November 2019

For many of us, the holiday season begins this month with the celebration of Thanksgiving. It seems to be an appropriate time to acknowledge and thank those who are primarily responsible for making our City a great place to live, work, and play.

Our Police and Fire Departments do an outstanding job in protecting our community. This year Police Chief Jack Beckwith provided valuable data and guidance in determining where to install our new traffic control devices. There has been a marked decrease in speeding in these targeted areas as a result of his efforts. Fire Chief Todd Ungar and his team garnered significant grants to provide our firefighters with improved equipment necessary to serve our community. Service Director Lee Bock along with our City Engineer continued our stormwater management improvements with projects completed or underway in Two Town Ditch, East 364th and 365th Streets and cleanup efforts in Ward Creek. Chief Building Inspector Darryl Keller, along with Zoning Inspector Karen Brooks, has been instrumental in researching, reviewing, and editing a significant zoning code update. Tom Thielman, our Economic Development Director, has been working tirelessly in attracting new business to Willoughby with a focus on our Lakefront District and increased efforts to reduce vacancies in downtown. Parks and Recreation Director Judean Banker successfully concluded a three-year senior center construction effort, and her team is working on exciting summer programming for the Lakefront District. Law Director Mike Lucas crafted legislation to help create an ESID, a program to assist in financing energy-saving initiatives, and a Lakefront SID to assist our lakefront property owners in addressing erosion issues. Our Finance Director Diane Bosley has done an exceptional job of managing our finances and keeping a watchful eye on both revenues and expenses.

In all, these directors and their teams have provided exceptional service to our City.

A final note is a reminder that November 5th is Election Day. Below is a brief summary of what is on the ballot:

Willoughby City Council: Six (6) of the current Willoughby City Council Members are on the ballot, and all are unopposed. The 7th Member of Council (Ward 6) is also unopposed and replacing retiring Councilman Harrold.

Issue 2 Laketran: Shall sales and use tax be levied for all transit purposes of the LAKETRAN Regional Transit Authority at a rate of 1/4 of 1% for ten years effective January 1, 2020.

Issue 3 Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library: 1 Mill Renewal Levy – Current Expenses – Ten Years – Commencing 2019 Tax Year.

Issue 4 Willoughby-Eastlake City School District: 4.99 Mills Additional – Current Expenses – CPT – Commencing 2019 Tax Year.

Willoughby City Ward 4 Precinct C Local Option Petition: Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages & spirituous liquor be permitted for sale on Sunday between the hours of ten a.m. and midnight by 5858 SOM Center Rd. LLC, also known as Zeppe’s Tavern, an applicant for a D-6 liquor permit authorizing on-premise sales who is engaged in the business of operating a family-oriented, full-service Italian restaurant & tavern at 5870 SOM Center Rd., Willoughby, Ohio 44094 in this precinct?

Wishing you a very Thanksgiving!