Cleveland Heights People of the Year: Part II

A community is only as good as the people who make it that way.

In Cleveland Heights there are many people who go above and beyond the call to make the city a special place to live.

We asked you to tell us who you thought was deserving of Person of the Year and we got some terrific responses. 

Earlier this week Cleveland Patch highlighted Sean Sullivan who is a teacher at Noble Elementary and teaches kids soccer in the community, named Coach of the Year.

Now we want to recognize the other nominees. Today we are featuring the final three of six People of the Year, suggested by you.

You can read about the first three nominees here.

Laura Marks

Nominated by: Sam Bell

Among her many other contributions to the city and its schools, Laura also succeeded in getting the "haunted house" at the corner of Hampshire & Cadwell razed by the city, according to Sam Bell.

Marks is currently spearheading its conversion into a neighborhood resource (Spirit Park) which will feature community gardens, benches and native plants.

Bell said she has been an active contributor to the Sustainability Working Group of the CH-UH School Lay Facilities Committee, where she has worked on open space issues, building evaluations and a demonstration solar photo voltaic project.   

"She is a true renaissance-woman whose values and actions exemplify the best of Cleveland Heights," Bell said.

Fran Mench

Nominated by: Cindy Jahn

"Fran is someone who cares about our community," Cindy Jahn said.

She said Mench helps by organizing a neighborhood improvment non-profit group, working hard to save Oakwood Golf Course, running for city council, working to save South Euclid Library, being an active contributor of articles in the Heights Observer, attending council meetings, trying to save Milliken School, continuing trying to save our natural resources by donating to organizations that save animals, conserve water, and countless others.  

"She is an involved neighbor and always hosts the yearly block party," Jahn said.

According to Jahn, Mench is concerned about keeping property values up and doing the "little things" the neighborhood and city can do to protect that.  

"She has been a huge supporter of my business, my neighborhood, and my home," Jahn said. "I for one am grateful to have someone like her living in our special community."

Mike Gaynier

Nominated by: John Reece

While only living in Cleveland Heights for a few years, Mike Gaynier is already "up to his ears in civic involvement," John Reece said.

Gaynier is a board member and past president of The Home Repair Resource Center, the current President of the Heights Democrats and an active member and volunteer at The Red Cross and the local ACLU.

"He is a helluva nice guy witha ready laugh and a sharp mind," Reece said.