A New Path for Revitilization

Yesterday voters elected Ed Fitzgerald, Mayor of Lakewood, as the new County Executive for Cuyahoga County. Under the backdrop of the worst corruption scandal in county history, Fitzgerald was able to overcome his Republican challenger, Matt Dolan, who spent millions of dollars linking Fitzgerald to the current scandal facing the local Democratic party. As the first County Executive, Fitzgerald will be faced with a laundry list of challenges. While restoring faith and credibility in county government should be his main priority. Fitzgerald has a unique opportunity to re-imagine Cleveland's role as the economic nucleus of Northeast Ohio.

Earlier last month, urban development experts from across the country gathered in Cleveland to discuss how to use vacant properties as an economic asset. Many cities across the country have had no choice but to make this issue a priority, as towering mortgage debt and urban disinvestment continues to plague many inner-city communities. In 2009, Cleveland alone witnessed more than 20,000 foreclosures, according to cases filed in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. This coupled with rising population loss and increasing levels of poverty, has undermined real GDP growth in the region. Yet while these structural challenges seem impossible to address, there is hope as some communities in the city are beginning to turn the page. Urban wine gardens are being created in the Hough Neighborhood, and University Circle is only at the cusp of witnessing how the new transit line will help link its assets to Downtown Cleveland. "Instead of figuring out what to do with (all) the vacant land, we need to figure out for each neighborhood, 'What are your most pressing problems, and in what way can vacant land be part of an answer?" says, Terry Schwarz, director of Kent State University's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative. And it may take this neighborhood approach to really help make Cleveland, and thus Cuyahoga County, more economically competitive. 

Nonetheless, as Fitzgerald begins his transition as the region's newly elected leader, he must do all the he can to listen to leaders in Cleveland to develop a sophisticated economic agenda that places the city at the center. In this age of austerity, rethinking how we utilize our must underused properties will be integral to that economic agenda. Cleveland can't afford to wait for another historic election to solve its problems. If Fitzgerald does his due diligence, he can help lead the both the county and the city to a new age of prosperity. 

Making Government Work

The recent arrests of County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and former County Auditor Frank Russo further cemented the fact that Cuyahoga County government has been paralyzed by lack of accountability and transparency.  For years, Dimora, Russo, and others used their office and taxpayer dollars to advance their own political and personal interests, while the region they served witnessed massive brain drain and lost thousands of jobs. Incompetent leadership in government at any level is a recipe for conventional thinking and persistent decline. For Cuyahoga County, and the Greater Cleveland area, this is has been a sad reality for far too long. However, with the new county charter and the upcoming county elections, there is a small glimmer of hope that the newly elected leaders will put restoring faith in government as their number one priority.

When voters head to the polls on November 2nd, the most important vote they cast will be for the newly elected county executive. So far, a majority of the candidates have a promised specific policies to promote openness and transparency. According to a survey conducted by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a majority of the candidates agreed to the following provisions:

• Make public records available without delay
• Provide timely access to their calendars of public business
• Disclose any gifts they receive as public officials and the values of them

These are all steps in the right direction. Yet, beyond these basic recommendations, voters should look towards putting their faith in the candidate who best articulates a vision and a plan to usher in a new era of leadership in county government. One that is grounded in understanding the fundamental challenges our region faces in today's global economy, not based upon patronage and favoritism. As the sole shareholders of our region, citizens must take their vote seriously. We must hold our elected officials accountable. Each of us have a stake in the economic prosperity of our region. To invoke the words of Thomas Paine, let us begin the work of remaking our county. If we wait any longer, it may be too late. 

New County Government Critical to Cleveland's Future

The political corruption scandal that has plagued Cuyahoga County has sparked an unprecedented mood of reform in Northeast Ohio. As the federal public corruption investigation continues, voters seem eager to eradicate the politics of bribery and corruption with common sense governance that can advance the region in the 21st century. For decades, regionalism proponents have argued that the current governance structure in Cuyahoga County seemed redundant and stifled economic development for the region. After voters overwhelmingly supported a grassroots movement to enact a new county charter,  regionalism supporters now have their opportunity to enact a new county government, led by a County Executive and an 11-member County Council.

As voters head to the polls to vote in the primary elections on September 7th, it is critical that they support candidates who have bold ideas to ensure that the Northeast Ohio can compete successfully in today's knowledge-based economy. From education to promoting regional development, the new County Executive and County Council will have a unique opportunity to lay the foundation to advance the social and economic well-being of the county. Even more importantly, the new government must understand Cleveland's critical role in having a thriving and vibrant region. Every decision they make will impact Cleveland's viability as a successful metropolitan center.

The Why Cleveland Matters Blog will keep its eye focused on what's happening during this exciting election season. Stay tuned for more....