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CSU Provost Geoff Mearns to Mediate Sewer District Dispute
Media contact:
Nicole Dailey Jones: (216) 263-4602 or (216) 338-0863; ndjones@cuyahogacounty.us
John Kohlstrand: (216) 698-2099; jkohlstrand@cuyahogacounty.us
CLEVELAND - Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald announced today that Geoff Mearns, Provost of Cleveland State University and former Assistant U.S. Attorney, will serve as mediator between mayors and representatives from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District who earlier agreed to participate in a mediation process as an alternative to a costly legal battle.
The local governments are currently in a legal dispute with the sewer district over fees that have been set by the district to manage area storm water. A trial between the cities and sewer district is set for July in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
“I appreciate Geoff being willing to take on this challenge and lend his skill and experience to this process,” said FitzGerald. “Few in this community are better positioned to encourage a productive discussion among the parties to this dispute. I also give credit to both sides for continuing to move toward a resolution on this issue.”
Mearns most recently served as Dean of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law before becoming Provost of the University in 2010. Prior to his appointment as Dean, Mearns was a practicing lawyer for more than 15 years, including a distinguished nine-year career as a prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice. Mearns received his undergraduate degree from Yale University in 1981 and his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1987. He is a trustee of Wingspan Care Group, Applewood Centers, Inc., and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland. He is also a member of the Community-Based Correctional Facility Governing Board for Cuyahoga County.
Nicole Dailey Jones: (216) 263-4602 or (216) 338-0863; ndjones@cuyahogacounty.us
John Kohlstrand: (216) 698-2099; jkohlstrand@cuyahogacounty.us
CLEVELAND - Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald announced today that Geoff Mearns, Provost of Cleveland State University and former Assistant U.S. Attorney, will serve as mediator between mayors and representatives from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District who earlier agreed to participate in a mediation process as an alternative to a costly legal battle.
The local governments are currently in a legal dispute with the sewer district over fees that have been set by the district to manage area storm water. A trial between the cities and sewer district is set for July in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
“I appreciate Geoff being willing to take on this challenge and lend his skill and experience to this process,” said FitzGerald. “Few in this community are better positioned to encourage a productive discussion among the parties to this dispute. I also give credit to both sides for continuing to move toward a resolution on this issue.”
Mearns most recently served as Dean of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law before becoming Provost of the University in 2010. Prior to his appointment as Dean, Mearns was a practicing lawyer for more than 15 years, including a distinguished nine-year career as a prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice. Mearns received his undergraduate degree from Yale University in 1981 and his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1987. He is a trustee of Wingspan Care Group, Applewood Centers, Inc., and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland. He is also a member of the Community-Based Correctional Facility Governing Board for Cuyahoga County.
