GATES MILLS — About 75 residents gathered at the Gates Mills Community House Sept. 25 for a candidates forum featuring six individuals vying for seats on Village Council, addressing topics ranging from environmental protection to infrastructure improvements.
The event, presented by the Gates Mills Improvement Society and moderated by Mike McIntyre of Ideastream Public Media, offered voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates ahead of the November election. Among those seeking council positions were longtime resident and attorney Greco, who emphasized her legal skills and desire to make the downtown more appealing to young families, and 10-year resident Perez, who cited the village’s commitment to the natural environment and strong school system as reasons she chose to raise her family here.
Business owner Young, a resident for three-and-a-half years who previously sold Budzar Industries, stressed that safety remains paramount and pledged to oppose any development that would alter the village’s character. Another candidate expressed interest in fostering greater collaboration between the village and the Gates Mills Land Conservancy. Current and past village mayors, along with sitting council members, attended the forum.
The discussions come as Gates Mills moves forward with several major initiatives. The village has partnered with Chagrin Valley Gig to bring buried fiber optic internet to all homes and businesses starting in 2026, representing a community investment exceeding $3.5 million. The project addresses longstanding resident concerns about inadequate internet service, following years of feasibility studies that concluded the village’s topography and low density made it less attractive to traditional providers.
Meanwhile, environmental conservation remains a priority for the community. The Gates Mills Land Conservancy held its annual meeting Oct. 19, where guest speaker Erick Carlson, a middle school science teacher at University School with a doctorate in ecology, discussed challenges facing the village’s tree canopy, including a new threat to beech forests. The Land Conservancy, which has preserved nearly 750 acres since 1988, continues partnering with area schools including Hawken, University School and Mayfield City Schools for educational programs at the Sherman Road Preserve.
Residents also participated in a household hazardous waste collection event Oct. 14, part of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District’s ongoing program for safe disposal of materials like oil-based paint, pesticides and automotive fluids.
The village maintains its position as part of the five-star rated Mayfield City School District, with Gates Mills Elementary ranking among only four elementary schools in Cuyahoga County to receive the top rating from the Ohio Department of Education. The small school environment serves students from Gates Mills, Highland Heights, Mayfield Heights and Mayfield Village.
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