Endorsement for Mayor of Cleveland

On Monday Jun 26, 2017 I had the opportunity to attend the Mayoral Forum sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus and the Ward 14 Democratic Club at the VFW on West 61st Street in Clark-Fulton. I’ve since attended most of the other forums as well.

Of all the candidates present at the event the one that caught my attention was former East Cleveland Mayor Eric Brewer. He was the only one who appeared to have a true grasp of the issues concerning Cleveland combined with a positive track record to validate his claims. He comes across as someone who chooses to be a statesman rather than a politician. This combined with his intelligence, charisma and burning desire to serve the citizens of Cleveland makes him the ideal successor to soon to be former Mayor Frank Jackson. Frankly, he is the only candidate taking this election seriously.

Contrary to what the media and his opponents would like the public to believe Eric only appears to grow angry at two things. One, when he is falsely accused of something and two, with the rampant injustice that pervades the City of Cleveland. Just as with Eric I am not satisfied with the performance of the Cleveland Schools and its inability to teach our children the basics of reading, writing, speaking and listening. I am not satisfied with the anemic job growth in Cleveland especially the blown opportunity of failing to land the Amazon Fulfillment Center which ended up in North Randal. I am not satisfied with the lack of discipline and training in our police department resulting in the unnecessary deaths of Cleveland citizens when it clearly could have been prevented. I am not satisfied when Cleveland is ranked at the top of the list in poverty while crime is rampant in our city. I am not satisfied with the catering to owners of sports teams by Cleveland officials when they know in their own conscience it is the wrong thing to do.

I believe it is time to get the City of Cleveland moving again. We have stagnated for the last 12 years under a political philosophy of "it is what it is". Never let it be said that this was the time the tide ran out on Cleveland but rather was the time the tide finally came in. Eric Brewer is that tide and represents the pro-active change Cleveland needs during these challenging times. Right now Cleveland is a ship without a captain {and a rudder as well}. Eric Brewer will be that captain if voters make the right choice on September 12, 2017 {my 54th birthday}.

Joe Bialek

Cleveland