Cleveland Ohio is ranked as one of the poorest major metropolitan cities in the nation.  And it did not get this way on its own.

Cleveland City Councilman Zack Reed just recently completed alcohol rehabilitation, which was the result of his drunken driving charge.  According to this article (good mug shot of him as well), this was his second alcohol related offense in three years.

Martin J. Sweeney, Cleveland City Council President, was accused of sexual harassment by Clerk Emily Lipovan.  The City of Cleveland has reportedly agreed to settle the sexual harassment claim for $60,000.  More information regarding Martin J. Sweeney and the sexual harassment claim can be found here.

And recently Joe Santiago, Ward 14 Councilman, defeated a recall attempt.  It’s important to note that he is the City of Cleveland’s first openly gay Councilman.And just for the record, my title “Drunks and Perverts Rule City Council” is not targeted towards Santiago.  Even though his sexual preference differs from my beliefs, this blog entry is not meant to debate ones sexual preferences.  My reference to him illustrates the turmoil in Cleveland’s leadership.

If you follow the news, you will see the Cleveland is indeed in a crisis.  It’s not just lost jobs and home foreclosures hurting Cleveland.  It’s the failed leadership, which from my point of view is the worst I have ever witnessed in Cleveland.

Cleveland City Council members earn roughly $70,000 a year to represent their wards.  Whether they are drunk behind the wheel of a car or harassing employees sexually, it all pays the same.  The sad part is that the public does not seem to care about it at all.  There is no talk of recalling these two deviant Council members.  The worst immediate political ramifications is that Sweeney may lose his Council Presidency.  That’s a great start, but how about tossing him and Reed out of office completely?  Do Clevelander’s really want to be represented by drunks and thugs?

There has been a lot of talk lately about regionalism.  I ask any sane person, who would want to pool resources with a city run by drunks and sexual perverts?
   

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