Candidate for Cleveland Hts. City Council - Michael Gaynier
Mike Gaynier
MIKE GAYNIER
2933 Berkshire Rd. Cleveland Hts. 44118
Age: 58
realgainforclevelandheights@gmail.com
www.realgainforclevelandheights.com
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Education: The University of Michigan, BGS 1982
Occupation: Senior Consultant, creativechange.biz. I work primarily with non-profit clients on cultural competence, leadership coaching, performance management, communication and executive coaching.
Qualifications: 25 years in leadership roles, helping organizations prosper, developing people and solving problems.
Community: Home Repair Resource Center of Cleveland Heights, Trustee and Board Chair 2008-2011.
American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland, Disaster Action Team Leader 2007-2011.
ACLU of Cleveland Leadership Council 2008-2011
QUESTIONS and RESPONSES:
1. The most important thing: We must improve all of our unique, pedestrian friendly business districts, which enhance and improve the vitality and economic health of their surrounding neighborhoods and our city, to grow our tax base. To do so we must fill the gaps in our business districts, define specific goals and action plans for targeted development that includes all stakeholders (merchants, customers, residents and property owners), promote local business and surrounding neighborhoods on our new city website, reach out to current business owners to ascertain their long and short term needs and provide concierge style service for all businesses working with city departments.
2. Regionalism: We need to build upon the recent success we’ve had (Salt Dome/University Heights & Rubbish Compacting/Lyndhurst), and aggressively pursue partnerships with neighboring communities and Cuyahoga County to maximize service cost reduction opportunities, and promote the benefits of collaboration. Cuyahoga County’s new, unified Economic Development Fund is an excellent opportunity for regional cooperation to produce fiscally sound economic development and growth. Cleveland Heights must become the leading proponent of collaboration among our east side neighbors.
3. Housing market: We need to preserve our neighborhoods with aggressive enforcement action on vacant and neglected homes, and on homes with frequent police incidents. We need to double the number of homes being sustainably renovated by Cleveland Heights, private developers and our local non-profit organizations. Targeted demolition of obsolete and nuisance properties must continue, and we need to include new single floor, smaller home and condominium designs in vacant or reclaimed property developments.
4. CH-UH levy: I support the levy and strongly believe we must provide an excellent education for our children in our community. We strengthen our schools by working cooperatively with educators, and our community benefits from quality public schools. And our schools are improving every year, which helps maintain property values and attracts new residents. If elected, I will aggressively promote the accomplishments of our public schools and students.
5. Confidence: Our residents are well educated and possess a wealth of knowledge and willingness to engage with our City Council and Government. It is very important that residents are kept informed about their city and what is happening, whether the news is positive or negative. I will work to create a modern communication system that utilizes technology to keep citizens better informed about city business and issues, including timely alerts of criminal activity in our neighborhoods. I pledge to be open, honest and inclusive, willing to listen to the views of others, and committed to serve all equally.
6. Increase revenue: Implement curb container trash system and limit free refuse pick up to what fits inside a single household container. Aggressively and consistently fine landlords for tenant issues that result in neighborhood complaints and police responses to problem properties. Insure that all city buildings and machines are as energy efficient as economically feasible, and that lighting, heating and cooling are judiciously managed. Implement business concierge style service to help our Director of Economic Development attract new businesses to Cleveland Heights and better serve existing business. Weather permitting, utilize more bicycle patrol officers for residential neighborhood patrols.