Green Party Candidate David Ellison Answers Observer County Executive Questions

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you’d hope to accomplish during your term in office?  

A.  An energy upgrade on all county-owned buildings to make them more energy-efficient with procedures for evaluation. 
B.  A county-wide land use and management plan that successfully engages all the municipalities. 
C.  A Laborers and Artisan Corps of suburban and inner city youth, 16-60 resulting in tangible, ecologically sensitive capital improvements to our built environment. 
D.  A state chartered Bank of Cuyahoga County, dedicated to investing in the county, prohibited from selling mortgages, trading in derivatives and committing usury.

2.) What do you regard as the major challenges that must be met in order for the new system of county government to succeed?

We have to be able to communicate with each other. We have to respect each other and the good work that we each bring to the table to solve problems. We have to leave egos and petty politics at the door and work together in a civil way.

3.) How do you define good government?

Consistent application of the law. Fairness in its treatment of citizens. Swift justice. Open meetings and transparency of government functions. A culture of honesty and ethical behavior in service to the community. Fair elections and election process, public debates.

4.) Do you believe the new County Executive/Council structure can put an end to the corruption and patronage that have dominated news headlines for the past several years?

It depends on who is elected. The structure by itself has no power to end the corruption and patronage. Scrambling the lines of accountability and giving more unbridled power to an already corrupt system may be a mistake. The Council will need to figure out who it is and figure out how to work with the Executive to provide effective accountability, collaboration, checks and balances – the Charter as written is extremely weak in this area and does not provide for easy, effective citizen participation.

5.) Under the new charter, several top county officials who in the past were directly elected by the voters will now be appointees chosen and approved by the new Executive and County Council. Do you see that as a positive step?  

Yes.

6.) What approach would you take to working with the new County Council to keep lines of communication open in order to achieve consensus on major county wide objectives?

The door to my office will always be open to any Council member who wants to come talk to me. The Executive is not included in the Council's proceedings. The Council can ratify the Executive's decisions, appointments and recommendations, or it can try to fight the Executive's decisions. My approach will be to do the job the Charter sets out for the Executive in a way that includes the Council's recommendations when appropriate. I will present my executive decisions to the Council in a way that is clearly justified and understandable.

7.) When will Cuyahoga County voters know if the new government structure is working as envisioned—and how will they know?

I envision the new structure being conducive to collaborative problem-solving. I want the wisdom of each of the council members and appointees and interested citizens to contribute to the decision-making process of the new government.  The new structure will work when it balances its budgets, provides necessary and expected services and regains the confidence of the public. The ultimate success of the new government structure will be measured in how it fulfills the stated goals of prosperity for all county residents.

8.) Do you believe the new structure has the potential to spark economic growth and job creation in Northeast Ohio? If so, how might that happen?

It's possible if we stop sending our money away and utilize strategies for keeping more of our money circulating in the local economy. We need to build our capabilities for self-reliance. We need to utilize the land, buildings, natural resources and human resources of Cuyahoga County for the benefit of Cuyahoga County and its residents. We need to find ways for people to gain more financial independence.

9.) There has been much talk about “regionalization” as a mechanism to improve government efficiency—and hopefully, reduce the tax burden on the citizens of Cuyahoga County. Do you view the new government structure as a positive step toward achieving these goals?

Only in as far as it enables the citizens and government officials of the county and its municipalities to consider themselves as part of a larger community.

10.) In your analysis of Issue 6—the charter amendment that ushered in the sweeping changes in county government -–what did you find to be its strong points? And what, if any, weaknesses did you detect?

Strong point: Consolidation of responsibilities.
Weak point: Inappropriate concentration of power without adequate checks and balances.

11.)  Do you see a need for further “tinkering” with the County Charter to improve prospects for a successful transition? If so, what changes would you hope to see incorporated?

I'd like to see the council chosen at large in a system of preferential or "Instant runoff voting, where even if your first choice didn't win a seat, your second choice might. Candidates would be elected if they received a "modicum of support".

Questions developed by John Sheridan, courtesy of the Euclid Observer.