In the ongoing battle over the renovation of Quicken Loans Arena, the organizers of the petition drive to block are asking to be added to a lawsuit in state Supreme Court. The petition organizers want the state court to either dismiss a lawsuit filed by the city鈥檚 law director or add their arguments onto it.
The Cleveland law director filed the lawsuit in early June. It attempts to force the clerk of City Council on the city鈥檚 role in the Q deal. The clerk initially rejected the petitions by saying a referendum would interfere with a contract the city has already signed with Cuyahoga County.
The petitioners鈥� lawyer, , says having a lawsuit between the city鈥檚 law director and the clerk of council means the issue is being argued by two parties on the same side. Chandra points out that both the mayor and council president support the Q financing deal.
鈥淲ho gets to speak for the City of Cleveland? The voters by referendum, as established in the charter, or some officials who are trying to undermine democracy and the democratic process?" Chandra said.
, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said the reasoning for having the law director challenge the clerk of council is the court鈥檚 help is needed to weigh two arguments that he described as valid.
