Safety Town Graduates

Honored During Programs

Mayor Gregory Kurtz always enjoys Safety Town Graduation Day.

L-R: Independence Primary School kindergarten teacher Patricia Kandzer and Officer Jim Green welcome parents and grandparents to the Safety Town Graduation Day program while Officer Troy Keegan, Police Chief Robert Butler, and Mayor Gregory Kurtz look on.

L-R: A Safety Town graduate gives congratulatory fist bumps to Officer Jim Green, Police Chief Robert Butler, Officer Troy Keegan, and Mayor Gregory Kurtz.

Brielle Faciana was a willing recipient of a free ice cream coupon from Mayor Gregory Kurtz. At right is her mom, Kristen.

Two groups totaling 47 children successfully completed the City's Safety Town educational program and graduated from the class on June 21. Children in each of the two graduating classes received their Safety Town certificate and a coupon for free ice cream from Mayor Gregory Kurtz.

A third class will graduate from the Safety Town program on July 3.

Safety Town is an early education program designed for children entering kindergarten. Children attend Safety Town two hours per day five days a week for two weeks. During that time they learn a variety of safety topics taught by the Independence Police Department staff and guest speakers from the Independence Fire Department and the Parks & Recreation Department.

School Resource Officers Jim Green and Troy Keegan and Independence Primary School kindergarten teacher Patricia Kandzer coordinated the program.

A miniature Safety Town with streets, houses, traffic signs and a working traffic light is set up in Elmwood Park. Children learn traffic signs and rules as they drive peddle cars around the town. They can also park their cars and practice pedestrian safety on the town’s sidewalks and crosswalks.

The two-week program is a collaboration between Independence Local Schools and the Independence Police Department. 

IPD Outlines Rules

For Bike Use In Parks

This sign posted near the Under 10 Soccer Field in Elmwood Park outlines reminders for bike safety.

Officer Cristopher Collise, who is the City's new Community Cop, wants to remind residents to safely operate bicycles - and electronic bicycles - while riding through Elmwood Park or other City parks. Wear a helmet at all times while riding a bike.

According to Section 4511.55 of the Ohio Revised Code pertaining to operating bicycles, electronic bicycles, and motorcycles on roadway: Every person operating a bicycle or electronic bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

Additionally in Section 4511.52: A bicycle operator or electronic bicycle operator who violates any section of the Revised Code ... may be issued a ticket, citation, or summons by a law enforcement officer.

"We want to remind bicyclists to slow down and give people a verbal warning or ring a bell if you're passing them," Officer Collise said. "When games are being played, park or walk your bike. When securing your bike, be sure to lock it to a bike rack to prevent the bike from being stolen."

IHS Wrestlers, Coaches

Host Free Wrestling Camp

No prior wrestling experience is needed to attend this camp, which will be instructed by the IHS wrestling coaches and wrestlers.

The Independence High School wrestling team is holding a free youth wrestling camp for students in grades kindergarten through seventh grade. There are several registration openings for interested campers.

The camps will be held on Saturday, July 20 from 10 to 11:30 AM and Noon to 1:30 PM (wrestlers should bring a lunch) and on Sunday, July 21 from 10 to 11:30 AM. Each camp session will be held at Independence Middle School, 6111 Archwood Road.

For information, contact Ken DeAngelis,

Independence High School wrestling coach, at kdeangelis@independence.k12.oh.us

Gear Up Velo Set For

Second Bike Criterium

Bicyclists line up to begin the 2023 Gear Up Velo Criterium.

The second annual Gear Up Velo Criterium, powered by the Knabe Law Firm, will be held on Sunday, July 28. Last year's inaugural bike criterium, held in conjunction with the City's Home Days festivities, drew rave reviews from participants.

This year Gear Up Velo, located at 6596 Brecksville Road, is partnering with Cornerstone of Hope, which will be the recipient of funds raised during the Miles of Memories Bike-A-Thon. Cornerstone of Hope provides support, education, and hope for those who are grieving. The Bike-A-Thon is a new part of this year's Gear Up Velo Criterium and will honor loved ones who died and to support those are grieving.

The criterium will be held in the north parking lot of the former Cleveland Clinic building, located at 6801 Brecksville Road across from City Hall. The first of eight category races begins at 9 AM.



To learn more about the Criterium and the Miles of Memories Bike-A-Thon, visit www.bikereg.com/gearupvelo-independence-criterium

or click here.

United Methodist Church

Hosts Classic Car Cruise

Music, food, raffle prizes ... and classic cars create the perfect recipe for a fun-filled summer evening.

Independence United Methodist Church, 6615 Brecksville Road, will host a Classic Car Cruise today (June 28) from 5 to 8 PM.

Enjoy an array of classic cars, good food, and great music. You don't have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy this event.

For information, contact Dale Veverka at 216.407.8657.

Residents Treasure Items

At Citywide Garage Sale

L-R: Officers T.J. Ungvarsky and Tyler Mercado cool off at this lemonade stand, which donated all proceeds to GiGi's Playhouse in Cleveland for Down syndrome programming and support.

Axel Port set up a lemonade stand to help thirsty shoppers beat the summer heat.

Nearly 100 Independence families set up shop to participate in last week’s Citywide Garage Sale. 

Hundreds of shoppers found furniture, clothing, collectables, and other treasures. Many young people set up lemonade stands to help quench people’s thirst and gain essential entrepreneurship skills. 

I want to thank the Community Services team for another well-organized event.  

Summer Concert Series

Rock 'N' Rolls Into July

The Wayne Tomsic Band takes the Town Hall Bandstand stage today (June 28) at 7 PM.

L-R: Ken and Barb Oravec enjoy a summer Friday evening listening to music during a concert on the Town Hall Bandstand.

The 2024 Summer Concert Series is in full swing as we head into July. Concerts are held on Friday evenings tonight through July 26 from 7 to 9 PM. Tonight's concert features the popular Wayne Tomsic Band.

Looking ahead, July's concert lineup and ancillary activities include:

July 5

● Indy Farmers Market, 5 to 8 PM

● Yoga on the Square, 5:15 to 6:15 PM

● Food Trucks, (featuring Just Us Doggs and Kona Ice), 6 to 9 PM

● CHANCE (Las Vegas-style horns) performing from 7 to 9 PM.

July 12

● Indy Farmers Market, 5 to 8 PM

● Yoga on the Square, 5:15 to 6:15 PM

● Food Trucks, (featuring Wrap It Up and Daisy Pops), 6 to 9 PM

● FM77 (Disco Tribute) performing from 7 to 9 PM.

July 19

● Indy Farmers Market, 5 to 8 PM

● Yoga on the Square, 5:15 to 6:15 PM

● Food Trucks, (featuring Twisted Grill & Grind and CLE Cotton Candy), 6 to 9 PM

● Celebration! (Songs from the 1960s) performing from 7 to 9 PM.

July 26

● Indy Farmers Market, 5 to 8 PM

● Yoga on the Square, 5:15 to 6:15 PM

● Food Trucks, (featuring Southern Thangs and Event Novelty Truck), 6 to 9 PM

● Faction Cleveland (Pop, Rock, Top 40 Hits) performing from 7 to 9 PM.

Please note that in the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held at the Civic Center, 6363 Selig Drive. Call 216.524.7373 to confirm the location of the concert.

Yoga on the Square, instructed by Studio 108's Tracy Rhinehart, moves to Studio 108, 6487 Brecksville Road, if the weather doesn't allow for outdoor activities.

Summer is here! Get out and enjoy all of the fun activities the City has in store for you and your family.

Upcoming City Council

& Committee Meetings

July 2

Planning Commission, 4:30 PM

July 3

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

July 9

City Council Caucus, 5:30 PM

Followed by City Council Meeting

July 18

Architectural Review Board, 3PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

August 1

Civil Service Commission, 9 AM

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

August 6

Planning Commission, 5:30 PM

August 13

City Council Caucus, 5:30 PM

Followed by City Council Meeting

July Independence

Post Arriving Soon

Watch your mail box for the July issue of The Independence Post. You can also read this edition on our website: www.independenceohio.org or by clicking here.

Check Out The

Weekly Finance Review

Read Finance Director Vern Blaze’s Financial Update for June 28, 2024 by clicking here.

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