Monday on the "Sound of Ideas," we're joined by Sandra Morgan, Interim Mayor of East Cleveland.
Morgan was appointed in late February following the suspension of Mayor Brandon King.
King faces a felony trial this spring on corruption-related charges—just one piece of the broader political and financial turmoil that has gripped East Cleveland for years.
A longtime public servant and former Director of Outreach at Kent State University, Morgan is now tasked with stabilizing a city mired in deep fiscal crisis, ongoing legal battles, and a deeply fractured local government.
She steps into office at a time when the city is carrying tens of millions in unpaid legal judgments, struggling to rebuild a depleted police force, and working to overcome years of dysfunction between the mayor's office and city council.
We'll talk with Interim Mayor Morgan about how she's approaching these challenges, the steps she's already taken, and her vision for the city's future.
Later in the hour, we're joined by environmental activists Eddie Olschansky and Elaine Marsh to talk about the state of our rivers, the power of individual action and what it means to be a steward of our shared environment.
For many, the Cuyahoga River is a symbol of environmental rebirth—a once-polluted waterway that sparked a national movement.
But for many environmental activists, the river is also a daily workspace.
Known locally as the "Trash Fish," Eddie Olschansky has spent the better part of the last decade paddling through the river in a kayak, pulling thousands of pounds of plastic, debris, and forgotten waste from its waters.
What began as a one-man effort has since evolved into a nonprofit—TrashFish—dedicated to reducing pollution and engaging the public in conversations about environmental responsibility.
For over four decades, Elaine Marsh has been a driving force behind the restoration and protection of one of Ohio's most iconic waterways.
From co-founding Friends of the Crooked River to leading dam removal efforts and shaping statewide trail and waterway policy, Marsh's work has left a lasting impact on both the environment and the communities who cherish it. Marsh now serves as a watershed specialist with Summit Metro Parks.
Guests:
- Sandra Morgan, Interim Mayor, East Cleveland
- Eddie Olschansky, Founder, Trash Fish
- Elaine Marsh, Watershed Specialist, Summit Metro Parks
