Mark Roth Goes Out Like a Gladiator

Before Monday night's City Council meeting started, outgoing predicted "It's going to be a wild, emotional roller coaster ride for me."

He got that right.

An hour later, he made his exit from council in typical unorthodox Roth style, dressed as a gladiator as he recounted his struggles over the last 24 years in Strongsville politics to standing ovations from a room filled with family and supporters.

"I've been attacked for 24 years," Roth said in his farewell address, maintaing he was lied about, slandered, spit on and censored. "I always told the truth. I fought for the people. I asked the tough questions."

Mark Roth Day

Roth will serve until the end of the year, but Monday was the last council meeting he will attend.

Council President Mike Daymut presented him with an award from City Council for his service and dedication, followed by a proclamation from Mayor Tom Perciak declaring Dec. 31 "Mark A. Roth Day" in Strongsville.

Councilman at Large Duke Southworth then presented a proclamation from State Sen. Tom Patton, but rather than read it, Southworth pointed to the cheering crowd that packed council chambers.

"The audience is a testament to all you have done here," he said.

The Fighter Still Remains

For weeks, Roth has been chuckling about the farewell speech he was planning, and he didn't disappoint.

He started by showing a two-minute clip of the 2000 film "Gladiator," then walked to the podium dressed in gladiator attire as the crowd held up signs and chanted "Maximus, Maximus" -- which Roth said was his "real" middle name.

"I don't want to leave, but the Lord has pulled the family card," said Roth, who plans to spend time with his grandchildren -- five now, with two on the way.

He told the crowd he was "brutally abused" by his father, recounting broken bones and memories of himself as a 10-year-old boy, "staying up all night with a baseball bat to save your mother's and your little brothers' lives."

So when he was attacked in the political arena? 

"That was cake," he said. "Absolute cake."

Leaving a Legacy

Roth was known on council for his disputes with his colleagues and city administrators -- he voted "no" on every piece of legislation regarding the city's budget -- but also for his staunch support of this ward.

He said he has logged 35,000 complaints from constituents in Ward 3 and has often rolled up his sleeves and pitched in to help.

"I picked up garbage, I cut grass -- whatever it took to solve a problem," he said.

In October, the city at  in honor of Roth, who coached the Pink Panthers softball team for 13 years.

His voice sometimes cracking with emotion, Roth said the years of struggle were all worth it.

"I love everyone in this room," he said. "I'm a very blessed man."