More on county "reform"
Submitted by Anastasia Pantsios on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 11:26pm.
So we all know that we're going to be voting on dueling county reform issues in November — Issue 5 (“Real Reform Done Right”) and Issue 6 (“New Cuyahoga Now”). And let’s be clear: This IS a partisan issue, with political control of the county at stake. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections split along party lines about which issue would get the lower number and the advantageous first ballot position. The county Republican party (and its semi-official newsletter the Plain Dealer) has endorsed Issue 6. The Democratic Party’s executive committee votes next weekend, but it’s not exactly a mystery what the outcome will be. Issue 5 is supported by Mayor Frank Jackson, County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones and Congresspersons Marcia Fudge and Dennis Kucincich.
Attempts to cast Democrats as fighting actual reform because they have some prominent members who are being investigated for corruption and to cast the local Republican party on the side of the angels are laughable. The Republicans don’t want Issue 6 because they think it will bring us “good Ggvernment.” They want Issue 6 because they believe they can seize control of the county and use its government to dismantle the county Democratic party. And I’m getting tired of saying this but it really is the bottom line: You don’t throw everybody and everything out the door and venture into totally unproven territory because some individuals within a system MAY have done something wrong (It’s hard to keep in mind with the Plain Dealer’s constant breathless coverage, but Jimmy Dimora and Frank Russo haven’t been charged with anything yet. And an overwhelming majority of current county elected officials are not under suspicion of doing anything wrong.)
Many people think public confusion means both will fail. That’s OK. Then we can focus on the real problems and the real problem people — not on slash-and-burn accusations of general guilt. In the meantime, if you’d like to support Issue 5, there’s a fundraiser next Thursday, October 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the usual Democratic fundraising place, Massimo da Milano, at W. 25th and Detroit. Donation minumum is $25. Call 440.476.2106 or go to www.yes5no6.com by next Tuesday to RSVP. They’re promising that Marcia and Dennis will be there so this would be a great time to thank them for being the progressive champions they are. Isn't that worth $25?
I really dont understand why
I really dont understand why you and the rest of the blogosphere is so opposed to Issue 6. I mean for all the discussion I've heard, only three actual arguments have emerged. The first is that it is a massive Republican conspiracy to dismantle the Cuyahoga Dem Party. How is this true? Don't Republicans make up about 30% of Cuyahoga County and deserve some proportional representation, at the same time, how will restructuring the County change the balance of power, even with a few republicans on the county council, it will still be a massive dem majority. Second, people say it is taking power from minorities. I think a fair comparison is the Senate vs. the House, there are no elected black senators because they represent large and mainly white states, whereas there is a much more representational mix in the house, the same would be true with a county council. After all there is only one elected countywide black official right now. Finally you said this was unproven, but this proposed system has been in summit county for 30 years. The reason people want this change is not just because of Dimora, Russo and the other cronies, it is because this county is hemorrhaging jobs and people and we need a change. If you're really concerned with helping the dem party, I think the best avenue is not to blindly oppose Issue 6 because a few party elders have but rather embrace change when this region needs it.