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Above-Ground Oil Tank in Hough Residential Area? (Update)

By Staff Writer

Update: The City of Cleveland Zoning Commission unanimously vote to not approve the the 12,0000 gallon above ground fuel tank variance for the George Family Enterprise, LLC. Notable opposition to the appeal was MidTown Cleveland, The Cleveland Foundation and several resident near and around the facilities. Residents sent in emails and showed up at city hall to express their concerns.

George Family Enterprises, LLC, proposes to install a 12,000-gallon above-ground gas storage tank and equipment in the Midtown Mixed Use District 2 (MMUD-2) on 71st at the corner of Chester Ave. But why at this location, and why above-ground?

Gasoline storage tanks in a common gas station are normally underground, protected by dirt and cement, and have an assortment of safety requirements and regulations. Above-ground storage tanks are only permitted in industrial and semi-industrial districts according to the city of Cleveland’s codified ordinances, section 334.03(b). An above-ground storage tank has very stringent safety requirements. Accidents are rarely heard of, but they happen more frequently than might be expected. Any sharp metal projectile can penetrate the tank and cause an explosion.

The installation of an above-ground gas or oil storage tank could be fatal to residents, and yet only a few residents were even notified by email of a meeting, which was held on the facility grounds at 7001 Euclid Avenue on August 31. All residents in the community should have been notified of the meeting, or at the very least the residents living within two city blocks should have been notified.

Residents who were in attendance expressed their opposition to an above-ground variance from the city code to allow the tank to be installed. One community member asked about a suppression plan in case of an accident or explosion, but was not satisfied with the answers related to such suppression.

Other critical questions include:

What has changed to support a variance? Technology? If so, is there data to support approving the appeal for a variance? Where are other above-ground storage tanks located in residential areas in Northeast Ohio with a variance? Are certain communities (like Midtown) no longer considered residential? Was the neglect to invite all residents to the August 31st meeting a lack of preparation or a lack of consideration? Are business needs (convenience and profit) more important than the safety of the community?

 This code was created for a reason and should be adhered to. Many questions, not enough answers.

Save the Dream Ohio – Mortgage and Utilities Assistance

Having Trouble Paying Your Mortgage or Utilities?

Save the Dream Ohio provides assistance to Ohio homeowners facing foreclosure and/or who cannot afford to pay their mortgage payments or other related housing costs as a result of economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is administered by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, and is expected to continue through September 30, 2025 or until the available funding is depleted.

 Prequalify Today

Save the Dream Ohio – Mortgage Assistance provides eligible Ohio homeowners with financial assistance to pay delinquent mortgage payments and/or future mortgage payments for up to six months. While the amount of assistance may vary by household, a household may receive up to a combined $25,000 in mortgage assistance.

There is no cost to apply for the program. To qualify for the Save the Dream Ohio program, a household must have their primary residence in Ohio, have experienced financial hardship or loss of income related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and have an income at or below the Save the Dream Ohio income eligibility threshold.  (see chart below)

Family Income

1 person income family cannot exceed $103,350                       2 person income family cannot exceed $118,200

3 person income family cannot exceed $132,900                       4 person income family cannot exceed $147,600

5 person income family cannot exceed $159,450                       6 person income family cannot exceed $171,300

  7 person income family cannot exceed $183,150                       8 person income family cannot exceed  $194,850

When completing an application, homeowners will be required to include copies of the following documents:

  • Mortgage Statement
  • Most recent tax return or most recent 30 days income for all adult household members. Here are documents you may provide if you do not have a tax return:
    • W2 wage jobs paystubs showing employer name, address and phone, employee name, year-to-date gross earnings, gross hourly or salary payment rate for the pay period; and number of hours worked in the pay period.
    • Self-employment and Gig Economy Jobs require most recent quarterly profit and loss statement, all pages of statements for all bank accounts (business and personal) for the same three month period, and most recent tax return with all schedules.
    • Interest, royalty and dividend income require most recent tax return with all schedules.
    • Social Security, SSI, disability, Veteran’s benefits, insurance policies, retirement funds, pensions, death benefits and other annuitized periodic payments (lottery winnings, trust payments, severance payments, settlements, life insurance) require most recent award letters or payment statements. Lump sum payments are excluded.
    • Unemployment, disability, worker’s compensation, and severance pay require most recent award letter or payment statement.
    • Government cash assistance and housing subsidies require most recent award letter or payment statement.
    • Child support, alimony, separate maintenance and gifts require most recent award letter, divorce decree, court document or payment statement.
    • Regular, special pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces require most recent award letter or payment statement.
    • Section 8 financial assistance in excess of tuition require most recent award letter or payment statement.
    • Rent from roommate requires a lease or proof of payment.

Not all mortgage lenders and servicers are enrolled in the program.

 Prequalify Today  Help, I don’t qualify.

Save the Dream Ohio – Utility Assistance Plus

Save the Dream Ohio – Utility Assistance Plus provides eligible Ohio homeowners with financial assistance to pay delinquent utility bills, property taxes, and other housing costs not included in the mortgage payment. A household may receive up to combined $10,000 in utility and/or housing cost assistance.

To qualify for the Save the Dream Ohio program, a household must have their primary residence in Ohio, have experienced financial hardship or loss of income related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and have an income at or below the Save the Dream Ohio income eligibility threshold (see chart below).

Persons in Family
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
$103,350 $118,200 $132,900 $147,600 $159,450 $171,300 $183,150 $194,850

Utility Assistance Plus Program Guidelines

OHFA is working with Community Action Agencies across the state to administer this component of the program. Ohio homeowners needing assistance through the utility assistance plus, apply through their local Community Action Agency.

Hip Hop at 50: Holla If Ya Hear Me

Hip Hop at 50: Holla If Ya Hear Me

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1100 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH, 44114  (map)

Understanding Stock Symbols: Decoding $VOO and Beyond

By Ray’Chel Wilson

When you enter the world of investing, you’ll encounter a variety of symbols that represent different stocks and funds. One such symbol is $VOO. Let’s break it down and explore the broader concepts of stock symbols.

Ticker Symbol Basics:

  • A ticker symbol is a concise code used to identify and refer to specific stocks or funds. It serves as a unique identifier within the financial market.

The stock symbol $VOO represents the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. Here’s what each component signifies:

  • “$” Symbol: The dollar sign denotes that $VOO is publicly traded and available for buying and selling on stock exchanges.

  • “VOO” Letters: The specific combination of letters represents the unique identifier for the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF.

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF:

  1. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is an investment fund provided by Vanguard, a prominent investment management company. An ETF is a type of investment fund that is traded on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF specifically aims to track the performance of the S&P 500 index.

Understanding Stocks:

  1. Beyond $VOO, it’s important to grasp the broader concept of stocks. Stocks represent shares of ownership in a company. When you buy stocks, you become a shareholder, entitled to a portion of the company’s profits and potential voting rights. Stocks can be issued by various companies and can be traded on stock exchanges.

Benefits of Investing in ETFs:

Investing in ETFs, like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, offers several advantages –

  • Diversification: ETFs provide exposure to a diversified portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities. This diversification helps reduce risk by spreading investments across different sectors or industries.

  • Accessibility: ETFs can be bought and sold on stock exchanges throughout the trading day, making them easily accessible to individual investors.

  • Cost Efficiency: ETFs often have lower expense ratios compared to mutual funds, making them a cost-effective investment option.

Remember that investing in stocks, including ETFs, carries inherent risks. Factors such as market volatility, economic conditions, and company-specific developments can affect stock prices. It’s crucial to conduct thorough research and consider consulting with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

In conclusion, understanding stock symbols is essential when navigating the financial markets. By decoding the stock symbol $VOO and exploring broader concepts, you can gain a clearer understanding of how stocks and ETFs function. Make informed investment choices and seek professional advice to help guide your investment journey.

Happy wealth-building!

Ray’Chel Wilson, CFEI ® , is a Toledo native, author of the Black Wealth Freedom series and CEO of Raise the Bar Investments, all things minority-friendly, personal finance. Ray’Chel is also the founder of an upcoming app, #ForOurLastNames, empowering first-generation investors. After paying off her student loans from cryptocurrency, her mission has been to close the racial & gender wealth gaps through investing.

Ohio Law Increases Record Sealing/Expungements Eligibility

By Tonya Sams

In April, changes to the record sealing and expungement law went into effect in Ohio. This allows even more people to be eligible for this service than before.

The first change was clarifying the true definitions of ‘record sealing’ and ‘expungement’.  Past criminal activity is not revealed when the court seals a record. Depending upon the nature of the job for which one is applying, most employers will not be able to see the criminal record.  Some public service entities, however, may be able to see the sealed record, such as the courts or law enforcement. 

Expungement erases a criminal record. The record will be almost non-existent to most public and all private entities. Whether sealed or expunged, it is as if the conviction never happened. Other changes to the record sealing and expungement law are the expanded list of offenses that are now eligible and shortened wait times to be eligible to apply.

Not all convictions are eligible for sealing or expunging. Convictions such as sex offenses that require registration (there are some exceptions when registration is no longer required), felonies that involve violent acts, first and second-degree felonies, three or more third-degree felonies in one case, those involving domestic violence or a protection order being violated, crimes against children under the age of thirteen (does not include the failure to pay child support, which can be expunged or sealed),  and traffic and OVI/DUI offenses are ineligible. 

Once the court discharges a conviction, then it may seal or expunge the conviction. If one’s parole terms have been met, the term of the jail sentence was completed, and all payment of fines and fees that were a penalty of the conviction have been made, then it may result in the conviction being discharged. Once discharged there is a waiting period. The length of the waiting period depends upon the offense that was committed.  

Lauren Gilbride, Managing Attorney at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, said that a common inquiry is the cost of the service. “It should not be more than fifty dollars,” said Gilbride. “The Public Defenders Office or Legal Aid can help with a waiver, if eligible.”

One may obtain assistance from an attorney or apply on one’s own for record sealing or expungement.  Before applying, one should gather as much information as possible on all past and present criminal cases. This includes information on convictions, arrests, dismissals, and bills. The Clerk of Courts is a good place to start to gather this information.  

After filing, one may be required to appear before the court for a hearing. When applying, there is a possibility that the prosecutor may object to one filing. Scheduling a court hearing requires preparedness to respond to the prosecutor’s objection and explain why one’s application should be approved. 

For those who are not eligible for either expungement or sealing of a criminal record, there are other options, like a pardon or a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE). A pardon is when the governor forgives someone for a crime and they can no longer be penalized for it. The Court of Common Pleas will give someone a CQE to help them overcome obstacles to getting employment.  

To learn more about expungement and record sealing go to Expungement and Record Sealing – Office of the Public Defender (cuyahogacounty.us)

To learn more about the CQEs, visit https://lasclev.org/cqe/ and https://drc.ohio.gov/cqe.  If you are eligible for a CQE, Legal Aid may be able to help. Call Legal Aid at 888-817-3777 during regular business hours or apply online 24/7 at https://lasclev.org/contact/. 

Tonya Sams is the Development and Communications Assistant at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.