MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Mayfield Heights mayoral election features two candidates who have both served for several years on City Council.
Diane Marzano Snider is currently City Council president, while Gayle Teresi completed her third term on council in 2023, and due to term limits, was unable to run again in that year. Teresi also served as council president.
Snider, a part-time registered medical diagnostic sonographer with the Cleveland Clinic Health System, and Teresi, a longtime business owner and onetime Realtor, are vying to succeed Mayor Anthony DiCicco who, after three terms and 12 years, also faces a term limit and thus cannot seek re-election.
Cleveland.com submitted via email questions to the two candidates, and here are their email responses.
Diane Marzano Snider
Cleveland.com: How long have you lived in Mayfield Hts. and who comprises your family?
Snider: I was born and raised in Mayfield Heights. This year marks 60 years as a resident of this city. I have been married to my husband, Van, for 33 years and together we have six beautiful children, each of them, as well as myself, are proud graduates of Mayfield (High School).
(Those children are) Morgan (Mayfield High Class of 2012), Madison (2014), Macie (2017), Marlee (2020), Matthew (2022), and Molly (2024). I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my parents, Ruby and Peter Marzano, who are no longer with us. They were both my biggest supporters and greatest heroes.
Cleveland.com: How many years have you served on City Council, and what were those years, and how many times have you run for mayor (what years)?
Snider: I have proudly served as your councilwoman for 22 years, including eight years as council president, and served as the interim mayor of Mayfield Heights in October, 2021 when Mayor Anthony DiCicco was recovering from an illness. In my tenure on Mayfield Heights City Council, I have run for mayor one time, in 2013.
Cleveland.com: What do you see as the biggest challenge or challenges facing Mayfield Heights?
Snider: The biggest challenges facing Mayfield Heights are ensuring safety in every neighborhood, maintaining, fair and consistent housing standards, and addressing the condition of our infrastructure.
A safe community is the foundation for everything. It requires strong partnerships between residents and our safety forces.
We also need to protect property values through clear, updated housing and building codes.
Finally, our streets, water, and sewer systems need special attention so they remain reliable for our residents and businesses.
Cleveland.com: What are you prepared to do to address those challenges?
Snider: I am prepared to act on all three of these areas. For safety, I will continue expanding the block watch program so every neighborhood has a direct link to police, fire and EMS, and I’ll ensure our safety forces have the resources they need.
On housing, I will work closely with the building department to review and update ordinances so they reflect today’s needs and protect property values.
For infrastructure, I’ll engage in programs that prioritize the repair and maintenance of our streets and utilities, because well-maintained roads and systems are a vital for a city.
Cleveland.com: During your time serving on City Council, what are your proudest achievements?
Snider: I am proud of my 22 years of service on City Council, including eight years as council president, where I have worked hard to listen to residents, solve problems, and build relationships that get things done.
Beyond council, I have been an active participant and board member of many committees and organizations, including the (council’s) Finance and Audit Committee, Senior Commission on Aging, Parks and Recreation, Planning Commission, Building Committee, Public Works and Service, Legislative Committee, Chagrin River Watershed Committee, Euclid Creek Watershed Committee, Community Reinvestment Committee, and the Mayfield Union Cemetery Committee.
I have also served as a member of the Mayfield Heights Beautification Committee, a board trustee at Schnurmann House Senior Living Center, and a Hillcrest YMCA Board Member.
In addition, I have been a longtime active volunteer for Mayfield City Schools and the Mayfield Athletic Department, serving more than 20 years on the After Prom Committee as president and co chair of this very important committee. I also spent many years as an Athletic Parent Representative to multiple sports.
These roles reflect my commitment to strengthening our city, supporting families, and improving the quality of life for all residents. I am proud to mention the many accomplishments I have brought to my seat on council. I am proud to have contributed to our city’s financial stability ensuring growth for the future.
I am proud to have been a part of the new beautification project where we have planted flowers (and) shrubs at the Woodhawk (Drive street) entrance, Catalano Drive, and Oakville Park. We are looking to expand this program with new spaces to plant flowers and shrubs every year.
You will see me on community clean up day picking up litter across the city, as well as our highway cloverleafs. I have worked hard on bringing programs to our Parks and Recreation Committee, by enhancing our children and adult programs — Taste of Italy, movie night in the park, holiday children’s parties, restored senior luncheons, pancake breakfast, new exercise and dance programs, and I am proud to announce the newest event that will be hosted in December, our First Annual Holiday Fest and Lighting Event.
One of my greatest accomplishments is bringing the Veterans Mayfield Road Banner Program to our city, as well as a Veterans Day dinner to host and honor those who fought for our country. I am proud to have them on display in our city.
I am proud of the broad scope of my involvement and the positive impact it has had on Mayfield Heights and its residents as well as our businesses.
Cleveland.com: If elected mayor, what specific changes will residents see as compared to today?
Snider: If elected mayor, residents will see stronger neighborhoods through expanding the block watch program so that every neighborhood maintains a direct connection with the police, fire and EMS.Having a strong relationship with public safety administrators will allow us to be more effective on the strategies and resources that they both need to prevent and resolve crime throughout the city.
I have constantly supported legislation to strengthen the public safety.
I will ensure that local leaders, schools and property managers remain engaged in preventing and mitigating crime. I will also remain attentive to the grant opportunities that support the public safety officials in securing the latest equipment, such as body cameras, reliable radios and intersection cameras so that officers can perform their duties safely and effectively.
I will support the purchase of equipment for our fire department to ensure we have reliable transportation and equipment.
I would like to see that we update housing and building codes that better protect property values and reflect today’s community needs. I will make sure that we will see real progress in repairing and maintaining our streets, water, and sewer systems. I will make sure that the Marnell Road and Washington (Boulevard) sewer and water projects get completed. As well as work with the state of Ohio on the condition of Mayfield Road.
Beyond these tangible changes, residents will also notice a mayor’s office that is responsive, transparent, and committed to serving with integrity every single day.
My focus will always be on solutions that keep Mayfield Heights moving forward and make our city a place everyone is proud to call home.
Cleveland.com: What do you believe are your strengths as a leader?
Snider: My greatest strengths as a leader are my experience, community involvement, and dedication to problem solving.
With 22 years on City Council and eight as council president, I bring proven leadership and a deep understanding of our city’s needs. I have also been deeply involved in many civic boards and committees from Finance and Audit, Planning, and Public Works, to watershed and beautification initiatives, giving me a comprehensive perspective on how to strengthen Mayfield Heights.
Beyond government service, I’ve been active in organizations that serve seniors, families and youth, such as the Schnurmann House Senior Living Center, Hillcrest YMCA, and Mayfield Schools After Prom Committee, where I’ve volunteered for over 20 years. These experiences have taught me the importance of listening, building consensus, and working collaboratively to solve problems. Above all, I lead with transparency, accountability, and integrity, always putting residents first.
Cleveland.com: Please add anything else you would like residents to know about you and your candidacy.
Snider: I am running for mayor because I believe in responsible leadership, transparency, and strong community values. I will continue listening to residents, solving problems, and building relationships that move our city forward.
I will always work hard for you, Mayfield Heights, and make this city a proud place to call home.
Snider’s election website is dianemarzanosniderformayor.com.
Gayle Teresi
Cleveland.com: How long have you lived in Mayfield Hts. and who comprises your family?
Teresi: I have lived in Mayfield Heights since 1990. My husband, Jimmy Teresi, and I, currently live in our home.
Cleveland.com: How many years have you served on City Council, and what were those years, and how many times have you run for mayor (what years)?
Teresi: I served on City Council 16 years — 2002-2005, and then I ran again from 2012-2023. I was on council a total of 16 years – eight of those years as council president. I ran for mayor in 2003 against Anthony DiCicco.
Cleveland.com: What do you see as the biggest challenge or challenges facing Mayfield Heights?
Teresi: First, since I was (first) elected to council, the white elephant in the room has always been the flooding basements in the Marnell area. We visited homes that flooded in 2014 with the engineer, who was with (the firm) AECOM. Since then the city changed engineers two more times, but the flooding has still not resolved.
We also have to address our infrastructure/road program — we have Washington Boulevard that needs to be totally reconstructed. The last that I remember hearing at a road meeting, the repair cost was well over $2 million. I have concerns today on where that money will come from. How will we get Washington Boulevard reconstructed and continue to repair all of the other roads in the city, i.e. Marsol, Westerham, Mayfield Road, etc.?
Crime is becoming an issue that you hear about from residents. I hear it every day. Pilfering, carjacking, so much apartment crime, kids congregating.
Cleveland.com: What are you prepared to do to address those challenges?
Teresi: Currently, the city is under contract with Fabrizi Construction to do this (flooding abatement work). It is October and what you currently see are that trees have been cut down and work has begun on water lines.
Knowing how long this problem has existed, the next mayor will have to spend a lot of time and money overseeing this project and being on top of the construction to make sure it gets done properly and on time.
The other issue will be working with over 100 residents in that area that have sewer problems. I understand that some of the costs involved for repair work will be out-of-pocket for the homeowner.
So many of our roads need work. Past years have gone by without doing major reconstructing work, and it has caught up with the city. Now, with more streets that need work and less funds available, it will be a challenge.
When the tax increase was passed, the first $200,000 was earmarked for sidewalk repair, 60 percent of the balance was for infrastructure, and 40 percent was for the pool and recreation (Community and Aqutic Center construction). Though not currently on council, I believe council changed that ordinance and how those tax dollars must be used due to the increased cost of the aquatic center — which began at $17 million and rose to more than $34 million. That excess cost leaves less funds for infrastructure and possibly no sidewalk program, as it stands today.
Our police department does a great job of combatting crime, but we have to really work more diligently with the apartment owners on the issues that come from their developments. Again, much of the crime comes to or through Mayfield Heights because of the enormous amount of retail and the access to the highway.
Cleveland.com: During your time serving on City Council, what are your proudest achievements?
Teresi: I heard the concerns from the residents on Dunfield (Drive) about debris and the old construction fence in their back yards, which came from the Progressive Insurance property behind their homes.
I did go to our mayor and suggest we try to help the residents with the issue. I was told there was no way we could get anything done with Progressive because that property was in Mayfield Village. I felt strongly that our Mayfield Heights residents deserved some closure on this issue.
I continually reached out to Progressive until I was able to reach the correct manager and was able to coordinate a meeting at our resident’s home, with Progressive. After the Progressive manager met with residents and saw our concern, we came to a very amiable solution. Progressive Insurance, wanting to be a good neighbor, paid for a white vinyl fence in the back yards abutting the Progressive property. Doing your due diligence to help residents is always a proud moment.
I chaired the (council’s) Safety Committee and supported their needs for license plate readers, cameras at the major intersection of SOM and Mayfield (roads). I also supported their request at City Council for a long overdue renovation to the (police and fire) dispatch area.
Cleveland.com: If elected mayor, what specific changes will residents see as compared to today?
Teresi: Residents will see more accountability. With the issues that our city faces today, we have to take a much more active role in providing greater transparency in how the city makes decisions.
Cleveland.com: What do you believe are your strengths as a leader?
Teresi: I believe my strengths come from my years as a business owner dealing with national companies, employees and every aspect of making a business a success.
Also, my years in the corporate environment allowed me to learn how the positions of CEO and COO impact the success and viability of a company. In comparison, as mayor you must have the same strong leadership skills to face the challenges in the city. Not only is the mayor responsible for the well being of the city and residents, the mayor must have the accessibility to work with corporate leaders — those payroll taxes make a major impact on city operations.
You must be realistic and understand you cannot appease everyone, which means you must be able to make hard decisions that can affect both employees or residents. Making hard decisions is not always easy or pleasant, but it does demonstrate someone’s leadership ability.
Cleveland.com: Please add anything else you would like residents to know about you and your candidacy.
Teresi: Becoming the mayor is not about popularity, or where we grew up, or what your friends post about you.
It is about leadership; it is about dealing with the many challenges the city faces today and will face in the future. It is about being available, responsive to the citizens, and most importantly, being able to handle the challenges.
To be successful as the mayor, you have to be available. Being the mayor is not a two-day a week job. Dropping into city hall when you are asked or when you have time is not taking the enormous responsibility seriously.
As the mayor, it is your job to oversee city operations, finances, safety issues, and the concerns of the residents. Being the mayor is about being in the city, learning, listening, directing and decision making.
I was told that it was no worries if the mayor came to city hall a couple days a week, that department heads run the city. But actually, department heads do not or should not run or manage the city. Department heads take their lead from the mayor.
If you understand how a company or corporation runs, the top tier in the organizational chart is the CEO, at the top, that is the same position as the mayor.
Teresi’s election website is gayleteresi.com.