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Nick Licata and Jay Westbrook

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from: Jay Westbrook

Battling Population Migration to the 'Burbs

Posted Monday, June 4, 2001, at 4:31 PM ET

Hi Nick,

Yep, you're right: The whole council is up for election at the same time. The mayor's office, too. We now have four-year terms, and all of the council is elected by ward. Note: This is similar to Congress. Through the '90s, there has been considerable stability of office. Some incumbents ran and were elected to other offices. These include municipal housing court, municipal judge, municipal clerk of courts, state representative, state senator, and county treasurer. The Cleveland Council had gone through a period in the '70s and '80s of regular turnover and little continuity. Many would say that this level of stability in the '90s aided the ability of the city to begin to rebuild.

The mayor's race is proving interesting because there was considerable speculation about the mayor's vulnerabilities. However, few were stepping forward to challenge Mike White. Following his announcement, a much larger field has come forward. There are prominent women candidates coming forward and/or considering entering the race. Jane Campbell (one of three county commissioners and a former state rep.) and Mary Rose Oakar (former congresswoman and current state rep.). Also, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, congresswoman of the 11th District, is considering a run. The field also includes another county commissioner and the former safety director of Cleveland. So as you can see, the field is blossoming.

The growth issues are a powerful and undeveloped area of policy for greater Cleveland. From the city's perspective, we have to fight with the forces of out-migration on all fronts. These include funding priorities, stabilizing neighborhoods, retaining industry in Cleveland's industrial zones, enhancing retail, and strengthening urban schools. While there are significant initiatives underway in all of these arenas, the force with which population and investment are pulled away from the city is overpowering.

I'm wondering how much Seattle is isolated within the state of Washington. Or does the state acknowledge a need to work with the city? Right now, in Ohio, in addition to the lack of attention to the problems of sprawl, the state is under order by the Supreme Court to equalize the funding for urban and rural schools. This order has been in place for three years, and the governor and legislature have fallen short for three years. Even though we have the toughest educational challenges, the state seems to think that they can just sweep it under the rug. I believe that it is up to us to take care of our own community. And Clevelanders have shown a great willingness to undertake the collective initiatives and funding necessary to address our issues. However, we can't succeed against the massive pull to the outer rims of the region. In Cleveland, we have passed two school funding levies in the last four years. None had been passed in the previous 20 years. We have funded a $40 million development fund for new housing and industrial stabilization. Cleveland led all other municipalities in Cuyahoga County in new housing in 1999 and 2000.

Some say that regional government is the way to go. I don't agree, and every time some initiative is started in that direction, communities dig in and oppose it. Obviously, we need to find some common ground of cooperation between Cleveland and the 60-some odd communities that make up the county. Oops, I've got to run. The Committee on Legislation is reconvening on a piece to limit billboards.

Later,
Jay

the breakfast table
entries
12345678910111213141516
from: Jay Westbrook

Battling Population Migration to the 'Burbs

Posted Monday, June 4, 2001, at 4:31 PM ET
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Nick Licata is an at-large member of the Seattle City Council. Jay Westbrook represents Ward 18 on the Cleveland City Council.
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