The Power Rankings from Signal Cleveland are a weekly roundup of the people, places and things wielding their power, for better or worse, in Greater Cleveland.
This week, good vibes from a simpler time top the list, displacing Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. And we offer a shout out to a shirt.
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Is it deja vu all over again?
2016 Cavs: Won championship. 2024 Cavs: In second round of playoffs.
2016 Monsters: Won championship. 2024 Monsters: Headed to second round of playoffs.
2016 Indians: Got to Game 7 of the World Series. 2024 Guardians: Among the best in the American League.
2016 Browns: Maybe we’ll just stop here.
High standards
The Cleveland Planning Commission alerted City Council to zoning restrictions that would make it more difficult to sell recreational weed in Cleveland than in other cities. This is the kind of foresight the city needs.
Getting a raise — eventually
As volunteers gather signatures for a constitutional amendment raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, lawmakers in the Statehouse suddenly take an interest in raising it too — but two years later than the amendment would. This is what plutocracy looks like.
Double duty
The organization behind the minimum wage amendment has also registered more than 10,000 voters.
Saving lives
A recent story at The Trace describes the vital work Glass has been doing for many years for Clevelanders recovering from trauma.
Shout out from the White House
The John Hay High student was honored as a 2024 Presidential Scholar, one of just two from Ohio and 161 nationwide.
Spirit in the sky
A total eclipse and a rare showing of the northern lights in Northeast Ohio (thanks to the sun’s “coronal mass ejections”) in the same year. And the clouds cooperated! Is this a sign?
T the change you want to see in the world
Mayoral safety adviser Philip McHugh resigned, but Council Member Starr’s “Who’s Getting Fired?” shirt gets the assist. If he’s taking suggestions for the next one, maybe something like “Not so fast, Jimmy!”