Phil Robinson candidate for University Heights City Council

Biographical Information

What neighborhood or area of the city do you live in?

My wife, Elizabeth, and I live on Traymore Road, between Claridge Oval and Meadowbrook.

How long have you lived in University Heights? What brought you here?

I recall driving around this city as a teenager and thinking it would be "a great place to call home." When Elizabeth and I moved back to Northeast Ohio, University Heights was the first place we wanted to move to and we've been happy ever since. We have lived in University Heights for a little over two years. I am running for City Council to help make our city the first place young professionals and their families call home.

Tell us about yourself.

I am a native of Northeast Ohio. I graduated with a B.B.A. in finance from The George Washington University. Currently, I am a Cleveland Executive Fellow at the Cleveland Leadership Center. Prior to moving back to Ohio, I served as a congressional aide to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and worked for two Fortune 500 global communications firms.

Additionally, I serve on the University Heights Financial Advisory and Memorial Day Parade committees. I am on the board of directors for the Centers for Dialysis Care and the Cleveland Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP). Also, I am a reading tutor at Warrensville Heights Middle school.

In my leisure time, I enjoy listening to jazz, cheering on all the Cleveland sports teams, and enjoying nice walks with Elizabeth in the neighborhood.

If elected, how would you encourage citizens to participate in decision making?

It is vital that residents have a voice in determining the future direction of their city. I am committed to creating an open, two-way dialogue with residents. To do this, we must ensure they have both access to important information about their city and avenues to provide feedback to their government. As a city councilman, I will pursue the following initiatives to accomplish these goals: (1) hold quarterly town hall meetings with residents, (2) videotape all council meetings and provide the video online, (3) establish a community affairs committee with a resident seat,  (4) make all possible forms and documents available online, and (5) keep the city’s Web site up-to-date and make it the hub for keeping residents informed and soliciting their feedback.

Describe one innovative idea that would transform the city.

One of University Heights' strongest assets is John Carroll University. The university’s student body provides our city with a constant pool of young professionals and potential first-time homebuyers. It's important that the university continue to grow and improve. However, it must not be at the expense of current residents. The city's elected officials must ensure that there is a balance between enhancing John Carroll University and maintaining University Heights' beautiful neighborhoods. 

Since the beginning of my campaign last May, I have proposed a "good neighbor" growth partnership between the city and John Carroll University.  This partnership would foster an open dialogue between residents, the city and the university. I believe that the city can work with John Carroll University to develop a strategic plan and a multi-year campus footprint that takes into account the preservation of the city's beautiful neighborhoods. Such planning would also explore joint redevelopment projects for Fairmount Circle.

Simply creating a forum for sharing ideas would allow us to explore creative projects that are mutually beneficial, such as mixed-use development, student volunteer programs, etc.

Who are the community stakeholders in University Heights? What ideas do you have for how these stakeholders can work together toward common goals?

The main stakeholders in University Heights are first and foremost residents. John Carroll University and the local business community are also key components.  A successful future requires that all parts of the community are able to communicate effectively with each other to the benefit and prosperity of all. 

To this end, I have proposed a "good neighbor" growth partnership between the city and John Carroll University in order to foster an open dialogue between residents, the city and the university. 

I have also proposed working with civic and local business leaders to create a public-private partnership to identify and attract new businesses to existing spaces as well as to encourage investing in new mixed-use development throughout the city. I want to create an economic development plan that brings a sense of order, cohesion and place to the city—and one that provides benefits for all the community stakeholders. 

Finally, I believe that good communication is the heart of an effective government.  And communication is central to the role that the city government must play in facilitating these relationships between the stakeholders, bringing them to the table, and developing solutions that fit the needs of all.

What is your plan to develop the local economy?

A thriving business community is essential to the future of University Heights. Economic development can help reduce the property tax burden on residents by increasing the city's tax base. As we plan for our future, it is important that we identify additional retail and commercial opportunities that will enhance the city's quality of life. These opportunities must also balance accessibility and market needs with our current location and boundaries. I will work to create an economic development plan that brings a sense of order, cohesion and place to the city.  To this end, I will work with civic and local business leaders to create a public-private partnership to identify and attract new businesses to existing spaces as well as to encourage investing in new mixed-use development throughout the city.

What are the best qualities of University Heights and what would you do to sustain them?

University Heights has a unique blend of qualities that gives us a "small town" feel with the excitement and convenience of a larger city. The idyllic, tree lined streets and welcoming neighborhoods draw many people to the city. It is the "City of Beautiful Homes."

University Heights has great amenities, including Purvis Park, backyard garbage pickup and a top notch public safety department. Our small population allows us to offer services to residents on a more personal level. Since our residents pay the third highest property taxes in the state of Ohio, I want to ensure that residents continue receiving these high quality services.

I will lead efforts to promote smart, efficient government on all levels. While every program and department must be reviewed for cost savings, I will work to protect core services.  I will also lead efforts to engage in cooperative ventures with neighboring communities. I understand that residents expect the best in city services.  I do too.

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?

University Heights has a unique character and history that set it apart from other communities in the region.  Preserving that character is essential in any new development.  Instead of wedging in models and ideas created for other areas, we must put real effort into identifying and designing projects that suit our community’s needs and aesthetics and enhance our quality of life. 

As I have often said, I want to create an economic development plan that brings a sense of order, cohesion and place to the city. Possible projects could include lofts, senior housing, residential buildings with green space and retail to fill University Square.  I have proposed exploring redevelopment opportunities within several of the city's existing economic centers. I will promote mixed-use development to generate revenue and grow the tax base.

Describe one way that you think the city could realistically work cooperatively with other local governments to reduce costs and/or improve services.

I am committed to leading efforts to promote collaboration, resource pooling, and cooperative ventures with surrounding communities to reduce costs and provide efficient services. I will lead efforts to engage in cooperative ventures with neighboring communities. We have already made some progress on this front with our participation in a shared emergency services dispatch center.  But that is just the beginning. 

Our best solutions lie in the combined impact of many small efforts and projects rather than in one big project. Examples of the sorts of ventures that I intend to pursue include combining government employee health benefits, purchasing new equipment in bulk or sharing a community recreational center. By working with other cities, University Heights will be in a position to maximize its purchasing power and use residents’ tax dollars more effectively.

What would you tell a current resident of University Heights who was thinking of leaving town?

Stay. Don’t miss out. University Heights offers a unique blend of features that can’t be found elsewhere. The city is in close proximity to renowned institutions such as the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital and the many other cultural icons located in nearby University Circle.  We have beautiful streets, beautiful homes, and good neighbors. We also have services that are not only top-notch, but are provided on a personal level made possible by our small population. 

How would you market the City of University Heights to a prospective resident?

Attracting new residents is key to our future success, as well as a central component of my campaign. The reason I am running for city council in University Heights is to bring people together to make our city the first place young professionals and their families call home. Young professionals tend to be active in the community, invest in improving the existing housing stock and take a general interest in seeing the public school system succeed.

I want to raise our profile to show the surrounding area what a wonderful place University Heights is to live. University Heights is centrally located to the eastern suburbs, close to various highways and has access to excellent transportation.  As so many of us know, the city is in close proximity to renowned institutions such as the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital and the many other cultural icons located in nearby University Circle.

I plan to create a marketing plan that highlights these assets to brand University Heights, promote the city and attract new residents, in particular young professionals. Such a plan will help to market our neighborhoods and increase home values.

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 homes, population decline, public school performance, high taxes.

University Heights residents all know that our taxes are among the highest in the state.  However, for our money, we also receive some of the best services around.  I am committed to developing ways to alleviate the tax burden on residents without needlessly sacrificing the things we get for our money.  But to lighten our burden, we need to attract new people and new businesses to University Heights—both offer opportunities reduce the property tax burden on residents by increasing the city's tax base.  As to the former, I have proposed creating a marketing plan to brand University Heights, promote the city and attract new residents, in particular young professionals. 

Additionally, I will work with civic and local business leaders to create a public-private partnership to identify and attract new businesses to existing spaces as well as encourage investing in new mixed-use development throughout the city.  I want to create an economic development plan that brings a sense of order, cohesion and place to the city, along with an increased revenue base.

How would you work together with the CH-UH School District to address the issue you identified above? Please restate the issue you are addressing.

At the heart of any thriving city is a good public school system. For many families, schools are a key part of their decision on where to live. This issue also determines whether a young family stays or leaves for another community. It is time the city government made our schools a priority.

While I am encouraged by the hire of Douglas G. Heuer as the new superintendent of schools and improving state report cards, I believe more needs to be done. The road to improvement begins with involvement. I propose that we encourage more residents to run for seats on the school board. I will work with parents to create an advisory committee of parents to provide the school board with valuable feedback. Also, I will work with the school district to open up the recreational facilities to parents and their children.

Given that more than 50 percent of local taxes go to the CH-UH School District, it is crucial that residents feel as though their hard-earned tax dollars are being invested wisely in the development of tomorrow’s leaders.

How would you work together with John Carroll University to balance its needs with those of residents?

One of University Heights' strongest assets is John Carroll University. The university’s student body provides our city with a constant pool of young professionals and potential first-time homebuyers. It's important that the university continue to grow and improve. However, it must not be at the expense of current residents. The city's elected officials must ensure that there is a balance between enhancing John Carroll University and maintaining University Heights' vibrant neighborhoods. I believe John Carroll University can do more to communicate with residents and the city and to work towards mutually beneficial goals such as collaborative economic development or a joint strategic plan.  I look forward to finding ways the city government and the university can reach common ground. 

The "good neighbor" growth partnership that I have proposed will foster an open dialogue between residents, the city and the university. I believe that the city can work with John Carroll University to develop a strategic plan and a multi-year campus footprint that takes into account the preservation of the city's beautiful neighborhoods.

Do you support the proposed changes to the University Heights Charter as approved by University Heights City Council? Please explain your answer.

While I value the commission’s efforts, I do not support their recommendation to change our form of government. The proposed city administrator adds an additional salary to our tight budget and interrupts our city’s chain of command.  I believe that a qualified full-time mayor would be accountable to voters and capable of leading our city.

Our city faces many challenges, and I am concerned that changing the form of government will hinder our efforts to confront them. However, this November, residents will determine the future of our city. I am ready to work in whatever form of government the residents choose.

Overall, the reason I am running for city council in University Heights is to bring people together to make our city the first place young professionals and their families call home.

To learn more about this candidate visit http://www.votephilrobinson.com/

League of Women Voters Guide
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Volume 2, Issue 10, Posted 1:29 PM, 09.23.2009