[caption id="attachment_2777" align="alignleft" width="386" caption="Mike Gaynier is Running for Cleveland Heights City Council"][/caption]
Ever go to vote and see names on a ballot with names you recognize, but you don't have the slightest clue who that person is or what they stand for? Here is a quick bio on Mike Gaynier, a candidate for Cleveland Heights City Council, courtesy of the Cleveland Heights Patch.
Name: Mike Gaynier
Age: 58
Occupation: Consultant
Education: BGS, University of Michigan, 1982
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Office Sought: Cleveland Heights City Council
Previous Political Office Sought or Held: None
Candidate Statement: My wife, Lisa, and I live in Cleveland Heights because we want to live in a vibrant, diverse, walkable community that shares our values, has the quality of life we are looking for, and provides great opportunities for service to the community. No other community compares to what we have here in Cleveland Heights. We love it!
I am currently Board President of Cleveland Heights’ Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC), and a senior consultant for creativechange.biz, focused on cultural competence, executive coaching, leadership development, performance management, and assisting non-profits improve performance. Leading HRRC the past three years, I have been on the front lines of the fight to protect and preserve our neighborhoods, working to prevent foreclosures, reduce vacancies and rehabilitate neglected properties to support diversity and sustainability in this great city.
I will work to:
- Preserve our neighborhoods with sustainable renovation and diversified housing options.
- Double the number of neglected homes being sustainably renovated.
- Include new single floor, smaller home and condominium designs in vacant or reclaimed property developments.
- Support and promote vibrant local businesses and non-profits that enhance our community.
- Fill the gaps in our business districts.
- Promote and link through the new city website.
- Reach out to current business owners to ascertain their long- and short-term needs.
- Reduce red tape businesses encounter working with city departments.
Read more at Cleveland Heights Patch
A small group of us got introduced to Mike Gaynier at a home gathering on Berkshire Road Tuesday. He impressed me (and the others) as being knowledgeable, focused, nuanced, flexible, and dedicated to resolving the problems of Cleveland Heights in an intelligent way, building a better future for the community.