Ed Morrison · The FBI and economic transformation

August 14th, 2008

Interesting speculation in an e-mail from Richard Herman.

Historians will probably date the turnaround emerging in Youngstown to the day the big green door slammed shut on Traficant.

When will those living in the smoldering ruins of the rust belt economy get angry enough to demand a better quality government at the local, county and state levels?

Political corruption, malfeasance, ineptness, and laziness are kicking rust belters below the belt — we are down, but not quite out.

The FBI is riding into a town near you—-ready to mop up the mess of politicians gone wild (rising to power within a vacuum created by an apathetic electorate, plummeting economic chaos, and rapid decline in number of quality candidates willing to run for office).

How can serious and innovative economic development steps be taken to repair the rust belt economy when such shenanigans are taking place in public office (some alleged):

http://blog.cleveland.com/pdextra/2008/08/the_cuyahoga_county_raids_five.html

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1217406616291131.xml&coll=2

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/14/dan15aaa.html?sid=101

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coingate

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/07/07/daily35.html?surround=lfn

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08221/902735-454.stm

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUnJmDV31xdNygv_rfAeqJX4SyfgD92EBCL85

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/07/01/FBI_conducts_Detroit_corruption_probe/UPI-32211214942378/

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/METRO/807020418

http://buffalo.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/bribery061208.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Traficant

If the FBI can help clear out some of the dead wood, awaken a disinterested electorate —- and help clear the air of political inertia and acquiescence — new political talent may enter the arena if they see a meaningful opportunity to begin rebuilding the rust belt

Could the FBI emerge as one of the most important catalysts of rust belt revival?
Like the Great Lakes Brewery that bears his name, “Elliott Ness” sure packs a much-needed punch.

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Category: Economic Development
6 Comments »

6 Responses to “The FBI and economic transformation”

  1. Douglas Craver Says:
    August 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    Something has to happen and I really like this approach because it holds elected officials accountable along with their “ties” to others who hold leadership positions, elected or not.

  2. Ed Morrison Says:
    August 15th, 2008 at 4:43 am

    It will be interesting to see the trajectories of the investigations now underway in Cleveland, Detroit and New Orleans.

    In Youngstown, it seems, enough people have come together to try some interesting new initiatives. A young mayor and a young congressman have helped change the dynamic. Then you have some relentless young professionals and some really sharp experienced hands like Tom Humphreys, Jim Cossler and Julie Smith.

  3. Douglas Craver Says:
    August 15th, 2008 at 5:46 am

    A clean slate is Cleveland’s/the County’s best chance.

  4. phil lane Says:
    August 16th, 2008 at 1:15 am

    Twas’ once a fine city ‘pon a Lake

    Wrongly hailed as a mistake

    Them what led it, bled it

    An’ robbed them what fed it

    Twas’ never give, just take

    Now heralds the blogger, of that which we saw

    Then swiftly compared it to Reason and Law

    Those backroom deals

    Like rodent squeals

    Will not likely escape the FBI’s maw

  5. Russ Bonchu Says:
    August 17th, 2008 at 6:34 am

    What is going to change things in this town is the same thing that would change things in this country. We need to get some public servants into office that will publicly profess an honest faith in the moral system this country was founded on (which is the worship of Jesus Christ) and stick to those principles. Since we have gotten away from our Founding Fathers intended, it is really any wonder why we have gotten to the position we are in? I daresay not.

  6. Diane DiPiero Says:
    August 19th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    When citizens finally realize that they’ve had enough of corruption and good old boy politics and elect some new mavericks, things start to change. It has taken a l-o-n-g time in Youngstown for the “glory days” of Traficant to subside. It looks like it might take even longer in Cleveland.