The mercurial mayor of Maple Heights, Jeff Lansky, did not file
for re-election by yesterday’s deadline, meaning his administration will come
to an end when his term expires at the end of the year.
Five mayoral candidates did meet yesterday’s deadline: commercial
property tax analyst Annette M. Blackwell, Ward 5 Councilman Bill Brownlee,
Maple Hts. Police Sgt. Donald M. Grossmyer, former city councilwoman Neomia
Mitchell and retired military serviceman Frank Rives.
Voters will decide at a September 8 primary election which two of
the five will advance to the general election on November 3.
The city has seen a great deal of stress in recent years. The
mortgage meltdown of 2008, which took few prisoners, struck many Maple
residents with special vehemence, resulting in a glut of vacant and abandoned
homes, and a severe drop-off in property tax revenues. The city’s business
climate has likewise not been robust.
In public statements, Lansky has blamed GOP-inspired cuts by state
government to the Local Government Fund that supports many municipalities for
the city’s being placed in fiscal emergency earlier this year by declaration of
State Auditor David Yost. The city’s finances are now under state watch and
supervision and Lansky’s administration has shown little energy for developing
a financial recovery plan for the city as required by state law.
