Craig Cobb

My Story

I am a native Clevelander, the son of a postal worker and school administrator, who has lived within a few miles of our Coventry neighborhood home for most of my life. I attended college at Miami University (Ohio) and law school at Cleveland Marshall College of Law. I am married to Ruth Cobb and we have a son, Michael, currently a junior at Ohio University.

I have been an attorney for almost 37 years and am currently employed by Farmers Insurance where I have been the Managing Attorney for its Cleveland branch legal office for 20 years.  

 On April 15, 2019, I was unanimously appointed by Cleveland Heights City Council from among 34 applicants to fill a vacancy arising from another Council Member’s election to Cuyahoga County Council. I was humbled by this appointment and am grateful to be given the privilege and opportunity to continue my public service for the residents of this City. Prior to my appointment, I had served as a member of the City’s Fair Housing Board, Citizen’s Advisory Committee, Charter Review Commission, and most recently, Planning Commission where I was its chairman until the appointment to Council.   

I first moved to Cleveland Heights in my 20’s to live in a basement apartment on Euclid Heights Boulevard where I was the building custodian as I worked my way through law school and then to save money to buy my first home. During many years of mopping floors, lawn care, shoveling snow and taking the trash out on Sunday nights, I never imagined that someday I would be a member of City Council.

I can recall when Severance Center was a thriving indoor mall anchored by Halle’s and Higbee’s department stores, and all of our various commercial districts thriving with few vacant storefronts. Our population loss was minimal and the school system enjoyed an excellent reputation. Our housing stock was strong with the majority of two family homes owner occupied.

However, decades later, and through no fault of our own, the world has changed and we need experienced and thoughtful leaders serving on City Council who recognize the challenges we face as an inner ring suburb. They need to be visionary and optimistic, but also willing to be honest with residents about the fact there is no “magic wand” that will transform the City overnight.

I believe I am that type of leader and respectfully ask for your vote on Nov. 5, 2019 to retain me on City Council so that I may continue to serve you and work for good government. Here are my top priorities as a member of City Council:

Promote economic development and population growth to increase our income tax base by making Cleveland Heights the first choice to live, shop and play particularly for the thousands of employees who work at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Veterans Administration, Case Western Reserve, and the University Circle institutions like the museums and the Cleveland Orchestra. This has to be the number one priority because the  majority of the City’s funding comes from the income tax paid by residents and employees of the businesses located within our City.  

Maintain our housing stock by diligent code enforcement and holding absentee landlords accountable for the condition of their property and disruptive tenants that harm the neighborhood.

Make sure that our Police and Fire Departments continue to have the resources and equipment needed to maintain the high level and quality of services currently being provided to the residents.

Revitalize our business districts by making City Hall an easy place to do business with and eliminate any unnecessary red tape that discourages businesses from opening here or relocating to Cleveland Heights.

Make sure that we continue to exercise fiscal responsibility by not authorizing any expenditures beyond our income.

Implement a strategy that forces the out of state owner of Severance Town Center to work with the City to redevelop and transform the property into a viable mixed-use community with a variety of housing options and welcoming green spaces.

Ensure that we continue to have economic programs and incentives that benefit every part of the City and especially encourage development in our less prosperous neighborhoods and business districts.

Collaborate with the Cleveland Heights/University Heights School Board to combat the perception that our schools are failing, and lobby our elected State legislators to address what the Ohio Supreme Court has held to be an unconstitutional of method of funding our schools which places a disproportionate reliance on real estate property taxes forcing school boards to constantly go to the voters to seek approval of school levies which drives up property taxes.

Adopt best practices that make our City more sustainable, encourage recycling and protect the environment.

Continue to be a visible and engaged member of City Council who is accessible to the residents and easily reached either through email (ccobb@clvhts.com) or phone (216) 440-8872.

Background

• 27 year resident of Cleveland Heights

• B.A., Miami University (OH)

• J.D., Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

• Attorney for 37 years

• Married to Ruth Cobb

• One child, Michael, a junior at Ohio University

Cleveland Heights City Council

Unanimously appointed in April 2019 by City Council from among 34 applicants to fill the position.

• Chairman, Finance Committee

• Vice-chairman, Safety & Municipal Services Committee

Past Cleveland Heights Community and Public Service

• Member, Cleveland Heights Planning Commission

• Member, Charter Review Commission

• Member, Citizens Advisory Committee       

• Member, Fair Housing Board

• Recreation Board Youth Coach, baseball, soccer and basketball.

• St. Ann/Communion of Saints CYO coach     

Other Past Community and Public Service

• State of Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Governing Board Member   

• Judge, Cleveland Municipal Court

• City of Cleveland, Civilian Police Review Board

• Assistant Law Dir., City of Cleveland

• Board Member, Friends of Shaker Square, Inc.