Police to do checkpoint sobriety stops for illegal drinking in greater Cleveland today, sobriety checkpoints are legal in some states, including Ohio, but cannot be random, though otherwise police typically must have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to pull a car over

By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News.Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com, Ohio's No 1 and No 2 online Black newspapers (www.clevelandurbannews.com) and (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com). Reach us by phone at 216-659-0473 and by email at  editor@clevelandurbannews.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio- Parma, Ohio police will do sobriety checkpoints tonight, Friday, December 6, 2013, according a departmental press release. Police will conduct the checkpoints in the 5700 block of Ridge Road from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m, the press release said. 

Parma is a majority White suburb of Cleveland, and a city where Blacks traditionally stay away from due to claims of racism and police harassment, not to mention a consent decree the city once had with the Cleveland Chapter NAACP for discriminating in hiring against Blacks seeking to become firefighters there.

The U.S. Supreme Court in Michigan Dept of State Police v. Sitz. determined via a ruling issued in 1990 that state highway sobriety checkpoints are not unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable search and seizure or under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. But the high court said in its ruling that the traffic stops must not be random and must be done by uniformed police officers. And data must show that the purpose deters illegal drinking and driving.

Thirty eight states and the District of Columbia, including Ohio, have state laws that allow the checkpoints, though ordinarily police cannot stop a car without either probable cause or reasonable suspicion, the latter in such cases as alleged traffic violations.

In the absence of a state law permitting it, sobriety checkpoints are illegal. States that ban such checkpoints include Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Rev Dr. Otis Moss Jr tells Call and Post Newspaper why racism in America is so powerful, Moss marched with MLK, Moss' article comes on the heels of the anniversary of fatal 137 shots shooting by 13 White Cleveland police officers of unarmed Blacks Malissa Williams and Tim Russell

The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr.

Why racism is so omnipotent (powerful)

(The article below is reprinted here at Cleveland Urban News.Com (www.clevelandurbannews.com) 
with the expressed permission from Call and Post Newspaper Associate Publisher and Editor Connie Harper).

By the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr.

(Editors note: The Rev Dr. Otis Moss Jr., a retired former senior pastor of the prominent Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland and also a Civil Rights icon who marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the height of the Civil Rights movement, tells the Call and Post Newspaper why racism in America is still so powerful in the December 4, 2013 weekly print edition. Read his powerful words below, a reprint of the Call and Post article that hit the stands today. The Call and Post Newspaper is the most recognized Black press venue in Ohio and is published by renowned international boxing promoter Don King with distributions weekly in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. Moss' comments below come on the heels of the anniversary last week of the 137 shots tragedy where unarmed Blacks Malissa Williams and Timothy Russell were killed by 13 White Cleveland police officers shooting 137 bullets on Nov 29, 2012 following a police car chase that began in downtown Cleveland and ended in neighboring East Cleveland, Ohio. Community activists, family members of the victims and others rallied and prayed on Nov 29, 2013 at Heritage Middle School in East Cleveland where the shooting occurred, an event marking the first anniversary of the unprecedented shooting that has caused racial unrest in greater Cleveland's Black community. The case is currently before a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury for a potential criminal indictment against the 13 police officers at issue).

Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams

By the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr.

Cleveland, Ohio-I must use the adverb “almost” because there is a necessary distinction between all and some. It is the difference between mighty and almighty. But we must never forget that whatever is mighty can harness the power to destroy lives, families, communities, institutions and nations. This is what racism does on a daily basis. We have, to some degree, lost the will and/or the capacity to identify and challenge this destructive and powerful force in our culture and institutions. This advent season presents the church with a great moment — an opportunity — to sharpen its discernment. It is an opportunity for the church and the world to experience a new birth in love, racial justice and reconciliation.

My New Testament professor – over a half century ago – frequently quoted one of his professors who often said that "the customs of a people are omnipotent.” This was an intentional hyperbole, but the point was a teachable exaggeration. Customs and habits are not easily removed even if they are wicked and unjust, but profitable and politically rewarding.

We once had a relevant U. S. Civil Rights Commission with subpoena power. It had the responsibility to investigate, research, expose and recommend. Its recommendations went to the president, Congress and the people. But it was despised by some and stripped of its relevance and effectiveness. It was a valuable tool of education and conscience. It lifted up a mirror to the nation. But rather than look in the mirror for examination treatment, prevention and cure, the mirror has been destroyed. This was one of the great errors of President Ronald Reagan.

Why is racism so powerful throughout such a long period in American history? Let me give, in my opinion, a few responses to this question and invite you to join the dialogue. Let us share with calm reasonableness, love and a quest for justice and reconciliation.

First, for centuries racism has been at the center of our culture. It is a decisive and divisive force in our economics, politics, religion and education. Since no one is born a racist, the song in the play “South Pacific” has a truth-telling message for the past, present and future:

You've got to be taught before it's too late,

Before you are six or seven or eight

To hate all the people your relatives hate

You've got to be carefully taught!

Through decades and centuries, racism has been taught and made economically profitable. From the buying and selling of human beings (Chattel slavery) to interest rates, insurance rates, payday loans, prison sentences, stop and frisk laws, cradle to prison pipelines, prison privatization, the “New Jim Crow,” voter suppression and “slavery by another name,” racism is a powerful force in our culture. It is designed to make some wealthy by keeping others poor and disenfranchised, by keeping some powerful and others powerless. Secondly, racism thrives in a climate of denial, insensitivity, apathy and disbelief.

When this systemic arrangement goes unchallenged, it receives silent endorsement. Henry David Thoreau was right when he said "whoever can protest and does not is an accomplice in the act.” What is lacking today is a coherent national policy against persistent racism. The measures of prevention are too weak and corrections and cure are too elusive.

Thirdly, racism has been endorsed by religion and education in ages past and denied and disowned in the present age. There was a time in ages past when religious leaders and college presidents owned slaves. Let us not forget that Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” was written in response to eight Birmingham religious leaders. Leaders who condemned Dr. King’s non-violent direct action protests, would not condemn the brutal fire hoses, vicious dogs and police beatings against children.

Today the ugly attacks on Affordable Health Care are just as vicious. And when we consider the millions of families and individuals in need of Affordable Health Care, SNAP Programs and Head Start, the attacks are just as vicious and even more pervasive.

Fourthly, those who want to make racism yesterday’s reality we must say, marching around the White House with a Confederate flag is today’s racist reality. This Confederate flag is an ugly expression of racism, hatred, violence, lynchings and mobs. But not enough, of us are raising our voices with moral courage for love and justice.

We are living in difficult days. To pretend (or believe) that the light came and racism ended with the election of President Obama is like saying that cancer ended with the development of chemotherapy. Therefore, all research, treatment, care, prevention and funding should be immediately ended.

In Shaw’s presentation on Joan of Arc, one character in this drama, speaking of Joan’s execution says that "thirty minutes to burn her, four hundred years to declare her a saint.”

It takes only a short time to do irreparable harm through sequestration, government shutdowns, voter suppression, gun violence, budget cuts, blocked nominations, delayed immigration reform and opposition to Affordable Health Care. This Advent season, we must lead our congregations to meet these ugly forces with the beauty of love, justice, truth and reconciliation no matter how long it takes. This will assure the world that racism and hate are mighty, but never almighty. Reinforce the truth that injustice is mighty, but redeeming love is almighty. God is love.

The Rev Dr. Otis Moss Jr is also a graduate of the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Brought to you by Cleveland Urban News.Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com, Ohio's No 1 and No 2 online Black newspapers (www.clevelandurbannews.com) and (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com). Reach us by phone at 216-659-0473 and by email at  editor@clevelandurbannews.com

Dick Peery, a retired Plain Dealer Newspaper journalist, former longtime president of the writer's Guild union at the Plain Dealer, former Call and Post Newspaper reporter and current community activist, is among honorees at Fairfax Business Association affair on Saturday, December 7, at 6 pm at Fairfax Place in Cleveland, keynote speaker is Woodmere Mayor Charles E. Smith, also read much of this article in this week's print edition of the Call and Post Newspaper, Ohio's most prominent Black press, Call and Post to cover event

CLEVELAND, Ohio- Retired Plain Dealer reporter Richard Peery, also a former reporter for the Call and Post Newspaper, is among eight attendees that will receive community service awards on Saturday, Dec 7 at the annual community affair of the Fairfax Business Association (FBA). The event will be held at Fairfax Place in Cleveland, 9014 Cedar Avenue. Tickets are $50. For more information contact Betty Mahone at 216-926-8003.

Since retiring Peery, who was also a longtime president of the writer's Guild union at the Plain Dealer, has continued his activism in the community, rallying with community activists and others around violence against women issues in  greater Cleveland, a stand your ground bill in the Ohio State General Assembly, and police brutality.

Woodmere Mayor Charles E. Smith

The keynote speaker is Charles E. Smith, the mayor of Woodmere Village in Ohio.

Other award recipients include Wesley Toles, Jackie Sutton, Shirley Thompson, Tim Willis, Leona Wilson, Linda Green, and Paul Clark.

"It will be marvelous and is our academy awards for the Fairfax neighborhood," said Betty Mahone, secretary for the FBA and owner and operator of the Chateau Mansion lounge and restaurant in East Cleveland.

Fairfax Business Association honorees pose during the organization's 16th Annual Black Tie Affair held in 2012 at Fairfax Place in Cleveland.  From left  are Attorney James Gay, Our Lady of Peace Church Pastor Gary Chmura, Brenda Hubbard Tolbert, 19 Action News  Anchorman and Reporter Harry Boomer, and William Earl Morris. (Photo by Jeff Ivey)

Last year's award recipients (pictured above) were  Attorney James Gay, Our Lady of Peace Church Pastor Gary Chmura, Brenda Hubbard Tolbert, 19 Action News Anchor and  Reporter Harry Boomer, and William Earl Morris. Boomer was also the featured speaker at the event last year.

Peery and Toles will both receive the William Seawright Award at Saturday night's banquet, the highest honor the organization bestows on people.

The late William Seawright was an entrepreneur and philanthropist in the Fairfax community who owned real estate and who believed that Black businesses were the cornerstone of the Black community. He often gave money and other resources to small business owners to help them survive, and he supported the East Technical High School basketball team, among other community venues.

"I have long had respect for Mr. Peery," said Mary Seawright , the surviving spouse of William Seawright who owns and operates Seawright Enterprises in Cleveland.

"Dick Peery is an outstanding gentleman and was a supreme journalist," Mary Seawright said. "We appreciate that we can honor him and others that have given back to the community, the Black community in particular."

Led by Greg Roberts, the FBA is a resource and networking organization designed to enhance Black businesses in the Fairfax community.

Brought to you by Cleveland Urban News.Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com, Ohio's No 1 and No 2 online Black newspapers (www.clevelandurbannews.com) and (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com). Reach us by phone at 216-659-0473 and by email at  editor@clevelandurbannews.co

Community Activist Kathy Wray Coleman speaks to reporters Friday night, November 29, 2013, at Heritage Middle School in East Cleveland at a first anniversary rally and vigil for justice for Malissa Williams and Tim Russell, both Black, both unarmed, and both shot at 137 times and killed by 13 White Cleveland police officers, photo by Community Activist Laura Cowan, at the rally Coleman called for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to push for an indictment of criminal charges against the police officers or to 'step down' from their political jobs, Plain Dealer Newspaper, the Northeast Ohio Media Group, and Cleveland news channels 5, 3, 8 and 19 cover event

Photo by Community Activist Laura Cowan, a domestic violence and rape survivor and computer analyst at the Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Housing Authority in Cleveland. CLEVELAND, Ohio-Community Activist Kathy Wray Coleman speaks before reporters on Nov. 29, 2013 at Heritage Middle School in East Cleveland, Ohio at the first anniversary rally and vigil for gunned down unarmed Blacks Malissa Williams and Tim Russell, both shot with 137 bullets heading at them following a Cleveland police car chase that began in downtown Cleveland and ended in neighboring East Cleveland on Nov. 29, 2012.  Read the story on this event at www.clevelandurbannews.com. Pictured to the right of Ms. Coleman in the red hat is the mother of Malissa Williams, and in the wheelchair is Malissa Williams' grandmother. Also pictured is Community Activist Ernie Smith, in the yellow shirt, of the Oppressed People's Nation, who led the rally and vigil, both organized by several groups including Black on Black Crime, the Oppressed People's Nation, Survivors/Victims of Tragedy, Revolution Books and the Imperial Women Activists Group. To the left of Coleman in the picture are Community Activist Terrie Tolefree (holding the red, Black and green flag) and NewNet5.Com Reporter Stephanie Ramirez (in white hat). At the event Coleman, on behalf of the Imperial Women Activists Group that she leads, called for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to be aggressive in pursuit of an indictment of criminal charges by the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury of the police officers. Coleman called McGinty and Dewine "discrepancy models in the case who should either do their jobs or step down." The case is currently before a county grand jury. Nearly 100 community activists, victims of police brutality and other community affiliates attended the gathering. Also at the rally attorneys for the victims called for justice with Cleveland Attorney Terry Gilbert, who represents the estate of Tim Russell, previously telling Cleveland Urban News.Com that the 13 non-Black police officers at issue "should at least be charged with negligent homicide." Local media covering the event include the Cleveland Plain Dealer Newspaper, the Northeast Ohio Media Group, and Cleveland television news channels 5, 3, 19, and 8

Plain Dealer and NOMG article on November 29 first anniversary rally and vigil of deadly 137 shots tragic shooting of unarmed Blacks Malissa Williams and Tim Russell by 13 all non-Black Cleveland police officers, also get this Plain Dealer article on the stands today, November 30, 2013

By Cory Shaffer | Northeast Ohio Media Group  (NOMG)
Email the author | Follow on Twitter 
on November 29, 2013 at 2:30 PM, updated November 29, 2013 at 9:40 PM

Malissa Williams and Tim Russell

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The number 137 is standing out to many community groups in Cleveland like few others.

That’s the number of shots 13 Cleveland police officers fired at Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams a year ago Friday, ending a 25-minute police chase across Cleveland into neighboring East Cleveland. And 365 days later, some of those community groups say they have seen little done to correct “the worst catastrophe in the police department’s history.” ( Read on below or CLICK THIS LINK HERE TO READ THE FULL PLAIN DEALER STORY AT CLEVELAND.COM AND TO WATCH THE ASSOCIATED VIDEO )

“Ninety percent of the people we talk to in the community feel that Malissa and Timothy have not gotten any justice,” said Art McKoy, founder of Black On Black Crime.

The rally was organized by Kathy Wray Coleman of the Imperial Women Activists Group. (www.clevelandurbannews.com) McKoy and Oppressed People's Nation Chairman Ernest Smith led family members and friends of Russell and Williams, as well as other community activists, through the parking lot of Heritage Middle School in East Cleveland Friday night at a rally marking the shootings' first anniversary.

"I am Timothy," Smith would call, and the crowd repeated him. "I am Malissa."

"How many shots?"

"137."

The school was the final scene of the 22-mile pursuit that left Russell, 43, and Williams, 30, dead in the front seat of Russell’s 1979 Chevrolet Malibu Nov. 29, 2012.

Russell's sister, Michelle, said the past year has been hard for her family.

"We haven't really gotten any answers," Michelle Russell said. "A whole year has gone by and we're still waiting for all of the investigations to be completed to determine if anyone's going to be held accountable.

"And when I say accountable, I think people need to be terminated, prosecuted."

Williams' mother, Martha, had a simple message.

"All I want is justice for my daughter," she said. "I cry every day....And I want (the police officers involved) to go to jail."

“We’re not going to let it go quietly,” Smith told cleveland.com earlier this week. “We’re going to pay tribute and homage to this murder and massacre. We haven’t forgotten.”

The pursuit began in earnest around 10:30 p.m., as Russell drove past the Justice Center in downtown Cleveland. Officers heard what they believed was a gunshot from his vehicle, but it was later revealed that Russell’s car had a history of backfiring. Minutes earlier, Russell had fled from a traffic stop near East 18th Street and Superior Avenue.

Radio communication throughout the chase led officers to believe Williams had a gun in the passenger seat. Officers attempted to trap Russell’s Malibu in Heritage's parking lot, but as he tried to escape, he drove in the direction of officers who had exited their vehicle. The officers told investigators they feared for the their lives.

Thirty seconds later, in what Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine described as a chaotic scene, 13 officers had fired their weapons 137 times – including one officer who fired 49 shots. Russell was shot 24 times, and Williams 23 times. No weapon belonging to the two was ever located, and gunpowder residue collected at the scene was inconclusive, DeWine said.

Jeff Follmer, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, said the officers’ actions were justified by those of Russell and Williams, which Follmer said led officers to believe they were dealing with “an active shooter.”

“The facts are the facts, and you can’t take away the officers’ perceptions in that parking lot,” Follmer said. "(Russell and Williams) were still creating a threat with their actions. None of the officers were looking to get into this type of situation."

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty convened a grand jury, which has nearly completed hearing testimony of nearly 50 subpoenaed officers to determine if criminal charges are warranted. The testimony is the third and final phase in the probe into officers’ actions. The first two phases saw a supervisor fired and 63 officers given a total of 178 suspension days.  CLICK THIS LINK HERE TO READ THE FULL PLAIN DEALER STORY AT CLEVELAND.COM AND TO WATCH THE ASSOCIATED VIDEO

Community activists groups, victims, victims family members of police brutality, Black elected officials to host "The First Anniversary of the Cleveland Police 137 Shots and Stop Police Brutality Rally and Candlelight Vigil" on Friday, Nov 29, 2013, 5 pm, outside of Heritage Middle School in East Cleveland at 14410 Terrace Rd., community activists to call for 13 non-Black police officers that gunned down unarmed Blacks Malissa Williams and Tim Russell to be criminally charged, Attorney Terry Gilbert, who represents the Russell estate, said the 13 cops should "at least be charged with negligent homicide"

By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News.Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com, Ohio's No 1 and No 2 online Black newspapers (www.clevelandurbannews.com) and (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com). Reach us by phone at 216-659-0473 and by email at  editor@clevelandurbannews.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio- Community activists groups, victims and victims family members of police brutality, and Black elected officials will host "The First Anniversary of the Cleveland Police 137 Shots and Stop Police Brutality Rally and Candlelight Vigil" on Friday, November 29, 2013, at 5 pm outside of Heritage Middle School in East Cleveland at 14410 Terrace Road. Friday marks the first anniversary of the gunning down by 13 all non-Black Cleveland cops of unarmed Blacks Malissa Williams, 30, and Timothy Russell, 43, both of whom were killed on November 29, 2012 following a car chase that began in downtown Cleveland and ended at Heritage Middle School in neighboring East Cleveland, a largely Black impoverished suburb of Cleveland.

Cleveland Criminal Defense
 and Civil Rights Attorney 
Terry Gilbert

"The 13 police officers that did the shooting  should be charged at least with negligent homicide," said Cleveland Attorney Terry Gilbert, during an interview with Cleveland Urban News.Com, Ohio's most read online Black newspaper." 

A Civil Rights and criminal defense lawyer, Gilbert represents the estate of Russell, who left behind a 17-year-old son.

A young girl holds an anti-police brutality protest sign
at a rally for justice for Malissa Williams
and Timothy Russell, both unarmed and gunned
down  with 137 rounds of ammunition
by 13 Cleveland police officers on
November 29, 2012. Friday, November 29, 2013
marks the first anniversary of the deadly shooting.

Organizers and contacts for the rally include Oppressed People's Nation Chairman Ernie Smith at 216-218-3948, Black on Black Crime Founder Art McKoy at  216-253-4070, Imperial Women Activists Group President Kathy Wray Coleman at 216-659-0473, Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network President Don Bryant at 216-772-6788, and Peace in the Hood President Khalid Samad, who also leads the grassroots group The Task Force for Community Mobilization, at 216-538-4043. 

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty

The officers at issue have not yet been punished and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty, who is White and an ally to police in greater Cleveland, has refused to push for an indictment before a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury of the all non-Black 13 police officers that did the shooting.

Rally speakers include members of the Russell and Williams family, Black clergy, community activists, family members of victims of police brutality, and Black elected officials.

The deadly car chase that ultimately included 104 Cleveland and other police ended with the car Russell was driving and Williams as a passenger shot at with 137 rounds of ammunition, gangster -style. 

One of the police officers , who is still on the job like the other 12 officers, jumped aboard the hood of Russell's 1979 Chevy Malibu Classic and fired 49 rounds through the front windshield.

Community activists said that while the gathering is to remember Russell and  Williams and to pray for justice for them, that they will also rally to call for action and to bring more attention to the unprecedented tragedy.

"We will be there to honor Malissa and Timothy, to call for an end to police brutality, and to call for criminal charges to be brought against the 13 police officers that did the shooting," said Oppressed People's Nation Chairman Ernie Smith, one of several organizers of the rally.

"I think it is very important not to let up and we want justice for Malissa and Timothy," said community activist Bill Swain.

Participating activists groups include The Oppressed People's Nation, Black on Black Crime Inc, The Imperial Women Activists Group, The Carl Stokes Brigade, Peace in the Hood, The Task Force for Community Mobilization, The People's Forum, Revolution Books, Survivors/Victims of Tragedy, The Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network, Sister to Sister, Stop Targeting Ohio's Poor, People for the Imperial Act, The Joaquin Hicks Real People's Movement, The Cleveland Chapter of the New Black Panther Party, Ohio Family Rights, The Fairfax Business Association, and The National Organization for Parental Equality.(www.clevelandurbannews.com) 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the holiday spirit of giving, to the Miami Heat 95 to 84, Cavs lose to the Heat in pre-Thanksgiving home game in Cleveland, the all star matchup between LeBron James and Cavaliers Kyrie Irving never materializes

 By Karl Kimbrough (pictured), Cleveland Urban News.Com Sportswriter (kimbrough@clevelandurbannews.com).  Cleveland Urban News.Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com, Ohio's No 1 and No 2 online Black news venues (www.clevelandurbannews.com) Reach Cleveland Urban News.Com by email at editor@clevelandurbannews.com and by phone at 216-659-0473

Kyrie Irving (left) and Lebron James

CLEVELAND, Ohio-There are 82 games in every National Basketball Association regular season. Each season though, there are a few games that Cleveland Cavaliers fans circle as special. Two of those special games are when LeBron James visits his old team at Quicken Loans Arena.

Wednesday night, one day before the holiday season began, is the day that the NBA scheduled LeBron's first return home this season. And the Cavaliers fell to the Miami Heat last night, 95 to 84. (Editor's note: Lebron James is a native of Akron , Ohio and played for the Cavaliers for seven years before choosing the Miami Heat as a free agent in 2010). The stands were packed and the fans were ready for an exciting game. Unlike previous seasons, this visit, and his next visit,  bring an added interest for fans and the Cavaliers team itself. James will have a chance to use his player option, to sign with a different team after this season is over.

The Cavaliers and some of their fans want to show him why he should come home permanently. So the Cavaliers' motivation to play well was twofold. When James was introduced, Quicken Loans Arena was flooded with boos, but there were some cheers at the same time. A source close to the James camp said that he would not be interested in signing with a team that is not battle tested like the Cavaliers. Also, he would not want to be part of the “mess” that's been going on in the Cavaliers locker room, speaking of the heated verbal confrontation between Dion Waiters and some of his teammates.

Those were the particulars that set the stage for this game. As the game wore on, the Cavaliers made James and the Miami Heat teammates feel right at home, giving them everything they needed to take home a 95 to 84 win. Although the Cavaliers began the game aggressively with a lot of positive energy, taking a 28 to 22 first quarter lead it was short lived.

Cleveland showed that they were already in the holiday spirit of giving as they turned the ball over 19 times. The warm 55 percent shooting they enjoyed in the first quarter was short lived as well. They turned colder than the winter breeze outside the arena by shooting a cool 20 percent in the second quarter and only 35 percent for the game. Although Cleveland played with a lot of energy, out rebounding Miami in the first quarter 13 to four the cold shooting allowed Miami to take a 29 to 28 lead early in the second quarter.

There was a lot of energy in the stands by the fans as well, showing they were either for or against LeBron and the World Champion Heat. Unlike the Cavaliers,  James and his Miami Heat teammates began the first quarter slowly to carry the scoring load early on. James had just three points in the first 17 minutes of the game. Then he began to take over as the first half ended by scoring Miami's last seven points of the second quarter, finishing with 12 for the half.

Cavaliers all star Kyrie Irving also allowed his teammates to do the lion share of scoring for the first 18 minutes, scoring only two points before tallying six of Cleveland's last nine in the second quarter. Although they were down by seven at the half, 49 to 42, the Cavaliers were moving the ball well and passing to the open man, unlike earlier in the season when the ball stalled with Irving dribbling to much.

Defensively, the Cavaliers struggled to keep Dwayne Wade out of the interior as he over matched Matthew Dellavedova, scoring 12 points and equaling LeBron for team high in points in the half. Although he started, Dellavedova only played four minutes and 28 seconds in the first half, and 7:36 for the entire game, partly because of his miss match with Wade.                                                                        
The Cavaliers went to a three guard offense with Jarrett Jack, Waiters, and Irving with six minutes left in the first quarter to try to equal Miami's speed and quickness. Waiters, Jack and Irving each played over 32 minutes for the game. It made little difference though as Miami's lead grew to 14 points with 3:27 left in the third quarter and Cleveland never got closer than 10 points the rest of the game. 

The all star match up between James and Irving never materialized. LeBron had a quiet 28 point eight rebound and eight assist game and Irving who was trapped or double teamed often only contributed 16 points and three assists for the Cavaliers. Waiters shot the ball well and led the Cavaliers in scoring 24 points and added six rebounds to help the Cavaliers win that battle 47 to 41.

Miami never seemed to be challenged, which was probably because they were able to take advantage of the 19 Cleveland turnovers. The Heat outscored the Cavaliers 17 to four in fast break points, which proved to be the big difference in the score and the game.

It is very difficult to win in the NBA when fast break points are at a minimum. The fast break points were also a key to the Heat winning the points in the paint battle 50 to 28. Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown also thought the turnovers were the biggest problem for his team.

Cleveland Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown

"I thought it was a tough night for us in the turnover department," said Coach Brown. "I thought we had a lot of  unforced turnovers."

Brown said that through the course of the game, specifically in that third quarter, his team just kept losing the handle on the basketball, which hurt their opportunity to have a chance to score the ball, and that the turnovers were a big factor in the game.

Jack who is a veteran guard, led the Cavaliers in giving with five turnovers, Irving was right behind him with four.
But on the other hand, LeBron had a somewhat of a quiet game, although it was efficient with an eight to one assist to turnover night. This was in harmony with how the game turned out as well. With all of the hype, anticipation and expectation. it turned out to be a pretty ordinary and uneventful game.(www.clevelandurbannews.com)

Rep. Fudge asks U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to examine restrictive voting bills in Ohio that she says will "impede the voting abilities of minorities, students, the elderly"

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio) (left) and U.S. Attorney

General Eric Holder

Cleveland Urban News.Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com, Ohio's No 1 and No 2 online Black newspapers (www.clevelandurbannews.com) and (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com). Reach us by phone at 216-659-0473 and by email at  editor@clevelandurbannews.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio-  Today, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), a Warrensville Heights Democrat whose predominantly Black 11th congressional district includes East Cleveland and parts of the cities of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, and who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus of Blacks in Congress, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to examine House Bill 269 and Senate Bill 238, two pending bills in the Ohio State Legislature which impose photo identification restrictions and reduce early voting days, respectively.

In her letter to Holder, America's first Black U.S. attorney general, the federal lawmaker said
that the  proposed legislation will impede the voting ability of minorities, students and the elderly. 

“It is clear that these [proposed] restrictive voting laws will impact hundreds of thousands of voters in Ohio, a significant portion of them African American who have voted in record numbers during recent elections,” said Fudge. “Therefore, I strongly urge Attorney General Holder to intervene before these bills disenfranchise so many Ohioans, and obstruct a free and healthy democracy.”

House Bill 269 has a strict requirement for each voter to produce a photo identification card,
although more than 900,000 Ohioans lack such documentation, according to a 2012 Policy Matters Ohio study.

One of every four, or 260,000, eligible African American, and 290,000 senior voters would be adversely impacted, data show.

"Ultimately, this constraint is a poll tax that violates the 14^th Amendment," the congresswoman said.

Senate Bill 238 will eliminate Golden Week, a time Ohioans can register to vote and cast a ballot simultaneously. 

"This practice, used by African Americans and low-income voters at high rates, limits access to the polls to 28 or 29 days rather than the current 35," Fudge said. " Republicans have cited voter fraud as a concern, but not one prosecuted case of fraud has stemmed from Golden Week."

“In a swing state [like Ohio] with a history of legislators manipulating voting laws to limit access, these two recent legislative maneuvers are particularly troubling,” Congresswoman Fudge said. 

Fudge said that, if enacted, House Bill 269 and Senate Bill 238 would effectively disenfranchise voters because of their race, age or economic status. 

"They fly in the face of decades of efforts to eliminate obstacles to voter participation," said Fudge.

Cleveland City Council approves $30 million for improvements to FirstEnergy Stadium for Cleveland Browns, Councilpersons Brady, Cummins, Conwell, Johnson and Polensek vote against it, Councilman Reed skips meeting, opposing councilpersons say money should have been allocated to improve inner city neighborhoods, to hire more police and firefighters, Mayor Jackson says allocated money will not interfere with city services, Johnson disagrees

East side Cleveland Councilmen Michael Polensek, Kevin Conwell, and Jeff Johnson, all three of whom opposed the $30 million deal for upgrades to FirstEnergy Stadium for the Cleveland Browns along with west side councilpersons Brian Cummins and Dona Brady.

West side Cleveland Councilpersons Brian Cummins and Dona Brady, both of whom opposed the $30 million stadium deal for Cleveland Browns along with east side Councilmen Jeff Johnson, Kevin Conwell and Michael Polensek

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, who convinced city council to pass an ordinance by a 13 to 5 vote at its meeting Monday night to fund $30 million over a period of 15 years for upgrades to the First Energy Stadium for the Cleveland Browns. Councilman Zack Reed was the only councilperson that did not vote on the measure and he was absent from Monday night's meeting.

By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News.Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com, Ohio's No 1 and No 2 online Black newspapers (www.clevelandurbannews.com) and (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com). Reach us by phone at 216-659-0473 and by email at  editor@clevelandurbannews.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio-Cleveland City Council passed an ordinance at its meeting Monday night to allocate $30 million over a period of 15 years to fund improvements to FirstEnergy Stadium for the Cleveland Browns. The measure was approved 13 to 5 with Councilman Zack Reed absent and straddling the fence. To pass it required a super majority.

The monies will be distributed at a rate of $2 million annually, lawyers for the city said.

East side councilmen Jeff Johnson, Kevin Conwell and Michael Polensek, and west side council persons Dona Brady and Brian Cummins voted no. All five have said that the money could be put to better use in Cleveland neighborhoods with Johnson and Polensek saying the majority Black city needs more firefighters and policemen on the streets, and Polensek saying further that the city has too many abandoned and foreclosed homes.

Simply put, they say that Jackson's priorities are misplaced.

"That is the fund that we use to pay police, that is the fund that [we use to]sweep streets," Johnson told reporters on Monday.

Jackson said at a press conference last week that the football stadium monies put up by the city, part of a $120 million overall project, will come from the general fund and will not interfere with other city services. He said that the funds could have be used elsewhere but that stadium upgrades are important too.

"Now could we have hired another police officer? Yes," the mayor said.

Johnson said that Jackson is dreaming when he says that residential services will not be impacted. 

"For the mayor to say it's not going to have any impact on the neighborhood is just unrealistic," said Johnson. 

Conwell,  Johnson and Polensek have been at odds with Mayor Frank Jackson and his administration since Council President Martin Sweeney targeted Conwell and Johnson to oppose each other in this year's city council elections due to a redistricting map that he drew earlier this year that council approved that reduces the 19-member city council by two seats next year. The other seat was eliminated when Ward 19 Councilman Jay Westbrook retired, effective next year. 

Voters approved the redistricting measure that saw city council go from from 21 to 19 seats in an election four years ago, and from 19 to 17 beginning next year, a charter amendment pushed by Jackson, Sweeney and former Cleveland NAACP President George Forbes, who is general counsel for the Call and Post Newspaper, a Black Cleveland print weekly with distributions also in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Johnson chose not to run against Conwell, and  instead took on Councilman Eugene Miller in the new ward 10 and beat  him in an election  runoff earlier this month by 462 votes, and with help from Conwell and Polensek. 

Miller, an ally to Jackson and Sweeney, will be the only council person not to return in January, aside from Westbrook's retirement.

Brady and Cummins have not been patsies for the mayor in recent years either. They tried to block Jackson before, the only two members of city council that voted against a resolution passed by council last year that endorsed his education reform plan, a controversial plan subsequently initiated through a state law that saw Cleveland teachers lose seniority and tenure, among other sweeping changes. 

Under state law, the city mayor controls the Cleveland Municipal School District and appoints the members of the board of education.

Before that it was smooth sailing for Jackson, who enjoyed overwhelming support from city council since he became mayor in 2006 after ousting one-term Cleveland Mayor Jane Campell in 2005 as a then council president, and with support from the Old Black Political Guard.

Ken Silliman, the mayor's chief of staff, and city lawyers, said the stadium deal is needed because the Cleveland Browns are a city investment. 

Browns CEO Joe Banner told reporters after the ordinance passed Monday night that it is in the best interest of the city and that upgrades to FirstEnergy stadium could begin as early as next month, though after the football season ends. (www.clevelandurbannews.com) 

Ohio governor hopeful Ed FitzGerald chooses State Senator Eric Kearney, who is Black, to run on Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor, Kearney is Minority Leader in Ohio Senate, publishes Black newspapers in Ohio, the duo hope to unseat Kasich in 2014

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, (left),
a Democrat who hopes to unseat Republican Ohio Governor John Kasich in next year's
 gubernatorial race, and his lieutenant governor running mate State Senator Eric Kearney, a Cincinnati Democrat. FitzGerald announced last week his selection of Kearney to run with him on the Democratic ticket.

By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News.Com and The Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.Com, Ohio's No 1 and No 2 online Black newspapers (www.clevelandurbannews.com) and (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com). Reach us by phone at 216-659-0473 and by email at  editor@clevelandurbannews.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio-Governor hopeful Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat who will likely resign from his Cuyahoga County Executive job by the end of this year or early next year, has chosen a Black state senator from Cincinnati, Ohio for his lieutenant governor running mate in hopes of unseating Republican Gov. John Kasich in next year's gubernatorial race in Ohio.

A former FBI agent and mayor of Lakewood who won the county executive slot in 2010, FitzGerald announced last week that he has chosen state Sen Eric Kearney to join him on the Democratic ticket to braze the campaign trail for what is sure to be the most watched political showdown in Ohio for 2014.

"Building on the momentum of today's running mate announcement, the Democratic ticket for governor of Ed FitzGerald and lieutenant governor Eric Kearney will launch a two-day brainstorming tour of Ohio to discuss their plan to get Ohio back on track," FitzGerald said in a press release
on Wednesday to Cleveland Urban News.Com, Ohio's leading digital Black newspaper.

The duo toured Toledo, Youngstown, Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, the state's largest cities, during a two day sweep beginning on November 20, the press release said. 

A president Obama ally, Kearney, 50, is Minority Leader of the Ohio Senate and a partner in the Cincinnati based office of the law firm of Cohen, Todd, Kite & Stanford, LLC. He is also publisher of the Cincinnati Herald, the Dayton Defender, and Our Week, Black Ohio Newspapers. 

He earned a bachelor's degree in English from Dartmouth College, and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. He is married to Jan Michelle Kearney and the couple has two children.

Cuyahoga County is the state's largest of 88 counties and includes the largely Black major metropolitan city of Cleveland. It is roughly 30 percent Black. Cincinnati is roughly 45 percent Black and sits on the north bank of the Ohio River. It is a municipality of Hamilton County, which is situated on the southwest corner of the state and has a 23 percent Black population, U.S. census reports reveal.