Spending, Safety, and Haluska
Council President Robert Seelie called the November 21st meeting to order at 7:40 pm. As is prescribed by the agenda, the Clerk of Council calls the roll as instructed by the president. This is usually a routine step. Mary Louise Madigan (ward 4) was absent. An absence must be excused by a vote of council members. Legislative courtesy usually prevails and the absence is excused. However, councilmember Ryan Demro (ward 2), since first taking his seat, always inquires as to the reason for a member's absence to maintain public accountability for a member missing a meeting. Council president Seelie usually does not divulge reasons for absences. Courtesy prevailed and council voted to approve the absence.
The first docket item was Lakewood's proposed membership in the Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office. This is an effort by several neighboring cities to combine their purchasing power to achieve savings that a consortium might command as compared to a single city. This third reading passed with a cautionary note by Mayor Thomas George. The mayor indicated that Lakewood gets better prices on some of its supplies than the larger group.
This group, the Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office, could be viewed as a step towards regionalism. When Mayor George first took office almost two years ago, he appeared on the television show "Feagler and Friends" which is broadcast on WVIZ. He was asked about his view of regionalism and at that time, he stated that he felt that Lakewood citizens would like to see cooperation on a functional basis, not a comprehensive approach. This step toward combined purchasing fits the functional approach.
Safety issues occupied councils' attention at this meeting. Expanding the right turn on red restrictions at the intersection of Belle and Lake passed a third reading. This measure was first introduced by council member Michael Dever (at large) because of changes in student foot traffic as a result of the new Lakewood Catholic Academy. Restrictions were also added for intersections on Madison Avenue at Cohasset and at Halstead. These intersections are now used by students who previously attended Harrison Elementary School. They now attend school at temporary quarters at St. Hedwigs while Harrison is being rebuilt.
Council then addressed the issue of motorized conveyances that was first brought up by council member Patrick Corrigan (ward one). Electric motors powering skateboards and scooters have become popular with kids, so a category of motorized conveyances was added to the section of the law that covers bicycles and motorcycles in order to regulate their use. In addition, helmets will be required for those under eighteen years of age who use these motorized boards and scooters.
Council member Demro introduced legislation which would tighten the residency restrictions imposed on convicted sexual offenders. This is an attempt to deal with a recent spate of incidents involving Lakewood school kids. The mayor and school superintendent David Estrop had also responded to concerns by sending a letter home to parents with safety tips from Police Chief Mally.
Finally, the curious reader might want to know what haluska is.
City Council and the Mayor joined in a resolution congratulating Tony Beno (Director of Public Works) as 2005 Fraternalist of the Year. Beno is a past president of the National Fraternal Societies and he has been a mainstay in his local Lakewood Slovak Society.
In corridor comments, the Observer took time to talk with Beno so he could give a history of the ethnic fraternal societies in the Cleveland region and Lakewood.
Tony's grandparents emigrated to the United States from Slovenia along with thousands of other fellow Slovaks at the turn of the twentieth century. They settled in Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Cleveland. Here in Lakewood, they were the primary workforce in the National Carbon factory and settled in Birdtown.
Ethnic groups created fraternal organizations in order to collect money for burials. According to Beno, there were no death benefits then and this was a way to provide for that eventuality. The societies expanded their scope to include social activities. At one time, Beno points out, there was a Slovak Hall at Madison Avenue and Lewis.
Today Beno said that fraternal organizations have moved into the charitable arena stepping in after the churches and Red Cross have left. They have been very active in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina.
In Lakewood, the Slovak Society is an outlet for drama and plays along with its charitable activities. Beno proudly points out that the Lakewood society is 105 years old and has been closely aligned with SSt. Cyril and Methodius church which it helped to build. St. Peter and Paul Lutheran church on Madison also has heavy Slovak ties.
When asked what his favorite Slovak dish was, Beno replied "haluska, which is cabbage and noodles." This tasty dish can be purchased at the Madison Park Festival every year at the St. Peter and Paul booth.
The first docket item was Lakewood's proposed membership in the Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office. This is an effort by several neighboring cities to combine their purchasing power to achieve savings that a consortium might command as compared to a single city. This third reading passed with a cautionary note by Mayor Thomas George. The mayor indicated that Lakewood gets better prices on some of its supplies than the larger group.
This group, the Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office, could be viewed as a step towards regionalism. When Mayor George first took office almost two years ago, he appeared on the television show "Feagler and Friends" which is broadcast on WVIZ. He was asked about his view of regionalism and at that time, he stated that he felt that Lakewood citizens would like to see cooperation on a functional basis, not a comprehensive approach. This step toward combined purchasing fits the functional approach.
Safety issues occupied councils' attention at this meeting. Expanding the right turn on red restrictions at the intersection of Belle and Lake passed a third reading. This measure was first introduced by council member Michael Dever (at large) because of changes in student foot traffic as a result of the new Lakewood Catholic Academy. Restrictions were also added for intersections on Madison Avenue at Cohasset and at Halstead. These intersections are now used by students who previously attended Harrison Elementary School. They now attend school at temporary quarters at St. Hedwigs while Harrison is being rebuilt.
Council then addressed the issue of motorized conveyances that was first brought up by council member Patrick Corrigan (ward one). Electric motors powering skateboards and scooters have become popular with kids, so a category of motorized conveyances was added to the section of the law that covers bicycles and motorcycles in order to regulate their use. In addition, helmets will be required for those under eighteen years of age who use these motorized boards and scooters.
Council member Demro introduced legislation which would tighten the residency restrictions imposed on convicted sexual offenders. This is an attempt to deal with a recent spate of incidents involving Lakewood school kids. The mayor and school superintendent David Estrop had also responded to concerns by sending a letter home to parents with safety tips from Police Chief Mally.
Finally, the curious reader might want to know what haluska is.
City Council and the Mayor joined in a resolution congratulating Tony Beno (Director of Public Works) as 2005 Fraternalist of the Year. Beno is a past president of the National Fraternal Societies and he has been a mainstay in his local Lakewood Slovak Society.
In corridor comments, the Observer took time to talk with Beno so he could give a history of the ethnic fraternal societies in the Cleveland region and Lakewood.
Tony's grandparents emigrated to the United States from Slovenia along with thousands of other fellow Slovaks at the turn of the twentieth century. They settled in Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Cleveland. Here in Lakewood, they were the primary workforce in the National Carbon factory and settled in Birdtown.
Ethnic groups created fraternal organizations in order to collect money for burials. According to Beno, there were no death benefits then and this was a way to provide for that eventuality. The societies expanded their scope to include social activities. At one time, Beno points out, there was a Slovak Hall at Madison Avenue and Lewis.
Today Beno said that fraternal organizations have moved into the charitable arena stepping in after the churches and Red Cross have left. They have been very active in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina.
In Lakewood, the Slovak Society is an outlet for drama and plays along with its charitable activities. Beno proudly points out that the Lakewood society is 105 years old and has been closely aligned with SSt. Cyril and Methodius church which it helped to build. St. Peter and Paul Lutheran church on Madison also has heavy Slovak ties.
When asked what his favorite Slovak dish was, Beno replied "haluska, which is cabbage and noodles." This tasty dish can be purchased at the Madison Park Festival every year at the St. Peter and Paul booth.
Volume 1, Issue 12, Posted 03.01 PM / 30th November 2005.