It’s been a busy news week! The latest bit of interesting news revolves around an Ohio Councilman, Michael D. Polensek, who boldly confronted (by letter) Arsenio Winston—an 18 year old, justice system involved teen, who has been apparently selling drugs and engaging in other crimes in Mr. Polensek’s neighborhood.
In response, Mr. Polensek wrote him the following scathing letter. My only hope is that Arsenio can read!
Dear Mr. Winston,
As Councilman representing Cleveland’s 11th Ward, I have been notified once again that you have been arrested for dealing drugs in my ward, this time at the Convenient Food Mart located at 18506 St Clair Avenue in the parking lot.
Mr. Winston, you have to be “dumber than mud.” Don’t you know that one of your so-called friends from the ’8th Avenue” gang ratted your stupid “ass” out that you were dealing drugs from the parking lot? They cut a deal. So much for your wonderful pals, you idiot. I am so glad that you are now 18 years of age, because now you are an adult and can no longer hide behind the juvenile court system, Mr. Quarterback, loser. Remember when you told me to “kiss your black ass” at R.J. Taylor Playground and that you were going to be an NFL Quarterback? Well, the NFL, despite perceptions, is “not for losers!”
In closing, I told you just recently to stay out of my neighborhood, you crack dealing piece of trash. Yet you keep coming back because you think you are a big man. Well, real men go to school or to work every day and take care of their family, and not through illegal drug activity. You are a thug and you know what? There are only two places you will end up at the rate you are going — that is, prison or the nearest funeral home. Quite frankly, I don’t care which one you get to first as long as your dumb stupid ass is out of my neighborhood.
Have a wonderful life, Arsenio. I am sure you have made your mother real proud. Remember when I spoke to her one of the other times that you were arrested for assaulting a police officer on East 185th Street? Only a moron would do that. Your fate is totally in your hands, which is a scary thought.
Go to jail or the cemetery soon,
Michael D. Polensek
Councilman, Ward 11
Okay, I’ve read this letter several times and I’ve seen Mr. Polensek as well as Arsenio’s mother on television. Therefore, I have several thoughts about this:
1. I found the wording of the letter rather immature. Perhaps Mr. Polensek used that style because he was speaking to a teenager. I don’t know.
2. I fully understand Mr. Polensek’s frustration. Hoodlums are running wild, loose and carefree throughout communities and if Arsenio Winston had the nerve to sell drugs in Mr. Polensek’s neighborhood, he should have been confronted.
3. Arsenio’s mother should put 100% of her concentration on her son who obviously is on a destructive pathway which leads to a negative place. Only time will tell if that place is jail or the morgue but Arsenio, like so many other young men in our society is headed nowhere fast.
Judge for yourself. Here is a taped interview:
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There is background to this story.
1. Winston was causing trouble in local parks (littering, scaring off kids). Polensek confronted Winston, and that’s when it began.
2. Winston went to a local fair and was causing trouble, Polensek arrived and spoke to him again.
3. Polensek met Winston and mother in the boys home to discuss their actions. At this point the mother was in favor of what Polensek was saying.
4. The city of Cleveland did a bust on a house, and Winston was found inside the house at the time of the bust.
5. The drug deal at age 18 that caused this letter.
Polensek has done many interviews, some internationally. If you follow the info above, you notice that he did try to help, but Winston continued his ways.
Thanks for that background history. I could see it was an ongoing problem.