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I would like to thank the Euclid Joint Veterans Council for once again organizing an amazing tribute in honor of all Veterans and specifically the Veterans from our City of Euclid.

 I am proud to come from a military family and am thankful that, at a very young age, my parents instilled a strong and deep-seated patriotism, respect for service and country within me

 Clearly this day of remembrance strikes each of us in different ways and it brings back memories from years ago. Each of us has our own stories and memories.  Here is one of mine that came to mind as I embarked on the journey of the day…..

 My younger self was taught to appreciate our servicemen and our veterans.   I was a mere child during the Vietnam War. My earliest memory is of Eddie, a family friend who was called to service, a call that he bravely answered.  I remember my family receiving letters that came to my house in those very decorative red, white and blue-rimmed airmail envelopes.  Envelopes that one-day abruptly stopped coming, they just stopped.

Have you been cited for peeling paint and are having a hard time finding the funds to pay for it? Are you in need of a wheelchair ramp but are unable to afford it? Do you have a dead tree on your property that you are afraid will fall on you, your family or your home and do not have the income to remove it? The City of Euclid’s Planning & Development Department may be able to help.

It's not unusual for the EFD to assist EPD and other law enforcement agencies. However, one recent encounter was unique. This letter of commendation was submitted to the EFD administration from Lt. Scott Svonovec about FF Kevin Shea and FF Brian Caimi:

"On the morning of April 26, 2017 at approximately 10:30 am, the above-mentioned members (while on duty) entered Simon's grocery store at 25831 Euclid Ave. and witnessed a theft attempt. Upon entering the store, Kevin and Brian observed a store employee attempting to stop a patron from exiting the store with two bottles of liquor hidden under his clothes. The female employee removed the bottles of liquor and tried to keep the patron from leaving the store. It was obvious to the two members that the employee required assistance. Kevin and Brian stepped in and kept the patron from fleeing the scene while EPD responded.

The action taken by these two members exemplify what being a member of the Euclid Fire Department is all about. Due to their high level of situational awareness, this matter came to a safe ending."

Svonovec continued, "I would like to commend these two members for their dedicated service and commitment to keeping our community safe."

We couldn't agree more. Strong work, gentlemen!

Spring is the perfect time to work on your home. Most residents have or will receive a letter from the Mayor to make you aware of several programs that the City of Euclid, in partnership with several community organizations, has made available to assist you in repairing and rehabbing your home.  

The Cleveland Restoration Society’s Heritage Home Program offers free advice, personalized site visits and access to a low interest loan to complete your project. Your home must be 50 years old or older. This program is available to owner-occupied and investment properties and is available to people of all incomes.

EDCOR offers a no fee, 3% rehab loan to income eligible homeowners. EDCOR assists with identifying code violations, writing specifications and choosing and paying your contractor. Special terms are available to seniors and the disabled.

The City of Euclid’s Special Projects Division offers certain services to income qualifying homeowners  free of charge. These services include: exterior painting, vinyl siding, wheelchair ramps, and dangerous tree and limb removal. Wheelchair ramp construction is also available to investment properties in rare circumstances. Please be aware that there is a waiting list for most services.

You might often hear the phrase that Euclid is a community of communities.   Ever wonder what that means?  Strictly by the old dictionary on my desk, community can mean people having common interests, common work or other similarities.   Communities just don’t happen by chance.   They rest upon another similar word: communication.  Again, that old dictionary defines communication in part as giving and receiving as in giving and receiving information.

No matter where in live in Euclid, the strength of our individual communities and Euclid in general rests upon this very basic task of sharing and learning from an with your neighbors. 

Euclid is blessed with many wonderful street and block clubs and more informal clubs that serve to bring neighbors together to share information and ideas and to just get to know someone.    But it is even more basic that that.   A simple wave, or smile or a hello can do wonders to turn strangers into someone you see, someone you help, and someone you are considerate of.

Notice I have not mentioned the government of the City.   We have plenty of ordinances that govern behavior:  loud music; when to put out and take in your trash carts; fireworks prohibition; how to feed birds; wearing bicycle helmets; overnight parking, and on and on.   All very important in keeping our neighborhoods strong, desirable, etc.   It’s important that if you see something, say something.

So, as summer approaches and we all enjoy the good weather let’s each one of us commit to these words:  “don’t be a stranger, be a good neighbor.”   

Euclid's 87th Memorial Day Parade, which was held on Monday, May 29th, again upheld the city's proud tradition of honoring veterans and active military personnel.  Many entities were gathered including community groups, businesses, churches, and a plethora of neighbors and guests.

It is with great enthusiasm for what can occur in this city as a whole and how we can best represent the residents in our individual wards that make being the current Ward 5 Councilwoman an honor.  This is a different role than when I was twice elected as a Councilperson-at-Large.  My current role puts me more in touch with individuals and the specific issues impacting them.  Many times a single issue is brought forward by several different residents.  This requires not only addressing the individual issue, but in many cases, council members from all wards can then come together to address as a city wide concern or issue.

It is refreshing to work with the many facets of the downtown district redevelopment.  It is becoming more pedestrian friendly with shops and restaurants that folks can enjoy.  The Lakefront which borders much of Ward 5 is also being actively developed to encourage more waterfront access.  We are beginning to see home values slowly rise again. And of course we cannot forget the lovely cranes that are currently on Lakeshore Blvd., a part of development for our future clean water needs. All of these projects must be developed and implemented while assuring fiscal accountability for our city’s future.

Here is the band line up:

7/13 Wreck'n

7/27 The Benjaminz

8/10 Chardon Polka Band

8/24 Rubix Cubed.

Food trucks: Barrio Tacos, Jackpot Chicken, Fire and Ice wood fired pizzas, Savannah's kettle corn, Serene Caffeine and Chris' ice cream truck for dessert. 

The Euclid Fire Department will be flushing hydrants throughout the city in the coming weeks. Areas to be flushed will be posted at least one day in advance. Please make sure to run cold water through your faucets to clear any dirty or rusty water through your system prior to consumption or use for cleaning.