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The Mayor's Newsletter
February 2022
A Message from Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones

Hello! As the Northeast Ohio winter continues in earnest, we have some exciting events to look forward to here in North Olmsted!
 

Springvale Golf Course Fish Fry

The Springvale Golf Course Fish Fry begins on Friday, March 4 and will be held each Friday through April 15, 2022. We will continue to offer carry-out only for this year. If your organization would like to take part in serving at a Fish Fry to earn money for your organization, please contact the Mayor’s Administrative Assistant Rick Haase at North Olmsted City Hall at (440) 777-8000.


Mayor’s Art Show

The Mayor’s Art Show is a collaboration of the North Olmsted Arts Commission and the North Olmsted High School Arts Department. More than 50 pieces of artwork by North Olmsted High School student artists will be on display in Old Town Hall. The gallery opening event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 and additional gallery hours will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 4 and from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 5. A virtual version of the gallery will be posted on the city’s website starting Thursday, March 3. We invite you to visit the gallery and see our seniors’ great talent!

I am extremely excited to be serving as your Mayor and am happy to work for each of you as we continue to move North Olmsted forward positively, continue to enhance communication and provide you the best city services possible.

 
Snow Plowing and Salt Operations
‘Tis the season for snow plowing and road salting by our dedicated Service Department to help keep our residents and motorists safe in inclement weather. Please follow our winter parking guidelines so we can serve you better. Remember, no parking on the hydrant side of street, no parking between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and no parking when the snow depth exceeds two inches. Here some additional plow and salt policy reminders:
  • DO NOT approach operational plow trucks on the street. This is extremely dangerous.
  • As a sensible salting practice, there will be limited salting from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. as salting is not as effective due to low traffic volumes.
 
North Olmsted Fitness Center is Open
Start the New Year with healthy habits! Our fitness center offers a wide variety of cardio machines, strength equipment and free weights. Cleaning, distancing and safety policies are in place to make sure our members have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our equipment is state-of-the-art, user friendly and great for beginners. Fitness attendants are on duty to ensure smooth operation of the equipment and answer your questions. For more information check out our membership pricing or call (440) 734-8200.
 
Stay Connected
Stay informed. Sign up for our VIP Text alert by texting T724 to 36000. You will only receive texts from North Olmsted on community updates and information. You can also sign up for the North Olmsted Parks & Recreation Connection.  Hear about upcoming programs, scheduling changes and other vital information. Another way to stay informed is to subscribe to our e-newsletters. You’ll receive community information on a variety of topics. With just a few clicks, you can get important information sent directly to your phone or inbox!
 
New Directors Confirmed by City Council 
Jennifer Schofield (left), Kevin Kearney (center), and Lisa Kidd (right). Photo of Max Upton by Barney Taxel.

On Tuesday evening, January 25, members of North Olmsted City Council confirmed the appointments of Director of Human Resources Lisa Kidd, Director of Safety Jennifer Schofield and Director of Service Kevin Kearney.

Earlier in January, Council confirmed the appointment of Director of Community and Economic Development Max Upton.

Each individual brings a wealth of expertise to the City and to their respective departments. Here’s a bit more about them:


Director of Human Resources Lisa Kidd

Director Kidd has worked in the North Olmsted Human Resources Department for 30 years, and replaces former HR Director Marie Gallo, who ended her tenure with the City December 31 to become the first female Mayor in the history of the City of Parma Heights. 

Ms. Kidd has served as the City’s Employment Specialist since March 1993, and is a graduate of Fairview High School. She resides in Olmsted Falls.


Director of Safety Jennifer Schofield

Director Schofield has a diverse background including experience as a Deputy Fiscal Officer in the Office of the Cuyahoga County Executive, as the former CEO of the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, and most recently as the Executive Director of Daily Dose of Reading, a non-profit organization which improves literacy in children by empowering families through reading and language.

Schofield has also served as the Director of Health Promotion for the Cleveland Department of Public Health, as a Program Manager for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and has worked as a Director of Youth and Community Development for the Akron Area YMCA, Director of Development for the Health Museum of Cleveland, and as a Program Manager for the American College Health Association.

She is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, where she earned an undergraduate degree in Community Health Education and a Master’s degree in Health Education.

She resides in North Olmsted.

Director of Service Kevin Kearney

Director Kearney is well-known to North Olmsted residents having served as a Councilman-at-Large, Chair of the City’s Finance Committee, Recreation, Public Parks and Buildings Committee and the Public Health and Welfare Committee, as well as a CYO Coach.

Since 1999 Kearney has been employed as a General Foreman for the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners. He has been a member of Laborers Local 310 since 1981, and served as a general foreman on the Tower City Project in downtown Cleveland.  He also oversaw all phases of construction for Strongsville’s South Park Center shopping mall, and was the union steward for a $40 million expansion project at Fairview General Hospital.

He resides in Lakewood.


Director of Economic and Community Development Max Upton

Director Upton is a native of Lorain, who most recently served as the Director of Building, Housing and Planning in that community.

He has experience as an Adjunct Faculty Instructor in Urban Studies, Economic Development and Finance at Cleveland State University, and served as the Economic Development Director for Midtown Cleveland, Inc., where he held responsibility for leading real estate, community and economic development efforts throughout Cleveland’s MidTown neighborhood and the Health-Tech corridor.

A graduate of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, Upton earned an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies and a Master of Public Administration degree, as well as a graduate certificate in Urban Economic Development.

Upton serves on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Conference of Community Development (OCCD) and the legislative policy committee of the OCCD Board of Directors, as well as the Congress for the New Urbanism’s Board as an at-large representative.

Upton served six years in the Ohio Army National Guard including a tour of duty in Afghanistan, where he was a logistics sergeant supporting the Nato Training Mission Afghanistan (NTMA).

He resides in Lorain with wife, Kristin and daughter, Klara.

 
City Hall Closed on President’s Day,
Monday, February 21
North Olmsted City Hall will be closed in observance of President’s Day on Monday, February 21. As a federal holiday, there will likewise be no mail delivery and banks will also be closed that day.
 
Upcoming Eagle Scout Court of Honor
Medina resident Ethan Philip Waldren earned the prestigious ranking of Eagle Scout – the highest honor given in Boy Scouting – in December 2021.

He will celebrate his Court of Honor in our city at 4 p.m. March 5 at North Olmsted Evangelical Friends Church, 5665 Great Northern Boulevard.
 
News from the North Olmsted Senior Center

Hot Lunch Program

The North Olmsted Senior Center offers hot lunches every Tuesday and Thursday, as well as the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 11:30 a.m. Sign up one week in advance to enjoy a nutritious meal for a $1 suggested donation. All participants must be 60 years of age or older. The February menu and one-time registration form are available for pick up at the Senior Center.  Please call 440-777-8100 with any questions or to sign up.


Speakers and Entertainment

On Thursdays at 12:30 p.m., the following programs will be offered in the Community Cabin after Hot Lunch.

Tom Todd – February 3

Tom plays an assortment of instruments to a diverse collection of sing-a-long songs and fun nostalgic melodies. Join us for a fun-filled hour of music.


Aging Isn’t for Sissies – February 10

Great Lakes Accessibility will present this humorous and informative presentation on fall prevention. A special treat will be provided for all attendees in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
 

John Kowalski – February 17

We are excited to welcome back John Kowalski to our entertainment schedule. John plays keyboard to a variety of your all-time favorite tunes.

 

Senior Care Options – February 24

Tiffany Morgan from the Senior Care Authority will offer information on home care, senior living, insurance coverage, veteran benefits and more! This is an interactive session and audience participation is highly encouraged. Bring your questions and leave with a better understanding of senior living and caring solutions.


Lunch & Learn

On Friday, February 11 at 12:00 p.m. Emerald Village and Holy Family Home will present “Beyond the Hospital.” Representatives Dana and Nicole will offer an interactive experience designed to help educate you about the different levels of care available. Everything you need to know about Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living, Independent Living, Hospice, Home Care and Palliative Care will be covered. Answer true or false questions while learning important information! Sign up by February 8.


Tech Tuesdays

On the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 12:30 p.m. the Senior Center will offer Tech Tuesday Help Desk hours. Bring in your devices (iPads, cell phones or laptops) and support teams will address your questions about FaceTime, email, social media, Google, texting and general device support. No appointments necessary.
 

Community Cabin Rentals

The North Olmsted Community Cabin, located in our beautiful North Olmsted Park adjacent to the Senior Center, is available for rent to individuals and organizations for a variety of uses including private parties, public events, organization meetings and fundraisers. Learn more about current rental fees, facility amenities and submit reservation requests here.

 
Mark your Calendars!  Bulk Pick-Up
The next Bulk Pick-up for residents will be February 10.

Permitted for Bulk Collection:
(Only 6 total items per household, including trash bags).
  • Republic Services picks up on 1st FULL WEEK OF THE MONTH ON THURSDAY
  • BULK WASTE EXAMPLES:
    • oversized items such as home furnishings, mattresses (wrapped in plastic & sealed w/heavy duty tape), box springs, TVs, appliances and other items too large to fit in your refuse containers.
    • Carpet/Wood of any kind & Boxes must be 4’ lengths or less, tied/bundled, 40lbs or less.
    • Appliances: doors must be removed.
    • Toilets: separate tank from bowl.
Not Permitted for Bulk Collection:
  • Large car parts.
  • Tires.
  • Batteries.
  • Construction Debris.