Posts Tagged gambling
Zanotti on Gambling Trips, Alternative Paper Says
Posted by Roldo Bartimole in Media, Politicians on February 26, 2010
February 26, 2010… Cuyahoga County reform Issue 6 leader Marty Zanotti took gambling trips with convicted County corrupter J. Kevin Kelly.
The story was broken by James Renner of the Independent.
Here’s how the article begins:
Independent Exclusive: Zanotti Gambled with J. Kevin Kelley
By James Renner
Contrary to his public denials, The Independent has learned that Issue 6 architect, former Mayor of Parma Heights, and county-transition executive committee member Martin Zanotti took trips north to gamble with county corruption figure J. Kevin Kelley and several other local politicians.
Zanotti watched from the sidelines at a public meeting for the government transition process held at CSU February 17. After several audience members lobbed softball questions at the group of Democrats in control of the meeting, I stepped to the mic and addressed Zanotti directly. I asked him to go on record to confirm or deny that he accompanied J. Kevin Kelley on gambling junkets to the Detroit/Windsor area. Zanotti’s response? “Come over here and ask me that.”
So I did.
But the audience never heard his response, which was, “Zero.”
I guess that depends on your definition of “junket”.
Reached by phone early this morning, Joe Tal, Parma Heights service director and brother-in-law of Zanotti, said that he was on at least two trips to casinos with Zanotti and J. Kevin Kelley. The feds insist J. Kevin Kelley’s limos, trips and chips were paid for by people seeking favors from Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo and commissioner Jimmy Dimora.
You can read the entire piece here:
http://www.clevelandindependent.com/2010/02/26/independent-exclusive-zanottikelley-gambled/
Plain Dealer Looks Past Imperial Ave. to Towpath, Public Square
Posted by Roldo Bartimole in Economic Development, Media on November 5, 2009
November 5, 2009… It didn’t even take a day for The Plain Dealer to set up the next pillage and plunder of Cleveland.
Listen to what the Pee Dee said editorially the day after the casino issue, strongly backed by the paper, about the use of its tax revenue:
“So consider this idea, which is already germinating among downtown boosters (read: looters): Divert some of the new property taxes the casino will pay – from the city’s share, not the school district’s – to complete the Towpath Trail and Canal Basin Park, to redesign Public Square and to add pocket parks, waterfront access and other residential enhancements.”
Forget about Imperial Avenue. Forget about all the Cleveland Imperial Avenues.
Let’s spend a few more million on a bike path and redo Public Square. Again.
Just read the intention of this proposal. You will see a community looting being pushed by the Pee Dee.
This is what the Pee Dee – acting as a front for the Greater Cleveland Partnership and its corporate thugs – wants to do with any revenue that might come to the city from the casino. Disgusting.
Can you believe it?
How insensitive is that on the day following the discovery of multi-murder victims and a city police force and government that allowed what happened on Imperial Avenue to happen. As the bodies are being ushered out.
Ms. Goldberg and the editorial staff of the Pee Dee, have you no shame?
To whom do you owe allegiance? Certainly not to the people of Cleveland. Certainly not to those in dire need.
Here you are already spending tax dollars, the result of a sickening monopoly casino, on the trinkets you want for downtown.
My God, when does it stop?