Friday, May 17, 2013
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 …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
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.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
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 -- …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
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…
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Northeast Ohio organizations that have provided free tax preparation and filing services to local taxpayers are encouraged to apply.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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…
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Our IRS blogger writes about the latest scams and tells you what to watch for.
Monday, April 22, 2013
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 …
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Several Patch blogs got you talking this week. We gathered the conversation starters, in case you missed 'em.
We love to get you talking, and this week we had a few blogs that touched on some hot-button issues. Take a glance at these blogs and let us know where you stand in the comments section. We appreciate your input! 1. Rose Petsche couldn't believe Rob Portman's "no" vote on the bi-partisan background check for the purchase of firearms bill. She asks, "Is there any question that money buys political votes?" Read what else she said here. 2. Dr. Barbara Berkeley says this pill is guaranteed to help you lose weight. Which pill? The answer may surprise you. 3. Psychologist Gene Benedetto asks, "Have you really seen any government program that does not wreak of corruption and fraud?" Do you believe crisises are used to create more programs that …
Friday, April 19, 2013
Blogger Rose Petsche says she is disappointed Rob Portman voted "no" on the bi-partisan background check bill. Are you?
Dan Marol
1:58 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2013
Ugh....a little housewife with way too much time on her hands, but I think that's been said before.. more ›