Event Honors Mayor, Finance Director, Council

Lyn and I enjoyed dancing to the

music of the band Chance.

My "4 Fs" are faith, family, friendships, and fairness. I was proud to have my family celebrate the evening with us. L-R: daughter Tori, my wife Lyn, my mom Dolores, daughters Ashley and Tiffany, and son Greg.

The three-piece ensemble

OPUS216 set the tone of the evening by playing a variety of popular songs during the cocktail hour.

If you were one of the 350 people who attended last Saturday night's Inaugural 2024 Celebration at Embassy Suites, I'm sure you will agree that the event was spectacular and did not disappoint. The celebration truly was about faith, family, and friends.

The celebration could not have happened without the support of Finance Director Vern Blaze and City Council. I would like to thank our many event sponsors (listed in this update), and the Inaugural 2024 Committee (chaired by my wife, Lyn, with the assistance of Dar Velotta, Maggie Osysko, Alla Lora, and Ron Hollowell).

There were so many captivating elements that made the night so special, including my son Greg's brilliant acapella singing of the National Anthem.

As Lyn and I were leaving the Embassy, I couldn't help but notice the beautiful CBIZ building and sign across from the hotel. That building did not exist four years ago at the last Inaugural Celebration, and today stands as a sign of the progress we have made - and continue to make - in the City.

Finally, if you took pictures during Saturday night's celebration and would like to share them, please email them to: indyimages1@gmail.com

Thank You To All

Event Sponsors

Lyn and I would like to warmly express our deepest gratitude to the generosity of the businesses, families, friends, and all those who provided assistance to make the Inaugural 2024 Celebration a successful event!

Your financial support, friendship, encouragement, acts of goodwill and kindness have truly humbled us. We both want you to know how very much we appreciate all of you and for so many of you who joined us for the Inaugural 2024 Celebration.

God Bless all of you and God Bless America!

Diamond Donors

Allega Family

Event Source

Heidelberg Distributing Company

Petitti Garden Centers

Gold Donors

All Erection & Crane Rental Corp.

Independence Excavating Inc.

Premier Truck Sales & Rental Inc.

Quasar Energy Group LLC

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Silver Donors

6700 Rockside LLC

Donald G. Bohning

& Associates Inc.

CBIZ Inc.

Catts Construction Inc.

Chieftain Trucking & Excavation

Inc.

ChromaScape LLC

Enerco Group Inc.

Geotech Services Inc.

Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns &

DeHaven Inc. DBA GPD Group

Kurtz Bros. Inc.

MinuteMen OhioComp

Paramount Concrete Construction

LLC – Anthony Manocchio

Quality Control Inspection Inc.

Signature Sauces – Perry Stancato

United Survey Inc.

Blue Donors

F.P. Allega Concrete

Construction Corp.

American Fleet Services

Best Equipment Co. - Joe Aquilino

Crossroads Asphalt –

Ron McKinley Sr.

Down to Earth Landscaping Inc.

Garland Industries

Independence Bank -

Christopher W. Mack

Mark & Kristie Milan

P&P Valley View Holdings Inc.

Precision Environmental Co.

Redwood Living Inc.

Signal Service Company

TFG Management Inc.

Joseph & Nancy Vocaire

Chris & Nancy Wygonski

Donors

E.L. Robinson Engineering –

Richard E. Rockich Jr.

Smith & Nejedlik Inc.

Three-Z-Inc. –

Robert, Melvin, and Thomas Zuercher

Grateful Residents Treat

Service Team To Lunch

On behalf of the Service Department, Justin Prugar conveys a thank you to the community for the luncheon.

What started out as a white-knuckle ride for Janie O’Connor-Frustaci through neighboring communities on January 19 turned out to benefit both the Independence Service Department and the Parent-Teacher Association thanks to the generosity of Independence residents.

Janie left her home in the morning on her way to work. The white-out conditions made it difficult for plow drivers to keep the roads clear of the falling snow. As she headed home, Janie was happily greeted by plowed, salted, and wet roads in Independence.

To convey her appreciation to the Service Department for a job well done keeping the City’s roads clear and safe, Janie took to social media seeking donations for a Service Department appreciation luncheon. She raised $310 and had money left over to donate to the PTA. The Service Department enjoyed the luncheon on January 23. The food was catered by Augie’s Pizza in Independence, which gave Janie a 15% discount off the order.

Thank you, Janie, and all residents who made a donation.

Dennis Kucinich Enters

U.S. House Race

Dennis J. Kucinich announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives as an Independent from Ohio's 7th District. Kucinich made the announcement on January 24 during a press conference at the Civic Center.

Warm Weather Cuts Short

Elmwood Pond Skating

These hockey players took to the ice on their day home from school on January 22. With warmer, rainy weather setting in the pond is no longer open for skating.

Lydia Wokal enjoys one of her final days of college winter break practicing a skating routine.

Changes Coming

To Aerobics Room

The aerobics room will soon undergo a slight facelift with fresh paint, wall stencils, and more.

The Parks and Recreation Department is making improvements to the aerobics room at the Civic Center.

Plans are to repaint the room, add stencils, motivational messages, dimmable lights, a new drop ceiling, and more. The aerobics instructors will submit their opinions as well. Stay tuned for these updates!

New Elliptical Machines

Added To Exercise Area

One of the Civic Center's new Precor EFX 835 Converging Cross Ramp elliptical machines.

Two Precor EFX 835 Converging Cross Ramp elliptical machines were added to the exercise area at the Civic Center.

These ellipticals replaced machines that were at least 10 years old. The new machines use state-of-the art technology to either isolate or cross train specific lower body muscle groups, resulting in better training outcomes. Come try them out today!

Business Roundtable

Features Ohio Sen. Cirino

L-R: I enjoyed our business roundtable discussion on January 25 with Ohio Sen. Jerry Cirino and Ohio Sen. Rob McColley.

Sen. Jerry C. Cirino of Ohio's 18th Senate District and Sen. Rob McColley of Ohio's 1st District visited Independence on January 25 for a roundtable discussion with me, Finance Director Vern Blaze, City Department Directors, and a small group of business leaders.

The discussion shared thoughts on workforce goals and community concerns.

Young & Active Adults:

Tell Us Programs You Want

Programming for young adults is a priority with the Community Services Department.

The Community Services Department wants to hear from the young adults in Independence so programs can be developed to meet your needs.

Please take a few moments to complete this survey by clicking here. Let us know how we can best serve you as a young and active adult in our community.

Weekly Finance Review

Read Finance Director Vern Blaze’s Financial Updates for January 26, 2024 by clicking here.

How To Subscribe

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.