Why I support Melody Hart for Mayor of Cleveland Heights
I have known Melody Hart personally for more than three years. During that time she has worked hard to become both knowledgeable and active regarding housing and neighborhood maintenance—the subject that City Council has for years listed as a first priority matter. At her request, I have consulted and worked with her both before and since her election to Council. No one else in City government at this time matches her understanding of the depth of scope of our community’s residential sustainability challenges—challenges accrued over decades of complacency and deferred care.
Financial expertise and experience is superior. The City’s finances—specifically its tax base as well as the planning and management of assets and resources—are in need of serious work to meet current and future requirements of the community.
She has a vision for a better approach to housing and neighborhood preservation. It is widely acknowledged that the departments handling building regulation and housing maintenance have fallen into disarray even as City Council has repeatedly identified housing as a top priority. Melody Hart is an active advocate with community organizations and in City Council for systemic housing preservation that goes well beyond the departmental tinkering proposed in the Novak Report.
She has a credible record of personal commitment to action on racial and social equity starting long before her time as a public official. That action includes boldness and sacrifice. “All are welcome” is her practice at home and in public life.
Her leadership style and personal temperament matches that of successful mayors. She is open and approachable. She listens to others before making decisions, initiates collaboration, shares credit for accomplishment, is not manipulative or self-aggrandizing. Her ability to work well with Council and other officials is proven by performance.
She is transparent about what she does and is trusted by people with whom she works in business, civic and neighborhood organizations, elected officials on City Council and the school board and the surrounding institutions that are important to Cleveland Heights.
Kermit Lind, J.D.
Clinical profession of Law Emeritus
C-M College of Law, CSU
Professor Emeritus
Strategic Code Enforcement Management Academy
(a clinical program at the University of Memphis School of Law)