East Cleveland City Council voted once again, Monday night, to enter into annexation negotiations with Cleveland.
Just last week, Cleveland leaders rejected East Cleveland’s first annexation proposal. Cleveland City Council President, Kevin Kelley, called the proposal a “non-starter” because of the conditions that came with it.
East Cleveland Council clarified in Monday’s meeting that it wasn’t supposed to be a list of demands, but instead recommendations or talking points.
“When you make a mistake, you realize you make a mistake, and you correct your mistake. I think that’s big of us,” said City Council President Thomas Wheeler.
Members voted to begin negotiations once more. This has been a debate for years -- $2.6 million in debt, East Cleveland has little tax base and almost no economic development.
Local services are drowning. The fire department's supposed to have 10 firefighters working every day. Saturday, only five were on shift when a fire broke out at a home on Charles Road. Three were injured when the roof collapsed on them. They weren't seriously injured. The city’s getting fined every day since it doesn’t staff 10 firefighters.
But not everyone thinks merging with Cleveland is the only way out.
Residents of both cities could wind up having to approve a proposal. One councilman told us East Cleveland needs options in case Cleveland votes no. He suggested asking the state to step in and help.