Politics

Hear ye, all citizens. There will be a “pop-up” election on Tuesday, Aug. 8, and you will need to be ready to vote (by absentee ballot or in person) beginning July 9, 2023. The Ohio Legislature voted 62-37 on Wednesday, May 10, to submit this proposal to the electorate this year. even though the same body had voted at the end of last year to eliminate August elections statewide.

This single-issue election will present voters with a proposed constitutional amendment that would change the requirements for citizen-led proposals for amendments. It would increase the percentage of valid voter signatures needed from the current 50%-plus-one of total registered voters to 60% and would also require that signatures be collected from all 88 counties. (The current requirement is for petition signatures to be submitted from at least 44 of the 88 counties and be equal to at least 5 percent of the total vote cast for the office of governor in that county at the last gubernatorial election.)

Ohio’s voting laws changed considerably in January 2023, when Governor Mike DeWine signed HB 458 into law. Changes are outlined here for Westlake citizens who want to participate in the May 2, 2023, Primary Election. (Bay Village's Primary Election will be held on Sept. 12, 2023.) Some actions need to be taken before April 3, 2023, the deadline for new and updated registrations for voters in the May 2 Primary.

The main changes involve the documents needed to prove identity when registering and voting. Also changed are the deadlines for mail-in-balloting actions and the schedule for early voting at the Cuyahoga Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.

Westshore voters may notice some changes in how they vote in 2023, thanks to new state requirements and adjustments to ward and precinct boundaries following the 2020 census.

Tony Perlatti, Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, told members of the Bay Village Democratic Club that the recently enacted House Bill 458 will strengthen the state’s voter identification requirement, reduce time for requesting and returning mail-in ballots, nearly eliminate curb-side voting, and cut the number of days of early voting. Perlatti spoke to Democrats at their Jan. 23 meeting.

In a January news release touting the signing of HB 458 by Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said the changes will improve Ohio’s voting.

Today or tomorrow would be a good day to apply for a mail-in-ballot. You can do this by visiting the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website (boe.cuyahogacounty.gov) or by asking for an application form at a library.

The primary election date is May 3. However, this election may not include state and federal legislators since the Ohio Redistricting Committee’s duty to produce constitutional district boundaries for the Ohio House and Senate and U.S. Congress is still under legal scrutiny. (For more detail on this controversial approval situation, visit the website of the Ohio Secretary of State, www.ohiosos.gov). A second primary election later in the year may be necessary.

Election Day is near – Tuesday, Nov. 2. Here’s a checklist for making sure you are ready to vote:

• It’s too late to register or to change your name and address, so put a reminder on your phone or calendar to do these tasks early in the new year.
• Decide whether you will vote by mail or in person.
• If you are going to vote by mail, apply for a ballot NOW. (Go to Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website for the application form: boe.cuyahogacounty.gov. Fill out the form and mail it back right away.)
• Buy TWO 58-cent stamps: one to use to mail back your application and the other one to use to mail back your completed ballot.

I am running because this role serves as an additional opportunity for me to serve my community, in a capacity I am well qualified for.

Most importantly, I am running because I firmly believe that service on City Council requires a non-partisan approach, and fully understand that there isn't a Republican or Democrat way to patch a pothole, or pick-up rubbish. To me, it is all about service and responsiveness to every taxpayer, while listening to everyone's concerns, so that each resident (regardless of political affiliation) truly has a voice on council.

I also pledge to provide straight talk to find solutions to resident's concerns, without any nonsense rhetoric; and will follow through with action, not promises.

I am proud to announce my re-election bid for Westlake Ward 2 City Council. We have accomplished so much the last eight years, including The Community Center, Aquatic Center, Clague Playhouse Fields, and Market Square at Crocker Park. We’ve worked as a team (council, mayor & schools) to get land deals done to finish the new schools.  

Let’s keep the momentum going. We’re in the midst of building a brand new state of the art handicap/wheelchair accessible playground. As we face these unprecedented times with the pandemic, Westlake has stayed strong. We will survive these challenging times together.  

My name is Jennifer M. Meyer and I am a candidate for Westlake City Council for Ward 4. I am a wife, mother of two young children, and a government attorney who has dedicated my entire career to public service. Over the course of my career, I have represented law enforcement in federal civil rights cases, argued criminal appeals, shut down nuisance drug and human trafficking houses, bars, and hotels, among many other criminal and civil matters. I have learned to work with people from all walks of life.

We are very fortunate to live in a wonderful community. I want to safeguard the low taxes and fiscally responsible budget that the current Council and Mayor have implemented for years.

I am writing to let you know I am running for re-election to the Westlake City Council.

As I walk through our city, neighbors share stories of how happy they are to live in Westlake and love that we are a top ten community in northeast Ohio. I am proud of our success working with Westlake business partners developing Crocker Park, attracting corporations like American Greetings, and providing a safe quality of life for families.

As your councilman for 22 years I have worked with Mayor Clough and his administration, on major capital improvements that have successfully improved your streets, added sidewalks, removed a trailer park, rebuilt the library, expanded our recreation center, added an aquatic center, and built a new community center.

“Voting month” (Oct. 4-Nov. 2) is almost here and the Westlake/North Olmsted chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland has planned several ways for voters to obtain information about the candidates for Westlake elective offices.

The first is an “in person” program Saturday, Sept. 25, 2-4 p.m., at Porter Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, where attendees can mingle for informal conversations with the candidates. All candidates for Mayor, President of Council, Council Member, Law Director and Board of Education have been invited to participate. This event will take place in the Library Courtyard, but attendees must wear masks in order to enter the library.

The only contested race in Westlake for the Nov. 2 election is for the City Council representatives of Wards 2 and 4. A candidate forum via Zoom featuring the four contenders will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. The Zoom webinar format has been selected to address COVID concerns and to broaden voters’ choices for learning about the candidates.

No matter where you live in Cuyahoga County (and every other Ohio county) you are surrounded by a series of invisible lines that are about to undergo big revisions. These lines determine the size and the shape of our wards, our county council districts, our Ohio House and Senate districts and the geographical boundaries for our representatives to the U.S. Congress.

Such adjustments are made every 10 years, based on U.S. Census population figures. These processes are getting extra attention in Ohio in 2021 because the 2020 Census information was delayed due to the strictures of the Covid pandemic. Governing bodies now have short time frames for the all-important rearrangements. (The U.S. Census Bureau released the needed Census data on Aug. 12.)

Four factors add to the pressure for quick decision-making regarding the new governmental boundaries:

1. The state of Ohio overall has had a very modest gain in population in the past decade, but not by comparison to many other states. This results in the loss of one seat in the population-based U.S. House.  The 2022 elections will select 15 members of the U.S. House to represent Ohio, not 16. 

Hello Ward 3 Residents,

I hope that this letter finds you well and in good health. 

I was honored to be appointed by the Bay Village City Council by a 6-0 vote and ask to be retained serving Ward 3. 

I’m married to my husband, Brad, who is a retired military veteran that served honorably with the U.S. Coast Guard. I have a B.A. in Political Science and American History from Hiram College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Kent State.

Our family moved to Bay Village during the height of the Pandemic (June 2020). Even during that very difficult time, we were received by a wonderful community with open arms.

I was raised in Fairview Park, and attended Cleveland State, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Science. I have found my professional calling outside that field, and I am honored to work in the accounting field for the Department of Defense. I find purpose there, making sure our military members are paid for their service to our country.

My name is Gary Sharp and I am running for Bay Village City Council – Ward 3. Here’s why. I love where I live! After serving honorably in the US Navy for 10 years and being decorated for heroics in the Gulf War, I want to now serve Bay Village Ward 3. 

We have lived in Bay Village for 26 years. My grandchildren are now being raised here. Like us, families live here, pay taxes here and raise families here. They should be afforded a voice in City matters that directly affect their life and future here.

This report contains member observations and selected highlights of the June 9 meeting of the Westshore Council of Governments. It is not an official statement by the League of Women Voters, nor does it represent the official minutes of the meeting.

Another disclaimer: This meeting was held in the room off the pro shop/snack bar at Big Met Golf Course. Due to the heat and everyone speaking quietly and rapidly, this observer was unable to hear much of what was being said.

Present: Mayors Cooney, Fairview Park, presiding; Koomar, Bay Village; George, Lakewood; Bobst, Rocky River: Kennedy, North Olmsted.

Meeting was called to order at 2:06 p.m.

Cleveland Metroparks: Brian Zimmerman, CEO of Cleveland Metroparks spoke first, filling mayors in on numerous current, recently completed, or about to be started, projects; mainly those affecting West Side communities. He is particularly excited about ongoing building of bike trails connecting the parks with Lake Erie, and connecting the West Side with the East Side of the Cleveland area.

Dear Residents: 

It has been a great honor to serve as your Mayor the past five years. As you may know this is an election year and I have decided to seek re-election. I will be on the ballot Nov. 2 and hope that I have earned your support for another term.

I am excited about the prospect of having an opportunity to build upon our many successes. We have built an outstanding administrative team which has done a tremendous job managing city services while landing significant grants to improve livability for our residents.

This question sounds like a riddle. However, the answer is complicated. May 4, 2021, was scheduled for a Westlake primary election but since there are no contested candidates for mayor, president of council, members of council, or law director, there will be no May election. For Bay Village, the primary date for 2021 is Sept. 14. The candidate filing date ends on June 16, so it is too soon to know whether or not there will be a primary election in September.

The longer explanation for this variation lies in the city charters of Bay Village and Westlake. As in other municipalities, Westlake and Bay Village have charter provisions that eliminate a primary when there are positions on the would-be ballot that have only one or two candidates. The charter wording varies but the rule is the same in both cities.

This report contains member observations and selected highlights of a meeting of the Westshore Council of Governments, and is not an official statement by the League of Women Voters, nor does it represent the official minutes of the meeting, which are prepared by Mayor Cooney's office.

Present: Mayors Cooney, Fairview Park, presiding; Koomar, Bay Village; George, Lakewood; Bobst, Rocky River.

The meeting was held in the Fairview Park Gemini Center. It was called to order at 9:46 a.m.

Fiscal Officer’s Report – Renee Mahoney: Special Agent Matt Vanyo has completed all exams and formally accepted the Westshore Enforcement Bureau's offer of the special agent position, to start June 1. Retiring Special Agent Jeff Capretto was planning on retiring May 1. It is yet to be determined if he will remain in his position through May, full or part time. Fiscal Officer Mahoney asked for the approval of the $84,500 annual salary for Special Agent Vanyo. Motion passed.

February financial reports: They are produced by a new financial system and Fiscal Officer Mahoney explained the differences in reporting from the old system. Three reports were presented: Summary, Revenue, and Expense. Mayor Bobst inquired about Westshore CERT's financial status. Mahoney will request a report from CERT. Finance report was approved.

COMMISSION REPORTS

RTA: Mayor Koomar was sworn in as RTA board member; he was briefed by former board president, Mayor Clough.

The Westlake-North Olmsted Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland will meet by Zoom on Monday, Jan. 18, to receive an update on education funding legislation in the Ohio General Assembly. The education lobbyist for the League of Women Voters of Ohio, Susie Kaeser, will describe the ins and outs of efforts to change Ohio's system for funding public education.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Members will receive the Zoom log-in information by e-mail in the week prior to the meeting. Non-members who would like to attend this session may do so by calling the chapter's phone voicemail, 216-264-6496, to leave their name and e-mail address in order to receive the Zoom link.

Did you request a mail-in ballot and are wondering where it is? Track My Ballot has answers!

• Go to boe.cuyahogacounty.gov. In the upper left corner, click on Track My Ballot.
• Enter your last name and birthdate, and click Search. 
• Select your record and choose the November 3, 2020, election.
• If you requested a mail-in ballot, you will see the date your application was processed, the date by which it will be placed in the mail, and (if you have returned it) the date it was received by the Board of Elections.

Alternatively, call 216-443-VOTE (8683), select option 4, and follow the prompts.

Should you trust the Post Office to deliver your ballot?

Yes – but mail it early, on the off chance the postmark is unclear or absent. Ballots must be postmarked by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 2 and received by Nov. 13.

Among the issues Westlake voters will be asked to vote on in November 2020 are 11 proposed amendments to the Westlake City Charter, including a 0.9 mill Police and Fire Levy.

Mayor Dennis M. Clough and City Council have distributed informational materials to voters about changes proposed by each of these issues, including ballot language and explanations of actions taken with regard to each proposed amendment.

All of this information is available on the city's website: www.cityofwestlake.org/834/2020-Ballot-Issues.

The Westlake/North Olmsted Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland (LWVGC) will participate in National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 22, in a different way than in previous years when registration tables could be easily set up in high-traffic public places. This year, the chapter’s focus will be to provide voters with information that will help them fill out their general election ballots.

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the chapter will distribute VOTE411 bookmarks at both Westlake Porter Public Library and the North Olmsted branch of Cuyahoga County Library. In addition, the chapter will deliver VOTE411 bookmarks to selected senior living facilities and to food pantries in both cities.

Many college students who live in Bay Village and Westlake have a number of challenges as they think about how to vote in the 2020 presidential election. Even in early July, not all students know where they will be living come November. Asking for an absentee ballot to be mailed to your Ohio home address and then expecting your parents to mail it on to you has a few hazards: Is there enough time for all this back-and-forth mailing? What if some piece is addressed wrong? 

Here are some questions for students (and their parents) to consider:

• Are you registered to vote? In what state?
• Do you need to update your official address?
• Do you have a driver's license from the state whose ballot you prefer to use?
• Do you want to vote using an absentee/mail-in ballot?
• Do you have the needed postal stamps for both your ballot request and your ballot?
• What are the deadlines for each of these steps?

Basic answers to all of these are provided on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website at voteohio.gov. Brief answers are provided below to help students think through their voting plans.

Soon you will be face-to-face with your 2020 primary ballot, pondering over the long list of judgeships that appear there. Here is some information that may help you figure out what to do with those races. These details have been distilled from the 2018 edition of “Here’s Cuyahoga County,” a publication prepared and distributed by the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland.

One listing on the ballot is under the category “Ohio Court of Appeals, 8th District.” Ohio has 12 appellate districts. Populous Cuyahoga County comprises the entire 8th District which has 12 judges in total. This court hears appeals from the Court of Common Pleas and the municipal courts in our county.

My name is Joe Kraft. I ask the citizens and voters of Westlake to support my re-election to the office of Board Member – Westlake City Schools. I have truly enjoyed serving my City and making a difference the last 4 years.

Four years ago, I asked for your trust and partnership to help make the district better. Together, we hired new visionary leadership. We empowered staff to create and improve academics and programming. We completed our facilities project with the new Westlake Elementary School, a design saving over $1.2 million annually in operating budget. We are fiscally responsible. We passed a significant permanent improvement measure to take care of district capital. We improved the stature and reputation of Westlake City Schools. We formed growing relationships with citizens and City officials. These are just a few of the things we accomplished together. Let’s continue our partnership.

As a parent and active member of the community, I care deeply about the Westlake Schools.

My daughter has attended Westlake Schools since Kindergarten and is currently in 6th grade at Dover Intermediate. I’ve been involved with Westlake PTA units since she was born, beginning with Westlake Early Childhood PTA, followed by Bassett PTA. Currently I am involved with Dover Intermediate PTA and Westlake Council of PTAs. In these units, I’ve served in a variety of leadership positions, including Bassett PTA president, 2017-18.

I’ve also been involved in the Westlake Schools as a classroom volunteer and member of strategic planning committees, and have worked on several school ballot initiatives through Citizens for Westlake Schools.

As a current Westlake School Board Member, I have achieved five main goals while focusing on students:

1. Opened a new elementary school (K-4) on time and on budget. The consolidation of four elementary schools into one saves over one million dollars each year.
2. Fiscally responsible – Westlake has not had an operating levy since 2006.
3. Hired a new superintendent and treasurer.
4. Improved City of Westlake and Westlake Schools working relationship.
5. 2019 Ohio Department of Education Report Card final grade is an “A”

Joe Romano, an attorney specializing in consumer protection and bankruptcy, and Monique Smith, a community activist and former marketing specialist, are both seeking the Democratic nomination for state representative for Bay Village, Westlake, Rocky River, Fairview Park and North Olmsted.

They will speak Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the annual corn roast sponsored by the Bay Village Democratic Club. Corn, hot dogs, soda, desserts and other goodies will be provided at no charge starting at 6 p.m. at the Bay Lodge, 492 Bradley Road.

On Monday, Aug. 26, the Westlake-North Olmsted Chapter of the League of Women Voters will celebrate Women’s Equality Day, marking a key date in the history of women’s right to vote in the U.S.

This August date in 1920 was when the United States Secretary of State certified the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, making female citizens eligible to vote for candidates at all levels of government beginning with the presidential election of November 1920. The lead-up to this change in law had been long and tumultuous, beginning formally in 1848 at a national convention of advocates for women’s right to vote in Seneca Falls, New York.

At least six persons expected to seek election for judge in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas or the Ohio Court of Appeals will speak at the Monday, Aug. 12, meeting of the Bay Village Democratic Club. The club meets at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the police department at 28000 Wolf Road.

Jennifer O'Donnell, a public defender for 11 years, will run for Common Pleas judge in 2020. “I have represented thousands of indigent Cuyahoga County residents in a variety of criminal and civil custody proceedings,” she said. “I believe my defense background will enable a fresh perspective and bring innovative ideas to better serve the needs of our community.”

The Bay Village City Council is considering amending the rear yard fencing requirements to allow more options to a home owner. At the Environment, Safety and Community Services Committee meeting on March 18, the main discussions focused on the following rear yard fencing issues: (1) increasing the height of a rear yard fence from four feet to five feet, requiring 75 percent transparency for any fence higher than four feet; and (2) expanding the length of a privacy screen from 32 feet to 40 feet and allowing an additional eight feet of decreasing transitional screen in either direction.

Currently, Bay Village limits the height of a rear yard fence to four feet. Furthermore, there is no transparency requirement for a rear yard fence. As to a rear yard privacy screen, a privacy screen shall not exceed six feet, four inches in height, and the privacy screen shall not exceed 32 feet in any direction. 

The Bay Village Democratic Club has launched a massive canvassing project to reach voters before the Nov. 6 election.

More than 20 club members visited homes of 2,206 Democrats or unaffiliated voters before Oct. 10 during canvassing that has largely been conducted on weekends. In a three-day period in late September, volunteers stopped at 339 homes.

“We’re focusing on Democrats and unaffiliated voters,” said Tom Ryan, canvassing coordinator. “When we talk to Republicans, we stress that we hope they vote and will consider Democratic candidates.”

The next time you get a hankering for some homemade oregano vinegar, think of the Bay Village Democratic Club.

Oregano vinegar – it really is homemade – will be among zany raffle prizes offered at the club's annual hot dog and corn roast. Other prizes include books on political history and essays, a carafe, a canvas briefcase and gift cards from several Bay Village merchants.

The annual corn roast is Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bay Lodge, 492 Bradley Road.

Food and beverages will be provided by the club, while you can bring family, kids and friends. Some members will bring a side dish or dessert to share.

The Bay Village Democratic Club is preparing for the November elections.

In recent weeks, club members have:

• Conducted trial runs at neighborhood canvassing, using special software to identify undecided voters as well as persons who say they are Democrats.
• Conducted weekly phone bank evenings to encourage residents to register to vote and participate in elections.
• Launched a website, baydems.org, that lists upcoming club meetings, guides viewers through the process to register to vote and provides an election precinct map for the city. Baydems.org also allows residents to file membership applications.
• Updated a Facebook page, The Bay Village Democrats.
• Re-elected Gerald R. Horning as City Leader within the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. Horning already serves as club president.

Venture capitalists from around the world will soon meet in Cleveland to hear proposals from 18 startup companies seeking investors, according to County Executive Armond Budish.

Speaking to the Bay Village Democratic Club, Budish said creation of the Global Center for Health Innovations is one of local government's best achievements.

The Center was created largely after it became clear that the former Medical Mart near the new convention center in downtown Cleveland would not be a success. The mart concept failed because medical equipment buyers don’t do business to “warehouse” environments, he said.

Rev. John Rinehart, an activist in the group that protested the expansion of Quickens Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland, will be a guest speaker at the Oct. 16 meeting of the Bay Democratic Club.

Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC) has been widely credited with influencing the Cavaliers, Cleveland city leaders and county officials to make neighborhood improvements at the same time The Q is expanded and modernized.

GCC was formed in 2011 after more than 2,000 people met to discuss improvements in education, criminal justice reform and health care. Today, members represent 39 houses of worship among Christian, Jewish and Muslim organizations.

The League of Women Voters invites residents of Westlake to attend a forum regarding Issue 53. The Friends for Seniors, Parks and Recreation will share information about the proposed renewal of the one-eighth of 1% recreation levy followed by a question and answer session.

Presenters will include Mayor Dennis Clough; Dale Smith, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission; Lydia Gadd, director of Community Services; and Bud Tetzlaff, former chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The forum will take place at the Westlake Porter Public Library on Monday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m.

The Bay Village Democratic Club has invited all candidates for mayor and city council to speak at the annual Democratic Club Corn Roast on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m., at the Bay Lodge.

The corn roast will be the first public event following the primary election on Tuesday, Sept 12.

In Bay primaries, the top two finishers will face off in November. Because only two candidates filed in certain contests, they automatically advance to the November election.

After serving with other dedicated residents on the steering committee to develop the city’s new Master Plan, I hope to continue work to help implement elements of this plan and to give back to my community by serving on Council.

I am a graduate of the Bay High School (Class of 1997), as is my husband, Nic (Class of 1996). We chose to move back to Bay in 2013 so that our children, Oliver and Charlotte, could receive the same excellent education we did and the opportunity to grow up in this very special community.

I am so honored live in Bay Village with my family. There are many wonderful things about Bay Village, including our schools, neighbors and friends, and the security and safety of our city.

Since moving to Bay in 2006, I have been very active in the community. I have coached soccer and served as concessions director for Bay Baseball. I was PTA president of Westerly and Bay High School. I am currently president of PTA council, a board member of Bay Rocket Boosters, a Kiwanis member, a volunteer and parishioner of St. Raphael’s church, and a Bay Village Community Council member.