Cleveland’s new Ward 7 runs from Tremont through Ohio City to Detroit-Shoreway. It also includes a stretch of the city’s downtown lakefront.

Voters will decide between Austin Davis and Mohammad Faraj in the Nov. 4 election.

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

I am a public servant at heart, and I’ve had the honor of serving in City Hall as a lawyer and policy advisor under Mayor Justin Bibb. It was the highlight of my career to have a City of Cleveland employee ID badge–to wake up every morning finding new ways to serve my home, my family, my neighbors, and the city that I love. Every big achievement takes a team, but I led on initiatives that brought in resources to take illegal guns off our streets, invested in transit and housing, took the fight to out-of-state slumlords, and defended workers’ rights.

Before that, I was an attorney at a major Cleveland law firm, where I had the privilege of representing a number of pro-bono local immigration clients against the federal government and private prisons.

I’ve also served as the co-chair of my block club, South of Jefferson in Tremont. It gave me a front-row seat to the power of neighbors getting together and the importance of responsive local government.

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

First: street safety and traffic calming. Everyone, from 8 weeks to 80 years old, deserves to feel safe crossing the street in our walkable neighborhoods. But with our traffic–and our high number of freeway exits–we’re not there yet. It’s absolutely worth celebrating that the city deployed its first speed tables last year, and we’re ready to see efforts like those accelerated and expanded. That includes additional traffic-calming tools like roundabouts, curb extensions, and raised crosswalks.

Second: the housing crisis. Prices on the Near West Side are high, and that’s impacting all of us: growing families that need another bedroom, workers who want to live near transit, seniors aging in place, young adults looking for a first apartment, long-time residents struggling with property taxes, and empty nesters aiming to downsize without leaving the neighborhood. I believe we need more housing–affordable, public, and market-rate. An increased supply and a strong diversity of housing options are needed to ensure that our community can remain a home for folks from all backgrounds and maintain its unmatched vibrancy.

And third: the basics. The daily experience of living in this city is what makes a family’s decisions to stay here, or to leave. We have to keep the power on, the streetlights lit, and the streets plowed. And we can make it easier for folks to request a new trash can, or to get a permit to fix their own front porch. Because when we invest in the basics, we can improve life for everyone–equitably and sustainably. That’s why I’m committed to fighting for the high-quality services that all our Ward 7 residents deserve. And when those services miss a step, that’s why I’m just as committed to fighting for long-term solutions: to ensure that better services are delivered tomorrow.

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

I would prioritize investing in traffic calming measures. In 2024, according to Bike Cleveland’s crash report analysis, cars hit 603 people while walking or biking in Cleveland, with our Near West Side neighborhoods disproportionately impacted. And this is up from 550 in 2023. We have many needs in our community, but street safety and traffic calming are problems that we have tools to address: speed tables, raised crosswalks, and roundabouts being the most noticeable, but also tools like curb extensions, signal timers, and even more street trees. It is essential that our Ward 7 neighborhoods are as safe and walkable as we can make them.

As a council member, how would you gather input and feedback from residents you represent?

I’ll always be committed to meeting residents where they are. Families and working people are very busy, and they’re not always able to offer their perspective when meetings are during dinner time on a school night. That’s why I’ll keep knocking on doors, showing up at block parties, participating in community events, and having real conversations—so we’re not just shaping the future of this ward with the most engaged, but with everyone.

The block clubs and the CDCs are also big parts of the community conversation, especially in our highly engaged Near West Side neighborhoods. As a former co-chair of my block club, I’ve seen how indispensable these institutions are for bringing people together and building trust, and I look forward to working closely with these essential community voices on city council.

And of course, my goal is to be an accessible and responsive representative of my community. If any neighbors have input now, please reach out: I’m at 216.302.4568 and austin@austindavisward7.com.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

A community with affordable housing is a community that has housing available for folks from all walks of life. Where people can find the right home for them–regardless of their income, family size, background, or personal circumstances. That means homes available for working people, growing families, seniors aging in place, young adults looking for their first apartment, and everyone in between. Unfortunately, that does not describe our Near West Side neighborhoods these days.

We need an all-of-the-above, all-hands-on-deck housing agenda to meet the moment here. Cleveland’s population is finally growing again. That’s great news. But in 2024, Cleveland had the steepest rent increase and the steepest property value increase of any metro area in the country, while building the fifth-fewest new homes. And we’re certainly feeling the crunch here in Ward 7.

I believe that an increased supply of all kinds of housing and a strong diversity of housing types—not just luxury apartments, not just single-family homes—would ensure that more people at more life stages and more income levels can keep calling our diverse neighborhoods home. If we don’t ensure that there is space to live for all members of our community, then we will lose the incredible cultural vibrancy that has made the Near West Side such a great place to live in the first place.

To that end, we should legalize more in-fill housing options like triplexes, quadplexes, in-law suites, and alternative dwelling units. We should streamline permit requirements. We should bring more vacant properties and Airbnbs back into the mainstream housing market. And we should start building new affordable homes on the 18,000 parcels of land that the City owns, while keeping the land under public control.

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

Everyone deserves to feel safe, no matter who they are or where they live. I believe in a local government that provides high-quality public services across the board, including safety services. That starts with investing in well-trained and well-resourced police who serve our communities fairly and constitutionally.

I also believe in proactively building safer communities. That means addressing the root causes of crime through youth programming, violence interruption, and mental health and addiction services. That means targeted environmental design interventions like better street lighting and landscaping that supports visibility. And that means supporting the red-jacketed Clean & Safe Ambassadors in Ohio City, who offer not just a friendly smile but a welcome extra set of eyes on the street. Together, programs like these help ensure that every resident feels secure on their own block.

I know just how big a difference transparency and communication can make in shoring up a community’s sense of safety. As the co-chair of my block club in Tremont, I’ve been grateful for the work of the Community and Problem-Oriented Policing officers assigned to my neighborhood. Even when they can’t solve all our problems, the consistent dialog and collaborative connection goes a long way to making change in our neighborhoods. And on city council, I’ll push to ensure those kinds of community-driven relationships are the norm across every neighborhood.

Finally, a number of 911 calls can be best addressed by a social worker or mental health professional rather than an armed officer. I am proud that our city has invested in and expanded its crisis intervention teams under this mayor and council, and I fully support that initiative. And while pilot programs for co-responder and alternative responder models have launched in parts of our city, we should expand access and prioritize recruiting mental health professionals and social workers to provide these critical services.

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

No.

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

At a fundamental level, these aren’t separate roles. The work councilmembers do to ensure resident services are delivered effectively and efficiently informs the laws they pass and the way they oversee spending. That pipeline is what helped Cleveland City Council pass regulations for smoke shops and tobacco products this year–taking resident concerns about proliferating vape sales near schools and churches and turning them into systemic action.

But I’m a lawyer with experience in writing and implementing city laws, and I’ll always have more of a personal focus on lawmaking. I’ll leap to make sure that our residents are receiving high-quality public services–but I’m also focused on why there was an issue in the first place, and that’s where lawmaking comes in. For example: Airbnbs. I’ve personally encountered gun violence as a result of an Airbnb party on my street, and the explosion of short-term rentals like Airbnbs is reducing our housing supply while creating serious nuisance and safety concerns across our neighborhoods. While I’ll always advocate for the immediate needs of my neighbors in each individual case, we also need strong, citywide legislation to address the root of the issue and protect our communities in the long term.

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

I’m from Cleveland, and I’m raising my own family here on the Near West Side. I’m a public servant, and I’m coming with real experience in law, policy, and local government. I am fully committed to this community, and I am ready on day one to serve our Near West Side residents and strengthen our neighborhoods as a dynamic, results-first councilmember. And together, I believe we can ensure that our community here in Ward 7 is more safe, affordable, just, and vibrant than ever before.

Candidate answers were edited for clarity. We took out responses that were off topic or included comments about opponents.

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

I am a proud founding member of the Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community (CPAC), which serves as the formal sponsor of the No New Bonds campaign—a multiracial, multigenerational, and intersectional coalition demanding an end to the use of local and state tax dollars to invest in foreign bonds that fuel genocide. Our coalition includes more than 20 organizations across Ohio and is grounded in the belief that public dollars should serve public good – like housing, education, and infrastructure – not foreign militaries engaged in war crimes. This kind of coalition-building takes deep listening, humility, and an ability to hold space for different lived experiences. I’m proud of the trust we’ve built across lines of race, faith, and movement, and I believe it’s a model for the kind of governance we need in Cleveland.

There’s been a lot of misinformation about what organizing around disinvestment from genocide really means, especially at the local level. When governments purchase bonds, they aren’t just making financial decisions, they’re signaling what they choose to support and grow. Bonds function much like loans: they provide upfront capital to the issuing entity, which is expected to use the funds to stimulate activity—such as infrastructure, development, or even military and defense operations—and then repay the amount over time with interest. Bonds aren’t get-rich-quick schemes; they’re considered stable financial tools that benefit both the issuing government and the recipient.

But what we invest in reflects what we value. Choosing to divest from genocide isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a moral one. We cannot blindly adopt a fiscal-first mentality without considering the social, human, and environmental consequences of our actions. We need to support investments that build communities up—not destroy societies, neighborhoods, civil infrastructure, hospitals, and schools. Our public dollars should be used to create safety, opportunity, and dignity—not to enable violence and suffering. The goal to divest is two-fold: 1) Our government should not be profiting off of genocide; and 2) We have urgent needs right here in Cleveland. That same investment could be directed toward first-time homebuyer programs, property tax relief for seniors, free public transportation, and so much more.

A government that invests in its residents is one that pays ten-fold towards a thriving community.

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

Accessible City Services, Dependable Infrastructure, and Reliable Public Safety—these are three campaign priorities that thousands of conversations with residents throughout the ward have led to.

Prioritizing Accessible City Services starts with something simple—the taxes we pay should translate into well-run services for all. I define this priority through three commitments: availability for Residents, supported public transportation, and enhanced cybersecurity at city hall. Second, my interactions with residents have shown me that Cleveland’s definition of infrastructure must originate from a public health perspective, which means championing lead-free communities, fighting for clean air for all neighborhoods, and celebrating some of Cleveland’s greatest natural assets, including the fresh water of Lake Erie and the economic vitality of the Cuyahoga River. 

And third, my approach to Reliable Public Safety strives to prevent the type of desperation that often leads to crime. Ensuring people have stable housing does, in fact, make us all safer. The ability to roam your block freely without being struck by a speeding car is an achievement that benefits all of us. And opportunities for neighbors to get to know each other recognizes that celebrating community ultimately builds safety.

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

I did not realize how few residents knew about the existence and purpose of these arguably discretionary funds until I knocked on almost 4,000 doors and heard it first-hand. At the same time, I also heard from other ward stakeholders about how frustratingly long it takes for the administration to pay out these funds, even when the projects received council approval. While these funds aren’t substantial enough to meet every need the ward has, I do want to explore democratizing the experience of how our ward decides to spend these discretionary funds.

As a council member, how would you gather input and feedback from residents you represent?

Input and feedback from residents is so important to me that I’ve built it into my campaign priorities and commitments. Being available and accessible for residents is how I can ensure I am aware of the problems they are experiencing, which includes a direct understanding of how those problems are making them feel. I commit to hosting consistent and far-reaching town halls but also hosting regularly scheduled office hours with purposeful outreach to connect with the Ward’s most disenfranchised. I also intend on serving as a guardian of Cleveland’s public comment, which includes both protecting and enhancing it.

In Cleveland, leadership often operates on the illusion of inclusion, which has unfortunately eviscerated trust between elected officials and the public. I consider how one responds to resident feedback (especially when it’s negative), including what follow-up and follow-through looks like, incredibly important when discussing how to remain connected to the voices of Cleveland’s Ward 7. Seeking feedback doesn’t mean anything if that feedback isn’t then used for productive change.

And last, I feel very fortunate to be running in a ward that has a long tradition of Block Clubs and community organizing. In Cleveland’s Ward 7, progress is driven by the residents, and I intend to respect and nurture that grassroots spirit, as it complements my ability to serve the ward successfully. There will be many problems that I cannot solve alone on city council, and when that happens the work then becomes leveraging the relationships and resources available to address the real problem.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

I appreciate the framing of this question, as it is clear Ward 7’s affordable housing problem requires multiple solutions.

Out of the nearly 4,000 doors I’ve knocked, the biggest concern that the residents bring up is not being able to afford their newly increased property taxes. (I can empathize, as I’m also feeling the squeeze.) While the entirety of the property tax problem ultimately requires a state solution, I also know that our state legislature is extremely ineffective and almost always pursues policies that hurt Cleveland in particular. We have to explore options for property tax relief at the local level, particularly geared towards residents who have lived in Cleveland long before it became a trendy place to live. Some may claim there is no financial wiggle room to provide such relief at the local level, but I remember what the foreclosure crisis of 2008 did to Cleveland. To advocate for local funding that provides a level of property tax relief in order to avoid mass foreclosures that inevitably drive away residents is a much more affordable intervention for the local government than dealing with a foreclosure crisis.

At the same time, particularly in Ward 7, first-time homebuyers, those who are looking for a home to build their future around, which includes paying income and property taxes and sending their children to our schools, are finding it impossible to compete against national and predatory investors who have access to the capital they don’t. Strengthening access to community banks, locally rooted institutions that understand and invest in the long-term goals of the neighborhoods they serve, should be leveraged in order to ensure residents have a fair shot at homeownership and stability.

And finally, the ability to be able to afford a home — the American dream as was once said — or the ability to afford rent also demands a salary that pays in wages AND stability. Strong organized labor is part of Cleveland’s past, present, and most certainly needs to be part of its future. According to the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio and the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2025 report, Ohioans need to be making at least $22.51 an hour in a full-time job to even be able to “afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.” And as Signal Cleveland itself recently shared, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonunion members only earned 85% of what union members earned in 2025. Any solution to Cleveland’s affordable housing problem requires a commitment to strengthening the local job market, including strengthening organized labor.

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

A frequently discussed topic throughout the new Ward 7 is that many residents simply do not feel safe. The source of fear varies from door-to-door, though. Many have had their cars broken into, and many fear gun violence. But many also cite speeding cars and the fear of state violence from an increasingly hostile federal administration.

The question that drives my Reliable Public Safety priority is: what helps prevent crime, violence, and pain in the first place? When you consider what helps foster public safety from this perspective, you then see all the potential solutions that are available, such as investing in affordable housing, ensuring pedestrian well-being, and helping to strengthen community through supported Block Clubs and active community organizing. Ensuring people have stable housing does, in fact, make us all safer. The ability to roam your block freely without being struck by a speeding car is an achievement that benefits all of us. And opportunities for neighbors to get to know each other recognizes that celebrating community ultimately builds safety.

I’ve also really appreciated the honest conversations I’ve had with active or retired Cleveland police officers who have shared their experiences when dealing with residents facing homelessness, hunger, and instability in general. Many of those serving the Second District, which includes Ward 7, are rather vocal about the need to consider crime prevention strategies, and I am eager to help facilitate conversations between residents, small businesses, and law enforcement on what it means to invest in crime prevention.

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

No. 

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

I believe that anyone who tells you that city council can’t do all three — resident services, legislation, and budget oversight — doesn’t deserve your vote.

After knocking nearly 4,000 doors, I know that being available for residents helps you understand what problems exist. A true leader then uses those experiences to inform their legislative priorities. But access to the residents’ feedback is what allows for city council to center the actual problems the residents are experiencing, as opposed to just throwing solutions to see what sticks. 

Every dollar our government spends is a dollar that you — the taxpayer — provided, and so therefore every dollar must have a clear and direct connection to improving the everyday lives of every resident. Without that connection to the residents, there is no legislative purpose. Without that accountability to the voices of Ward 7, the budget is no longer a reflection of our values.

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

Re Term Limits:

Term limits are often proposed when people feel that their elected government is far too detached from the everyday lives of residents. I empathize with those who feel disillusioned about politics right now because in many ways I also feel like my vote doesn’t count. But I first and foremost believe that a robust and competitive democracy stems from an informed, engaged, organized, and mobilized community. If we are truly supporting a thriving local political community, then we don’t need term limits because the residents are empowered to kick us out. 

To transform local Cleveland politics — to increase voter registration, improve turnout, and invest in future political talent — we need to examine the many ways our local political culture unintentionally (or intentionally) limits the power of the voters. As a first-time candidate, I was surprised to learn how much the local process often de-incentivizes direct interaction with voters.

These next (hopefully only) four years in our country will be challenging and will demand from each and every one of us to get more involved. But casting a vote is only one way to flex collective political power. We have to show up to the meetings where decisions are not only being made but proposed. We have to talk to our neighbors about our duty to hold those who spend our hard-earned tax dollars accountable.

—

The role I intend to play on council can be best described as an anti-genocide, budget hawk.

Now, what could one possibly mean by that? Well, every decision I’m going to make — especially as it pertains to the Cleveland budget — will be based on valuing collective, political power that doesn’t define itself by exploitation, extraction, or destruction.

City council is the elected body of closest proximity to the taxpayer, which means every conversation I have with leaders — about how we spend tax dollars or make strategic investments — will need to have a clear and direct connection to improving the lives of the people who are actually contributing to the tax base. I’m running to bring power to the voices of taxpayers and residents.

Candidate Mike Rogalski did not advance out of the September primary.

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

I am a first generation college student who grew up in a disadvantaged background. Because of my early interest as a child in current events and urban issues, I went on to attend undergrad at Cleveland State earning a Bachelors Degree in Urban Studies. While working full-time, I then went on to earn a Masters Degree in Public Administration. I have been involved with the county’s Democratic Party since I was a teenager, where I got my start with the Bedford/Walton Hills Democratic Party and the Bedford Heights Democratic Club. I have remained active in the party since. 

My first foray into Cleveland’s civic life is when I interned and was later hired to work at the Cleveland Housing Court under the late Judge Raymond Pianka. Should I be elected, I hope to mimic the things that made Judge Pianka so well respected.

I then went on to work for the Cuyahoga County government in the Health & Human Services divisions. I worked with children and families at the Office of Child Support Services and then with seniors and the disabled at the Division of Senior and Adult Services. During my time at the County, I was also elected to an Executive Board Member role with my Union, AFSCME Local 27. 

In 2018, I was elected to the city of Bedford Heights Charter Review Commission where I served as Co-Chair. I have lived Downtown or on the near west side since 2008, I have always been active in my community. I was elected Chairman of the Waterfront District Block Club in the West Bank of The Flats for a number of years. And due to the many frustrations myself and my neighbors experienced while I served as Block Club Chairman, I decided to run for Cleveland City Council. I knew I had zero chance of winning going into the race, I was not anointed and would never be anointed to be the next councilperson of the ward. I ran anyway. It was my opportunity to engage residents, for me to get to know them, and for them to get to know me. Before the 2021 election was over, I promised residents I would remain involved, and that I did. Learning the ins and outs of how the ward operates and the social and professional networks of the ward’s residents. I wanted to ensure that I was spot on regarding the wants and needs of the people that I would ultimately represent when I ran for office again. 

This go around, the opportunity of a lifetime emerged, no incumbent would be running for city council in the ward. That rarely happens. So running in 2025 to represent my ward, the people and places that I care about, is a “now or never moment”.

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

1. Escalating Property Taxes

2. Affordable Housing, For Sale and Rental

3. Public Safety

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

My candidacy is human focused. In my ward, any additional resources need to be directed toward taking care of residents in need. 

The number of unhoused individuals in the city of Cleveland is actually growing, grassroots individuals in the know are indicating it is largely because of changing economic conditions and unaffordable housing options. The ward’s unhoused residents no longer have the sites and facilities that once existed that allow for overnight stays. Many stay on the streets because they do not want to go to the shelters that are located just east of downtown. I support using money to fund a permanent drop-in center and shelter beds in facilities that are comfortable and humane, particularly for families, children, young adults, the infirm, and LGBTQIA+ persons.

I want to set up a fund to assist seniors and those struggling to pay their property taxes. I want to spend on programs that help seniors and children, home maintenance assistance for seniors and recreational and educational enrichment programming for kids. 

I will support bringing back a fully functioning tenants organization to Cleveland. We are currently without one due to funding losses many years ago. We must have one to assist renters and to utilize the organization to begin setting up tenant unions all throughout the ward and city.

As a council member, how would you gather input and feedback from residents you represent?

The way I operate now and have always operated, is boots on the ground, talking to and meeting with absolutely anyone and everyone who is interested. I am not an excluder, I am an includer. 

Being out of touch and hiding behind generic data and providing performative messaging is just not my style. My office will have an open door policy, and I intend to maintain close relationships with all local media outlets; sharing information will be a two-way street. I plan to continue attending community events and meetings on a regular basis after being elected. Most politicians and people in power generally shy away from opinionated, “controversial,” or disagreeable people. I don’t shy away from those types of people, I move toward them, they are some of my favorite. 

If I do not at minimum understand where everyone in my orbit is coming from, I am doing myself and everyone else a disservice. I am not in search of any “yes men,” I am search of ideas and real experiences. You will never find me hiding in an ivory tower.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

As for housing, I offer an entire housing plan, parts of it I will offer in response in this prompt: The city of Cleveland has NO master plan. Ward 7 nor any of the neighborhoods comprising Ward 7 have masterplans. It is all hodgepodge, throw something at the fan and see what sticks, and largely developer driven. We need a city-wide masterplan, and at minimum I will require a masterplan be created for Ward 7 utilizing real citizen participation and engagement. We will not go into the process of creating a masterplan with predecided choices, options or desired outcomes, which is so often the case in our city. I want to create legislation to crack down on title companies that handle transfers of properties when sales occur. Often, when a property transfers in this city, appropriate new taxation does not. Meaning that when a large out-of-state real estate investor buys a property, if there is an existing reduction such as the homeowner occupancy credit or a homestead exemption credit, it is frequently not removed from that property. This means that this wealthy non-owner corporate occupant is not paying the legally required amount of taxes, resulting in a huge savings for them. There is no responsive system to monitor this, it is reactive when caught. Regarding for-sale housing, I find that housing priced at $200,000 is where affordability ends, I would go as far as saying homes beginning at $150,000 is an unaffordable starting point. I propose ending tax abatements for luxury properties, particularly in Ward 7. I will only support public subsidies for projects that are targeted to the middle class and below. In this moment, there is literally nothing being built by private developers in the ward for less than half a million dollars. I blame the abuse of TIFs for luxury projects. I reject the continued extraction of wealth from our communities to benefit the already well off at the expense of everyone else who struggles. I will support issuing bonds for the construction and subsidy of affordable housing throughout the ward and city. I will offer support for the addition of cooperative housing. Land trusts in our ward are currently operating in problematic ways. The calculations used to decide their affordability contains a tax abatement. Once that tax abatement expires, the affordability calculation no longer works. Land trusts are being used in a manner to justify continued luxury housing development in the ward. Land trusts must be stand alone and should have absolutely nothing to do with developers still constructing luxury housing. The ward’s community development corporations should not be competing with real estate developers, and they must completely get out of the business of orchestrating luxury housing development. I will end the usage of any Community Development Block Grant funds being used for this purpose.

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

Promises to offer an alternative emergency line for mental health crises has never emerged. Providing an alternative option to 911 for crises that are better handled by social workers, medical professionals, and outreach workers is one of my biggest priorities for public safety. The City of Cleveland’s Prosecutor’s Office remains hugely problematic. There does not appear to be any rhyme or reason for what crimes are prosecuted and crimes that are not. I became aware of this issue through personal experience, and because of my personal experience I began researching and reaching out to others to see if these issues with the city’s prosecutor’s office are systemic. Unsurprisingly, my negative experience was not abnormal. I was the victim or a random violent assault. The crime was recorded on security cameras very clearly. I was able to identify the perpetrator. I also provided supporting medical evidence. Despite all of this, it took months for any action to be taken, and if I did not continually advocate for myself, nothing at all would have been done. To date, the perpetrator has not been fully prosecuted. He roams out and about in our community and faced no consequences for his actions. Criminals know that they can get away with much more in Cleveland than they can get away with in the surrounding suburbs, and it’s partially why they are comfortable committing violent acts in our community because there rarely are any real repercussions for lawlessness. On the opposite side of that same coin, the city prosecutor’s office prosecutes questionable and unclear crimes/activities. I have learned that the city prosecutor’s office is no friend of the Public Defender’s Office or Legal Aid. I support reorganizing the city prosecutor’s office and even the possibility of making the Cleveland City Prosecutor an elected office for the purposes of better accountability and autonomy from city mayoral administrations. I will create a ward-wide court watch program to monitor felonies and repeat property crimes on a weekly basis. Not every crime deserves harsh penalization, in fact many defendants that enter the city’s justice system desperately need assistance, whether it’s mental health services, drug treatment, housing or job training programs. When a person is in extremely bad condition and they have no family or support system helping, the only entity that can intervene is the court system. Through the ward-wide court watch program, I will demand higher expectations of the city’s judges. No more sweeping people who need assistance under rugs, out of sight out of mind. The courts must tackle the varied social ills that are standing in front of them. Neither our city’s municipal court nor Cuyahoga County Common Pleas court is overwhelmed or overworked. Both courts have some of the largest benches, largest number of judges, of courts anywhere in Ohio. It’s past time they start carrying their weight to change outcomes not only for our communities, but for the human beings that so often come in front of them in desperate need.

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

Yes.

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

Acting as a resident service representative for my constituents will absolutely be the most important aspect of my job. I think it is insanely foolish for someone to go into this role with the belief that acting as a resident service representative should not be their main priority. It’s the absolute bread and butter of the job. If it is not your main priority as candidate or you do not believe you have the capacity to act in that manner, I highly suggest you reconsider whether this job is for you. To go further, not only is being the point of contact for the needs of residents extremely important, it is even more important that I personally follow through on the complaints and concerns my residents bring to my attention and not simply just handing them off to the appropriate department with my fingers crossed that they’ll get their requests will taken care of. That’s largely what is happening now. I want to personally follow along complaint processes and find out exactly where the fall through occurs that prevents a citizen from getting their issues taken care of.

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

My candidacy is a completely resident focused agenda. It is not me pushing my own narrative or my own agenda, it is about providing for the wants and needs of residents. Residents must have a larger role in decisions in their community.