Now we know Ken Lanci is a serious candidate. Rob Frost, the county Republican chairman
known for his Dimora-baiting, just sent out his first anti-Lanci press release:
While the FBI is investigating Frank Russo, Jimmy Dimora and their cronies for using public money to gain influence and reward friends, we hear news that Ken Lanci bought "exclusive rights" to an area at the Family Unity Festival. The Festival is held in a public park, has historically been partially financed by tax payer dollars and is advertised by the City of Cleveland.
Lanci's actions just go to show that Lanci thinks because he has money, fairness, public access and democracy don't apply to him.
Apparently, Lanci was the only county executive candidate allowed to pass out campaign literature at Zack Reed’s
festival in Luke Easter Park over the weekend. On his website, Lanci calmly
explains he bought exclusive sponsorship rights to Reed’s festival fair and square. And if his opponents want to pass stuff out at the
Glenville Community Festival Aug. 14, they’d better pony up, or he’ll buy that one up too!
“Both local political parties were asked to sponsor Family Unity in the Park, as were other individual candidates. We were told they declined. So I stepped up to help make this event successful,” said Lanci.
This is definitely a new type of campaigning, way more creative than ads on
75 buses. Your average Republican or Democrat just assumes they can hit the neighborhood festival circuit every weekend and meet voters
for free. Cheapskates!
But I think I know the real reason Frost is jealous. Who wouldn’t pay to get on the same bill as
Morris Day & the Time?
When the county executive race ends Tuesday, another contest will heat up: The 11 new county council members will choose a council president. Four Democrats are vying for the job. My profile of one contender, C. Ellen Connally, is out now in the November issue of Cleveland Magazine. 
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