Matt Zone Makes the Big Time

Cleveland city councilman Matt Zone is stepping up to the plate. In November 2016, he became president of the National League of Cities — a nationwide association of 120,000 elected officials and 2,300 cities that helps build better communities. That’s a big deal, since the last Clevelander to hold the post was legendary politician George Voinovich, more than three decades ago. Now Zone leads the organization’s lobbying and publicity efforts as President Donald Trump embarks on the first 100 days of his administration. We sat down with the councilman for a chat.

On leadership Sometimes people get elected to office, and they get bunkered down with dealing with constitute services all the time. You almost become like that factory worker. I always wanted to push the boundaries of what a policymaker could be and help not only the city learn and grow from that, but the community that I represent.

On Voinovich When Cleveland hosted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2015, we had this moment where I saw him and his wife, Janet. I said, “You know, Senator, I want to thank you” — because he wrote a support letter for me. I said, “I was successful. I was elected second vice president of the National League of Cities.” He instantly teared up. He said local government work was the most rewarding work he did in his political career. It was one of those moments, you know, where I had the big lump in the throat. He has a tear in his eye, like a grandfather, and then we hugged.

On Trump I didn’t support Donald Trump for president. But he was nominated in my hometown. I think we’ll have some sort of connection. And that first year is really going to set up how the next three years of this administration working with our organization unfolds. So I’m going to be very diplomatic. I’m going to work with him on issues where I think there is consensus.

On bipartisanship Right now, Congress is hyper-partisan. So if you take a position that’s contrary to the Republican or Democratic party, you’re viewed as the other, right? What [the League of Cities does] very skillfully, unlike Congress, we have a diverse member base where we can come to consensus on issues.

On why his position matters for Cleveland There are going to be many opportunities for my position to benefit, not only Cleveland, but Northeast Ohio. As I am traveling the country, speaking at conferences, writing op-eds in a number of papers across America, I’m going to be telling the Cleveland story, the Cleveland spirit. How we can come back and reinvent ourselves from an old, urban legacy city into what we’ve become today.