Age
55
Education
St. Ann School Cleveland Hts. (1984)
Cleveland St. Ignatius High School (1988)
Loyola University of Chicago (1993) School of Business Administration
Qualifications for office
Current member of city council, Chair of Recreation committee, and member of Building & Utilities and Safety committees. I'm a small business owner with 24+ years of managerial experience in manufacturing and distribution environments. I have worked with companies to improve their quality systems to increase productivity and efficiency. Responsible for developing, implementing, and improving automotive and aerospace quality management systems throughout the United States. As Gesu school Boosters President (2020-2021), I used these skills to improve our interactions with other parish organizations for long-term benefits.
Campaign Phone
216-272-3450
One of the great benefits of living in University Heights is the richness of our unique and diverse communities. As a current member of council, I have been able to engage with residents from all corners of our community, and gain a deeper understanding of their needs. I have supported funding for the Juneteenth Celebration, Fall Fest, and our diverse participants for the annual Memorial Day parade. I recognize that the decisions that are made by council affect all University Heights residents, and we need to listen so that everyone can benefit. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and responsiveness, we can ensure that University Heights remains a welcoming and vibrant place for all who call it home.
Since being elected to council, I supported the curbside recycling program which was successfully implemented in 2024. This has afforded the city to not only improve its recycling program, but also to be paid for its recycled materials. I am also a member of the Building & Housing and Service & Utilities committees which are updating ordinances to improve our tree canopy and encourage pollinating gardens. Another exciting opportunity is the construction of new city facilities for our city hall, police, fire, and service departments to include energy-efficient practices. I believe that the future of environmental practices and sustainable infrastructure in our city depends on collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to long-term planning.
Our safety goals can be achieved through the use of data collection & analysis to identify trends and allocate resources where they are needed most. Legislatively, city council has worked with administration and Police & Fire departments to ensure adequate funds are available to get the resources they need. Ordinances are created and updated to allow our safety forces to address these issues within our community. As a community, I believe our residents play an invaluable role in fostering a culture of safety by providing feedback to city leadership allow us to stay informed about concerns and adjust our strategies. Open communications have built trust between residents, city officials, and safety forces to ensure that our city remains safe.
Since I have been council, the administration and council have been able to accomplish some major projects: redevelopment of University Square, curbside recycling, and development of Fairmount Circle with the JCU. These projects came together with open communications and achievable expectations. My time on council has seen an increase in the committee meetings which have allowed city council to take actions on important issues from our residents. The administration has presented significant projects and city council has done its part to ask the questions to make these a reality. Although some of the questions have led to some robust debates, all of us worked towards what is in the best interests of the residents and the community.
The major weather event last August showed the capabilities of our Police, Fire, and Service departments when put to the test. These departments rolled up their sleeves and did the critical work to help restore order in the city. I cannot thank them enough for all that they did after the storm. One of the biggest issues was the need for improvements to our electrical grid as the power outages lasted over a week for some residents. I will work with First Energy to invest the funds needed to review, assess, and replace the equipment so that the residents can have confidence that they won't lose power during these storms.
Age
48
Education
Studied History at University of Toledo
Qualifications for office
Elected to University Heights City Council in 2021; 25+ years of experience as an Information Technology professional; Board Treasurer of Bike Cleveland (2024-Present); Board Member of Bike Cleveland (2020-Present); Board Member of University Settlement (2014-2023); Board Member of Heights Bicycle Coalition (2018-2020); Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2018, a program of the the Cleveland Leadership Center for mid-career professionals; Endorsed for re-election by the North Shore AFL-CIO and the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund
Campaign Phone
216-250-1277
Current occupation
Data Engineer Lead, Progressive Insurance
The diversity of University Heights enriches the experience of everyone living in the city. I will continue to seek a range of perspectives and opinions to guide my actions on City Council. I support the publication of the Mosaic magazine that highlights the events and celebrations of our populations. Funding should be sustained for events such as Juneteenth, Fall Fest, the Summer Concert series, and the Memorial Day Parade. These events bring us together as a community and demonstrate diversity is our strength. The City Charter was amended in 2023 to include a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy, and I proudly voted with my colleagues to place the amendment before voters.
Sustainability is one my chief priorities. Early on, I connected Rust Belt Riders with the City and this lead to the compost drop-off location at Walter Stinson Park. A municipal composting pilot launched this year, and I will advocate for the program to continue in 2026 and beyond. I also introduced legislation in 2022 for University Heights to become a “Power a Clean Future Ohio” (PCFO) city. The Advisory Committee on Sustainability worked with PCFO to create our first carbon inventory and begin work on a climate action plan for the City. I will work to ensure that the Zoning Code update that is underway will include improvements on parking space requirements, stormwater management, and alternative energy.
Safety is top of mind for residents, and that priority is mirrored in the City budget. The largest expenses are our outstanding Fire and Police Departments. Council and the administration must work together to ensure that firefighter and police officer staffing levels are maintained in upcoming budgets. As a member of the Safety Committee, I am regularly advised by Police Chief Rogers and Fire Chief Perko on training and equipment requirements for their departments. It is vitally important that our safety personnel have the tools and resources they need to do their job of protecting residents.
The City Charter vests Council with legislative powers and assigns executive powers to the administration with the Mayor as chief executive officer. Both branches of government must work together with mutual respect as co-equals for the betterment of the City. Council members also act as representatives and advocates for the public. The work I enjoy the most as a Councilperson is helping connect residents with the resources they need. Government works best when we all acknowledge that we ultimately work for the people.
City and State elected officials must hold First Energy accountable for their aging infrastructure. Years of deferred maintenance has led to increased risk of lengthy power outages. The City has effectively used tools like the Cuyahoga County ReadyNotify (CodeRed) system to keep residents updated during weather emergencies, but we need to do more outreach to ensure everyone is signed up. Additionally, the City should explore collaborating with other organizations like the Heights Library or the School District to provide heating/cooling centers and locations for charging phones during extended outages.
Age
64
Education
Case Western Reserve University, BS, Nutrition, cum laude; Registered, Licensed Dietitian; Licensed Nursing Home Administrator through the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business
Qualifications for office
2022-Present UH City Council Member at Large on Council Committees including: Service & Utilities, Chair; Safety; Recreation; Economic Development Subcommittee/Zoning Review; Community Outreach; & member Community Beautiful (Investment) Corporation. I introduced/sponsored UH Ordinances that passed unanimously by all Council members present including: 2024-12, “Loose Recycling Services”; 2024-23, “Establishing a Deadline for the Submission of the Mayor’s Proposed Annual Budget to Council”; & 2025-01, “Amending Section 1064.07 of the Streets, Utilities, & Public Services Code, “Special Collections”; Award-winning, experienced professional securing >$60 grants; managed >300 staff; >$10M budgets
Campaign Phone
(216)538-1293
Current occupation
Grants Officer
UH’s City Charter’s nonpartisan mandate allows robust, honest, de-politicized & effective discussion by a diverse Council at Large. I am proud of my record putting Charter amendments on the ballot that Residents approved including Issue 82, Gender Neutrality for Charter gendered terms & language & gender-neutral & gender-inclusive terms/language, & Issue 87, Anti-discrimination mandating non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital/partnership status, sex/sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship status, caste, tribal affiliation or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law, unless reasonably necessary.
I voted for Power a Clean Future Ohio & am well positioned as Service & Utilities Committee (S&UC) Chair, to support legislation to move this forward. I sponsored ordinance 2024-12 “Loose Recycling Services”, already resulting in cost effective increased recycling & reduced solid waste to the landfill. Since education is necessary for successful sustainability outcomes, I invited recycling & composting experts to S&UC meetings. Through joint meetings with the Building & Housing Committee, I am actively working to improve the tree canopy & addressing hedges, shrubbery & weeds. LED &/or solar-powered street lighting is planned to be discussed in the S&UC as sustainable options to high pressure sodium lights which will become obsolete.
My Council record demonstrates a strong commitment, serving on the Safety Committee.
I supported the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) update that hadn’t been done in years. EOP is a comprehensive plan outlining UH’s emergency response establishing a framework to coordinate departments, agencies, & community partners to prevent, mitigate, respond to & recover from potential hazards. S&UC is working collaboratively with the City Engineer, Police Chief, Fire Chief, & Service Director on a Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) to upgrade traffic signals for improved emergency vehicle response. I earned the 2020 Citizen of the Year by serving on UH's Citizen’s Advisory Committee to review policing use of force policies.
City government must work as a team - collaboratively, responsively, & inclusively, in a professional & respectful manner to manage resources to improve City services & maintain property values. City Council’s role is to legislate & appropriate. Administration’s role is to administratively run the City by executing ALL legislation with integrity within the approved budget. Whenever the Mayor proposes initiatives, timely & transparent communication with Council will promote collaboration. The more due diligence & effective proactive communication by administration, the more efficient the legislative process will be as it would reduce time spent fact finding to determine best outcomes. Bottom line: We are on the same team in service to UH!
Requiring that UH administration update the EOP was a much-needed step it the right direction. Unlike past years, EOP protocols must be reviewed by ordinance & as best practice post severe weather events. UH has a newly assigned First Energy rep whom I invited to a S&UC meeting in May 2025 to present & clarify updated communication protocols in the event of a major power outage. While the elected Mayor & employed Safety Director positions are typically assigned to one person, salaries were realigned this past year through ordinance to emphasize the specific & critical job tasks of each position. When the Mayor and City Council work together as a team, UH will be fully prepared to weather severe weather events & other unanticipated crises.
Age
39
Education
Fisk University, Bachelor of Arts, Religion and Philosophy Yale University, Master of Divinity Cleveland State University, Educational Administration/ Supervision Cert. Johns Hopkins University,
Qualifications for office
I am Rev. Dr. Vincent E. Stokes II—husband, father, educator, pastor of New Sardis Church, and lifelong resident of the Heights. I entered this race to make a difference in our community. As caretaker for my 92-year-old grandmother, I know firsthand the importance of strong senior services, and I will fight to restore backyard trash pickup for those who need it most. As a homeowner, I am concerned about the lack of progress at University Square and the blight it creates for our community and property values. I believe University Heights deserves meaningful economic development that strengthens our neighborhoods and places us alongside other thriving inner-ring suburbs.
Campaign Phone
2168323252
Current occupation
Pastor and Education
University Heights is home to families, students, seniors, and people of many cultures and faiths. As your councilmember, I’ll make sure every voice is heard and every neighborhood is served fairly. That means listening to residents directly, making sure services like trash pickup, snow removal, and safety are reliable in all areas, and closing gaps where they exist. I’ll push for diverse representation on city boards and committees so decisions reflect our whole community. And I’ll be transparent about how resources are spent. Equity isn’t just treating everyone the same—it’s making sure everyone has what they need to thrive.
The future of our city depends on balancing sustainability with preserving the look and feel that makes University Heights special. We should invest in greener streets, energy-efficient buildings, and modern stormwater systems, while maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods and their historic character. Expanding recycling, protecting our tree canopy, and supporting renewable energy will improve quality of life without changing who we are. Sustainability should enhance, not erase, our city’s identity.
Safety is more than policing—it’s about trust, fairness, and prevention. Administratively, I’ll support training and staffing that make community policing a reality, where officers know residents and work with them. Legislatively, I’ll push for policies that ensure accountability, equity, and investment in safe infrastructure like well-lit streets and maintained parks. At the community level, I’ll champion youth programs, mental health partnerships, and diversifying city services so safety reflects the needs of every resident.
City government works best when the administration and City Council respect their distinct roles but operate as partners. Council’s role is to listen to residents, legislate policies, and allocate resources responsibly. The mayor’s role is to carry out those allocations and oversee the daily operations of the city. When Council and the administration communicate openly and work together, we can ensure that policies are implemented effectively, services are delivered fairly, and residents see results in their everyday lives.
No, I don’t believe University Heights is as prepared as we should be for severe weather events. Residents need clearer emergency service guidelines and timely information before, during, and after storms. We must strengthen our communication systems so people know where to go, who to call, and what resources are available. I would also support updated infrastructure, coordinated response plans, and regular community education. Preparedness saves lives, and our city must do more to keep residents safe.
