Do we not have this topic already? I didn't see one. Who's good and who's bad? What are people's thoughts?

 

The Plain Dealer had an article about the county taking over the airports:  "Dolan and Lanci said having one agency run all the airports, including the Cuyahoga County Airport, would be more efficient. Both Burke and the county airport serve smaller planes, and changes in air traffic at one airport affect the other, they said. Democrat Ed FitzGerald, Green Party nominee David Ellison and independents Tim McCormack and Don Scipione said no." (http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county-reform/index.ssf/2010/09/executive_candidates_believe_c.html)

 

There's no reason for the county to take over the airports--1. more corruption opportunities (giant contracts), 2. no experience, 3. no need--non-city residents can use the airport like anyone else. 4. Cuy County airport isn't much of an airport--if those guys really want efficiency, they should sell the airport to the city, not the other way around, which makes no sense. 5. This is the way to start a new form of gov't in Cuyahoga County, by trying to take one of the largest assets away from the city and expect to work together?

 

Thus, if the PD is reporting this accurately, Dolan and Lanci OBVIOUSLY don't get it....this is just one issue--who knows what other misjudgment they have on all other topics (not issues--as airport ownership is not an issue.)

For those who may be more knowledgeable re this race, what's the argument for Lanci?  I don't think I am comfortable with Fitzgerald and definitely not Dolan.

^I've been following the race a little bit and the thing that I like about Lanci is his candor. He's very honest and straight forward with his responses and seems to take a common sense approach to things. Dolan and Fitzgerald on the other hand usually give the extreme right or left response that we are so used to hearing in politics today. I also LOVE the fact that he's not tied to a political party. That seems to give him the freedom to do what he feels is best for the county and it's citizens. Dolan and Fitzgerald seem to be spewing the same partisan BS that we always hear.

 

For what it's worth I gave Lanci my vote (sent in my ballot last night). It really had little to do with any particular issue. He just seems like an honest, intelligent person and I feel most comfortable with him as County Executive.

Carpet bagger Dolan is out for me. So I am down to Lanci and Fitz, Lanci intiques me but I hate to vote for someone because he is not somebody else (except in the case of Kucinich). I live in Lakewood and have friends that are closely involved in city politics. Fitzgerald (whole I voted against at the time, unaware what a fool Tom George was) had a plan for a pretty messy situation, and he made it work. Lots of budget cuts and trimmed a lot of fat.Overall conditions in lakewood, even with the housing crisis seemed to have improved, or at least lost the sense of impending doom that I felt during the late George adminstration, the planning is better, cops are responsive and visible.  I think he is perfectly capable of doing a good job as county executive..but he is highly ambitious and I am mostly worried that he sees this position as a stepping stone for a higher office in the state, or even congress. I would much rather see somebody who is 80% as compotent willing to serve 3 or 4 terms in order to see Cuyahoga County through this time of transition, instead of jumping ship half way through. What are Lanci's biggest strengths besides being sincere and not being Dolan or Fitz?

Lanci has all but locked up my vote.  While it is not the reason I am likely to pick him, I do appreciate his pledge to take a $1/yr salary.  If only he would pledge to stay away from the tanning booth / bronzing cream -

 

 

 

 

 

I am supporting Ken Lanci.

Is there any polling data out there for this election?

I heard a GREAT interview with Lanci last night.  Very impressed with the guy and his approach.  He seems common sense and truly non-partisan, which is refreshing.  To be clear, he is not an independent because he feels the GOP is not enough to the right or that the Dems are not far enough to the left for his tastes.  He truly embraces the middle, if you believe his words.  He said something along the lines that "either we start working together or we will sink together."  Once again... refreshing.

 

I also like that he emphasizes the notion that as Cleveland goes, so does the County.  He seems to know that a surburban utopia surrounding a rotten core is not going to cut it.

Hts121 is that interview availible anywhere on the internet. i would be interested in hearing it.

I've heard great things about Lanci also from those who've met him & heard him speak, all say he is genuine, honest, smart & hardworking.  The same might be said of the rest however.  Fitzgerald seems the most qualified to me, but I worry that the new position requires a breath of fresh air.  Cooperation from all the internal city districts & surrounding suburbs will be critical or the entire position will quickly become irrelevant, and any hopes of real change will go bye as well.

Hts121 is that interview availible anywhere on the internet. i would be interested in hearing it.

 

I am fairly certain a link to the podcast is here - http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=BobFrantz.xml

I was channel surfing Sunday morning and caught the tail end of a political talk show hosted by Tom Beres. I was disappointed to hear them discuss the executive position because they pretty much wrote off all the independent candidates, with an offhand comment that no one other than Fitz or Dolan had a chance at the seat.

 

Anyone else getting that impression? I've been looking into Lanci a lot and was kind of excited to have someone not a D or an R sitting in the position.

For whatever reason, I just cannot get excited about Lanci the way it seems other people around me are ... I mean, to the point where I'm seriously just baffled. I understand lack of affiliation, candor and his choice to forego pay as appealing candidate characteristics, but I have found his platform to be overwhelmingly vague and filled with what seem to be empty platitudes ("Jobs and Progress" comes to mind), rather than any detailed accounting of how we would address county governance. That gives me significant pause.

 

Actually, every day, it's looking more and more like I'll be voting for Ellison.

Matt Dolan is currently speaking on WKNR if anyone's interested.

Ellison already got my vote.  Can anyone add a poll to a thread?  We should add one here.

For whatever reason, I just cannot get excited about Lanci the way it seems other people around me are ... I mean, to the point where I'm seriously just baffled. I understand lack of affiliation, candor and his choice to forego pay as appealing candidate characteristics, but I have found his platform to be overwhelmingly vague and filled with what seem to be empty platitudes ("Jobs and Progress" comes to mind), rather than any detailed accounting of how we would address county governance. That gives me significant pause.

 

Actually, every day, it's looking more and more like I'll be voting for Ellison.

 

I think that Lanci is looking at the job the way it should be viewed.... as a 'manager.'  He won't be able to do much without Council.  His main job will be running the administrative side of the County, not so much determining policy.  He will have to act as the 'face' of the County in its dealings and has to be a "go-getter", so I think his background is relevant there.  He's operated several businesses here in Cuyahoga County and knows what does and does not make the County attractive to business.  As far as him being an independent, I see that as a valuable assett in trying to bridge differences among council members, which are bound to exist.  Dolan and Fitzgerald are not as likely to be able to do that given their partisan leanings.

^agreed - one thing I did see in an interview with Dolan which I thought was relevant is that he has experience as a state legislator and has connections there still.  He is the only candidate of the 3 with that on his resume and pointed out that so much of the county's funding comes from the State, we need someone to lobby on our behalf to get more than whatever the formula dictates our fair share is...

I get enthusiasm for bringing a business perspective to the management of county government, but as the primary executive position of the county, I also just need to see more of a vision for the county and what his priorities would be when elected. Definitely agree that the executive will be somewhat hemmed by the vision of the council but not moreso than most mayors in mayor-council systems of governance ... Or Obama is by a divided Congress with one party that doesn't prescribe to his agenda. You still need to set a tone for what you hope to achieve and what you would like to see the council address. I just don't feel like Lanci's platform provides enough detail to understand what type of vision he has. Just my perspective.

 

As for Dolan, I don't think he's a bad candidate per se, and I do think his state-level legislative experience is great, particularly as he's shown a willingness to advocate for Democrat-recommended ideas when they advance northeast Ohio. But at the same time, and I realize this is probably silly, it gives me considerable pause that he moved into Cuyahoga County specifically to run for this race. We need a strong focus from county government on the urban core, and I don't know if I can back an exurban candidate in good faith.

 

It looks like poor Scipione isn't even being considered in the poll above :D Did he drop out of the race? 

Consider that both Dolan and Fitzgerald said they would bring Scipione on as chief of staff. Lanci said he'd pick McCormack. So we know who's friendly with who.

 

I like Scipione and Fitz. I am conflicted about Dolan and Lanci, but I'll probably end up voting for one of them. I think Dolan's attacks on Fitz are total BS, but I don't care. I want a fresh face in there.

 

I actually like that I haven't seen a single poll on this. Hate to admit it, but I think polling affects my decisions sometimes. Lanci seems honest and straightforward, and I like the no salary thing as well, gimmicky though it may be...but I've heard a lot of good things from Dolan. I liked him in his interview on WCPN. Plus, maybe if we vote for him, daddy will buy some new pitchers for the Indians.

 

This is the only one I haven't made up my mind yet on. I will do some more reading and sleep on it, but I think it's Dolan or Lanci.

 

edit: As for Dolan moving into the county...I don't blame him for living outside of it. Many friends and relatives left the county. I would applaud them for moving back if they sincerely wanted to make a difference through public service. Many good politicians have done things like this and been wildly popular/successful afterwards.

^Dolan did not leave the county and move back.  He grew up in Chardon and lived in Geauga County as an adult.  He moved into Cuyahoga County for the purpose of running for the position.  Don't know if that is a big thing or not or should be a negative (actual may be a positive) but those are the facts.

 

Never had a problem with Dolan before but don't like many of things he is doing (typical politics sh%#@t) with his campaign.

Thanks for the clarification. I guess it doesn't matter either way, but at least he didn't 'jump ship'.

I'm probably the most excited to see the results of this race come in.  I've been talking to people all day and I've heard alot who are excited for Lanci, some who were committed to Fitzgerald, Dolan, and still other independents.

I voted for Lanci - but debated internally between him and Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald goes to my church, so there's a certain tribal instinct there, and I like what he's done in Lakewood. But his party has been robbing the county blind for years, so I ended up going with the outsider, someone who's built up businesses.

 

If Dolan won, you just know we would lose our best bureaucrats to all the other counties....

The results of this race make me nervous.  I know I shouldn't be shocked that a Democrat won this election, but I am.  With the county corruption trial unfolding during the election season I don't understand how so many people can simply vote the same Democratic machine back into power.

 

I'm also very surprised that Lanci got so few votes.  To many people simply check the box next to the (D) or ®.  Very unfortunate.

 

Hopefully, Fitzgerald will move the County Council beyond the practices that got the previous administration in so much trouble.  Personally, I don't have much faith that he will be successful.

From what I know about Fitzgerald, he'll be fine. I voted for Lanci because I liked his sincerity and independance but Fitz has done a fine job in Lakewood. He is a capable executive and the county will be in a better place regardless who won. The whole structure is different, and the power is spread around.

Hopefully, Fitzgerald will move the County Council beyond the practices that got the previous administration in so much trouble. Personally, I don't have much faith that he will be successful.

 

I think a lot people voted for him because he was an FBI agent in Chicago. They think that's a guard against him being corrupted. Good thing there have never been any corrupt FBI agents!

 

But seriously, I've had lunch a couple of times with FitzGerald when he was a Lakewood councilman. We discussed organized crime in Chicago vs Cleveland and he seemed like an honest guy. He asked me about a certain politically active businessman who didn't pass his smell test and I told him about the businessman's illicit activities and his colleagues. He was very wary of this man and his colleagues. When the full roster of his campaign donors comes out and if these people are on it, then we should all be worried.

Hopefully, Fitzgerald will move the County Council beyond the practices that got the previous administration in so much trouble. Personally, I don't have much faith that he will be successful.

 

I think a lot people voted for him because he was an FBI agent in Chicago. They think that's a guard against him being corrupted. Good thing there have never been any corrupt FBI agents!

 

 

Clearly the general population has not watched enough X-Files.

The results of this race make me nervous. I know I shouldn't be shocked that a Democrat won this election, but I am. With the county corruption trial unfolding during the election season I don't understand how so many people can simply vote the same Democratic machine back into power.

 

I'm also very surprised that Lanci got so few votes. To many people simply check the box next to the (D) or ®. Very unfortunate.

 

Hopefully, Fitzgerald will move the County Council beyond the practices that got the previous administration in so much trouble. Personally, I don't have much faith that he will be successful.

 

Was Fitzgerald indicted in the corruption scandal?

No.... but I'm not sure the indictments are all over yet.  My gut tells me that Fitzgerald is relatively clean.  He just doesn't seem like a Dimora, Russo, etc. type.  But he will have that cloud over him, rightly or wrongly.

Was Fitzgerald indicted in the corruption scandal?

 

Not indicted, when he  was a coucilman is on the record taking a call from Dimora on behalf of one of his "partners" regarding a proposal to lease/privatize Winterhurst ice rink, which later passed the city approval and review process. Fitzgerald is on the record saying, "he was a sitting County Commisioner was I suppose to not taking the call?" Basically Dimora used his influence to get this guy infront of LW city council.

So far all I see is he took a call from Dimora.  Is Fitz the reason that the proposal passed city approval and review?  Did he do anything inappropriate to do so?

I have a friend who was on the city  finance committee who said the deal was on the up and up. They reviewed it and the city makes a $100k a year now  instead of losing around a $1M, on Winterhurst. As far as I know Fitz was only listed in the probe because he took a call from Dimora, who I believe got all of the kickbacks from said developer.

 

As I have said upthread I believe that Fitzgerald is a very capable executive and a corruption clean straight shooter( or at least knows the line not to cross very well from his FBI days) but my reservations about him stem from the fact that he ran for this position before serving one full term as mayor of Lakewood. He is very ambitious and I think his ultimate goal is a congress seat or state office. I voted for Lanci because I thought he was sincere, had the executive experience from his business dealings and he would have stuck around a few terms to see the transition all the way through. He had no other motivations at this stage in his life or career.

Executive-elect Ed FitzGerald hires ex-FBI agent to probe Cuyahoga County government: video

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/11/fitzgerald_hires_ex-fbi_agent.html

 

The .bomb comments are particularly moronic for this article.  And that's saying something.

Mods, can we change this thread to "Cuyahoga County Executive and Council"?  Not sure where else to put news like the below.  I don't think we need a new separate thread.

 

Six Democratic Cuyahoga County Council members meet privately Friday, agree to make C. Ellen Connally president

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/12/post_404.html

 

I can't decide how to feel about this.  I don't think its at all corrupt or unseemly (is there anything remotely weird about sub-groups of legislators meeting in private?), but I also don't understand why you would create a defacto insider and outsider status through selective invites.  It's a social no-no!

 

 

 

Mods, can we change this thread to "Cuyahoga County Executive and Council"? Not sure where else to put news like the below. I don't think we need a new separate thread.

 

Six Democratic Cuyahoga County Council members meet privately Friday, agree to make C. Ellen Connally president

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/12/post_404.html

 

I can't decide how to feel about this. I don't think its at all corrupt or unseemly (is there anything remotely weird about sub-groups of legislators meeting in private?), but I also don't understand why you would create a defacto insider and outsider status through selective invites. It's a social no-no!

 

 

 

 

It's tone-deaf, and given the formality of the meeting, it might be borderline illegal. Her response shows she has no idea what people want from the council, even if her intentions are good. "Leadership is not the public's business." Technically correct - we don't pick the symbolic council 'leader', for whatever that even means, but a stupid, stupid statement.

 

It starts the process off wrong. Obviously a democrat is going to be president. Oh no, the mere possibility of a republican having a mostly symbolic role? PANIC! SECRET MEETING! I think Fitzgerald should step in and invite one of the Republicans to be the council leader and dare the council to defy him.

 

I voted all Republican for County Council, and I rarely vote for any R candidates not named Voinovich. Because I sort of knew how this would go.