Can Debbie Sutherland Halt The Detroitification of Cuyahoga
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:09 pm
Detroitification is a term used to describe the steady decline of a once prosperous region. As the name suggests the process is named after Detroit, Michigan. In the early 1960’s Detroit was a prosperous city of one million. Today almost half the residents have fled, leaving behind empty streets and abandoned homes.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic ... 65,00.html
Because of its economic diversification Cuyahoga County was able to escape the economic devastation that has eviscerated Detroit. Until now.
Over the last few years Cleveland has lost residents and jobs at an alarming rate. That economic sickness has begun to infect all of Northeastern Ohio. Job loss leads to population loss which leads to further job loss. People and industries leave high taxed communities. The communities respond with ever higher tax rates. People and industry respond by leaving in greater numbers. It’s a prescription for disaster:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1211929 ... d_outlooks
The current leadership of Cuyahoga County seems intent on following the Detroit model. Higher taxes and more spending on a bloated bureaucracy are seen as the key to prosperity.
The County and the City of Cleveland have staked the future of the City and region on the Detroit Model. More taxes, more government sponsored development, more corruption, more waste and more cronyism are seen as the key to future growth.
One example is the proposed development of the Ameritrust Building. The new “ownerâ€
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic ... 65,00.html
Because of its economic diversification Cuyahoga County was able to escape the economic devastation that has eviscerated Detroit. Until now.
Over the last few years Cleveland has lost residents and jobs at an alarming rate. That economic sickness has begun to infect all of Northeastern Ohio. Job loss leads to population loss which leads to further job loss. People and industries leave high taxed communities. The communities respond with ever higher tax rates. People and industry respond by leaving in greater numbers. It’s a prescription for disaster:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1211929 ... d_outlooks
The current leadership of Cuyahoga County seems intent on following the Detroit model. Higher taxes and more spending on a bloated bureaucracy are seen as the key to prosperity.
The County and the City of Cleveland have staked the future of the City and region on the Detroit Model. More taxes, more government sponsored development, more corruption, more waste and more cronyism are seen as the key to future growth.
One example is the proposed development of the Ameritrust Building. The new “ownerâ€