East Cleveland Organizations Celebrate Cirino, Funding

COLUMBUS— East Cleveland advocacy groups came together to host a celebration yesterday to thank Senate Finance Chairman Jerry C. Cirino (R-Kirtland) for his part in allocating funds for emergency improvements needed in the city. 

The groups hosting the event include Black on Black Crime, Inc., Survivors/Victims of Tragedy, Black Man's Army, and Black Woman's Army.

As the groups mentioned in their notice of the celebration today, East Cleveland is one of the poorest cities in the United States and the poorest city in Ohio. 

"I'm honored by this celebration, and I'm glad that we're able to help the great people of East Cleveland," Senator Cirino said. "As the Senate Finance Chairman, it's touching to be able to see how many communities we can impact while still being financially responsible."

The capital budget appropriated $10 million to emergency improvements to roads, bridges, water systems, and storm sewers in the City of East Cleveland.

"We have been praying for help, but many have turned their backs on us ... we can rejoice with an unlikely man who was raised in Little Italy but played in East Cleveland and called it home," the event organizers noted in their news release. "Let's rejoice and give thanks to Senator Cirino."

For additional information on what projects were funded by the capital budget, please review Senate Bill 450.