A Reflection of Mayor Dan Fritz

Moreland Hills Reflects on Mayor Dan Fritz

March 16, 2023 marked the sad and surprising passing of our Mayor, Dan Fritz.  Moreland Hills is a small village, but Dan found a way to have an outsized impact. 

He was our energetic leader.  After serving 12 years on Council, Dan was elected Mayor in 2019.  He approached the position with an unparalleled work ethic and a commitment to making a difference.  Look around any corner of Moreland Hills and you will see Dan’s imprint. For example, he was instrumental in making Forest Ridge and the Lang Pavilion a reality, preserving our zoning, reducing emergency response times, working with Council to focus on green initiatives and diversity & inclusion. He was also a “rock of leadership strength” during the COVID crisis.  In his “spare time,” he risked his life as Assistant Fire Chief for Orange Village and Fire Captain for Bedford Heights.

He was our savvy advocate.  Dan spearheaded many cross-jurisdictional collaboration efforts.  He was known within our region as someone looking out for the best interests of all.  He developed relationships with the mayors of neighboring communities.  He used his astute political skills to advance the interests of small villages and towns at the county and state level.  Because of Dan, Moreland Hills received many grants to help us navigate COVID and to improve our infrastructure.

He was our charming friend.  Not one person on Village Council or within his administration would say otherwise.  He was always there to share a smile, crack a joke to diffuse the tension of a spirited debate, or pull a prank on one of his buddies as payback for a prior good-natured ribbing.  The reason he had so many friends among the residents was that he cared deeply for them.  If he noticed someone was feeling down, he tried to find out why so that he could pick them up. 

New Mayor Ethan Spencer, our Council, administration, employees, and residents pledge to do our best to follow the legacy of Mayor Daniel Fritz and to continue Moreland Hills’ high level of safety, service, and community excellence.  Dan would not want it any other way.

Sincerely,

The Village of Moreland Hills