Thursday, October 31, 2013

Yes, Trick or Treat is On and…Remember: Change your clock, change your smoke detector batteries


Trick or Treat Is On
We know there are concerns about the weather, but City Hall has been monitoring it very carefully and like our surrounding communities, we are keeping Trick or Treat tonight – Thursday evening October 31 from 6:00 – 7:30pm because it appears that the bulk of the predicted storm will not hit until later tonight.  We expect light sprinkles in early evening so bring umbrellas. 

A Message from the Elyria Fire Department:

Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries When You Change Your Clocks
Smoke alarms save lives. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or a combination alarm (photoelectric and ionization) should be installed in homes.
  • Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
  • Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer's instructions for testing and maintenance.
  • Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
  • Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 year old or sooner if they do not respond properly.
  • Be sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
  • Alarms that are hard-wired (and include battery backup) must be installed by a qualified electrician.
  • If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a "hush" button. A "hush" button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time.
  • An ionization alarm with a hush button or a photoelectric alarm should be used if the alarm is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance.
  • Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.
  • Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices use strobe lights. Vibration devices can be added to these alarms.
  • Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Positive Momentum is Building in Elyria

By Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda

Despite serious financial challenges, the City of Elyria is finding ways to build positive 
momentum towards a more promising future.  A recent voluntary Performance Audit by the State, prudent management, cost-cutting, reorganization, aggressive grant and other fund development, creative thinking and willing partners have allowed the City to advance a number of projects. 

That being said, despite progress, the positive momentum will only continue if the City of Elyria passes Issue 5, the half percent income tax renewal that does not increase taxes but simply continues to fund vital basic city services like police and fire protection, maintaining our roads and parks, and leaf pick-up and snow removal.  Because Issue 5 represents 20 percent of Elyria’s General Fund Budget, failure will unfortunately result in the layoff of about 125 of the city’s 450 employees, thus stopping the momentum and crippling city services. 
Over the past 22 months the City of Elyria’s new administration and city employees have worked very hard to create a more efficient and effective city government and do more with less. Over $1.7 million of reductions have already occurred and additional cuts are being made even with the passage of Issue 5. Grant dollars discussed here cannot take the place of public funding to support basic city services.  


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Today’s Blog: City Continues Spotlight Elyria Cable Program


The City of Elyria has been able to continue its Spotlight Elyria cable television programming highlighting current events and recycling initiatives thanks to a grant from the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District.  The Autumn Edition of Spotlight Elyria is now airing on Cable Channel 12, and is being streamed on the City of Elyria’s website at www.cityofelyria.org.   The program will be updated bi-monthly and will feature special guests including the Mayor’s senior staff, department heads, police and fire chiefs, leaders from partnering organizations and community volunteers and activists.  Please join Mayor Brinda and guests for the Autumn Edition of Spotlight Elyria to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing Elyria – and how you can join in moving the City forward.          

Click below to view the Autumn Edition of
Spotlight Elyria
With Mayor Holly C. Brinda and Guests
(Viewing Time 90 Minutes)
Autumn Edition of Spotlight Elyria Topics:
  • City Financial Challenges with Finance Director Ted Pileski
  • Winning the War on Crime with Police Chief Duane Whitely & Captain Chris Costantino
  • Fire Safety with Fire Chief Richard Benton and Inspector Scott Vincze
  • Highway, Road & Bridge Project Updates with City Engineer Tim Ujvari
  • Parks & Recreation Activities & Celebrations with Director Frank Gustoff and Recreation Supervisors Annette Solet and Lisa Bowman
  • Growing with Community Gardens with Volunteer Holly Huff