Residents Preview

Brecksville Road Project

Residents review plans for the Brecksville Road Improvement Project.

The City held its first informational meeting and open house with residents to explain the scope and estimated timeline for the next phase of the Brecksville Road Improvement Project last Monday.

The project's first phase began in 2018 at Granger Road. Then, between 2019 and 2020, the City improved Brecksville Road between the Interstate 480 bridge south to just before Longano Drive.

This $5.5 million project will include a two-foot symmetrical widening of Brecksville Road north of Rockside Road. It is a high-traffic area where 10,750 vehicles and 400 trucks travel daily. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Brecksville Road during construction.

The project will require right-of-way acquisitions, tree removals (and replacements), utility relocations along with water main replacements, new hydrants, storm sewer and drainage improvements, new concrete curbs, driveway aprons, and sidewalks on both sides of the road. The City will also install decorative street lighting and a new traffic signal at Longano Drive with a pedestrian crossing.

I want to thank City Engineer Don Ramm and his entire team for providing detailed information about the project and being available to answer specific questions from residents about their property. The presentation is available on the website by clicking here.

City's ICAN! Program

Receives OPRA Award

L-R: OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward, Parks & Recreation Department Manager Ryan Wancata, ICAN! Program Coordinator Jim Wotowiec, Parks and Recreation Department Director Tom Walchanowicz, and OPRA Board President Nathan Eppink.

Congratulations to our ICAN! programming team past and present on receiving first place in the Adaptive Programming category during the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association’s annual Awards of Excellence ceremony on February 6. 

The ICAN! Program was founded by Val Troiano back in 2008 and now has more than 20 different programs per month and impacts hundreds of individuals with disabilities throughout Ohio.

Jim Wotowiec currently heads the ICAN! Program, which is a network of parents, residents, and City employees working together to provide adapted athletic, fitness, recreational, and social activities to individuals 10 years and older with physical, sensory, or developmental disabilities.

The ICAN! Program was also one of the top three cities in the running for the prestigious Governor’s Award for 2023, but was not selected for that honor.

You can watch the video presentation by clicking here.

Chief Butler Begins Second

Term With County Board

Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Association Executive Director Kevin Nietert swears in Police Chief Robert Butler

for his second term on the organization's Executive Board.

Police Chief Robert Butler was sworn in this week for his second term on the Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Association's Executive Board.

Chief Butler is proud to be a member of this great organization. His goal as Police Chief is to be active in organizations that move the law enforcement profession forward.

The organization, founded in 1928, is a community of Police Chiefs dedicated to serving our communities by keeping them safe, and working together.

Congratulations, Chief Butler!

Annual CRAG Grant

Submitted For Trash Cans

Fourteen (14) trash and recycling cans will be added to the existing 14 cans installed last year with the same grant. 

The Parks & Recreation Department submitted the annual Community Recycling Awareness Grant (CRAG) to the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.

The plan is to use grant funding to purchase additional trash cans for the City Campus. The cans will feature the new City branding and include signage.

Officers Dish Out Honors

During Cooking Event

L-R: Sgt. Everett Haworth and Officer Troy Keegan help Helene Casserlie and Barb Basnett sample meals prepared by Independence Middle School eighth graders.

Police Chief Robert Butler and I always like to see our Police Officers interacting with the young people in our community.

Last week, Sgt. Everett Haworth and School Resource Officer Troy Keegan joined two Independence Middle School staff members to judge the eighth-grade cooking competition.

Both Police Officers sampled several meals. Officer Keegan best summed up the competition in one word: "Fantastic."

Angie's Tavern Reopens

On Hillside Road

Corner of Hillside and 21

Independence OH

216.232.4044

Happy to be your

Neighborhood stop!

Mon thru Thurs 11 AM to 10 PM

Fri and Sat 11 AM to Midnight

Sunday 11 AM to 10 PM

We happily accept

all major credit cards.

I'm proud to say Angie's Tavern has reopened at 6932 Hillside Road. The new phone number is 216.232.4044.

Mardi Gras Festivities

Start Lenten Season

L-R: Dominic Armini, Judy Scouloukas, Florence Skwarski, Dorothy Wisniewski, Christine Novak, and Dolores Hornack dressed for the festive occasion.

L-R: Bill Griffith, Sue May, Laura Petruzzi, Pat Petruzzi, Jerry Cichra, Linda Cichra, Ken Oravec, and Barb Oravec get ready to party.

Residents enjoyed a Mardi Gras luncheon at the Civic Center on February 13. The menu included soup, Mardi Gras chicken, wild rice, cornbread, and paczki.

The history of Mardi Gras originates in what is now Italy. Dating back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites, the holiday grew into its present form in heavily Roman Catholic countries.

Also known as Carnival in many parts of the world, the holiday takes place right before Lent and is all about celebrating before a season of fasting and penance.

Take Note: City Hall Closed

For Presidents Day

In observance of Presidents Day, City Hall and most departments will be closed Monday, February 19. Police, Fire, Community Services and the Parks and Recreation Departments will be open.

If Monday is your regular rubbish day, next week the Service Department will collect your rubbish and recycling on Tuesday, February 20. Some pickups may occur after 4:30 PM. Rubbish and recycling collection during the week will be picked up on their regularly schedules dates.

Federal, state, and county government offices, and the post office will be closed on Monday.

Want To Head Down

Bunny Trail? Hop To It!

As children fill their baskets, they can enjoy a variety of activities along the Bunny Trail.

The Easter Bunny is planning to make a stop in Independence – and you and your child won’t want to miss the fun that will be hopp-ening during the visit.

The City and the Easter Bunny will host the annual Bunny Trail on Saturday, March 16 from 10 AM

to 2 PM at the Civic Center.

The Bunny Trail is open only for residents ages 12 and under, and available for 30-minute time slots. Children should bring their Easter basket and follow the Bunny Trail through the Civic Center making stops along the way.

Registration is required and can be made by calling 216.524.7373. The deadline to register is Friday, March 8, 2024.

It's Time To Tee Up

Golf Lessons For Kids

Young golfers can learn the game or brush up on their skills by receiving lessons from golf coach Joe Battaglia.

Golf lessons for kids will be offered on Saturdays March 2 to April 6 from 9 to 10 AM in the Civic Center gymnasium.

Lessons are offered for Independence residents only ages 8 to 15. Cost is $75 for the five, one-hour sessions. Class size is limited. Register today by clicking here.

CVCC Offers Free

Job Fair in March

Cuyahoga Valley Career Center prepares youth and adults to enter, compete, advance, and lead in an ever changing world of work, college, and careers.

The Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, 8001 Brecksville Road in Brecksville, is hosting a free Job Fair on Thursday, March 7 from 3 to 5 PM. No registration is required.

The job fair provides a great opportunity for job seekers ages 14 and older to get information and interview for open positions.

Job seekers should come prepared with copies of their resume, references, and be prepared to interview. For more information, click here or call 440.526.5200.

Check Out The

Weekly Finance Review

Read Finance Director Vern Blaze’s Financial Update for February 16, 2024 by clicking here.

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