Happy Holidays!

I hope all of you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving; for, we have many things to be thankful for in our community.  On that note, my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland for their announcement and groundbreaking for the new $10 million House of Worship and Community Center for the Salvation Army Temple Corps at 17625 Grovewood Avenue. This facility, since it will serve Greater Collinwood and Glenville communities and the City of Euclid, could have gone elsewhere. However, the Salvation Army decided to rebuild this facility at their existing site because of the ongoing support from the community itself. Please remember the Salvation Army during this Holiday Season and all that they do for the least amongst us. They are a wonderful organization and I cannot say enough about what they mean to our community.

As we move into the Winter season, please pay special attention to your surroundings.  If you see any streetlights out or water running in the street please report these as soon as possible.  Last winter, due to the extreme cold, we experienced numerous incidents of water main breaks in our streets and frozen and/or burst pipes in residential homes. Winterize your homes; keep a furnace vent open in your basement and plug / seal any drafts that you can identify, and never use a direct flame to thaw frozen pipes. Doing these simple things will prevent much larger problems.

As we go into January 2016 there will be additional neighborhood meetings regarding the East 185th Street, proposed bike lanes on Lakeshore Boulevard and the St Clair Avenue corridor.  These are important projects which need the input of our residents and businesses. Watch for dates, times, and locations for these meetings.

The Holidays are here.  Whenever you can, SHOP LOCAL.  There are many outstanding small businesses throughout the ward; we need to support them and the holidays are a good time to show that we care that they have chosen to remain, expand or start a business in the Ward 8 community. We are one of a few neighborhoods which still have bakeries, old world meat markets, restaurants and numerous other small businesses with easy access.  You know the old saying, “if you don’t use it; you will lose it.”  Support Local.

On a personal note, I wish you and yours a blessed and joyous Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, and a prosperous and safe New Year. May 2016 be a productive year for our Greater Community. 

We have all seen the violence which has rocked the world in recent weeks. Be thankful we live in America. It may not be politically correct but we need to PRAY FOR AMERICA, our country’s leaders, and above all our men and women who are serving in all branches of the Armed Forces.  GOD BLESS AMERICA.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Please feel free to contact me at my office.  You may reach me at (216) 664-4236 or via email at mpolensek@clevelandcitycouncil.org.