County Council District 2 Debate
Democratic candidates Tom Jordan and Dale Miller squared off this past Wednesday, August 4, 2010, for a debate sponsored by the Lakewood Democratic Club, the Brookpark Democratic Club, and the Democratic Clubs from Cleveland Wards 18 and 19. Jordan and Miller are vying for the Democratic nomination for the inaugural District 2 County Council seat.
The coordinated effort of the aforementioned ward clubs must be recognized and applauded. Democrats in these municipalities are lucky to have leaders within these clubs who acknowledge the importance of voter education from the candidates. If you are a Democrat who wants to stay informed and engaged, contact your local Democratic ward club by visiting the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party website, http://www.cuydem.com/ward_clubs.php.
The debate, moderated by Bay Village resident Rosemary Palmer, consisted of pre-selected questions from the audience. Stuart Garson, newly elected Chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, as well as Vice-Chair Blaine Griffin, provided welcoming remarks before the two candidates gave opening statements.
State Senator Dale Miller, reading a written statement, outlined his past experience. He recalled his time spent as a Cleveland City Councilman, as well as his time in the Senate, listing the various committee assignments. This included the all-important Finance committee and working with multi-million dollar budgets. Miller laid out details of how he has indeed supported reform by backing last year’s Issue 6 charter proposal and overall gave the impression that his wealth of legislative experience is far from a hindrance-rather, it will be a valuable asset to the newly formed County Council. Miller cited the Airport, NASA, and the western manufacturing network as the focus for economic development in the district.
Tom Jordan, speaking directly to the audience, began his opening statement by reflecting on his Irish immigrant heritage, what the past was for Cuyahoga County, and what it is today. Jordan stressed that he is not a “career politician” and that Cuyahoga County is ready for a fresh start. He recalled his economic development experience with the City of Lakewood and his current role as Community Development Director of North Royalton. Jordan said the focus is on job and wealth creation as well as nanotechnology and how he would implement the Charter-mandated economic development plan (the Charter mandates the formation of an Economic Development Commission, separate from County Council).
Questions to the candidates covered an array of subjects, including economic development, health and human services, council personnel, county programs that are working effectively, past positions on issues (including residency), and Council being a “rubber stamp” for the County Executive.
Health and Human services take up the bulk of the County expenditures. Miller stressed the importance of taking a “prevention-oriented approach” and heading off the costs of county services on the front end by highlighting programs on fatherhood, well-baby and mother programs, and partnering with appropriate entities on education initiatives. Jordan suggested “lowering the costs of service delivery by necessitating collaboration between cities.”
Miller was the only candidate to specifically suggest possible shared personnel positions for the new and lean County Council staff, including staff for legal, budget, legislation, constituent outreach, and a clerk. He also noted he was “looking forward to seeing the recommendations of the TAG (Transition Advisory Group).” Jordan suggested a general or shared Council staff but said there had to be savings in the process despite the implementation of the County Exec salary ($175,000) and the salaries of 11 new County Council members ($45,000 per).
The candidates, lusterless at times, were brought to life at the most extemporaneous moment of the evening. When asked about past positions, Jordan stated that he did not support the state ruling on residency and that it “could have been handled better.” Miller shot back that he did not believe people should be told where they can live after they get out of work and that he has supported home rule on votes involving oil and gas exploration, predatory lending, and an array of other subjects detrimental to municipality control. Miller also went on to note that Jordan works in North Royalton but lives in Cleveland and that Jordan is not practicing the very thing he is seemingly supports. Both candidates supported Issue 6 this past November, with Jordan adding that “the County has never been a reliable partner.”
District 2 voters have a difficult choice on their hands as both candidates have ideas that should be implemented in the new County Council. One can only hope that the prevailing candidate has been taking detailed notes on the other and will implement a “Team of Rivals” approach if they truly care about the people of District 2 and Cuyahoga County.