Signal Cleveland’s Power Rankings is a weekly roundup of the people, places and things wielding their power, for better or worse, in Greater Cleveland. Last week, Donovan Mitchell, boomers and stressed-out dogs made the cut.
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1. Cuyahoga County
The taxman cometh: Cuyahoga County says property values are up an average of 32% since 2021. Zillow searches in neighboring counties are up 200% since last week.
2. Ahmed Abonamah
Slam dunk: The city’s CFO is leaving for a new job with the Cavaliers. We wonder if he’ll find NBA stars more or less exhausting than City Council members.
3. Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Head gamemakers: The organization helped bring the Pan-American Masters Games to Cleveland (through July 21). Coming up: the 2024 World Yo Yo Contest and WWE SummerSlam. C’mon, surely there’s a wild crossover opportunity there.
4. Cleveland first responders
Can you hear me now?: City Council approved plans to spend $13 million to update the antiquated radios used by the police, fire, EMS and animal control departments with smartphone-like devices. The race is on to be the first to say, “new radio, who dis?”
5. Kevin Conwell and Kerry McCormack
Council’s Got Talent: The Cleveland City Council members showed off skills their constituents might not have seen before at City Hall last week: Conwell jammed in the rotunda and McCormack could have a future as an auctioneer.
6. Lake Erie
Your face hurts? It’s killin’ me!: Barometric pressure changes influenced by the 10th largest lake in the world might be wreaking more havoc on your sinuses than allergies right now. Pollen be like:
7. Cleveland Browns
Uh huh: State lawmaker calls team’s proposal for public investment in a new stadium “innovative,” because it calls for selling bonds instead of writing checks. You know what would be really innovative? Paying for it their damn selves.