From Chairwoman Shontel Brown
Greetings and Happy New Year to each of you.
As 2022 approaches, I am ringing in the New Year with hope and attention in making an impact on our Party, County, State and Nation. As a Party, we continue to provide information sessions for candidates, those interested in running for Central [Precinct Committee], scheduling and holding City, Ward Leader, Executive and Central Committee leader meetings, endorsement meetings, and raising funds to deliver our winning message and get our endorsed candidates elected.
We know that elections have consequences and under the leadership of President Biden, there are direct benefits for Cuyahoga County residents. Thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure bill, Cuyahoga County will soon see new projects to repair roads, replace lead pipes, and connect families to high-speed internet. Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport and Burke Lakefront Airport are set to receive more than $11 million and $700,000, respectively, to address improvements to runways, taxiways, terminals, and airport-transit connections. These long-delayed investments in our airports will prepare the way for future economic growth in our region.
In addition, Ohio is set to receive nearly $1.8 billion next year to repave roads and modernize highways. Funding for updating drinking and wastewater systems is also on the schedule in Cleveland and across Ohio.
These are just a few of the investments and job-creating projects that are part of the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act. I look forward to celebrating these projects as they are completed and bring good-paying jobs to the region and the state.
As we all know all too well, this year has been challenging: COVID-19 and the pandemic show both our resilience, and our need to be flexible and nimble to keep moving forward. Our Party is committed to keeping our members safe and to that end, we have moved our in-person, Democratic Executive Committee Endorsements to virtually, via Zoom, on the evening of January 26, 2022. Official notices and a Zoom link will be sent to Executive Committee members who have paid their dues. Final dues payment needs to be made and received prior to the start of the meeting.
Appointments to the Executive Committee [a one-year term] will be mailed shortly. Prior to the Endorsement Meeting, our City and Ward Leaders will make a recommendation for endorsement on January 22, 2022. The Endorsement meeting, to be held January 26, 2022, will focus on Judicial candidates, County Executive and County Council races. State House endorsements will be scheduled after the Ohio Supreme Court decision on redistricting map challenges.
Remembering Those We Lost in 2021
We join with families across Cuyahoga County who mourn the loss of their loved ones this past year, especially our fellow Democrats. The Honorable Nancy McDonnell, The Honorable Joseph Russo, The Honorable Larry Jones, Larry Orlowski, Lil Dufala, Lois Zolar, Mansfield Frazier, Nancy Lachowski, Miss Alberta Howard and many other Democrats who served their communities, mentored others, supported each of us leaving a legacy of service and commitment that we will feel for decades to come.
Entering the New Year with all of you is humbling. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Thank you for your commitment to our party and our values. We may not all agree on every issue or decision, but we know that we are stronger together and we are on the right side of the issues.
