Mayor Gregory P. Kurtz's Weekly Update for April 26, 2024

Wild Republic Pays Earth

Day Visit To IPS Bio Society

Jennifer Cook, Corporate Communications Manager for Wild Republic, answers questions from Independence Primary School fourth-grade students who are members of the Biology Society's Tadpoles.

Every Independence Primary School student was given a plush toy, similar to this elephant, courtesy of Wild Republic.

Representatives from Wild Republic were welcomed on Earth Day April 22 by members of Independence Primary School’s new fourth-grade Biology Society. Students learned how the Independence-based company manufactures plush toys and gifts using Earth-friendly sustainable and recycled materials.

Jennifer Cook, Wild Republic’s Corporate Communications Manager, answered students’ questions about different animals, their habitats, and the importance of protecting the Earth’s eco-system by recycling. Every Independence Primary School student was given a plush toy courtesy of Wild Republic.

Amy Montague, a fourth-grade teacher, said this is the first year Independence Primary School has offered students a Biology Society, which has been named the Tadpoles. Students are learning about sustainability, recycling, and ways to protect the Earth’s environment.

India Fest USA Honors City

As A Community Champion

L-R: I received India Fest USA's 2024 Community Champion Award on behalf of the City of Independence from the group's Board member Eduardo Romero.

Dancers entertain guests during the inaugural gala.

India Fest USA held its inaugural gala on April 13 at LaVilla Conference and Banquet Center in Brookpark. The City of Independence was honored with a 2024 Community Champion Award.

Since its inception in 2010, India Fest USA, based in Broadview Heights, strives to reach out to the diverse population in Northeast Ohio and promote diversity, inclusivity and integrity.

Congratulations to India Fest USA on celebrating 15 years in the community bridging Cultures, Generations, and Communities.

City Celebrates Efforts

Of Valuable Volunteers

Finance Director Vern Blaze and I had the honor of presenting Debbie Chrzanowski with the City's 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award.

I enjoyed greeting our volunteers during the April 24 appreciation dinner.

L-R: Irene Siska, Linda Korinek, Ed Ksiazka, and Pat Jatsek commemorated the evening with a group photo.

It's hard to imagine that the City's 62 volunteers provided more than 1,350 hours of service to residents and guests in 2023. Perhaps no one fits the description of what it means to be a volunteer better than Debbie Chrzanowski.

Debbie was recognized for assisting with the widest range of Community Services programs and events - eight to be exact! So it came as no surprise when she was selected as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year during the City's annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on April 24. The event was held in conjunction with April being National Volunteer Appreciation Month.

Finance Director Vern Blaze joined me to recognize these volunteers who generously served alongside Community Services in the past year. We salute the following volunteers who received a certificate, reusable lunch box, and an Amazon gift card:

Thomas Andel, Megen Anderson, Jean Artrip, Judy Barone, Craig Belec, Carol Bellian, Marlene Bojko, Debbie Chrzanowski, Frances Colosimo, Chelsea Crossland, Krista Defini, Kathryn Doskocz, John Daugherty, Gerald Fana, Gilbert Freilino, and Darlene Gareau.

Bill Griffith, Posy Grzincic, Cynthia Guell, Dolores Hornack, Brian Jasko, Judy Jasko, Pat Jatsek, Natalie Jevic-Winkler, Kathleen Jurcago, Jerry Knittel, Renee Knittel, Joanne Kriedeman, Ed Ksiazka, Lois Kurkul, Ron Latare, and Alexandra Law.

Bob Law, Diane Less, Sue Loparo, Diane Loreta, William Lucas, Carol Macerelli, Johanna Magyar, Tom Martin, Marilyn Mason, Glenn Mau, Sue May, Laura Medvec, George Michalke, Gloria Mikals, Toni Muntean, and Kathleen Nestor.

Christine Novak, Laura Lee Petruzzi, Sue Saunders, John Shippitka, Ron Skebo, David Stefanski, Daniel Stegmaier, George Topolski, Dale Veverka, Madeline Wateska, Janet Young, John Young, and Christine Zimon.

Our volunteers helped with events like the Bunny Trail, Home Days, and Fall Fest; and programs such as Bingo, Meals on Wheels, the Senior Citizens of Independence ("Senior Org"), Welcome Wagon, and Youth Programs.

Thank you to the Cuyahoga Franklin Group for catering the meal, and to the Community Services Department for hosting a wonderful and memorable event for our volunteers.

May 6 Deadline Approaching To Opt Out of NOPEC

Most of you should have received - or will be receiving - two letters from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council's (NOPEC) - one for electric service and the other for natural gas service. Earlier this year, the City extended its contract with NOPEC to offer electric and natural gas services to residents. Per this agreement, NOPEC is required to mail all active customers a letter explaining that the new term runs until June 2025.

If you want to continue with NOPEC, you do not need to take any action. If you choose to opt out of NOPEC but don't make the May 6 deadline you will have NOPEC for a billing cycle or two depending on when you agreed to opt out.

Here are some important dates and timing for both electric and natural gas rates for Independence residents:

Opt out materials for the electric program were mailed to Independence customers on April 15, 2024 with an opt out deadline of May 6, 2024. Natural gas program information for the community was mailed on April 19, 2024 with an opt out deadline of May 10, 2024.

Both mailings include active NOPEC customers.
Opt out materials were sent to the community since the beginning of the current aggregation term. Each program referenced a one-year term running until the June 2024 meter read date.
Since the City extended its contract with NOPEC for another year, all active customers are required to receive updated opt out materials reflecting the new term running until the June 2025 meter read date.
Customers that are currently active under the Standard Program Price or a refresh price that do not take action will switch to the price outlined in the current mailing.
Customers that are currently active under a 12- or 24-month fixed term product (with or without 100% Renewable Energy Credits for electricity) will remain on their requested product until the term ends. If you don’t take action to elect another product at that time, you will revert to the Standard Program Price.
NOPEC included an informational buck slip insert in both natural gas and electric mailings to remind residents of this information.
Customers that previously chose and are active under the Monthly Variable Price product (-6% off the utility Standard Service Offer price for residential) are required to actively re-elect this product due to PUCO requirements. If you do not call NOPEC to request to remain under that product, you will revert to the price outlined in your mailing.

NOPEC included customers that had previously rescinded their enrollment, opted out, or dropped in the 2023-2024 one-year term since the contract extension represents a new term.
Newly-eligible customers that don’t fall into the active or existing inactive buckets were included in the mailings as well.

If you miss either of the deadlines, remember you can opt out of NOPEC at anytime with no penalty.

If you have any questions, or want more information, visit NOPEC’s website at nopec.org or call its 24/7 Customer Care Center at 855.667.3201. If you want to opt out of the aggregation program, you can return the opt out form included with the enrollment letter by the dates indicated in your letter.

RiverSweep Set To Clean

Litter On Cuyahoga River

Volunteers clean up the Cuyahoga River during last year's event.

Your help cleaning up the Cuyahoga River Valley is instrumental to the work of Canalway to preserve the natural assets of the Ohio and Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. One way to help is by participating in the annual RiverSweep event, which will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 9 to 11 AM at various sites along the Cuyahoga River.

There are 16 cleanup locations in and around Cleveland along the Cuyahoga River and its tributaries. Volunteers are needed to clean up waterways and green spaces so they can be enjoyed and preserved now and in the future.

Want to cleanup on the Cuyahoga River? Bring your own kayak to join the On the River team. Don't have your own boat? Sign up for a kayak rental through Trash Fish for $20.

Once registered, volunteers will be invited to an appreciation event directly after RiverSweep. Be sure to register for the event if you plan to attend.

For details, visit canalwaypartners.com/events or click here.

Shred The News: Recycling

Day Set For Tomorrow

Today's the last day to rid your basement and closets of unwanted or unneeded items to take to Recycling and Shred Day.

The City-wide Recycling and Shred Day is Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM to Noon outside the Fieldhouse. Unwanted or unneeded items can be dropped off in the designated area outside the Fieldhouse.

You can drive up and drop off your unwanted items. You must show proof of residency and separate your items for proper disposal.

Items accepted include donations, clothing, household items, shreddable materials, electronic device waste, plastic films, household hazardous waste, bulbs and batteries, and canned goods.

Thank you to Vodrazka Funeral Home for sponsoring this event.

New Machines Help

Step Up Your Workouts

Residents now have three new pieces of cardiovascular equipment to use in the Civic Center upstairs workout area. These machines include two Precor 835 upright bikes with fluid pedaling and one Precor SCL835 stair climber with ultra smooth operation and several motivating workout modes.

Umpires, Pool Staff

Needed For Summer

The Parks and Recreation Department continues to interview for summer job positions. Among the needs for additional staff includes pool maintenance, park maintenance, and umpires for Little League games. For more information about open positions, visit: independenceohio.isolvedhire.com/jobs/ or click here.

Scout Troop 811

To Hold Clothing Drive

Independence Scout Troop 811 will hold its Savers Clothing Drive on Saturday, May 18 from 8 to 11:30 AM at the Old Recreation Building. Scouts are looking for your unwanted clothes, shoes, and anything else made of fabric. No household goods will be accepted. For details, call 216.375.6305.