Dennis Wilcox kicks off reelection campaign

Cleveland Heights City Council Member Dennis Wilcox became the first sitting member of council to officially announce his candidacy for reelection, June 9.

Wilcox is chair of the Planning and Development Committee, vice chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Municipal Services Committee. He is seeking his fourth term on council.

Wilcox said he wants to be re-elected because “there’s a lot to do.” He wants to see projects he has worked on, such as the new Strategic Development Plan and the Green Zoning initiative, come to fruition.

“I think I’ve proven that I have good judgment,” Wilcox said. He cited “balancing the budget” and “continuing to develop good city services” in the midst of the economic downturn as his best accomplishments on council.

“It has been an honor to serve the residents of this great and diverse city,” Wilcox said in a press release. "I look forward to again engaging with the voters on the issues of concern to them.”

Council Member Jason Stein, who was appointed at the June 6 meeting to serve the remainder of the first half of outgoing member Mark Tumeo’s term, said that he will run to keep his seat for the second half of the four-year term, but while his campaign website is already operational he has yet to make an official announcement. Stein said he is “adjusting” to his new position as a member of council, and is focused on “getting those duties in order” before he looks ahead to November.

Council Member Kenneth Montlack has not yet made a public statement about reelection, but will make an announcement “fairly soon,” he said. “I want to keep the entire world in suspense,” he added.

Vice Mayor Phyllis Evans has not yet made a public decision about her intentions either.