One big question mark hanging over this election was --- to what extent could Republicans or independents break into the Democratic stronghold of Cuyahoga County? The last Republican elected to a non-judicial county office was former commissioner Jim Petro back in the early ‘90s.
Though 8 Democrats will dominate the new County council, there will also be three GOP members sitting at the table. Dave Greenspan bested Democrat Nicole Dailey Jones in the contest for the far west District 1 seat. In nearby District 5, Michael Gallagher defeated Ann Marie Donegan. And along the far eastern edge of the county, Jack Schron beat Frederick Taft. Schron says one of the biggest challenges facing him and his new colleagues is to overcome the public's cynicism about county government
SCHRON: I think there's still a belief that things are not going to change --- a little bit of the Eyore approach. And I think that we DO have the ability to restore the county to its greatness.
Democrat Chuck Germana of Parma who won the south suburban District 4 county council seat says transparency will be key to restoring trust in government.
GERMANA: We are going to be under a magnifying glass. I hope everyone takes this serious. I certainly do.
