Reporters’ Roundtable Takes on County Reform

Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Embed Audio

Download MP3

Both sides of the debate over issues five and six say the time for reform has come. They just don't agree on how to do it or when. On November 3, Cuyahoga County voters may adopt a new county-executive form of government, or may seat a commission charged with drafting a reform charter by the end of next year, or both, or neither. The racially charged fight in the midst of a major corruption investigation has implications for all of Northeast Ohio. Thursday morning at 9, join Dan Moulthrop as the weekly reporters' roundtable takes on the politics of county reform.

Guests

Dan Bobkoff politics reporter, 90.3 WCPN ideastream®
Erick Trickey Senior Editor, Cleveland Magazine
Laura Johnston The Plain Dealer

Additional Information

Proposed Cuyahoga County charter
Pro Issue 5 Charter Commission slate
Pro Issue 6 Charter Commission slate

Please follow our community discussion rules when composing your comments.

Bert 9:28 AM 10/22/09

Ms. Johnson claims we wouldn’t be talking about county government reform were it not for the corruption. This just isn’t true when recent history is considered. There have several reform studies mandated and conducted for Cuyahoga County over the past 20 years, with the most recent one being completed within the last two years. The reasons for this interest in reform are manifest - regional economic decline, unaccountable and ineffective leadership and yes, corruption. This latter factor is a catalyst to be sure, but not the principle reason for reform movements. Commissioner Jones himself has said that he desires reform - and has desired reform for many years.

Guy Williams 9:57 AM 10/22/09

What happen if the public voted no on both issues 5 and 6 for county reform? I don’t trust either issues because of the recent county government scandals. I would encourage people to vote against both issues 5 and 6 because they are playing to the fears of the public.