We finally have some news. As expected, Councilman Jeff Johnson is running for mayor of Cleveland. Still no announcement from Jackson about whether or not he will run.

 

Cleveland City Councilman Jeffrey Johnson will run for mayor

 

By Leila Atassi, cleveland.com

on January 16, 2017 at 6:56 PM, updated January 16, 2017 at 9:40 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland City Councilman Jeffrey Johnson will run for mayor of Cleveland -- seeking to oust three-term Mayor Frank Jackson whom he says has lost touch with the people he serves.

 

In a recent interview with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, Johnson said he intends to go to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on Tuesday afternoon - accompanied by his family -- to pull petitions, officially kicking off his mayoral campaign.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/01/cleveland_councilman_jeffrey_j_1.html

We finally have some news. As expected, Councilman Jeff Johnson is running for mayor of Cleveland. Still no announcement from Jackson about whether or not he will run.

 

Cleveland City Councilman Jeffrey Johnson will run for mayor

 

By Leila Atassi, cleveland.com

on January 16, 2017 at 6:56 PM, updated January 16, 2017 at 9:40 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland City Councilman Jeffrey Johnson will run for mayor of Cleveland -- seeking to oust three-term Mayor Frank Jackson whom he says has lost touch with the people he serves.

 

In a recent interview with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, Johnson said he intends to go to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on Tuesday afternoon - accompanied by his family -- to pull petitions, officially kicking off his mayoral campaign.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/01/cleveland_councilman_jeffrey_j_1.html

 

Zach Reed has strongly suggested he will run on his Twitter account, but as he and Jeff are usually allies, that may be questionable now.

 

As I've said here, I knew Jeff in college and he's a good guy who's smart as hell and focused.  I recognize that he (and Reed) have to say things when I am pretty sure they know better.  I'd vote for either over Jackson.

We finally have some news. As expected, Councilman Jeff Johnson is running for mayor of Cleveland. Still no announcement from Jackson about whether or not he will run.

 

Cleveland City Councilman Jeffrey Johnson will run for mayor

 

By Leila Atassi, cleveland.com

on January 16, 2017 at 6:56 PM, updated January 16, 2017 at 9:40 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland City Councilman Jeffrey Johnson will run for mayor of Cleveland -- seeking to oust three-term Mayor Frank Jackson whom he says has lost touch with the people he serves.

 

In a recent interview with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, Johnson said he intends to go to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on Tuesday afternoon - accompanied by his family -- to pull petitions, officially kicking off his mayoral campaign.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/01/cleveland_councilman_jeffrey_j_1.html

 

Zach Reed has strongly suggested he will run on his Twitter account, but as he and Jeff are usually allies, that may be questionable now.

 

As I've said here, I knew Jeff in college and he's a good guy who's smart as hell and focused.  I recognize that he (and Reed) have to say things when I am pretty sure they know better.  I'd vote for either over Jackson.

 

I've known Jeff for some time but lost touch.  However we reconnected at the Hillary rally at Luke Easter Park this past Labor Day.  I too think he's a smart, stand-up guy who is passionate about what he believes.  It's unfortunate that he got himself caught up in stupid stuff (illegal campaign contributions) that sent him to 5 months in a halfway house as a convicted felon.  We all make mistakes; Jeff has made amends and Ohio has reinstated his  law license.  I'd be willing to vote for him.

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/01/who_so_far_is_running_to_becom.html#incart_river_home_pop

 

Who, so far, is running to become Cleveland's next mayor?

 

A very impressive, thorough article by the PD detailing the other candidates:

 

"Brian S. Costa - A Cleveland man by the same name lists on his Facebook page that he is an officer with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District."

 

"Angela Y. Davis - A Cleveland woman by the same name lists on her Facebook page that she works for the U.S. Postal Service."

 

"Barbara A. DeBerry - A Cleveland-area woman named Barbara DeBerry lists on LinkedIn that she is founder incorporator and proposal writer for W.H. a. T International Enterprises and a former election official with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections."

 

"Ja'Ovvoni Garrison - His Facebook page introduces him as a "Future Mayor for the City of Cleveland." Cleveland.com reported on Jan. 7, 2017 that Garrison is a former Slavic Village Development community organizer who is using his skateboarding expertise to attract grant money to provide free skateboards and lessons to low-income kids."

 

"Renee Saunders - A Cleveland-area woman by the same name is listed on LinkedIn as a student at Cleveland State University."

 

"Landry M. Simmons Jr. - A Landry M. Simmons lists himself on Facebook as a Strongsville resident and a sales consultant for Auto World USA."

I think Jeff Johnson would make a great mayor.

Does Johnson still feel like he was wrongly convicted of extortion?

I've met Johnson and worked with him on a project.  I know he has a checkered past but I think he is a bright and capable guy.  I may not agree with all of his ideas but I think he would make a fine mayor.

I agree with the statements about him being smart and capable, but I disagree with the parts about him being a fine mayor.

Does anybody know anything about the others? 

 

Is Johnson really the best of the bunch thus far? 

 

We have to do better than Jackson.  He has held this city back for far too long. 

The others aren't serious candidates. We still have quite a bit of time for others to jump in the ring though. I suspect some are waiting until Jackson announces a decision.

We have to do better than Jackson.  He has held this city back for far too long. 

 

Amen.  This latest episode with Public Square is further exposing his ineptitude.    I'd love to see someone come in and shake up the entire city organization.  Its become dysfunctional with services.  They are about to get an infusion with more tax dollars, but I worry it will just go to waste with more city employees sitting around doing nothing all day.

Zack Reed just tweeted he's going on the Trivisonno show at 5 to discuss the race.  Good chance he will either announce himself or endorse Jeff Johnson.

Zack Reed just tweeted he's going on the Trivisonno show at 5 to discuss the race.  Good chance he will either announce himself or endorse Jeff Johnson.

 

Whether Mr. Reed announces his own mayoral bid, or an endorsement of Mr. Johnson, neither one would receive a vote from me or many, many others in the circle of Cleveland residents I associate with. None of us are Jackson fans either. The city does not need a mayor convicted of a felony, or a drunkard, or one who looks after the interest of their grandson whom they believe is worth spending $2,000,000 of tax payer money on for a "playground".

 

There has to be a candidate out there who could restore honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, to the office of mayor of the city of Cleveland. One who would do what is best for not only the residents of Cleveland, but those who work in the city, and visit the city. 

 

Cleveland needs another George V. Voinovich.

Zack Reed just tweeted he's going on the Trivisonno show at 5 to discuss the race.  Good chance he will either announce himself or endorse Jeff Johnson.

 

Whether Mr. Reed announces his own mayoral bid, or an endorsement of Mr. Johnson, neither one would receive a vote from me or many, many others in the circle of Cleveland residents I associate with. None of us are Jackson fans either. The city does not need a mayor convicted of a felony, or a drunkard, or one who looks after the interest of their grandson whom they believe is worth spending $2,000,000 of tax payer money on for a "playground".

 

There has to be a candidate out there who could restore honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, to the office of mayor of the city of Cleveland. One who would do what is best for not only the residents of Cleveland, but those who work in the city, and visit the city. 

 

Cleveland needs another George V. Voinovich.

 

Amen.....  Can you not convince one of the Cleveland residents that you associate with to run for mayor?  I'm sure we can get the business community behind them as well as anyone that wants the city to move forward.       

Not clear if any of those people in the PD article has management experience, public or private.  There have got to be some qualified candidates out there.  It's like nobody wants this job.

Zack Reed just tweeted he's going on the Trivisonno show at 5 to discuss the race.  Good chance he will either announce himself or endorse Jeff Johnson.

 

Whether Mr. Reed announces his own mayoral bid, or an endorsement of Mr. Johnson, neither one would receive a vote from me or many, many others in the circle of Cleveland residents I associate with. None of us are Jackson fans either. The city does not need a mayor convicted of a felony, or a drunkard, or one who looks after the interest of their grandson whom they believe is worth spending $2,000,000 of tax payer money on for a "playground".

 

There has to be a candidate out there who could restore honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, to the office of mayor of the city of Cleveland. One who would do what is best for not only the residents of Cleveland, but those who work in the city, and visit the city. 

 

Cleveland needs another George V. Voinovich.

 

That would be my preference by a huge margin, but he couldn't win in the City of Cleveland in 2017.

The Mayor is making an announcement about the campaign tonight at 6pm

 

http://via.fox8.com/7bIMH

It's official: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/01/cleveland_mayor_frank_jackson_31.html

 

Well, this is a bummer.

I think whatever progress we've seen in the city is despite the mayor and council, not because of them.

I think whatever progress we've seen in the city is despite the mayor and council, not because of them.

 

And a great deal more has been lost to their bungling.  As for Jackson, he'd be nuts to stop now.  He's on a roll and his power appears limitless.

I think whatever progress we've seen in the city is despite the mayor and council, not because of them.

 

No doubt about that.  Just think of the what Cleveland missed out on during this period though, a rare period when city's in general saw renewed interest and increased vitality (which yes Cleveland still benefitted from). 

 

Starting in Jacksons first term I preached the value of having a mayor that had vision, was able to express ideas, build bridges, be able to communicate and schmooze when necessary..  All quality's that Jackson lacked. 

Instead we got 3 terms of someone that had no real vision, literally no drive, and lacked the perspective to really want or know that things should be better.  He would literally say "it is what it is" when it came to things that most leaders would be out to change for the better.  We have seen the majority of the neighborhoods continue to decline and functionality on the entire city level nose dive under his "leadership".       

 

Coming from DC it was easy to see the missing pieces here, but so many others coasted on the fact that some things were happening, and that Jackson is a nice guy. 

 

We need to do better than that, this region cannot afford 4 more years of him.  Problem is, I don't know that we have seen better appear yet as a candidate.       

 

   

 

   

I'll take a mediocre but classy and ethical mayor over the felons and no-names who are running against him.

I'll take a mediocre but classy and ethical mayor over the felons and no-names who are running against him.

 

Classy? He called a City Councilman to a meeting so his vote could be hijacked on the silly dirt track.

 

I have no beef with Jackson but he's one player of many who helps keep Cleveland's urban renewal pace at a slow crawl and it's job growth close to the bottom when compared to other medium-sized US cities.

 

I thought it was very telling when he said "we need to take care of our own" when discussing immigration a few years back. Made me think that while other cities are transforming themselves out of the corrupt mid-late 20th century urban political machines, Cleveland is still living there.

OK, it's easy to dump on Jackson because of how he/the city handled the RTA-Public Square debacle.  To me both he and RTA's Joe Calabrese are both culpable in the great project, gone sour -- RTA's contract with FTA about through bus lanes as well as RTA's added expense for the round-the-Square routing should have been seriously taken into account way ahead of time with a compensation plan for RTA devised to cover its losses.  Jackson's comments about terrorism re closing the Square made him look even more foolish...

 

... but let's not develop sudden amnesia to all the good Jackson has done especially regarding downtown development.  Has he been 100% perfect?  No.  But his administration both gotten in front of development and out of the way, when needed, in encouraging the huge momentum this city has experienced, including Public Square despite the current RTA mess.  And the cherry on top was his handling/coordinating with all parties, including the cops, RNC week last summer which was not only peaceful, but left reporters from around the world singing the praises of what a great city Cleveland is as well as it being so highly organized -- Frank has got to get the lion's share credit for this-- ultimately, he was Coordinator-in-Chief.  (Cleveland ran rings around Philadelphia where grumpy reporters had the exact opposite reaction to that (much more high-profile) city's handling of the DNC one week later)... and Frank didn't just sit back in City Hall; both he and his police chief were on the ground, out on Public Square every day overseeing the festivities, making sure things were going right...

 

All this didn't just suddenly materialize out of the ether... We non-Millenials are old enough to remember all too well past Cleveland mayors (no names, please...) who grandstanded, got in the way and thwarted development and progress and even embarrassed our city nationally.  Cleveland in the past 5, 6 years has made more developmental progress downtown and key neighborhoods than I've seen in my lifetime, and Frank has been the Man in the Chair while it's all unfolded.

 

... the Square/RTA debacle aside, Frank has tended to be a wise and calming voice leading City Hall... schools, poverty/jobs and even addressing RTA's flaws and crisis-level lack of financing, are some of the areas I have issues with Frank.  But let's not suddenly act like he's been some total, incompetent doofus who been a dark storm cloud hovering over and impeding this City... The man hasn't served his record term in office without reason; quite obviously a lot of people like what he's been doing.

 

 

OK, it's easy to dump on Jackson because of how he/the city handled the RTA-Public Square debacle.  To me both he and RTA's Joe Calabrese are both culpable in the great project, gone sour -- RTA's contract with FTA about through bus lanes as well as RTA's added expense for the round-the-Square routing should have been seriously taken into account way ahead of time with a compensation plan for RTA devised to cover its losses.  Jackson's comments about terrorism re closing the Square made him look even more foolish...

 

... but let's not develop sudden amnesia to all the good Jackson has done especially regarding downtown development.  Has he been 100% perfect?  No.  But his administration both gotten in front of and out of the way, when needed, in encouraging the huge momentum this city has experienced, including Public Square despite the current RTA mess.  And the cherry on top was his handling/coordinating with all parties, including the cops, RNC week last summer which was not only peaceful, but left reporters from around the world singing the praises of what a great city Cleveland is as well as it being so highly organized -- Frank has got to get the lion's share credit for this-- ultimately, he was Coordinator-in-Chief.  (Cleveland ran rings around Philadelphia where grumpy reporters had the exact opposite reaction to that (much more high-profile) city's handling of the DNC one week later)...

 

  All this didn't just suddenly materialize out of the ether... We non-Millenials are old enough to remember all too well past Cleveland mayors (no names, please...) who grandstanded, got in the way and thwarted development and progress and even embarrassed our city nationally.  Cleveland in the past 5, 6 years has made more developmental progress downtown and key neighborhoods than I've seen in my lifetime, and Frank has been the Man in the Chair while it's all unfolded.

 

... the Square/RTA debacle aside, Frank has tended to be a wise and calming voice leading City Hall... schools, poverty/jobs and even addressing RTA's flaws and crisis-level lack of financing, are some of the areas I have issues with Frank.  But let's not suddenly act like he's been some total, incompetent stiff who been some dark storm cloud hovering over and impeding this City... The man hasn't served his record term in office without reason; quite obviously a lot of people like what he's been doing.

 

 

 

Cleveland is still one of the worst economically performing cities in the nation. Nothing has changed from the 1980s. Congrats on the downtown apartment conversions but there needs to be more employment options for the city to grow. Dirt tracks aren't going to cut it. Just my humble opinion.

 

Also, the RTA/PS issue is grandstanding to the nth degree! Terrorism? C'mon.

OK, it's easy to dump on Jackson because of how he/the city handled the RTA-Public Square debacle.  To me both he and RTA's Joe Calabrese are both culpable in the great project, gone sour -- RTA's contract with FTA about through bus lanes as well as RTA's added expense for the round-the-Square routing should have been seriously taken into account way ahead of time with a compensation plan for RTA devised to cover its losses.  Jackson's comments about terrorism re closing the Square made him look even more foolish...

 

... but let's not develop sudden amnesia to all the good Jackson has done especially regarding downtown development.  Has he been 100% perfect?  No.  But his administration both gotten in front of and out of the way, when needed, in encouraging the huge momentum this city has experienced, including Public Square despite the current RTA mess.  And the cherry on top was his handling/coordinating with all parties, including the cops, RNC week last summer which was not only peaceful, but left reporters from around the world singing the praises of what a great city Cleveland is as well as it being so highly organized -- Frank has got to get the lion's share credit for this-- ultimately, he was Coordinator-in-Chief.  (Cleveland ran rings around Philadelphia where grumpy reporters had the exact opposite reaction to that (much more high-profile) city's handling of the DNC one week later)...

 

  All this didn't just suddenly materialize out of the ether... We non-Millenials are old enough to remember all too well past Cleveland mayors (no names, please...) who grandstanded, got in the way and thwarted development and progress and even embarrassed our city nationally.  Cleveland in the past 5, 6 years has made more developmental progress downtown and key neighborhoods than I've seen in my lifetime, and Frank has been the Man in the Chair while it's all unfolded.

 

... the Square/RTA debacle aside, Frank has tended to be a wise and calming voice leading City Hall... schools, poverty/jobs and even addressing RTA's flaws and crisis-level lack of financing, are some of the areas I have issues with Frank.  But let's not suddenly act like he's been some total, incompetent stiff who been some dark storm cloud hovering over and impeding this City... The man hasn't served his record term in office without reason; quite obviously a lot of people like what he's been doing.

 

 

 

Cleveland is still one of the worst economically performing cities in the nation. Nothing has changed from the 1980s. Congrats on the downtown apartment conversions but there needs to be more employment options for the city to grow. Dirt tracks aren't going to cut it. Just my humble opinion.

 

Also, the RTA/PS issue is grandstanding to the nth degree! Terrorism? C'mon.

 

Yep, a dirt track is the only item in Cleveland's budget for 2017  :roll: :roll:

OK, it's easy to dump on Jackson because of how he/the city handled the RTA-Public Square debacle.  To me both he and RTA's Joe Calabrese are both culpable in the great project, gone sour -- RTA's contract with FTA about through bus lanes as well as RTA's added expense for the round-the-Square routing should have been seriously taken into account way ahead of time with a compensation plan for RTA devised to cover its losses.  Jackson's comments about terrorism re closing the Square made him look even more foolish...

 

... but let's not develop sudden amnesia to all the good Jackson has done especially regarding downtown development.  Has he been 100% perfect?  No.  But his administration both gotten in front of and out of the way, when needed, in encouraging the huge momentum this city has experienced, including Public Square despite the current RTA mess.  And the cherry on top was his handling/coordinating with all parties, including the cops, RNC week last summer which was not only peaceful, but left reporters from around the world singing the praises of what a great city Cleveland is as well as it being so highly organized -- Frank has got to get the lion's share credit for this-- ultimately, he was Coordinator-in-Chief.  (Cleveland ran rings around Philadelphia where grumpy reporters had the exact opposite reaction to that (much more high-profile) city's handling of the DNC one week later)...

 

  All this didn't just suddenly materialize out of the ether... We non-Millenials are old enough to remember all too well past Cleveland mayors (no names, please...) who grandstanded, got in the way and thwarted development and progress and even embarrassed our city nationally.  Cleveland in the past 5, 6 years has made more developmental progress downtown and key neighborhoods than I've seen in my lifetime, and Frank has been the Man in the Chair while it's all unfolded.

 

... the Square/RTA debacle aside, Frank has tended to be a wise and calming voice leading City Hall... schools, poverty/jobs and even addressing RTA's flaws and crisis-level lack of financing, are some of the areas I have issues with Frank.  But let's not suddenly act like he's been some total, incompetent stiff who been some dark storm cloud hovering over and impeding this City... The man hasn't served his record term in office without reason; quite obviously a lot of people like what he's been doing.

 

 

 

Cleveland is still one of the worst economically performing cities in the nation. Nothing has changed from the 1980s. Congrats on the downtown apartment conversions but there needs to be more employment options for the city to grow. Dirt tracks aren't going to cut it. Just my humble opinion.

 

Also, the RTA/PS issue is grandstanding to the nth degree! Terrorism? C'mon.

 

Yep, a dirt track is the only item in Cleveland's budget for 2017  :roll: :roll:

 

OK, fine throw the dirt track out. Cleveland is still amongst the economic worst of it's peers. Hasn't really moved the needle out of that category despite Jackson having three terms to create change.

 

The idea that Cleveland is improving is a also a bit of smoke and mirrors. Cleveland was "improving" when Society, Sohio and TC were built. It was "improving" when Gateway came along. Almost every medium to large US city is seeing positive changes in population due to the urban gentrification movement. So the idea that Cleveland is in some sort of grand new era is definitely open for debate.

 

Cleveland still needs more jobs in the city.

OK, it's easy to dump on Jackson because of how he/the city handled the RTA-Public Square debacle.  To me both he and RTA's Joe Calabrese are both culpable in the great project, gone sour -- RTA's contract with FTA about through bus lanes as well as RTA's added expense for the round-the-Square routing should have been seriously taken into account way ahead of time with a compensation plan for RTA devised to cover its losses.  Jackson's comments about terrorism re closing the Square made him look even more foolish...

 

... but let's not develop sudden amnesia to all the good Jackson has done especially regarding downtown development.  Has he been 100% perfect?  No.  But his administration both gotten in front of and out of the way, when needed, in encouraging the huge momentum this city has experienced, including Public Square despite the current RTA mess.  And the cherry on top was his handling/coordinating with all parties, including the cops, RNC week last summer which was not only peaceful, but left reporters from around the world singing the praises of what a great city Cleveland is as well as it being so highly organized -- Frank has got to get the lion's share credit for this-- ultimately, he was Coordinator-in-Chief.  (Cleveland ran rings around Philadelphia where grumpy reporters had the exact opposite reaction to that (much more high-profile) city's handling of the DNC one week later)...

 

  All this didn't just suddenly materialize out of the ether... We non-Millenials are old enough to remember all too well past Cleveland mayors (no names, please...) who grandstanded, got in the way and thwarted development and progress and even embarrassed our city nationally.  Cleveland in the past 5, 6 years has made more developmental progress downtown and key neighborhoods than I've seen in my lifetime, and Frank has been the Man in the Chair while it's all unfolded.

 

... the Square/RTA debacle aside, Frank has tended to be a wise and calming voice leading City Hall... schools, poverty/jobs and even addressing RTA's flaws and crisis-level lack of financing, are some of the areas I have issues with Frank.  But let's not suddenly act like he's been some total, incompetent stiff who been some dark storm cloud hovering over and impeding this City... The man hasn't served his record term in office without reason; quite obviously a lot of people like what he's been doing.

 

 

 

Cleveland is still one of the worst economically performing cities in the nation. Nothing has changed from the 1980s. Congrats on the downtown apartment conversions but there needs to be more employment options for the city to grow. Dirt tracks aren't going to cut it. Just my humble opinion.

 

Also, the RTA/PS issue is grandstanding to the nth degree! Terrorism? C'mon.

 

Yep, a dirt track is the only item in Cleveland's budget for 2017  :roll: :roll:

 

OK, fine throw the dirt track out. Cleveland is still amongst the economic worst of it's peers. Hasn't really moved the needle out of that category despite Jackson having three terms to create change. The idea that Cleveland is improving is a also a bit of smoke and mirrors. Almost every medium to large US city is seeing positive changes in population due to the urban gentrification movement. So the idea that Cleveland is in some sort of grand new era is definitely open for debate.

 

Cleveland still needs more jobs in the city.

 

You could say that about any city..

OK, it's easy to dump on Jackson because of how he/the city handled the RTA-Public Square debacle.  To me both he and RTA's Joe Calabrese are both culpable in the great project, gone sour -- RTA's contract with FTA about through bus lanes as well as RTA's added expense for the round-the-Square routing should have been seriously taken into account way ahead of time with a compensation plan for RTA devised to cover its losses.  Jackson's comments about terrorism re closing the Square made him look even more foolish...

 

... but let's not develop sudden amnesia to all the good Jackson has done especially regarding downtown development.  Has he been 100% perfect?  No.  But his administration both gotten in front of and out of the way, when needed, in encouraging the huge momentum this city has experienced, including Public Square despite the current RTA mess.  And the cherry on top was his handling/coordinating with all parties, including the cops, RNC week last summer which was not only peaceful, but left reporters from around the world singing the praises of what a great city Cleveland is as well as it being so highly organized -- Frank has got to get the lion's share credit for this-- ultimately, he was Coordinator-in-Chief.  (Cleveland ran rings around Philadelphia where grumpy reporters had the exact opposite reaction to that (much more high-profile) city's handling of the DNC one week later)...

 

  All this didn't just suddenly materialize out of the ether... We non-Millenials are old enough to remember all too well past Cleveland mayors (no names, please...) who grandstanded, got in the way and thwarted development and progress and even embarrassed our city nationally.  Cleveland in the past 5, 6 years has made more developmental progress downtown and key neighborhoods than I've seen in my lifetime, and Frank has been the Man in the Chair while it's all unfolded.

 

... the Square/RTA debacle aside, Frank has tended to be a wise and calming voice leading City Hall... schools, poverty/jobs and even addressing RTA's flaws and crisis-level lack of financing, are some of the areas I have issues with Frank.  But let's not suddenly act like he's been some total, incompetent stiff who been some dark storm cloud hovering over and impeding this City... The man hasn't served his record term in office without reason; quite obviously a lot of people like what he's been doing.

 

 

 

Cleveland is still one of the worst economically performing cities in the nation. Nothing has changed from the 1980s. Congrats on the downtown apartment conversions but there needs to be more employment options for the city to grow. Dirt tracks aren't going to cut it. Just my humble opinion.

 

Also, the RTA/PS issue is grandstanding to the nth degree! Terrorism? C'mon.

 

Yep, a dirt track is the only item in Cleveland's budget for 2017  :roll: :roll:

 

OK, fine throw the dirt track out. Cleveland is still amongst the economic worst of it's peers. Hasn't really moved the needle out of that category despite Jackson having three terms to create change. The idea that Cleveland is improving is a also a bit of smoke and mirrors. Almost every medium to large US city is seeing positive changes in population due to the urban gentrification movement. So the idea that Cleveland is in some sort of grand new era is definitely open for debate.

 

Cleveland still needs more jobs in the city.

 

You could say that about any city..

 

I've watched the transformation of Baltimore and DC over the last 20 years. I've watched Cleveland fade away from them.

OK, it's easy to dump on Jackson because of how he/the city handled the RTA-Public Square debacle.  To me both he and RTA's Joe Calabrese are both culpable in the great project, gone sour -- RTA's contract with FTA about through bus lanes as well as RTA's added expense for the round-the-Square routing should have been seriously taken into account way ahead of time with a compensation plan for RTA devised to cover its losses.  Jackson's comments about terrorism re closing the Square made him look even more foolish...

 

... but let's not develop sudden amnesia to all the good Jackson has done especially regarding downtown development.  Has he been 100% perfect?  No.  But his administration both gotten in front of and out of the way, when needed, in encouraging the huge momentum this city has experienced, including Public Square despite the current RTA mess.  And the cherry on top was his handling/coordinating with all parties, including the cops, RNC week last summer which was not only peaceful, but left reporters from around the world singing the praises of what a great city Cleveland is as well as it being so highly organized -- Frank has got to get the lion's share credit for this-- ultimately, he was Coordinator-in-Chief.  (Cleveland ran rings around Philadelphia where grumpy reporters had the exact opposite reaction to that (much more high-profile) city's handling of the DNC one week later)...

 

  All this didn't just suddenly materialize out of the ether... We non-Millenials are old enough to remember all too well past Cleveland mayors (no names, please...) who grandstanded, got in the way and thwarted development and progress and even embarrassed our city nationally.  Cleveland in the past 5, 6 years has made more developmental progress downtown and key neighborhoods than I've seen in my lifetime, and Frank has been the Man in the Chair while it's all unfolded.

 

... the Square/RTA debacle aside, Frank has tended to be a wise and calming voice leading City Hall... schools, poverty/jobs and even addressing RTA's flaws and crisis-level lack of financing, are some of the areas I have issues with Frank.  But let's not suddenly act like he's been some total, incompetent stiff who been some dark storm cloud hovering over and impeding this City... The man hasn't served his record term in office without reason; quite obviously a lot of people like what he's been doing.

 

 

 

Cleveland is still one of the worst economically performing cities in the nation. Nothing has changed from the 1980s. Congrats on the downtown apartment conversions but there needs to be more employment options for the city to grow. Dirt tracks aren't going to cut it. Just my humble opinion.

 

Also, the RTA/PS issue is grandstanding to the nth degree! Terrorism? C'mon.

 

Yep, a dirt track is the only item in Cleveland's budget for 2017  :roll: :roll:

 

OK, fine throw the dirt track out. Cleveland is still amongst the economic worst of it's peers. Hasn't really moved the needle out of that category despite Jackson having three terms to create change. The idea that Cleveland is improving is a also a bit of smoke and mirrors. Almost every medium to large US city is seeing positive changes in population due to the urban gentrification movement. So the idea that Cleveland is in some sort of grand new era is definitely open for debate.

 

Cleveland still needs more jobs in the city.

 

You could say that about any city..

 

I've watched the transformation of Baltimore and DC over the last 20 years. I've watched Cleveland fade away from them.

 

Cool.  I live in Cleveland and see the beginning of our great city transforming as well.  The entire state of Maryland only gained 900 jobs in Dec 16.  Yeah, they're killing it!

OK, it's easy to dump on Jackson because of how he/the city handled the RTA-Public Square debacle.  To me both he and RTA's Joe Calabrese are both culpable in the great project, gone sour -- RTA's contract with FTA about through bus lanes as well as RTA's added expense for the round-the-Square routing should have been seriously taken into account way ahead of time with a compensation plan for RTA devised to cover its losses.  Jackson's comments about terrorism re closing the Square made him look even more foolish...

 

... but let's not develop sudden amnesia to all the good Jackson has done especially regarding downtown development.  Has he been 100% perfect?  No.  But his administration both gotten in front of and out of the way, when needed, in encouraging the huge momentum this city has experienced, including Public Square despite the current RTA mess.  And the cherry on top was his handling/coordinating with all parties, including the cops, RNC week last summer which was not only peaceful, but left reporters from around the world singing the praises of what a great city Cleveland is as well as it being so highly organized -- Frank has got to get the lion's share credit for this-- ultimately, he was Coordinator-in-Chief.  (Cleveland ran rings around Philadelphia where grumpy reporters had the exact opposite reaction to that (much more high-profile) city's handling of the DNC one week later)...

 

  All this didn't just suddenly materialize out of the ether... We non-Millenials are old enough to remember all too well past Cleveland mayors (no names, please...) who grandstanded, got in the way and thwarted development and progress and even embarrassed our city nationally.  Cleveland in the past 5, 6 years has made more developmental progress downtown and key neighborhoods than I've seen in my lifetime, and Frank has been the Man in the Chair while it's all unfolded.

 

... the Square/RTA debacle aside, Frank has tended to be a wise and calming voice leading City Hall... schools, poverty/jobs and even addressing RTA's flaws and crisis-level lack of financing, are some of the areas I have issues with Frank.  But let's not suddenly act like he's been some total, incompetent stiff who been some dark storm cloud hovering over and impeding this City... The man hasn't served his record term in office without reason; quite obviously a lot of people like what he's been doing.

 

 

 

Cleveland is still one of the worst economically performing cities in the nation. Nothing has changed from the 1980s. Congrats on the downtown apartment conversions but there needs to be more employment options for the city to grow. Dirt tracks aren't going to cut it. Just my humble opinion.

 

Also, the RTA/PS issue is grandstanding to the nth degree! Terrorism? C'mon.

 

Yep, a dirt track is the only item in Cleveland's budget for 2017  :roll: :roll:

 

OK, fine throw the dirt track out. Cleveland is still amongst the economic worst of it's peers. Hasn't really moved the needle out of that category despite Jackson having three terms to create change. The idea that Cleveland is improving is a also a bit of smoke and mirrors. Almost every medium to large US city is seeing positive changes in population due to the urban gentrification movement. So the idea that Cleveland is in some sort of grand new era is definitely open for debate.

 

Cleveland still needs more jobs in the city.

 

You could say that about any city..

 

I've watched the transformation of Baltimore and DC over the last 20 years. I've watched Cleveland fade away from them.

 

Exactly what I'm saying.  I got to witness being in DC at its worst, when Barry was mayor, but was also there during the transformation.  That happened because of the leaders that came after Barry. 

 

Jackson is to Cleveland what Barry was to DC.  The parallels of what has happened to both cities is apparent and obvious.             

You guys are right, nothing good is happening in Cleveland..  :roll: :roll:

 

A key in today's revival, he writes, is the growth of Cleveland's life sciences economy. The region "has the largest concentration (14.5%) of health science workers out of the top 50 biggest labor markets in the nation, just ahead of Boston," Piiparinen writes. "That's because Cleveland is a node in the globalizing life science economy.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170201/BLOGS03/170209984/cleveland-has-had-comebacks-before-can-this-one-stick

How important is the Mayor to the regional economy when it comes to job creation? 

 

I don't know the exact answer.  I do know that this past year the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Columbus actually PASSED Cleveland in the size of the labor force and nonfarm employment.  Since Mayor Jackson has been in office, Cleveland's employment has stagnated; mainly for things out of the mayor's control (global recession, foreclosure crisis, etc.); I honestly don't know what more he could have done given Cleveland's extreme circumstances. 

 

I know this is for a different thread, but again; don't expect regional growth in Cleveland for the upcoming census.  I'm not a downer about our town by any means but those are the facts.  If this town needs a mayor who knows how to draw businesses to town, then that person needs to step forward.  Otherwise in 2020 we'll be seeing how our employment numbers are reaching 1996 levels since falling off the cliff in 2008.

While those health sector jobs are great, it hasn't made up for the massive loss in manufacturing and heavy industry jobs that took a nosedive both in the 1980's and early 1990's, and during the 2000's. A lot of it had to do with company reorganizations and downsizings, while others dealt with the new global economy (thanks to our many unfair trade deals).

^Good point. Hard to make significant gains with a strong headwind (continued loss of manufacturing and transitioning economy). We've lost thousands of manufacturing jobs that are never coming back. However, we have slowly transitioned to a service/knowledge based economy. I think I read somewhere manufacturing jobs in the region are now close to the national average for the overall percentage of total jobs. If I remember correctly, manufacturing jobs in the early 80s made up 40% of the regional economy. Now, it's down to less than 15%. Again, those are off the top of my head so I could be wrong. I'm not saying it leadership can't be better, I just think we are in unique/unfortunate position of being a region that was so dependent on manufacturing. With the amount of good paying manufacturing jobs lost over the last 40 years, I'm surprised it's not much worse.

Trade deals don't really tell most of the picture.  Those steel mills are still operational, churning out steel in huge quantities.  But there are no jobs in them, anymore.  Charter Steel just announced a new $150 million mill to be built in Cuyahoga Heights.  Estimated jobs- 25.  New "Lights Out" manufacturing technology means it's going to be a super productive ghost town in there.

 

I'd be happy to have some new blood and ideas at the top, but I don't see any viable candidates throwing there hats in the ring.

We really need more "outsiders" in the mix in this race. I don't want to vote for Jackson but I also don't want to vote for Johnson. What are the odds that someone who is not currently on city council decides to run? I'd love to see Nina Turner and/or Chris Ronayne make a run for mayor this year.

^I believe Ronayne's contract at UCI is up this year. I wouldn't be surprised if he ran. Nina would definitely have a good chance of winning if she decided to run as well.

^ I would absolutely vote for either of them over Jackson or Johnson. I think Nina Turner would have the best chance of winning, but unfortunately I think she's more focused on statewide races.

^I believe Ronayne's contract at UCI is up this year. I wouldn't be surprised if he ran. Nina would definitely have a good chance of winning if she decided to run as well.

 

She might stand a chance if enough people voted early and often.

Brandon Chrostowski of EDWINS Announces Run for Mayor

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2017/02/02/brandon-chrostowski-of-edwins-announces-run-for-mayor

^Well I was hoping for a different voice in this race. A younger guy with a mission and a love for his hometown. My outside the box candidates were David Gilbert, Chris Ronayne and Graham Veysey from Hingetown.  Brandon could be a good choice though. Want to hear more of his ideas.

I think it could be hugely beneficial to have someone in power with this type of rehabilitative-focused perspective.

I say Graham. We went to high school together, and I see him on and off in Ohio City (sorry guys, I just can't call that area Hingetown. It feels too forced). One of the nicest and most sincere guys I've ever met.

^I believe Ronayne's contract at UCI is up this year. I wouldn't be surprised if he ran. Nina would definitely have a good chance of winning if she decided to run as well.

 

We have been after Chris to run for years.  That would be the best and most realistic scenario I can imagine.     

I say Graham. We went to high school together, and I see him on and off in Ohio City (sorry guys, I just can't call that area Hingetown. It feels too forced). One of the nicest and most sincere guys I've ever met.

 

I think he's well-intentioned and has done really impressive work. I guess my ultimate decision would come down to which one can drum up some policies that can address issues across the entire socioeconomic spectrum in the city since the majority of residents probably don't rank artisanal tea shops and whatever ego-related thing resulted in MANCAN as top concerns. That probably comes across as more aggressive than I intend, as I do think the guy cares about the city.

 

Veysey may very well have good ideas regarding equity and the like, but until more information comes to the surface I would still probably lean towards Chrostowski (assuming both would run).

^I believe Ronayne's contract at UCI is up this year. I wouldn't be surprised if he ran. Nina would definitely have a good chance of winning if she decided to run as well.

 

We have been after Chris to run for years.  That would be the best and most realistic scenario I can imagine.     

 

I'd be surprised to see Chris run with Jackson also running. But, who knows?

sorry guys, I just can't call that area Hingetown. It feels too forced

 

It sounds fake and contrived, something a non local marketing firm came up with.  Much like when commenters on cle.com always tried to use "CLE+" instead of Greater Cleveland, going so far as to "correct" people.

Graham Veysey is a nice guy and has done impressive things. But not more impressive than what Brandon has done. The biggest chasm our city faces is how do we get opportunity to people who seem to have the most challenges finding it.  That opportunity can improve lives, give people a sense of worth and inspire better things for communities.  Hopefully with that comes more work, less crime, etc.  Brandon has begun to address this at a small scale level.  What graham has achieved for our city has turned a blighted part of our city into a destination, but I'm not sure how many lives it's touched. I'm thinking of the businesses in his district, I imagine they would ultimately set up shop somewhere else if they didn't there.  I can't say that others would give people the shot like Brandon has.  I like his model to addrss one of our cities biggest problems.

Love Brandon and we totally support what he does 100%.  He is certainly innovative, is a great bridge builder, and could certainly be great on a larger level, but I would have to get his thoughts regarding broader issues.  Otherwise I might be concerned his focus might be too narrow to be an effective mayor.