City Council Election 2011: Candidate Jeff Coryell

Editor's Note: As part of Cleveland Heights Patch's , we will provide profiles of each of the candidates running for City Council and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School Board. These profiles will offer biographical and issue-oriented details about each of the candidates to help you, the voters, make more-informed decisions at the ballot box. We also offer to record a short video of each candidate that will help you learn more about them, and a special Facebook page dedicated to elections coverage. The profiles are completed by candidates and run once a candidate has filed with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Stay tuned for more coverage of the election.

Name:

Age: 54

Occupation: Former attorney, artist, teacher, political consultant

Education: Carleton College, 1978, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude; New York University School of Law, 1982, Juris Doctor, Order of Barristers; Northwestern University, 1992, Master of Fine Arts

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Office Sought: Cleveland Heights City Council 

Previous Political Office Sought or Held: No previous public office

Candidate Statement: When my wife and I moved to Northeast Ohio 17 years ago, we chose to live in Cleveland Heights because of its national reputation as an exciting progressive community and wonderful place to live. Our city has charming neighborhoods, unique and walkable business districts, lively arts and culture, and talented residents engaged in an exciting array of enterprises and pursuits. I am proud of our legacy of diversity, innovation, citizen engagement, and progressive values. In short, I love Cleveland Heights and I care deeply about its future.

I believe that I have the experience, creativity, and commitment to excel as a member of City Council. My skills and experience as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant Attorney General, artist/small business owner, and teacher at Cuyahoga Community College, Youngstown State University, and Cleveland State University, as well as my political engagement including serving as President of the Cleveland Heights Democrats and as New Media Director for a U.S. Senate campaign, have prepared me well.

My priorities for Cleveland Heights include:

•    Revitalizing our neighborhoods and retail districts,
•    Attracting new businesses including high tech, entrepreneurial, and creative enterprises,
•    Marketing our assets as a place to live and do business more effectively through cutting edge internet communication,
•    Improving public safety through greater cooperation between police and residents and encouraging effective neighborhood networks/watch groups,
•    Spearheading innovative regional cooperation and shared strategic planning with county and municipal governments and key institutions,
•    Channeling greater creativity and effort into seeking out grants and other alternative funding at the federal, state and county levels and from non-profit organizations for city projects and initiatives,
•    Supporting our arts and culture community to spur economic development and attract new residents,
•    Working closely with our school district and citizen groups to further improve academic achievement in our public schools and publicize progress in our public schools,
•    Transforming Cleveland Heights into a leading green community by implementing sustainable practices throughout city operations and partnering with our schools, library, and citizen groups to educate residents on the benefits of sustainability, and
•    Ensuring citizen involvement, transparency, accessibility, responsiveness, and timely provision of services in city government.

I have a life-long dedication to public service, and I am proud that my commitment and activism have earned me the endorsement of elected officials including State Senator Shirley Smith, State Representative Barbara Boyd, County Councilperson Julian Rogers, and Vice Mayor Phyllis Evans, as well as the Democratic Party of Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Heights Democrats.

I am eager to take up the crucial work of overcoming our challenges and renewing our legacy as a leader among progressive communities. Please visit my campaign website http://www.coryellforcouncil.com for more information.

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