Regional Features: Archive by Date

February 2002

Redesigning Cleveland’s Waterfront
Posted Friday, February 22
For decades, the city of Cleveland literally turned its back on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. Now improved water quality has drawn many people to view the waterways as two of Cleveland's biggest assets. But who's deciding how the lakefront and riverfront should be developed? Many residents think it's time for the people's voice to be heard. At a recent conference, civic and government leaders laid out a number of new plans that could fundamentally change the way Clevelanders connect with water. They're calling for more public access - and more public participation in the planning process. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.

Reparations for African Americans
Posted Thursday, February 21
A few months ago the United Nations conference on Racism was held in South Africa. The result was "disappointing" to American officials who walked out. But during the event African leaders called on the United States and Europe to apologize for slavery but not all of the officials went so far as to say slave descendants should be compensated for unpaid labor. The idea of compensation for slavery is as old as practice itself. Some freed slaves intended to leave their plantations with at least 40 acres and a mule. But payment was never made. Today some African American groups are trying to garner support for the idea of reparations - monetary compensation to slave ancestors. But not everyone is supportive of the effort. Even some African Americans say reparations are not something they need to focus on. 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims reports.

Third Frontier Project: Cultivating High Technology in OH
Posted Monday, February 18
The governor wants to use over a billion dollars of taxpayer money to cultivate high technology in Ohio. Supporters say the spending plan is just what Northeast Ohio and the rest of the state needs for it's economic future. But opponents complain it's nothing but corporate welfare. 90.3 WCPN's Mike West has more.

New Set-Up For School Parent Organization
Posted Friday, February 15
Since the early 1900's, parent organizations have been the connecting rod between local public schools and the families of children attending them. In Cleveland a multitude of such groups exist throughout the district, most of them self-funded, with their names and organizational structures mostly self-determined. School district officials plan to change that by implementing a new way of organizing such groups. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.

Fathers’ Rights
Posted Tuesday, February 12
Earlier this month new law was enforced to help crack down on deadbeat parents. But those say the laws aren't always fair to both parents. State law says that whenever possible, the court will require the establishment of a shared parenting plan to ensure both parents to have continuing contact with the child. But there are some father's who say once the family breaks up, the legal system keeps that from happening. 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims reports on some local dads who say they are involved with their kids but it's a struggle to keep that relationship going.

Questioning Evolution: Intelligent Design Theory, Part 1
Posted Monday, February 11
The Ohio Board of Education is looking at the question of the origins of life as it revises the state academic science standards. At issue: Is the theory of evolution, by itself, sufficient to address the age-old question of where we come from, or should alternative theories also be taught? When that debate surfaced in Kansas some years ago the mostly conservative Christian school board pushed biblical creation as a plausible scientific theory. That majority was quickly replaced in the next election. Here in Ohio those challenging the supremacy of evolutionary theory have taken another tack - one they say puts them on much firmer ground. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.

Reviving Passenger Rail Service in Ohio
Posted Monday, February 4
In the 1950's the U.S. interstate highway system began construction. The massive public works project allowed cars and trucks to drive cross-country. For the first time travelers could enjoy marked roads and smooth highways. It also marked the beginning of the end of large scale passenger rail service. The new highway system didn't help the rail freight industry either. Now business leaders are taking another look at the advantages of moving people and goods by train. 90.3 WCPN's Mike West has the story.

The Continuing Debate Over Dike 14
Posted Friday, February 1
It began with birds, but it's turned into a battle between local, state, and federal governments. Dike 14 is an off-shore Army Corps containment disposal site near Gordon State Park. It's filled with 23 years worth of sediments dredged from the Cuyahoga. It's also home to hundreds of species of migratory birds. Last year the Corps capped the side and turned it over to the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, which wants to add more fill. But the state wants to make a new park on the 88-acre dike. Now city and conuty officials have joined the fray, hoping to convince the Corps to let the Port dump its dredgings elsewhere. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer has this report on the debate over Dike 14.