracy, Government, guns, Law, OH17, Ohio, Politics, Social Issues, Statehouse | 7 Comments

I read this morning that State Reps. Danny Bubps (R-88, West Union), and Jarrod Martin (R-70, Beavercreek)  have introduced HB 203:

…to allow a concealed carry licensee who is not consuming liquor and is not under the influence to carry a concealed handgun in a retail food establishment or food service operation with any class liquor permit issued for the location.

This bill would make it legal for conceal carry permit holders to bring their loaded weapons into restaurants, regardless of liquor permits. The bill as proposed would require restaurant owners to enforce that those holders not consume any alcohol and that, when they enter their establishments, they not be under the influence of alcohol.
I don’t recognize any of the co-sponsors, all of whom are Republicans, as being from the Cleveland or NE Ohio area, but I have not checked each one:

The bill has been assigned to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security committee, and is co-sponsored by Reps. John Adams (R), Ron Amstutz (R), Terry Blair (R), Courtney Combs (R), Dave Hall (R), Matt Huffman (R), Shannon Jones (R), Kris Jordan (R), Ron Maag (R), Ross McGregor (R), Barbara Sears (R), Todd Snitchler (R), Joe Uecker (R), Lynn Wachtmann (R), Jeff Wagner (R) and James Zehringer (R).>

The members of the Public Safety Committee are listed here (there currently is no Chair due to Eugene Miller’s resignation and move to Cleveland City Council to replace Roosevelt Coats).  

If you’ve got an opinion on this bill (pro or con), there are all the folks you can start with.

This morning, I spoke with the statehouse person in charge of keeping up with committee assignments and, after the conversation, was left with the impression that it’s very unlikely that this bill is going to go anywhere anytime soon since the budget is consuming the legislature, there’s no chair and the bill is unlikely to be set for a hearing if there’s no chair, though the vice-chair apparently could do that.  

Regardless, I emailed my state rep and asked him to please research what reaction restaurant industry people – including the excellent folks with the Cleveland Independents (whom I also wrote, asking for comment on the bill) – as well as patrons from our district, the 17th, have in regard to this proposal.

What’s your reaction?

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:50 am June 9th, 2009 in Cleveland+, Crime, Culture, democracy, Government, guns, Law, OH17, Ohio, Politics, Social Issues, Statehouse | 7 Comments 

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Jun

9

Rabbi Alysa Stanton becomes a rabbi (who happens to be African-American)

Filed Under Announcements, Civil Rights, Cleveland+, democracy, Gender, Jewish, Judaism, leadership, Religion, Women | 1 Comment

Giving BlogHer.com link love on the subject of Rabbi Alysa Stanton.  She was ordained last weekend – major mzael tov to her.

Here are some more readings about her journey, but there are many, many more throughout the Internet.

New York Times: Spiritual Journey Leads to a Historic First (written by fellow Cleveland-based freelance writer, Chris Maag and gives a nice nod to the attitude of the congregation which Rabbi Stanton will lead):

Ms. Stanton and members of her new synagogue, Congregation Bayt Shalom [in Greenville, NC], say they were surprised by the overwhelming national interest in her ordination. To them, her race and sex are footnotes to the more important story of a rabbi and a congregation finding themselves to be a comfortable fit.

“I’m just a little person trying to pay my bills and raise a daughter and help others on their spiritual path,” said Ms. Stanton, a single mother who adopted an infant girl 14 years ago.

The Greenville congregation is small and values diversity as a matter of choice and necessity. It is one of just a handful in the United States that is affiliated with both the Reform and Conservative branches of Judaism. Among its 60 families are “three or four” African-Americans, said Michael Barondes, Bayt Shalom’s president.

“We are a one-synagogue town, so we are trying to be inclusive,” Mr. Barondes said. “Naturally it’s unusual to have an African-American leading a Jewish congregation. But when she came here and spoke from the pulpit, it felt surprisingly natural.”

Jewesses with Attitude: Mazel Tov, Alysa Stanton! (from the excellent Jewish Women’s Archive)

Ebony Report: America’s First Black Female Rabbi: Alysa Stanton

TIME Magazine: Introducing America’s First Black, Female Rabbi

The path to the pulpit has been as colorful as it has been unusual for Alysa Stanton, 45, America’s first-ever female African-American rabbi. Stanton, who was born to a Christian family, was formally ordained on June 6, having completed seven years of rabbinical training at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Stanton will now assume her new role as the first nonwhite rabbi of Congregation Bayt Shalom, a 60-family synagogue in Greenville, N.C.

“This is an exciting next step in my journey,” says Stanton, who feels both blessed and burdened by her “first-ever” status. “I’m honored and awed by this achievement,” she continues. “But I am foremost a rabbi who happens to be African-American, not The African-American Rabbi.”

Affrodite (a Columbus-based blogger I’ve been getting to know): The nation welcomes its first African American woman rabbi, Alysa Stanton

Jewlicious: Kol Hakavod, Alysa Stanton!

Ditto that.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:03 am June 9th, 2009 in Announcements, Civil Rights, Cleveland+, democracy, Gender, Jewish, Judaism, leadership, Religion, Women | 1 Comment 

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Jun

9

Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors: Pepper Pike Merrill advisor makes cut

Filed Under Announcements, Business, Cleveland+, Economy, Gender, leadership, Ohio, Pepper Pike, Women | Comments Off

From Ohio.com:

Ohio woman named to magazine’s list 

A Pepper Pike woman who works for Merrill Lynch is among Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors listing that is published annually.

Kathleen Rosfelder was ranked 96th and is the only Ohio resident on the 2009 list.

Her team has approximately $504 million in total assets. The top-ranked advisors are picked on the volume of assets they oversee, revenue generated by the firms and quality of their practices, according to Barron’s.

Mazel tov.  Apparently, Merrill Lynch scored the most women in the top 100 overall as well.

(I believe Ms. Rosfelder’s connection to Pepper Pike is that the Merrill Lynch office that she oversees is in the city.)

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:20 am June 9th, 2009 in Announcements, Business, Cleveland+, Economy, Gender, leadership, Ohio, Pepper Pike, Women | Comments Off 

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