March 4th will be an historic day, as redrawn boundaries assure an African-American woman will serve on Euclid's next city council. But will she be the only black person, or one of several?
After the Department of Justice sued the city in July 2006, charging that Euclid's at-large voting system diluted voting strength of the city's 30% black residents, last November's election was canceled. Eight new wards were then drawn, two specifically crafted to create black majorities.
The result is that after no black council candidates ran in 2005, this year there are eight, running for seats in four city wards. In Ward Three, both candidates are African American.
Rose Allen: In most cases, black candidates are running in areas that are predominantly black. That is not what Martin Luther King (Jr.) had envisioned in his dream, that we would... based on color.
Seven of nine current council members are seeking to retain their seats. All are opposed in their races. Three of them face black candidates.
Euclid will be the only local municipality to hold council elections March 4th - among the county, state and federal elections.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.