Council adopts resolution to save neighborhood Social Security offices after residents and union speakers press the issue

Cleveland Heights City Council voted May 5 to adopt a resolution urging federal authorities to preserve neighborhood Social Security offices, Medicare and Medicaid services after residents and union representatives raised concerns about staffing and access.

David Shegley, a former Social Security employee and AFL-CIO board member, told council the agency faces workforce challenges he said threaten service delivery. "We're seeing, unprecedented attacks in many, many areas, but Social Security is has to be at the top of our list," Shegley said, arguing councils should signal support to federal lawmakers and the agency's regional leadership.

Council suspended the rules to allow immediate adoption of the resolution and then approved the measure in the same meeting. Before the vote, Council members and speakers described long phone wait times and reduced local staffing; one council member said calling the local office resulted in a recorded two-hour wait and then a dropped call.

Speaker remarks urged council to notify congressional representatives and federal senators that the city supports protecting local offices and their staff. The resolution, introduced on first reading as item 086-2025, was moved to immediate adoption after the rules suspension vote.

Council did not attach specific enforcement actions to the resolution; it asks elected officials higher than the city to act. The measure passed following a voice vote after suspension of the rules allowed council to take the matter up immediately.