Council Meeting Chaos: Maple Heights Under Siege, Allow the Mayor to Lead

Abuse of Power ImagePhoto bySamantha SophiaonUnsplash

Maple Heights, OH. - The City of approximately 25,000 residents is under siege by power players who can't get along. Some people appear to want to be Mayor. Residents are fed up. "Enough already. We are tired. If I felt that the proposed Ordinance by a certain council person would improve the City, it would be fine. This appears to be about a personal agenda. Either people need to be removed, or they need to grow up. Maybe we need to eliminate them," scoffed resident Larry Lane of District Two.

Larry Lane is a resident of Maple HeightsPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Several Maple Heights residents appeared concerned about what happened after the last council meeting. In a previous article, we wrote about the Mayor Allegedly Threatened by Councilwoman Legislation Controversy. Cleveland.com and TV 19 news followed the story after learning about the issue on Newsbreak "Brown on Cleveland."

The Black Women Commission of Cuyahoga County and the National Congress of Black Women members were present. "We came to the meeting tonight to ensure that threats to Mayor Blackwell are no longer a factor in this equation. Our groups do not tolerate our women or members being bullied or intimidated by anyone. We will not point fingers or place blame, but we will stand up against the wrong party of parties. Moreover, we are here to stand in silence and express our disapproval of the actions and inactions during the February 7th meeting. We want to see this matter calm and handled professionally," echoed the Women. The groups are made up of professional women from diverse backgrounds.

Resident Linda Sekura had concerns and direct questions she wanted answered. She was probing. "I'm very concerned about what this Ordinance is trying to accomplish, its vagueness and potential for a City government crisis due to its ambiguity, and the lack of awareness of the Citizens of Maple Heights about this. This appears to be sweeping legislation to change how Maple Heights is run. If true, is the Council authorized to do that? In any event, shouldn't an ordinance of this magnitude be written in more specific language? What Council would be authorized to change or enforce if passed is unclear. The proposed "Government Affairs" Committee would "review action plans" of many City departments. Are they not already permitted to read these? If not simply "reviewing," what are the credentials of Council members to be given any Ordinance or responsibility over these departments?"

Linda Sekura is a resident of Maple HeightsPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Councilwoman Edwina Agee, the sponsor of this legislation, refused to answer Sekura. Councilwoman Dana D. Anderson of District 4 inquired why a resident of the City could not respectfully get an answer from Councilwoman Agee. "Why can't she respond if a resident asks."

The Issue that Has Residents and Others Stirring: Ordinance No. 2024-15 was introduced by Councilwoman Edwina Agee. Is this a personal Abuse of Power, or will this Ordinance improve the City?

"I think it is important to note as I begin my remarks," says Mayor Annette Blackwell. Councilwoman Agee wants to add a committee entitled "Government Affairs." Blackwell gives Agee, council members, residents, and visitors a Maple Heights history lesson.

"Councilwoman Agee and two other Councilmembers who are currently on City Council were on Council when the City was placed on fiscal watch in 2014, and with no improvements in revenue and financial management, it was declared in fiscal emergency in 2015. Home values depreciated more than 30% for most property owners, and the State of Ohio's Auditor declared the City in a fiscal emergency with a negative general fund balance of almost 3 million dollars. In 2016, I was elected Mayor, and in 2021 we were officially released from Fiscal Emergency", said Blackwell. Blackwell was not the Mayor. The Mayor was Jeffrey L. Lansky.

Blackwell asked Agee, "What Government Affairs Committee did the City Council propose and establish to monitor revenue and expenses in 2014? What Government Affairs Committee did the City Council propose to monitor expenses in 2015? What part did the City Council play in preparing the 5-year fiscal recovery plan for the State of Ohio's Auditor, Fiscal Commission, for approval and to ensure our release? Was there a City Councilperson's proposal for a Government Affairs Committee? Why do we need a Government Affairs Committee now? We have a bond rating of Ba3, meaning the outlook has been revised to positive from stable. During 2022 and 2023, we received the Clean Audit Award from the State of Ohio Auditor's Office. Yesterday, we cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of a $14 million senior housing development, Beacon Grove, at 5500 Beacon Ct.," said Mayor Blackwell.

Mayor Annette M Blackwell, Maple HeightsPhoto byAnnette M Blackwell

Outside of other concerns regarding stray dogs, cars parked on the lawns, trash cans being left out, and disorderly teens, resident Moneka Lewis expressed concerns about the negative news story she read on Newsbreak and aired on TV 19 news. "What's being done to address safety concerns here at the council meetings," Lewis questioned. No one responded. After a minute or two, Councilman Tim Tatum of District Three expressed his concern. "It boils down to respect. You don't have to like a person but must respect them. Councilmembers need to learn to respect one another and respect the position of our Mayor," said Tatum.

Moneka Lewis is a resident of Maple Heights.Photo bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

As the meeting was beginning to wrap up, Councilmembers gave reports or made comments. When we thought it was ending tolerably, Councilwoman Agee got into a verbal altercation with a resident while giving a report. Agee asked the Council President to have the lady removed from the meeting. She admitted to approaching the Mayor at the end of the last council meeting.

Before the adjournment, The Council President, Ron Jackson, attempted to leave the meeting on a good note. Jackson attempted to brag about respecting the constitutional rights of citizens and their rights to speak publicly at the City Council Meeting. Jackson failed to remember that he ordered a White Police Officer to have a black woman aggressively removed from a City Council meeting as he openly violated her right to speak while allowing a white woman to speak. Council members told us that Jackson thought that the Black Woman was going to talk about Councilman Stafford Shenett sending a White Couple in Brecksville a threatening and defamatory letter of official City Council letterhead without authorization. Jackson claimed that only residents of Maple Heights were allowed to speak; however, he allowed a white woman to speak during this same council meeting. The white woman was not a resident of Maple Heights. It was reported by several members of the Council that Jackson made an independent decision that they did not agree with. They told us that Jackson was wrong.

"After attending tonight's February 21, 2024, Maple Heights City Council meeting and visually witnessing how a fractured council can attempt to minimize the positive measures put in place by the current Mayor, who brought this City out of fiscal emergency. It was appalling to hear one of the council members berate residents and visitors who were present. It was even more perplexing that the sitting Council President, Ron Jackson, did nothing to control the outburst coming from this council member. Still, he instructed those present on conducting themselves in a meeting and the constitutional requirements for allowing someone to speak without interruption. Curiously, I was present during a city council meeting when the current Maple Heights Council President vehemently instructed their police chief to remove a visitor who was about to speak after allowing another visitor to address the Council. The visitor he requested to be removed was there bearing gifts to council members, including the council president. She was also there to give them a message of thanks from members of her family who experienced a tragedy in this City. Where was the constitution when this Council President violated this visitor's right to speak? So much for procedural fairness and equity," said Marva Patterson, Manager of Social Justice for the Black Women Commission of Cuyahoga County.

The City of Maple Heights appears to be a ball of confusion. As with all cities, there is one Mayor or City Manager. Council members are from the legislative branch, and the Mayor is from the executive branch. They should work together as a team free of threats, bullying, and intimidation; none is above the law.

"It's about respect. Councilwoman Agee is in the hot seat. I remember being targeted because I wanted to change the council meetings from Wednesdays because of bible study. People had become upset with me. I get it. She has a right to express her opinion and not be interrupted. Some people may not like it, but we should listen to the opinions of others," Councilman Shenett said.