LWV plans candidate and issue forums for voters

In the run-up to the Nov. 5 election, the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Greater Cleveland Heights Chapter will present two informational forums for Heights voters.

The first, a Candidates’ Night planned for Thursday, Oct. 3, 7–9 p.m., will provide an opportunity for voters to hear candidates for contested races in Cleveland Heights and University Heights. 

As of this writing, it appears that only Cleveland Heights City Council will have contested races. The races for University Heights City Council and Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education appear to be uncontested and, as such, will not be presented. That could change for either race, if an additional candidate files by Aug. 26 to be a write-in candidate and agrees to appear at the forum. Stay tuned.

In any case, all candidates will be invited to participate in the LWV’s Voter Guide, which will be distributed with the October Heights Observer and be posted online at both heightsobserver.org and VOTE411.org.

In Cleveland Heights, five candidates, Mary Dunbar, Melody Joy Hart, Anthony Mattox Jr., Carol Roe and Kahlil Seren, are running for three city council seats with four-year terms. Two candidates, Craig Cobb and Davida Russell, are running for a two-year term to fill the council seat vacated last year by Cheryl Stephens. (Cobb was appointed to the seat in April 2019, to serve through the end of the year.)

The Heights Chapter of the LWV of Greater Cleveland (LWVGC) and FutureHeights are presenting the Candidates’ Night forum, which will take place at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, 1 Monticello Blvd.

At the second forum, planned for Thursday, Oct. 10, 7–9 p.m., a panel will discuss a ballot issue proposal to change the Cleveland Heights City Charter to institute an elected mayor, supplanting current governance where city council hires a city manager.

The panel will comprise representatives of two campaigns: Citizens for an Elected Mayor (CEM), which is promoting the ballot issue, and Cleveland Heights Citizens for Good Government (CHCGG), which supports maintaining the current city-manager form of government.

The ballot-issue forum, presented by the LWVGC Heights Chapter, will take place in the Cleveland Heights High School cafeteria, 13263 Cedar Road.

Both forums will include formal presentations as well as responses to written questions from the audience. The events are free and open to the public. Both venues are accessible and free parking is available.

For more information, contact LWVGC Heights Chapter Voter Services Coordinator Blanche Valancy, at blanche@valancy.com, or LWVGC Heights Chapter Chair Maryann Barnes, at mbarnes@lwvgreatercleveland.org.

The League of Women Voters does not endorse candidates or support political parties. It encourages informed and active participation in government and works to influence public policy through study, education, and advocacy. It has been a leader since 1920, empowering voters, defending democracy.

Blanche Valancy and Maryann Barnes

Blanche Valancy and Maryann Barnes are members of LWVCG Heights Chapter.

Read More on Voters Guide
Volume 12, Issue 9, Posted 11:17 AM, 08.19.2019