Candidates for Cuyahoga County Executive debating live in special newsnet5.com forum

CLEVELAND - Candidates for Cuyahoga County Executive are taking part in a town hall forum live on newsnet5.com.

The special event moderated by NewsChannel5's Leon Bibb is part of the Ohio Homecoming festivities going on this weekend in and around Cleveland.

[Click the video player to watch full video of the candidates forum.]

The newly created position of county executive will rank second only to the governor of Ohio when it comes to elected administrative positions.

The candidates are fielding questions ranging from how they will handle the projected $19 million deficit the winner will assume when they take office in November to restoring the confidence in county lost in the midst of a county corruption scandal.

It was that corruption investigation that led to the passing last November of Issue 6 and the elimination of the three commissioner form of government and putting in its place a county executive and 11-member county council.

On Sept. 7, voters will chose the party candidates for the post which will pay $175,000 a year. Those candidates will face off against each other and the independent challengers in the November general election.