Tue 8/17 @ 7:30-9PM
Wed 8/18 @ 7PM
In the 16 years Frank Jackson has been mayor of Cleveland, he’s seemed to become progressively more disengaged from the community, and voters seemed to become disengaged from the races.
It’s hard to say whether his declining to run for a fifth term, which attracted a wildly diverse field of seven candidates, ranging from a 33-year-old blank slate to a 74-year-old former mayor, will change things but it should: it’s the first time in a long time that voters of Cleveland have had an actual choice. A primary on September 14 will cull the field to the top two.
There are plenty of opportunities from people to learn about the candidates, engage with them and assess them, and it’s to be hoped that many will do so.
On Tuesday August 17, the City Club of Cleveland will be holding the second of its two debates. It will focus on questions submitted by voters on the topics of education, jobs, the economy, environmental issues and transportation. The debate will be aired live from the Westfield Studi Theatre on 90.3 WCPN, WVIZ PBS and at cityclub.org.
On Wednesday 8/18 Next Broadway has invited the candidates to forum called “Addressing the Future of the City: Safety, Health, Education, Environment, Economic development, Neighborhood Revitalization.” It starts at 6:45pm with a meet-and-greet with refreshments. It will follow the League of Women Voters guidelines for candidate meetings: candidates must appear in person — no surrogates allowed; the absence of any particular candidate will not cancel the forum; a timekeeper will be present; a table will be set up for candidate literature; and security will be on hand. Slavic Village Community Steward and Cleveland EducatorJoy Cummings moderates. It takes place outdoors on the grounds of the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus in Slavic Village.