Cleveland's biggest cheerleader

I've never been thought of as 'the ivy league girl next door cheerleader type' but believe it or not, I was a cheerleader in grade school.


I have the mud marks to prove it.


We were cheering one rainy day and BOOM, landed on my dupa as everyone marveled how I never skipped a beat --got right back up and continued on with the routine!


I truly am one of the biggest cheerleaders for the city of Cleveland.


I've traveled all over the world, so I guess my rah-rahing has merit because I HAVE been to numerous other cities and still come home to the best!


For those nay-sayers who still think Cleveland is a dying city, just take a look at the heated debate on building some type of casino and/or hotel in the downtown area...as well as the slots idea which has stalled but is not dead.


Then you have the whole Lakefront plan, which in my opinion, is taking way too long. We don't have business savvy pioneers anymore in the city the likes of Michael White, Dick Jacobs, Bert Wolstein, Tom Chema. If these guys were in power, all of the above would already be reality!


Most recently, discussion came out about a 54 million dollar plan to revive the East Bank of the Flats. Oh, I remember those days--late 80's and 90's where the Flats were hopping every night on the East Bank and West Bank until the wee hours of the morning. Those were the glory days.


The one project I am disenfranchised with is the Hopkins Airport transformation. And I really should not place judgement until I see the final product. But from everything I've heard and read, unless you have a plane ticket and are flying out or in, you will not be able to experience the biggest airport renovation in decades.


I wish Hopkins mirrored, oh let's say, the Tampa Airport where you can frequent dozens and dozens of gift shops, dine at the best restaurants, and spend quality time with your traveler before they depart.


I love Cleveland and am the biggest cheerleader, but why does it seem that getting to the finish line for many of these projects feels like pulling teeth along the way?