Cool Cleveland: Why do you think Democrat Tim Hagan is running against you for County Commissioner?
TM: A variety of reasons: he has nothing else to do, to be blunt about it. I think it's old school versus new school. One of the primary reasons people want to defeat me is because I have become much more comfortable with a bottom-up approach, building human resources rather than one building downtown. Their only major agenda item was a convention center, and I think that misrepresented the community. I think that confused some business leaders. We need a sense of where we're going. We're no longer competitive without building those areas of interest to human beings. [We have to offer] a sense of opportunities here. That has to be turned around. When you talk that way, it perplexes the bankers that are behind him.
There are reports of business interests backing Hagan—who do you think is backing Hagan?
TM: It starts with David Daberko [Chairman and CEO of National City] because he headed up the convention center initiative and he's disgusted with elected officials and went after the first one available. I don't know who has stepped out to support him [Hagan]. I believe I'm a better commissioner than he would be.
What's your opinion of the proposal to replace the 3 County Commissioners with a Chief Executive and an 11-member council, which was proposed by the Republican party and has support from the Citizens League, the Cleveland Bar Association and the League of Women Voters?
TM: I think a Chief Executive may be much better for the region. It is essentially a Northeast Ohio mayor, assuming you elect the right person, strong and effective. Then the County government would take on preeminence in regional planning. Pittsburgh & Chicago have gone to that plan. The concept of 11 commissioners is at least 2 to 3 times too large. It is a political response to allow a lot of people to be elected. Columbus has 7 councilpersons. I would recommend 5 council members. [Appointed] Coroner, Clerk of Courts, and a combined Auditor/Treasurer/Recorder - those moves make a lot of sense. I'm actively interested in looking at the reform plan. It would have been a lot better had it come with a broad-based consensus. Those things that start on a fractured basis have some trouble getting ahead.
Have you heard of any meetings scheduled to discuss this proposal?
TM: There is a meeting on January 15 at the law firm Bricker, Eckler. [See Cool Cleveland for details].
Has there been any progress on the Economic Development levy scheduled for the March ballot?
TM: Right before we broke for the holiday, it may have been Christmas Eve, there had been a session with CPAC [Community Partnership for Arts and Culture]. The next step was [CPAC president] Tom Shorgl & company are to get back to us to give their assessment of the primary proponents. There was a request from Dimora to see if there will be funding for a campaign. We will assess where we are in the process. I strongly favor proceeding. I believe that [Peter Lawson] Jones favors proceeding. We can build a sense of enthusiasm."
Is there a question as to whether the arts community can raise enough money for the levy to succeed?
TM: Commissioner Jimmy Dimora asked that question of the arts community, so that we would know if we could proceed at 100% speed. I don't want to introduce doubt, but there was some concern that if we went to the second election in the Fall of 2004, that might be better. On the ballot [in the Fall], will be the Cleveland Schools with a significant levy, we don't know the outcome of the Health and Human Services levy scheduled for March 2. If it doesn't pass, we'll have to come back in the Fall. Lakewood Schools is looking at a levy. Of course it's a Presidential race. Smart people think that the primary voter is the more dedicated voter, and that the arts issue would do better in March."
Have you made progress on determining how the economic development portion of the new levy would be distributed?
TM: We have a very well-spelled-out means of distribution of the currently-budgeted money, and I would expect that we would follow the same approach. Revolving loans, innovative start-ups and brownfields programs are set aside in current budget for arts programming that are encouraging visitation to the community."
Have the Commissioners passed a resolution indicating how much of the money this levy raises would be dedicated to the arts & culture?
TM: As for the resolution, I have yet to see that resolution. It would have to come about by our next meeting on January 12. The 50/50 number we all agreed on is the one we'd stay with. [50% to economic development initiatives, and 50% for arts and culture] There is verbal agreement to that among the 3 commissioners. The arts program would probably come to us for oversight of public funds, just as the economic development loan group does. We almost never turn down their recommendations. The community has to understand the use of that money, and if the community votes to accept that, we won't be second guessing. I have my favorites, which are 3 or 4 festivals, and I hope those ideas float for the sake of the community. I can say I like the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, I hear that every year. I hear about the August Lakefront Jazz Festival in Chicago. And we have the Cleveland International Piano Competition. Then you think about everything from Playhouse Square to University Circle to near West side. The other thing I have shared: the Murray Hill art walk, and studios in Tremont. I favor reviewing this: having a major real estate presence for artisans where we can watch them work and purchase from them, this would be very exciting. There would be a place that would become self-supporting in terms of artwork in this town. West Virginia has a similar thing sponsored by the state. Think of the Warehouse District, a place that was known for housing artists of all sort, if we could subsidize the rent, that would be good for long-term investment.
Note: On Wed 1/7, a draft copy of the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture's recommendations on public arts funding can be found for public review at www.Support Artsand Culture?.org. A public meeting to discuss the recommendations has been set for Thu 1/15 at 3:30PM at Rehearsal Hall A of the Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Avenue, with free parking. Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the discussion.
Interview by Thomas Mulready (:divend:)