CLEVELAND — As the primary election for Cuyahoga County Executive approaches, candidate Lee Weingart is connecting with voters across the county.
Weingart is a lifelong Clevelander and a small business owner of LNE group, a government affairs and advocacy firm. He was a Cuyahoga County Commissioner years ago, and said he’s hoping for another chance to serve the county.
“When I left the position of County Commissioner 25 years ago, we were a growing county adding population and jobs. Fast forward 25 years later, we are a shrinking county, losing population and losing jobs,” Weingart said.
He said this election and the position of county executive is vital, and he said he believes he can help turn things around. A major focus of his is Cleveland’s urban core and communities on the city’s east side, such as Glenville.
“I want to put county resources where they’re most needed, and that’s in the city of Cleveland and in first-ring suburbs like east Cleveland, Garfield Heights and Maple Heights,” he said.
Weingart said those resources will result in home ownership, well-paying jobs and support for small business and urban entrepreneurship.
“Ten-thousand homes for Cuyahoga County. A program that will bring 10,000 families, predominately the east side or the first-ring suburbs. Build, buy, renovate or repair a private home, a home that they will own,” Weingart said.
“Create 4,000 good paying jobs, at least $25 an hour with benefits that don’t require a college degree. Again, … in the urban core, on the east side or the first-ring suburbs,” he said. “The third piece is creating a $10 million fund to help 250 new companies get training and access to capital urban entrepreneurship.”
