Dear Fellow Residents and Business Community:
I trust and hope that the holiday season brought happiness to each of your householdsand on behalf of myself, my administration, and City Council may you enjoy good health,prosperity, and happiness for 2010.
It is hard to believe, but 2009 brings a close to my first four year term in office as Mayorof our great city. The strong support and trust evidenced by the recent election and the manycalls and well wishes received is greatly appreciated by myself and my family. I promise tocontinue to bring to the office of Mayor, integrity, character, and professionalism. We achieved
many goals during my first term and I am excited as to what the future holds for our communityduring the next four years.
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It is an absolute privilege and honor to serve all of you as Mayor. To
continue to prosper as a community, we need to continue to work
together and reach out to ourfellow residents in need. Together, we can
and will continue to make our home a “Vibrant
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| This report is bitter sweet for me. In 2010 we say good bye to a dear friend and exemplary Councilman in Sam Mercurio and welcome a new member to Council with the addition of Joe Mercurio, Sam’s son. Sam has served the city well and with distinction during his twelve years as a member of City Council. He was the voice of reason, always put the City first, and worked tirelessly to advocate the interests of all residents. We are a better City, today,because of Sam. On behalf of my entire administration and City Council we wish Sam and his family the very best that life has to offer. In addition to Joe Mercurio, Diane Snider, Dave Sasak, and Donna Finney also were elected to new terms on Council. I look forward to my continued strong relationship with Council to move the City forward in the right direction. |
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Since our last edition of the City Focus, the new median strip and I-271 infield landscaping has taken shape. In the Spring, we will complete the plan adding colorful flower arrangements to augment the new positive look of the gateway to our community. Plans for the improvements to the Ross C. DeJohn Community Center were approved and work will commence in January, 2010 to be complete in March, 2010. The Center was built in 1977 and
has served the City well. However, it is time to make improvements to better meet the needs of our community. This project will include capital improvements such as a new 400 square foot addition to the kitchen with new
appliances, an ADA compliant restroom, and new archway to the entrance of the building. Aesthetic upgrades will also be strongly considered. Our ability, for the first time in city history, to receive a $100,000 grant from the State of Ohio made this project possible. New lighting and HVAC issues will be addressed under our Energy Conservation and Efficiency Project that is expected to commence later in the year.
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| I am very proud of the community’s willingness to get involved to help others in a collaborative effort. The Mayor’s Community Council again served homebound residents with the Fall Rake Leaf Pickup and Spring Clean Up programs. Our CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is taking form and many have already received training. Our MIPOD (Mass Inoculation Point of Dispensing) recently conducted a successful H1N1 vaccination program. We have also initiated a Community Block Watch Program, under the supervision of our police department, Detective Joe Leskovec. This program supports bringing neighborhoods together to be more aware of their surroundings and encourage neighbors to reach out and help one another. In this day and age where some try to take advantage of seniors or those who are too trusting, it is important to have a strong neighborhood watch program to look after those who need assistance. As Safety Director, I strongly encourage all to follow good common sense. |
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| If you do not know the person knocking at your door, there is no reason to answer the door. If you answer the door, and then feel uncomfortable for whatever reason, shut the door and call the police. If a contractor is marketing his/her service, before engaging, contact the Better Business Bureau as well as the Building Department to make certain proper permits are obtained. Permits are in place to help residents and ensure that construction is complete in a safe manner. We as a City cannot help unless we are aware of a situation. Please never hesitate to contact my office with any city questions or concerns. |
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| Very Truly Yours, |
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Gregory S. Costabile, Esq.
Mayor/Safety Director |
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From Mayor Costabile
On behalf of my entire administration as well as City Council, we are excited to welcome you to the 2009 Mayfield Heights Community Unity Days.
The Community Unity Days program will assist you as a guide to all of the wonderful activities planned for the entire family to enjoy.
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| In addition to the exceptional
rides, games, and food, this year's Unity Days festival will also
feature the Gold Resident Ceremony, honoring those residents who have
resided in the City for at least 50 years, the Marshall Superstore
Cleveland International Challenge Cup of Bocce Tournament, a casino
tent with proceeds to benefit the Mayfield School District Athletic
Boosters Club, multiple musical concerts for your listening pleasure, a
fireworks extravaganza on Saturday evening that promises to thrill you,
an exciting raffle with a chance to win wonderful prizes including the
grand prize of $2,500, and of course, our elaborate parade on Sunday
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The City’s Unity Days is a great opportunity for all of us to come
together as a community and celebrate Mayfield Heights, enjoy the
company of old friends, and develop new friendships. Enjoy yourselves
and please do not hesitate to come up and say “hello." I, as well as
City Council, are proud to serve you.
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| Very Truly Yours, |
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Gregory S. Costabile, Esq.
Mayor/Safety Director |
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Dear Fellow Residents and Business Community:
Happy New Year! Here
is hoping each and every one of you enjoyed spending time with family and
celebrating the joy of the past holiday season.
On behalf of my administration and City Council we are all excited for
the prospects of another year of strong city services to make you proud of our
“vibrant” community.
The Mayfield Road Improvement project will commence again,
following the winter reprieve, in late March or early April. The entire project is expected to be
completed this year and we remain optimistic that it will finish ahead of
schedule. There will be significant aesthetic upgrades to the median strip on Mayfield Road, as
well as, the infields near the I-271 on
and off ramps. Specifically we expect to
plant 95 Austrian Pines, 65 Hawthorns, 65 Honey Locust and 40 Crabapples.
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We have conducted a retail business survey and corporate park survey. The vast majority of responses were very positive and appreciative of the City's efforts to reach out to these communities and assist where possible. My office, as well as our economic development consultants, continues to conduct meetings with prospective new companies and retail establishments anxious to make Mayfield Heights their home. Economic development is vital to the success of a City as it provides us with the wherewithal to be able to serve all of you in the manner you have grown accustomed to over the years.
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| As a result of our sound financial planning and new developed expertise with regard to grants, we expect to be able to make continued improvements in our City parks this year. In addition, we have begun the design phase of the long overdue improvement project to the City's Ross C. DeJohn Community Center. This center was built to serve our entire community and residents of all ages. It is time to make improvements to meet the current demands of our community. |
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| In addition, we expect to make a technological breakthrough at City Hall by upgrading our cable channel to better serve the residents and business community with up to date announcements of city projects and pertinent information. The entire look of the city cable channel will change for the betterment of all loyal viewers. We will also look to further upgrade our website and will continue to provide information and announcements on the City radio station, AM 1700. |
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| We are grateful for the exceptional support my administration and City Council receives from so many who believe in our mission. Our City Hall family is proud to serve you and thanks you for your dedication and concern for "our" great City. I have an open door policy at City Hall. Should you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. |
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| Very Truly Yours, |
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Gregory S. Costabile, Esq.
Mayor/Safety Director |
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Dear Fellow Residents and Business Community:
On behalf of my entire administration and City Council, we hope you have had an enjoyable and relaxing summer in our "vibrant community." It was a busy, but enjoyable season as we worked on many projects and events in the city.
The improvement project for our signature road continues to proceed in
an efficient manner. Phase I and Phase III of the project are complete
and work in Phase II has commenced approximately three (3) months ahead
of schedule.
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Sound planning and tireless efforts to find ways to accelerate the project will allow us to assist the retail community by having a "winter reprieve" again this season from approximately the end of November, 2008, through the end of March, 2009.
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We continue to place an emphasis on economic development opportunities for the City. I recommended to City Council the contract extension for our economic development consultants, Public Sector Solutions ("PSS"). Thankfully, by a vote of 6-1, Council approved the extension. As a result, we can continue to find ways to make our city more attractive to prospective corporate and retail businesses. We are proud to welcome to our illustrious corporate park the headquarters of Brush Engineered Materials, Inc. Their move to our city will generate over 100 new jobs.
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PSS worked with my administration to receive a Community Development Block Grant from the County for $50,000. We are able to use this money to improve the aesthetic look of Mayfield Road from Lander Road to the Lyndhurst border. We will be planting over 100 trees and assisting businesses in that area with new signage.
Our federal and state lobbyist, the LNE Group, has assisted my office to obtain a federal grant for nearly $500,000 for the Mayfield Road project and a state grant for $100,000 for improvements to our Ross C. DeJohn Community Center.
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In an attempt to reach out to more residents interested in receiving a flu shot, we have partnered with Maxim Health Systems to provide the influenza shots for residents 18 years of age or older. Prior to this, the shots were offered only to seniors. I thank Eileen Adornetti, our Director of Human Services, for her efforts with regard to this matter.
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Special thanks to our Parks and Recreation Department, Director Sean Ward and the Parks and Recreation Commission for all of their work in providing many wonderful events for residents of all ages. Because of their dedication and hard work, residents were able to enjoy a variety of programs including the golf outing wherein we again set the bar by earning over $11,000 for our parks. Community Unity Days was another example of the devotion these individuals have in planning and organizing events that are the delight of many.
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The Mayor's Community Council ("MCC"), a collection of over 30 residents with a deep rooted concern for the welfare of our community, conducted a Spring Clean Up program and will again conduct a Fall Leaf Pick Up program. These programs help those homeowners who are homebound and unable to perform this work for themselves.
It gives me great pride to see a group of volunteers reach out to help others in need.
Let us remember to honor all of those in the military who have given of themselves so that we may enjoy our many rights and freedoms, including the right to vote. Please exercise your right to vote this November.
May you each enjoy a wonderful holiday season. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you.
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| Very Truly Yours, |
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Gregory S. Costabile, Esq.
Mayor/Safety Director |
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“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Anne Bradstreet
I trust all are as excited as I, for the change in season and exciting
events the City has to offer in the upcoming spring and summer months. City
Council has recently approved my budget proposal. The 2008 City Budget will
again keep the City in a sound financial position. Special thanks to our Finance
Director Bob Tribby and his entire staff for all of their hard work and efforts
in this regard. In light of the recent Plain Dealer article depictingthe financial strains of many municipalities, you should feel comfortable and
proud to know that your city officials continue to stay ahead of the curve with
regard to economic development issues to provide our residents and business
community with the very best service in a fiscally responsible manner. |
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| The above referenced quotation is not
only appropriate for the season, but also is a positive reflection with
regard to the Mayfield Road Construction Project. When complete, this
stretch of road on our signature street will vastly improve traffic
efficiency that has plagued the area for many years. As previously
reported, the City’s diligence was rewarded with a nearly $500,000 grant
from the Federal Government wherein for the first time in the history of
the City of Mayfield Heights our name appeared in a bill signed by the
President of the United States to receive a grant toward our Mayfield
Road Project. We are expecting a very productive construction season in
2008 as we have approved a change order to increase the workload from 40
hours per week to nearly 60 hours per week. The stretch of the project
from Lander Road to Golden Gate Shopping Center remains on schedule to
be complete by July, 2008. In addition, the area from Walmart to the
Gates Mills corporate line is scheduled to be complete shortly
thereafter. |
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| Our economic development consultants, in
collaboration with my office, the building department, and finance
department, were successful in obtaining a grant from the County for
landscape development and business storefront improvements from Lander
Road westbound to the Lyndhurst corporate line. Another beautification
project is now complete and shortly we will be replacing our “welcome
signs” with a new sign that has been a true community effort. The
Mayor’s Community Council, comprised of nearly 45 residents interested
in volunteering their time for the betterment of the City, was extremely
instrumental with regard to designing the new signs. Recently, City
Council unanimously approved the purchase of the new signs. |
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I am proud to announce the hiring of the
URS Corporation as the City’s new engineering firm. I, on behalf of City
Council and my entire administration, send a heartfelt “thank you” to
Tom Hippley and Fisher & Associates for their many years of dedicated
and professional service to the City. We wish Tom well in his
retirement. URS and our designated engineers, Dave McCallops, P.E. and
Joe Ferenczy, P.E. have already hit the ground running and I am
looking forward to a rewarding relationship with our new firm with many
years of top service to our residents and business community. |
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| I thank all of you who responded to our
city wide survey, provided in the last version of our City Focus. Your
comments, concerns, and compliments are appreciated and will be put to
good use to continue to improve upon our ability to serve. We will
continue to find ways to communicate and educate with regard to city
services and information beneficial to both the residential and business
communities. Please make a special note to tune into the City’s radio
station, AM 1700, the City website at www.mayfieldheights.org , and the
City Cable Channel (Time Warner Channel 23) for up-to-date pertinent
information. |
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| May all of you enjoy a safe, fun, and
relaxing summer. I look forward to seeing you at our many wonderful
events. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
me and City Council. |
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| Very Truly Yours, |
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Gregory S. Costabile, Esq.
Mayor/Safety Director |
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Dear Mayfield Heights Residents
and Business Community:
I hope that each of you enjoyed a fun and relaxing Summer. We, at City
Hall, remained busy finding new and improved ways to better serve all of
you and maintain the high standard of living that we have come to enjoy
as residents of the great City of Mayfield Heights!
It is my pleasure to introduce the City’s first Human Resources
Director, Joseph T. Lubin. I recommended to City Council, and City
Council unanimously approved, the creation of the Human Resources
Department. |
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With 130 full time employees and approximately 100
part-time seasonal employees the creation of this department will allow
us to address the needs of our valuable employees so that in turn we
will be able to better serve the community. The most important assets
of any vibrant and successful business are the employees who work hard
in a collaborative effort to make the entire group that much better. We
are fortunate to have the very best employees ready, willing, and able
to serve our entire community.
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The Mayfield Road Construction Project continues to move
along on schedule. The utility work has been completed in Phase I
(Golden Gate Shopping Center West Drive to Lander Road) and the concrete
will be poured for the South side of Mayfield Road in this Phase in the
near future. We conducted appropriate meetings with the various schools
in the area so that the beginning of the school year would not adversely
affect traffic along our signature street and would ensure that students
would arrive at school in a safe and timely manner. Our police
department continues to take proactive steps to maintain a presence
during the construction project, as well as, on adjacent streets
providing alternate routes for travelers to maintain a safe and
efficient traffic flow. We will remain vigilant to make sure this major
project will continue on schedule. I attended meetings with our federal
representatives in Washington D.C. to support the receipt of federal
dollars to assist with the financial aspect of this project. I feel
confidant we will be able to receive assistance in the near future.
I
am very proud of our local businesses that remain resilient during this
construction project. The website
www.saveonmayfield.com has
assisted current and prospective customers of our various retail
businesses to not only determine the most efficient route to the
business but also with valuable money saving coupons. We will continue
to provide construction updates by way of our cable channel (Channel 23
on Time Warner Cable), web site (www.mayfieldheights.org),
through my reports to City Council, and on our AM Radio Station.
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I recommended to City Council and Council also embraced
the idea of creating the City’s first ever AM Radio Station. Once the
actual station number is determined and up and running, we will be sure
to provide to all residents. The radio station will allow us to provide
up to the minute vital information to all residents.
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Community Events conducted this Spring and Summer were a
tremendous success. Our Memorial Day presentation, co-sponsored by the
Mayor’s Community Council (residents interested in volunteering time to
get involved to improve our community), was heartfelt and inspiring.
Special thank you to Marv Blankfeld for all of his efforts making this
day a special day for all who attended. The City golf outing earned the
most money, ever, that will be used to continue to improve our parks and
recreational activities for residents of all ages. Recreational
activities throughout the park including day camp, swimming, baseball,
softball, kickball, field trips, movies in the park, and concerts in the
park provided enjoyment to all participants. Our Community Unity Days
festival was again a great opportunity enjoyed by many to come together
as a community to socialize with one another. This year we added our
inaugural annual International Bocce Tournament bringing in 53 teams,
including a team from as far as Canada to our community.
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| Please make sure you thoroughly read the Fall/Winter '07
City Focus. It is packed with information from each of the City Hall
Departments and provides a list of City Council legislation passed since
the May, 2007 Focus. City Council and I remain available to address
your needs and concerns. Should you have any questions or comments,
never hesitate to contact me directly. |
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Very truly yours,
Gregory S. Costabile, Esq.
Mayor/Safety Director |
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