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George Nemeth · RIP Ed “Citizen” Hauser
November 17th, 2008
I’m saddened by this loss:
Known as “Citizen Hauser” and the “Mayor of Whiskey Island,” Hauser enjoyed seeing people use what became the county-owned Wendy Park in 2005, which has a marina, beach restaurant, sand volleyball courts and became home to several festivals…
If you like to know more about Ed and his legacy, listen to this interview we did with him late summer of ‘06.
Ed was an amazing man doing amazing work. Cleveland wouldn’t be the place it is, if it wasn’t for people like Ed. He’ll be missed. Please, add your comments about Ed and his work below.
Last 5 posts by George Nemeth
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November 17th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Thanks to Jim Lahman for being the bearer of bad news about Ed’s passing.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:43 am
It’s a sad day, I think at least four of us have blogged about it today. We need about 50 more people just like him. The only time I ever really spoke to him for any amount of time was after a MT Bloggers mtg last yr. Thanks for your persistence and caring about Cleveland, Ed.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Few of us on the planet will have the impact of an Ed Hauser.
Rather than waste his time grasping for the “me”, Ed showed us the possibilities of “we”.
Stunningly persistent, he showed us that patience, discipline, and relentless focus can overcome the cynical, self-absorbed corruption that so often holds Cleveland back.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
memories of Ed here: http://realneo.us/content/rest-peace-citizen-hauser
and http://realneo.us/content/ed-hauser-wouldnt-sit-down
November 17th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Jeff Buster at RealNEO posts a photographic tribute to everyone’s friend Ed Hauser–
http://www.realneo.org/content/ed-hauser-wouldnt-sit-down
MaryBeth Matthews asks for a Wikipedia entry. I have access to Wikipedia, but I have never entered information. I don’t know that I am the person to write the entry, but I will work with anyone, who is able to help us compile a fitting tribute.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
If you can email me the content for the wikipedia page, I’d be happy to at least get it started. rick@rickpollack.com
I tried to add an Ed Hauser under construction page, but it was deleted.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Remembering Ed Hauser-Activist, Watch dog and Friend.
Ed Hauser worked tirelessly to save Whiskey Island and the New Wendy Park. While many people worked to save this precious piece of lakefront and green space in downtown Cleveland, it was Ed that you would see at every meeting, on every T.V. station and in every paper fighting for our lakefront! And it is because of all his efforts, hard work and determination we all owe him a great debt of gratitude. Whether you play volleyball there, bird watch, hike, boat, visit the Sunset Grille or enjoy those remarkable sunsets…remember, Ed Hauser!
Saving Whiskey Island and Wendy Park is not where his sense of civic responsibility ended, as he soon became known as Citizen Hauser. Whenever Ed felt we needed to know more, whether is was about the shoreway, bridges or the proposed Medical Mart…Ed was out there working and being our watch dog. He did not get paid and he rarely got thanked. He just did what he felt he needed to do to make Cleveland better and stronger for all of us. And he did!
Ed is a great example that if you believe in something, no matter how much the odds are stacked against you… fight for it! You will be surprised on what you can accomplish! So, in memory of our friend, get involved in your community and demand answers. This would the greatest tribute of all!
Finally, the next time you visit Whiskey Island and Wendy Park…look up to the sky and thank him personally, because you know he will be there!
God Bless you Ed and Rest in Peace my friend.
Christine Bucknell
Hudson, OH
440.759.5983 Cell
November 17th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Thanks Laura and Rick for for grabbing the ball.
I imagine we could start organizing some of Ed’s biography from what can be found on the web and also include links to various articles, podcasts, videos etc.
I will be happy to help with the research.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Please include references from mainstream media sources, wikipedia has a notability standard. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:N
November 18th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Ed demonstrated the possibility of balance between passion and humility. May his passing inspire.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:50 am
I didn’t know about Eddy’s dedication to Whiskey Island, was out of touch for many years, his younger sister and cousin were my best friends growing up in Maple Hts. and he was a big brother to me. I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful things that are being said and knowing that he DID make a difference in this world and that he will always be remembered is very comforting. He would always want us to think about him with smiles on our faces and celebrating his life and accompishments.
I Love you Eddy and am greatful and honored to have been like a kid sister when I was growing up.
God Bless you and yours.
Dana
November 18th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I recently set up a wiki for something else that I am working on that runs on the same platform as wikipedia (it looks and works the same as wikipedia).
From the discussion, I get the sense that some of you would like to work on the page for Ed but may be uncomfortable posting directly on wikipedia.
I’ve set up a page for Ed here: http://legistraight.org/wiki/Ed_Hauser
Feel free to edit away, if you need help, let me know. There is also a tutorial here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Tutorial
Once the page meets wikipedia standards (so that it won’t be deleted), it will be moved to wikipedia. If we need to meet at a coffee shop for a tutorial session, let me know.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Thank you so much Rick. I will add content. The shock is painful. You note that Michael Crichton also died recently. This is the season for sadness and endings. Let’s hope that we can all make it to the light of the new year and continue Ed’s work and the work of so many people who try to do right by their community.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Had the pleasure of meeting him once at an event. He left a steady and strong impression on me. Cleveland needs more Ed Hausers!
November 18th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Even before the shock and disbelief had settled in, a thought began to crystallize. Driving to the service last night, I realized that Ed had succumbed, physically, to the enormity of what he had taken on, for us.
Ed’s measured, engineered approach allowed him unparalleled success in forcing critical issues into the light of day, where they will now remain. However, that calm demeanor belied the passionate heart that beat within him. He was not oblivious to the slights, the condescension, he chose not to let it impede him. He dragged the suits by the scruff of their necks up to his level, in accordance with the rules of order they feign to observe.
And in doing so, he impoverished himself without a hint of complaint. Those in opposition to him would tender their resignations the moment the preposterous idea of laboring without compensation were raised. Ed battled away, with a positivity that is inspiring.
In speaking with his friends and family last night and remembering my conversations with him I realize there are two Eds. One a dearly loved family member, who felt deeply the worst consequence of true entrepreneurial leadership, the clawing fear and uneasiness of family members for your own well being, subtly or not so subtly, urging that he “get a job”. To which he would smile and shrug, recognizing their concern and renewing his resolve to move this region ahead.
And the public man, who privately had been a tireless advocate and compassionate caretaker for a disabled brother, honing his ability to question and reshape the status quo. He turned those skills into a one man force of nature, creating a legacy in the truest sense of the word. Let every young person who aspires to public service study this remarkable embodiment of free speech and citizenry. Let his family take solace in the knowledge that Ed indeed had a job, one few could handle, and did it well.
It occurs to me that Kipling’s admonition is an apt resume of the man Edward Hauser.
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!
–Rudyard Kipling
Thank you Ed.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Thank you, Phil.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Ed’s passing has left a hole that was filled with his life. It cannot think of anyone who would fill his shoes even if it was a paid position. Ed was able to highlight the lack of transparency in goverment. His tenacity was an uncommon gift. I know he spent untold amounts of time and money on research and freedom of information requests. His analysis of large boring reports was sharp and crisp. He often knew more about the reports than the regulators. People often complain about goverment. Ed showed up. He showed up not only with a camera, he showed up with questions based on his research. If there was a meeting Ed was there. Ed was there to be heard.
Ed’s advocacy work exposed the need for a citizen adocate. It also showed how the present system discourages the citizen advocate. Ed showed us that we need more Ed’s. The determination and dedication that Ed demonstrated is possessed by but a few.
I think that we need to make goverment more citizen friendly. Mandate that everything possible is put on the web. That meetings, forums and etc. are webcast. Access to goverment means just that.
We need to use the most current technology to make goverment participation possible in citizens lives. Ed showed us what was possible. A Transparent Goverment would allow us to do issue advocacy, research and attend govermental meetings from our homes or work. Ed showed us that good things can happen from citizen advocacy.
During the city charter debate Mr. Callahan proposed a transparent goverment amendment… I do not believe it went far.
I believe there are a lot of people out there that want to participate and would participate if it was just a bit easier.
Thank you Ed. Your struggle and success for me was a light on how difficult and convaluted the road of citizen advocacy is. You have left us with what one man can do.
November 21st, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I only got to know Ed in the last 9 months when we met during the planning for Craig James Med Mart event last month. Seen him for years at events but never really talked till then. We talked for hours of his plans for an “Office of the Citizen”, a place where he could put into play the many strategies and tactics he used over the years – a place that would make his type of research and oversight a permanent part of the governmental process! Such a passion for what he did without any regard for his own situation. He is truly irreplaceable. I’m giving more thought as to how we can make some of that “office of the citizen” a reality. A real pleasure to have known you Ed…even if just for a short while.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
RIP Ed Hauser. I have added some content–
http://legistraight.org/wiki/Ed_Hauser
Rick, should photos added be added with some creative commons proviso?
November 24th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Hauser is up. Please verify the accuracy of info and expand/improve the content (edit, write more, add photos, etc).
November 24th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Thank you Rick–I neglected to add this link under related links. Please add–also a fundraiser has been scheduled to pay for Ed’s funeral expenses:
Monday, Dec 14th at the Beachland Ballroom. See for details:
http://www.realneo.org/content/celebrating-life-and-legacy-ed-%E2%80%9Ccitizen%E2%80%9D-hauser