Preparing for the transition

In November 2021, Cleveland Heights voters will elect their own mayor for the first time in 100 years. Until then, the city will be implementing its transition from the current council-manager form of government to the new mayor-council government that will become effective in January 2022. Here are opportunities to learn more:

• Citizens for an Elected Mayor and FutureHeights are co-sponsoring a virtual forum on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 7-8:30 p.m. We are inviting citizens to complete an online survey to help identify top issues a new mayor will need to address, and to offer short video clips expressing an important challenge for our first elected mayor (videos due by Jan. 26). Details and links are here.

​We look forward to hearing your comments and/or questions! Kindly direct them to the CEM Team at citizensforanelectedmayor@gmail.com.

Other transition information

• A virtual forum on Jan. 20, 2021, highlighted the process that East Providence, R.I., took in a transition similar to what is happening here. It was presented by City Council member Melody Hart and a group of citizens. See it here.
• ​A virtual forum on Oct. 8, 2020, featured the mayors of Maple Heights, South Euclid, and University Heights discussing issues that mayors address. CEM Campaign Manager Tony Cuda gave an overview of key steps in the transition. It was sponsored by City Council member Melody Hart and Citizens for an Elected Mayor.

See it here.

Cleveland Heights voters make history

Cleveland Heights voters transformed a system of government created a century ago into one that promises a brighter future. We look forward to working with the community to ensure a successful transition and that Cleveland Heights remains the vibrant city it is.
Read our statement. Read news and opinion articles.

DONATE

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The Plain Dealer, others, endorse Issue 26

"Given some recent gaps in transparency under the current form of government, an elected mayor also could help ensure the broader accountability that is needed here." - The Plain Dealer
The Plain Dealer endorses Issue 26. So does the North Shore Federation of Labor, which represents more than 100,000 workers; and JVote, the Jewish Voters Association which represents the Orthodox Jewish community residing in Cleveland Heights.

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Check out and share our latest videos!

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Cleveland Heights needs an Elected Mayor

It’s our community. Leadership should be our choice.
Cleveland Heights needs leadership that’s accountable to all of us.  Under our current system, our mayor and manager are appointed by Council instead of elected by us.  Communities all around us with elected mayors are thriving while Cleveland Heights continues to fall behind. 
 
Our City’s leadership has no long‐term vision and is not accountable to the voters.  Power rests in the hands of a few city council members who make decisions without our voice or our vote.  Voting YES on 26 puts the power back where it belongs: in the hands of the people.
 
Voting YES on 26 brings leadership that’s accountable to all of us. Issue 26:

• Puts voters in charge of who leads our city government.
• Gives us the power to elect a qualified leader who will move our community forward.
• Establishes a system of checks and balances missing from our current city government.
• Ensures a professional city administrator, reporting directly to our mayor, will run our city’s day-to-day operations.

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Stay informed

Read the full text of the amendment showing what would be added/deleted from the charter when you vote YES!
​See the language that will be on the ballot. 
​Read why your neighbors support Issue 26, along with news reports.
See the League of Women Voters election guide, which includes information about Issue 26 as well as positions taken by council candidates.

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Join thousands of your neighbors and Vote YES! on 26

Citizens deserve the Democratic right to elect their highest Executive over the City of Cleveland Heights. Legislators (City Council) are part-time and responsible for creating legislation. The Executive (Mayor) is responsible for the day to day operations of the city. Both report to us (the citizens)!

This check and balance is what makes American Democracy work.”

~ Allosious K. Snodgrass
Former Vice-Chair, Cleveland Heights Charter Review Commission

I have been living in the city of Cleveland Hts since 2002 and over the years I've seen the decline of responsiveness to concerns voiced by citizens, lack of support to business owners and the once thriving shopping areas heading towards a downward spiral.  In order for the city to thrive and be reinvented, we need a leader with a vision for the necessary changes that will retain and attract businesses, new homeowners and others to the area.  We deserve to have the democratic right and opportunity to select a mayor that will be held accountable to addressing the needs and interests of its constituents. ”

~ Tonya Horn
Cleveland Heights Resident

It feels important to me that when I speak up before our elected officials, they listen and take my concerns seriously. Our current form of government feels like there is sometimes a missing link between our voices as citizens and the potential for response from those in office. A mayor whom we would elect could offer more accountability between the electorate and the elected.”

~ Reverend Don King
Former Pastor, Peace Lutheran Church, Cleveland Heights

I think the citizens of Cleveland Heights deserve someone who is elected and accountable to the people, whose job it is to make the city better.  Right now, citizens can speak their mind, but there is no specific person “where the buck stops” who is accountable to the voters.  It is time to modernize our city government and elect our mayor in Cleveland Heights. I look forward to voting for the opportunity to elect our mayor in November 2019 so I can vote for the chance to have someone who thinks about Cleveland Heights 24/7 in office sometime soon.”

~ Sue Dean Dyke
Community Leader