On April 15, 2019, I was unanimously appointed by Cleveland Heights City Council from among 34 applicants to complete an unexpired term arising from another Council Member’s election to Cuyahoga County Council. I was humbled by this appointment and grateful to be given the privilege and opportunity to continue my public service for the residents of this City. Prior to my appointment, I 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.
Two years later, on April 5, 2021, I was again appointed to fill a vacancy after another Council Member resigned upon relocating to another community. In November 2021, I was elected to my current 4-year term.
During my time on Council, I believe I have built a reputation for honesty, fairness, integrity and doing hard work; not for political points, but because its the right thing to do.
By way of background, 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 this November to reelect me so that I may continue to serve you and work for good government. Here are my top priorities as a member of City Council: