Mayor Norton Can't Fend Off Press Forever, Losing Control of Euclid Traffic Light Story

"It's not about money, it's about safety," East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton reportedly told WEWS Channel 5 reporter Michael Baldwin Tuesday night, when confronted about the blinking red traffic light at Euclid Avenue and Forest Hills Boulevard.

That light, which residents claim is unsafe, has been in "flash mode" since November, according to Councilman Nathaniel Martin. Many have assumed that's a deliberate Norton strategy to generate income for cash-poor East Cleveland. 

Baldwin hunted Norton down (via shouting match?) after the Tuesday meeting, and though he managed to have a conversation, all Norton's remarks transpired "off-camera."  

Baldwin said that Norton admitted the flashing red lights can be used to generate revenue, but then weirdly made the safety comment.  But if he's so concerned about safety, why not just turn the flash mode off?  

Here's the Channel 5 vid, courtesy of 44112.com.