James Connole Seeks City Council Presidency

Changes may be coming to Westlake city government with November's elections.

City councilman James Connole, who has represented Ward 2 since 2001, is listed as a candidate for president of City Council with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Current council president Michael Killeen, who has served on council for 31 years, 14 of those as council president, said after last week's City Council meeting that he was not ready to announce his plans one way or the other.

Two contenders have stepped up to replace Connole in Ward 2: Westlake City Schools Board of Education member Nate Cross, and Brian Thompson.

Cross said Monday that he has not yet decided on his future with the school board.

Connole had announced in 2010 that he planned to step down from his council position, but later changed his mind. Cross and Thompson were two of 11 people who had applied to fill the seat if Connole resigned.

Ward 6 councilman Mark Getsay is being challenged by Robert Koenig.

So far, besides Connole, mayor Dennis Clough, law director John Wheeler, Ward 3 councilman Dennis Sullivan, Ward 4 councilman Michael O'Donnell, and Ward 5 councilman Kenneth Brady are running unopposed.

Candidates have until March 8 to file their petitions to get on the ballot. Primaries would be held in May only if three or more candidates seek a particular office, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.