Heights Dems to hold forum on gun violence

The Cleveland Heights Democrats will hold a panel discussion on reducing gun violence on Thursday, Feb. 14, at the Cleveland Heights Community Center,

“Since the Dec. 14 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., our country has begun a very emotional and wide-ranging dialogue seeking to identify practical and effective steps we can take to curb senseless gun violence in our society,” said Mike Gaynier, secretary of the group. 

Panelists will include Susanna Niermann O’Neil, acting city manager of Cleveland Heights; Jeffrey Robertson, Cleveland Heights Chief of Police; Tom Schmida, teacher and former president of the Cleveland Heights Teachers Union; Jeffrey Bendix, journalist and senior editor of Medical Economics magazine; and a Jim Reese, a volunteer with the Buckeye Firearms Association.

The meeting, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, 1 Monticello Blvd., is free and open to the public.

The club will also elect its 2013 officers and trustees. 2013 officer candidates are Mike Gaynier, president; Richard Andrews, vice-president; J.J. Costello, treasurer; and Ryan Pierce, secretary. 2013 trustee candidates are Louise Buchanan, Sheronda Hunter-Isler, Carol Roe, Richard Stewart and Nancy Welchans.

For more information, e-mail Mike Gaynier at secretary@clevelandheightsdems.com or 734-323-4247.