Big Changes Ahead For Cleveland Heights City Council

The Cleveland Heights City Council have big changes ahead, regardless of who wins in November.

There will be at least two new council members and a new mayor, and there could be as many as five new members.

Here are five ways the city's governing body could be changing.

1. Mayor Ed Kelley is retiring

Kelley has been a constant and very vocal presence in city politics for the last two decades. But Kelley plans to retire from city council when his term ends at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities. 

Kelley told Patch he is confident that council has the leaders to continue on without him. Still, there will be a new mayor when the calendar flips to 2014.

2. Bonnie Caplan is retiring too

Caplan is a two-decade city council member who is also not running for re-election. Caplan announced her decision in early June.

"20 years is 20 years," she said. "I am announcing it now so any residents who want to think about becoming a council person have times to get their acts together."

3. Jason Stein and Cheryl Stephens up for re-election

Stein and Stephens are two council members whose terms are expiring and do have plans to run for re-election. They will face challengers and in politics nothing is guaranteed. 

4. Janine Boyd Faces First Election

Janine Boyd was appointed in May 2012 to fill the remainder of the term of Phyllis Evans, who passed away recently. Boyd will have to run for election to keep her seat. Right now she has no challengers, but there will be more clarity on that as the filing deadline gets closer.

5. Dennis Wilcox and Mary Dunbar Here To Stay

At least for the next two years. Their terms expire at the end of 2015.