Welcome to Beachwood 2019. 2018 was a year of new beginnings. We welcomed a new Mayor, two new Councilpersons and new Council leadership, a new Law Director, and a new Communications Coordinator. As a team, Council, our Directors and I began exploring projects and city management in light of new technology, changing demographics, new economic development trends, and increasing efficiency while expanding the services provided to our residents, businesses and visitors.

Safety, fire, and rescue services are our highest priority. In 2017 Council authorized the addition of 5 new police officers and an Assistant Chief position in 2018. We are also creating a K-9 unit. Chief Haba has been working on increased security at Beachwood Place and throughout the city utilizing both increased personnel and new technology. Early this year, the administration will propose a new Police Station for discussion by Council. 2018 marked the opening of our new Public Safety Center that replaced fire station #2 and also includes training facilities, the dispatch center and an emergency operations center.

In 2018, we established the position of full time communications coordinator now staffed by Lynn Johnson. Through Lynn’s efforts we have greatly increased our social media presence and continued to move forward with a complete website redesign. We have also created a successful and expanding block party program to help neighbors meet one another and build an improved sense of community.

2018 marked the completion of the work of the Citizens Charter Review Committee. These residents provided suggestions to update our City Charter, a project that had not been done for 20 years. Their suggestions were modified by Council and approved by Beachwood voters in November. We also completed a major revision to our Zoning Code which, among other changes, expands the potential uses in Beachwood Place and Commerce Park to increase development opportunities and our competitiveness.

This was a very active year for Council. They approved a program that will help complete all of our sidewalks in a 3-4 year period. They approved a dog park which should open in late spring or early summer. They have approved the continuation of our senior rubbish curbside pickup with our partner, Village in the Heights. At Council’s direction, Beachwood’s housing rules and employment practices now include protection against discrimination of the LGBTQ community. Council passed progressive legislation to allow city employees paid parental leave. In an effort to achieve greater efficiency in our operation, including cost-reduction and green practices, Council has approved the hiring of Municipal Solutions to do a City wide operational audit. Finally, at the end of the year, Council passed a landmark piece of legislation, based on an idea put forth by Bryden’s third grade students to pay for seatbelt installation on new school busses up to $250,000.

Our Community Service Department continued to break records with over 1000 residents enjoying our Aquatic Center on Memorial Day, more than 6000 people attending the 2nd annual Beachwood Fall Festival and 3000 kids and parents celebrated the 19th year of Honkin’ Haulin’ Hands-On Trucks at the Public Works Center. Our Public Works Department continued to provide unmatched street maintenance, snow removal, rubbish pickup and city beautification including our winter light display. In 2019, they will do so under the supervision of our new Department Head, Chris Arrietta.

2018 marked the opening of several new businesses in Beachwood including Hello Bistro, Bomba Tacos and Rum, Lindey's Lake House and Diamonds Direct-all at the Beachwood Life Style Center. We welcomed the Aster luxury apartments and 2400: 12 newly constructed luxury townhomes on Richmond. This year our Economic Development Department conducted a series of meetings with major developers to determine interest in a public-private partnership for Commerce Park. And we are holding meetings with Brookfield Properties, the new owner of Beachwood Place to offer our assistance in development

The state of the City of Beachwood is vibrant, dynamic and forward thinking. We are building on our past successes, continuously improving the quality of life for our residents and committed to expanding our strong commercial base and dedicated to planning ahead to insure we remain a premier city for decades to come. Thank you to our Council, Directors, employees and residents for all of your hard work and support. We are all excited for an even greater 2019.

YouTube: Beachwood 2018 Year in Review video

Voting is one of the most important rights we have as American citizens.  Your participation ensures that laws and government leaders represent and reflect our community.  Please spend a few minutes making sure that you are ready to vote in our November election by following these suggestions.

• Ohio is actively purging its voter rolls this year. Check here to find if your voting status is in jeopardy.
  
  
• If you are in danger of being purged; have recently moved or changed your name; or just need to register for the first time, update your registration here.  The registration deadline is October 9, 2018 for the November 6, 2018 General Election.
  
  
• Check that your Voter ID is current (as of Election Day November 6, 2018) and ready.  Common forms of ID may include:
  • An unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state identification card with present or former address so long as the voter’s present residential address is printed in the official list of registered voters for that precinct;
  • A military identification;
  • A photo identification that was issued by the United States government or the State of Ohio, that contains the voter’s name and current address and that has an expiration date that has not passed;
  • An original or copy of a current utility bill/current bank statement/government check with the voter’s name and present address.
  • “Current” means within the last 12 months.  Note: You cannot use as proof of identification a notice that the board of elections mailed to you. Voters who do not provide one of these documents will still be able to vote by provisional ballot.  Full ID requirements are here.
    
    
• Be informed and take some time to research the candidates and issues on your ballot.  You can get a sample ballot here. The League of Women Voters – Ohio provides nonpartisan information about candidates and issues online.
  
  
• Vote EARLY, if at all possible!  You can do it two ways: absentee or early in-person at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115. 
  • To vote absentee, apply for a vote by mail ballot before November 3, 2018 at noon.  Once you complete your ballot, it must be returned to the Board by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by the post office by the day before Election Day.
  • Or even easier, vote early in person at the Board. There is free parking at the Board. Voting begins October 10, 2018 and continues weekdays and a few weekend days through November 5, 2018.  See the complete schedule here.

• If you plan to vote on Election Day (again, November 6, 2018), confirm your polling location in advance.  Polling locations can change year to year, so be sure you have the most current information and print out a copy to bring with you in case of any question.

• Serve your community on Election Day!  If you are 17 or older on Election Day, you can apply to become a paid poll worker.  Cuyahoga County needs more than 4,500 people are needed on Election Day to help staff the polls, transport ballots and materials, and maintain political balance.  This is a wonderful way to support our democracy and assist your neighbors.  Training is provided and no prior experience is needed.

• Lastly, please share this list with friends and family and encourage everyone to participate fully in our election process.  People listen to someone they know and trust.  

Your encouragement can be powerful.  If anyone needs a ride to the polls, or other help getting ready, lend a hand: the future of our city, state, and country depends on all of us. See you at the polls!

One of the many things I love about Beachwood is that our residents know how to celebrate summer! To all of you whose children participated in our summer camps, we hope a great time was had by all. It has been wonderful seeing everyone spending family time in the sunshine at the Beachwood Family Aquatic Center.

Our Movies in the Park were another great opportunity to spend time with your friends and family while enjoying a terrific film and some very creative flavors of popcorn from the crazybuttrue gourmet popcorn truck.

I’m also thankful for everyone who has hosted a block party: if you want to host one before the snow falls, please call Lynn at my office: 216-292-1905. The City of Beachwood will provide supplies and one-stop coordination to help make your block-party planning as simple as possible.

Our Public Safety Center ribbon cutting and open house on Aug. 26^th was a historic day in the life of our city. Hundreds of residents attended the festivities and I’m grateful to all who turned out to take a tour, to learn more about this multi-purpose facility, and even to pet a Dalmatian (or 20). It was very moving to see children studying the 9/11 memorial on the PSC’s second floor; we are grateful to the late Richard Barson, a long-time Beachwood resident, for sharing some of his memorial collection with us. Fire Captain Phil Corpora had the opportunity to reassure Mr. Barson that his newspaper front-pages, postcards, photos, and the 9/11 steel he procured for our City would be given a place of honor in the new safety facility. I hope somehow he knows that his collection endures for the next generation of Beachwood residents.

Just because our outdoor temperature has dipped from 95 to 65 doesn’t mean we’re hibernating – far from it! I invite you to come to the 19^th annual Honkin’ Haulin’ Hands-On Trucks event this Sunday, Sept. 16, from noon-3:00 p.m. at the Beachwood Municipal Service Center (23355 Mercantile Rd.). Children can get behind the wheel of more than 30 trucks and fire engines, take part in craft activities, and even get their own driver’s license. This is a free event and it’s always a great time!

Speaking of a great time, September is a wonderful time to clear unwanted items or paper from the household. We will host a free Shred Day and Habitat for Humanity  donation day for residents on Saturday, Sept. 22^nd. If you are unable to participate due to the Sabbath, please call our Community Services department at 216-292-1970 and arrangements will be made.

Looking ahead, the 2^nd annual Beachwood Fall Festival will be held on Sunday, Oct. 7 from noon – 5:00 p.m. at the Beachwood City Hall parking lot. This free event is presented by City of Beachwood, Beachwood City Schools, and the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce. It will feature food trucks (including coming-to-Beachwood restaurant City Barbeque), a unique boutique, crafts, games, a pumpkin patch, live music, and two ninja courses with a guest appearance by American Ninja Warrior athlete Michelle Warnky. Not to be missed!

Before we know it, it will be November. There are many critical decisions on the General Election ballot for city, state, and federal issues that will matter to us in Beachwood. Take a moment to check your voter registration status now before it’s too late.

Thanks for reading. My best wishes to all for a wonderful autumn!