Friday, October 3, 2025

Tony Cuda sworn in as Cleveland Heights Interim Mayor on October 1, 2025

As first official act, Mayor Cuda nominates former City of Cleveland Finance Director, Sharon Dumas, to serve as Cleveland Heights City Administrator.

Also, City Council selects new president & vice president; seeks candidate to fill vacant Council seat

At a special City Council meeting held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Tony Cuda was sworn in as Cleveland Heights Interim Mayor. As codified in the City Charter, the city council president will serve out the remainder of Mayor Seren’s term after the mayor was recalled by voters in the September 9, 2025 Primary election.

Mr. Cuda, a longtime Cleveland Heights resident, an educator and a musician, was sworn in while surrounded by friends and family and members of the public by the City’s Interim Law Director, Christopher Heltzel. In his remarks after taking the oath of office, Mayor Cuda said:

“Today, I’m honored to be sworn in as Interim Mayor of the City of Cleveland Heights. I take this oath with humility, with respect for the decision of our voters, and with a clear understanding that I am a temporary caretaker of this office.

“Over the past several weeks, I have prepared for this role so I could hit the ground running. I’ve met with directors [of city departments]; I’ve learned where they’re at as far as their work and goals.

My goal is simple: To steady the ship and prepare the City of Cleveland Heights for its next chapter.

My priorities are clear.

Ensuring the safety and welfare of our residents. And that means being supportive of our Police, Fire and all City employees and giving them the respect that they deserve.

Secondly, working with the directors and city council to craft a fiscally responsible budget that has space for the next mayor to establish their priorities in 2026 and beyond. And ensuring when voters elect a new mayor in November, they inherit a city prepared for success and a smooth transition.”

The City wishes Tony the best as he begins his three-month term in office and works with staff, residents, businesses and stakeholders to bring stability and a focus on the future for Cleveland Heights and the next elected Mayor.

Cleveland Heights welcomes
City Administrator Sharon Dumas

In his first official act, Mayor Cuda introduced legislation for the appointment of Cleveland resident, Sharon Dumas, to serve as City Administrator. Previously, Ms. Dumas served as Director of Finance for 15 years and Chief of Staff for five years for the City of Cleveland under Mayor Frank Jackson. From 2017 to 2022, Dumas managed Cleveland's $1.3 billion budget. She has more than 40 years of private and public service, with fiscal and staff management experience, including serving as Director of the Empowerment Zone for business development and job creation under Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell. Council unanimously approved Ms. Dumas' appointment as City Administrator, effective immediately.

In welcoming Dumas, City Council member Gail Larson said, "Thanks to [Mayor] Cuda for your first move, and a smart move. I have so much respect for Ms. Dumas coming in our time of need. Your credentials speak for themselves."

Ms. Dumas spoke briefly from the podium, thanking Mayor Cuda and members of Council.

"Mayor Cuda and I share many of the same thoughts when it comes to serving residents and public service," Ms. Dumas said. "I'm looking forward to being able to help out."

City council selects Gail Larson to serve as president; Davida Russell as vice president

In other business, city council selected new leadership positions, appointing councilpersons Gail Larson (pictured center) to serve as its president and Davida Russell as vice president of council for the remainder of the term, which ends December 31, 2025.

Speaking in support of Larson moving into the leadership role, City Council member Craig Cobb pointed out that her current role as Chair of Council's Finance Committee will serve her well in the months ahead. "We will be dealing with a lot of finances. She is the best-qualified person for this position."

Vice President Russell added, "I'm looking forward to working with Mayor Cuda and the leadership team. Together, we can accomplish much and in a collegial manner."

Additionally, council declared a vacancy and announced it was accepting applications for a qualified candidate to be appointed by council to serve out the remainder of the term vacated by Council President, Tony Cuda. (More on that below).

City council now accepting applications to fill council vacancy

Application period closes Friday, October 10

The Cleveland Heights City Council announced it started accepting applications on October 1, 2025 to fill an upcoming vacancy on City Council.

The vacancy arises due to the transition of Council President Cuda to the role of Interim Mayor. In accordance with the City Charter, Council is responsible for appointing a qualified individual to serve the remainder of the unexpired term (December 31, 2025).

Interested residents must be a qualified elector and resident of Cleveland Heights. An application form is now available on the City’s website here: https://www.clevelandheights.gov/1085/City-Council-Application. Applicants are asked to complete the form and submit all required materials, including a résumé and letter of interest outlining their background, experience, and reasons for seeking appointment to City Council.

All application materials must be submitted online or delivered to the Clerk of Council’s Office by October 10, 2025. Submissions may be delivered in person to City Hall at 40 Severance Cir. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, or emailed to abalester@clevelandheights.gov.

Cleveland Heights releases RFP seeking HR consultant to stabilize, improve City operations

The City of Cleveland Heights seeks proposals from qualified Human Resources consultants to conduct assessments and provide actionable recommendations that will inform the incoming mayor’s efforts to stabilize and improve city operations, cultivate a healthy workplace culture, and ensure HR practices meet professional standards and legal requirements.

To access the RFP, including a full description of the Scope of Work, Timeline and Deliverables, Proposal Requirements, Evaluation Criteria, and Submission details, please visit this page on the City’s website:

https://www.clevelandheights.gov/881/Request-For-Proposals

Happy 5K/10K is

THIS SUNDAY!

The City of Cleveland Heights and Cleveland Heights merchants invite you to the 10th Annual Happy 10k, 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run on Sunday, October 5.

This chip-timed road-running event will take you through the best of Cleveland Heights, including the Lee Road and Coventry merchant districts. Flat and fast, with plenty of crowd support along the way, this event supports the Cleveland Heights Youth Scholarship Fund.

This run is open to all ages and abilities, as well as competitive runners. Dress up for your run, and you'll automatically be entered into the happiest costume contest around. Happy dogs and strollers are welcome, too!

A special note from CHPD on street closures during the Happy 5K/10K:

The only hard street closure will be on Lee Road between Silsby and Meadowbrook roads. Once the races kick off, at 9:15 and 10 am, there will be temporary road closures along the designated route. The main intersections will be open with plenty of access points with officers stationed along the route.

Stay for the Happy 5K/10K afterparty!

Happy 5K/10K-ers, friends and family are invited to the Happy 5K/10K afterparty on Lee Road, which will be closed to vehicles from Silsby to Meadowbrook roads, from 11 am to 2 pm.

This fun, post-race community event features:

DJ Marcus Alan Ward spinning hit tunes (11:30 am - 1:30 pm)
Local circus outfit Wizbang bringing the bubbles (11:30 am - 1:30 pm) and Mobile Circus School (noon - 1 pm)
Sil Vous Play providing facepainting and activities including sidewalk chalk drawing (10:30 am - 1:30 pm)

Tables and chairs will be set out in the street. Come enjoy the festivities with the new Lee Road DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) and food from any of the amazing nearby restaurants.

Input still needed on Noble Streetscape Plan

Thanks to all of the attendees and residents providing input at the September 25 Noble Road Streetscape and Public Spaces open house.

The project scope is the entire length of Noble Road from Mayfield Road to the East Cleveland border.

If you were not able to attend or needed more time to think about the information, we still want to hear from you! Please provide feedback on this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NobleRoadRecommendationsSurvey.

Also, a recording of the presentation and the slide deck, along with the survey link, is available on the City's Noble Road Streetscape Plan webpage:

https://www.clevelandheights.gov/Noble-Road-Streetscape-Study

The survey will be open until October 10.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cleveland Heights City Council Invites Residents to Q&A sessions on Proposed Charter Amendment

Cleveland Heights City Council will host two Information Session followed by a Q&A about the Proposed Charter Amendment on the following dates:

Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, Noble Road Branch (2800 Noble Road, Cleveland Heights, OH).

Monday, October 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lee Branch of Heights Libraries (2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118).

These are important community conversations about the Proposed Charter Amendment that will appear on the ballot as Issue 7 on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

These interactive sessions are designed to provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about the proposed amendment, hear directly from Council members, and ask questions in an open and community-focused setting.

Please note that seating is limited to 60 attendees, and spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are encouraged to arrive early to secure their place.

For more details, visit https://www.clevelandheights.gov/1796/Proposed-Charter-Amendment or contact the Clerk of Council’s Office at 216-291-2304 or abalester@clevelandheights.gov.