Cuyahoga County Executive Candidate Ken Lanci - Independent
Biographical information on this page has been gathered from The Plain Dealer and the candidate's Web site. It is provided solely as a service for visitors to our site. As such, the Greater Cleveland Partnership cannot and does not attempt to independently verify or make any claim to the accuracy or completeness of the information.
Questions from the GCP
The Greater Cleveland Partnership asked each of the County Executive candidates to respond to the questions below. The answers are posted as provided, without edits.
Economic development is important to the GCP. How would you forge better public/private relationship in moving the county forward?
As the leading private sector candidate, I have the greatest ability to forge better private/public partnerships. I have been creating jobs in Northeast Ohio for more than 40 years. Our business community will work with me to leverage our existing assets, the $6 billion in new investments on the books, and to create new projects.
You have gotten nothing but talk from the politicians about economic development. Money is sitting on the sidelines and investment is going elsewhere while the politicians go back and forth on the issue.
When you elect me, you elect a real business leader. I will not convene grand summits with little purpose and no follow up. My leadership is a daily and engaged leadership. The partnership begins during the transition and does not end. We will have true and lasting partnerships with specific agenda items, achievable goals, and frequent communication. Jobs & Progress is not just a slogan. It’s how I have run a business as an Executive for four decades.
What are your plans for implementing the recommendations offered by the County Government Reform transition teams?
My plans for implementing the TAG recommendations will be the first major accomplishment of the new government. I have read the report, will add my own private sector touch and submit to the Council for review.
Without question, I will put my own stamp on this report. We cannot start out perpetuating some of the same old problems in the new government. While I am mostly happy with the report, I can say the salaries of some of the key jobs are way out of line with reality.
I do want County Council to scrutinize the proposals and deliberate on this. I plan to add efficiencies and cost savings from the outset and will invite the business community and public to assist us. We must get this right from the beginning.
How do you see the role of the County Executive in working with state and federal lawmakers?
Our county and state are not getting their money’s worth from the state and federal governments. A major focus of my new administration will be to work much more closely with our delegation, having specific and mutually agreed upon aims. Let’s face it, we are in great danger of further hurting our social services and economic development with the $8 billion fireball coming from Columbus, due to lack of leadership.
I would also like to work more closely with GCP, the City of Cleveland, and the Mayors and Managers Association to develop a meaningful agenda, which we all work to lobby for in Columbus and Washington. I also plan to work with all boards and commissions to be on the same page and to protect each other. We can no longer work at cross purposes. We must speak with one unified voice and ensure that our legislators are serving our interests. Look at the success of the Montgomery County delegation and how it works together with business. We see how a county and its legislative delegation and business community can work together for mutual benefit.
As an Independent, I have the best chance of being successful. Unlike the partisan candidates, no opposing political party elected official at any level will be automatically opposed to working with me. As an Independent, I can work with everyone because I have the true interests of the community at heart, and have no partisan baggage or aspirations which threaten Columbus or Washington.
Lastly, I would like to re-examine the county’s whole lobbying strategy. We are clearly not getting the job done. Now, more than ever, we need to get the job done and then some.
Did you support Issue 6? In 75 words or less, explain why or why not?
I supported Issue 6. Its passage provided the opportunity for my candidacy. Elect me, an executive, for County Executive. I have the exact skills required for this job. The charter requires merger and acquisition experience, strong Chief Operating Officer experience, and ethical and job creating experience. I have it. Restructuring our government into one which sets the stage for progress, will be the best thing to ever happen to our region. This signifies our region’s rebirth.