City of Lakewood, Ohio

November 19, 2008
MAYOR PROPOSES GREEN REFUSE INITIATIVE
COUNCIL TO CONSIDER AUTOMATED REFUSE COLLECTION

Mayor Ed FitzGerald presented a plan to City Council to automate refuse collection in the City as part of the 2009 Budget Hearing focusing on Refuse which took place on November 18, 2008. City Council will consider this plan as they make decisions about the City’s 2009 Budget.

The Green Refuse Initiative proposes to automate the City’s refuse collection system. This system will be more efficient, more economical and more environmentally responsible than the current system. The plan calls for all homes in the City to receive a refuse collection container which the city will provide. Residents will place this container on their tree lawn on their collection day and refuse truck with a mechanical arm will lift the containers off the street, empty it into the truck and return the container to its original position. Collection of recycling and large item collection will remain the same. Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Cuyahoga Falls, Solon, Beachwood and Bowling Green already use an automated refuse collection system.

This system will result in a significant savings in operational costs for refuse collection including decreasing the number of vehicles necessary for refuse collection, decreasing fuel costs and decreasing vehicle repair costs. It will also provide a more environmentally friendly way to collect garbage reducing the City’s fuel usage and emissions. While their will be an initial capital outlay for trucks and containers, the City will save large amounts in operating costs and the capital will pay for itself.

Another goal of this initiative is to increase recycling efforts citywide. Throughout 2009, the City will place a stronger emphasis on raising residents’ awareness about our recycling programs and encourage all residents to recycle. In Lakewood, residents can recycle all glass bottles and jars, metal food and beverage containers, all plastics with the recycling symbols #1-7, plastic grocery bags, paper, cardboard and yard waste. For more information about recycling, visit the City of Lakewood website at www.onelakewood.com/pw_refuse.html.

“We want to make refuse collection more efficient, more economical and more environmentally friendly in the City of Lakewood”, stated Mayor FitzGerald. “I look forward to working with City Council to turn this initiative into a reality.”

When Mayor FitzGerald took office at the beginning of this year, the City faced the biggest deficit in its history. Throughout this year, there has been an ongoing evaluation of the services the city provides in an effort to deal with the serious, ongoing budget challenge facing the city. All division and departments have faced cuts and are continually looking for ways to make their divisions run more efficiently and economically. However, the 2009 budget projections indicate there will be a million dollar deficit.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no refuse or recycling collected on Thursday, November 27, 2008. Residents whose refuse is normally collected on Monday will have collection on Monday. Residents whose refuse is normally collected on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday should have their refuse and recyclables available for collection on the day before their regular day and it will be collected either on that day or their regular day. Residents whose refuse is normally collected on Friday will have collection on Friday.

Residents are reminded that refuse and recycling should not be placed on the curb or tree lawn until after 6:00 p.m. on the night before your collection day and should be available for collection by 6:30 a.m. on the collection day.

In addition, all Lakewood City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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November 3, 2008
LAKEWOOD PARK TENNIS COURTS GRAND OPENING SET FOR NOVEMBER 8th

The City of Lakewood will hold a Grand Opening Ceremony for the newly resurfaced tennis courts at Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Avenue, on November 8, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. (Rain Date: Nov 9th). The new courts are one of the several projects that have been completed as part of this year’s Parks Initiative. The Grand Opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tennis exhibition featuring top ranked, local tennis players.

Lakewood Park now offers four newly resurfaced tennis courts (one can be used as a teaching court). The tennis courts feature a Flex Court® all-weather, low maintenance tennis surface which is designed with complete expansion and contraction to fit every climate condition. The surface is self draining, fast drying and leaves no standing water. You are able to play on the surface minutes after it stops raining. Flex Court® is much cooler than concrete or asphalt and has a 25-30 year life expectancy. This playing surface is engineered for maximum shock absorption and grip to reduce body fatigue and prevent against injuries.

The City was able to obtain this court surface at-cost thanks to Bill Dubusker, a Lakewood resident who sells Flex Court®. Bill generously offered to waive his commission fee to make this park improvement more affordable for the City. Lenny Weiss, another Lakewood resident, donated the net poles for the renovated tennis courts.

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October 27, 2008
LAKEWOOD VETERANS DAY CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 11TH AT NEWLY RENOVATED VETERANS MEMORIAL

Mayor Ed FitzGerald, Lakewood City Council and the Lakewood Veterans Committee will host the City of Lakewood’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday November 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the newly renovated Veterans Memorial at Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Avenue. Prior to the Veterans Day Ceremony, there will be a special rededication ceremony at 10:30 AM to commemorate the new Veterans Memorial.

At the beginning of this year, Mayor FitzGerald and his Administration began meeting with the Lakewood Veterans Committee to discuss a renovation project for the Veterans Memorial. The result of that partnership is the newly renovated Memorial. The renovations to the memorial include making the site more accessible for people with disabilities, replacing the concrete pad surrounding the Veterans Monument, adding a brick paver walkway, shifting the memorial area so it faces north instead of south, new landscaping and adding military markers for each branch of the armed services.

“I am pleased that we are able to hold our annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the new, beautifully renovated Veterans Memorial,” stated Mayor Ed FitzGerald. “This project is a wonderful example of how the City and a community group can work together to accomplish great things.”

Lakewood’s annual Veteran’s Day observance is a tribute to the men and women who served our country in the armed forces. The program will begin with the Presentation of Colors followed by the singing of the national anthem by the Sunshine Committee.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Patrick McLaughlin, a 1964 graduate of Lakewood High School. McLaughlin volunteered for the draft in 1966 and served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam from January 1967 to January 1968. He was assigned as an infantryman to “C” Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, First Infantry Division. He attained the rank of staff sergeant. In addition to the combat infantry badge, McLaughlin was awarded a number of decorations including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver and Bronze Stars.

Upon completion of his active military duty, he attended Ohio University (BGS 1972) and Case Western Reserve School of Law (J.D. 1976). He has been inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame (class of 2003), and the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor (class of 2004). McLaughlin is one of only nine veterans inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor. Patrick McLaughlin is President of the Greater Cleveland Veterans Memorial, Inc; and holds membership in the Society of the First Infantry Division; the 18th Infantry Regiment Association; the American Legion; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. McLaughlin is a founding partner of the Cleveland law firm of McLaughlin & McCaffrey, LLP.

Other highlights of this year’s program include a performance by the Lakewood High School Band and a 21-gun salute by the Joint Veterans Honor Guard.

Following the Veterans Day Ceremony, coffee and doughnuts will be offered in the Woman’s Club Pavilion at Lakewood Park.

October 24, 2008
MADISON PARK PLAYGROUND GRAND OPENING CEREMONY SET FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

The City of Lakewood and the Friends of Madison Park will hold a Grand Opening Ceremony for the new playground at Madison Park, 13029 Madison Avenue, on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 11:00 AM.

The new playground has a state-of-the art safety surface and lots of new equipment. The Kids Choice® Three Level Mega Tower, geared toward 5-12 year olds, features multiple slides and climbers in addition to a rock wall. The Tots Choice® play structure, which is a smaller structure geared toward 3-5 year olds, features monkey bars, a goldfish bridge, slides and climbers.

In addition to the larger playground equipment, there is also a swing set which includes baby swings and swings for older children, various play activity stations and a bumble bee and motorcycle spring rider.

For parents, the playground includes an umbrella covered circular bench so parents can sit and watch their children right on the playground. Adjacent to the playground is a new covered pavilion which has picnic tables that can be used for birthday parties or a family gathering.

“We were pleased to partner with the Friends of Madison Park to collaborate on the new Madison Park Playground,” stated Mayor Ed FitzGerald. “This is just one of several parks initiative projects that we have been working on this year.”

October 20, 2008
HALLOWEEN TO BE OBSERVED ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31ST
Free High Visibility Tape, Glow Necklaces and Safety Tips Offered

The City of Lakewood will observe Halloween between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2008.

The Lakewood Division of Fire is distributing reflective tape for children’s costumes and glow necklaces through October 31st at all three Lakewood fire stations between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The glow necklaces were generously donated by the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.

The City offers these safety tips for parents, residents and drivers:

In an effort to reduce the City’s labor and disposal costs, the City of Lakewood will discontinue weekly refuse pickup from apartments with five or more units beginning on December 1, 2008. This change comes out the ongoing evaluation of the services the city provides in an effort to deal with the serious, ongoing budget challenge facing the city.

It is expected that this cost saving measure will save the City about $150,000 in disposal costs and labor per year. The apartment rental business in Lakewood is large and this change affects approximately 300 buildings ranging from 5 units to 150 unit complexes. About 100 buildings of this size already pay for their own trash removal pickup. Most other cities in the area do not collect from apartments of this size or from businesses.

The city will continue to collect yard waste, paper and plastic curbside recycling and bulk items such as furniture and appliances from these apartments. In addition, the Berea Road Refuse Recycling Facility will still be available as a drop-off service for all residents.

Property owners with questions about this change can contact the Division of Refuse and Recycling at (216) 252-4322.

October 17, 2008
NINTH ANNUAL “PUMPKIN PALOOZA” TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH

The City of Lakewood youth service organization, Help to Others (H2O), will co-sponsor the 9th Annual Pumpkin Palooza on Sunday, October 26, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Avenue. All proceeds will benefit the Lakewood Christian Service Center and the Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation. Pumpkin Palooza is also presented by the City of Lakewood’s Department of Human Services, Lakewood City Schools, Lakewood Hospital, Lakewood Public Library, Lakewood non-profit and civic organizations, LHS Student Organizations and Lakewood Early Childhood Professionals.

Pumpkin Palooza serves as the culmination of a citywide pumpkin-decorating challenge as well as a celebration of “Make A Difference Day” in Lakewood and will involve other Lakewood-based civic groups. “The Great Pumpkin Patch” will be filled with decorated pumpkins donated by various artists and organizations. Festival goers will have the opportunity to participate in a pumpkin raffle to win their favorite pumpkin. The “Harvest Moon Café” will feature pizza, baked goods and beverages. In Autumn Adventureland, there will be crafts, carnival games and a costume parade at 2:00 p.m. There will also be scary and not-so-scary storytelling in “Sleepy Hollow.”

Pumpkin Palooza is open to the public. Festivalgoers are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Lakewood Christian Service Center and Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation. Tickets may be purchased for food, beverages, the pumpkin raffle and the various activities. Tickets will be priced at 25¢ each. Admission to Pumpkin Palooza is free.

The Lakewood Neighborhood Block Club Program will hold its first city-wide block captains’ meeting on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the Lakewood City Hall Auditorium, 12650 Detroit Avenue. All current block club captains are invited to attend. Mayor FitzGerald will be in attendance to update block captains on the progress being made with the 2008 Public Safety Initiative.

This will be a great opportunity to meet other block captains, hear about current progress and voice any concerns and questions about the block club program. Residents who are interested in starting a block club on their street are also welcome to attend this meeting. Anyone interested in attending this meeting should RSVP by November 6, 2008 by calling (216) 529-6657 or sending and e-mail to terri.richards@lakewoodoh.net.

Lakewood Neighborhood Block Club is a resident-driven program that helps neighbors work together and work with police and other City departments to ensure safety and security for each person in the community. Block Club operates under the community policing principle that preventing crime and improving our City is everyone’s responsibility. It is successful because people want to assume a more active role in their communities and they work together in a partnership with the City to reduce or eliminate the threat of crime and enhance the quality of life for all.

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October 15, 2008
KEEP LAKEWOOD BEAUTIFUL TO HOLD LEAF HUMUS AND WINTER HARDY PANSY SALE ON OCTOBER 18TH

Keep Lakewood Beautiful will hold a Leaf Humus and Winter Hardy Pansy Sale on Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (or until sold out) in the Old Stone House Parking Lot at Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Avenue. Leaf Humus will be pre-bagged and sold for $3.00/bushel. Winter Hardy Pansies will be available for $15.00 per flat of 36. This sale will take place rain or shine.

Keep Lakewood Beautiful is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote public interest in the general improvement of the environment of Lakewood. The volunteer board initiates, plans and coordinates programs for litter control, solid waste reduction and beautification.

The City of Lakewood will begin collecting loose leaves on Monday, November 3, 2008 and will continue until approximately December 12, 2008 weather permitting. Prior to November 3 and after December 12, leaves will be collected only when they are placed in paper yard/leaf bags and set out along with your regular refuse and recycling.

Due to the excessive amount of leaves on Clifton Boulevard and Lake Avenue, these streets will be collected separately. Collection crews will start working at the east end of Clifton Boulevard and Lake Avenue and work west until completed. Collection pick-up for these streets is scheduled to begin on November 3 with additional pick-ups beginning November 17 and December 1.

After crews have completed Clifton and Lake, they will collect leaves citywide starting from the west end and working east. Pick-up dates are weather and equipment dependent.

For daily leaf collection schedule updates, visit www.onelakewood.com/leafcollection.

In order to make the leaf collection process as effective as possible, the City asks residents to please rake leaves onto tree lawns as close to the curb as possible. Raking leaves into the street will slow the collection process and may cause basement flooding.

There will be no leaf collection on November 27 and 28 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. If you have any questions, please call (216) 529-6810 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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September 30, 2008
LAKEWOOD HONORS FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS IN ANNUAL MEMORIAL CEREMONY ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH

Mayor Ed FitzGerald, Lakewood City Council and the City of Lakewood’s Division of Fire will honor firefighters who have died in the line of duty at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at Fire Station No. 1, 14601 Madison Avenue. All on-duty fire personnel will gather with fire apparatus at the site of the Firefighter’s Memorial in front of the station. Following the ceremony, there will be a Fire Open House including a tour of the Fire Station and the Fire Museum in Station No. 1 from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.

“We are so very grateful that these individuals put their lives on the line for us every day, and we appreciate the opportunity to thank them and honor them and at our City’s annual ceremony,” said Mayor FitzGerald.

Lakewood’s annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony marks the beginning of National Fire Prevention Week from October 6-10, 2008. Since 1925, the City of Lakewood has joined other towns and cities across the nation in observing National Fire Prevention Week during the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.

In other activities intended to educate the public about fire safety, the Fire Prevention Bureau will visit elementary schools to give safety talks and demonstrate firefighting equipment. The 2008 Fire Prevention Week theme is "Prevent Home Fires".

The Division of Fire is also conducting its yearly Junior Fire Chief essay contest for fifth grade students, and will distribute free high-visibility tape for children’s Halloween costumes starting Monday, October 13th between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at all three Lakewood fire stations. Firefighters will also visit 50-80 senior households on Saturday, November 1st and replace smoke detector batteries as part of the national “Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries” campaign.

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September 29, 2008
LAKEWOOD REAL ESTATE SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16TH

The Lakewood Real Estate Seminar will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club Pavilion at Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Avenue. This annual seminar is designed to showcase Lakewood and its diverse, attractive housing stock. “Where New Meets Old in Lakewood” is the sub-theme of this year’s seminar. Registration forms clicking here or by calling (216) 529-7681.

The seminar will include a morning lecture series and panel discussion on green remodeling and deconstruction techniques that can be effectively incorporated into any custom historic rehabilitation project. In the afternoon, participants will take a trolley tour of the City and will visit several newly constructed facilities and a Lake Avenue home recently deconstructed and remodeled green. The day will conclude with a presentation from the Housing Research and Advocacy Center regarding Fair Housing and accessibility requirements.

This real estate seminar is accredited by The Ohio Division of Real Estate for 4 hours of continuing education for realtors. There is a $55.00 registration fee. Space is limited, so please register early. For further information, contact the City of Lakewood’s Division of Community Development at (216) 529-7681.

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September 29, 2008
FLU SHOT CLINICS TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 6TH

The Lakewood Department of Human Services-Division of Aging and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health will be offering flu shots on the following dates:

Flu shots will be free for all individuals with Medicare Part B, or who are on Medicaid. There will be a $25.00 fee for individuals enrolled in Medicare HMOs or having other insurance. Insurance reimbursement forms will be available. Please bring all medical insurance cards or other documentation to the flu shot clinic.

There will be separate pediatric flu shot clinics for individuals under the age of 18. Their families may also receive their vaccinations at this time. Please call the Cuyahoga County Board of Health at 216-201-2001 for more information.

On September 9th and 10th, 2008, the Lakewood Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force conducted a joint operation to arrest those in Lakewood who are wanted on outstanding felony warrants. A total of eight wanted felons were arrested during the sweep. These felons were either wanted on outstanding Lakewood warrants or were residing in Lakewood on warrants from other jurisdictions.

As an example of the efforts of the joint operation officers arrested a Burl Dillion on charges of Breaking and Entering. Dillion had been listed on the Lakewood Police Department Web site at www.onelakewood.com as one of its Most Wanted. Dillion has been charged with breaking into a local business during the spring and is a suspect in other similar crimes in other communities.

According to Chief Timothy J. Malley, “We have conducted several operations with the U.S. Marshals Office and believe the combination of our resources, directed towards those that violate our laws, helps keep Lakewood a safe and viable community.”

Mayor Ed FitzGerald remarked, “I appreciate the hard work of the Lakewood Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, under the direction of Marshal Pete Elliot, to arrest those that commit crimes and make it known that Lakewood is not a welcome community for them to reside in.”

The Lakewood Police Department currently has Investigator Brian Berardi assigned to the Violent Fugitive Task Force and looks to work with the U.S. Marshal on future operations.