Seven

THE MAYORS

Someone was needed to run Fairview Village when it was started in 1910, and George B. Sweet fulfilled that need sufficiently because he held the job for 10 years until he resigned. In addition to starting a village government from scratch, he was one of the farsighted leaders who helped start the Cleveland Metroparks, assuring that, despite developing new villages like Fairview, some land needed to remain as wooded trails so people could enjoy the serenity of nature. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

Arthur H. Eggleston was only mayor for one year from 1920 to 1921 but remained active in the village until his death in 1943. His final 12 years were spent as the village’s building inspector. His father built the century home at 22915 Lorain Road, and West 228th Street used to be called Eggleston Avenue. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

Before serving as mayor from 1922 to 1927, David J. Zinner was on the Cleveland City Council from 1905 to 1913. He also chaired the Cuyahoga County Tax Commission. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

Joseph Daugherty was mayor from 1928 to 1931. His two biggest problems originated beyond the village borders. The Depression slowed down village projects for a few years, and West Park decided to annex to Cleveland in 1925. Many in Fairview were confident becoming part of Cleveland would be beneficial, but ultimately it was not annexed, leaving the Rocky River Valley the well-defined eastern borderline that it is. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

Mayor from 1932 to 1943, David Bain accomplished much despite the Depression and the resulting budgetary restraints. With the end of the interurban railway, he helped start the first municipally owned bus line in Ohio. He also had Lorain Road designated a state highway, which brought funding to build a new steel bridge in 1934. After his death in 1953, the park named Fairview Park became Bain Park, and the Community Cabin became Bain Park Cabin. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

Karl A. Bohlken, mayor from 1944 to 1957, cut the ribbon to the new Fairview Park Regional Library in February 1957. During his tenure, the shopping center and Westgate developments were built, the village’s name was changed to Fairview Park, and later the village’s status of village was changed to city. Bohlken helped acquire the land next to Westgate, which was turned into Bohlken Park. (Cleveland Press Archives, Cleveland State University.)

Bohlken inspects an apartment building being built on Lorain Road in the mid-1950s. The Lakios family, who ran nearby Stephens Lunch, built it. (Photograph by Joy Gdovin.)

James A. Dunson was mayor from 1958 to 1967 and had lived in Fairview since he was in the ninth grade in 1931. Having lived in Lakewood and Columbus, he was well aware how rural the area was as he grew up, seeing it grow from village into a city. Preceding his term as mayor, he spent some time on the city council and a couple of terms as law director in the early 1950s. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

Here are two firsts: Cleveland mayor Carl Stokes was the first African American mayor of a major American city, and Charles Mooney was, at the time of his tenure, Fairview’s youngest (until Mayor Richard G. Anter II) and first Democratic mayor. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

The two pictures on this page bookend Mayor James A. Dunson’s term in office. Here he takes over from Karl A. Bohlken in 1958. Bohlken ran the city for 14 years, but Dunson defeated him in the Republican primary. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

On the last day of 1967, Dunson passes the torch to Mayor Charles A. “Pete” Mooney. Mooney served until 1975. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

This spokes baby for the March of Dimes does not appreciate what a photo opportunity is as much as a politician does. Mooney signs a proclamation, as Christine Neidering feels a little vulnerable. (Cleveland Press Archives, Cleveland State University.)

Joseph M. Gaul served as mayor before and after Richard G. Anter II’s term. First assuming the position in 1976, he had already served on the council. Gaul carried a paging unit that he could be called on if he was needed at city hall. He helped develop the Bain Park Historical Landmark Commission and helped get the funding for the Willowood Manor Senior Housing Center. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

Anter is pictured here presenting a proclamation to Rotary Club president Al Heller in February 1980. Anter served as mayor from 1980 to 1983. Years later, he moved to Rocky River and made an unsuccessful run for that mayor seat. (Cleveland Press Archives, Cleveland State University.)

The contrast of swimmers in a motel pool with boys in the snow with their sleds is striking enough. But who would have ever guessed that the shorter of the two sledders would become mayor of the city? That is five-year-old Richard Anter with his older brother Joseph in January 1958. Their family lived across the street from the Valley View Motel. Not only is the motel gone now, but the Anter property was also redeveloped as the Rockport Manor Apartments in the early 1960s. The lady at right is identified as “lovely lifeguard Miss Betty Buckles, 22.” (Cleveland Press Archives, Cleveland State University.)

An extensive brochure highlights Karl Kubb’s accomplishments as mayor from 1992 to 1999. Earlier mayors’ concerns had been paving the roads and keeping up with an ever-growing need for more schools for a surging population. Now the need was for thousands of dollars in grant money for a multitude of projects, including upgrading computers for Y2K compliance, building a senior citizen center, and adding computer terminals to police cars. Kubb also served on the city council and was council president. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)

Mayor Eileen Ann Patton ushered Fairview Park into the new century and millennium. One of her early accomplishments was getting rid of the old motels along Lorain Road that were deemed blighted, and they were replaced by office buildings that added to the tax base. She was also part of the very ambitious Gemini Project that built a recreation center and rebuilt schools. She was on the city council for six years before becoming mayor in 2000. (Fairview Park Historical Society.)