Ward 5 includes Cleveland’s Central and Kinsman neighborhoods. It also touches parts of Slavic Village and downtown. Council Members Rebecca Maurer and Richard Starr will face one another in the Nov. 4 general election. Myras Holmes is running as a write-in.

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

At 19 I placed a call to a tenants’ rights hotline because my landlord wouldn’t fix the heat in the apartment. They walked me through writing what turned out to be my first demand letter. The next day the heat was back on. It felt like a had unlocked a superpower – and I knew in that moment I wanted to spend my career making sure other people had access to it too. That drive propelled me to law school and eventually a job at Legal Aid. Frankly, I thought Legal Aid was my dream job and that they’d wheel me out of that building on my 75th birthday. But then I had a moment that changed the course of my life: a mom walked into my office and said that her 2-year-old daughter had been poisoned by lead. The city had done an inspection but never told her what happened. She asked for my help.

I thought it would be a simple phone call and instead it turned into a year-long lawsuit against the City of Cleveland for mismanaging hundreds of homes that had poisoned kids. That work set me on a course of being policy counsel for a grassroots organization, CLASH (Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing). We pushed for a lead-safe housing law that ultimately passed City Council in 2019 by a vote of 16 to 1. The only no vote was the former councilman in Ward 12. I lived in Ward 12, and I decided I would run against him. 

In 2021 I ran a grass-roots, people-powered race and knocked on thousands of doors. I beat him running on a platform of transparency and accountability at City Hall. 

I have spent the last four years diving head first into the work of Council. I am obsessively focused on providing high quality city services to my residents at the same time that I speak out on key city-wide issues. I’ve picked my battles and gotten some real wins. I’m unbelievably proud of the work of my first term, but as you can imagine, the Old Boys Club at City Hall hasn’t exactly welcomed me with open arms. During the redistricting process in 2024, my ward was sliced and diced into 6 different pieces.

I’m running where my home is now — in what I’m calling “Today’s Ward 5” because I believe Cleveland’s best days are still ahead of us. I’m ready to take what I learned in my first four years and apply them to a second term. I’m ready to dive head first into the neighborhoods of Central, Kinsman, Downtown and Midtown in addition to Slavic Village. I believe every single resident of Ward 5 deserves hyper-responsive leadership, transparency, and a fighter at City Hall. I believe I am that person. 

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

Trustworthy City Services. Residents deserve the dignity of a city that delivers on basic services: cleaning up illegal dumping, repairing potholes, and keeping street lights on. I helped re-launch 311 in my first term and decreased the average delivery time for new garbage bins from over 100 days to under 10. But there’s more work to do. For example, I’m committed to ensuring that broken street lights are fixed quickly and that public garbage bins are cleaned up more frequently. 

Public Safety. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood. Right now, too many Clevelanders don’t. There’s no overnight solution to the violence we are facing, particularly when state and federal rules limit our ability to pass common-sense gun control. But I want to harness every tool in the toolbox, from making sure our parking garages downtown are well-lit and have safety plans to passing Tanisha’s Law, which would send help, not handcuffs, when somebody is in mental crisis. 

Quality and Affordable Housing. Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, we all deserve a safe and affordable roof over our heads. I passed Pay-to-Stay laws to protect tenants facing eviction, and as a tenant’s lawyer at Legal Aid, I fought for renters every day. On City Council, I’ve also fought hard for home repair money so that we can build intergenerational wealth and everybody can age in place. I’m also eager to make sure we spend the money we have committed to lead-safe home repairs so that our kids have every opportunity to grow and thrive. 

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

My goal has been to focus on public goods and funding existing city programs and city assets that can best serve my ward. In my first term, my largest expenses in discretionary funds were: 

*Improvements to Stella Walsh Rec Center

*Improvements to Parks including Harmody in Old Brooklyn and Warsaw Park in Slavic Village

*Road Repaving

*Funding a Ward Crew to help with illegal dumping and grass cutting (please see my comments at the committee table that I don’t believe councilmembers should be asked to put up individual funds to improve this type of service in the ward) 

*Paying for my office to have a 3rd staff member to help us answer calls and manage constituent services

As a council member, how would you gather input and feedback from residents you represent?

Engaging with our community is one of the most important parts of being on City Council. This is a grass-roots job and you don’t do it in isolation from City Hall. You have to be out and about in the community. I think of this in two parts: 

Listening– I am committed to listening and speaking with residents, whether it’s a call, email, or ward meeting. In Ward 12 we held quarterly office hours across the ward, attended on average 3 monthly block clubs, and hosted large community gatherings like our State of Ward 12 and Mayor’s Town Hall events. I’ll do the same in Ward 5 to meet residents where they are at and make sure they are heard. 

Acting — I am proud to say that my office diligently follows every call and concern that comes through us until it is concluded. This is important not only because it’s what residents deserve, but because it helps me to find patterns and take action. We’re closing in on 4,500 constituent “tickets” in our system, which represents thousands and thousands of calls and emails because many requests take multiple touch points to resolve. 

Lastly, my office is committed to our core values of centering the dignity of all we serve as we interact with the public. You can read our full core values statement, which we published in 2022, here.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

In a technical sense, I define housing affordability as people being able to secure safe, quality housing using 30% of their income or less. 

But affordability is more complicated than just that. In some ways, Cleveland is considered an affordable city for housing compared to major coastal markets. However, most residents don’t feel that affordability because we’ve given the affordable options to landlords and out-of-state LLCs who buy up our houses for cheap and rent them at exorbitant prices to Clevelanders. 

Sadly, Cleveland is preempted on genuine rent control. But here are some key policies I’m interested in:

(1) Focus on home ownership for as many Clevelanders as we can. Rentals extract wealth from our community and funnel them to out-of-state landlords. By getting as many people into affordable mortgages with down payment assistance, we can create affordability and start to build generational wealth.

(2) Because of this focus, I am also strongly in support of a modular housing program that can offer affordable, new infill housing across the city.

(3) Home repair for long-time homeowners: the people and especially people of color who have been able to buy homes in Cleveland have too often been left behind when it comes to investments in their properties. Deferred maintenance builds up, and I cannot tell you how many tear-filled conversations I’ve had with seniors who know they need a new roof or a new porch but cannot afford it. Every year the city offers a handful of home repair programs. We need to invest in and expand these programs so that hundreds of people can access them every year.

(4) Advocate for tax property relief for long-term owner occupants. This is controlled by the Statehouse, not City Council, but we should advocate Long-term Owner Occupancy Protections (LOOP legislation) so that people are not priced out by property taxes.

(5) Source of Income Protection legislation: This is more about rentals than home ownership, but SOI protections would allow people with Section 8 / HCVP vouchers to access housing across Cleveland and not be discriminated against.

(6) Tenant Unions and other tenant organizing. I’m learning more about the tenants’ union model coming out of Kansas City and I’m very interested in how we can apply that model here in Cleveland to keep rents competitive and affordable for everyday Clevelanders. 

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

I’m fully committed to the suite of violence prevention efforts that the city has moved to in recent years — expanded violence interrupter programming, hospital-based family interventions after shootings to prevent retaliation, and many other initiatives supported by the Neighborhood Safety Fund. 

While the city is pre-empted on common-sense gun control, we need to access every tool in the tool box so people feel safe and are safe. 

One area I’m focused on right now is called Tanisha’s Law. It would send non-police clinical responders when somebody is in mental health crisis. We’ve seen this model be incredibly effective in cities like Durham, Chicago, and elsewhere. Right now the city has “co-response” where police and clinicians respond together. But that program is not effectively integrated into dispatch and so those teams are rarely responding live to calls. My hope is that by passing and enacting Tanisha’s Law we can free up police to focus on critical, violent calls while getting people in mental health crisis the care they need. 

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

Yes.

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

I highly encourage you to look at the first few pages of my constituent services report for my soliloquy on this exact topic.

But here’s what I’ll say:  A good city council member needs to be good at all 3. We cannot leave our residents out in the cold to focus on policy and legislation. This is especially true when the administration is not strong enough to consistently deliver trustworthy services absent council intervention. But also if we spend our jobs chasing down garbage bin deliveries, we cannot focus on the big-picture needs of the city.

Candidate answers were edited for clarity. We took out responses that were off topic or included comments about opponents.

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

Councilman Richard A. Starr is not just a council member; he is a formidable advocate, a champion for the unheard, and a beacon of hope for Cleveland’s Ward 5. He proudly represents the neighborhoods of Central, Kinsman, Midtown, parts of Downtown, and North Broadway/Slavic Village, grounded in a profound dedication to the community he serves. As a renowned activist and leader, Councilman Starr is unwavering in his commitment to elevate the residents of Cleveland’s Central Community.

A Journey of Triumph and Leadership:

Having been born and raised in the King Kennedy public housing estates, Councilman Starr has experienced the challenges of poverty and violence firsthand. Yet, rather than becoming a mere statistic, he carved out a compelling success story. The King Kennedy Boys & Girls Club provided him with a foundation—a nurturing environment that sparked his passion for sports, leadership, and service. These formative experiences ignited his drive for youth development and community empowerment, propelling him toward making impactful, lasting change.

A Dedicated Service and Community Transformation:

Councilman Starr’s relentless dedication to youth is evident in his role at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, where he began his journey in 2008 and rose to become the Director of Sports and Recreation for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio in 2023. As a mentor, coach, and role model, he has transformed countless lives, harnessing the power of sports to empower and inspire personal growth.

Starr’s leadership extends beyond the playing field. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he organized the Unity Peace March and forged partnerships with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, successfully distributing over 42,000 pounds of food. He facilitated the distribution of 2,800 masks and championed voter education initiatives, ensuring that the voices of Ward 5 were amplified at the ballot box.

His leadership is not just about activism; it’s about resource mobilization. 

Councilman Richard A. Starr brings a robust background in community engagement, communication, and collaboration with diverse groups—qualities that are essential for a city council member.

– Activist Background: With a well-established reputation, Richard A. Starr is a key figure in the community, deeply dedicated to fostering positive change.

– Multi-Tasker: He excels at managing multiple initiatives, orchestrating large-scale events, and cultivating enduring relationships.

– Effective Communicator: Councilman Starr possesses top-notch communication skills vital for serving the public effectively.

– Extensive Experience with Youth: His extensive work with youth includes roles as the athletic director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, leading the King Kennedy Club, and directing the East Tech Teen Center.

– Community Collaboration: He consistently partners with various community development corporations in Ward 5, including Burten Bell Carr, Midtown, Campus District, and Slavic Village Development, ensuring unified efforts to serve the entire ward.

Councilman Richard A. Starr isn’t just speaking about the need for change; he is actively making it happen. Whether it’s through fighting for youth programs, securing vital funding for community projects, or standing up against violence, his unwavering compassion and dedication shine through. Richard A. Starr is a leader who continuously strives for the betterment of his community, tirelessly uplifting the voices of those he serves.

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

Cleveland’s Ward 5 is a remarkable testament to resilience in the face of significant challenges. Residents are passionately united in their mission to tackle escalating gun violence and restore safety for themselves and their families. Confronting food deserts, they actively pursue innovative solutions to access fresh, nutritious food, fully understanding its vital role in overall well-being. Despite facing a low median income that mirrors broader economic hurdles, the community’s unwavering determination to achieve financial stability shines through. These interconnected challenges illuminate the vibrant spirit of Ward 5, where residents stand firm in their commitment to cultivate a safer, healthier, and more prosperous community. Together, we can engage with these issues compassionately, creating effective solutions and paving the way for a brighter future.

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

As a Cleveland City Council member, I would carefully and always allocate my share of funds from casino taxes and other sources to invest in projects that promote long-term, sustainable improvements for the Ward 5 community. My priorities would include:

1. Infrastructure Improvements: Address critical needs, such as repairing aging roads, upgrading public transportation, and enhancing accessibility features for residents with disabilities.

2. Workforce Development Programs: Invest in job training, apprenticeship opportunities, and small business support to help residents build skills, secure employment, and create economic growth within the ward.

3. Youth Engagement Initiatives: Fund after-school programs, summer camps, and mentorship opportunities to provide youth with safe, enriching environments and guidance to succeed in school and beyond.

4.Housing and Community Revitalization: Support affordable housing development, housing preservation efforts, and neighborhood beautification projects to create a vibrant, livable community for all residents.

5. Public Safety and Crime Prevention: Collaborate with law enforcement agencies and community organizations to implement initiatives that reduce crime, increase public safety, and strengthen relationships between residents and police.

As a council member, how would you gather input and feedback from residents you represent?

As a council member, I am deeply committed to gathering input and feedback from residents, understanding that this is essential to truly represent their needs and aspirations. Here are some inspiring ways I would engage with constituents:

1. Regular Town Hall Meetings: I will host both in-person and virtual town hall meetings to share exciting updates on our city’s initiatives, answer your questions, and listen to your concerns directly.

2. Community Surveys and Polls: By conducting regular surveys and polls, I will ensure that we capture a wide range of voices and perspectives, truly reflecting the priorities that matter most to our community.

3. Neighborhood Listening Sessions: I envision smaller, intimate listening sessions in various neighborhoods to foster open dialogue, inviting residents who may feel overlooked in larger gatherings to share their thoughts.

4. Door-to-Door Visits: I will take the time to connect with residents right at their doorstep, listening to your concerns firsthand and building genuine relationships.

5. Online Engagement: Through the power of social media, email newsletters, and an interactive website, I will facilitate vibrant communication, share important information, and create avenues for virtual engagement.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

Affordable housing is a pressing concern for many Clevelanders, and it’s crucial to address this issue with practical solutions. To me, affordable housing means a household can comfortably pay for housing costs without sacrificing essential needs like food, healthcare, education, or transportation. 

To create more affordable housing options for working-class Clevelanders, I would focus on the following strategies:

1. Inclusionary Zoning: Implement zoning policies that require new developments to include a percentage of affordable units.

2. Public-Private Partnerships:  Partner with private developers and nonprofit organizations to finance and construct affordable housing projects.

3. Accessible Homeownership Programs: Create and promote programs that assist working-class residents in purchasing homes, such as down payment assistance, low-interest loans, or tax incentives.

4. Rental Assistance: Expand existing rental assistance programs and explore new initiatives that help low-income renters afford quality housing.

5. Rehabilitation and Preservation: Support efforts to rehabilitate and preserve existing affordable housing stock, including funding for repairs, weatherization, and energy-efficiency upgrades.

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

Public safety is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. To tackle this issue and make neighborhoods safer, I believe that City Council should focus on:

1. Violence Prevention Programs: Invest in evidence-based violence prevention programs that address the root causes of violence and promote protective factors that may stop violence before it starts.

2. Community Policing: Encourage community-based policing strategies that build trust between residents and law enforcement, such as foot patrols and neighborhood engagement initiatives.

3. Infrastructure Improvements: Ensure that neighborhoods have adequate lighting, well-maintained roads, and other safety features to reduce crime and create a sense of security.

4. Gun Violence Reduction: Address the issue of gun violence through initiatives like community outreach programs, gun buyback programs, and stricter regulations on gun ownership and use.

5. Youth Engagement: Develop programs and opportunities for young people that promote positive engagement, such as after-school activities, mentoring programs, and job training.

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

No.

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

While all three roles of a council member—resident service representative, legislator, and guardian of city spending—are crucial for effective governance, I believe that the role of a resident service representative matters the most. 

As a resident service representative, a council member acts as a direct link between the city government and the community. This role allows me to understand the needs, concerns, and aspirations of the residents I serve, and ensures that their voices are heard in the decision-making process.

By prioritizing the role of resident service representative, I can develop policies and allocate resources that truly reflect the community’s values and address their specific challenges. Moreover, it fosters trust and accountability between the government and the people, which is essential for a healthy democracy.

Additionally, the role of a resident service representative allows me to be proactive in addressing issues before they become major problems. By staying connected with the community and understanding their needs, I can work with city departments and agencies to provide timely and effective solutions, whether it’s fixing a broken streetlight, improving a park, or addressing a public safety concern

Overall, while all three roles of a council member are important, I believe that the role of resident service representative is crucial because it allows me to prioritize the needs and interests of the people I serve, foster trust and accountability, and work towards a better future for the community.

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

Councilman Starr’s leadership is grounded not just in advocacy but in tangible action. His heartfelt dedication has led to significant strides in improving the lives of residents within his community, including:

– Vocalizing the urgent need to address safety and gun violence in Cleveland, even declaring “Gun Violence As a Public Health Crisis.”

– Successfully advocating for an astonishing $300 million in development for Ward 5 during his first three years in office.

– Securing $2,817,615.42 to help 800 Cleveland residents alleviate their light bill debt with Cleveland Public Power, providing much-needed financial relief.

– Introducing legislation aimed at establishing the Commission on Black Males to address critical issues affecting this demographic.

– Standing firm against the Cleveland Clinic’s Co-Pay policy that required upfront payments for appointments that might be canceled, ensuring fairness for patients.

– Championing the Cleveland Muny League youth football league by increasing their city funding to $160,000, recognizing the importance of youth sports in fostering community and resilience.

– Leading a community-driven initiative to demolish over 80 nuisance properties, paving the way for future development and restoring pride in the neighborhood.

– Advocating for over $4.5 million to revitalize streets across all areas of Ward 5, improving safety and accessibility for all residents.

Beverly Owens Jackson did not advance past the September primary.

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

I ran for precinct person for the first time and won. I am a community advocate and activist who helps residents solve issues and assists with cleaning the neighborhood and often gives public comments.

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

Food insecurities, housing affordability/sustainability, and community maintenance and beautification.

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

Housing repairs, maintenance, and services that the residents request.

As a council member, how would you gather input and feedback from residents you represent?

Communication and community surveying.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

Working with other agencies like housing courts and local Community Development Corporations to build more affordable homes and have services in place to assist the community.

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

City Council to push the mayor and force him to enforce the city to work together and with the residents. We live in poverty, and there are no inroads to opportunity. The younger generation has no direction. We have to educate and make resources available.

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

Yes.

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

Council has forgotten that they work for the residents. I want to serve the residents and bring back pride to our communities. There are a lot of vacant lots, a lot of curbs and city tree lawns with overgrown trees damaging the sidewalks. I want to hold the proper people accountable.

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

My heart is in the community. We need so much, and one person will not get the job done. I want to educate us all on helping ourselves first and holding the public officials accountable to provide services.