Michael Nelson, the president of the local chapter of 100 Black Men who just declared his candidacy for mayor, was last seen in the media holding a rally at the Steelyard Commons site to lament the City's momentary "loss" of Wal-Mart. Here's the PD article from March 31 (library card required):
Late protest: The mentoring organization 100 Black Men added another outraged voice over Wal-Mart’s decision not to build a store in Cleveland.Now Nelson feels the call to run for mayor himself. Hmmmm, let's see: One more East Side candidate... takes votes in Jackson turf... helps Campbell... makes Wal-Mart's life easier. But I'm sure this is all coincidental.
The group held a small demonstration Wednesday at the site of Steelyard Commons, a shopping center project that its developer hoped would include Wal-Mart.
The event was about shopping, but it smelled of politics.
Michael Nelson, president of 100 Black Men, complained — weeks after the fact — that the city failed to land a job-generating deal with the retailer.
The developer and Mayor Jane Campbell have said the company was frightened by legislation proposed by Cimperman to limit Wal-Mart’s ability to sell groceries. Cimperman has said he wanted to protect local grocers.
After the event, Nelson denied that he was siding with Campbell. But he did criticize Jackson, the council president, for not reining in Cimperman.
The PD story about Nelson's candidacy says he serves as "director of development" for the national 100 Black Men of America. "Development", of course, mean fundraising. Wal-Mart has been a supporter of the 100 Black Men scholarship program in Los Angeles and elsewhere, but the chain isn't listed among the organization's national corporate supporters. Who knows, maybe Nelson's just laying a little groundwork.
But whatever his motives might be, Michael Nelson is now the second Wal-Mart Candidate on the Cleveland ballot, along with the current mayor. So... where are the other guys?