September 2023

CITY OF FAIRVIEW PARK

MAIN STREET CONNECTION

Hello Kathleen,

On August 23, 2023, northeastern Ohio experienced another intense and large-scale rain event which caused flooding and other damage throughout the region and in Fairview Park.  Click here for a letter that was shared with residents in July about the City’s recent efforts in addressing sewer maintenance and improvements.

Due to the time to design projects and the costs related to them, the City continues to actively work on matters it can control with regard to the sewer system: jetting and maintenance of storm and sanitary lines; repairs to residents’ lateral connections and smaller line repairs; installing restrictors in catch basins to slow the flow of water during large rain events; and identifying and coordinating larger repairs. While the Service Department is out working on the sewers, the administration continues to look for grants and other assistance from local, state and federal agencies to fund large sewer replacement projects and storm water management.

The City also has a free program where the City Engineer and Director of Public Service and Development will meet at one’s home to discuss potential solutions to help with keeping water out of a basement. If you are interested in this program, please call 440-356-4411 to schedule an appointment.

As this is a regional issue, it has to be addressed both locally and regionally. I have spoken to neighboring Mayors and regional partners about possible collaborations on storm water management, programs to assist residents with making improvements to their homes and possible joint projects to share the costs of infrastructure improvements to our sewer system.

Updates on those discussions will be shared with the community as will the progress of the City’s maintenance of sewer lines and catch basins.

If you have any questions or if we can be of assistance, please contact me at patrick.cooney@fairviewpark.org or 440-356-4411.

Sincerely,

Mayor Patrick J. Cooney

THANK YOU BOBBIE WRIGHT

CROSSING GUARD FOR 50 YEARS

Police Chief Paul Shepard, Mayor Cooney, Crossing Guard Bobbie Wright, Former Police Chief Erich Upperman, Fairview Park City School Superintendent Keith Ahearn

Congratulations to City of Fairview Park Crossing Guard and Auxiliary Officer Bobbie Wright on 50 years of dedicated service to the students of Fairview Park. Thank you, Bobbie, for keeping our children safe!

VOTING INFORMATION

To register to vote, update your voting information, and all other information for voters, go to the Cuyahoga County Board of Election website.

FAIRVIEW PARK HUNGER CENTER

The Fairview Park Hunger Center (FPHC) was formed by Fairview Park churches more than 30 years ago as a collective effort to respond to those in our community in need of food or other assistance. With the cooperation of the City and the generous support of the Fairview Park community, the Hunger Center continues to operate from the current location of 22960 Lorain Road at the northeast corner of the New Hope Church building. 

Director Carol Napp retired at the end of July after serving in this capacity since 1996. She and her husband, Neme, have logged countless hours collecting or purchasing food, stocking and organizing storage, receiving donations, and scheduling volunteers to collect and distribute food and supplies. The City is grateful for their devotion to this effort, all they have accomplished and their service to our neighbors.

The FPHC continues to be open every Tuesday and Friday from 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., serving our residents under the supervision of temporary volunteer coordinator Julie Mistur. After Labor Day, FPCH will be adding additional hours of operation and will publish these soon.

FPHC is currently accepting applications for a new part-time director. Details of the position including hours and compensation can be obtained by contacting Julie Mistur via email at fphc23@gmail.com or by leaving a message at New Hope’s number (440) 779-0000. FPHC is also seeking to replenish and add to our staff of rotating volunteers. If you are interested, you may contact Julie to discuss.

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, September 16, 2023, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. 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.

For more information about how and what to recycle please visit www.cuyahogarecycles.org. To participate in the Rustbelt Riders food composting site at City Hall, please visit www.rustbeltriders.com. 

PROJECTS IN THE CITY

Please click here for information about the projects listed below.

• City Paving Program 2023
• Metroparks Connector Trail at Mastick Road
• Brookpark Road Paving
• West 227 Street Bridge Replacement (Esther Avenue-Bard Avenue)
• Bain Park Erosion Project

• Lorain Road Business District Revitalization Plan
• Woodstock Avenue Sewer Replacement Project
• Fairpark Drive Water Main Replacement
• West 220 Bridge over I-480 (ODOT)
• Lorain Road Bridge Over Metroparks

POLICE DEPARTMENT

THE DRIVEWAY SCAM

Recently, a Fairview Park police officer on patrol noticed two men in a pickup truck with out of state license plates talking to an elderly woman at the front door of her home. The officer turned around as the men left the home. After noting the license plate of the vehicle and a description of its occupants, the officer returned to the elderly resident’s home and learned the men knocked on her door telling the her they were replacing a driveway down the road and had extra product. They offered to repair her driveway at a reduced cost. Fortunately, the resident said no. She could have fallen victim to a driveway repair scam. 

How the scam works:

A contractor leaves a pamphlet or shows up at the door. They claim they have been doing work in the area and just happened to notice the condition of your driveway or sidewalk. Since they are already working nearby, they can give you a discount. If the price is agreeable, they will ask for a large percentage of the fee upfront. Once the transaction is complete, the scam contractor may disappear altogether. The contact information is usually false, they may use intimidation tactics. In other cases, the contractor's work is shoddy and unprofessional once complete, but the full payment has been made. Reaching the company that the contractor allegedly represented is impossible, or another company was impersonated. In any of these scenarios, the chances of getting a refund or the work fixed are slim. 

How to avoid contractor scams:

Be wary of unsolicited offers. Most scams involving contractors begin when a random contractor tries to go out of their way to offer an estimate that was never requested. Research companies and contractors before you hire. Start with BBB.org. 

If the contractor has multiple negative reviews and complaints, do not hire them. A simple internet search often reveals companies or individuals involved in fraudulent activities or provided unsatisfactory work to previous clients. 

Get everything in writing. Ask for an estimate in writing before payment is even discussed. Do not let a contractor start working on a project until a written, signed contract outlining start and complete dates, a detailed description of the work, material costs, payment arrangements, and warranty information is provided. 



Stagger payments. Most contractors will require a percentage of the total price upfront, but it should never be the full price before the work has begun. Instead, agree to stagger payments so that work can be inspected at various project stages. 

Use safe payment methods. Paying with a credit card provides peace of mind since the credit card company will help you if the company is fraudulent. If you use a check, write it to a company, not an individual. Paying cash or using an electronic wallet app is risky since there is no way to stop the payment or get some money back if anything goes wrong. 

As always, See Something, Say Something. Call 440-333-1234 any time you feel things are not right. We will gladly come out and investigate. 

PROGRAMS AT THE GEMINI CENTER

The Gemini Center offers programs for people of all ages. Click here for information about Irish Dance, Dance to Evolve, Pickleball, SilverSneakers Classes and more.

GEMINI CENTER ANNUAL CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

The Gemini Center is in the process of its annual cleaning and maintenance and will be closed through Monday, September 4 and reopening Tuesday, September 5 at 5:30 A.M.    

During the shut down, members are able to utilize the indoor facilities at both Rocky River and Westlake.  

***Please note, Rocky River & Westlake outdoor pools are NOT available for use during our shutdown.*** 

LEVY ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

City Council passed by a 6-1 vote Resolution 23-16 authorizing putting on the ballot a levy that would allow the City to issue $12,900,000 in bonds to repair the Gemini Center.

The ballot language has been approved by the Board of Elections. The levy will be on the ballot on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Early voting starts October 11, 2023 at the Board of Elections.

The costs, based on the certification by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office, are: 1) 1.49 mills; 2) for every $100,000 of valuation it will cost a homeowner $52.00 in additional taxes per year. For a median valued property in Fairview Park (i.e., $250,000.00), it will cost the homeowner $130/ year or $10.83/month.

For more information on the project, please click here for Mayor Cooney's Gemini Center Report presented at the June 26, 2023 Council Meeting.

September is filled with new and exciting things at the Senior Center!  

With a grant from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), the City purchased a brand-new vehicle for the Senior Life Department. For more information about our transportation program, please go to the website or call 440-356-4439.

Councilman Bill Minek, Director Laura Brondos and the new Senior Center van. 

FALL RUMMAGE SALE

Do you have items that you no longer need? Consider donating items to sell (no clothing please) or you can rent TWO TABLES for $20 at our Fall Rummage Sale! Donated items can be dropped off at the Senior Center during business hours (8:30 A.M.- 4:00 P.M.). Also, make sure to come shop and enjoy our Bake Sale. Grilled hot dogs and chips will be for sale for $3.00 and there will be a 50/50 raffle. Do not miss this TWO-DAY EVENT on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 17 and 18, from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Reservations must be made to hold tables. Call 440-356-4437 to reserve a table.

LUNCH AT THE SENIOR CENTER

The senior center has a congregate lunch program for anyone aged 60 and older. Every Monday at 11:30 A.M. a boxed lunched is served and every Thursday and Friday at noon a warm meal is served. The suggested donation for lunch is $1.00. Reservations must be made by 1:00 P.M. on the Wednesday the week BEFORE lunches are served by calling 440-356-4437 or signing up in person. ALL NEW participants must become members by completing a new registration form for the 2023 year. Please see our Senior Scope for the menu. Come and enjoy the food and the great company!

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 September, including a Medicaid presentation, a presentation on the Fair Housing Laws in Cuyahoga County, Coffee with a Cop and Coffee with a Firefighter, check out the Senior Calendar and the Senior Scope.

Click here for information regarding van transportation.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COALITION

HONORING THE RESILIENCE AND RICHNESS OF WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Every year the world comes together to celebrate Indigenous People. This celebration provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across the globe. It is a time to appreciate their wisdom, resilience, and the profound connection they have with the land. Amidst the challenges they face, this observation serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect, and preserve their rights, cultures, and traditions for generations to come.

Preserving Cultural Diversity:

This remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the immense cultural diversity that exists among Indigenous communities. Each Indigenous group has its distinct language, customs, art forms, and traditional knowledge, which are invaluable contributions to the collective human heritage. By celebrating this, we acknowledge the importance of preserving and revitalizing these unique cultural expressions.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges:

Throughout history, Indigenous peoples have faced numerous challenges, including colonization, dispossession of land, discrimination, and marginalization. Despite these hardships, they have shown remarkable resilience, stress, and determination to protect their identity and way of life. These remembrances are an occasion to recognize and honor their unwavering spirit, which continues to inspire generations around the world.

Click here for more information about honoring the resilience and richness of world indigenous people.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition will be meeting on Wednesday, September 6 at 6:30 P.M. at City Hall in the Dunson Room. All are welcome!

New tree lawn trees

●  Varieties are already selected for your tree lawn

● You purchase the tree from a local nursery (the City can provide options)

●   The City will pick up the tree and plant it at your location

●   You water it for the first three years

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

STAC member and volunteers

CHARACTERISTICS OF A HOME

Tracing Fairview Park History, Chris H. Gerrett

When the H.D. Coffinberry subdivision was developing, advertisements defined the area as a prestigious neighborhood. At times the characteristics of a home being built in the Coffinberry neighborhood included elements that reflected the original owner.

One house was built in the neighborhood for the Cleveland Wrought Iron Co. president. It is reasonable to assume who manufactured the railings for his home. The home had, and may still have, wrought iron rail on the exterior 2nd floor balcony and the second-floor stairwell and hallway interior. The house was built on a sublot valued at $1,210.00 when Cleveland Trust sold the property in 1926. In addition, Cleveland Trust required that any home built on this sublot would have a construction cost not less than $8,500.00 and that all plans and specifications would be reviewed and approved by the Cleveland Trust Co. 



In the Coffinberry neighborhood, many homes have or had wrought iron railings. However, it isn’t clear if these were all produced by the Cleveland Wrought Iron Co. 

GARDEN CLUB

The Garden Club meets every second Tuesday of the month in the Dunson Room at City Hall at 6:00 P.M. (Please note: no meeting in August.) Members of the public are welcome to attend most meetings and updates can be found of the Garden Club's Facebook page.

GREEN TEAM