Eastlake mayoral candidates emphasize recreation, Vine Street revitalization and senior services

At a candidate forum in Eastlake, four candidates for mayor described their public‑service backgrounds and offered plans for recreation programming, economic development along the Vine Street Corridor and services for seniors.

The forum showed broad agreement on the goals of improving parks and waterfront access while revealing different management styles and priorities for how to achieve them.

Kevin Castellner, a recent city employee retiree and former service director, said his 31 years with city operations prepared him to run the mayor’s office. Castellner said he “like[s] a little cliche, seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly,” and that he favors hands‑on management and fiscal discipline. He told the forum he oversaw roughly “150 line items” in the service department budget and said the department had carried over roughly $1 million at the end of a year during his tenure, which he cited as evidence of conservative stewardship. He proposed re‑creating a city recreation department that he said Eastlake has lacked for about 20 years and emphasized using parks and programming to attract young families and spur economic growth.

Carolyn Hintopf, who described volunteer work including co‑founding the Alliance Against Human Trafficking and experience with grant writing and urban studies, emphasized community engagement, safety and enforcing existing property ordinances. “I care about honesty, integrity, respect, and bringing people together,” Hintopf said, and urged residents to voice priorities so the city can reallocate funds when certain debts are retired.

Nick Rodino, who said he retired after about 31 years in city service, described a hands‑on management approach, starting “at the bottom and worked my way to the top,” and proposed programs such as regular summer day camps in parks, improved picnic and walking areas, and a winter assistance program to help seniors clear driveways and walkways. Rodino said such services could be provided without a new tax levy.

Laura DeFletch, an attorney with long ties to the community, said she would pursue collaborative leadership and bring residents together to accomplish common goals. “I will bring people together to accomplish common goals,” she said, and stressed advocacy, negotiation experience and support for city employees and volunteers.

On regional projects, candidates discussed the Vine Street Corridor revitalization, a multi‑jurisdictional effort candidates described as involving the cities of Eastlake, Willoughby and Willowick and Lake County‑area partners. Candidates said the project aims to improve pedestrian, bicycle and transit connections, add lighting and bus shelters, and spur economic activity. Several candidates also referenced negotiations over a waterfront property formerly associated with CEI that was sold to an industrial development authority (IDA); they said restoration of the seawall and expanded public access are goals but stopped short of promising specific outcomes because the negotiations involve multiple entities.

Senior services, public safety, volunteer engagement and small‑business support recurred across answers. Candidates urged enforcement of existing ordinances on rental properties, more events such as City Fest and a Fourth of July parade to encourage community activity, and better promotion of lakefront assets to attract visitors. Management approaches varied: Castellner and Rodino stressed leading by example and operational oversight; Hintopf emphasized collaborative leadership and working with residents; DeFletch stressed convening stakeholders and negotiated solutions.

The forum did not include any formal votes or actions; candidates answered moderator questions and took brief audience remarks. Several participants referenced Mayor Worley and ongoing city staff work, and one council member (Mr. Myers) was reported absent.

Two excerpts from the forum include Castellner’s statement that managers should “lead by example,” and Hintopf’s declaration that she cares “about honesty, integrity, respect, and bringing people together.”