UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — With two-term Mayor Michael Dylan announcing earlier this year that he would not seek another term, the city is assured to have a new mayor in 2026.
The three candidates seeking to become the next mayor include a second-time mayoral candidate, Philip Atkin, who ran previously in 2021; a first-time candidate, Chauncey Hutton; and University Heights’ current Vice Mayor, Michele Weiss.
Cleveland.com sent each candidate a series of questions. Here is how they answered, via email:
Philip Atkin
— Cleveland.com: How many years have you lived in University Heights, and who comprises your family?
Atkin: “Thirty-three years. My wife and I are empty nesters. She had three children. I had four children.
— Cleveland.com: What is or was your occupation?
Atkin: I was an urban planner for two agencies and director of urban design services for a large engineering firm where I was a municipal consultant. Then I started my own build/design development company. I built and designed hundreds of new buildings, including the Waxman Chabad Center, and hundreds of renovations and adaptive re-use projects.
— Cleveland.com: What are your thoughts on how the city has been run during the years since you last ran for mayor?
Atkin: We have serious problems which need to be addressed, but are ignored, or are lacking proper expertise and problem solving. These include:
A. Property taxes which are four times higher than the U.S. average, of which the city only receives between 6.4-11 percent. Many seniors are overburdened. A median house worth $250,000 pays $8,000-$10,000 (in property taxes).
B, Updating city facilities for police, fire and streets. A committee is suggesting tearing down the existing facilities, including the recently acquired (former) YABI School building (2308 Warrensville Center Road, next to city hall) — which is about 1.5 times the size of the police department next door to it. Then they (City Council) are going to hire architects to design and build new ones (police and fire sdtations).
They have $10 million set aside and the council approved an agreement for another $30 million — which the Mayor refuses to sign, and won’t tear down the YABI School. I was on the committee and provided a professional layout to re-purpose YABI for police and expand the other facilities.
This would cost one-quarter to one-half the cost and match the historic feel of the current center (city hall).
— Cleveland.com: Why do you believe you are the best candidate for mayor?
Atkin: A. I have the most direct experience with city problems, alternatives, and problem solving techniques. As a builder/designer/developer, I had to perform problem-solving on a daily basis. It was critical to guide the outcome properly as new factors arose.
B. I also had the unique opportunities to find creative modifications to change difficulties into design enhancements for most projects.
C. As a developer, honesty between myself and those I worked with was critical for success. The city government has the unfortunate current history of being indirect, playing games, and laying traps, instead of being straight and professional. That has to change.
— Cleveland.com: What are your strengths as a leader?
Atkin: I have a lot of experience solving problems. A key principle in my process is that I am honest with those I work with, listen, and discuss alternatives openly. Creative problem-solving techniques are something I worked on in school and in the field. I don’t play games with people.
— Cleveland.com: Have you ever before been elected to an office?
Atkin: I have not been elected to a public office, but I have been president of nonprofit organizations which were very successful.
— Cleveland.com: What are your two main goals, if elected?
Atkin: A. Clear the enormous tax burdens which are causing great pain to all residents, but especially to long-term residents, and increase revenues to city coffers.
B. Give guidance to maintain the unique single-family environment, culture, and physical character for all residents.
— Cleveland.com: Please add anything else you feel is important for voters to know about you.
Atkin: I am a member of the Orthodox Jewish community and treasure the gifts within my own heritage. In travelling the neighborhoods of UH (University Heights), I observed members of the Gesu community, several smaller religious communities, and a large, more secular group.
I observed young families with infants, families with teens and college-aged kids, grandparents and great grandparents. All these groupings had enormous dedication to family values, which I greatly respect, and have been comfortable and safe in UH. That’s what makes UH a very special city.
Chauncey Hutton
— Cleveland.com: How many years have you lived in University Heights, and who makes up your family?
Hutton: My family has lived in University Heights for six years. I live here with my wife, Jodi, and our child Michael, who is currently attending Cleveland State.
— Cleveland.com: What is your occupation?
Hutton: My job title is Sr. DMV Specialist for Ohio; I work for an auto manufacturer.
— Cleveland.com: Have you ever before run for public office?
Hutton: This is my first foray into politics. My work with government entities has been in the private sector.
— Cleveland.com: You have the backing of Mayor Brennan. Are there things he has done you find particularly strong that you would like to continue?
Hutton: For starters, I think it’s important to continue to have a mayor full-time. Mayor Brennan held strong standards for our police, fire, and public service departments and supported them appropriately. I also appreciate his custodianship of our parks and the celebrations our residents use them for.
— Cleveland.com: What are two or three goals you have, if elected?
Hutton: Contract negotiations for our police and fire departments will take place next year. My goal as mayor is to collaborate with these departments to make sure they have the resources they need.
Also, as Warrensville Center Road and other portions of the city see redevelopment, I will ensure that a walkable, small-town feel stays at the heart of our projects.
— Cleveland.com: Why do you believe you are the best candidate for mayor, and what strengths would you bring to the position?
Hutton: I’m a fresh set of eyes, unencumbered by past grudges. My career has been built on bringing teams together to accomplish mutual goals. I’ll bring a work ethic focused on collaboration to city hall.
— Cleveland.com: What do you see as University Heights’ most pressing challenge?
Hutton: University Heights is a beautiful city with bumpy roads. Sixty percent of them have been labeled poor or failing. We need to get real about taking care of our roads and we need to act promptly to avoid inflation on costs.
— Cleveland.com: Please add anything else you feel voters should know.
Hutton: I’ve earned the endorsements of the Cuyahoga County Democrats, the AFL-CIO, CAMEO, County Executive Chris Ronayne, and UH Council Members Brian King and Chris Cooney.
Michelle Weiss
— Cleveland.com: After being elected three times to City Council, what drove you to seek the position of mayor?
Weiss: The city has been in the news for all of the wrong things the past few years. I already have a strong relationship with City Council and the directors. I am able to move forward from the distractions and concentrate on the progress of the city.
Moreover, I have the leadership qualities, management experience, and government and financial acumen to excel at the position.
— Cleveland.com: What are your two or three main goals, if elected?
Weiss: Infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks and sewers need to be addressed. Our aging municipal facilities need to be rebuilt without raising taxes.
Finally, ensuring our safety forces maintain the resources they need. All of these need a seasoned financial professional and someone who builds relationships to adhere to the city’s budget and work with everyone involved respectfully.
— Cleveland.com: What would you do differently than has been done the past eight years under Mayor Brennan?
Weiss: First and foremost, I would respect my colleagues. Things get done when you work with your team collaboratively.
Secondly, great leaders surround themselves with experts. The city’s directors are experts in their fields and need to be heard. City Council has an array of professionals and need a voice at the table. Finally, I understand budgets and how to prioritize our city’s tax dollars.
— Cleveland.com: How long have you lived in University Heights, and who makes up your family?
Weiss: I have lived in University Heights for 28 years. I have been married for 30 years and have three married children.
— Cleveland.com: What do you see as your strongest asset as an elected official?
Weiss: My strongest asset is my relationships that I have with City Council, city directors, other cities’ mayors and councilmembers, and county and state representatives.
Because of those relationships I can discuss sharing resources, what our city’s needs are, and how to resolve them.
— Cleveland.com: How long have you been on council, and what do you see as your top achievement in this latest term?
Weiss: I have been on City Council for 10 years, six as the vice mayor appointed by my (council) colleagues. (Weiss’s current council term expires Dec. 31, 2027).
I feel that legislation concerning balanced budgets each of my years on council testify to the respect I have for our resident’s tax dollars, and efficient and thoughtful spending. There have been so many impactful legislative approvals that I have been involved with, but in my current term approving FLOCK cameras on (traffic) signals means the police force can track and apprehend in real time criminals driving, while coordinating with other municipalities. Over 90 percent of offenses are solved with this technology.
— Cleveland.com: What is your occupation?
Weiss: I am currently the CFO of Hebrew Academy of Cleveland.
— Cleveland.com: Please add anything else you feel is important for voters to know.
Weiss: I will bring professionalism, financial responsibility, and integrity back to our city.