Momentum toward a merger of East Cleveland and Cleveland has increased. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that two prominent Cleveland City Councilmen have suggested that serious efforts to study the possibility of a merger be undertaken. At this time the Mayors of both cities have spoken in favor of a merger but spokesmen for the East Cleveland City Council have spoken out against it. Cleveland City Council President, Kevin Kelley and Cleveland Mayor, Frank Jackson have asked the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University to assist in their study of a possible merger of the two cities.
This blog first suggested the need for a merger back in September 2012. The issue heated up in November 2013 when former Cleveland City Council President spoke in favor of merger. Reaction to my initial suggestion and my recent posting about the issue has been mixed. One of the readers of this blog states, "I
don't see the advantages of being the bottom of Cleveland". Most readers of this blog remember the East Cleveland, which existed during the 1940s, 50s and 60s. We remember a well managed community with great economic resources. Unfortunately that situation does not exist today. East Cleveland needs help from its larger neighbor to maintain the remaining assets and develop more assets in the future. If handled correctly, a merger would be a win win proposition for both community s.
Here is a link to the Plain Dealer article:
