As expected, the Democratic machine rolled through the much debated county district council and county executive elections.

Dems successful in Cuyahoga County Council District races

By KEVIN D. HEARD
ManagingEditor

As expected, the Democratic machine rolled through the much debated county district council and county executive elections. As of press time, Lakewood Mayor and former FBI man Edward FitzGerald will become Cuyahoga County's first county executive.

Created by a county-wide charter, in the midst of corruption allegations and inquires reaching the highest levels, the newly created position became a mandate for reform.

FitzGerald's closest competitor Republican Matt Dolan poured in heavy campaign dollars in an attempt to overcome an expected Democrat advantage in Cuyahoga County. A long shot making the race for county executive interesting as an Independent candidate was successful businessman Ken Lanci.

Lanci ran under the promise that he would only take one dollar in salary if elected. Former county officeholder Tim McCormick rounded out those attempting to make a credible run at the position.

In addition to the executive position, an 11-member district council was created by the reform-minded county charter. Eight of the 11 positions will go to Democrats.

As of press time, the following candidates are expected to hold leads and serve as county district council members:

District 1 - Dave Greenspan (R), representing the cities of Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Rocky River, and Westlake, and Olmsted Township, all except Precinct D.

District 2 - Dale Miller (D), representing the cities of Brook Park, Lakewood, and the city of Cleveland Wards 18 and 19.

District 3 - Dan Brady (D), representing the city of Cleveland, Wards 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

District 4 - Chuck Germana (D), representing the cities of Brooklyn, Parma, Parma Heights, Seven Hills, and the village of Linndale.

District 5 - Michael J. Gallagher (R), representing the cities of Berea, Middleburg Heights, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, and Strongsville, and Olmsted Township Precinct D.

District 6 - Jack Schron (R), representing the cities of Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Highland Heights, Independence, Mayfield Heights, Pepper Pike, Solon, and the villages of Bentleyville, Brooklyn Heights, Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Heights, Gates Mills, Glenwillow, Hunting Valley, Mayfield, Moreland Hills, Newburgh Heights, Oakwood, Valley View, Walton Hills, and Chagrin Falls Township.

District 7 - Yvonne Conwell (D), representing the city of Cleveland Wards 3, 7, 8, 9, and 12.

District 8 - Pernel Jones Jr. (D), representing the city of Cleveland Wards 2, 5, and 6, and cities of Garfield Heights and Maple Heights.

District 9 - C. Ellen Connally (D), representing the cities of Bedford, Bedford Heights, Cleveland Wards 1 and 4, Shaker Heights, and Warrensville Heights, and the villages of Highland Hills, North Randall, Orange, and Woodmere.

District 10 - Julian Rogers (D), representing the cities of Cleveland Wards 10 and 11, East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights, and the village of Bratenahl.

District 11 - Sunny M. Simon (D), representing the cities of Beachwood, Euclid, Lyndhurst, Richmond Heights, South Euclid, and University Heights.

Wrangling among the newly-elected district council members should pick up steam to determine a county council president.

The names of C. Ellen Connally and Dale Miller have already been bandied about for that county council president position.