Brunswick Thanks Strongsville for Its Compassion, Support

Brunswick Mayor Gary Werner said residents in his city were touched by the outpouring of support from Strongsville following the crash June 3 that killed four high school students.

In a letter to Mayor Tom Perciak, Werner thanked the Strongsville community for the hundreds of blue-and-white ribbons and the signs that adorned Pearl Road June 7, offering support to Brunswick residents traveling to for Lexi Poerner's wake.

"The condolence and consolation those ribbons and messages conveyed were deeply appreciated by all," Werner wrote.

The , who, with help from about 15 volunteers, spent hours tying ribbons, making signs and attaching them to utility poles along Pearl Road.

The Brunswick mayor said one sign in particular captured the sentiment: "Rivals Only On the Field" reflected the unifying effect the tragic accident had on both communities.

"I wanted to be sure to convey to you that these many touching gestures did not go unnoticed," Werner wrote.

In addition to Lexi, Jeffrey Chaya, 18, Blake Bartchak, 17, and Kevin Fox, 18, were killed in the crash on Boston Road in Columbia Township.

Warner, a Strongville mom, said she was inspired to organize the effort here after a chance meeting with Lexi's parents the day before their daughter's wake. 

Perciak read Werner's letter at Monday's City Council meeting.

"In this trying time for our city," Werner wrote, "acts like those of your residents provided real comfort to us, and we wanted them to know it."