Schools Want Voters to Rezone Land for Future Use; City Says Plan Might Not Fly

Strongsville officials warn district to come up with a plan for vacant property first

  The Strongsville school district wants to rezone a vacant 17-acre parcel off Pearl Road, adjacent to Strongsville High School property, for potential future development. "We own it," said Mark Donnelly, business manager for the schools. "We can't use it without having it properly zoned." The district is asking to have the parcel, located behind Jardine Funeral Home, rezoned from R-1 residential to Public Facilities. Donnelly said there currently no plans to develop the land, but said it makes sense get the rezoning out of the way now. "Right now, there are no plans. It's just, we own it, so we might as well zone it right," he said. But Strongsville officials said this week they're not sure voters will approve the change without knowing …

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5 Charter Amendments on Strongsville Ballot This Fall

Issues include changes in hiring employees

  Strongsville voters will see five proposed changes to the city charter on the November general election ballot. The changes were recommended by a special committee put together to review the city's charter for updates. The changes would: • Allow the mayor to appoint a police chief from officers who rank sergeant or higher and a fire chief from firefighters who rank lieutenant or higher. Former Councilman Ray Haseley, who co-chaired the commission, said the change aims to increase the pool of candidates. • Clarify the status of council clerks at city employees. The clerks would still serve at the pleasure of council, but would also be subject to the policies and rules that govern other Strongsville employees. • Update the requirements to …

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Flashback Photo: Bonnie Park in 1938

Photo is from Cleveland Memory Project

  This photo is from The Cleveland Memory Project, a look at Cleveland-area history and a vast photo archive presented by Cleveland State University Libraries.  Strongsville Patch will feature more photos over the next few weeks. 

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News of the Week: Teachers Strike Costs City; Enrollment Dropping; Road Project Ahead

Here's what's been going on in Strongsville

  A rundown of the top Strongsville stories this week: Teachers strike costs city cash -- Strongsville has to transfer money into police account to cover the cost of overtime from security during the strike. School enrollment dips -- Officials expect a significant decrease in the number of students next year. Homes in foreclosure -- 11 properties go to sheriff's sale in May. Road work ahead -- The city hires an engineer to unsnarl traffic at the Albion-Prospect roads intersection. Upgrades at schools -- Plans for building a new middle school and updating other buildings are moving forward quickly. Schools to cut pay-to-play fees -- The superintendent recommends reducing pay-to-participate costs by at least half. Man living in woods -- …

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Traffic-Jamming Intersection to Be Addressed

Strongsville hires engineering firm to tackle another snarl

  The city has hired an engineering firm to design a way to fix traffic snarls at the intersection of Albion and Prospect roads. City Engineer Ken Mikula said the solution will include widening the intersection and putting in left-turn lanes, as well as new signals. The project will involve reconstructing the entire intersection with concrete and new drainage, and could also include adding a right-turn lane, if warranted by a traffic survey. Currently, there are no left-turn lanes on either eastbound or westbound Albion. But the project hinges on finding funding, Mayor Tom Perciak said. "Non of this can happen without grant money," Perciak told City Council on Monday. "We'll pray for grant money then," Ward 4 Councilman Scott Maloney said…

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Organizations that Provided Free Tax Help Encouraged to Apply for IRS Grants

Northeast Ohio organizations that have provided free tax preparation and filing services to local taxpayers are encouraged to apply.

Teachers' Strike Cost Strongsville Thousands in Police Overtime

City has to transfer money to cover expense of security at schools

  The eight-week teachers' strike in Strongsville cost the city $275,100 in police overtime and benefits. City Council Monday night transfered $231,800 into the police department's account to cover the salaries of officers stationed outside schools, meetings and school board members' homes during the eight-week strike, and another $43,300 in to the police pension fund. "That's a lot of potholes," Councilman at large Duke Southworth commented during a committee meeting Monday night. "It was a huge inconvenience to the taxpayers of the community," Mayor Tom Perciak replied. "But we're sworn to provide safety, and that's what we're going to do." The first four weeks of the strike cost the city $135,000 in police overtime, Finance Director Joe…

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Don't Fall for Charity Schemes Following Marathon Bombing, Texas Explosion

Our IRS blogger writes about the latest scams and tells you what to watch for.

Strongsville Asks State to Build Noise Walls Along Turnpike, I-71

Council passes resolution asking for a share of bond money

  Strongsville officials are asking the state to build sound barriers along the Ohio Turnpike and I-71 when it sells bonds on the turnpike this year. The state is expected to generate $1.5 billion -- to be used for road projects throughout Ohio -- through the bonds. Strongsville City Council last week approved a resolution urging state legislators to send some of that money here for noise walls. "Now's the time to line up for funding from the turnpike bonds," said Councilman at large Duke Southworth, who sponsored the measure. In fact, Southworth said Strongsville should aggressively pursue the money for other projects, even a long-discussed I-71 interchange at Boston Road. State Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-7, has also championed bringing noise …

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