Fun Events Made Eclipse

Experience Memorable

Residents gathered throughout Elmwood Park to view the eclipse.

L-R: Officer Cris Collise greets Xraisong Fam and his mother, Jenny Sun Yan, while Officer Leanne Shirk joins the group with a "thumbs up" during the Total Eclipse in the Park event. Jenny and her son traveled from China to Independence to see the eclipse.

L-R: David and Rosemarie Gwalthney made the six-hour trip from New Jersey near south Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to see the eclipse from the Elmwood Park parking lot.

Independence resident and retired NASA employee Jim Soeder discusses the rarity of a total solar eclipse during his presentation in the Old Rec Building.

It was great to see so many residents viewing the total solar eclipse on April 8 in Elmwood Park. The Community Services and Parks and Recreation Departments did a great job planning events and entertainment to make the experience much more memorable.

Apply Now For

A Cool Summer Job

The Parks and Recreation Department needs lifeguards and umpires as Summer months approach.

If you are a student looking to earn money for college - or just to have cash to do fun things this summer - consider a job with the Parks and Recreation Department. The City has openings for lifeguards, maintenance staff, umpires, scorekeepers, and program assistants.

All positions offer flexible work schedules to help accommodate your needs. If you or someone you know appears to be a good fit for one of these positions and wants more information, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 216.524.3262 for details.

K-9 Officer Bryan Vitron

Promoted To Sergeant

I had the honor of swearing in Bryan Vitron to the rank of sergeant with the Independence Police Department on April 9. For 18 years Sgt. Vitron has served the residents of Independence as a Police Officer. From 2015 to 2023, Sgt. Vitron was the Police Department's K-9 Officer with his partner, Argo.

L-R: Sgt. Bryan Vitron has his badge pinned to his uniform by his wife, Jennifer Zisk-Vitron, who is the City's Community Resource Manager.

Independence Selected

For Beautification Project

I enjoyed helping representatives from the Northern Ohio Damage Prevention Council and Ohio811 complete the landscaping beautification project around the Selig Drive Marquee Sign by planting shrubs and perennials.

L-R: I was joined by City Councilmembers Dale Veverka and Jim Trakas to help start the beautification project.

The marquee sign at the corner of Selig Drive and Brecksville Road in Independence received a Spring makeover on April 10 with the help of the Northern Ohio Damage Prevention Council (NODPC) and Ohio811.

The NODPC selected Independence for a beautification project to promote April Safe Digging Month. Ohio law requires that you call 800.362.2764 or 8-1-1 and/or submit a dig notification request through Ohio811 at least 48 hours (not including weekends and holidays) and no more than 10 working days before you dig.

You don't want to cut a utility, internet, cable, or fiber optic line and be responsible for a costly fine and repair bill.

The beautification project symbolizes the importance of safe digging while enhancing the look of the Selig Drive Marquee Sign. I want to thank the efforts of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, and the Service and Engineering Departments for making the project happen.

Spaces Available For

Hometown Hero Banners

We have a few banner spaces left for the 2024 Hometown Hero season! All sponsors eligible for a third year redisplay were previously contacted via email or phone with registration information. Please be sure to check your email, including your spam or junk folder, for complete details.

These limited spaces are $40 per banner and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, the Community Services Department is looking for individuals to share the story of their Hometown Hero at the City’s Memorial Day Services on Monday, May 27.

If you are interested in redisplay or sharing your hero’s story, please contact Community Services Assistant Director Amber Veverka at 216.524.7373 or veverkaa@independenceohio.org. 

Spill The Beans During

Coffee With A Cop

If you have questions for the Independence Police Department, pull up a chair and join them for Coffee With A Cop, which will be held April 16 from 7 to 9 AM at Sweet P's Café, 6523 Brecksville Road in Independence.

Officers will be on hand to answer your questions and share information in an informal setting.

Upcoming City Council & Committee Meetings

April 18

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

April 23

Utilities & Sewers Committee,

4:30 PM

May 2

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

May 7

Planning Commission, 5:30 PM

May 14

City Council Caucus, 5 PM

Followed by City Council Meeting

May 16

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

Start Your Spring Cleaning

Ahead of Recycling Day

Volunteers are also needed to assist on Recycling Day. Please email Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Wancata (wancatar@independenceohio.org) by April 26 if you would like to help.

If you are looking for a productive way to weather the rainy days of Spring, may I suggest cleaning out your basement, garage, and closets of things you don't need?

You have two weeks to gather unwanted items around the house for our upcoming Recycling and Shred Day sponsored by Vodrazka Funeral Home. The event will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM to Noon at the Fieldhouse parking lot. You must show proof of residency and separate items for proper disposal.

Volunteers are also needed to assist. Please email Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Wancata (wancatar@independenceohio.org) by April 26 if you would like to help.

Check Out The

Weekly Finance Review

Read Finance Director Vern Blaze’s Financial Update for April 12, 2024 by clicking here.

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Mayor's Weekly Update

If you know someone who would like to subscribe to Mayor Kurtz’s Weekly Updates, please ask them

to email their name to: cityhall@independenceohio.org.