Message from the Mayor

I love my community!  I had the opportunity to hear a speaker recently at the Cleveland Leadership Center’s conference who wrote a book titled “For the Love of Cities.”  Peter Kageyama, the author and keynote speaker discussed the important relationship between people and their places.  He contends we should not just be working to make our cities more livable, but also more lovable.  Cities cannot just strive to be functional and safe but must also work to be comfortable, interesting and fun!  This is where the relationship between city and residents comes in.  When we love something, we cherish it; care for it; protect it; defend it; do extraordinary things for it.  Just like people, when cities are loved-- they can flourish and can achieve great things. 

“Loving” your city can mean different things to different people.  For some it might mean taking on a leadership role, being an activist and working to make change happen.  For others, it might mean being involved in your neighborhood association, volunteering, attending a community event, taking care of your home and yard, picking up litter, or just smiling and saying hello to a neighbor.  “Love” in a city can be found in a park space, public art, care of a public building, a music performance, block party, a community gathering, a sporting event, etc.  While not everyone can serve in an official role, anyone with an emotional connection to the City can make an impact and make our city more lovable.   It is those people who have an emotional connection or are engaged in our city that can and do make a difference.  One thing that’s certain is that when we love something or someone, we exude positivity!

In order to encourage residents to be creative and engaged in our community, we are once again making Engage Euclid Grants available.  These small grants (up to $500) are available to groups of residents who have an idea to create positive change in our community, create a grassroots community project to encourage resident involvement, or to create/encourage partnerships to build a strong community.  Past projects have supported “Wednesday on the Porch,” neighborhood beautification projects, and community building events.  For more information, please contact Kristal Grida at kgrida@cityofeuclid.com or call 216-289-8268.

A great example of loving our community is the “This is Euclid” Annual Art Walk.  This event will take place Saturday, September 15th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm in downtown Euclid.  It will include artists, music, vendors, and art activities as well as specials in local businesses and restaurants along Lakeshore Blvd.  I hope you will join us to celebrate, help beautify and “love” our community.    

Do you want to strengthen your relationship with your city?  Do you have a great idea to make our City better, more “lovable?”    I would love to hear it and work with you to make it happen, khgail@cityofeuclid.com or 216-289-2751. 

Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail