Cleveland Heights Council Candidates Answer Questions at Forum

Cleveland Heights and University Heights residents heard from and questioned local candidates at a forum Thursday night in the

The featured candidates running for city council and school board seats in Cleveland Heights and University Heights, and was presented by the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area, Heights Chapter and FutureHeights.

Each candidate spoke for two minutes about his or her experience and was allotted one minute to answer questions. Audience members wrote questions on index cards read by moderator Deanna Bremer Fisher, executive director of FutureHeights. Below is a brief summary of each city council candidate's response, and follow this link to read responses from the . The event was recorded, and we will share a link to the video once it's available.

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Bio Blast: Former attorney, artist, teacher and political consultant. Read . 

Opening Statement: "I envision us as using the latest internet technology to serve our residents better and to market ourselves more effectively as a place to live and do business."

On tackling vacant/foreclosed homes: "We have got to reverse the trend of population decline by getting our buzz back. Cleveland Heights needs to once again be the first-choice destination for new residents so we have a market for the empty houses and the rental properties ... why don't we ... aggressively market ourselves as a place to live to the young people in University Circle institutions and entities."

One priority: "I envision our community as a true sustainable city with a sustainability officer to help us achieve reduction in waste, efficiency and less damage to the environment."

Quotable: "We need to be aggressive in being a leader and a pioneer in sharing of services with other communities so we can still provide excellent services but spend less money doing it."

Bio Blast: Co-founder and executive committee member for the ; ran for City Council in 2009. Read her .

Opening Statement: "Since the 2009 election, I've built on community strengths to co-found the Cleveland Heights Bicycle Coalition and to co-author an on the National Register of Historic Places."

On tackling vacant/foreclosed homes: "We need to really focus on getting a faster process for dealing with foreclosed homes, homes that have been abandoned ... we're behind the curve. We need to get in front of things."

One Priority: "Current members of City Council have expressed an interest in having stronger financial expertise on council. I have an MBA in finance. My career was in financial communication. I'd like to really delve into the city's finances and get a good understanding of them and communicate what I learned to the citizens so that they can understand exactly what our financial position is as well."

Quotable: "There are two things that would be complete game changers for Cleveland Heights. One is if we were competitive with others cities on taxes, and the other is if our schools ."

Bio Blast: Current Cleveland Heights City councilwoman. . 

Opening Statement: "As a member of council, I've participated in the difficult budgetary decisions that reduced staff and the operating budget, but with cross-training of our dedicated employees and regional cooperation, our community continues to be vital and desirable."

On tackling vacant/foreclosed homes: “As you know there are a number of programs in the city of Cleveland Heights to help out with the renovations, and in some cases, demolition of homes. It has been a challenge to keep all of our neighborhoods looking terrific, but as you know most of us are up to the task of doing that."

One Priority: “We must keep our parks and our facilities in excellent condition. We must keep the ball rolling. Community relations outreach continues to be our city’s most valuable link to our residents."

Quotable: "The size of our city alone presents a good number of concerns, and I think we should all keep an open head and an open heart and realize we need to all work together to resolve some of the issues."

Bio Blast: Consultant; board president of the Home Repair Resource Center. Read . 

Opening Statement: "The events that ... it truly was a preventable situation. I want to work on our tactics so we can get on top of the situation and prevent (crime) from happening in the first place."

On tackling vacant/foreclosed homes: "We need to double the number of homes that we're sustainably renovating right now with partnerships between the city and the we can get, private developers and our nonprofit organizations here in town."

One Priority: "We can aggressively and consistently go after our landlords and nuisance properties and do fine them if they’re not taken care of to bring in additional revenue."

Quotable: "We need to diversify our housing options here in the city, and I’d like to see us develop single-floor, smaller designs for people that we can do as infill in vacant property or vacant lot situations … I think the seniors in the community who are downsizing from their larger houses would really appreciate it."

Bio Blast: Appointed to fill seat in June, running for two-year term. Read . 

Opening Statement: "I have a love and a passion for Cleveland Heights because this city, my neighbors, friends and the schools have instilled in me values such as family, community, friendship, teamwork, education and diversity."

On tackling vacant/foreclosed homes: "To continue to work with the (Cuyahoga County) is very important … and to reuse that (vacant) land in innovative ways as community gardens or to combine lots. This is something that could be very attractive to a homeowner."

One Priority: "To continue our loan program for new home buyers — $10,000 down payment assistance program, as well as our , which is a great resource that Cleveland Heights has to help current home owners that are having financial trouble to get guidance or to help fix up their home."

Quotable: "Since the , we have had zero flash mobs in Cleveland Heights .. and it didn’t really cost us financially much to do it. And since, it’s brought more revenue to the city. Council recently received a letter from the Cedar-Lee SID attesting to the benefits that the curfew has had financially for that commercial district."

Bio Blast: Professor at University of Akron; ran for Cleveland Heights City Council in 2009. Read his . 

Opening Statement: "I will work with the City Council to make sure economic growth is spread all over the (districts), not one area."

On tackling vacant/foreclosed homes: "We have to work collaboratively with the county, with other cities in order to make sure we have money from the federal government and the state."

One Priority: "Because we used to be residential, we have to change it to the 21st century to bring something bigger to the city, jobs that can bring more money and high-paying jobs so that can help us reduce our taxes."

Quotable: "If I’m elected, I will bring my skills in city management, budgetary issues, finances and public urban affairs."

Bio Blast: Current Cleveland Heights City councilman. Read his

Opening Statement: "We've also used new approaches to deliver services collaboratively, including , at a cost savings of $500,000 a year and working with University Heights to perform some of their municipal services at a cost savings to them with additional resources to us."

On tackling vacant/foreclosed homes: "City Council has been very aggressive. We've marshaled millions of dollars of resources from the federal government and working with the Land Bank as I said earlier to renovate or demolish over, it's actually over 60 homes now."

One Priority: "I've got an idea that we can take some areas with enough houses and create a smart city. We can make sustainable housing using the with the Israeli company we've recently brought in."

Quotable: "I think we all know what the tax burden is here … but there are trade-offs, and many of us want green, livable, walkable residential areas. We don’t want to live next to a freeway. We don’t want to have manufacturing in our backyard, and quite frankly, that’s some of the price we pay to live in a community we love."

Editor's Note: Cleveland Heights Judge A. Deane Buchanan could not attend the forum. He is running for re-election and unopposed.