Two local advocacy groups intend to pull petitions to recall Mayor Frank Jackson in response to what they call “ineffective leadership” and a “lack of concern for Cleveland neighborhoods.”
Al Porter of Black on Black Crime Inc., and Jeff Mixon of Black Lives Matter in Cuyahoga County — unaffiliated with the national Black Lives Matter movement and its local chapter, Black Lives Matter Cleveland — submitted a list of demands in an affidavit yesterday that included implementing a jobs program for teens, lowering property taxes for low- and middle-income residents, funding initiatives to combat bullying and domestic violence, and complying with the recommendations of the Cleveland Lead Safe Network. An affidavit of this sort, outlining the reasons for the recall attempt, is required by city charter.
These demands were addressed not only to Jackson but to the “corporate entities” of Cuyahoga County, with whom the advocacy organizations say they have lost patience.
The Jackson recall is being positioned as the first in a series of efforts to oust local leaders who have lost touch with the community, including Congresswoman Marcia Fudge and Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. (Budish may be recalled in a similar fashion, but there is no mechanism for an electoral recall of members of the U.S Congress.)
Mixon, in a speech posted to Facebook, above, calls many of Cleveland’s leaders “tried and true sellouts” from the black community who have been installed by business leaders for decades.
A devout Seventh Day Adventist, Mixon said that he was animated by the teachings of Jesus Christ, including the directive to love one’s neighbors. “One of the ways we love our neighbors is by demanding better government,” he said.
Mixon said that he and other activists have tried to hold elected leaders accountable in many ways for years, but that black leaders have taken advantage of their positions of authority, recognizing that historically oppressed black communities are “just so happy to see black faces” in power that they’re less likely to hold them accountable.
He said the endorsement process in Cuyahoga County was corrupt and ineffective, and that even if the Jackson recall drive was ultimately unsuccessful, the goal was to send a message that the community is fed up.
“We are tired of leadership that serves corporate Cleveland and corporate Cuyahoga while ignoring the needs of the people who put them in office,” Mixon concluded.
The Cleveland affidavit turns out to have been invalid because Al Porter is not a Cleveland resident, but the groups will submit a new one shortly. They will then have 30 days to collect 12,160 signatures from residents who voted in the 2017 mayoral election.
Cleveland.com notes that no recall petition has been successful in Cleveland’s history, including an effort to remove Frank Jackson in 2015. That effort failed after organizers were unable to submit the required number of valid signatures.
This article appears in Jan 9-15, 2019.
Well its about time!!! Once Taxin Jackson has been finally shown the door, we can then rescind the massive, 50% income tax increase that was somehow narrowly passed two years ago, that weve seen absolutely no results from, except lower take-home pay!!!
At the same time, lets recall thief Armand Budish, for his nonstop financial mismanagement and down right theft of tax payer money!!! Then we can rescind his latest massive property tax hike!!!
Both of these thieves ought to be sent right to jail for their constant shenanigans in this corrupt, high-taxed County!!!
The action by these 2 groups should be lauded. The true action needs to be taken by the voters in Cleveland by signing the recall petitions then going to the polls to have the individuals removed from office.
First, Jackson’s time has come and passed him by. His ultimate failure was surrounding himself by a collection of people that have no concept of what public service entails, coupled with the most important fact that they have no idea of what they are doing. They are nothing by long term folks that are hanging on because they would have no value within the private sector. Secondly, Frank is way to loyal to a fault. Mess up, he moves or even promotes you.
When you are approached to sign the recall petitions. Sign them for and to you benefit.
Good.
Why waste the time and energy. The real Black leadership in the Black community will squash this effort like the nuisance it is. This group is trying to play in the political game without an offense, defense or players at the skill positions.
Its not about Trump. Its about CLEVELAND. Mayor/Player Jackson and Budish. This man had me, all in, until he diverted to Trump. Unfortunately, he misdirected the attention off things the people of Cleveland can control and went off the deep end. Sad.