The Power Rankings from Signal Cleveland is a weekly roundup of the people, places and things wielding their power, for better or worse, in Greater Cleveland. 

Gorillas, the Community Police Commission and the Cleveland Monsters’ head coach led the list last week.

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1. Anthony Scott

Could you repeat that?: The city official told City Council that the Department of Community Development owes “a lot of citizens a lot of apologies” for taking too long to respond, or not responding at all, to requests for help. Can we make this a regular thing?

2. Pride in the CLE

Dancing in the streets: Reminding everyone again that we can have a joyous parade and day-long party every year, without waiting for a team to win a trophy.

3. Guardians

And speaking of trophies: The Guardians logged a 36-17 start three times before — and gone to the World Series each time. That weird sensation in your chest is your heart simultaneously racing with excitement and bracing for impact.

4. Neighborhood Pets

Dogs’ (and cats’) best friend: Taking on more two-legged clients and leading the way in showing that “who rescued who” is more than a cute cliche.

5. Friends of Cudell Commons Park

Trees for the win: The park advocates compelled the school district to pause and reconsider plans that would have sacrificed trees and greenspace for a new building. The Lorax would be proud.

6. Playhouse Square “drifters”

Some things never change: As with drag racing here in the ’70s and ’80s, idiots with cars love to bring the ruckus.

Associate Editor and Director of the Editors’ Bureau (he/him)
Important stories are hiding everywhere, and my favorite part of journalism has always been the collaboration, working with colleagues to find the patterns in the information we’re constantly gathering. I don’t care whose name appears in the byline; the work is its own reward. As Batman said to Commissioner Gordon in “The Dark Knight,” “I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be.”

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