Here is an idea....from Detroit.  How about questioning the funding allocated to CDCs, reducing the number of CDCs and making our CDCs work for us, before adding another layer of bureaucracy?

And what happened to Cleveland Housing Network???

The expression is thrown out, like a disease, you catch by stepping foot within the "City." 

In Understanding Ohio's Land Bank Legislation by Thomas J. Fitzpatrick IV, he says: "The spread of urban decay is not bound by city limits."   What does "urban decay" really imply to CDCs and now the CLRCs?   Does it mean spending federal monies to rid ourselves of this "disease?" What constitutes "urban decay?" Underlying racism and elitism?  Some one like Frank Giglio? 

The shameful demolition in Tremont points to a breakdown in morality that would justify using the label of  "urban decay" to abuse local and county administrative powers. And, state audits do not assure me--that the proposed county land bank agency, the County Land Reutilization Corporation, will not further abuse specific powers authorized by the legislation: "Because CLRCs are granted specific powers, immunities, and exemptions--they are not required, for instance, to engage in competitive bidding for either the sale of land or properties or for contracting services related to rehabbing or demolishing properties."

Those of us living with the "disease," urban decay, already know how well the system polices itself.  Adding more bureaucracy to the burdened bureaucracy of cities only kills the patient sooner.

  Start by shutting down the CDCs...afterall, soon we will have yet another layer of bureaucracy facilitating the transfer of property from the poor to the rich...in the Community Land Reinvestment Corporation. 

  Okay...call this spam...I am linking to another site, where the author somehow makes a living from his writing...yes, I am linking to Tim Russo's site...he reports that Chris Garland at Tremont West Development Corporation just got a $5,000 raise to $66,000/year.  I don't begrudge anyone who really works a living wage...and that kind of money barely supports a two-three person family in middle class comfort. Also, TWDC is not especially gouging especially when you consider that other CDC directors make upwards of $80,000+.  Old Brooklyn Development Corp comes to mind.

But what about the raise burns me despite our crappy economic times?  This is what burns me: CDC folks, unlike our safety forces, don't have to pretend to live here, so we pay their salary and their tax dollars go elsewhere.