The Issues/More About Tony

A NEW WAY FORWARD

• City Services
  The City Administration needs to address the issues of excessive potholes, repaving our streets, vacancies in our commercial districts, the leaf and bulk pickup schedule and a host of other maintenance issues. Council must partner with our administration to properly fund our Public Works Department. This will allow the administration to increase its capacity to get these vital tasks done in a timely manner.

• Safety
  As a member of our community for 41+ years, I know how important safe neighborhoods are to our wonderfully diverse community. Safe, well-maintained neighborhoods are crucial to attracting new residents. As a Council member and as Council President, I supported several pieces of legislation for new police cars, firetrucks, equipment and salary increases to make our safety departments more competitive so we can attract more qualified applicants to our city. City Council must continue to properly fund our outstanding police, fire and EMS departments so our police can patrol our neighborhoods, commercial districts and enforce our traffic laws.

• Our Schools
  As a graduate of Boulevard, Roosevelt and Heights High Schools; As a graduate of CSU with a degree in political science; As a graduate of John Carroll University with a Master’s in Education; As a former member of the Cleveland School Board; And as a former public high school Government, Sociology and American history teacher; I know how important our public schools are to the success of our community. That is why I sponsored and passed legislation to create a council internship program at CHHS. It is why we began our city council meetings with a student report on activities at our schools. I pledge to continue to work in partnership with our schools for the betterment of our community.

• The Transition to An Elected Mayor
  As President of CH City Council, I have led a charter review process that will ensure both branches of government are fully empowered to do their jobs. Working closely with the Charter Review Commission, City Council will be putting forward charter changes for a public vote on November 4th.

• The Arts
  As City Council President, I sponsored legislation to fund the purchase of a new PA, lighting and muti-media system for Cain Park. This system will not only enhance the performances and the audience experience, it will save money in the long run as our City will no longer bare the huge expense of equipment rentals. I also sponsored legislation to support the Future Heights Music Hop the past 3 years. As a former Berklee College of Music student and longtime local jazz and rock musician, I will continue to lead the effort to support and promote the arts in Cleveland Heights.

• Equity/Diversity
  As a three-time Big Brother and teacher to mostly African American students, as well as being a longtime homeowner in the Oxford/Noble neighborhood, I am committed to equitably implementing housing, economic development and safety policies that are both inclusive and respectful to our wonderfully diverse community.