Jason Stein sworn in as Cleveland Heights City Council Member

Newly appointed Cleveland Heights City Councilman Jason Stein was sworn in at the regularly scheduled Cleveland Heights City Council meeting, June 6.

Stein, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat in 2009, was chosen by the remaining city council members to fill the vacancy left by Mark Tumeo, who resigned his seat after accepting a position at the University of North Florida.

The audience filled the extra seats provided by City Hall staff and spilled out in the adjacent hallway as the meeting began. After the roll was taken—the other six council members were present, as was Tumeo—Mayor Edward Kelley announced that Stein was to be inducted. 

Council Member Dennis Wilcox offered the formal nomination. Wilcox praised Stein for being “honest” and “practical” and for possessing “good judgment,” saying he was sure Stein would “take into account the needs of the entire community.” He also mentioned that Tumeo had specifically suggested Stein to be his replacement when he informed his colleagues of his resignation.

Per Stein’s request, Tumeo administered the oath for his successor. “If I were to lose to anyone…” Tumeo said, reflecting on his 2009 re-election campaign, “it was to that man.”

Council Member Cheryl Stephens seconded the motion and Stein was approved with a unanimous 6-0 vote.

Stein is filling Tumeo’s spots as vice chair of the Public Safety and Health Committee and member of the Community Relations and Recreation Committee. In addition, he is the new chair of the Administrative Services Committee, with Stephens taking over Tumeo’s former role as chair of the Finance Committee.

Stein introduced his first act of legislation at the meeting: Resolution No. 69-2011, a three-year renewal of Cleveland Heights’ contract with the Walter H. Drane Company for “an annual update of the city’s codified ordinances.” The measure passed, 7-0.

Stein is “honored” to have been appointed to city council, he said after the meeting. He cited regional cooperation, outreach to public schools, attracting small businesses and managing the city through the economic crisis as among his top priorities for his term.

This was the first time city council made a midterm appointment since Council Member Phyllis Evans was selected in 1993, Kelley said. Council had to consult the city’s charter to ensure that it would follow the correct process, he said.

Eighteen people applied for Tumeo’s vacant seat before the May 17 deadline, Kelley said, of whom six were interviewed for the position. “It was encouraging to see all the talented people in the city who love Cleveland Heights,” Council Member Dennis Wilcox said.

Stein will complete the rest of the first half of Tumeo’s term, but must run to keep his seat in November. If re-elected, he would serve the full remainder of Tumeo’s term, which expires December 31, 2013.