----- Original Message -----

From:

Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 7:39 PM

Subject: Tremont West Development Corporation

From:  Debra Shephard

Dear Board Members and Others;

In the past two weeks, several friends have informed me that Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC) board member, Sandy Smith, has filed a police report alleging I assaulted her and threatened her life. Ms. Smith alleges I attacked her in anger over an eviction of my husband and myself; purportedly as an act of retribution. Friends have also told me that Ms. Smith has made such false accusations in correspondence to every board member of TWDC. I contacted several people with a close relationship to TWDC to see if there is merit to these rumors and I was led to believe there is. 

First let me say I am not, nor have I ever been evicted. There is neither an impending eviction, nor will there be. My landlord is well aware of the politics of this quaint neighborhood and takes current drama in stride. 

Second, and more importantly, I never harmed Ms. Smith, nor did I ever threaten to harm her, or threaten to kill her. Ms. Smith's histrionics stem from my telling her to mind her own business in a very crowded bar while a loud punk band was performing. My request for Ms. Smith to mind her own business came after several friends reported to me that Ms. Smith was making numerous inquiries into my personal life. My only statement to Ms Smith was brief, "Stay out of my personal life," and included absolutely no threats. 

I'd like to point out Ohio Revised Code §2921.13 (cited below)* criminalizes issuing a false report to police. 

I believe Ms. Smith's investigation of me was motivated by the same ill will that caused both my current and former rentals to be maliciously placed on the Tremont West Housing Code Violations List. One is listed as "vacant" (it has not been for years, and then only for a few short months); the other is listed as "undergoing rehab/check permits" (it was last rehabbed 8 years ago and is not now). (btw, Katie could you please have those properties removed as previously requested, or at least return my phone calls – thx!) 

I believe this vitriol has been engendered by my outspoken insistence TWDC adhere to its stated purpose, "To maintain and improve the living, business, and cultural conditions for all (emphasis added) of Tremont." As you well know, TWDC has embarked on a highly controversial housing code violation enforcement program at a time when many of our neighbors are facing loss of jobs, lack of access to credit and rising cost of living. Despite Ms. Smith's assertion that "There are plenty of low-cost and no-cost loans out there," the reality is there are not.  

As the TWDC housing committee, Ron O'Leary and staff have been advised by me in writing, there are none for residents that are non-bankable (growing in number daily) and earn barely enough to pay their bills. Cleveland's housing programs leave a void for hardworking families that can no longer secure credit. These families stand to fall through the cracks and lose their homes through the TWDC enforcement program. (Sammy, both TWDC housing page links for Repair-a-Home and Fix-up-Fund programs are inoperable, as either the program no longer exists or the link is bad – can that be corrected, as I requested earlier?) 

These programs could be made available, and are in other cities, were TWDC willing to use CDBG and HUD funds to support them. The fact that the city of Cleveland, one of the poorest in the country, does not have these programs available to our residents is shameful, and telling. TWDC has the opportunity to standout as a truly progressive leader among CDCs, driving the city's policy to protect its residents while improving and stabilizing its housing stock. The fact that Tremont's property values are among the few stable in today's market lends more reason to the development of a program here. 

To continue with aggressive enforcement that leaves many residents with no other option than to lose their homes is shameful. We are better than that.To utilize the enforcement list as a tool of retribution and harassment, as has been done with me, is unprofessional, irresponsible and disreputable. This behavior is the responsibility of every board member and every staff member, not just the perpetrators. 

I've also been told that TWDC has requested additional security at the TWDC annual meeting, for the purpose of removing me from the meeting. Let me take this opportunity to inform you I will no longer be involved in the political affairs of the Tremont arneighborhood. I must say, I feel as though while running for the pinata, I witnessed a crippled boy have the crutches thrown out from under him. Let's hope the new Year, new United States Presidential Administration, and new Board of Directors, move our neighborhood towards improving and stabilizing the lives of all those that live in Tremont. Otherwise, in a few short years, you will find your beloved little neighborhood no different than your suburb. 

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to defend my name. 

Sincerely; 

Debra Shepherd 

*2921.13 Falsification  

(A) No person shall knowingly make a false statement, or knowingly swear or affirm the truth of a false statement previously made, when any of the following applies:

(1) The statement is made in any official proceeding.

(2) The statement is made with purpose to incriminate another.

(3) The statement is made with purpose to mislead a public official in performing the public official's official function. 

(F)(1) Whoever violates division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), (11), (13), (14), or (16) of this section is guilty of falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree. 

(G) A person who violates this section is liable in a civil action to any person harmed by the violation for injury, death, or loss to person or property incurred as a result of the commission of the offense and for reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and other expenses incurred as a result of prosecuting the civil action commenced under this division. A civil action under this division is not the exclusive remedy of a person who incurs injury, death, or loss to person or property as a result of a violation of this section.