Mayor Happy to Accept Another Term in Office

While mayors in other cities will battle to keep their jobs this year, Mayor Tom Perciak will quietly slide into another term.

No candidates filed to run for mayor of Strongsville, leaving Perciak unopposed for this third term in office.

"I'm just thankful I'll have the opportunity to serve the residents for another four years," he said.

The mayor acknowledged he was a little relieved to be unopposed at the polls.

"It will let me stay focused on what I need to do," Perciak said. "An election would take time away from the job."

Also unopposed is Council President Mike Daymut, who represents Ward 1.

But there will be primary elections in May in Wards 2, 3 and 4, where multiple candidates are seeking election, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

There will be a five-way primary in Ward 2, where incumbent Ray Haseley faces opposition from Nathan Prahst, Matthew Schonhut, William White and Anthony Zubek.

In Ward 3, where long-time incumbent Mark Roth has said he will not seek re-election, three candidates have filed -- Jim Carbone, Larry Frawley and Tom McMillen.

Three candidates have also filed petitions for the Ward 4 seat, which has been held for several weeks by Scott Maloney. Maloney was appointed to fill a vacancy created when Mike Gallagher left to serve on the Cuyahoga County Council.

Maloney, who served on the Strongsville School Board before being appointed to council, will be challenged by Patricia Pell, who had also sought appointment to the seat, and Steven Sinisgalli.

In Strongsville, races with more than two candidates are narrowed down in a May primary and decided in the November general election.

Council representatives serve four-year terms. The three at-large council seats are not up for election this year.

Perciak became mayor in 2003 after the unexpected death of Walter Ehrnfelt, running successfully for the post in 2003 and 2007. 

Perciak has said he wants to see the Pearl Road widening project to completion and focus on keeping the city safe and thriving with new businesses.