April 2023

CITY OF FAIRVIEW PARK

MAIN STREET CONNECTION

Hello Kathleen,

Spring has arrived and, in this newsletter, there are tips to prepare for the weather, to get ready for planting and outdoor fun!

On Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. at the Gemini Center, Fairview Park City Schools Superintendent, Keith Ahearn, and I will be giving our State of the Community address. All are welcome to attend and we hope to see you there.

As always, please contact me at 440-356-4411 or [email protected] if you have any questions or if my staff or I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Mayor Patrick J. Cooney

STORM INFORMATION

Spring weather can come with strong winds that can bring down power lines. First Energy offers information on preparing for a power outage, how to report a power outage and First Energy's process of restoring power:

PREPARE IN ADVANCE OF A STORM

• Keep electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops and tablets fully charged.
• Have a car charger on-hand to charge mobile devices if your power is out. If you have a smart phone, this will ensure you have access to online information sources.
• Keep a flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries handy in the event of a power outage. Tune to a local station for current storm information.
• Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.
• If you have a sump pump, secure a generator to operate it during a power outage.
• Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
• Consider having a hard-wired phone available to report an outage or emergency. A plain, hard-wired phone can operate on power delivered through the phone line.

REPORT A POWER OUTAGE

It is important that customers call First Energy to report their power outage: 1-888-LIGHTSS (544-4877). Some customers may think their neighbor’s call is good enough. That may not be the case. Your call and your neighbors' calls will help First Energy to prioritize repairs. Also, a caller may request a call back if their estimated time of restoration changes. 

THE PROCESS OF POWER RESTORATION

• First Energy secures any known hazards first – downed wires, for example – usually by sending out Hazard Responders to keep the area clear. They are not trained to make repairs, but to help keep the public safe until repairs can be made. 
• First Energy gives priority to hospitals, police and fire departments and other critical facilities. 
• First, First Energy repairs transmission lines and substations that supply power to the local system. 
• Then First Energy makes repairs that restore the largest number of customers – this is the fastest way to restore all customers. 

Power outages and restoration information can be found here.

Click here for the Ownership Guidelines for Your Home's Electrical System.

NORTHEAST OHIO PUBLIC ENERGY COUNCIL

NOPEC (Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council) is a non-profit group of 240 Ohio communities that negotiates lower utility rates. As Ohio’s largest governmental energy aggregator, NOPEC buys gas and electricity in bulk to help lower customers’ utility bills. NOPEC has served as Fairview Park's electric aggregator since about 2001 and natural gas aggregator since about 2002. Over the past 20 years, NOPEC has saved Ohio consumers hundreds of millions of dollars on their energy costs. NOPEC has also awarded over $34 million in community energy-efficiency grants.

This month, Fairview Park residents and small businesses will be receiving enrollment letters for NOPEC's electric and/or gas aggregations. The choice to enroll with NOPEC or any other provider is up to the consumer. As a resident or small business in a NOPEC member community, you can take advantage of (electric, natural gas, electric and natural gas) supply rates negotiated specifically for NOPEC customers. NOPEC member communities, like Fairview Park, and their residents also benefit from exclusive money-saving and energy-saving programs. Some of these benefits include the NOPEC Energized Community Grant Program (NEC) and Community Event Sponsorship Program. Summerfest has received the Community Event funds for a number of years and this year it will receive $2,000 from NOPEC.  In 2019, Fairview Park received a NOPEC NEC Grant of $70,000 for the replacement of the the roof at the Senior Center and in 2021, the City received $68,000 for facility upgrades within the police and fire stations.

For more information about NOPEC, to check NOPEC’s electric or natural gas rates, or to enroll, visit nopec.org or call the NOPEC Customer Care Center at 855-667-3201. Click on the following for more information from NOPEC:

• General NOPEC FAQ's
• Natural Gas Program FAQ's
• Electric Program FAQ's
• Green Product Flyer

Sign up for NOPEC’s Energy Connection newsletter to receive energy saving tips and chances to win smart home technology. Enroll at nopec.org.

The City is proud to support all of the local businesses in our community. Click here to see a list of local businesses. 

EAT LOCAL

Please click here for a list of restaurants in Fairview Park.

Click here for more information and directions on how to sign up for this service.

WASTE COLLECTION

SCHEDULE AND SERVICE GUIDE

Click here to view the 2023 schedule for rubbish, recycling, bulk item, yard waste, leaf, and special recycling collections.

Click here for the Trash, Yard Waste, Recycling and Bulk Waste Service Guide provided by Republic Services.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION AND SHREDDING DAY

The next Shredding and Hazardous Household Waste Collection day is Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM behind City Hall. Proof of residency is required.

The following services will be available to the community:



• Paper Shredding: A truck will be on site to ensure your confidential information is completely destroyed in minutes. Please do NOT include paper(s) that can be safely recycled every Monday in your green recycle container. This service is for documents that contain confidential information, not just any paper source.
• Please limit the amount of material to be shredded to two (2) copy paper sized boxes.
• Household Hazardous Waste Disposal: Click here for lists of accepted and non-accepted items.



The City and the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District are interested in your opinion about the Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Shredding Days. Please click here to take a brief survey. Thank you for your participation.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

DIVISION OF FORESTRY

TREE COMMISSION ACADEMY

The City of Fairview Park was proud to host the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry’s Tree Commission Academy, the Freshman Class seminar at the Gemini Center on March 29 and 30. There were 24 new students that attended this class from municipalities, tree commissions and other organizations which included: Cleveland Division of Water, Bay Village Tree Commission, Avon Tree Commission, The City of Brooklyn Heights, The City of Parma and City of Fairview Park and the Fairview Park Shade Tree Advisory Committee. 

PROJECTS IN THE CITY

The City of Cleveland began a storm sewer improvement project adjacent to the Puritas Avenue hill leading into the Metroparks which adds new storm sewers, new headwall support and erosion control measures. That project has narrowed two-way traffic into one lane which is controlled by temporary signals moving traffic through the Puritas hill area in +/- 3 minute increments in both directions so anticipate congestion in that area. It is estimated that the project will be completed before the end of May as weather allows. 

Near that location, in the Metroparks at the intersection of Valley Parkway and Mastick Road, work is being completed for the Metroparks’ pedestrian trail project with the addition of pedestrian crossing ramps and curbs at three of the corners of the Valley Parkway/Mastick Road intersection. This project will allow for two-way traffic; however, there will be times when traffic will be stopped to accommodate the work. That project is expected to continue into the first half of April as weather allows. 

Work to add pedestrian accommodations at the section of the new trail near the intersection of Eaton Road at Mastick Road will begin in mid-April, again as weather allows. The Metroparks' contractor is on schedule for a summer of 2023 opening of the new Mastick Road pedestrian Trail!

The City will open public bids for the Brookpark Road paving project in April which is being funded in large part by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). This project will repair the road and add new asphalt on the road from the North Olmsted corporation to the Brookpark Road Bridge over the Metroparks. This project was also awarded an ODOT Safety Grant for pedestrian improvements at the Mastick Road/Brookpark Road intersection. Please watch for Brookpark Road paving updates in upcoming newsletters.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

The event on March 27, 2023 in Nashville has brought concerns of mass shootings to the forefront once again.

The Fairview Park Police take the safety of our schools, their students, and staff seriously. In the last five years, we have provided Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE) training, defensive tactics, and security assessments to our schools. We participate in school lockdowns and evacuation drills.

We have good relationships with our schools and work together to deal with school safety issues. The schools have granted us access to their facilities and we have identified ways to make the premises' safer and to better communicate during an emergency. Our officers walk through the schools while they are in session to better familiarize with the students, staff and building.

Our officers have received training in Close Quarter Combat (CQB), Single Officer Response to an Active Shooter, Rescue Task force, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), and Traumatic Injury First Aid to prepare for these events, if they occur. In the last year we have participated in mass casualty training with the other Westshore Communities and will be participating in similar training in the next few weeks. We are in the process of updating our firearms, radios, and safety equipment to give our officers the best tools to do their job. 

Sadly, we have another incident to learn from. We will continue to study local and national trends in mass violence and adjust our training and responses accordingly. We need your help as well. If you see or hear something that raises safety concerns, please call us at 440-333-1234. 

Thank you for helping us keep Fairview Park safe. 

BAIN PARK CABIN

The Recreation and Service Departments have updated Bain Cabin, our community gathering place and historically significant structure. The Cabin is the home to our Historic Society's museum.

New floor finishes, painting and plumbing upgrades have freshened-up the facility just in time for spring. If you are interested in renting, or just visiting, Bain Cabin, please contact the Recreation Department at 440-356-4444 x109.

PROGRAMS AT THE GEMINI CENTER

The Gemini Center offers programs for people of all ages. Click here for information about Safety Town, Adult Softball Registration, Youth Baseball and Softball Registration, Pickle Ball Open Play, and more.

AQUATICS CENTER POOL OPTIONS

The City of North Olmsted has opened their aquatic facility doors to Gemini Center members. The City is grateful to Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones, the North Olmsted Recreation Department Staff and their members and residents. For more information, click here.

If you have any questions, please contact Kerry Kemp, Director of Recreation, 440-356-4444 x105 or Mayor Cooney at 440-356-4411.

Goodbye March, Hello April! This month we welcome warmer temperatures as spring arrives! Take this opportunity to enjoy the Bohlken Park walking path or local Cleveland Metroparks trails. Earth Day takes place on Saturday, April 22 and is the perfect chance to enjoy the great outdoors!

SENIOR RESOURCE FAIR

Please join us on Friday, April 21, from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. for our Senior Resource Fair. The Senior Resource Fair is a one-stop shopping experience for older adults, as well as their families, to acquire information about health, safety, and aging independently. You can expect agencies ranging from home health care, to senior housing, to emergency response systems, and many others. In addition, each organization will be bringing a food item for each attendee to go home with, along with a reusable shopping bag! This means you will go home with an entire shopping bag full of goodies! The Resource Fair is FREE, and open to the public. However, please call 440-356-4437 to let us know that you are attending so we can ensure that all the vendors bring enough goodies for everyone! Hope to see you there!

SILVERSNEAKER CLASSES

We offer plenty of ways to stay active at the Senior Center too. On Thursdays, we have Silver Sneakers Yoga at 11:15 A.M. with Jessica and Silver Sneakers Stability at 12:30 P.M. with Peggy. On Fridays, it’s Silver Sneakers Classic at 10:30 A.M. and Low-Impact Irish Dance at 11:30 A.M. both taught by Peggy. If your insurance does not offer Silver Sneakers, the cost of the class is just $1.00. 

ALL SENIORS PROM

On Wednesday, May 10, from 2:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M., get ready to shake and rattle your rollator at our rock n’ roll inspired All Seniors Prom. A $10 ticket includes a catered dinner from Italian Creations, music and dancing, photo opportunities, basket raffles and lots of fun with fellow seniors. Do you dig Daddy-O? Then save this important date! More information to come in the May/June Senior Scope newsletter!

COFFEE WITH A COP AND A FIREFIGHTER

Drop in and have “Coffee with a Firefighter” on the FIRST THURSDAY of every month and “Coffee with a Cop” on the FIRST FRIDAY of every month. Both events are at 10:00 A.M at the Senior Center. Come say hello and meet members of your safety forces. April dates are Thursday, April 6 and Friday, April 7.

• Lunch at the Senior Center
• Free Legal Counseling
• Spring Craft

• Technology Assistance
• Spry Senior
• JKL Tours

Click here to learn about the programs listed above.

ADDITIONAL NEWS FROM THE SENIOR LIFE DEPARTMENT

The Senior Center welcomes all seniors to participate in the many regularly scheduled activities. To see a list of all activities for April, check out the Senior Calendar and the Senior Scope.

Click here for information regarding van transportation.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COALITION

Pan American Day is celebrated on April 14 every year. The day recognizes the First International Conference of the American States, which took place on April 14, 1890, and resulted in the formation of the International Union of American Republics. It was the precursor to the Organization of American States (OAS). Click here to view the members of the OAS.

The City of Fairview Park’s Coalition of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion wanted to share some suggestions of ways to observe this day:

• Spend time with Americans from other OAS countries. Let this bond and the joy it brings symbolize the togetherness of the American nations and the good outcomes of their cooperation.
• Attend parades. Participating in or organizing a parade on Pan American Day is a fantastic idea. Various organizations, mayors, and governors hold Pan American Day parades. You can either participate in or organize a show.
• Learn more about the various cultures of North and South America to commemorate the day. Discover their history, political climate, weather and climate, cuisine, and heritage.
• Learn how to prepare recipes based on their traditional foods and consider visiting one of these countries.

Fairview Park’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 P.M. in the Dunson Room in City Hall. Please feel free to come to our next meeting Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

For questions or suggestions, please send an email to the DEI.

2023 MOST VALUED TREE

Trees cool us and our homes in the summer, add value to our property, mitigate flooding from storms, preserve our health by filtering air pollution, provide food and habitat for local wildlife, and make our neighborhoods safer and more beautiful. Share your favorite tree in the City with the rest of us by nominating it as a Most Valued Tree (MVT). Submissions are being accepted through Friday, June 9, 2023 and the Shade Tree Advisory Committee (STAC) will select MVTs to feature on the City’s website. Nomination forms are available here.

CONSIDER PLANTING YOUNG TREES

Trees contribute many benefits to the community in that they:

• sustain viable food web by capturing sun energy and pass it on to other organisms (fruits, nuts, other species);
• sequester carbon by pulling CO2 out of the air and getting it into the ground;
• support diverse pollinator and other species’ communities;
• manage watersheds; and
• provide shade.

Property owners can plant more trees in our community and thereby play an important role in gaining these benefits.

Our City’s “Adopt-A-Tree” program is available to help residents with the process of planting tree lawn trees. Another option is to start with a small tree and nurture it yourself. If you have any questions or need assistance with you own planting, please feel free to contact the City's Forester, Mike Varga, at 440-356-4408 or [email protected].

Let’s Play Ball

Tracing Fairview Park History, Chris H. Gerrett

Otto Hess, born in 1878, was a left-hand pitcher who debuted with the Cleveland Bronchos in 1902 and continued to play for Cleveland when they became the Cleveland Napoleons "Naps". 

So what is the Fairview Park history connection?



Otto Hess married Irene Sweet in 1923. Irene was the daughter of the first mayor of Fairview Village, George Sweet. Otto and Irene were married in Cleveland, but three years later, Otto was in a U.S. Veterans’ Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, where he passed away.

George Sweet provided information to the managing trustee of the village cemetery (known today as Fairview Park Cemetery) to secure four gravesites in a family plot. Otto was brought back to Ohio and buried in the village cemetery. 

Before his baseball career, Otto served in the military, enlisting in the Army in 1898. He served in the Spanish-American War and World War I. 

Each year a flag is placed at his gravesite to honor him for his service, and at times a baseball is left in his memory. If you are out for a stroll, walk to the back of the cemetery. About midway across the back, you will find the gravesites of Otto, his wife Irene, and her parents, (mayor) George and Dora Sweet.

GARDEN CLUB

The Garden Club meets every second Tuesday of the month in the Dunson Room at City Hall at 6:30 P.M. Members of the public are welcome to attend most meetings and updates can be found of the Garden Club's Facebook page.

GREEN TEAM