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A Message from
City Administrator Danny Williams
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Concerned residents,
Tom Jewell’s July 29, 2024, article regarding the resignation of former Cleveland Heights Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Ledbetter came as a surprise. As City Administrator, Kelly Ledbetter was my direct report. Mr. Jewell’s article presents a distorted, inaccurate picture of Cleveland Heights’ contracting and purchasing policies, City operations, and the Department of Parks and Recreation.
The City of Cleveland Heights normally would not comment on the job performance of a former employee; however, Mr. Ledbetter’s statements in the article—and the failure of Cleveland.com to allow the City to comment on them before publishing—force me to respond. It is critical, particularly for department heads like Mr. Ledbetter, that we perform our responsibilities in compliance with the law, even when we may think those rules could be improved. This is especially important with regard to the proper execution of contracts. Mr. Ledbetter’s failure to adhere to required contracting protocols caused or, at a minimum, contributed to the problems he describes. In many of the instances, actions taken under his leadership had to be repeated and corrected because he did not follow policies and procedures, which inevitably led to delays.
These errors also caused unnecessary work for other City departments. The Mayor and I have been spending increased time with Parks and Rec staff since Mr. Ledbetter’s departure. We are still finding and addressing unauthorized commitments made by Mr. Ledbetter without proper authorizations. The Mayor is personally screening Mr. Ledbetter’s unanswered voicemails going back to March of this year.
Mr. Ledbetter’s attempt to pass the blame to Mayor Seren for problems in his department without accepting or acknowledging his own responsibility for them is inappropriate and is a disservice to the residents of Cleveland Heights. In announcing that he would not be appointing an interim Parks Director following Mr. Ledbetter’s departure, Mayor Seren stated that he had confidence the City’s Parks and Recreation supervisors would keep things on track while the City searches for a new director. I share the Mayor’s confidence. The department’s supervisors were not the source of the problem.
Rumors and misinformation do not serve our community well. We are considering a more proactive approach, a bi-monthly “Rumor Roundup” series that addresses rumors head-on before they become accepted as fact. Until then, I encourage you to reserve judgment on one-sided claims until you have heard the full story.
Sincerely,
Danny R. Williams
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An important message from Mayor Seren | |
USA Hockey's Laila Edwards inspires on and off the ice | |
Cleveland Heights' Laila Edwards made history when she became the first Black woman to play for the USA Hockey senior women's national team.
From WKYC.com
When you're serious about hockey, you have to know how to handle the puck, take hard shots at the net, and explode on the ice.
Laila Edwards, 20, of Cleveland Heights, has all of that and more because this game is what she's always known.
"I was about three when I was figure skating, and then I switched to hockey at about four or five," Laila said.
By 8, she was traveling to out-of-state tournaments and honing in on her position.
"I was mostly a forward when I started and I was like, 'Yeah, this is what I want to do. I like to score," she said...
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Skerryvore
Tuesday, August 6
7:00 pm
Evans Amphitheater
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Over the last 16 years, Skerryvore have brought their performances to audiences across the globe, from their early days in Scottish West Coast halls and bars, to Festival crowds in USA, Canada, Australia and throughout the UK and Europe.
Picking up Scottish music’s ‘Live Act of the Year’ twice on the way – the band’s wide range of influences and talent produce a musically expansive, high energy set that excites and captivates audiences. Their 6 studio albums demonstrate the wide range of influences the individual musicians bring to the mix – a unique fusion of folk, trad, rock and pop.
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Gin Blossoms & Toad the Wet Sprocket
Vertical Horizon
Wednesday, August 07
7:00 pm
Evans Amphitheater
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GIN BLOSSOMS rose to prominence following the 1992 release of their first major label debut album, New Miserable Experience, and the first single released from that album, Hey Jealousy became a Top 25 hit and went gold. New Miserable Experience eventually went quadruple platinum. The band’s follow-up album, Congratulations I’m Sorry, went platinum, as well, and included the top 10 single Follow You Down.
TOAD THE WET SPROCKET is still making new music and touring with the same spirit of unwavering independence that started it all over three decades ago. The band is thankful for the continued help and enthusiastic support of their fans, which helped spur the release of All You Want and also served as inspiration for the band to not only tour and play live, but to continue to make new original music together.
VERTICAL HORIZON was founded in the early 1990s, but it was seven years before lead singer Matt Scannell’s songs became the radio hits that brought the popular grassroots band to national attention. In 1999, they released their breakout album, Everything You Want, which went on to sell more than two million copies.
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Parks and Recreation Programs | |
Adult Fitness and Wellness | |
Noble Gardeners' Market Returns for 2024 | |
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Noble Gardeners' Market runs each Saturday in August and September from 10 am to noon at the corner of Noble and Roanoke Roads, one block north of Monticello Boulevard.
Sellers who grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers at home or in community gardens are welcome to share their abundance. Sellers are not charged for space but must provide their own table or ground cloth. They must also display their prices and provide change for their customers.
New this year, Noble Gardeners' Market is inviting Cottage Food producers to sell their products. These sellers must comply with the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture rules for Cottage Food Production Operations. A downloadable copy of those regulations is available at www.NobleNeighbors.com. Noble Gardeners' Market is in compliance with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and is subject to inspection.
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TOMORROW!
Heights Athletic Boosters Carnival
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Heights High School
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Heights Athletic Boosters is hosting a Carnival on Saturday, August 3rd to kick off the fall sports season.
There will be food trucks, a bounce house, and games and activities for all ages from a home run derby and football target toss to silly relay races and face painting. Attendees can also join in the cross country team's 24-Hour Relay.
The event is a great opportunity to meet Tiger athletes and coaches as we get hyped up for one of the most exciting sports seasons in Heights High's history.
All activities will take place from 11am to 3pm on or around the football field, except the home run derby which will be on the baseball field. Activities will cost one, two or three tickets with 25 tickets selling for $10.
Some activities, such as visiting a city fire truck or playing giant yard games, will be free. Please, no backpacks or large bags allowed though you may drop off used sports equipment for our Coaches' Closet.
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Registration opens for Shaker Lakes Hike & Run | |
The Shaker Lakes Hike & Run is on Sunday, September 15, 2024. It includes the following events: 5k Run/Walk, 10k Run, 1 Mile Run/Walk, 1-2 Mile Family Friendly Hike, 4 Mile Rim of the Gorge Hike, 5-6 Mile Gorge Hike, and 1-2 Mile Shaker Parklands Hike. | |
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The alumni department at Lutheran High School East is hosting a coed flag football event on September 7, 2024. The goal is to bring alumni, current students, and the community together with the school. | |
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Cleveland Heights City Council is on recess during the month of July.
The next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 7:30 pm, in the Council Chamber.
It will be preceded by a Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:00 pm in the Executive Conference Room. Both meetings may be viewed live on YouTube.
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