I would not be hurt if these candidates came in and blew the crowd away with promises or ways to fix the problems we all have in Cuyahoga County. No, really I would not. I mean, why should some white guy, never involved with the party infrastructure get the nod from these hard core party faithful? But only getting one vote for all my work serving the County in protecting the lives of homeless people is just an insult. Hell, in the era of Trump, a candidate can now promise the world or a wall paid for by a foreign government with no harm if the promises are delusional. But we really got nothing from the other candidates about poverty, segregation, or confidence in Cuyahoga County services. It was a close vote between the two, but they said nothing and made no promises so how could the Forest Hills Blvd resident know the difference? I really felt like they were both given participation medals.
No one in County government is dealing with the fact we have been in the top five poorest cities in America since 1992, and there is no discussion about making a change. We are the most segregated city in America, and nothing from our politicians with any bold plans. Black babies are dying at numbers far above nearly every other city in America and no candidate mentioned this issue. In all honesty, our infant mortality rate among minority moms in Cleveland rivals some of the countries that the President disparaged on the same day as this vote. East Cleveland, one of the key cities in the district, is still in financial crisis, but there was no plan for working toward a solution. Nothing about the Juvenile Justice Center and figuring out ways to love these young people instead of bringing in more guns to manage the facility. I guess my community organizing background dictates you identify a problem by a constituency and win their trust by solving at least one of their issues so they will be with you on other issues. But we really did not hear any of the problems facing the county or any potential solutions from the two candidates who got all the votes.
I heard nothing tonight from Stephens or Houser except that they would keep doing what the former Councilman did and keep a close eye on the budget. Is there anyone in the District 10 who can say yes, my Councilman accomplished....? If we are honest, can any County voter say, "Thank God, we have a County Council because they...." I heard from the other candidates that they were good people and had worked for County government for years. There was one mention of the importance of MetroHealth and one on the importance of economic development, but it was thin on solid promises. I did not hear that they would shake up the power structure in this community so we never vote on new glass for a palace for rich people and get nothing in return for backing those loans. Did not hear anything about the RTA budget crisis and how we could drag those horrible state legislators before the Council for destroying public transportation. No one said anything about the affordable housing crisis or whether East Cleveland seniors were getting all they are entitled to compared to their neighbors in Cleveland Hts.
There were precinct leaders who I marched with to protect voting and against the death penalty who did not vote for me. There was a former County Council members who I so admired for speaking honestly about some of the problems who did not support me. There were former Collinwood business folks who I worked with that did not vote for me. There were anti-war activists who I demonstrated with who did not vote for me. There were anti-poverty activists who used the stuff I did at the Coalition for their own work and they did not vote for me. It was extremely disheartening for a social justice guy trying to use his talents to improve the lives of other Cuyahoga County taxpayers.
I have never ever cast a vote for a Republican in my whole life. If I did not support the Democrat like Bill Clinton, I would vote for a write in like Mayor Ron Dellums or skip that space on the ballot, but after tonight I almost feel like joining the Republican party. I don't agree with one thing in their platform, but at least they run on shiny objects and straw men. It may be a corrupt and racist platform, but it is championed and spun for all to see. I have no idea what Mr. Houser or Ms. Stephens plan to do if either are elected to the District in November. It is extremely disheartening for the Democrats to not take into account the merits of the candidates or require some policy discussions or promises and instead they picked someone based on political favoritism. I miss the days of politicians pretending that they wanted to solve promises by starting sentences with, "If elected, I promise to..."
Brian Davis
I know, a bitter BS rant from a sore loser. But c'mon, no mention poverty when you are asking to serve in elected office in one of the poorest cities in America?
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