Dear Friends of Cudell Commons Park,
Today's Update Includes:
- Meet Sam O'Leary who is representing the FCCP Plaintiffs
- 10/31/23 Hearing Update & News
- Next Action Steps
First off, we want to THANK EVERY ONE who has signed and shared our online petition to show your support for protecting Cudell Commons Park for generations to come!
It has been a busy couple weeks with a Settlement Conference & Hearing (more on that below). In the meantime, we want to introduce you to who has been representing the Friends of Cudell Commons Park Plaintiff group in and out of the courtroom: the amazingly hardworking, honest, respectful, and top-notch attorney: Sam O’Leary. Sam’s office is just beyond a mile from Cudell Commons Park, where he is a Principal of the Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan (TDD) law offices. TDD is listed in the US News as one of the Best Law Firms and Best Lawyers of 2023!
Please read more about Sam here: https://www.tddlaw.com/sam-oleary
We recently have connected the GoFundMe page to go directly towards our legal fees. If you haven't visited, donated to, and shared our GoFundMe page yet, we please consider, as we'd greatly appreciate it! Every little bit helps! Here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-cudell-park
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On October 31st, we had our first hearing where Sam represented The Friends of Cudell Commons Park Plaintiffs facing the Defendants' five attorneys (3 from CMSD, 2 from City of Cleveland -as noted in Axios' news coverage on the hearing: https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/11/01/marion-seltzer-construction-cudell-court-hearing)
Please read more about the hearing in today's Cleveland Scene's news piece: https://www.clevescene.com/news/construction-of-school-in-cudell-commons-delayed-as-court-battle-continues-43047996
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Our next public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Supporters of Friends of Cudell Commons park are invited and encouraged to attend the hearing at the Justice Center!
We also need to send out a gentle reminder, that while we are all Friends of Cudell Commons Park group, there is a group of plaintiffs that are directly involved in litigation and are represented by an attorney, and NO ONE other than the plaintiff’s attorney should reach out to the defendants’ attorneys, and especially not the judge, presenting in any way as if they are representing the plaintiffs directly. There is a legal process and strategy that needs to be respected, and to interject yourself otherwise will not help the cause to protect the Park.
However, Cudell Commons Park still needs the support of the broader Friends of Cudell Commons Park Group!
In addition to attending the 11/28 Hearing...Here are actions you can take NOW:
1. Contribute to & Share the GoFundMe page. Every little bit helps!! https://www.gofundme.com/manage/save-cudell-park
2. Email & call the Mayor's Office and CMSD staff (contact info listed here) to let them know you want the park protected!
3. Talk with your friends, family & neighbors about the park and why it's important to you and the community!
4. Enjoy the Park!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT! WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER TO PROTECT THIS PARK FOR GENERATIONS TO COME!
The Park and Community thanks you, too!