Berger challenges Mallin for mayor: Bedford Heights candidates meet again

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by Emily Canning-Dean

Reporter

Bedford Heights -- Incumbent Mayor Debora Mallin, who has been in office for nine years, will square off against Councilor-at-large Fletcher Berger for the mayoral seat in the Nov. 6 general election.

It is the third consecutive mayoral election that the two have squared off, with Mallin winning the two previous times.

Berger wants to retain businesses

Berger said he thinks his background in management at Ameritech and Rockwell as well as his degree in business administration and accounting would be beneficial if he is elected.

Berger said he was first elected to Council in 1996 and has served on the city's finance committee. He has served on Council in Ward 3 and as a Councilor at large.

He said he has concern for people and is friendly, open and accessible.

Berger said one of the biggest issues the city is facing is businesses leaving the community.

He said the city needs to develop a business retention program.

Berger said he also wants to staff the two Council-approved positions that are vacant in the Economic Development Department.

"The department should be fully staffed," he said. "We have to make sure that the businesses here are massively successful."

Berger also said he wants to expand services to senior citizens.

"I want to add a senior citizen outreach program to help seniors who are housebound," he said.

Foreclosures are another issue that Berger said must be addressed in the city.

"We need to focus on filling vacant houses," Berger said. "There are programs to help if people are on the verge of foreclosure."

Berger said he wants to make better use of the city's cable channel and newsletter to let residents know about these services.

Mallin says she
has experience

Mallin says she is the best candidate because she has "walked the walk" as mayor for the last nine years. Mallin was appointed mayor in 1998 and was elected in 1999 and 2003.

Prior to that, she was elected to Ward 2 Council in 1984 and also served as Council president. Mallin said her position as a teacher in the Bedford School District gave her the advantage of knowing the community's families without the politics.

"I am in the position to best champion the schools," she said.

Mallin also said she is a good candidate because she has a sense of personal responsibility and empathy and can "see things through others' eyes."

Mallin said she thinks the city his headed under the right direction under her leadership. Mallin said the city is engaged in business retention initiatives.

She also noted that there are currently three significant housing developments underway in the city.

"We have not seen that kind of development in years," she said.

If re-elected, Mallin said she would like to expand programs at the Jimmy Dimora Community Center.

"I want to see art, culture and education programs," she said.

Mallin also said she wants the city to become more active with a Community Emergency Response Team so the city is better prepared in case of a disaster.

E-mail:ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3166