1.     My wife and I have four children, so I am a father myself, a role which is one of my most rewarding.  I grew up as the seventh of eight children.  Both of my parents set an example which has led to my engagement in public service as well as my commitment as a father.  As my children reach adulthood, it is my job as a parent to pass on those same values to them.

2.     I think that Cuyahoga County has provided important investments in education and efforts to ensure that fathers have a role beyond that of paying child support.  That said, the child support enforcement role is a crucial one, however, it is also important that fathers—and any non-custodial parents—are provided opportunities and encouragement to be truly involved in their children’s lives even if they are not able to do so on a daily basis.

3.     The most important issue facing our county and our region is jobs.  We have many significant opportunities right ahead of us with the Medical Mart, new convention center and the funds which the county will receive from the new casinos.  Of utmost importance is ensuring that new jobs are living wage jobs.  Work should be the ticket out of poverty and into the middle class.  Ensuring that those in need of work have appropriate training which matches the jobs available is crucial.  I will work on both the practical level and use the influence of my position to improve the training and jobs available to low income individuals.  Our economic strategy must be neighborhood-based; large projects are fine, but the benefits of those projects must reach those who are most in need.

4.     It is imperative that health and human services funding be distributed based on need, not on a political subdivision.  I analogize that our county would be in a world of hurt if all state funds were distributed on a district by district basis; and likewise, our county would be in a better position if all state funds were allocated purely based on need.  As I plan to make Cuyahoga County’s voice louder in Columbus and in Washington, it would be quite hypocritical to begin a distribution system here that did not simply follow the need.