Most needed items include cereal, oatmeal, tuna fish, jelly, and canned carrots / green beans
Queen of Hearts
Bruce Kahn's table won the drawing last week. There are 49 cards left in the deck, and the queen is worth $101.
Scholarship Grading
We will be grading the scholarship applications on Friday April 3rd after the Rotary meeting. If you can help you can register on ClubRunner, let John know, or there will be sign up sheets at the meeting. Note the deadline for applications is Monday if you know anyone interested.
Arbor Day
Sapling packing Thursday April 23rd, 6pm, delivery Friday April 24th.
At the companion club meeting on Wednesday night at Lathrop House Barry inducted six new members to the club.
The six new members are Joe Kourtney, Michelle Juda, Jim Morehouse, Jerald Spohn, Megan Kane, and Landon Lucas. The next meeting will be on April 15th at 6pm at BW3 in Strongsville. Everyone is welcome to attend and meet our newest members.
Meeting Recap
Invocation
Pete Nixon led the invocation and pledge
Students
We were joined last Friday by four of the five returning letter winners from the boys tennis team who went 14-1 last year
Rotarians of the Month
President Barry presented Rotarian of the Month awards to Ashley and TJ for their efforts in putting together a successful Chili Open.
State of the City Update from Mayor Perciak and Brent Painter
Last Friday, Mayor Tom Perciak and Economic Development Director Brent Painter gave the club an update on the state of the city, beginning with a video from Fire Chief Jack Draves on the new central fire station under construction near Royalton and Pearl.
Chief Draves explained that the new station is intended to improve response times, address the significant increase in call volume over the past 20 years, and reduce reliance on mutual aid from neighboring communities. The centrally located facility will include space for up to seven firefighters, three drive-through apparatus bays, and training and fitness areas. The goal is to improve coverage across the city, particularly in the central business corridor.
Mayor Perciak and Brent Painter then reviewed the city’s financial position and how it supports services, infrastructure, and amenities. Strongsville has maintained its AAA bond rating, which they compared to a top-tier personal credit score. That rating helps the city secure favorable financing terms and has contributed to savings on projects such as the new fire station.
They emphasized that income tax makes up the majority of the city’s general fund revenue, and that growth in the business parks has played a major role in increasing that revenue over time. The city now has more than 20,000 people working in its business parks, with the majority commuting into Strongsville each day, supporting local retail and restaurants.
The discussion also covered infrastructure investment, noting that the city has completed significant road and drainage projects over the years, often with support from state and other external funding sources.
There was also a review of how property taxes are distributed, with the majority going to schools and other entities, and a smaller portion going directly to the city. The connection between city services, school quality, and property values was highlighted as an important factor in maintaining Strongsville’s desirability as a place to live.
Additional updates included continued development activity in the business parks, the Fulton Parkway extension opening up new land for future projects, and early discussion of potential developments near SouthPark Mall, including a proposed hotel that is beginning the planning process.
Bruce Kahn's table won the drawing last week. There are 49 cards left in the deck, and the queen is worth $101.
BW3 - Buffalo Wild Wings
Chief Draves explained that the new station is intended to improve response times, address the significant increase in call volume over the past 20 years, and reduce reliance on mutual aid from neighboring communities. The centrally located facility will include space for up to seven firefighters, three drive-through apparatus bays, and training and fitness areas. The goal is to improve coverage across the city, particularly in the central business corridor.