What inspired you to run for public office in Mayfield Heights?
I’ve lived here almost my entire life, so I wanted to get involved, contribute to the community and give back to the community. And it’s been awesome. I’m grateful for the council people I’ve worked with, Mayor Greg Costabile, who served before me, and the department heads.
What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time as mayor?
I think the most significant accomplishment was getting the Aquatic and Community Center constructed. Watching the residents take advantage of that facility has been really rewarding for everyone at City Hall. There’s something for everyone, from the 55-plus gym to the ADA-accessible playground. It has become a hub for the city and an attraction for families. It’s very busy when the weather warms up, and it’s great to see the kids enjoying themselves. Residents describe it as a “resort-like atmosphere,” and it’s really nice to hear those things.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as mayor?
Expenditures are always a challenge. You want to give your residents the best of everything, but you have to stay fiscally responsible. We have a phenomenal police force, fire department and service department — all the departments here at City Hall are top-notch. But it’s challenging to do what’s fiscally best for the city while maintaining excellent city services. We’re fortunate that our business community and revenues have been good, though. But going through the budget every year and saying “no” to things is always tough.
What are some of your priorities for the city moving forward?
One of the things is our parks. We do have the City Park and Oakville Park, and I would like to begin discussions on how we’re going to improve those for our residents, because our community loves to take advantage of our parks. We also want to make sure that our retail corridor on Mayfield Road and SOM Center Road is well maintained. We’re currently working on a project for traffic lights to improve timing and traffic flow. Those are just a few projects that, even if we don’t see them through to completion, we hope to get the ball rolling.
How do you think the city will continue to change and evolve?
Moving into the future, the city will probably maintain its current character because of the excellent housing stock. This is a great starter community for families who have the opportunity to own a home here and be part of our school system. As current residents age, we have assisted living and elder care facilities here where people can stay, and they don’t need to leave Mayfield Heights. I think the character we have right now is a nice blend between younger families and an older population. We also have lots of residents who want to contribute to the city because we have so many great volunteer opportunities.
Is there an aspect of being mayor that’s most rewarding?
Listening to residents and being able to help them through the difficulties that they bring to you. Sometimes, it’s not an automatic fix. Even in those instances when someone is not 100% satisfied, you can help people understand the city and how our processes work. But people should know we’re always doing everything we can to help residents with whatever issue they have.
How has your family supported you during your time in office?
They’ve been extremely supportive. My wife and my three kids do everything they can to help. During campaigns, they’ve helped me walk streets and hand out flyers. And they’ve always been supportive when I need to be at meetings or city events. They never say, “Oh, no, Dad, you’ve got to go to another meeting?” They always tell me, “We’re proud of you.”
What’s one thing people may not realize about being mayor?
One of my favorite parts of the job is that I get to marry people. Everybody asks, “What’s the best part of the job?” and getting to marry a couple is one of the best parts. I average about two or three weddings a year, and it also enables me to officiate weddings for friends, so that is pretty special.
What are some of your favorite places to visit in Mayfield Heights?
There are days — weeks even — when I don’t leave the city. We have such great restaurants and watering holes in town that my wife and I sometimes never even venture outside the city. I love to go to the Cork-N-Bottle or Mayfield Tavern. It’s great to talk to residents and get the temperature of people in the city. Another one of my favorite places is probably the bocce courts in the summer. We have leagues there and, in the summer, that’s a great place to be. The atmosphere there is phenomenal, and everybody has a great time.
What would you want people to know about your time as mayor?
I have been blessed since I’ve been here to just have amazing staff. The department heads and everybody who works in this city are devoted to doing what’s best. Everyone wants to make this city someplace where people will be proud to live. I’m very lucky to work with phenomenal people. It makes the job a little easier.
