With voters approving Issue 6 by a 2 to 1 margin, a new era begins in Cuyahoga County government. The three county commissioners will be replaced by a county executive and an 11-member council. And, many of the currently elected offices like the treasurer and coroner, will become new appointed positions under the executive. Now, that it’s law, the transition begins.
Judy Rawson is an Issue 6 co-chair.
RAWSON: The immediate first step is to work with a broad group to articulate standards that we want, both for the behavior of our leaders, the focus of our government, and standards of a government in which we can be proud.
Members of Issue 5, which failed, are already offering to become a part of that broad group working on the new government. Issue 5 was the competing reform plan that would have created a panel to study reform for another year. It got only 28% of the vote. Issue 5 supporter Ron Johnson says he agrees that it’s time to think about what kind of leaders the county needs, and he wants to be part of that process.
JOHNSON: Now is the time to not focus so much on differences, but now is the time to come together so we can make as smooth an implementation as possible.
Candidates will have a while to get ready. There will be a primary election for county office next September, with the finalists making it to the November ballot. The final winners will take office in January 2011.