In his final act as mayor, Kahlil Seren of Cleveland Heights dismissed Law Director Bill Hanna, highlighting the tensions that characterized his tenure. This decision was announced on Tuesday, a day before Seren officially left office. According to a statement from the city’s communications office and reports from Cleveland News, the termination was attributed to Hanna’s alleged failure to adequately represent the city council and its members.
The dismissal letter, which was partially obtained by WKYC, cited “for cause” reasons, accusing Hanna of prioritizing personal interests over his professional responsibilities. Seren expressed concern that Hanna’s actions compromised the standards expected of a law director in Cleveland Heights.
Hanna’s dismissal occurred amidst political upheaval, following Seren’s recall earlier in the month. The city council wasted no time reinstating Hanna along with Communications Director Jessica Schantz, as reported by Cleveland19. Council President Tony Cuda stepped in as interim mayor after Seren’s departure, further indicating a shift in the city’s leadership dynamics.
In his five-page letter to Hanna, Seren elaborated on the alleged misconduct. He claimed that Hanna, along with City Council Clerk Addie Balester, used a fake email address to investigate potential violations of open meetings laws by council members. Seren stated, “Your behavior relative to the new dynamics and interaction between the executive and legislative branches in this new municipal government has been destructive to our forward progress.”
Seren’s decision to terminate Hanna just before the end of his term reflects his intention to set a precedent for governance, despite his own leadership being abruptly concluded by the recall vote. The political landscape in Cleveland Heights is on the verge of significant change, with the next mayoral election slated for November. This upcoming election will determine who will take the reins in this Cleveland suburb.
The swift rehiring of Hanna and Schantz by the council indicates a desire for stability and a course correction following weeks of controversy. As the city prepares for a new mayor, the dynamics between the elected officials and the administration remain in flux, signaling a period of recalibration in Cleveland Heights’ governance.