Cleveland Heights council VP Kahlil Seren proclaims bid to change into metropolis’s first elected mayor

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio – City Council Vice President Kahlil Seren has officially thrown his hat in the ring to become the first elected mayor in the city’s 100-year history.

Seren is believed to be the first to publicly announce its candidacy for the new post created when residents decidedly voted for issue 26 – the Citizens’ Initiative for an Elected Mayor – in November 2019.

“As we celebrate our centenary this year, Cleveland Heights needs and deserves a mayor who can deliver what people have asked for in creating this elected position – a transparent and a responsive city government that challenges the status quo, ”Seren said in a January 25 press release.

Seren, now in his sixth year on the council, cited a unique combination of skills he would bring to the new office of mayor.

This includes not only his legislative experience, but also his work as a policy advisor to Cuyahoga County Council focusing on efficiency, accountability, planning and education, and community and economic development.

“I believe I am the best candidate to lead an administration that reflects the values ​​of our community and offers bold, creative approaches to problems we face while efficiently performing the core functions that we of a city government expect, ”added Seren.

Seren, chairman of the council’s administrative committee, has helped guide the city’s transition to a “council of mayors” government from the long-standing “council-city manager” structure.

He was also a vocal supporter of the initiative as a seated councilor to lead to adopt the amendment to the Charter.

Seren said his mayoral campaign will include a combination of modern, virtual public relations and traditional campaigns.

“The pandemic adds complexity and we want everyone to be safe,” Seren noted in the press release. “I look forward to sitting with people in their homes during Zoom ‘Meet & Greets’ and sending important updates from the campaign trail. I will be available for these face-to-face meetings on a regular basis throughout this campaign. “

In the meantime, Cleveland Heights residents can learn more and connect at www.SerenForMayor.com And through Facebook and Twitter. Residents can also register for Sunday office hours on the Seren campaign website.

“This will be a very down to earth campaign and I intend to continue that approach once I am elected Mayor of Cleveland Heights,” added Seren.

“In a region like ours, no city can simply walk alone. Effective mayors use resources and connections they have cultivated beyond the city limits to bring back new concepts and new means for the benefit of their residents. “

Seren believes that in his “day job” in the county he was such a resource for communities, working to solve tough problems by working with various stakeholders in the public and private sectors, as well as with nonprofit service providers and nonprofit organizations, “a real one and have a lasting impact on the daily lives of people across the region. “

“As mayor, my experience in this interdependent system will directly add to the value the city can bring to our residents,” said Seren.

The way ahead

Seren also provided some background information on the electoral process from that point on for the $ 115,000 per year.

Candidates for Mayor of Cleveland Heights can begin collecting petition signatures on March 18. Completed petitions must be submitted to the Cuyahoga County Electoral Board by June 16 at the latest.

Based on the passage of Edition 6 In November 2020, the charter language now states that if there are more than two certified mayoral candidates on September 14 – at least for this election cycle – a non-partisan primary election will be held.

The two candidates who get the most votes in the mayor’s runoff will then move on to the general election scheduled for November 2nd.

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