I like the photo of Mayor Frank Jackson.  But I have one suggestion.  Remove the chain.  It gives the impression that he is chained to the status quo...at least that is the idea that came to my mind when I noticed the chain in the photo.  Could that chain be telling us all something?

Jeff was your question directed at me? 

I would like to see a few issues addressed to help make Cleveland a better place to live.  First I would hire a team of workers who would go out into the community, all areas not just select revitalization areas or whatever they are called, but all areas and clean up....mow the grass, pull the weeds, trim the bushes, edge the lawns, pick up the trash, plant some trees in the treeless areas, patch the sidewalks that are broken and cracked or replace them.  Second I would hire a team of educators to go into all the public schools in Cleveland and find out why the children are not learning, why are they not passing the achievement tests, why are so few attending college. Third I would find a way to teach the children that would be successful...perhaps using technology to enhance learning opportunities and perhaps offering some incentive for progress such as food vouchers or entertainment vouchers or clothing vouchers.  Something that would motivate them to learn.  Fourth, find a way to bring good paying jobs back to the area, jobs with benefits.  Fifth, I would try to find a way to stop dividing people by color, nationality, class, etc.  perhaps by the discontinuation of programs that focus only on one group of people, such as all rich people can live in this area, hispanics in that area, blacks in another area.  (I know this is not done openly but the end result sure seems to indicate that it is done in some situations) Sixth, start putting some money into preventing problems such as deteriorating housing instead of waiting until an area is a slum before anything is done. Seventh, police protection is mandatory as is adequate EMS service and firefighters (and they have to have respect for the community and the people who live in the community - no bad attitude against the residents).  Eighth, get rid of the illegal drugs that are killing our youth and our community; longer sentences for drug offenses, not necesarily in prison but in a rehab facility for a long enough time to kick the habit. Ninth, tighter enforcement of the current gun laws, to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and youths.  Tenth, build good, sturdy, affordable housing or rehab existing housing - and help new home owners, or for that matter all homeowners  learn how to maintain their homes and property or perhaps have a city maintenance crew that would help keep the housing in good repair (this would also be helpful to the elderly that can no longer do the work themselves) ; thus helping prevent blight and slum like conditions. (also would create jobs).

I know all this would take money, time, and commitment.  But just imagine a community like this one.