Local GOP Members Call Meeting to Discuss Health Care Debate

About 200 people, mostly seniors crowded a small, hot room inside the Parma Memorial Hall Thursday.

This town hall style meeting, sponsored by the Parma Republican Club, was called to discuss the current health care debate, and House Bill 3200, which according to the Bill, is supposed to provide quality health care to uninsured Americans.

Experts and representatives from pharmaceutical companies, and hospitals were at this meeting to answer peoples questions on the Bill.

Representatives from Senators Sherrod Brown, George Voinovich, and Congressman Kucinich were invited. A representative from Senator Voinovich was the only one to attend.

©2009 WMAT/IVSNN News

Health Care Town Hall Meeting Planned for Thursday

PARMA (WMAT News) – A Town Hall meeting on Health Care and House Bill 3200 is scheduled for 7:30pm at the Parma Memorial Hall at 6617 Ridge Rd. on Thursday.

Sentaor Sherrod Brown has been invited to this event, which is being sponsored by the Parma Republican Party.

IVSNN contacted Senator Browns office, and was told that they cannot confirm as to whether the Senator will be attending this event.

Representatives from Senators Voinovich, Brown, and Congressman Kucinich have been invited. Experts including doctors, and pharmaceutical company representatives will be speaking at this event.

Protesters from the “Cleveland Tea Party Patriots” are expected at this event. The self-described grassroots group, posted information regarding this event on their website.

WHAT: Town Hall Meeting on the ongoing Health Care debate, and House Bill 3200

WHERE: Parma Memorial Hall 6617 Ridge Rd. in Parma map

WHEN: 7:30pm to 9:00pm on Thursday Aug. 13

WHO: Representatives from Reps. Voinovich, Brown, and Congressman Kucinich. Health experts including doctors, and pharmaceutical company reps.

WHY: To inform the public and answer questions regarding the current Health Care Bill

Cleveland “Freedomfest” Rally Planned for Friday

In April, thousands gathered at Mall C in downtown Cleveland to voice their anger over taxation and wasteful spending, as part of the nationwide Tea Party protests which were held on April 15th.

On Friday, the local Cleveland Tea Party group along with local 9-12 groups will hold a “Freedomfest” rally at the Free Stamp in Willard Park.

Speakers at this event include, Tom Ganley, owner of the Ganley Auto Group, who has recently announced his run for the US Senate, and local radio host Tom Kelly. Local business owners, residents, and veterans, will also be speaking at this event as well.

The event is scheduled from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. For more information visit their website below.

EXTERNAL LINKS:

http://www.clevelandteaparty.webs.com/

Rock Hall to Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson

CLEVELAND — This Sunday the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will pay a special tribute to Michael Jackson, at its 12^th annual Rock and Soul Festival.

Michael Jackson died last Thursday after going into cardiac arrest, at the age of 50.

“Michael Jackson was one of the most creative and influential recording artists of the last 40 years,” said Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. “He was uniquely gifted with his talent as a songwriter, dancer and performer. While we deeply mourn the loss of any Inductee, few have generated the response from fans like the tragedy we learned of this week. His legacy will live on for a long, long time.”

Michael Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1997. The inductions were held here in Cleveland.

The event is from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday and is open to the public, and is being held at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum. People wishing to visit the museum and exhibit however, will still have to pay an admission fee.

Parma Rib ‘n Rock Ready to Roll

(PARMA) – The City of Parma is ready to host the 19th Annual Rib ‘N Rock at Parmatown Mall June 11 through June 14. The popular community event is sponsored by the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Parmatown Mall.

“Rib ‘N Rock has become a rite of summer in Parma,” said Mayor Dean DePiero. “This is a family-oriented event that the entire region loves because there’s plenty of fun, food, music and entertainment for everybody.”

Mayor DePiero will sponsor the opening night VIP Reception for invited guests. And this year, Rib ‘N Rockers will be able to enjoy watching the Cleveland Cavs and Indians on a big screen TV while listening to live music throughout the weekend. The TV screen will be located in the new Rib ‘n Rock Cox Communications Sports Tent. Cox Communications and STO (Sports Time Ohio) will present a live broadcast of All Bets Are Off with Bruce Drennan from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on June 11.

“This is a community party that offers something for everybody,” said Mayor DePiero. “And make no mistake about it – the countless volunteers make it all come to life. We couldn’t do it without their energy and dedication.”

The festival is held at the northwest corner of Parmatown Mall at Ridgewood Drive and Ames Road. Rib ‘N Rock will be open 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. June 11, 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. on June 12, 2:00 to 11:00 p.m. June 13 and 1:00 to 10:30 p.m. June 14. Admission is $3 per person. Children 12 and younger get in for free. Two for one admission coupons are available at the Chamber of
Commerce office inside Parmatown Mall.

You can contact the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce at 440-886-1700 for more information.

3rd Annual Cleveland Walk to Empower to be Held this Mother’s Day

More than 1,200 walkers and volunteers will gather at Mall C in downtown Cleveland for the Annual Walk to Empower. This is the third one to be held in Cleveland.

The goal of this event is to raise $175,000, as well as raise breast cancer awareness.

This event will be held on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 10, at Mall C in downtown Cleveland. Registration can be done either online, or at 7:00am on the day of the event. It is a three-mile long walk, starting at 9:00am, and will conclude at 11:00am.

National sponsors of this event include, McDonald’s, Bumble Bee, Grant Thornton, United Airlines, and Walgreens. Local sponsors include, Panera Bread, The Cleveland Women’s Journal, and WMVX 106.5.

For more information you can visit their website, http://walk.networkofstrength.org or you can call1-877-963-7223. Donations can be made at http://www.networkofstrength.org.

Thousands Flood Mall C To Voice Their Anger Over Taxation

Wednesday was the deadline to file your federal income tax. Wednesday was also the day of the nationwide Tax Day Tea Party protest.

The protest was held to speak out against taxation, wasteful spending, and big government.
It is estimated that around 5,000 people showed up at Mall C on Wednesday. This number far surpasses the original 2,500 or so that had originally RSVPed on the Cleveland Tea Party’s website.

It is also estimated that around 300,000 gathered around the country, to participate in this nationwide movement.

The Cleveland website, and the national website, describe the movement as a non-partisan grassroots movement.

One of the speakers stated that, “this is the beginning of something. This is beginning of something great, the beginning of a great movement.” another was quoted as saying that, “It is time to re-engage in a government, of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

“We have been a silent majority for a long time. For the last two elections. It is time to put an end to that silent majority.” said radio talkshow host Bob Frantz who was chosen to be the keynote speaker at this event.

These protests were held in every state, in an estimated 700 cities across the nation.

Cleveland to Participate in National Tea Party Movement

On Thursday, IVSNN spoke with Ralph King, a media organizer for the Cleveland Tea Party movement.

Cleveland is one of hundreds of major cities throughout the country to hold one of these events, which is part of the National Tea Party movement. This nationwide movement, was initially started when CNBC On-Air Editor Rick Santelli, did a rant expressing his anger over the government subsidizing mortgages with taxpayers money.
The event is to be held on April 15, which is also the deadline for taxpayers to file their federal income taxes. The event is for those who wish to speak out against the local, state, and federal taxes. King said that there are over 200,000 people who are collectively participating in the movement nationwide.

According to their website, “This grassroots effort has and will continue to bring like-minded people together. People like you who are tired of working harder while the government takes a bigger piece of your pie.”

“The people need to understand that it’s not about Republicans, it’s not about Democrats. It’s not about conservatives, it’s not about liberals; to some extent, it’s not about the second amendment it’s not about any of the social issues.” King said in during the interview.

“It’s about, that much of this spending, is not helping put Americans back to work. It is about the survival of our country.”

He also said, “The intent of this is to tell Washington, ‘Look, we’re fed up. You guys got to start doing what you’re supposed to be doing, and thats doing what supposed to be right for the American people.’”

When asked about the 3/4% tax increase to fund the new medical mart and convention center, he stated that he remains very skeptical about the medical mart. He said that he had gotten over 1,000 signatures against the tax increase which he said was, “an illegal tax upon the people of Cuyahoga County”, and that it was, “forced upon us”.

Some big names in the media have endorsed this movement. Among them, Sean Hannity, and Glenn Beck. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has also endorsed this movement.

The speakers at this event include, Jim Trakas, a former Ohio State Representative, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Ohio State Senator Tim Grendell, Dave Morgan, a retired U.S. Army Captain, Former Ashtabula County Auditor, Sandy O’Brien, Bob Frantz from WTAM 1100, as well as business owners, and blue collar workers.

King says that, he would like to get more Democrats involved in the movement. He said that they attempted to contact Senator Sherrod Brown, but he has not responded back.

As a non-profit organization, they were required to pay a $500 fee if they wanted to use city space. King told IVSNN that the fee had been paid.

The event is to be held at Mall C in downtown Cleveland, on the 15th. For more information you can visit their website.