Ask anyone who has ever tried to do business in Cleveland and you will hear a horror story of bureaucratic mumbo jumbo and endless delays often involving the political circus that is our city council.
The year-long fight by gourmet food truck operators to be allowed to operate on city streets is a good example. The city council finally approved the trucks on Monday but after months of ordeal and only after some negative publicity propelled them to action.
But when it comes to passing laws that cause inconvenience to most people or are just plain silly well, the council is downright "Johnny on the spot".
Also on Monday, the council approved Joe Cimperman's goofy idea to ban the use of trans fat cooking oil in Cleveland restaurants and donut shops and also to prohibit smoking outdoors in city parks and in public recreation areas.
Council members are worried that Clevelanders can't be trusted to protect their own arteries and that the homeless who mostly utilize the city parks may have their lungs damaged by errant gusts of tobacco smoke.
Well, it's comforting to know that in these difficult economic times, the Cleveland City council is paying attention to the right things. Write and let me know what you think. I'm Bill Applegate.
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