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State Of The City Of Vermilion
The State of the City, State of the Schools address, presented by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, took place on Thursday, March 20th at German's Villa. Garry Mortus, Chamber Chairman, welcomed guests followed by an invocation by Pastor Cliff Morris. Bruce Keller, Superintendent, presented the State of the Schools address. Keller stressed the need for constant improvement in education as the information age has the global economy shifting in focus away from the production of physical goods and towards the manipulation of information. Keller expressed Vermilion City Schools sets the highest standards and is among the finest school districts in the state. Retiring at the end of this year, Keller received two standing ovations for his dedicated service to Vermilion's schools.
Mayor Jean Anderson presented the State of the City address.
"THERE ARE MANY DETAILS THAT HAD TO BE ARRANGED TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR CONGRESSWOMAN KAPTUR TO BE HERE TODAY, AND WHILE I MAY NOT BE AWARE OF ALL OF THEM, I DO KNOW THAT THE SEED THAT HAS BOURN THE FRUIT OF THIS DAY TOOK ROOT A FEW YEARS AGO THROUGH THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF SOME DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS KNOWN AS THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF VERMILION, AND BECAUSE CONGRESSWOMAN MARCY KAPTUR SERVES HER ENTIRE DISTRICT OUR DREAM BECAME REALITY TODAY THANKS TO HER VISION, HER LEADERSHIP, AND HER SERVICE TO VERMILION. BY INCLUDING US IN HER PLANS THE STATE OF OUR CITY JUST GOT BETTER TODAY. PLEASE STAND AND JOIN WITH ME IN THANKING CONGRESSWOMAN MARCY KAPTUR."
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur presented a check for $1 million in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Transportation to assist the city in establishing a rail “quiet zone.” The members of Concerned Citizens of Vermilion worked for several years to secure the funds. The organization is chaired by Coletta Kubik.
"LAST YEAR OUR MEETING HERE WAS OPENED BY OUR DEAR FRIEND MAUREEN COE THE PRESIDENT OF THE VERMILION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A FEW MINUTES INTO THE EVENT SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS NOT FEELING WELL, SHE NEEDED TO LEAVE AND WOULD I PLEASE DO THE INTRODUCTIONS. OF COURSE, I REPLIED. WE NOW KNOW THE END OF THE STORY AND THOUGH WE LOST THE INDOMITABLE FORCE OF MOE IN THE PHYSICAL, WE KEEP HER SPIRIT AND GOODWILL CLOSE IN ALL THAT WE DO. THANKS TO PAM COOPER AND SANDY GRISEL THE CHAMBER HAS NOT MISSED A STEP. PAM WILL CARRY ON AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER AND SANDY WILL ASSIST HER.
ADDITTIONALLY, AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU TO CLIFF GERMAN, AND HIS STAFF FOR NOT ONLY DO THEY ACCOMMODATE OUR NEEDS TODAY, BUT THEY SERVE US FOR OCCASION AFTER OCCASION.
AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MEMBERS OF THE CITY ADMlNISTRATION ARE HERE TODAY."
Mayor Anderson introduced the members of the City Administration.
"A LIFETIME AGO I SAT IN TYPING CLASS PRACTICING FOR SPEED AND ACCURACY TYPING THIS SENTENCE: 'NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY.' THOSE WERE THE DAYS OF VIETNAM, RACIAL AND POLITICAL UNREST AND THOSE WORDS HAD DEPTH AND MEANING. THAT 'NOW IS THE TIME' HAS BECOME OUR HISTORY. THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW-YET THE MESSAGE REMAINS THE SAME. BEFORE WE LOOK AT THE NOW OF THIS TIME, LET US TAKE A QUICK GLANCE BACK AT THE YEAR THAT WAS 2007.
2007 WAS A YEAR OF CHANGE, UPGRADES AND PREPARATION. IT WAS A YEAR OF DECISION AND COMMITMENT TO PURPOSE. IT WAS A YEAR OF POSITIONING OURSELVES TO ACHIEVE GOALS, ALL THE WHILE KEEPING OUR EYE ON THE BUDGET. WE STILL HAVE MUCH TO DO AND OUR RESOLVE IS SOLID AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH STREET MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENTS, AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF WATER AND SEWER LINES. WE PRESS ON, FINDING STORM WATER SOLUTIONS, RETAINING AND BUILDING OUR JOB AND TAX BASE AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES FOR ALL.
WITHOUT COOPERATION AND A WILLINGNESS TO COME TOGETHER, OUR ACCOMPLISHMENT WILL BE LlMITED AND IT WILL TAKE LONGER TO GET WHERE WE NEED TO BE. FROM THE FIRST DAYS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION TO NOW, THERE HAS BEEN ONE CONSTANT MESSAGE. ONE GLEAMING BEAM OF HOPE THAT I HAVE STRIVED TO BRING TO THIS OFFICE, ONE GOAL THAT I HAVE FAITH CAN YET BE ACHIEVED. WE CAN AND WE MUST PUT ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES AS INDIVIDUALS. WE MUST STOP OFFERING OLIVE BRANCHES AND INSTEAD, ARM IN ARM TOGETHER PLANT A SEED FOR THE FUTURE OF US ALL. NO SINGLE PUBLIC OFFICIAL HAS ALL THE ANSWERS AND THE SOONER EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WHO HOLDS AN ELECTED OR APPOINTED POSITION IN PUBLIC OFFICE COMES TO THAT REALIZATION, THE SOONER THE PEOPLE AS A WHOLE WILL GET THE GOVERNMENT THEY SO RICHLY DESERVE.
I DO NOT ASK FOR YOU TO JOlN MY TEAM, NOR DO I ASK FORA PLACE ON YOUR TEAM.
INSTEAD I AM SUGGESTING THAT FOR THE COMMON GOOD, TO SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY AND PROSPERITY THAT WE CONJOlN TOGETHER AND MOVE BOLDLY FORWARD. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY THAT I CAN LOOK OUT UPON VERMILION AND SAY WITH PRIDE 'ONE CITY ...ONE COMMUNITY'.
LOOKING AT 2007 IN DEPTH, WE WILL BEGIN WITH A FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT.
IN OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT, WE UPGRADED OUR FlNANCIAL SOFTWARE FROM A SYSTEM THAT HAD BEEN IN PLACE FOR OVER TWO DECADES. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS DO NOT COME WITHOUT CHALLENGES. OUR STAFF HAD TO COME WITH EXTRA PATIENCE EVERYDAY AND OUR PUBLIC AND VENDORS HAD TO HAVE AN EXTRA MEASURE OF PATIENCE AS WELL. FOR THAT WE SAY THANK YOU. WE CONTINUE TO ADD CLARITY TO OUR BUDGET BY DELINEATING FUNDS SO THAT SPENDING ON PROJECTS CAN BE TRACKED ACCURATELY. THE FINANCE DIRECTOR HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH OUR UNION NEGOTIATIONS, AND SPENT HOURS WITH THE STATE AUDITORS, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT IN REGARDS TO THE REQUEST TO ANSWER THE FISCAL WATCH QUESTION. FINANCIAL PLANNlNG IS ESSENTIAL, ESPECIALLY DURING OUR CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. CUTTING BACK ON THE AMOUNT OF BORROWlNG THIS CITY HAS RELIED ON IS ESSENTIAL TO SOUND FISCAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND IMPROVING OUR CITY'S ECONOMIC WELLBEING.
IN PREPARATION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH OUR CITY NEEDED TO MAKE A FEW UPGRADES IN THE AREA OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY. WE REPLACED OUR TELEPHONES AND COMPUTERS AND PUT IN PLACE NEW EQUIPMENT WITH AN ABILITY TO FINALLY BE NETWORKED WITH ALL DEPARTMENTS. THIS HAS MADE US MORE EFFICIENT, AND MORE CONNECTED. WE WERE ABLE TO DO THIS THROUGH GRANT MONEY AND A NET RESULT OF COST REDUCTION. IN ALL HONESTY~ THESE CHANGES PROVIDED MANY FRUSTRATIONS, ACTUALLY THESE ARE THE TYPES OF CHANGES THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON WOULD PUT OFF FOREVER IF THEY COULD, BUT WE MET THE CHALLENGES AND WE ARE NOW POISED FOR REAL PROGRESS AND THE PROMISE OUR FUTURE OFFERS.
IN OUR UTILITIES DEPARTMENT WE HAVE A NEW UTILITIES BILL FORMAT THAT GIVES CUSTOMERS THE BENEFIT OF RECEIVlNG THEIR BILL IN AN ENVELOPE WITH A RETURN ENVELOPE, THE NEW SYSTEM GIVES A 1 YEAR USAGE HISTORY, AND ALLOWS US TO COMMUNICATE WITH EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN THE CITY THROUGH MAIL INSERTS WITH THEIR BILLlNG. THIS NEW SYSTEM DOES ALL OF THIS AND PROVIDES A MARGINAL COST REDUCTION TO THE PROCESS.
IN 2007 OUR BUILDING DEPARTMENT REGISTERED OVER 550 CONTRACTORS, ISSUED NEARLY TWO THOUSAND PERMITS, CONDUCTED OVER 800 CONSTRUCTION INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED OVER 1400 VIOLATION NOTICES.
IN 2007 OUR STREET DEPARTMENT FILLED HUNDREDS OF POT HOLES ON 75 STREETS.
WE WILL CONTINUE THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR STREETS. OUR SERVICE DIRECTOR, DAN SQUIRES HAS AN OVERFLOWING AGENDA FOR 2008. SOME HIGH POINTS ARE OUR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2008 WHICH INCLUDE; PARKLAND, FERNDALE, HAZELWOOD, WOODSIDE, AND VIRGINIA. THESE ROADS WILL BE COMPLETED IN COOPERATION WITH BROWNHELM TOWNSHIP AND THE TAX DOLLARS PAID TO BROWNHELM TOWNSHIP BY VERMILION CITY RESIDENTS. ALSO IN CONJUNCTION WITH BROWNHELM TOWNSHIP WE ARE PLANNlNG TO SHARE IN THE ISSUE 1 GRANT FUNDS TO DO NORTH RIDGE AND ERIE ROADS. THESE EFFORTS ARE PERFECT EXAMPLES OF BROWNHELM TOWNSHIP AND THE CITY OF VERMILION WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL. ODOT WILL BE REPAVlNG RT 6 FROM OUR EASTERN CORPORATION LINE TO OUR WESTERN CORPORATION LINE AND THEY WILL REPAVE RT 60 FROM LIBERTY SOUTH TO SAILORWAY DR. THIS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE AUGUST AND OBLIGATES THE CITY TO A COST SHARE OF $575,000.00.
BECAUSE THE COST OF THE STREETSCAPE IS LESS THAN PROJECTED, WE WILL BE ASKING THE ERIE COUNTY MPO COMMITTEE TO ALLOW THE CITY OF VERMILION TO USE THE REMAINlNG UNUSED FUNDS TO REPAIR JERUSALEM ROAD. MPO MONEY CAN ONLY BE USED ON SELECTED ARTERIAL ROADS. IT IS BECAUSE OF THAT REQUIREMENT, THAT WE HAVE SELECTED JERUSALEM ROAD.
AN ADDITIONAL LIST OF ROADS WILL BE GIVEN TO CITY COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AS AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION IN THE 2008 BUDGET. WE ALL KNOW THAT ROAD MAINTENANCE IS NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO IT SENDS A POSITIVE MESSAGE TO POTENTIAL NEW BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS AND PROVIDES REASSURANCES TO ALL OF US WHO ALREADY CALL VERMILION HOME.
AS FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO CORRECT STORM WATER FLOODING ISSUES IN THE MORTON, ERIE, ELBERTA AND NIAGARA ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY.
IN 2007 WE COMPLETED THE SHOWSE OUTFALL AND EAST EDGEWATER STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS, THE EAST LIBERTY SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION, WATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENTS, THE REPAIR OF THE 16" WATERMAlN CROSSING THE VERMILION RIVER, THE BOYNTON ROAD WATERLINE REPLACEMENT AND THE SAILOR WAY STORM SEWER REPLACEMENT AT SAILORWAY AND RT 60. SOME OF THESE PROJECTS WERE MANDATED TO THE CITY BY THE EPA IN 1992. OUR GOAL IS TO PUT THE CITY BACK ON TRACK TO BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE EPA MANDATES, THEREBY PREVENTING THE INCURSION OF LARGE FINES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE. ADDITIONAL PROJECTS ON THE HORIZON TO KEEP US IN COMPLIANCE ARE, SPECIFICALLY, THE ELBERTA BEACH AND THE ROMPS SANITARY OVERFLOWS. CURRENTLY WE ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR THE DOWNTOWN WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT. WE ARE GOING OUT TO BID FOR THE EAST LIBERTY WATER LINE EXTENSION. PROJECTS ARE GETTING DONE AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS IMPROVING.
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lPAL AND IT IS NOT A WISE PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE WILL SEE ADDITIONAL WATER RATE INCREASES. THlS IS THE RESPONSIDLE CHOICE NOT THE FEEL GOOD CHOICE. IT IS NOT A CHOICE I WANT TO MAKE BUT RATIIER A CHOICE THAT I REQUIRED TO MAKE.
OUR SEWER FUND IS IN THE SAME SHAPE. THOSE RATES ARE SET BY CITY COUNCIL, AND I KNOW THEY ARE WRESTLING WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. THE GOAL OF THIS ADMINISTRATION IS TO PROVIDE DEPENDABLE SERVICE, REDUCE THE DEPENDENCE ON DEBT, AND CONTINUE TO BUILD A HEALTHY WATER DELVERY SYSTEM. AS A CITY WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE SERVICES. WE HAVE A CHOICE.... , WILL WE CONTINUE TO PAY THROUGH BORROWING, OR WE WILL PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICE WITH THE REVENUE AVAILABLE? BOTH OF THESE FUNDS GET MONEY TO PAY EXPENSES BY FEES CHARGED FOR SERVICES. THE MAYOR SETS THE WATER RATES AND THE CITY COUNCIL SETS THE SEWER RATES. IT IS SIMPLE, ALL WATER AND SEWER SERVICE, MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE PAID FOR OR SUPPORTED BY WATER AND SEWER RATES. THESE FUNDS OPERATE LIKE A BUSINESS. CUSTOMERS PAY FOR SERVICE WHICH ENABLES THE BUSINESS TO PAY ITS BILLS.
IN REGARDS TO THE ECONOMIC CLlMATE AT A LOCAL LEVEL I SHARE SOME INFORMATION AND CONCERN ON THE REAL ESTATE FRONT: IN 2005 THE NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD WAS 200; IN 2006 THE NUMBER SOLD WAS 167; IN 2007 THE NUMBER SOLD WAS 159; THE PROJECTION FOR 2008 IS EVEN LESS. WHAT CAN WE DO AS A CITY TO TURN TIllS AROUND?
IN 2007 I INITIATED AN ECONOMIC RETENTION AND EXPANSION INITIATIVE. WITH THE INTENTION OF KEEPING OUR CURRENT BUSINESSES HERE BY LEARNING THEIR NEEDS AND FACILITATING THEIR PLANS WHETHER FOR RENOVATION OR EXPANSION. IN 2007 WE SAW COLEY'S BREAK GROUND AT THEIR NEW LOCATION. WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH COLEY'S. THlS HELPED THEM BUILD THEIR NEW FACILITY, KEPT THE CURRENT JOBS HERE AND ASSISTED IN THEIR GROWTH IN BUSINESS AND EMPLOYEES. ALSO IN 2007 WE WELCOMED CLEVELAND QUARRIES TO VERMILION. TOGETHER WITH CLEVELAND QUARRIES OWNER RUSS CIPHORS, THE CITY PUT TOGETHER ANOTHER TAX INCENTIVE. THlS TIME IT WAS AN INCOME TAX GRANT. THlS IS RELATIVELY NEW IN THE STATE OF OHIO, BUT WE PERSEVERED AND ACHIEVED OUR GOAL. THIS WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT WOULD PARTNER WITH WHAT THE STATE WAS OFFERlNG, AND THE STATE EXPECTED SOME FORM OF A CITY INCENTVE IN ADDITION TO THE STATE PORTION. WHEN A CITY DOES NOT HAVE A STASH OF CASH TO OFFER, THE INCOME TAX GRANT BECOMES AN OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER SOMETHING. I AM PROUD OF THAT INITIATIVE. IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN WE WORK CREATIVELY TOGETHER. IT BROUGHT A QUALITY EMPLOYER TO OUR CITY, ADDED ANOTHER 28 JOBS, AND IS ANOTHER STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
CONCLUDING 2007 OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED MORE DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND DISABLED OFFICERS THAN HAS BEEN THE CASE IN MANY YEARS. REGISTERING 5 AUTO-RELATED FATALITIES, NONE OF THEM RELATED TO OR RESULTING FROM A SIMILAR PATTERN. ALL OF THEM TRAGEDIES. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO PROMOTE TRAFFIC SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS, BICYCLE SAFETY AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY. THEY CONTINUE TO PUT FORWARD A GREATER EFFORT ON SAFETY DURlNG THE PROM SEASON, THEY PUT MUCH TIME lNTO THE SAFETY TOWN AND DARE PROGRAMS KEEPlNG OUR YOUNGEST RESIDENTS INFORMED AND MINlMIZlNG RISK-TAKlNG BEHAVIORS. ALL OF THE PREVENTION FOCUS BY OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT EARNED THEM A COMMUNITY TRAFFIC SAFETY AWARD FROM AAA FOR THE YEAR OF 2006. THEY CONTINUED THESE PROGRAMS THROUGH 2007 AND KEPT THEM ON THE AGENDA FOR 2008. ARRESTS WERE MADE IN ONE OF THE WORST REPORTED CASES OF VANDALISM IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY. THE NUMBER OF BURGLARIES DROPPED IN 2007, AND THE CHIEF CREDITS THIS TO THE SHARP PATROL WORK BY OUR NIGHT SHIFT. TWO NEW PATROL OFFICERS TOOK ROOT IN THE VERMILION POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 2007. LAST YEAR THEY ADDED TO THE PART-TIME ROSTER, KEPT THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IN PLACE, AND ARE BACK IN THE RANKS OF THE DRUG TASK FORCE. THEY CONTINUE THEIR MARINE PATROL, AND TOGETHER WITH BORDER PATROL AND HOMELAND SECURITY EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR RIVER AND WATERFRONT SAFE AND SECURE.
MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED A FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, ALONG WITH A NEWLY APPOlNTED FIRE MARSHALL. WORKlNG TO MAKE OUR CITY COMPLIANT WITH STATE FIRE CODE GOES A LONG WAY TO PREVENT FIRES AND DECREASE LOSS IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE. NOTING TODAY THAT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED TO 140 lNCIDENTS IN 2007. THEY CONTlNUE A RIGOROUS TRAINING SCHEDULE, THEY CONTINUE TO RECRUIT AND ARE CURRENTLY STAFFED WITH 36 ACTIVE MEMBERS. 2007 SAW THE ADDITION OF TWO 2008 F-250 SUPER DUTY PICKUPS AND THE DELIVERY OF THE 2008 PUMPER-TANKER, EARLY THIS YEAR.
TO ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ON BEHALF OF ALL VERMlLION RESIDENTS, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECT US AND KEEP OUR CITY SAFE AND SECURE.
OUT IN FRONT OF THE SAFETY NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS IS OUR SAFETY DIRECTOR. NOT ONLY DO WE DELIVER WATER AND SEWER SERVICES BUT IT IS CARL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INSURE THAT THOSE SYSTEMS STAY SAFE AND SECURE. FROM HYDRANTS TO SECURING BUILDINGS, CARL SCHMIDT KEEPS WATCH. HE KEEPS AN EYE ON ADA REQUIREMENTS, FORMULATES PLANS FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WHETHER WE HAVE A WEATHER RELATED CRISIS OR A PANDEMIC FLU. HE OVERSEES THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS DURING SPECIAL EVENTS, HE MONITORS THE SAFETY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. HE ATTENDS WORKSHOPS ON A REGULAR BASIS ALLOWING THE CITY TO SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER YEAR IN OUR WORKERS COMPENSATION RATES. SAFETY IS A PRIORITY EVERYDAY AND I SINCERELY ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO STAY INFORMED, DILIGENT AND RESPONSIBLE IN YOUR PERSONAL RESOLVE TO LIVE, DRIVE, WORK, AND PLAY SAFELY.
A PRODUCTIVE 2007 CONTINUES INTO 2008 FOR OUR VERMILION PORT AUTHORITY. THEY HAVE COMPLETED UPGRADES TO THE SOUTH STREET BOAT RAMP AND PORT OPERATIONS OFFICE. HAVING SECURED FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS AND ADDITIONAL $134,000.00 LOW INTEREST LOAN FROM ERIE COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNlNG THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH SOME WELCOME ENHANCEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE TO THE MCGARVEY'S LANDING MARINA AND TRANSIENT DOCKING FACILITY. DREDGING SOUTH OF THE FRANCIS SMOLKA BRIDGE. LAST YEAR SAW SOLD OUT WEEKENDS AND INCREASED REVENUE WITH NO LESS EXPECTED FOR THE 2008 SEASON.
THIS YEAR WILL BE FULL OF MANY CHALLENGES FOR OUR DOWNTOWN AS THE STREETSCAPE PROJECT WILL GET COMPLETED. 2008 COMPLETES OUR 3RD CDBG GRANT. THlS HAS MADE POSSIBLE THE RESTORATION AND REVITALIZATION OF THE DOWNTOWN.
THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET ORGANIZATION VERMILION WILL HOST A TRIATHLON ON AUGUST 17TH. MAIN STREET HAS ADDED TO THEIR ALREADY FULL AGENDA AS THEY CONCENTRATE ON VITALITY IN OUR DOWNTOWN.
OUR YOUTH CENTER BECAME A REALITY, OPENING IT'S DOORS IN 2007 WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A GRANT FROM THE ERIE AND OTTAWA COUNTIES MENTAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY BOARD, THROUGH BAY SHORE COUNSELING SERVICE AND THE EFFORTS OF SOME VERY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS. THEY NOW HAVE COMPUTERS AND OTHER RECREATION EQUIPMENT LOCATED IN WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN OTHERWISE UNUSED SPACE AT THE CITY SERVICE BUILDING BEHlND THE SKATE PARK ON DEVON DRIVE.
ALONG WITH ANOTHER VERY COMMITTED AND ACTIVE VOLUNTEER BASE I AM WORKlNG ON A NORTH OHIO COMMUTER RAIL COALITION. OUR GOAL IS TO SEE TO SEE COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE FROM CLEVELAND TO VERMILION AND WEST TO SANDUSKY. WE ARE WORKlNG DILIGENTLY TO UNITE LORAIN COUNTY TO FIND A SOURCE OF FUNDING TO SEE THESE TRAINS ON THE TRACK. BY WORKING TOGETHER THROUGH THE REGION WE WILL BE ABLE TO BOARD THESE TRAlNS TO GET TO WORK AND TO THE AREAS OF RECREATION WE ALL ENJOY. THIS WILL BOOST THE ECONOMY AS WELL AS ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT ALL OF NORTHERN OHIO.
AS OF TODAY, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE INSTALLATION OF QUAD GATES AT OUR RAILROAD CROSSINGS TO ESTABLISH A QUIET ZONE THROUGHOUT OUR DOWNTOWN HISTORIC AND BUSINESS DISTRICT. OUR SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, BUSINESSES, TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS WILL ALL FEEL THE RELIEF FROM THE CONTINUOUS BLASTING OF TRAIN WHISTLES, AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE INCREASED SAFETY AT OUR CROSSINGS. YES, ABSOLUTELY, WE CAN REALIZE DREAMS, YES, ABSOLUTELY WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR GOALS, AND YES WE ARE MOVING FORWARD FOR A BETTER VERMILION.
STILL, WE HAVE MUCH TO DO. NOW IS THE TIME. LET US WORK TOGETHER WITH GOODWILL, WITH SPIRIT AND WITH UNPARALLED VISION. LET US BE CERTAIN THAT WE WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE LEAVE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, AND LET US ALWAYS PRAY THAT GOD WILL BLESS OUR EFFORTS, FOR THE FUTURE WE BUILD FOR OUR CITY, OUR STATE AND OUR NATION. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN AND WOMEN TO COME TO THE AID OF OUR FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE AS YOUR MAYOR AND GOD BLESS US ONE AND ALL."
3/21/08
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