Brunner deposition reads like playground sniping

I'm still fighting through the transcript of Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's deposition yesterday in the Summit County GOP BOE mess. It's tedious reading, but if you like local politics, it's a soap opera for sure.

I'll have better details once I digest it all, but here's a passage from pages 83-85 that shows the tone of the one-act play.

Cast of Characters:
Tim Grendell: Attorney for GOP/Alex Arshinkoff
Richard Coglianese: Attorney for Secretary of state

MR. COGLIANESE: Mr. Grendell, as you said, this is your deposition. We're still on the record. You haven't asked to go off.

Q. Great. Here we go. We'll make this part of record. It's Exhibit 9. Madam Secretary, Exhibit 9.

MR. COGLIANESE: Let the record reflect that Mr. Grendell just threw -- just marked an original government document with an exhibit sticker and then threw the exhibits at the Secretary of State.


MR. GRENDELL: Let the record reflect that counsel refused to make a copy. We were already sitting here going into the late evening. If you want to make the copy, we'll put the sticker on there. If not, we'll use that document.

MR. COGLIANESE: Mr. Grendell, this is -- as you said, this is your deposition. Are we on the record or off the record?

MR. GRENDELL: Counsel, we're still on the record. So you know for the record, we produced a copy of everything you requested from Mr. Arshinkoff duces tecum in a copy form, which is the normal procedure. You chose to produce the originals. If you want the originals to be part of the record, you brought that on yourself. If you would have given us a copy of those, we would have been glad to accommodate and use the copy.

MR. COGLIANESE: Again, I'm going to ask, I will be happy to get a copy made. What do you want to do?

MR. GRENDELL: We'll wait until you make the copy.

MR. COGLIANESE: Great. We're off the record while we make a copy.

Nothing like one side wanting the record to say that the other "threw" something at the Secretary of State .. and the other side making accusations that they refuse to stop and make a copy.

With 80+ pages to go, I'm convinced someone will say "your momma" before it's all over.

"Beauty and the Beast" .. yeah, but which one am I?

I've never really seen myself as a stage performer, but I was offered a part I couldn't refuse in Barberton High School's version of "Beauty and the Beast." The performance opens tonight (Thursday) and runs through this weekend. Click here for show information.

You won't actually see me ... you'll hear me. The director needed someone with a deep voice as the narrator to open the performance, so that's where I came in. Earlier this week, I went to the high school where they recorded me reading phrases like ... "There once was a prince ... who turned an old woman away .... and later she cast a spell .. and if he couldn't learn to love again .. he would forever be a BEAST!" .... something to that effect. Very, very cool!

Anyway .. it's a great show with a great cast. It'll certainly be a great experience for you and your family.

I just thought I'd fess up on-line for those who do go .. so that you don't go crazy if you hear a voice that you-know-that-you-know but you just can't place.

Enjoy the show!

Forgotten Families ... work continues behind the scenes

A number of local agencies are now working behind-the-scenes to help the Karen immigrants in North Hill. I'll be reporting on their efforts after they assess what they can do and begin their operations.

I've also received quite a few nice emails from people wanting to donate food, clothes, and funds to help. When an organization tells me they're ready to receive those donations, I'll put out the info ASAP for those wishing to help.

The housing department has now finished its initial assessment of the property. Here's my followup story on the inspection for those who missed it: click here.

I'm looking forward to airing some additional stories about who these people really are, other challenges and roadblocks in their way, as well as the efforts to help them.

Wednesday Webchat

[ Copy this | Start New | Full Size ]

My pal Carole ...

A short video of my trip north to WKYC today .. and a few moments with one of my favorite reporters. Carole and I go way back to WAKC, the "old Channel 23" here in Akron. As an intern, I knew Carole had the right stuff .. and I still think she could take over the Today Show whenever she wants!

Anyway .. I had my pocket video camera with me .. and after learning that Carole will likely leave on maternity next week, I asked her for an interview .. enjoy.

Viewers weigh in on "Forgotten Families"

My email and voice messages are full today from many who saw last night's stories highlighting the poor living conditions of immigrants in North Akron. Here's: Part 1 and Part 2. See post below for background on this story.

Not all of the messages that came in were supportive of our investigation:

Stephanie writes, "The report on Thai immigrants was prefaced with the question 'Who is responsible?' For them being here, whosoever brought them here in the first place. For the overcrowding and roaches, whosoever agrees to live that way. But for their eventual state of homelessness once the housing department finds their conditions unfit? That would be you. Bravo. I can't wait for the follow up report on how WKYC has helped dozens of southeast Asian immigrants find adequate housing."

A woman who rented a different apartment from the same landlord as the North Hill immigrants says "We met the same conditions that the Karen family met. Roaches, mice and rats were common. We complained to the office but they did not send an exterminator. They simply told us to spray and set traps ourselves. We reported Thomas Keith to the Health Department. We were given an eviction notice in response. "

Susan tells me, "This is somewhat of a double-edged sword. I have a great concern hat once the authorities become aware of the existing conditions, they may uproot these families, yet again. That would be devastating to many."

A friend of mine writes, "your story creeped me out. You’d be shocked to know how often I had roaches crawling over me when I was a kid."

Cindy tells me, "It's good to know you're out there making things happen and helping people. May God bless those families. I hope the Institute comes forward and makes things right for them. Thanks for going above and beyond as a reporter and a human being."

Akron's Housing Inspectors spent several hours at the apartments today, checking out the living conditions. They found serious rat and roach problems .. as well as low light in the hallways .. and serious overcrowding in some areas. They're citing the landlord, Tom Keith, and ordering him to make immediate corrections.

I also spoke to the head of one of the area's largest social service agencies. He tells me that the Federal Government should take some of the blame here. He says that the State Dept. drops these large groups of immigrants into America's cities without enough resources for a successful transition and then the local agencies have to pick up the pieces when it all goes to heck.

Without saying as much on the record, I think community leaders would like to see some additional area support groups step up to help with the short-term needs of these families, especially those living in overcrowded apartments.

One of the immigrants told me that the reason some of the units have too many people is because the Karen can't find jobs (remember that only a few speak English) and in a short amount of time, they run out of funds and can't pay their rent. The result is two or three families moving in together and pooling their money.

These nice people just broke my heart.

We'll have an update on the inspection tonight at 6:30 on Akron-Canton News and at 11 p.m. on Channel 3 News.

Akron's "Forgotten Families"

Sorry to have fallen off the cyber grid since election night. I've been consumed by tracking down a disturbing story in North Akron. More than 200 Burmese refugees brought to Akron via the International Institute last summer are living in poor conditions.

My two-part story airs Sunday at 6 and 11 on Channel 3 News ... here's a preview.

I was floored by the number of refugees living in some of these apartments and adjacent homes. We found 8 people, including a baby, in a two-room apartment. Not two "bedroom," I mean just two rooms. Their mattresses are up against the wall during the day, and then placed on the floor at night.

We also toured an adjecent home where 15 refugees, including several infants, live with one bathroom. They keep all of their toothbrushes in one bucket and divide up the rooms with sheets as make-shift walls.

There's also serious bug and rodent issues .. and the hallways are so dark, even during the day, that we nearly stepped on two infants crawling in the hallway.

This is North Hill!!! I grew up a few blocks away from where these people live and I just couldn't believe my eyes.

The immigrants came from refugee camps in Thailand, so even with bugs and overcrowding, this is still better than the conditions from which they were rescued. Many have a limited education when it comes to personal hygiene and cooking skills.

A spokesman for the International Institute tells me that his group is only responsible for the immigrants for the first six months. Most of these folks have been here eight months now so it's up to them to find jobs, pay their bills, and make a new life. Still, why did our community bring this many refugees to Akron, if the system was only in place to support them for a short time before saying they're on their own?

When I called the Housing Division of the Akron Health Department to get a background of the apartment building, the director told me he's not going to wait for my story to air .. and he scheduled inspectors to look at each apartment for health and overcrowding. That should happen this week.

The International Institute blames the building's landlord. I spoke with him at length, and he says he's happy to provide insect and rodent help when the refugees report problems, but that most of these folks don't come forward to complain. He also told me he thinks my story is going to "destroy the International Institute."

A woman from a local church who volunteers to help the immigrants says they don't complain because so few speak English. She told me horror stories of finding dead rats in the refugees' apartments and futility of getting them help.

Watch if you can .. and I'll welcome your feedback.