Mike Summers at Masonic Temple.jpg
Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers stands before a crowd at the Lakewood Masonic Temple just before his State of the City address in 2014.
(File photo)
LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Mayor Michael Summers plans to seek another term in office and will take out petitions within two weeks, he told attendees at his State of the City address Wednesday.
The filing deadline is June 10.
Summers, who in the past said he had not yet decided whether to seek re-election, said he initially didn't plan to reveal his decision during the address, at the Lakewood Masonic Temple. However, he unveiled his intention to run in response to a question from an audience member.
"I deferred on making that decision for as long as I could so I would not mix politics with good decision making," Summers said following his address. "But we are getting close to the decision time, and so I made that decision."
Summers said he decided about a week ago. One reason for another term in office is to see through a plan to change health care delivery in Lakewood, which includes replac Lakewood Hospital with a family health clinic.
The Lakewood Hospital Association and the Cleveland Clinic announced Jan. 15 that they plan to close the more than 100-year-old Lakewood Hospital in 2016 because of the declining number of inpatient stays. The Cleveland Clinic would open and operate a family health center and emergency department in its place. Summers is a member of the hospital association board.
The announcement -- which would have to be approved by city council to take place -- has drawn criticism from many in the community who want to save the hospital.
However, Summers describes the changes as an opportunity to improve local health care delivery.
"We have challenges and some opportunities," Summers said. "Some of our opportunities are going to take serious work, and I would be very motivated to make sure those opportunities remain opportunities, and healthcare is clearly one of them."
Summers' other priorities include continuing to improve roads and sewers, and working with Greater Cleveland RTA to improve local bus service.
"I think rebuilding public transportation is still an unmet need," Summers said.
RTA eliminated circulator buses in Lakewood and several other communities in 2009, significantly affecting Lakewood, which has a large number of residents who rely on public transportation, Summers said.
Summers was appointed mayor by his colleagues on city council in January 2011 to fill the unexpired term of Ed FitzGerald. Summers was elected to a full term in November 2011.
If he files his petitions before the deadline, his name would appear on the November general election ballot. If three or more candidates file, a September primary would be necessary to narrow the number of candidates to two.
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