Phil Robinson
Please tell us your name, age, where you live, and how you make your living.
Phillip Robinson, Jr., 29 years old. Resides in University Heights. I currently serve as a 2010 Cleveland Executive Fellow, where I have developed business growth plans and co-authored a study on improving local neighborhoods. Previously, I worked for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and later, for two Fortune 500 global communications firms.
Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.
The new county council has these primary functions:
1. Provide an adequate check and balance to the county executive.
- Deciding formation of county departments
- Confirming appointments to numerous boards and commissions
2. Overseeing the county’s $1.5 billion budget, including the administering of the sales tax and approval of government contracts.
3. Making our government open, honest and accountable once and for all
- A strong ethics code
- Conducting open meetings
- Making all records available to the public
4. Providing excellent health and human services while holding down costs.
5. Developing a regional growth plan, including five-year economic development and infrastructure plans.
Why do you want to serve on County Council?
I moved back to Northeast Ohio three years ago because I believe in this region and its people. I love calling this region home and want to be part of its future. I am running because for our community to continue growing, we need a government that can operate in the 21st century. My experience in all three sectors--public, private, and non-profit--gives me a unique perspective on how to move Cuyahoga County forward.
We have a rare opportunity to reinvent our region and write its next chapter, and I believe we can make our new government as good as its promise.
To date, my campaign is endorsed by:
- North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFSCME Power IN Action APC #4, AFSCME Ohio Council 8 and Retirees Chapter 1184
- Cuyahoga County Young Democrats
- Cleveland Stonewall Democrats
- State Sen. Nina Turner
- State Rep. Mike Foley
- Euclid City Councilman David Gilliham
- Euclid City Councilwoman Kandace Jones
- Euclid City Councilman Greg Van Ho
- University Heights City Councilman Phil Ertel
- University Heights City Councilwoman Susan Pardee
- University Heights City Councilman Steven Sims
- Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Sergeant-In-Arms and Euclid Democrat Officer Terry Michel
- Cuyahoga County Democratic Executive Committee Member Timothy J. Downing
- Cuyahoga County Democratic Executive Committee Member Stephen Wertheim
- Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Board Member Ronald Register
What qualifications do you bring that make you the most qualified?
I have experience working in all three sectors—public, private, and non-profit—and that gives me a unique perspective on how to move our region forward. This experience includes working on federal legislation for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, managing multimillion dollar budgets for two Fortune 500 global communications firms, and helping nonprofit organizations thrive in difficult economic times as a Cleveland Executive Fellow.
What will you do in your first weeks? Please describe in detail, to give our readers an idea of what this position will actually be like.
Aside from working to immediately pass a robust code of ethics for council members, I will direct my energy toward a thorough review of county budgets, operations and the final recommendations of the transition committees. This will help determine the most efficient and effective ways to support health and human services and drive economic development in the county.
I will also meet with elected officials throughout District 11 to talk about how we can collaborate under the new county system to address the district’s challenges.
Next, I will begin crafting legislation focusing on three priority areas:
- Energizing Our Economy by redeveloping existing space and retraining our workforce. I will spearhead a county development fund in the model of the Third Frontier program to back projects such as product development grants for small businesses.
- Creating Brain Gain by creating a welcome center for new Ohioans, making college affordable for county residents, and promoting our region with a comprehensive marketing effort.
- Making Our Government Work by providing excellent county services while controlling costs.
How, specifically, will we know that you are doing a good job?
Ensuring an open, transparent and accountable county council through communication is a cornerstone of my platform. To accomplish this, I will increase the level and quality of communication from the county to city elected officials and from the county to residents by live-streaming council meetings over the Internet and holding regular town hall meetings with residents. I also plan to meet frequently with city council members, mayors, and other elected officials throughout the district to foster collaboration and gather feedback.