Frank Consolo candidate for University Heights Mayor
Biographical information
What neighborhood or area of the city do you live in? Belvoir Boulevard.
How long have you lived in University Heights? What brought you here?
I have lived in University Heights since 1990 and chose to live here because of the neighborhoods, proximity to downtown Cleveland and University Circle, and Gesu Parish.
Tell us about yourself.
I am 46 years old and a life-long resident of the Cleveland area. My family has life-long connections to University Heights and the Heights area. My dad, Horace, grew up on Queenston Road in Cleveland Heights and attended Roxboro and Heights High, where he was a star quarterback.
My mom, Maina, grew up on Compton Road in Cleveland Heights and attended St. Ann School and Notre Dame Academy. After graduating from Notre Dame Academy she met my Dad and in 1951 they were married at Gesu. They settled on Belvoir Boulevard in University Heights in a house built by my grandparents, who lived across the street. My sister, Debby, brothers, Bill and Rick, and I were all born there.
In 1981, I graduated from Gilmour Academy where I was a three year letterman in football and won the Gilmour Trophy as the outstanding man of the senior class. I graduated from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in 1986 and CWRU Law School in 1989. I worked for the family construction business to help pay for college and law school.
At CWRU, I met and fell in love with my beautiful wife, Mary. Mary grew up on Glenwood Road in Cleveland Heights. Shey graduated from CWRU in 1984 and has been working at the CWRU medical school for over 20 years.
We married in 1986 during my first year of law school. Our son Horace was born in 1987. Then, in August 1987, just before the start of my second year of law school, I was badly injured. While working construction, I was burned over 40 percent of my body when a gas tank exploded. Despite two surgeries and three weeks in the hospital, I persuaded my doctors, and the law school, to allow me to take a few classes. I was determined to graduate on time and help Mary support our young family.
True to my goal, I graduated on time in 1989 and began my legal career as a litigator and specialist in labor and employment law. In 1992 I started my own law firm and now own the law firm Consolo O’Brien LLC, which represent numerous cities and private companies. Horace, a 2009 graduate of CWRU, is now in his first year of law school at Cleveland- Marshall and looking forward to joining the firm.
In 1990, Mary, Horace and I came back to University Heights. We joined Gesu parish and I became active in the Boosters and began coaching football in 1997. I led the Bulldog football program for 11 years, through 2007.
In 1998, Fr. White chose me as the first Parish Athletic Director. I devoted eight years running the intramural and CYO sports programs, putting in place coach development, parent orientation and ethics programs and new rules and guidelines for adults working with children to ensure their safety.
In 2005 I became very active in University Heights civic affairs and concerned citizens backed me for mayor. I ran for, and was elected to, Council in 2007 where I am Chair of the University Affairs and Civic Information committees. I look forward to continuing my service to the City as your Mayor.
If elected, how would you encourage citizens to participate in decision making?
I would encourage residents to participate on advisory boards to the Mayor and Council and would establish boards on economic development and strategic visioning.
Describe one innovative idea that would transform the city.
I will initiate the process of preparing a vision/development plan for the future of the City focusing on green initiatives and sustainability. The process will include John Carroll University as a partner and I intend to reach out to neighbor cities and institutions for help in strategizing not only for the future of the City, but the Heights/Hillcrest region. I want to explore a vision and strategy that includes John Carroll, Notre Dame College, Ursuline College, CWRU, Tri-C and CSU and the possibility of developing an “Education Mart” with the focus on the rapidly emerging industry of green technologies and sustainability.
Who are the community stakeholders in University Heights? What ideas do you have for how these stakeholders can work together toward common goals?
The stakeholders in the community are our various religious institutions, educational institutions, businesses and residents. All stakeholders will be part of the vision/development planning I intend to initiate.
What is your plan to develop the local economy?
Again, we first need to put together a vision for the future. Also, we need to stop thinking in terms of “local” economy. I think in terms of regional economies maximizing more benefits for more people at less cost. I believe one way we can grow our regional economy is by joining our educational institutions in University Heights and the Heights-Hillcrest region together with a focus on green technology and sustainability education. Once we establish ourselves as an educational source for this emerging new industry I believe the region will attract the new businesses in this industry.
What are the best qualities of University Heights and what would you do to sustain them?
The best quality is our diverse citizenry, with its rich religious and ethnic backgrounds. I believe it is vital to embrace this diversity and fully support and develop our varied religious and social traditions.
How do you view recent residential and commercial developments in terms of overall planning, architecture, functionality and sense of place? What types of new development do you think are appropriate and realistic for University Heights?
We are severely limited in areas to develop. However, I would immediately explore the possibility of moving City Hall administrative offices to empty spaces at University Square and free up the current City Hall site for future development. I would also talk with developers about utilizing the empty space at University Square for a hotel development that would service visitors to JCU, Notre Dame College, the Cleveland Clinic, CWRU and University Hospitals. My main residential development focus will be on “empty-nester” new housing development.
Describe one way that you think the city could realistically work cooperatively with other local governments to reduce costs and/or improve services.
The city must partner with the school district and neighboring cities and institutions such as JCU in sharing common services and expenses. For example, opportunities exist to buy health insurance in a large pool for the employees of all neighboring cities and school districts thereby lowering the collective cost. The city must also partner with the school district to offer more than just economic help. I will facilitate the organization of residents to offer services such as tutoring students to help them improve their test scores and raise the quality of our schools.
How would you market the City of University Heights to a prospective resident?
I would tell both that the City is a wonderful place to live, young or old, single or married and to take advantage of all the Heights-Hillcrest region has to offer.
Please give one concrete example of how you propose to address one of the following real or perceived quality of life issues: crime, litter, vacant storefronts, disengaged youth, foreclosures/vacant houses, population decline, public school performance, high taxes.
Upon taking office I intend to immediately instruct the Building Commissioner to investigate and prepare an inventory of vacant/foreclosed homes in the City. I then intend to hold a meeting of all the lenders holding title to these properties and facilitate a strategy for getting these homes rehabilitated and back on the market or razed and the land used for new housing development.
How would you work together with the CH-UH City School District to address the issue you identified above? Please restate the issue you are addressing.
I would work with the treasurer and superintendent on back tax issues and possible tax abatement for new development.
How would you work together with John Carroll University to balance its needs with those of residents?
I plan on working hand-in-hand with JCU as a partner. We need each other to prosper and survive. When I saw a rift occurring among the city administration, JCU and the neighborhoods I took the initiative to create the University Affairs Committee and began a process of honest dialogue. JCU cannot be expected to present a plan for its future when the City doesn’t even have a plan for its own. I will promote a joint planning and development process so that we can map out our futures together.
Do you support the proposed changes to the University Heights Charter as approved by University Heights City Council? Please explain your position.
First of all, the City Council did not approve any changes to the Charter. The CRC recommendations, by ordinance, went on the ballot for the residents’ vote regardless of whether Council approved them or not.
The CRC recommended 10 changes. Nine of the 10 recommended changes concern issues other than the establishment of an Administrator position and should be passed. They include a strengthening of the public meeting provision, which I proposed, as well as provisions recommended by our Civil Service Commission and safety forces and a provision forever establishing periodic charter reviews.
Whether the voters choose an Administrator or not, the Mayor will still be the Chief Executive Officer of the city. I am the candidate prepared, qualified and experienced to be such a leader.
The “hard decisions” - long term goals, planning and development, budget cuts, foreclosed and vacant homes - still must be, and will be, made by the Mayor and Council, not an Administrator.
An Administrator will add professional advice in devising a plan for dealing with the hard decisions and will provide continuity in how the plan is implemented and carried out until the elected officials devise a new plan.
To learn more about this candidate, visit http://consolo4mayor.com.