Copyright cleveland.com
PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- City Council will look a whole lot different when it convenes for its first meeting of 2026 on Jan. 13. At that meeting, the seven-member representative body will have four new members, as voters on Nov. 4 elected second-time candidate Sandip Mody, and first-time office seekers Robert Rice, John Eric Schmidt and Alyssa Swords into office. Not returning will be current Councilwomen Melanie Weltman, Cathy Hwang and Emmy Zatroch, who failed to place among the top four vote-getters. Also not returning is 16-year Councilman Scott Newell, who is retiring from City Council. Election Day was a good one for Mayor Richard Bain, who backed all four of the soon-to-be council members. Bain, it can be recalled, took a very different position than the departing Weltman, Zatroch and Hwang on the issue of proposed city charter changes. In the spring, voters decided against making large-scale changes to the city’s charter. Weltman, Zatroch and Hwang, along with Councilmen Jim LeMay and Anthony Gentile, voted to place the proposed changes on the ballot, a vote that was made before council held town hall meetings with residents to discuss the proposals. Bain was firm in his stance that the changes would severely weaken the position of mayor, and argued that an overhaul of the charter, which has served the city since it was instituted in 1966, was unnecessary. In an endorsement mailer Bain sent to residents, he wrote of the four candidates residents went on to elect, “This is a diverse group of educated professionals whose knowledge and experience enable them to make significant contributions and provide leadership to City Council.” Bain also listed others who supported Mody, Rice, Schmidt and Swords. They included Newell and Councilwoman Jackie Godic, as well as four former councilmen, Manohar Daga, Bob Freed, Jim Juliano and Rick Taft, and three Planning Commission members, Howard Katz, Bill Melsop and Dr. James Taylor. Also signing off on the endorsement were Architectural Board of Review Chair Hassan Gardezi, and felllow ABR member Chip Steiner. Newell, in his endorsement, said, “It is time for new faces on council.” A day after the election, Bain, when asked for comment on the reults, replied by email, stating, “Our residents have felt that their desires and voices were not being reflected in the actions of City Council. That caused an unfortunate rupture of citizen confidence in their representatives. “This election represents residents closing the book on not only these members’ earlier misguided attempt to repeal and replace our city charter, but casts off the negativity which unfortunately has infected discourse. “It signifies the rejection of contentious politics which have sometimes clouded the wonderful accomplishments of our community the last several years. I look forward to the restoration of the collaborative and thoughtful government which the city deserves, has thrived under, and which I believe these newly elected council members will deliver.“ According to unofficial Cuyahoga County Board of Elections results, Mody topped all candidates with 1,334 votes for 18.5 percent, and Rice was next with 1,186 (16.5 percent). Swords tallied 1,168 votes (16.2 percent), and Schmidt, 1,089 (15.1 percent). As for the incumbents, Hwang received 936 votes (13 percent); Weltman got 819 (11.4 percent); and Zatroch received 664 (9.2 percent). Speaking about his excellent Election Day showing, Mody, asked what he believed contributed to that showing, replied via email, “Connecting with neighbors, one conversation at a time, made the biggest difference. Almost every evening and weekend, I was out walking the streets of Pepper Pike, knocking on doors, and getting to know residents. “I focused on listening more than speaking -- to understand people’s concerns, priorities and hopes for our city. Lingering frustration surrounding the charter issue -- regardless of which ‘side’ residents supported -- was a common theme, along with a strong desire to move forward with greater unity and transparency. “That message aligned closely with my focus on better communication, regular updates on city priorities, and clearer insight into how tax dollars are used. In the end, I believe that commitment to listening, openness, and genuine dialogue is what resonated most, and it’s the same approach I intend to carry into every decision on council.” Mody was asked what he thought he could bring as a fresh face to council. “I hope to bring a new spirit of accessibility and collaboration, with a council that listens actively, responds thoughtfully, and turns residents’ ideas into real progress for Pepper Pike. “My focus is to move from formality to engagement by strengthening communication, increasing transparency, and creating more opportunities for residents to help shape the city’s future. “I would like us to modernize how we share information, with a more user-friendly website and clearer digital channels for feedback and updates. I also want to introduce a public scorecard that would help residents easily track the progress of key city initiatives. This commitment to accountability, communication, and collaboration is what I believe will feel new and what Pepper Pike needs most right now.” Upon taking office in January, Mody said, “My first focus will be to work collaboratively with the mayor, council, and city committees to establish clear, shared goals for 2026. “To build that alignment, I’ll first gather insights from the Planning Commission and the Roads & Infrastructure and Communications Committees on their key initiatives for the year ahead. “From there, we can align on which projects to advance, how best to invest reserve funds, and where external grants or partnerships can accelerate progress. Equally important, I want to ensure residents have a voice in refining those projects through regular updates, transparent reporting, and open forums for feedback. “From day one, my goal is to set a tone of teamwork, transparency, and accountability that strengthens trust across our community.” Said Rice, “It really is very special to win on my first attempt for elected office. As I’ve told all my supporters, it takes a village to run and win a campaign and I am grateful to all my family, friends and fellow Pepper Pike residents for their support and assistance. “Come January, I want to see us accelerate the construction of sidewalks. The sidewalks are a big hit with our citizens and we have the money to finish them off sooner rather than later. I will also spend January getting to know the workforce that provides great services to our citizens. “I will do a ride-along with the police and fire departments and the service department in a snow plow truck. This will help give me a hands on perspective of the delivery of services to our citizens.” As for what he believes will aid him in his council work, Rice said, “My experience as a senior Marine Corps Officer, specifically as Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and as City Manager (for the city of) Syracuse, Utah, give me a unique perspective on how I can help the rest of the council assist in the execution of city operations. “I am very excited to get to work and start this next chapter in my life service and live my motto of ‘service before self.’” Zatroch was asked to comment about Election Day and, in a text message, replied, “I would like to thank everyone who supported my campaign. While I am disappointed in the election results, I am proud of my accomplishments while serving Pepper Pike.” Hwang did not respond to a request for comment. Turnout for the council vote was 5,741, or 36.3 percent of registered voters.
