From the PD --
A Cleveland municipal judge accused presiding Judge Larry Jones of trying to pressure her to withdraw an arrest warrant for the wife of City Councilman Roosevelt Coats, a political ally of Jones'.
Judge Angela Stokes made the accusation Friday at a hearing for Shirley Coats... Stokes said Jones confronted her Monday, soon after she ordered police to arrest Coats for failing to appear in court on the charge.
"It was a pretty hostile situation because he [Jones] was upset," Stokes said from the bench.
Jones, a former Ward 10 councilman who appointed Coats as his successor in 1987, later acknowledged having a "passionate" conversation with Stokes about the warrant. But in an interview with reporters, Jones denied ordering her to withdraw the warrant.
He said that Shirley Coats called him for help Monday and that he went to Stokes' courtroom and relayed Coats' excuse: her attorney told her to stay home because he intended - but failed - to file for a continuance. More...
Shirley Coats was jailed briefly by Stokes for falure to appear on charges concerning their vicious dog. The charges, the latest of several against the animal stem from four women being terrorized and kept holed up in a local beauty salon by this friendly frothing at the mouth Pit Bull named Diamond.
It is noted by PD columnist Phillip Morris that around election time Councilman Coats can usually be heard barking about dogs being the biggest problem in his ward has dismissed his dogged problems as a personal family issue. Morris states that this is not about Shirley Coats or the behavior of their cuddly tooth baring canine - but about the behavior of Counciman Coats...
It's a story of (you have to give me this) doggone hypocrisy.
It's a story about a veteran councilman who has constantly said he wants to attract small business to his ward, but shares a home with a dog committed to keeping them out.
But this much should be clear to him by now: A story about a councilman's dog scaring a neighborhood isn't personal.
If Coats truly believes that denizens of Ward 10 are in an uproar over Diamond getting Shirley busted, he's sorely mistaken.
Diamond has done us all a big favor. She has exposed him.
Also no strangers to the dog wardens is another Cleveland council person - Sabra Pierce Scott. It sounds like she needs a muzzle more than her dog!
From the PD --
City kennel workers have served Councilwoman Sabra Pierce Scott seven notices since 2006 that one or more neighbors have accused her dog of raising a ruckus.
Scott has never been ticketed or charged with any crime relating to her dog.
Scott's neighbor, David Dusek, alerted The Plain Dealer of the complaints against Scott after reading about Councilman Coats' wife being arrested Monday because she skipped a Cleveland Municipal Court hearing.
Dusek said he may be responsible for all seven complaints about Scott's pet.
He said he tried talking to Scott before calling the kennels, but he said she tore into him: "She screamed, 'Don't you know who I am? Don't you know what I can do to you?' " More...
Arf, Arf!
I think it's important to note that Jones is running for the court of appeals this fall. His Republican opponent is Brian Moriarty (who has far more extensive experience with the appellate court).
ReplyDeleteThank God someone is on the attack against Cleveland City Council members! The only reason that these people get away with being so arrogant is that there is no one to put the smack down on them...like say...en effective county party organization of the opposite politcal persuasion. Nope. They don't have anything to worry about.
ReplyDeleteI will bet you if a member of Cleveland City Council got popped for multiple traffic offenses where they put the lives of upstanding citizens at risk by driving drunk they would get a free pass. No harm done. Its not like this same person was video taped violating probation either. Not a chirp from the party of opposite political persuasion.
They were probably busy raising money for the chairman and executive director's expense account...errrr...the party credit card....i mean for Brian Moriarty's judicial race.
Or maybe they were busy figuring out to bring attention to the need to replace the almost recalled and currently being investigated by the FBI ward 14 councilman. Or, maybe they were coming up with a Contract with the residents of Cleveland to replace all members of Council...since we are tired of paying of political hacks exposing the sexual advances of other members of council.
NAH. Probably not.
Thanks Anon - I missed that connection.
ReplyDeleteGC Young rhino -
Are you aware this is a no RINO zone? Your remarks do not sound to RINO'ish though.
Very well phrased!
larry jones is a pretty good guy, but that scott lady is a work of art. she's what imus' would say is a happy wedded soul.
ReplyDeleteScott may be a work of art - but Jones is a judge.
ReplyDeleteJones should be held to a higher standard as he is an elected official and again - A JUDGE!
It is even more disgusting that he is lying about trying to use his influence.
people in this region don't care about the qualifications of those who run for judge. look at all the buffoons who are currently on the bench. larry jones is a cut above most of the others there. believe me. go spend a day in their courtrooms and you'll see what i mean. clarance thomas would lose a municipal court race in cleveland despite his qualifications because of politics. some nobody with no credentials or qualifications would beat him. the people here are idiots.
ReplyDelete