Mayor reflects on 3 decades of service

When South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo was first elected to office in 1991 as a councilperson at-large, her father, Sam Coso, sternly told her, “You are a public servant, not a politician.”

Her father once again reminded her of that in 2003, when she was elected mayor. Welo recalls him telling her “Remember George (her nickname), you are a public servant not a politician, and if you ever become one I will disown you.”

Welo took those words to heart. Her father was a leader in the community and the church, so she was determined to make him proud by finding the traits she believed would allow her to become a true public servant and leader.

Some of the characteristics that she focused on are also the ones she attributes to her longevity in office — honesty, integrity and a desire to inspire, motivate and encourage those she serves.

“Personal sacrifice is inspiring to others,” Welo said. “There is no true leadership without some kind of sacrifice.”

She is also the city’s first female mayor. Welo believes that history has shown being an elected female is still tough.

“The toughness test also conceals a double standard,” Welo said. “Women are judged more harshly than men for showing emotion in public.”

Welo looks to past women leaders for inspiration.

The mayor recalls being in office just a little more than a year when she was asked to give a presentation regarding the foreclosure crisis in Cuyahoga County.

After her presentation a male attendee approached her and said “Mayor, if you really want the room to be focused on your presentation, wear pants next time because all I could do was stare at your legs.”

She recalls another time a member of the city’s Record Commission was reviewing records in her office closet when he pulled her purse out and asked what that was doing there. Welo said she quickly responded “because I am a female and I carry a purse.”

She notes they both had a good laugh over it afterwards and that the Record Commission member said he was just surprised to see a purse because there had never been one been one there.

Welo is glad to see more women entering the political arena.

During her almost 30 years in office, the longtime public servant has seen her share of memorable moments, hardships and successes.

For Welo, her most memorable experience has been being able to help the city establish three Purple Heart homes for local veterans.

Welo assisted in restoring and updating one of the three vacant homes.

“I still remember pounding out old plaster and using tools I still have no idea what they were,” Welo said. “Seeing not only the faces of our veterans but the volunteers who worked so hard to welcome home the fighting men and women of America is something I will always hold dear to my heart.”

The Playground of Possibilities spearheaded by Councilwoman Diane Fisted in 2008, is another memorable experience for Welo who still recalls how sore she was from digging holes to place pillars for the tree house

“For 14 days I went every day to work side by side with neighbors, family, friends and residents. Two thousand volunteers donated time to build the playground,” Welo said. “I will never forget the faces of the families whose children could never play together. Seeing them enter the playground for the first time, brothers and sisters together, no one watching or left out. I silently turned my back and cried.”

Welo