WARD 14 Councilman Brian Cummins was re-elected to City Council for a second term in 2009 and represents the community of Clark Fulton and portions of the Stockyards, Brooklyn Centre, Tremont and Ohio City neighborhoods. Councilman Cummins previously represented the community of Brooklyn Centre and a portion of Old Brooklyn as ward 15 Councilman from 2006-2009.
As Councilman, he has focused on developing stronger community representation through block and civic groups and increased efficiency and collaboration in the delivery of community development services. In 2010 he worked with Councilman Matt Zone and Councilman Jay Westbrook in initiating a new community development service model. The councilmen collaborated with neighborhood leaders and provided funding assistance, together with Neighborhood Progress Inc., to create a new service office for the Stockyards, Clark Fulton and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods. This new office is being managed by the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization and is anticipated to develop a community based steering committee that will provide oversight for services.
In 2006 Councilman Cummins collaborated with Councilman Kevin Kelley in supporting the consolidation of the area's two local development corporations as well as assisting with a multi-ward master plan for former wards 15 and 16.
He is a strong advocate for a mixed-used urban community by supporting economic development opportunities as well as trail, green space and watershed related projects to improve the quality of life in ward 14. Councilman Cummins places great emphasis on involving local small businesses and investors and partnering with the private sector to encourage investment in ward 14. The Councilman is also involved with area social service agencies in reviewing programs and seeking collaborations to ensure programs best serve community needs.
Councilman Cummins serves as vice chair of the Public Service Committee and as a member of the Aviation and Transportation, Community and Economic Development, Employment Affirmative Action and Training, Public Safety and Public Utilities Committees as well as the Sustainability Sub-committee.
Councilman Cummins brings more than 25 years of private and public sector professional and community development experience to Cleveland City Council. He is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a degree in Business Administration/Finance. Councilman Cummins began his career in banking with National City Bank and later served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer and Community Development Training Consultant, working in the micro-enterprise, small business and agribusiness programs. Councilman Cummins has worked in the Dominican Republic, Latvia and served as associate director for Peace Corps in Vladivostok, Russia Far East and Chişinău, Moldova. The Councilman was honored with three meritorious awards for outstanding service for his work in Central and Eastern Europe.
Returning to Ohio, Councilman Cummins worked as the Chief Financial Officer for the Community Shelter Board in Columbus. He was then selected to be Executive Director of the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) as well as Publisher and Editor of the Old Brooklyn News for which he received numerous awards for writing, layout, photography, and best community coverage. He has also served as president of the Neighborhood and Community Press Association of Greater Cleveland.
The Councilman lives on Mapledale Avenue in the historic Brooklyn Centre neighborhood with his wife Gayle and their two daughters Addy and Tatum. The Cummins' are parishioners at St. Michael the Archangel Church.
COMMITTEES
- Public Service - Vice Chair
- Aviation and Transportation
- Community and Economic Development
- Employment, Affirmative Action and Training
- Public Safety
- Public Utilities
- Sustainability
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