Copyright cleveland.com
LYNDHURST, Ohio -- When it comes to City Council turnover, the city of Lyndhurst has been batting with the same lineup for quite some time. But that is about to change when the calendar turns to 2026, as Allison Dirk is running unopposed to take over the Ward 1 seat being vacated by Councilman David Frey, who has held the position since first being elected in 2005. Speaking of 2005, Dirk will become the first woman since that year to hold a Lynhurst City Council seat, when Heidi Solomon was the Ward 3 representative. In this fall’s election of ward candidates, Dirk, along with with Ward 2’s Joe Gambatese, Ward 3’s Lane Schlessel, and Ward 4’s Steve Grushetsky, are all running unopposed. Gambatese took office in 2003 when appointed to take the place of then Ward 2 councilman Joseph Cicero upon Cicero becoming mayor. Schlessel, like Frey, was first elected in 2005. Grushetsky took the Ward 4 seat in 2016 when Patrick Ward was elected mayor. This makes Grushetsky, for now, council’s junior member. As for the at-large councilmen, Joseph Marko was first elected in 1999, and Charles Chuck LoPresti was appointed in 2007, replacing Josh Mandel when Mandel was elected Ohio Treasurer. Councilman at-large Jeff Price was appointed in 2013 when former councilman Ketih Packard moved from the city. Speaking of the current council members, Ward said, “All have served Lyndhurst enthusiastically and been re-elected because of their hard work and Lyndhurst-centric focus.” As for women who have served on Lyndhurst City Council, Ward said, “We have had several women serve our community on our City Council, starting in the late 1980s through to 2005. Some of them were formidable women, contributing greatly to the governance of Lyndhurst.” Among them, Ward mentioned former councilwomen Dorothy Robertson (at-large); Joan Klein (Ward 3); Eunice Horton (at-large); and Lillian Turjanica (at large). Ward served with all of them, except Solomon. Of Dirk, Ward said, “I can say that we are all excited for Allison’s commitment to serve the residents of Ward 1. “I know David (Frey) was so pleased that someone with Allison’s heart for our community, commitment, and qualifications stepped up with an interest in serving the residents of Ward 1 and the city, that he decided he did not need to run.” Dirk, too, is pleased to be joining Lyndhurst City Council. So that residents can get to know something more about her, here is how she answered, via email, questions posed to her by cleveland.com. Cleveland.com: How long have you lived in Lyndhurst and of whom does your family consist? Dirk: Lyndhurst has been my home since 2008. My husband, Andrew, and I live in a beautiful century home with our 8-year-old son, 4-year-old daughter, and our sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cody. I am so proud of my family and the life we built here. Out of respect for my children’s privacy, I tend to keep the spotlight on myself -- but they’re a big part of why I care so deeply about this community. Cleveland.com: What is your occupation? Dirk: I have worked at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System since 2009, serving in a variety of nursing and leadership roles, including in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, as a nurse recruiter, and currently as an adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist in the Ambulatory Care Specialty Clinics. As a nurse recruiter, I had the privilege of helping shape the future of our nursing workforce -- recruiting top talent, mentoring new hires, and supporting initiatives to improve retention, recognition and engagement. As a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), I’m an advanced-practice nurse who provides expert care to patients, supports nursing staff, and helps improve healthcare systems. In my role, I treat and prescribe, lead quality improvement efforts, and use research and evidence-based practice to shape policies that enhance patient care. I am passionate about improving outcomes for our veterans, and it has been a true honor to care for America’s Heroes and to thank them for their service every day. Cleveland.com: What prompted you to run for City Council? Dirk: Where I grew up, I didn’t feel safe to walk around or to go the playground. I didn’t have other kids to play with or strong connections with neighbors. Lyndhurst is the first place that gave me a sense of community, and the safety and stability means everything to me. It’s the only place I truly call home. I feel safe here. I know my neighbors -- we raise our kids together and support one another. We have block parties, our kids play outside together, go to the pool together, and fill our street with laughter. They knock on my door asking if my kids can come out to play. It’s a magical way to grow up. I’ve never lived in a city with such strong services or such a welcoming spirit. The garbage men wave to my kids. The police officers pass out glow sticks on Halloween. Lyndhurst is a city that cares. That’s rare -- and that’s the kind of community I want to protect and help grow. That’s why I’m running for City Council. I love this city. It’s my home, and it’s where I’ve chosen to raise my family. As a parent, I want safe neighborhoods, strong schools, and a vibrant community. I want Lyndhurst to be a place where families thrive, businesses grow, and people feel proud to live. The decisions we make today shape our future. I want to give back by helping make thoughtful, practical choices that keep Lyndhurst a wonderful and welcoming place to live. Cleveland.com: What do you see as Lyndhurst’s biggest challenge or challenges, and how will you work to deal with those challenges? Dirk: One of Lyndhurst’s biggest challenges right now is the condition of our school buildings. Our school system and students have been working extremely hard to improve the districts rating to 3.5 stars! Great job! However, the physical state of our school buildings needs attention right now. Brush High School was built in 1927 and our other schools date back to the 1940s and 1950s. These school buildings require ongoing maintenance -- just like our homes. Without the proper upkeep, repairs become more expensive over time or even worse, the buildings become unsafe or unusable. We have over 3,000 students who spend nearly eight hours a day in these classrooms. The physical environment of a school directly impacts student learning and well-being. Research shows that factors like lighting, air quality, temperature and noise levels all influence student’s ability to focus, retain information, and stay engaged. Clean, safe and welcoming spaces also boost morale and help students feel valued and proud. Enhancing these spaces will not only support our children’s academic performance, but it can also help further improve our district’s rating. Of course, our focus is the students. But there is also a broader economic impact. Investing in our school helps attract new families to Lyndhurst and retain the families who are already here. Strong schools and safe, modern facilities are essential to the future success of our city. I will work closely with school leaders and city officials to ensure funds are used responsibly and thoughtfully. I hope residents will consider voting YES on the upcoming school levy in November to support our youngest Lyndhurst residents. Cleveland.com: What are your strengths as a leader? Dirk: I’m a people person through and through. I love helping others, solving problems, and bringing people together. I’m a big-picture thinker who listens, asks the right questions, and works hard to find solutions that make sense for everyone. I’m also persuasive (in a good way!) and not afraid to speak up for what’s right. I advocate for my patients and my nurses. I will also advocate for my neighbors. My job at the VA is all about collaboration, policy, and making things better -- which honestly feels a lot like what City Council does. I think it’s a great fit and I am committed to standing up for important issues. Cleveland.com: Lyndhurst has not had a female council person in 20 years. Do you have any thoughts on being the first in a while? Dirk: Being the first woman on council in years is special, but what is most meaningful is seeing how excited and supportive the women of Lyndhurst have been. They remind me of how powerful it is when women support women. It’s not about being the first in a while, it’s about making sure I’m not the last. Representation matters. Having a woman on council is important because it brings a different perspective. It also inspires the next generation and helps shape decisions that reflect everyone in our community. I am very appreciative of all the support I have received. It really means a lot. Cleveland.com: Please add anything else you want residents to know about you. Dirk: I’ve had such a great time getting to know the current council members and staff. Everyone has really been so wonderful and welcoming. They have taken the time to introduce me to so many people in the community and have really made me feel like I’m already part of the team. I’m especially grateful to Council Member Frey for his years of service and for helping make this a smooth transition. He has been extremely supportive. I wish him all the best in retirement. It has been awesome building those relationships and learning from them as I step into this role. Our city council is full of hard working, passionate people who truly care about Lyndhurst. I am really excited to jump in and work together and help keep our city moving in the right direction.
