With the decision of first-term Ward 7 Councilperson Basheer Jones to seek higher office in this year’s primary election, voters in his ward are faced with the choice of a replacement in November. Out of 11 candidates in the September primary, two candidates were clearly ahead of the pack — State Representative Stephanie Howse and former councilman, T. J. Dow.
Howse, currently in the Ohio House of Representatives, served in Cleveland City Council after the death of long time Councilwoman Fannie Lewis and deserves to resume that position.
Dow was first elected in 2013 but lost to Jones in 2017. According to Scene Magazine’s Sam Allard, as he was about to leave office, Dow attempted to transfer more than $700,000 of his ward’s funds to now-convicted Councilman Ken Johnson’s Ward 4. He suggested that the funds go to Johnson’s Ward 4 recreation center. In what the late Mansfield Frazier described as a “desperate attempt at pettiness and folly,” Dow sought to deprive the citizens of his ward of money that could be used for development in Ward 7 in an attempted act of revenge against the voters who defeated him. For this reason alone, voters should reject Dow.
With the growth of the MidTown Corridor, League Park, a new Cleveland Public Library at 66th and Lexington, plans for the 66th Street Corridor, Asia Village and developments in the adjoining University Circle, Cleveland Clinic and downtown, Ward 7 is much more than what has been traditionally identified as the Hough neighborhood. It needs a councilperson with vision not just for Ward 7, but for the entire east side and the city as a whole. It needs someone who can work with other councilpersons and the new administration to improve our neighborhoods and our city, and deal with the problems of education and health care that have plagued inner-city neighborhoods for generations.
Howse, who has a degree from Florida A&M in civil engineering and a MA from Cleveland State in environmental studies, has the background and experience needed to continue the development of the ward. She is an experienced legislator in both Cleveland City Council and the Ohio House of Representatives.
Voters have an important choice to make. Do they go back to the past or do they move forward with a younger generation of leadership that will guide their neighborhood into the 21st century. They can do that with Stephanie Howse. She deserves their vote.
Elect Stephanie Howse in Cleveland City Council Ward 7 on November 2.
C. Ellen Connally is a retired judge of the Cleveland Municipal Court. From 2010 to 2014 she served as the President of the Cuyahoga County Council. An avid reader and student of American history, she serves on the Board of the Ohio History Connection, is currently vice president of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers and Sailors Monument Commission and president of the Cleveland Civil War Round Table. She holds degrees from BGSU, CSU and is all but dissertation for a PhD from the University of Akron.
3 Responses to “Stephanie Howse for City Council in Cleveland Ward 7 by C. Ellen Connally”
Alice Gould Butts
YES!!!
Angela Margerum
I am for Stephanie. She has done lots for the youth in CMSD schools. She believes in them…and that is rare these days. A lot of people are all talk and are not true concerned about the youth in the city – but she is. As an Youth Services Librarian, I have attended events where she has spoken, so I knew I was going to ride with Stephanie as soon as she announced that she would be running for Ward 7. I live in Ward 7 and I serve youth who attend John Hay & CSA. Best to Steph!!!
Pamela Eley
I will like to know how to apply for the new development on 88 between Chester and wade park please Ms Howes