If you saw the photo of the Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson in the Plain Dealer this week, you may have noticed something different about him. It appeared he was actually speaking (you know, like, moving his lips, putting vowels and syllables together to form these crazy things called words). In most cities, the mayor addressing the public isn’t news. In some places, it’s actually part of the job description. But here in Cleveland, the land of opportunity, even a guy in a coma can rise to the top.
Yet Jackson felt the need to break his silence yesterday, after 12-year-old Asteve Thomas, nicknamed “Cookie,” died from a stray bullet wound to her neck during a gun-battle in Slavic Village. The tragedy comes on the heels of one of the bloodiest summers on record in the city.
Jackson’s taken a lot of heat for his approach to combating the murder spike. He curiously hypothesized that the increase in killings was due to a shortage of cocaine on the streets, a theory endorsed by 9 out of 10 crack-dealing murderers. His comment to the Plain Dealer yesterday wasn’t much better:
“If you took some of the crime in this city and put in anywhere else outside of Cleveland, those places would be wiped out,” Jackson said. “The residents here are strong.”
Jackson quickly corrected himself after speaking, however, clarifying that he meant to specify that the residents here who are still alive are strong. As far as a plan of action, however, Jackson remained mum. While other cities like Chicago — where getting murdered doesn’t rank among the top 10 activities next to sailing and rollerblading — have employed tactics like allowing people to report crimes online, Jackson has rejected a similar plan for Cleveland. It would deter people from reporting the crimes, he told the Plain Dealer reporter, before, no doubt, nodding off for an afternoon nap. He’d had a long day. — Jared Klaus
This article appears in Sep 5-11, 2007.
I just feel that he should get help with his speeches. Just Miss USA got helped with the question she got wrong on stage, the second time a round. Also listen to statement that aired on the radio, he knows that there is a problem, has solution to the problem, but has done nothing to solve the problem. This is his words, not mine. Doesn’t make since.