Shaker Heights Taxpayers Union Leader Mark Zetzer Preparing To Run For Office

Shaker Heights Taxpayer Union Leader Mark Zetzer is considering a run for local office.

Zetzer, who led an attempt to defeat a proposed income tax increase in 2012, has pulled petitions to run for a seat on the Shaker Heights City Council or the Shaker Heights City Schools Board of Education, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Zetzer formed the Shaker Heights Taxpayers Union in 2012 in hopes of galvanizing residents against a local government he thought was too big and spending too much. The group's major undertaking was a campaign against the 0.5 percent income tax increase. Zetzer made local radio appearances, wrote blogs and placed campaign signs throughout the community through Election Day.

While the income tax increase was approved by voters, Zetzer said he had no plans to go away.

"We're going to remain," Zetzer told Patch after the election. "We think we have a big job ahead of us to educate residents and voters about how the city and public school system can cut costs, control taxes and grow revenues by growing the tax base instead of just endlessly raising taxes all the time."

Candidates have until 4 p.m. Wednesday. Aug. 7 to officially file to run in either the city council or school board race.