Highland Heights, Gates Mills Have Competition for Mayor

Two Hillcrest Patch communities will have competition for mayor in the Nov. 8 general election, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, which released a list of candidates who filed petitions by Wednesday's 4 p.m. deadline.

Here are the candidates for office in the Hillcrest Patch area:

Gates Mills

Douglas Bletcher and Shawn M. Riley will compete for the position of mayor. The incumbent, Connie White, is not running. Beth DeCapite was the only person to file petitions to run for clerk.

Six people are running for three open council seats. They are Lawrence Scott Frankel, Nancy W. Sogg, Sandra Turner, Robert Weitzel and incumbents Mary M. Reynolds and Ed Welsh.

Highland Heights

Mayor Scott Coleman is running for re-election and will be opposed by Council President Scott Mills, who is giving up his at-large council seat for a shot at becoming mayor.

Four people, including incumbents Ed Hargate and Frank J. Legan, are seeking the three at-large council seats. The other at-large candidates are Chuck Brunello Jr. and Ken Messinger-Rapport.

Three of the four ward representatives – Cathy Murphy in Ward 1, Leo R. Lombardo in Ward 2 and Robert J. Mastrangelo in Ward 3 – are unopposed. Ward 4 Councilwoman Lisa Marie Stickan has one challenger, Ted J. Anderson.

Mayfield Heights

There will be at least one new council representative, as Council President Michael Ballistrea cannot run for re-election because of term limits. Incumbents Anthony DiCicco Jr. and Ron Kobunski will be joined by four others competing for the three open spots. The other candidates are Geno Trunzo, Paul A. Sciria, Benjamin M. Stocum and Gayle M. Teresi.

Voters will also decide who serves out the final two years of a term for another council position, currently held by newly appointed Nino Monaco. Robert J. DeJohn and Martin J. Kelbel were among those who also sought the appointment and will challenge Monaco in the general election.

Mayfield Village

Mayor Bruce Rinker will run unopposed. Incumbents face challengers in two council races. Councilman Joseph M. Saponaro faces opposition from Nicholas A. Delguyd for an at-large seat. Ward 1 Councilman Bill Marquardt will be opposed by Rick Christian.

Ward 3 Councilman Stephan Parker said he will run for reelection as a write-in candidate.

Mayfield Board of Education

Incumbents Sue Groszek and Al Hess are running without opposition.