A photo of Ward 3 resident Mario Pollard speaking to Cleveland City Council members about Cleveland’s lead-poisoning crisis.
Ward 3 resident Mario Pollard talks to council members about Cleveland’s lead-poisoning crisis. Credit: Cleveland City Council YouTube

Covered by Documenter Christina Easter

What happened: Community members made public comments on topics including support for veterans and the city’s lead-poisoning crisis. “I have spoken here before on this issue as part of a larger organization,” began Ward 3 resident Mario Pollard. “However, tonight I’m here as a private, angry citizen.” Pollard pressed city officials on the city’s efforts to address the lead-poisoning crisis, noting that a majority of rental properties are not certified as lead-safe. “I can’t think of any topic on any agenda for any city that’s more prioritized than ensuring the children who live in our city have safe homes to grow up in.”

Ward 3 resident Mario Pollard addressing Cleveland's lead-poisoning crisis during public comment at the April 3rd Cleveland City Council meeting: "It is inhumane... to force human beings to live in housing not fit for human beings."

Minority Men’s Health Fair: Before urging council to pass a proposed ban on the sale of flavored tobacco, Dr. Charles Modlin announced the upcoming Minority Men’s Health Fair at MetroHealth. Three locations will offer more than 30 free preventive health screenings on April 27. Here’s how to register for the event.

And also: Cleveland City Council approved two contracts related to MomsFirst, a city program that aims to improve birth outcomes in Cleveland. One contract pays Case Western Reserve University to evaluate the program. The other weaves fatherhood services and resources into the program.

Read the live-tweet thread from Documenter Christina Easter:

City Council passed a law in 2019 that requires landlords to certify that their homes are free from lead hazards. Signal Cleveland’s Candice Wilder reports that the city has met only 25% of its goal.

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