Latest news with #OhioCivilRightsCommission
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council meeting about Cleveland Heights mayor turns contentious, ends abruptly
[Editor's note: This report contains language that may be considered offensive. Discretion is advised.] CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) – A special city council meeting called Friday by council President Tony Cuda was to discuss allegations against Mayor Kahlil Seren. As FOX 8 News previously reported, protesters attended the council meeting Monday night to call for Seren to resign after it became public that a complaint was filed with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission regarding the mayor's wife Natalie McDaniel. Billy Joel cancels entire tour after diagnosis with rare brain disorder The complaint alleges McDaniel sent text messages with antisemitic speech targeting city employees and residents who are Jewish. Seren addressed the accusations in a 15-minute video posted to Facebook days later. He claimed that the allegations are false. Cleveland Heights City Council members said in Friday's meeting that Seren took too long to address the city, wasn't around city hall during the week, and had not responded to text messages asking if he was OK. Cuda asked Assistant Law Director Chris Heltzel what kind of role the council would have if the mayor were unavailable or inaccessible. Heltzel explained that there is an article in the city code that states the council president would be acting mayor if the mayor was not accessible, but made it clear that it's incredibly complicated to determine the definition of the mayor not being available and how a transfer of power would work. Heltzel also noted a certain provision in the law carried over from when Cleveland Heights had a city manger rather than a mayor. Heltzel later explained that council can approve a resolution calling for Seren's resignation, but does not have the legal power to force his resignation. Not long after that, Seren asked for time to speak in the meeting. He referred to the meeting as 'an exercise in elector politics,' which he called disappointing, but not surprising. Seren then explained why he didn't respond to Cuda's text message asking if he's OK. Then, he used offensive language toward the council. 'I just want to say this council by no means is my overseer, and I am not your Negro,' Seren said. Not long after, an exchange between Seren and Councilman Craig Cobb escalated and Cuda called to adjourn the meeting before reaching all of the items on the agenda. At that moment, residents with signs calling for Seren's resignation began addressing the mayor to his face. Guardians pitcher Ben Lively out the rest of the season, needs surgery Seren eventually stopped to speak to reporters. He didn't take any questions, but he called out the council by listing things they haven't accomplished and said they need to work on things that will help Cleveland Heights residents. 'There are substantive things that we should be looking at to improve the day-to-day experience of people in Cleveland heights,' Seren said. 'Now, that's the work that we're always doing, despite the slings and arrows here that I've been faced down with for the last 10 years of service to this city. I'm going to keep doing that work because I care about this city.' Seren indicated he won't be going anywhere during the remaining seven months of his term as mayor, despite calls for his resignation. Cleveland Heights resident James Bates, who was one of the residents shouting at Seren to resign, told FOX 8 News that the mayor isn't being upfront with the allegations and it would be better for the city if he moved on. 'He knows in his heart of hearts; he knows that he needs to resign, and the fact that he doesn't should tell you everything you need to know about Kahlil Seren. He is not a faithful person. He needs to go. Let me say that unequivocally: Khalil Seren, you need to go,' Bates said. Council members Anthony Mattox Jr. and Jim Posch did not attend the meeting. Council Vice President Davida Russell listened in via Zoom. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protesters call for Cleveland Heights mayor to resign as wife is accused of sending antisemitic text messages
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — Dozens of protesters made their voices heard, calling for Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren to resign, while holding signs against Jewish hatred. The protest took place before Monday night's city council meeting. Inside, accusations against the mayor's wife Natalie McDaniel grew louder as the mayor sat silent. 'You are a public servant. We trusted you when we elected you,' said one resident. 'Saw a little purple jacket': Teen rescued child from river after deadly Fremont train accident Another said, 'These are serious allegations that reflect a growing and dangerous trend of casual antisemitism being brushed aside.' In a complaint filed on May 14 with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission against the city of Cleveland Heights, the mayor's wife is accused of sending antisemitic text messages targeting Jewish colleagues and residents. In one text message, targeting Planning Commission Chair Jessica Cohen, who is an Orthodox Jew, McDaniels references her as a 'brood mare who is destined for the glue factory — a derogatory statement referencing Jewish women having many children. The complaint also details other comments about other Jewish city officials, accusing Orthodox colleagues of nepotism and for having inappropriate relationships. 'For some saying that this is your wife's problem: You are the mayor,' said one resident. 'You could have turned off access to keys, you could have not granted permission to areas of the building that are not public access.' Road closed! How busy construction season is affecting Cuyahoga County highways City council members also spoke out. 'Her words have created personal anxiety, anxiety amongst staff and most recently anxiety among our Jewish community and those who support the statement,' said Gail Larson. Anthony Mattox Jr. said, 'It's extremely dangerous to remove all accountability from this council and anything that has happened in this city and place it solely on one person.' FOX 8 News reached out for a comment to the city. Officials said they will send a statement to the press once it is prepared. This November, Cleveland Heights will have its second mayoral election in the city's history. It's unclear if Seren will seek reelection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Spectrum: Former Sen. Brown; Ohio's DOGE
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — This week on The Spectrum: Former Senator Sherrod Brown is dipping his toe back into public policy. Learn about the new initiative he launched in an effort to put workers' issues at the forefront in Washington. Ohio is getting its own version of DOGE. Hear about who's involved and what they'll be doing. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is accused of violating civil rights. See what a federal court found the group and its director liable for. The nation's top security officials go on an on-line app to detail a planned military assault. Is that classified information? Our strategist, Republican Mark Weaver and former Democratic Ohio State Senator Lou Gentile weigh in. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
