WVIZ/PBS ideastream®: Road to Reform
WVIZ/PBS ideastream joins forces with The Plain Dealer and WKYC to present Road to Reform, analysis and discussion of two ballot initiatives aimed at remaking the government of Cuyahoga County. Issue 5 calls for creation of a charter commission whose mission will be to draft a charter form of government and present it to the voters by the end of next year. Issue 6 proposes replacing the county commissioners and most county officers with an elected county executive, an 11-member council and officers to be appointed by the executive. Voters will also choose a charter commission from an alphabetical list of 29 candidates.
Road to Reform panelists will discuss the genesis of Issues 5 and 6 and describe what happens after November 3rd if either, both or neither pass. They’ll also have a look at the eleven geographical districts passage of Issue 6 would create. And they’ll discuss how similar reforms have worked elsewhere in the United States. It’s our hope the program will provide you with the facts you need to make an informed decision.
View the Program
Play Intro & Background
Dick Feagler & Tom Beres set-up the premise and purpose of this half-hour special then Tom presents a pre-produced, packaged segment that provides background and context to the two country reform proposals that will be on the ballot this November.
Play Issue 5
Dick and Tom introduce panelists – Plain Dealer reporters Laura Johnston and Mark Naymik and Hiram College political science professor Jason Johnson and then discuss and analyze the following concerning Issue 5; what is it?, the history and people behind it, who supports the idea, what are the critics of Issue 5 saying?, past efforts to reform county government, and why voters who vote NO on Issue 5 should still select a slate of names to serve on the charter commission.
Play Issue 6
Dick, Tom and panelists discuss and analyze the following concerning Issue 6: what is it?, Summit County has a similar structure – what can we learn from our neighbors to the south?, history and people behind Issue 6, what influence will it have on representation (specifically African American, Hispanic and Republican)?, economic development and regionalism, speculation on who might be the first county executive.
Play Conclusion
Dick, Tom and panelists discuss what will likely happen if Issue 5 wins, Issue 6 wins, the both win, or they both get defeated.
