Ward 3 Councilman, Dan Langshaw, has resigned from the North Royalton City Council. On July 4, Langshaw posted his letter of resignation to North Royalton Mayor and Council President on social media. This comes after Council voted 6-0 to bring charges against him, after a recording of a questionable phone call to a city employee was released to the public regarding the recent jail closing issue.
His resignation letter states that upon the June 30 special council meeting, “ the conduct of the President of Council denying the residents for or against me to even be heard, and none of you members of Council even pretending to discuss any alternative ways to resolve this matter fairly,” wrote Langshaw. “I knew then, you would never give me any type of due process, my sincere apology did not matter, the public humiliation you put me through, and sadly you had already sealed my fate over the weekend. Adding insult to injury you even had the person you most likely handpicked to replace me in the Council Chambers that night too. Now that you have finished me off for good for raising alarms about issues I discovered going back to end of 2019. This is textbook political payback at its worse playing out in public. You did warn me to ‘Stay in My Lane.’ But this is a democracy, not a dictatorship. So let’s not fool this community any longer the mission all along was to silence me.” Langshaw’s full resignation letter can be seen on his Facebook page.
The call in question was made from Langshaw to Jaime Anton, who is currently the part-time secretary to North Royalton Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz. She was previously a reporter for several years, covering the North Royalton City Council.
Langshaw first left a message on Anton’s phone, stating, “I would really hope that you would call me back. . . I’m calling as your friend, and, um, just wanted to give you a heads up on something so that way either way you could prepare yourself on how it affects you personally. So, you know, if not, I understand too, but I at least gotta try. Alright, I’ll talk to you later, OK.”
When Anton returned the call, Langshaw started by saying, “we’re friends, so hey, I, I, I would rather give you a heads up what’s coming . . . So I would rather just be, be frank with you, you’re only one of two people that, you know, I made very clear a little warning what could happen also, too, how it’s going to affect you financially and, potentially, your family if your boss wants to continue what he’s doing. So, you know, you don’t have to respond, but just hear me out so that way I have at least advised you, and, if necessary, you have to get a lawyer. Um, but what the mayor has done and maybe you still have the mayor’s ear cause I don’t know what the (expletive) he’s doing but (*unintelligible*) I don’t know but obviously this whole jail thing is the end of his any chance of seeking re-election, period.”
Langshaw was referring to Antoskiewicz’s plan at that time to close the city’s jail. He went on to talk about a potential recall of Antoskiewicz, what he viewed as misconduct on Antoskiewicz’s part and how it could affect Anton. He also asked her to speak to Antoskiewicz about the matter.
He says, “but this could be all avoided if he withdraws the legislation, reopens the jail, if not expect investigations every (expletive) month, and I’m gonna take full (expletive) pleasure in this (expletive). This is gonna be fun (expletive) thing, and then you’re gonna have to be dragged up there and quite frankly the other thing he forgets is we control funding. So if he does close the jail, (expletive) it, I can tell you this, I have support of city council, if I introduce legislation to defund the mayor’s office to a certain extent, you’re low on the totem pole, I’m sorry but we’re gonna cut your (expletive)… your (expletive) position will be the first position that’s cut and then maybe some others. That money that pays you, unfortunately, and I hate to say this, will go to our (expletive) police officers for risking their (expletive) lives. So I’m just letting you know what’s going on, this could be avoided and it goes away quietly. If not, be ready for what’s (expletive) coming. . . I really hope that you’re able to get through to him and the other person that I talked to because I hate for anything bad to happen to you, but at the end of the day, my obligation is to the City of North Royalton, the people who elected me to follow the law and what this has crossed all lines so be ready.”
In a statement, Anton said, “this situation has been very stressful and caused myself and my husband a great deal of emotional turmoil. I was made to feel fearful of losing my job and my security. As a woman and a public servant, it was very disturbing how I was spoken to, especially by an elected official, a city leader. I have been sick over this, I am very upset. I was put in the middle of this issue, due to an extremely inappropriate, offensive phone call. I wish he had never called me.” She stated that she is not pressing charges at this time.
“I am disappointed that one of my employees was subjected to a difficult and upsetting experience with one of our elected Council members,” stated Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz. “The matter was referred to the appropriate authority.”
Council President Paul Marnecheck was notified of the call and provided the recording. The Council office then produced a transcript *(All quotes are taken from the Council transcript which was obtained through a public records request). On June 25, both were forwarded to all Council members, along with a memorandum, calling for a special Council work session, followed by a special Council meeting on June 30 to discuss disciplinary proceedings against Langshaw.
At the Council work session, the transcript was distributed to those in attendance and the audio tape of the call was played. Marnecheck asked Langshaw if it was his voice on the recording and he said it was. Marnecheck then asked if the transcript needed any corrections or changes and Langshaw replied, “not at this time.” Langshaw then gave a brief statement, saying “there has been a great deal of publicity surrounding a private phone call I made to Jamie Anton and rightly so. Tonight I would like to address that phone call. The phone call I made was inappropriate, rude, and particularly with regard to the language I used during the call, was offensive. I deeply regret having made the phone call and wish I could undo it. I also regret I have lost a friend because it too. But, of course, I can’t undo it, all I can do is acknowledge what I have done is wrong, ask for your forgiveness, and vow to learn and get better from it. And that is what I am doing tonight. As a Catholic, my faith teaches the importance of forgiveness. To all of those embarrassed and offended by my private phone call, including this Council, the Mayor, my friends and family, but most of all to Ms. Anton, I want to apologize and say how deeply sorry I am for what I said. Many of you know me and this phone call was out of character for me. I am very passionate about North Royalton and helping people. I vow to do better in the future and I hope you can all find it within yourselves to forgive me.”
The work session concluded and a special City Council meeting was then held, with Council recessing into Executive Session, where they discussed the matter. The meeting then resumed and Marnecheck announced that, “based on the evidence presented this evening, I will make a motion to formally direct the Law Department to prepare charges against Dan Langshaw, as outlined in the City Charter, regarding the removal of an Elected Official from Office.” Charges were then drawn up by the city’s Law Director.
On Dan Langshaw’s resignation, Antoskiewicz stated that, “Mr. Langshaw’s resignation concludes a very difficult time for the City due to his actions toward a City employee.” Marnecheck stated that, “it has been a tough few weeks for North Royalton. I am saddened by this whole experience and outcome. My thanks to our Law Department and Council Office, especially our Director of Legislative Services Dana Schroeder as they tirelessly worked to advise me and help ensure a fair process. I also wish to thank my colleagues for their patience. This was something none of us expected. Hopefully, we can continue the healing process. There will soon be an announcement regarding the process of appointing a new Ward 3 Member of Council. We look forward to once again having six colleagues and working to serve our Community.”
According to the City Charter, “any vacancy in the Council shall be filled by the remaining members thereof for the unexpired term. If the Council fails within thirty (30) days after such vacancy occurs to fill same, the Mayor shall fill it by appointment.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer