Meet Dale
Dale decided to run for the new County Council because he believed Cuyahoga County had serious problems and was at a critical point in its history. Dale saw first-hand the problems a broken government can cause. That is why he was an early endorser of Issue 6, County Reform, and fought so hard for its passage. Dale realized the new County Charter gave the region great opportunity for positive change and like others, believes that when dedicated and capable leaders with integrity step up to the plate, a more efficient county government will ensue.
In November 2010, Dale won the District 2 council member position with 59% of the vote in a five way race.
District 2 includes Lakewood, Brook Park and Cleveland Wards 18 and 19.
Biography
- Born September 16, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Garfield Heights public schools in 1967.
- Worked on first campaign, Howard Metzenbaum for US Senate, 1970.
- Graduated with Highest Honors from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, 1971.
- Earned a Doctor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, University of Utah, 1976.
- Worked as Program Evaluator for the Great Plains Community Mental Health Center in North Platte, Nebraska, 1977.
- Worked as Program Evaluator and did some testing and counseling at the Community Guidance Mental Health Center in Cleveland, Ohio, 1977-1979.
- Elected Cleveland City Councilman from West Park area, 1979.
- Played leading role in successful petition drive to reduce size of City Council from 33 to 21 members, 1981.
- Married Carol Pierse at Middleburg Heights Community Church, August 10, 1985. Dale & Carol recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary.
- Appointed State Representative, in January, 1997.
- Elected to Assistant Democratic Whip for the Ohio House Democratic Leadership Team in 2001 and Democratic Whip in 2003.
- Appointed to Ohio Senate in March, 2006, and elected to a full four-year term that November.
- Appointed as Ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee in January, 2007, provided bipartisan leadership in restoring key funding and administrative flexibility for the state's economic development programs.
- Endorsed and played active role in passage of Issue 6 County Reform, creating a county charter and reforming county government, 2009.
- Elected Cuyahoga County Councilman from District 2, 2010.
- Appointed Chairperson of the Finance and Budgeting Committee; appointed to County Council committees on Rules, Charter Review, Ethics and Council Operations; Intergovernmental Relations; and Public Works, Procurement and Contracting.
Awards
- Louis Stokes Award for work on economic justice issues from Cleveland Jobs with Justice, 2004.
- Legislator of the Year Awards from the AFL-CIO and the Public Children's Association of Ohio, 2005.
- Community leadership award from the Council for Smaller Enterprises for work on Issue 6, 2009.
- State Leadership Award, Northern Ohio Recovery Community and Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Service Board of Cuyahoga County, 2009.
- Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Independent Living Award, presented for leadership role in the passage of the Senior Home First Bill, 2010.