Walter F. Ehrnfelt
Encyclopedia
Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. was an American
politician. He was Mayor
of Strongsville, Ohio
for 25 years. He was also a
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Governing Board member.
, Ehrnfelt began his career in 1973, while running Ehrnfelt Meats, his family's local business. He was persuaded to run for the Strongsville School Board, leading the fight against a campaign to dismiss teachers and ban books in the school district. He won that race, and in 1978 he was appointed Mayor of Strongsville, later winning his first Mayoral race in November 1979 by more than a 2 to 1 margin. Voters rewarded his effective leadership by re-electing him to six consecutive four-year terms, the last beginning in 2000, making him Cuyahoga County's longest standing mayor. He served on Governor Taft’s State and Local Government Commission and was President of the Ohio Municipal League. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack aged 70.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician. He was Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Strongsville, Ohio
Strongsville, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 43,858 people, 16,209 households, and 12,383 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,779.6 people per square mile . There were 16,863 housing units at an average density of 684.2 per square mile...
for 25 years. He was also a
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Governing Board member.
Career
After graduating from Strongsville High SchoolStrongsville High School
Strongsville High School is a public high school located in Strongsville, Ohio, USA. The current principal is William Steffen.The school colors are forest green and white. The mascot is the Mustang. The school was a member of the Pioneer Conference but moved to the Northeast Ohio Conference at the...
, Ehrnfelt began his career in 1973, while running Ehrnfelt Meats, his family's local business. He was persuaded to run for the Strongsville School Board, leading the fight against a campaign to dismiss teachers and ban books in the school district. He won that race, and in 1978 he was appointed Mayor of Strongsville, later winning his first Mayoral race in November 1979 by more than a 2 to 1 margin. Voters rewarded his effective leadership by re-electing him to six consecutive four-year terms, the last beginning in 2000, making him Cuyahoga County's longest standing mayor. He served on Governor Taft’s State and Local Government Commission and was President of the Ohio Municipal League. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack aged 70.
Legacy
- Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Award for Outstanding Regional Contribution
- The Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Post Office Building, 15500 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio, 44136