Matt Bixenstine was sworn in as Lakewood City Council’s new Ward 4 councilperson on Tuesday evening, Jan. 20.
Previous Ward 4 Councilperson Cindy Marx announced at the beginning of December that she was resigning from her position, effective Jan. 1. The 74-year-old said in an article on cleveland.com that being a senior and being engaged were her main reasons for resigning. She now plans on getting married and moving to Shaker Heights.
“As seniors, we are very interested in staying, but first-floor living is very difficult to find in Lakewood,” she said in the article. “It’s very ironic that here I’m on city council and the victim of the housing issues that Lakewood faces.”
The city issued an open call for candidates to fulfill Marx’s term, which does not expire until Dec. 31, 2027. A news release by Lakewood City Council on Jan. 16 shared that eight candidates responded to the open call, and after all candidates were interviewed collectively and individually, Bixenstine received the unanimous recommendation of the council on Jan. 12.
Sarah Kepple, president of council, read from the press release during the meeting on Jan. 20, “When asked during his interview about his motivation for being on city council, Mr. Bixenstine replied that the position would feel like a natural progression of the community work he already does, and I couldn’t agree more. Mr. Bixenstine has spent over a decade dedicating himself to the hyper local issues impacting the ward.”
Bixenstine is well-known in Lakewood for his volunteer work as the founder and president of the Friends of Madison Park, the Clarence Avenue Block Club Captain, a leader in the Harrison Elementary PTA, and also for his service on the Keep Lakewood Beautiful and Tree Education and Advisory Boards. He is also a graduate of The Land’s Community Journalism program.
Bixenstine said, “I’m humbled and honored to serve as Ward 4 councilperson for the city of Lakewood. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work so I can support residents and contribute to the fine job being done by Lakewood’s city council.
“I’m passionate about community building, and I hope to find ways to ensure more Ward 4 residents feel heard. My priorities include increasing community engagement through expanding the block club model in Ward 4, as well as addressing key issues like pedestrian safety, small business support, affordable housing, and tree canopy replenishment.”
How can you get involved? Public comment is welcome at all regular meetings, which are held the first and third Monday of every month at 7:30 in the evening at Lakewood City Hall, located at 12650 Detroit Avenue. Committee meetings are held as needed on Monday evenings. Find out more on the city’s website, or email the Clerk of Council’s office at council@lakewoodoh.gov.
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