ELECTION 2013: A FEW SURPRISES

SOME SURPRISES.... BUT NONE IN HIGHLAND HEIGHTS

There were only 2 contested races in Highland Heights this year and, not surprisingly, neither challenger won.

It’s extremely difficult to unseat an incumbent in a balanced budget environment… and the fact of the matter is that neither challenger seemed to gain much traction in their races.

Nonetheless, a tip of my hat to them for running.

It takes courage to run for office, it’s always nice for voters to have choices and the city benefits when residents are willing to get involved.

The most interesting local races ended up being the mayoral races in Richmond Heights and Mayfield Heights and the Mayfield School Board race.

Mayfield Heights will hold a runoff election in early December---which means we’ll continue to see garish campaign signs in that community for awhile yet.

If the Richmond Heights preliminary results prove true a new face will populate the mayor’s chair in December.
Although the race was tight, it apparently was not tight enough to cause an automatic recount.
It remains to be seen if incumbent mayor Ursu---who refused to concede defeat immediately after the election--- will foot the bill for a recount.

The defeat of 2 Mayfield School Board incumbents took many by surprise.
It’s possible that taxpayers were registering their unhappiness after reading a recent Plain Dealer story about the “Wildcat Park” debacle. 

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2013/10/mayfield_wildcats_stadium_gets.html

It’s hard to understand why the School Board forged ahead before the nonprofit group pushing the project met its fundraising goal.
The school district could have simply held onto the bond money designated for the project and collected interest on it for another year before moving forward. 

My impression after reading the story is that the flow of private money for the project pretty much came to a halt once the tennis courts were destroyed and the expanded parking lot and astroturf football field were installed.

At this point it looks like taxpayers may end up picking up much of the tab for the 3-phase Wildcat Park project----something they were originally led to believe wouldn't happen because of the non-profit group's involvement and commitment to fund the project.

As for Highland Heights, its interesting to note that despite the hundreds of red campaign signs dotting the city---seemingly indicating overwhelming support----incumbent Chuck Brunello ended up with about the same percentage of votes as he did 2 years ago:  35.12% (vs. 34.64% in 2011) in the Council-at-Large race.

Because of a recent Charter change, Brunello and re-elected incumbents Ed Hargate and Lisa Stickan will begin serving four year terms in January.

GAIL MASTRANGELO: STANDING BY HER MAN

After Police Chief Jim Cook gave his report to Council last week, President Cathy Murphy asked----as she always does---whether any Council members had questions for the chief.

Only one Council member responded.

Councilman Bob Mastrangelo had praise, not questions, for Cook.

During the weekend before the election Mastrangelo’s wife, Gail, was hit by a car while distributing literature for her favorite Council member.
She ended up in the hospital for a couple of days but is fortunately now on the mend.

Mastrangelo said,

“I wanted to thank the police and fire departments for the assistance they gave to my wife. Their professionalism was outstanding.  As anyone who deals with them knows, we are fortunate to have them.”

OSBORNE UPDATE: WANTING MORE?

Online county records indicate that developer Lance Osborne still hasn’t purchased the Catalano’s property.
 

That’s 3 months (and counting) from the original mid-August closing date that Osborne highlighted in July, on the night that Council rushed to approve a lavish $800,000 economic development package for the project.

Speculation is running rampant about what might be going on.

One resident reported that Fitworks employees still have not been told “if or when” Fitworks might move.

Meanwhile Osborne apparently told the city’s Architectural Review Committee last week that Fitworks would move in April.

More “Promises, Promises?”

Who knows.

Residents are becoming increasingly suspicious of the delay.

Some speculate that Osborne will demand additional concessions from the city before going forward with the project.

There are signs that Osborne might think that he is, in fact, totally in the driver’s seat vis a vis the city.

For example: the city’s Architectural Review Committee (ARC) must approve all proposed construction projects before any building permits can be issued.

Building Commissioner Dale Grabfelder reported at last week's Council meeting that Osborne appeared before the ARC last week--- without sample materials and without final construction drawings in hand.

Fortunately Osborne’s say-so alone wasn’t enough to win ARC approval.
 The discussions were continued, pending submission of materials and detailed drawings.

Councilman Bob Mastrangelo informed Council that Osborne had told him that he (Osborne) didn’t need to seek Planning & Zoning Commission approval before altering the exterior of the old grocery store.
That was unsettling to Mastrangelo---a longtime P&Z member---because according to him:

“Any time you modify an exterior you have to go before P&Z”.

Mastrangelo asked Law Director Tim Paluf to speak to Osborne about city requirements.

Hopefully Paluf will do that ASAP because assuming that the project actually goes forward, another looming thorny issue awaits: signage.
Based on his mega Get-Go track record, it seems likely that Osborne will want more---much more---- in the way of signage than is allowed under the city’s zoning code.

GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK

Last week’s Council meeting began with the reading of  a resolution of appreciation for recently retired Service Department member Marc Mazzarino.
Mazzarino served as the main park supervisor for the last 25 years.

Service Director Thom Evans noted:

“During that time he served in the roll of educator and first time boss. He has deep roots in the community, having lived here and supervised so many kids.”

Councilman Ed Hargate was one of the kids that Mazzarino supervised. Hargate recalled this favorite Mazzarino saying:

“Hard work is something I’m never afraid of.”

Council President Cathy Murphy called Mazzarino:

“An invaluable asset to the City of Highland Heights. I want to express our deep appreciation and thanks to Mark Mazzarino for his faithful and devoted service to the city..”

Also departing:

For the last several years Jeff Piorkowski covered Highland Heights and the Hillcrest communities for the Sun Messenger.

Conscientious and faithful to his beat, Piokowski was a regular face at Highland Heights Council meetings…at least up until last July, when the Sun Newspapers were put under the control of a new company, the Northeast Ohio Media Group (NEOMG). That company also operates Cleveland.com, the Plain Dealer website.

Although not well publicized at the time, much of the Sun Newspaper staff was let go when the Plain Dealer layoffs occurred last summer.

Piorkowski survived those layoffs and was offered a position with NEOMG---a testament to his enterprise, track record, and journalistic skills.

As is apparent to regular readers, the Sun Newspapers have changed under NEOMG's leadership.

Apparently they are no longer a good fit for Piorkowski. I heard last week that he has decided to pursue other opportunities.

Good Luck and Best Wishes, Marc and Jeff!