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CLEVELAND (WJW) – FOX 8 I-Team cameras were checking voting precincts in Cleveland on the city’s west side and east side.
On Tuesday, voters across seven Cleveland council wards had the chance to pick new candidates for city council.
This is the first time residents will be voting since the wards were reduced and redrawn earlier this year.
Several candidates told us they did not see many voters show up at the polls.
“Right now, there are more than 600 people that voted by mail or at the board of elections,” said Juanita Brent, candidate for Cleveland Council Ward 1. “Other than that, it has been very slow. Maybe less than 20 people at the polling locations.”
And we also saw just a handful of voters at a polling place in Cleveland’s new Ward 7, which features some of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods, including Tremont and Ohio City.
Several council candidates for Ward 1 said public safety and safe neighborhoods are the top priorities.
“We love this community, we live on a street with people in our age group 65-70,” said Marc Crosby, council candidate. “We all communicate and participate in the community.”
Brent agreed.
“I also want to focus on a clean, safe, connected community,” Brent added. “That is not something I am seeing here.”
Candidate Lesa Jones Dollar said she believes residents need to unite and look after each other and their neighborhoods.
“We need to stand united,” Dollar added.
Candidate Aylwin Bridges said he also wants more development.
“We are tired of getting gas stations and bars,” Bridges said. “I encourage everyone to vote.”
Candidates running for Ward 1 also include embattled incumbent Councilman Joe Jones. Jones is facing several allegations including harassing employees. Jones told us he believes he deserves a chance to prove the allegations made against him are false.
“We place our hope in God,” Jones said. “We fight every day for the citizens of Ward 1 to get resources and services here. Voters need to continue that process.”
The top two vote getters in each ward will advance to the general election in November.
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Peggy Gallek
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