The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MAYORS MEET TO DISCUSS PLANS
Past progress, future among topics at annual luncheon
Mayors from four neighboring communities in Lorain County gathered March 16 for the 2017 North Coast Chamber of Commerce Mayor’s Lunch at Tom’s Country Place, 3442 Stoney Ridge Road in Avon.
Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen, Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka, Sheffield Lake Mayor Dennis Bring and Sheffield Village Mayor John D. Hunter gave brief updates on what their respective communities experienced in 2016, as well as what’s in the works for this year.
The mayors shared jokes and poked fun at one another, eliciting lots of laughter from the audience, but each agreed mutual respect, cooperation and compromise keep all four communities moving forward together.
AVON
Jensen was the first mayor to deliver his address, which included a slide show and a number of zingers directed at Zilka.
But Jensen also said he admires some of the traits his fellow mayors possess, such as Hunter’s willingness to help others, Zilka’s attention to the opiate epidemic and Bring’s ability to show his emotions and be a leader.
Jensen also took time to introduce and thank those who work in the city.
“Without them, I couldn’t do anything,” he said. “I’m
“... without that heart and without that drive of these men and their departments, we would not be as successful as we are.”
— Mayor John D. Hunter, of Sheffield Village
appreciative for what they do for me, what they do for the city and what they do for the residents.”
Cabela’s and NorthShore Eye Care are among the businesses to recently open in Avon, Jensen said, noting rumors that a Chick-filA may be opening in the city are unfounded.
And as far as projects, Jensen said a big project taking place in Avon this year is the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Center and Mills roads.
AVON LAKE
Zilka mentioned a number of topics in his speech, including the safety forces, the parks and recreation department and a number of projects in the works.
Crimes in Avon Lake are generally down, Zilka said, noting assaults and domestic violence incident have occurred
less often since 2009.
Firefighters also were kept busy this year, responding to a total of 2,413 calls, he said.
A couple of sewer related projects, one costing $9 million and another costing $15 million, would bring new storm, sanitary and water lines, as well as fully reconstructed roads, Zilka said.
The parks and recreation department has implemented 27 new programs since last year.
As far as economic development, Zilka said a Health Express Urgent Care facility will open in April and the Goddard School will transform an old Wendy’s into an early childhood education facility and creating 17 new jobs.
Ford Motor Co., which also is located in Sheffield Lake, employs 1,800 workers, Zilka said.
Avon Lake also recently acquired 10 acres of railroad track property at no cost due to no other interested bidders, he said.
Zilka concluded his speech by mentioning the opiate epidemic and providing statistics showing Ohio experienced more opiate related deaths than California last year.
He encouraged parents to have dinner with their children, to talk with them and show them they care.
SHEFFIELD LAKE
Bring started his speech by keeping it light and joking about building a wall between his city and Sheffield Village, and Hunter would foot the cost.
When it came to matters concerning the city, Bring began by talking about the police and fire departments, as well as the opiate epidemic in general.
“Until we all address this and take this seriously, it’s not going away,” he said. “It’s getting worse. I think we all need to stand together and voice our concerns about this to get this taken care of because it’s sad. It should be a top priority among all of
our cities.”
Through grants, the Police Department added a couple of dispatchers and the Fire Department purchased new equipment, Bring said.
The city has written more than $1 million in grants this year, and that will turn into about $3.5 million in projects, he said.
The law department added a new deputy clerk, the sewer department is updating the pumps and the water department installed new meters, Bring said.
Additionally, the city hired an outside firm to detect water leaks underground, which has resulted in a savings of about $18,000 a month.
Roadways in Sheffield Lake also are improving, Bring said, noting at least six to 10 streets are paved each year.
Bring said about $250,000 year is spent on repairing roads, and more have been paved since he’s been in office than in the last 20 years.
The 10 parks will see improvements
because of $600,000 in grants for upgrades to playground equipment and to install pavilions, he said.
“We are going to continue to work harder and make it a safe community and an enjoyable one,” Bring said.
SHEFFIELD VILLAGE
Hunter was the last mayor to take the podium and started by mentioning the importance of compromise.
“You don’t get anything done without cooperation and working together,” he said.
Hunter also thanked those who work in his city and described his departments as some of the best in Ohio.
In 2016, Sheffield Village had its first homicide since the 1940s, but said it has since been solved due to the cooperation of city and county agencies.
Hunter also spoke about the economic development in the village, noting 17 businesses opened last year and
four are set to open this year.
He said another restaurant is supposed to open in the village this year as well, which would bring the total to 26. “If your business community is growing, you’re going to grow,” Hunter said, noting the goal is to keep taxes low and services high.
Hunter also mentioned the Cleveland VA Medical Center, which moved its Lorain clinic to Sheffield Village and encouraged the audience to remember the veterans and thank them.
“I appreciate all these mayors,” he said. “Every one of them have a special place in my heart because I know they care about people in their community and care about people across the county, and especially those in Sheffield Village.
“And without that heart and without that drive of these men and their departments, we would not be as successful as we are.”