CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- City council is accepting applications to fill the seat being vacated by Jim Petras, who will be sworn in as mayor on Jan. 1.

The appointee will serve the remainder of Petras’ term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2027. Interested residents may apply by emailing Clerk of Council Addie Balester at ABalester@clevelandheights.gov before Dec. 15.

Petras, a 36-year-old first-term councilman, defeated City Council Vice President Davida Russell 55% to 44% in the Nov. 4 general election to become the city’s second-ever elected mayor. The race followed months of political turmoil that culminated in the Sept. 9 recall of former Mayor Kahlil Seren after months of scandals.

An IT project director at Case Western Reserve University with an MBA from its Weatherhead School of

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