Former Shaker Mayor Leaving Cuyahoga County Council

CLEVELAND, OH — Former Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken will step down from his position as Cuyahoga County Council chief of staff. Leiken has been diagnosed with a muscular condition and is being urged to leave his position by doctors.

"The county is doing great and important work. I am sorry that I will not be able to participate in all that we have planned,” said Leiken. “I have very much enjoyed my time with the dedicated staff and wish everyone the very best.”

For the past six months, Leiken has been experiencing pain on the left side of his head. His doctors at University Hospitals diagnosed the former mayor with a muscular condition.

Despite being in good health for someone his age (Leiken is nearly 77), his doctors urged Leiken to take a less demanding position, or retire, to preserve his health.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

“Earl has been a terrific and effective Chief of Staff,” said County Executive Armond Budish in a statement. “I am truly grateful for the way in which he stepped in when I asked him to and I also support his choice, though I am sorry to see him go. I and my entire leadership team will miss him.”

Leiken became Budish's chief of staff in February 2018, leaving his position as Shaker Heights mayor.

Photo from Google Earth