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.
Last week, the good sports vibes of 2016 were on top. This week, a cat named Ghost battled Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control for first place.
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1. Division of Cannabis Control
This is not a drill: While lawmakers in Columbus bickered for months over changing Issue 2, state workers quietly proceeded with the work of implementing it and now legal sales are mere weeks away. Let’s have a toke for the bureaucrats.
2. Cleveland youths
Speaking truth to power: Ramir, Israel, Kaia and Marley spoke from the heart at City Council’s public comment period. Marley struggled at first but powered through and made her voice heard.
3. Kenneth Walker
A win for workers: A judge ruled that Starbucks broke the law when it fired Walker, a union organizer, and must offer him his old job and back pay. This is a venti big deal.
4. Yvonne Pointer-McCreary
Remembering how they lived: The award-winning advocate for families affected by homicide worked with several to share stories of their lost loved ones in a new book.
5. Bicycling advocates
“Getting more butts on bikes”: Bike Cleveland and Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op bring free “fix-a-thons” to Cleveland neighborhoods. Can we get something like this for desktop printers?
6. Phillip McHugh
Gone but hasn’t forgotten: The recently departed city safety adviser appears to be preparing legal action against critics he says unfairly drove him from the job. We could not confirm rumors that he also ordered a case of t-shirts imprinted with the words “Who’s getting sued?”
7. Laura Bloomberg
Here for the long haul?: The Cleveland State University president agreed to forgo a performance bonus but was offered a contract extension. Apparently the board has gotten over her trying to take her talents to Minnesota.
8. Cher
Uh oh: The icon told Entertainment Tonight that she’s changed her mind and not only will attend the Rock Hall inductions, she “will have some words to say,” presumably about having been snubbed for so long. The selection committee is probably wishing they could turn back time.
9. Ghost
Winner winner! I can has chicken dinner?: This intense black cat is the winner of the first Signal Cleveland team “cutest pet” contest. All of the dogs who competed are howling in protest.
10. LeBron James
Playing with our hearts?: Cleveland’s favorite wayward son showed up at a Cavs playoff game. Folks, please, remain calm. Word is that in 2010 he was ready to stay here until this happened.
