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Mayor's Newsletter Update

Dear Friends,
 This year The City of Brook Park will be celebrating our 50th birthday as a city. We incorporated in 1960 and have many events planned culminating with a big bash Homedays weekend. Each month we will have fun-filled activities you and your families can enjoy leading up to Homedays. Let’s get busy and fill you in on the most recent information in and around our town.
Railroad Update
The Snow Road Railroad Underpass is nearly complete. The last piece will be the placement of additional lighting in the center median. It has aesthetically enhanced the entrance to our City when entering from the east. We still have some lingering horns at the Railroad Quiet Zone on the westerly CSX track. We report days and times to CSX officials when horns have blown. We will keep working on it until the last horn blows and we have improved your quality of life.
Smith/Hummel Sewer Improvement
We reported earlier we received $1.4 million in Federal government stimulus money from the American Recover and Reinvestment Act, which will help pay for the Smith/Hummel Sanitary Relief Sewer Project. The project gets started this fall and should be completed in approximately
one year. We have been very fortunate that in all of our major projects we have secured financial assistance through local, state and federal funding sources. Any and all progress we make comes at an expense but it is important to keep improving our infrastructure for the betterment of our City.
Economic Development
Our two largest employers in the City have generated positive news of late. The UAW members at Ford Motor recently agreed to pass a concession package in hopes of landing new product and investment commitments in the future. We continue to work closely with the UAW leadership and Ford Motor Company in their quest to be the world leader. In addition, some of the 365 acres that make up the Ford property will become available for other economic possibilities. NASA continues to move forward as the test flight of the Ares I-X Rocket is a landmark for the Glenn facility and a pivotal moment for the space agency. More than 200 Glenn engineers, technicians, and managers have contributed to this historic test flight of the Constellation program to explore the Moon and Mars. On October 28, 2009, the flight was launched and it was a great success.
It is so important for NASA and the Glenn facility. It is vitally important that all of our local businesses succeed. Our primary source of funding is income tax revenue and with the job losses, we have experienced a significant reduction in our revenues. To offset this we have made many changes in our operations and will make more changes as needed. We expect 2010 revenues to be less than 2009. In the past year, we have had a number of employees retire. We will replace only where there is uniqueness to the position or a limited number of employees that must be maintained. No services have been cut. It is always our goal to provide the very best in Safety and Service.
Eastland Road Project
Another project of interest is the Eastland Road Project. All three communities are participating; Brook Park, Berea and Middleburg Heights. Total cost is nearly $18 million, including sewers, pavement, curbing and bridgework. Over 90% of the project was funded with the three communities splitting the remaining portion. The project has been difficult and has experienced many delays. Completion date is set for May 2011. We appreciate the patience of our residents and businesses throughout this process.
Beautification & Pride Committee
The BPC is working hard to promote our City and to encourage our residents to keep up their properties. Those of you who provide extra care and effort in beautifying your homes may even be nominated by a neighbor and be an award winner. All award winners receive a yard sign to display in their yard. It is important to maintain your property. Keep your trees and shrubs trimmed and your yard mowed. Take some time and help keep our City looking good.
Citizen of the Year
Nomination forms are available in our newsletter and are being accepted for this year’s Citizen of the Year. Please let us know about someone who is special, thoughtful or helpful. Someone who is not seeking to be recognized, however, because of all they do, should be. Forms are available at City Hall, the John A. Polonye Community Center, and the Brook Park Library. The Citizen of the Year and other community group winners will be honored this spring at our Best of Brook Park event.
Donate to Those in Need
Our food pantry, REACH, is asking all of us to open our hearts and donate food or money this holiday season to those less fortunate. The Holiday Season is a time of peace, joy, and love of family and friends. It will certainly help make someone’s holiday happier. The REACH office is located at 5590 Smith Road and they are open Monday and Thursday, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. You can reach them at 216-433-4168.
Salute and Honor our Heroes
We ask that you keep all of our military men and women in your thoughts and prayers. We have created a “Salute and Honor Our Local Heroes” Board at the Community Center. Please drop off a photo and let us know where your loved one is and what branch of service they are in so that we may post it.
Office of Aging
Our Senior Club, which meets every Tuesday morning, is a great way to meet new friends, laugh a lot, take some trips, and much, much more. New members are always welcome. What are you waiting on call Mary Ann or Joan today at 216-433-4136. They will provide you with all the information you need.

We hope that young and old will come and enjoy the fun and the City of Brook Park’s Administration and City Council look forward to seeing all of our hometown friends and neighbors
on the Midway at this year's Community Days Celebration!
Have a safe summer.

Mayor Mark J. Elliott