Updated: Cleveland Heights Patch Asks Council Member Candidates 5 Questions

Cleveland Heights City Council members will to replace former council member Mark Tumeo at tonight's regular meeting. 

Eighteen , and council chose to this past week. 

Stein announced on his Facebook page wall Sunday night that Mayor Ed Kelley told him he would be officially appointed tonight. 

Kelley said last week that council members would most likely select someone and announce their choice at one of the June City Council meetings, the first of which is tonight. 

The council member appointed will fill in until Dec. 31. The candidate must run in November to complete Tumeo's term, which ends Dec. 31, 2013. 

Cleveland Heights Patch contacted the candidates Wednesday and asked them five questions. Some have been edited for length, and candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Here's how each responded: 

JILL COHN

Has not yet responded. Missed each other's calls Thursday. 

JEFF CORYELL 

Why do you think you are the best person for the job?    

I have a passion for public service, and I care deeply about Cleveland Heights and its residents. I believe that Cleveland Heights should be a leader among 21st-century progressive communities. I bring a unique combination of skills to the position as an artist who operated his studio as a small business and also has legal training and 10 years of law practice including representing government agencies. In addition, from my work in politics and public affairs, I am conversant with cutting-edge Internet communications and can use this ability to help address the city's need to get its message out in the most contemporary and effective way.

What roles have you had in city government, and have you applied for a council position in the past?

I have not worked in city government and I have not applied for city council previously.

In what other ways are you involved in the Cleveland Heights community? Nonprofits? Education?

I have been active in the Cleveland Heights Democrats club, including serving as president, secretary and trustee. As a Democratic Party precinct committee member, I have gone door-to-door talking to voters frequently. I support our active community nonprofit organizations.

What are the most important issues, in your opinion, that Cleveland Heights residents face? 

Our community faces a number of serious issues including declining property values and declining population. Our retail districts and neighborhoods need to be restored and strengthened. Addressing these issues is made more difficult by severe cuts in the sources of municipal funding upon which we have previously relied. Our community must aggressively seek out best practices and innovative new ideas in sharing of services, economic development and sustainability.

If you are not appointed, will you run for a council seat in November? 

Yes, I am running for a City Council seat in November. To learn more, visit my campaign website at www.CoryellForCouncil.com or call me at 216-264-6640.

MARY DUNBAR

Why do you think you are the best person for the job?

Because of my education, experience, and civic engagement.  A master's degree in communication, an MBA in finance and general management, and a career in communication and investor relations working with the premier organizations in our region will enable me to understand and evaluate our city's situation and prospects, and provide the right input to capitalize on opportunities that will strengthen our community. I expect my ability to listen effectively to and empower residents and employees, and my knowledge of the regional and global economic context, will help clarify our strengths and build on them to keep Cleveland Heights the best place to be.

What roles have you had in city government, and have you applied for a council position in the past?

When I ran for Cleveland Heights City Council in 2009, I personally went door to door to more than 60 percent of the homes of voters.  Talking to residents provided an excellent education in issues and opportunities.  I came close to winning, so I am trying again. In addition, I will bring a critically important focus to Council because of my work this past year as a member of the County Transition Team's "Code of Ethics Workgroup."  I want to keep our government squeaky clean.

In what other ways are you involved in the Cleveland Heights community? Nonprofits? Education?

I am a co-founder in 2010 of the , dedicated to making bicycling safer and increasingly popular in our community.  I also wrote an application, currently pending, to have the part of Cleveland Heights where I live listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the past year, I have collaborated with PE teachers and others to promote walking or biking to school, and we expect to revive bicycle education and rodeos for public elementary school students starting in the fall. This is important for the kids' health and well-being.  I have written numerous articles for The Heights Observer on civility, walking and biking, and opportunities.

What are the most important issues, in your opinion, that Cleveland Heights residents face? 

We need to strengthen our tax base by (1) supporting existing businesses, (2) attracting new business, and (3) leveraging our strengths in ways that retain existing homeowners and attract new ones to fill vacancies.  That will enable us to continue outstanding delivery of city services.  Our city should help to strengthen our schools.  My goal is that we sustain a livable, healthy and active community.  Civic engagement and empowerment can help, and I believe that I am especially effective at that.

If you are not appointed, will you run for a council seat in November? 

Yes.

MICHAEL GAYNIER

Why do you think you are the best person for the job, and in what other ways are you involved in the Cleveland Heights community? Nonprofits? Education?

I’ve had a lot of experience the last couple of years of working with folks from our city government. I’m (on the board of directors) of the Home Repair Resource Center. We are kind of an arm of the city government because we do all of the housing advocacy issues, and the Community Development Block Grant funds our programs and services. For example, it helps fund our home repair classes, also we have our financial education classes, our loan guaranteed programs, financial fitness classes … the whole idea (or mission of the HRCC when it started) was to protect and preserve our neighborhoods while at the same time supporting diversity … to embrace integration in the community instead of fighting it.

If (the HRRC) weren’t around, this kind of stuff would have to be done by the city. I’ve been actively involved in the community since my wife and I moved here four years ago. Two and a half years ago, I took over as board chair.

Throughout my career and in my corporate life, in other organizations, I’ve gotten involved with and always have been involved with leadership positions. When I moved to Cleveland Heights, I fell in love with the place. I’d rather be involved in the process … I joked on my application that I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I am really good at finding that person. I’ve always been someone who can bring people together who can solve problems. I’m good at bringing people together to accomplish things that need to get done. 

What roles have you had in city government, and have you applied for a council position in the past?

He has not held a role in city government or ran in the past. He worked with Mark Tumeo through the HRRC programs, and Tumeo encouraged him to run, he said. 

What are the most important issues, in your opinion, that Cleveland Heights residents face? 

I agree with all the other candidates that you really need to look at regional issues and we really need to get involved with our surrounding communities at a bigger extent than we are now. We have to look at saving opportunities to really help us cut costs in terms of managing our community. And we need to work together to reinvigorate the area to attract residents back here … the quality of living here just can’t be beat.

If you are not appointed, will you run for a council seat in November? 

I am planning on running in November.

JASON STEIN

Why do you think you are the best person for the job?    

I was born and raised in Cleveland Heights. I attended Boulevard, Wiley and graduated from Heights High in 1995. I have a strong attachment to this community, and I want to help make it better. I have the skills, abilities and experience that would make me a valuable addition to the City Council. 

What roles have you had in city government, and have you applied for a council position in the past?

I ran for City Council in 2009. I lost to former City Councilman Mark Tumeo by only 205 votes. This was the closest City Council election in over 30 years.

Stein listed his qualifications below: 

• Cleveland Heights – University Heights Library Board of Trustee member, 2010 – present                                                 
• Operations Committee, member 2011                                                
• Planning & External Relations Committee, member 2010
• Cleveland Heights Citizens Advisory Committee member, 2008 – present
• Preservation and Housing Subcommittee, member 2011                                     
• Preservation and Housing Subcommittee, Vice-Chair 2010                            
• Finance & Other Subcommittee, member 2009                                            
• Neighborhood Activities Subcommittee, member 2008
• CH – UH’s School Facilities Committee, member 2010 – present 
• Financial Subcommittee, member 2011

In what other ways are you involved in the Cleveland Heights community? Nonprofits? Education?

I coach my son’s little league baseball team

What are the most important issues, in your opinion, that Cleveland Heights residents face? 

The most important issue facing Cleveland Heights is how to maintain quality of services while balancing the city budget. With the housing crisis, sluggish economy, population loss and the governor’s cuts to the city, Cleveland Heights will be forced to budget with less. I believe that the economy will get better and that will naturally alleviate some of the immediate concern. However, the loss of population throughout Cuyahoga County will delay that recovery … I feel that regional cooperation is in the best interest of all municipalities and the region as a whole … Cleveland Heights has already begun to move in this direction by sharing a salt dome with University Heights, joint street bidding and dispatch with Shaker and University Heights and joining R.I.T.A. 

If you are not appointed, will you run for a council seat in November? 

Yes

ANTHONY STEVENSON 

Why do you think you are the best person for the job?   

I love the city of Cleveland Heights, and I want to contribute to its growth and well-being. I love the diversity, the tree-lined streets and the fact that I see individuals and families walking at night. I've been a resident and homeowner for nearly 14 years and my kids attend Cleveland Heights schools. 

What roles have you had in city government, and have you applied for a council position in the past? 

I have not had any other roles in city government.  I have never applied for a council position.

In what other ways are you involved in the Cleveland Heights community? Nonprofits? Education? 

I've worked for and with nonprofits in greater Cleveland for most of my professional life. The only specific Cleveland Heights entities I've worked for, or with, recently are the Home Repair Resource Center and Bromley & Associates.  In both cases, I provided information and materials focusing on preventing foreclosures and avoiding predatory and unfair loans.  I also actively attend my kids' schools activities.

What are the most important issues, in your opinion, that Cleveland Heights residents face? 

Reducing high taxes while dealing with a shrinking tax base.  I'm also concerned about the large number of vacant and abandoned properties and their impact on property values and crime.

If you are not appointed, will you run for a council seat in November? 

It depends. If I'm not appointed and the selected person is doing a great job, I will not run for the seat in November. It's not about me. It's about what's best for Cleveland Heights.