From the Desk of Mayor Bill Cervenik
Dear Friends:
I had the pleasure of recently attending the Euclid Chamber of Commerce “Taste of Euclid” Annual Business Awards Dinner held at the Irish American Club. The event is a special evening which recognizes the accomplishments of several businesses, organizations and community leaders. Guests dined on the cuisine of numerous area restaurants and caterers which offered a “taste” of some of their most popular menu items. The evening was a wonderful celebration of Euclid.
Chesterfield Steel received the Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Year Award. The family owned and operated company has been in the business of cutting steel for over fifty years, longer than any other company in the Cleveland area. Dr. Andrew Brobbey, a dynamic and well-respected Internist at Euclid Hospital won the Small Business of the Year Award. Dr. Brobbey and his colleagues recently opened CarePlus on Euclid Avenue, a new concierge medical practice that gives patients same-day appointments and direct access to doctors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Organization of the Year went to the Irish American Club. A family-centered organization in which anyone and everyone is welcome, they are a true asset to our community with a membership that draws from throughout the Greater Cleveland area. This spring the Club will open up their new outdoor patio. Business Person of the Year went to Greg Jurcisin. Greg is the owner of Beach Club Bistro on Lakeshore Boulevard, the original anchor of fine dining restaurants in downtown. He was and continues to be a true stakeholder in Euclid’s future success. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Kathy Will who not only served as Euclid Recreation Director but recently retired as the Manager of Euclid Senior Programs. Kathy was a hardworking and dedicated employee and also a true community leader and friend to many.
Several years ago, the Chamber of Commerce created the Bluestone Award to honor businesses, organizations and individuals that have made a significant and specific contribution to the City of Euclid. The “Bluestone Award”was named for Euclid Creek’s local bluestone quarries which supplied the basic building materials to shape the future of Euclid and many cities throughout the Great Lakes Region. This year four organizations received the Bluestone Award which included Euclid Community Policing, Kollander Travel, Dave’s Market and the Euclid Finance Department.
Euclid Community Policing Unit was organized fifteen years ago to help empower officers to solve the problems they encounter as part of their policing duties. Instead of responding to a call and taking a report officers are encouraged to problem solve; to look at the root causes and not just the initial call. Some of the programs that are supported by the Community Policing Unit are PAL, Juvenile Diversion, Hooked on Fishing, Coffee with a Cop, Lunch with a Cop, Safety Town, and Citizens Police Academy. Kollander World Travel first opened in 1923 and specializes in creating heritage tours, especially to Slovenia, Croatia and Central Europe. They sincerely care and cater to the specific desires and needs of their clients. The Saltzman family, owners of Dave’s Market made a commitment and investment in downtown Euclid many years ago and today, they continue to be longstanding community partners and supporters. And last, but not least the Bluestone Award was given to the Euclid Finance Department who earned the State of Ohio, Auditor Award with Distinction for excellent financial record keeping. I am proud to say that Euclid is one of only 5% of Ohio’s cities that earned this distinction.
As I looked around the room at the Business Awards dinner, I was very proud of the many wonderful people, businesses and organizations that make Euclid a great place to work and live. The Chamber’s Executive Director Sheila Gibbons, its Board and members, are dedicated in offering an array of resources and activities throughout the year to assist and promote the business community. I am thankful for the people who work at doing the best they can to make their businesses and our community the best it can be.
Your Mayor,
Mayor Bill Cervenik