CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — A group of residents in Cleveland Heights has started a petition in an attempt to add a recall vote against Mayor Kahlil Seren to the ballot.

What You Need To Know

  • Some Cleveland Heights residents have created a petition to put a recall vote on the ballot in an effort to remove Mayor Kahlil Seren

  • There has been controversy surrounding the mayor over allegations of antisemitism by his wife
  • The release cites various concerns including reports of a hostile workplace, HR and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints and more

Some residents are demanding the mayor resign over allegations of antisemitism by his wife and a civil rights complaint that was filed on behalf of the mayor’s former special assistant, Patrick Costigan.

He responded through a video last week, saying the claims are false.

“My wife and I are in very clear alignment,” Seren started out the video saying. “It’s in our shared belief that anti-Jewish hatred and antisemitism as described in the IHRA working definition has no place in our community or any other.”

In a press release, the coalition said he’s demonstrated “a pattern of leadership failures that place the city at risk.”

“This is a legitimate democratic process,” said Josie Moore, a spokesperson for the effort, in the release. “We believe the city can’t afford to wait until January 1, 2025. Every day Mayor Seren remains in office, the City of Cleveland Heights is at risk of harm. We have a large and still-growing team, strong momentum, and the excitement of the public to move quickly.”

They are hoping to get a recall vote on the ballot, possibly as early as September. They have scheduled petition signing events throughout the weekend.

The petition highlights various concerns from high staff turnover, an incomplete 2025 budget, reports of a hostile workplace, HR and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints and more.

There was also a recent heated special City Council meeting regarding this situation.

According to the release, the petition needs approximately 2,900 signatures. They are attempting to acquire at least 4,350.

Any registered voters in Cleveland Heights are able to sign the petition.

Here are the times and locations of the petition signature meet-ups:

  • Friday, May 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mini-park between Cedar Lee Theater & Boss Dog
  • Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Noble Roanoke Park
  • Saturday, May 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. at CLE Urban Winery
  • Sunday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Millikin Playground at Severn & Maple
  • Sunday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In front of Gigi’s
  • Sunday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Coventry Kids Day at Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park
  • Sunday, June 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Caledonia Cultural Center

“Once the required signatures are turned in and certified by the Board of Elections, the mayor will have five days to either resign or face a recall vote in the next available election,” the release reads. “This will not cost the city anything, as there will not be a special election; it will simply be added to the ballot of an election already happening.”

Jessica Schantz, director of communications and public engagement for Cleveland Heights, said they have no comment at this time.

Spectrum News 1 senior producer Lydia Taylor and reporter Kimberly Perez contributed to this report.

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