ELYRIA CITY EMPLOYEES: It’s All About Giving and Giving Thanks….

On behalf of the City of Elyria and all of our employees, we would like to express our most sincere thanks to you the citizens, for your support during this special season and all year long.  We are fortunate to live and work in this caring community and we know that you are the reason we as public servants exist.  I’d also like you to know that those who serve the public in Elyria do it with care, compassion, enthusiasm and great humility.  That is what I am privileged to witness as your Mayor every day, and what is being demonstrated in the acts of kindness this holiday season.  Here are just a few examples.

The Elyria Fire Department initiated Operation Warm last week and distributed 427 winter coats to first and second graders in need at Crestwood, Franklin and Oakwood elementary schools.  The bright blue, green, pink and purple coats were a hit with the youngsters, not only because they were warm, but because they had lots of pockets!  Moreover, some of Elyria’s youngest citizens got to meet a real firefighter and see their fire truck.  “For us, it’s all about seeing their smiles and warming their hearts,” said firefighter Dean Marks. 

ELYRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GOLD SAFETY AWARD

EPD Captain Phil Hammonds, Superintendent of Communications Larry Showalter, EPD Chief Duane Whitely,  Mayor Holly C. Brinda, Superintendent of Street Dept. Scott Payne, and City of Elyria Engineer Tim Ujvari

Please join me in congratulating the Elyria Police Department (EPD) for being at the top of their game.  Not only are they sweeping the City in an unprecedented crime-fighting effort to rid us of the drug dealers hurting our citizens and the region, but they’ve also found the time to win a major award! 

Last Wednesday the Elyria Police Department (EPD) received the Gold Award from the American Automobile Association (AAA) for its efforts to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the city.  Elyria was one of only nine law enforcement divisions across Northeast Ohio to earn the coveted award.  Accepting the accolade for the department were Chief Duane Whitely and Captain Phil Hammond, who heads the department’s service division and serves as the chief traffic investigator. 

THE FORD ROAD BRIDGE IS OPEN!

It’s been five years since we’ve been able to go over the river and through the woods……but that all changed in Elyria today, November 15 with the grand opening of the new, grant-funded $3.1 million Ford Road Bridge.  The new two-lane, 263 foot bridge is located just north of the old bridge and was re-positioned to improve alignment with the Lorain County MetroPark entrance to the north and the hill on the south. 

Funded by funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Public Works Commission, the scenic gateway and short-cut to the Midway Mall area from Elyria’s north side will improve access to commercial areas, Bur Oak Park and residents who live in the area. 

Thank You for Protecting Elyria’s Future…..

Thank You for Protecting Elyria’s Future…..


 Dear Elyrians,

On behalf of the Elyrians First Committee and the City of Elyria, please accept our most sincere appreciation for your support of Issue 5.  Because of your actions and personal commitment to protect Elyria’s future, our community will continue to move forward.

 

Whether you exercised your right to vote and/or made a donation, attended a fundraiser, walked door-to-door, put up yard signs, made telephone calls, or wrote a letter of support – you and others like you, made a difference.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE: PROTECT ELYRIA’S FUTURE

ELYRIANS, PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE.  The City of Elyria’s Issue 5, a renewal and not a tax increase, is vital to the city’s ability to move forward.  Issue 5 represents over 20 percent of the city’s General Fund budget and supports basic city services including police and fire protection, road maintenance, leaf pick-up and snow removal, building code enforcement, and parks and recreational programming.  Without its passage, the City will be forced to cut 20 percent of its workforce – an equivalent of about 125 positions.  Given that the City has already cut $1.7 million in the past year, additional cuts of this magnitude will have catastrophic results.         

Your new city administration is working hard to make the best possible use of precious tax dollars by reducing costs.  City employees have accepted a salary freeze.  Many contracts have been re-bid.  The city take-home car fleet has been drastically reduced – including the elimination of the Mayor’s car.  Longevity for senior staff has been eliminated.  Increased employee contributions to health care, participation in a new energy cooperative, intensive purchasing oversight, and downsizing by not filling 11.5 positions in the past 12 months - among other reductions -  have helped stretch our tax dollars.  

Now we need citizens to step up and protect Elyria’s future.  Again, Issue 5 is NOT A TAX INCREASE and retirement, social security, unemployment and disability income are NOT taxed.  We have been paying this tax for over 30 years and need it to keep Elyria moving in the right direction.  Please, vote on November 5.