David Ellison's bio

I'm a registered architect. I live in Cleveland with a loyal companion named Rolf who has long floppy ears and a tail. I own a house in Ohio City and I've maintained my architectural practice on the near west side since 1998. I moved here in 1987 after attending college at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City on a 5-year, full-tuition, merit-based, academic scholarship where I earned my professional degree. When I first graduated, I pursued a long-term interest in cars and became a certified automobile mechanic before returning to architecture and becoming licensed.

I'm running for County Executive because I want to help guide the re-building of Cuyahoga County. As an architect, I'm a problem solver and consensus builder. I'm able to visualize things that don't yet exist and I'm able to administrate complicated projects, keep them on budget and get them built. I think my experience is right for the job. I am not beholden to any entrenched special interests or dogmatic thinking. I'll work for widespread agreement and respectful deliberations toward better, inclusive and thoughtful decision-making.

 
I am a citizen activist. The public may be familiar with some of my work, I was active on the Ameritrust fiasco and the ill-conceived plan to consolidate county administration offices to E. 9th and Euclid. Most recently, my neighbors and I stopped a human crematorium from being permitted next to an organic garden and a day-care center in Ohio City. The Cleveland Health Department confirmed there was no way of telling how much mercury would end up on the ground immediately around the smokestack, but almost any unnecessary exposure was too high, especially for children. We continue to face a daunting variety of environmental problems here in Cuyahoga County. They affect human health and potential. We have a lot of work to do to fulfill the promise in Chapter 7 of the new charter "to promote and enhance the well-being and prosperity of the County and all of its residents".