As my sister-in-law and I made our way through Thurman Alley today passing out flyers for the OSS meeting, we encountered a number of residents either on their porches, walking up and down the sidewalk and/or exchanging conversation over fences. 

What seemed to be the topic of discussion was the newly proposed Istanbul Restaurant being pushed by Sammy Catania.  The selected location for this establishment is not only in a residential district but in a regular house and is owned by a LLC with several properties throughout Cleveland.  A number of the alley denizens  stated that at the on site meeting in July, Sammy informed them that he was wearing the eyes and ears of Councilman joe Cimperman and this area was going to be rezoned as commercial and they might as well accept it.

Being that Thurman Alley is barely more than a wagon trail (and rides about the same) just the added traffic alone would clearly adversly affect the daily lives of the resident families living in the narrow and densely populated passageway.

Many of those in close proximity and directly adjacent to the chosen restaurant/cafe/property location, (where the owner openly admitted that he would be asking for a permit to sell alcoholic beverages) which has been unmaintained and unkept  since his acquisition of the property more than a year ago, have vehemently opposed any type of business being permitted to open in their back door. 

What I found most interesting was the point of conversation being led to a demand for Sammy Catania being terminated from his position at TWDC.  It was the consesus that due to the recent outburst and attack on Larry Cornett as well as the  alleged misconduct (language used) in speaking to some of the children that Mr. Catania did not have the professional character to hold his salary paid position. 

Many of these irate long-time residents do not have the faith that Tremont West Development Corp. will handle the behaviour of their Development Director/Project Manager appropriately since there seems to be a "you wash my back and I'll wash yours" attitude among the inside leadership of the organization.

As we neared the end of Alley, a young man in his twenties was standing by the fence and in a no tolerence tone stated that, "this man has no respect," (Catania).  "The people at Tremont West treat us like we're nobodys and that's got to stop.  They've moved in and lived here a couple of years and act like the people that have lived here all their lives are stupid."

One gentleman crossing the street with several grandchildren and great grand children close on his heels said I've walked this alley for eighty-two years and I intend to walk it some more.