Kelley Re-elected Council President

CLEVELAND, OHoption /- Kevin Kelley will once again lead Cleveland City Council as its president. Kelley was unanimously re-elected Nov. 13 in a caucus. The three newly elected members of council took part in the voting, even though two of the three may be facing a re-count of the Nov. 7 balloting.

Kelley, who also represents Ward 13 in Old Brooklyn and part of the Stockyards neighborhood, has been council president since 2013. He has been on council since 2005.

Basheer Jones and Joe Jones (no relation), who were elected to represent Ward 7 and Ward 1 respectively, only won by a few of votes. The difference in Ward 7 was 19 votes, while the difference between Joe Jones and incumber Terrell H. Pruitt was only nine votes. With the absentee and provisional ballots still to be counted, the results of the election could change. Those ballots should be counted and the results should become official by the end of the month.

Jasmin Santana, who beat incumbent Brian Cummins in Ward 14 on Nov. 7, was the other new member of council to vote for council president. She is the first Latina to be elected to Cleveland City Council. Santana represents Clark-Metro, Brooklyn Centre and part of the Stockyards neighborhood.

Photo Courtesy Of Cleveland City Council