On this day

 

February 2, 2009

  

Dear Resident of the City of Cleveland,

I am a Democrat with integrity and compassion. I am not tainted nor can I be persuaded by the manipulation of the power of abuse and or any financial gains or drawbacks. I have a spectrum of skills, and I am able to work with people who have the power and the money. I am an independent thinker, yet a team player destined to win any game as long as the playing field is fair!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sitting here at my home wondering about what you're doing and thinking during these trying times. Unemployment is on the rise, our children are running rampant in the streets with no vision of their future or the desire to plan for one and our families are mentally and spiritually drained looking for a way out of this catastrophic moment. I often find myself asking how our elected "hired" leaders got us to this point. As I deeply revisit all the times a politician knocked on my door begging for my support, making and breaking promises, I realized that I am also to blame. I blame myself for not being as responsible to or for my global community. You see, I allowed meetings in my neighborhood to take place, and I wasn't there. There were issues being raised by victims of community warfare such as predatory lending, abuse of power, poor customer service, slum landlords, ineffective education standards etc.., and I stood by watching while our hired officials turned their heads. I guess, I honestly thought that someone in a decision making position would step up and stand out against wrongness perpetuated by political and corporate entities. I will be the first to say I was in error. Daily our children are being murdered by gun violence they are subjected to teenage pregnancy, drugs and alcohol abuse, lack of or no education, and simply being matriculated into dysfunctional families where our single mothers continue to struggle and our fathers are absent.   

We are in a noted crisis. It seems to me that everyone is looking for President Barack Obama to come up with immediate resolutions. Well, the truth is - Mr. President has a lot of work to do on Capital Hill and it is his hope that we as local citizens will follow his lead on the local level so that we all can be accountable and responsible for the end result. President Obama can't do it alone. I once heard syndicated talk show host, Tavis Smiley state "you know - you are a true leader when you look back and see many followers". Well, I disagree with Smiley's definition. A true leader is one who leads even when there are no followers. A true leader is not suppose to be under the concept "cheering cheerleader" - because everyone likes me and or because I am part of a certain group/network/affiliation I am automatically suppose to or destined to get the position; works under the auspice of "Pretty Poison" - because it looks good and feels great - when we build it and they will come! A true upright leader is one who is not tainted. A true leader is one who can stand on his/her own and position themselves by their good works. A true and hard working leader understands although they lead, their primary focus is to be a servant and of service to all people; for the general welfare of others. A true leader has a sense of compassion and refuse to accept anything less than the best for their constituents. He/She is not self serving, but is of service. Many times, they must walk alone and fight battles which are not popular, sit down for any and all sources of discrimination and stand up for equality for all mankind. As a former 20 year Licensed Social Worker for the State of Ohio, I had to challenge systems that were discriminatory. I had to put my career on the line as I advocated for all youth and families. I had to make hard and tough immediate decisions based upon the livelihood of youth and agencies both at risk. Although, some decisions where not popular they brought about reform to social service organizations within this region. A social worker's overall responsibility is to manage weakened individuals, families and systems and aid them in confronting issues and circumstances which may have been abused or are a hindrance to the overall growth and development process; from poor social forms to prosperity of empowerment. During my Social Work tenure, I have been of service to 1,000s of families and individuals understanding the complicated financial, social and political sources of private, local and state functions of operation.  

As we enter this mayoral election, some folks will tell you that I am not political. They are absolutely wrong! Being political simply means having a genuine interest in federal, state, county or local government affairs. Many of you are political, but just don't know it.  People will tell you that I am not a politician, and I must agree. According to dictionary.com a politician is one who is a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles. It is because of this very mindset that many politicians in this region and across the nation have openly displayed how greed, selfishness, egos' and corruption have financially destroyed our nation by ruining cities, homeownership, schools, families, young people and neighborhoods. The United States of America is a country built on the concept of "Democracy". Democracy means that the power of government belongs to the people, not elected hired officials! It is now the time for the people of the City of Cleveland to take back their power and command elected hires to be respectful, rooted, and honored servants to all residents in this great city! Tell them they need to learn "compassion"! For compassion will command them to think carefully about every single decision that is to be made and immediately reject any and all projects, opportunities that are not good for the residents of our city! Compassion allows people to seek out resolutions when life threatening emergencies occur or as we say when we sense a red flag is lurking in our surroundings; when my people are in trouble there is an urgent need to do something NOW!

You may ask yourself, has Ms. Brown ever held an elected seat and the answer is no. However, I've been entrusted with the lives of thousands. I've worked with both, youth and adult felony offenders, the mentally handicap, at risk youth, senior citizens; both small and large business owners. My professional career has garnered me executive experience and has given me the opportunity to be very successful at multi-tasking, developing, administering, directing and managing numerous programs and projects within this region. In 1998 - 2000, I developed the Youth Violence Prevention Program under the auspices of Berea Children's Home. I managed this project simultaneously through out five housing estates, supervised 500 young people and staff weekly, developed and implemented trainings, recruited community business partners, and maintained budgetary responsibilities in accordance to Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority.  From 2000 to 2004, under my own not for profit organization - Peace Be Still Affiliates Inc, I organized and executed the Battle of the Celebrity Bowlers in support of children in foster care. Local agencies throughout this region were recipients of the proceeds of this annual event. As I responded to the urgent safety need of our children, Project 21,000 of Pure Excellence Inc. was established as well as Doveside Promotions LLC. In June 2007, I took the initiative to create a 60 page step by step America's Safety Plan/Saving America's Urban Cities module in response to a matter of fact "urgency"of which was featured in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and of which is highly needed today! This plan alone (properly developed and executed) would call for the immediate cease and desist of any and all criminal and or unethical behaviors. From October 2008 to January 2009, I worked jointly and aggressively in partnership with United Way of Greater Cleveland Northcoast Combined Federal Campaign and assisted in securing over two million dollars in donations for non profit organizations within this designated region. Recently in November 2008, in response to the explosive racial disparity within our justice center, I developed and submitted an immediate plan of action to powers to be in this community which would warrant dialogue, eliminate racial injustice and monitor how we do business in our court rooms. When everyone else chooses to duck and dodge difficult issues that command the process of global building through deep thought process, my immediate no nonsense response reveals to many that I am surely the person who develops the plan and execute the action. Making excuses is clearly not an option for the administration of which I will build. 
 
As I take note of the five year platform for the City of Cleveland, I am assured that through my 18 years of media communications, I will be able to build the most comprehensive marketing and promotions team in Northeast, Ohio; for Cleveland is the heartbeat of the region. In an effort to revitalize our community, neighborhoods, schools and businesses we must focus on outside support systems to aid us in bridging positive community relations across county and state lines. We must display a sense of professionalism in this region carried by excellent customer service, resources and references to get the arts, sports, theater, corporate, faith based conference and special event planners interested in our city. We must act quickly, execute now and seek out opportunities of which was available on today, for yesterday maybe too late. We must also be able to employ and deploy recent regional college graduates opportunities in effort of saving our region through the concept of regional leadership development and opportunities. I will not be afraid to seek out the unknown of a path yet taken! For it can only be profitable, empowering and rewarding to our community and neighboring partners.
 
As I bid you a farewell for the evening, it is my hope that as I run this race for all people, you will think about the future of your children and your grandchildren. I hope that you will make a list of what is important to you as a resident, student, homeowner, business owner and stakeholder - it would be to your advantage to execute your power of choice through "Vote"  and 'Support" so that your rights may also be protected. It is my  hope that you will attend community forums, ask fair and hard questions, invite me to your street club meetings, churches and allow us to tour your organizations, be objective, study the platform of all candidates, maintain your power through the power of the "Vote" and when it is all said and done, hire me as your next Mayor for the City of Cleveland for I will continue services that work and rid resources that have proven to be ineffective. We will continue to take the initiative to be a servant to our community and of service to all!!! We have lots of work to do, so Clevelanders, Let's Get Busy Now and Send City Hall Current Administration a Clear Message for it is time "Get Out of the Way" for we are coming - Clevelanders Finally First - "Imagine That"   
 
Sincerely,
 
Ms. Kimberly F. Brown
Mayoral Candidate - Cleveland/Election 2009
 
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Kimberly F. Brown Mayor-City of Cleveland Election Year 2009 - Cheryl Woods Moss, Treasurer 16201 Lotus Drive Cleveland, Ohio 44128
 
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