LA Times -- Who gets credit for Cleveland? (Republic: transfer, new construction)

[costello_musicman]

Here's an article about how both Obama and the Republicans are trying to take credit for Cleveland's resurgence:


Who gets credit for Cleveland?

Its hard-luck story is now a tale of optimism and renewal. President Obama comes to town to sell the idea of public investment. Republicans say cutting spending and taxes will help the city turn the page.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-cleveland-20110222,0,3758618,full.story

[Steelers10]

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

Here's an article about how both Obama and the Republicans are trying to take credit for Cleveland's resurgence:


Who gets credit for Cleveland?

Its hard-luck story is now a tale of optimism and renewal. President Obama comes to town to sell the idea of public investment. Republicans say cutting spending and taxes will help the city turn the page.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-cleveland-20110222,0,3758618,full.story

Interesting article. I'm not from Cleveland so I have no personal stake. I guess Cleveland should ask the question, what period has been better for the city, 2001-2009, or has the city gotten better over the past two years?
I'd be interested to know how native Clevelanders feel about the past decade.

I guess the article is trying to be non-partisan. But outside of the usual rhetoric of cutting taxes for the wealthy to create jobs, the Republican side didn't present any tangible evidence that this strategy has worked or will ever work for Cleveland.

[costello_musicman]

Definitely the past two years.

- Over $2 billion in new construction has started
- Cleveland led the nation in manufacturing growth a few months out of the year
- Cleveland's property values have increased including leading the nation a few quarters percentage-wise
- Announced last week, Cleveland has just added another Fortune 500 company:

Cleveland Cliffs Natural Resources just reported a 255% increase of net income for the 4th quarter, putting them at $4.7 Billion in revenue on the year.
This will push them into being a Fortune 500 company.


Cliffs Natural Resources reports sizzling 2010 results
By Alison Grant, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cliffs Natural Resources reported sizzling 2010 results Wednesday -- revenues that doubled to $4.7 billion and net income of more than $1 billion.

Demand from China for the Cleveland company's iron ore and coal drove the boom.

Cliffs Natural Resources reports sizzling 2010 results | cleveland.com

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by Steelers10

Interesting article. I'm not from Cleveland so I have no personal stake. I guess Cleveland should ask the question, what period has been better for the city, 2001-2009, or has the city gotten better over the past two years?
I'd be interested to know how native Clevelanders feel about the past decade.

Any advancements being made in this city have nothing to do with the Bush Administration or his 6 year, lockstep congress. This much I can tell you.

I guess the article is trying to be non-partisan. But outside of the usual rhetoric of cutting taxes for the wealthy to create jobs, the Republican side didn't present any tangible evidence that this strategy has worked or will ever work for Cleveland.

That's because there is no evidence, tangible or otherwise. This area has watched the right's national and state policies contribute to the erosion of our economic base for years. Now that we're on a perceived upswing, they want to take credit. How typical. This isn't to say that the left is any prize (NAFTA was widely bi-partisan), but the mere thought of anyone on the right taking any sort of credit is simply nauseating. They've been trying to gut this place for years.

[costello_musicman]

Regardless of Political beliefs, I find it interesting both sides are coming out trying to take credit. I'm sure it was some sort of combination of programs from the past few years.

Anyone notice how it's been in the past 1.5-2 years everything has happened, with some of the biggest spikes of growth and improvement after LBJ left? it's almost like Clevelanders made a a collective F*** You to him and everyone after the whole fiasco.

[Buckeyes440]

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

Regardless of Political beliefs, I find it interesting both sides are coming out trying to take credit. I'm sure it was some sort of combination of programs from the past few years.

Anyone notice how it's been in the past 1.5-2 years everything has happened, with some of the biggest spikes of growth and improvement after LBJ left? it's almost like Clevelanders made a a collective F*** You to him and everyone after the whole fiasco.

Well to be fair, most of the "biggest spikes of growth and improvement" were planned when he was still here, they just didn't actually happen until he had left mainly because of the economy. Despite the issues with his character, personality, etc, it sure would've been nice to be able to watch a sports team contend for the next 5+ years while others are struggling. It's obviously not "necessary" for the resurgence of the city, but it'd definitely help to have an attraction that can get 20k+ people to go downtown 40+ nights a year.

Anyway, I don't really care who takes credit. I just want to see more progress, specifically with the bleeding population.

[5Lakes]

I don't like partisan politics or how that article made it out to be a black or white issue. Cleveland's government had been corrupt and also had the reputation of being anti-business. That being said Cleveland also needs infrastructure improvements to make it a livable city and attract talent.

[Cleveland_Collector]

The only reason I care about who takes credit is because of the perception. This city's primary issues began with the loss of good manufacturing jobs to overseas interests. This cannot be forgotten. The corporatists are at the root of it. Cutting taxes for them simply puts more money in their pockets as long as they're allowed to indiscriminantly ship jobs overseas. Attach a tax cut to job/salary creation quotas and I'll be all for it. Until then, it's nothing but another corporate transfer payment that they won't be spending here.

As for LeBrick... he never had a stake in what happened here. He was a nice sideshow. He's just another in the long line of over-coddled punk athletes looking to feather their own nest. He has destroyed any hopes of building his own legacy. He's now 2nd banana to Dwyane Wade. They'll probably win once or twice, but it won't bear much significance in Souf Beach where they can't even fill the arena with a 0.732 team on the floor. The corporations bought up the tickets, but they're lucky to have 15,000 on any given night.

[Clevelander17]

I take issue with the premise of the article that we've seen some sort of "resurgence." I think we've maybe treaded water, but this city still needs a lot of work. And more than any Federal policies, I think it's going to be state and local policies that dictate our future success.

[Cleveland_Collector]

We haven't as much seen it as we have seen the makings of it. Even the most pessimistic have to at least admit that the amount of committed development around the area is pretty impressive. The politcos see it and are jockeying for position to seize as much credit as possible. The fact that the John Kasich's of Ohio's political landscape are some of these people makes me a bit nauseous.