Mayor Gregory P. Kurtz's Weekly Update for March 29, 2024

Please Note: A reminder that today is Good Friday. Community Services will be open from 7 AM to 2 PM, Parks and Recreation will be open from 6 AM to 5 PM, and the Fieldhouse will be open 9 AM to Noon. Parks and Recreation will be open Saturday (March 30) from 8 AM to 4 PM and closed Easter Sunday (March 31). Community Services and the Fieldhouse will be closed on Saturday and on Easter Sunday.

Ohio Sen. Cirino Hosts

Border Insecurity Forum

Ohio Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) was in Independence to host a roundtable discussion about insecurity at the southern border of the U.S.

L-R: Finance Director Vern Blaze, me, Ohio Senator Jerry Cirino, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, and my Executive Assistant Dar Velotta share a brief discussion prior to the forum.

Ohio Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) hosted a forum on border insecurity and its impact on Northeast Ohio communities.

The forum was held March 27 at the Civic Center. Guests included Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost as well as mayors and law enforcement officials from neighboring communities.

The goal was to discuss the immigration crisis at the southern border and determine its impact on law enforcement, public safety, and the justice system in Ohio.

Porch Package Thief

Apprehended At Work

A doorbell camera captured this image of the suspected porch package thief on Forestwood Drive.

The Independence Police Department on March 28 located and charged Marvin Figueroa for the March 25 afternoon Amazon package theft on Forestwood Drive.

Through great detective work, Mr. Figueroa was apprehended after household cameras on Forestwood Drive identified the vehicle he was driving. Using the City's Flock cameras, both Mr. Figueroa and his vehicle were found at his place of work.

We are proud of our Detective Bureau and Officers working hard to apprehend him so quickly. When crimes like this happen, IPD uses all its resources to bring the suspects to justice. By the way, Chief Robert Butler said the package that Mr. Figueroa took contained a urinary product for cats.

New Deputy Clerk

Takes Oath of Office

Congratulations to Clare Rieger, who was sworn into office on March 6 as the City's Deputy Clerk of Courts. Clare has been a part-time administrative assistant.

New Treasurer To Guide

Independence Schools

Jennifer Knapp is the new treasurer of Independence Locals Schools.

Independence Local Schools on March 19 appointed Jennifer Knapp as the district's new treasurer. Knapp, who currently serves as the treasurer for Buckeye Schools in Medina, will replace Eric Koehler upon his retirement in July.

In her role as treasurer, Knapp will oversee all fiscal affairs for Independence Local Schools. She will also serve as the district liaison with third-party administrators for health insurance, unemployment, and workers' compensation.

Knapp brings extensive fiscal leadership experience to Independence. Prior to serving as treasurer of Buckeye Local Schools for seven years, she was the assistant treasurer at Nordonia Hills City Schools for two years.

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.

Men of Independence

Set For Spring Show 2024

The Men of Independence are fine tuning their act in preparation for their Spring Show 2024.

"All About The Harmony: Spring Show 2024" is the upcoming production of the Men of Independence, who will perform April 21 at 2 PM at Normandy High School, 2500 W. Pleasant Valley Road in Parma.

Special guests include the Burning River Boys Quartet and Mom's Favorite Quartet. The show promises to be a great afternoon of wonderful four part harmony sung in the barbershop style.

Tickets for the performance are on sale and can be ordered on the group's website: menofindependence.org/ or by clicking here.

Feast Your Eyes! Food

Truck Fridays Are Back

Cedar Grill will participate this year in Food Truck Fridays on April 5.

We're just a week away from the first of our Food Truck Fridays. The City's Economic Development team will launch the 2024 Food Truck Fridays, starting April 5 from Noon to 2 PM in the west side parking lot of Plaza 45 (4500 Rockside Road), weather permitting.

Food Truck Fridays will be featured weekly from April 5 to October 25. Food truck updates and menus will be posted weekly on the City's LinkedIn (click here) and X (click here) social media platforms.

Here is the April schedule:

April 5

Cedar Grill

April 12

Manna Truck

Barrio

CLE Cookie Dough

April 19

Metro45

Southern Thangs

April 26

Smokin’ Rock N Roll

Kids Take The Plunge

Searching For Prized Eggs

Adelaide Snyderburn takes a quick break while diving for eggs.

Divers gather colorful eggs in their quest for prizes.

The indoor pool was the site of children ages 3 and older scrambling underwater in their quest to retrieve colorful eggs during the annual Diving For Eggs event on March 24.

Children collected the eggs and turned them in for a variety prizes.

A reminder that the Old Fashioned Egg Hunt returns tomorrow (March 30) at 10 AM at the Kiwanis Pavilion and Playground for those who preregistered for the event.

Youth Golf Program

Ready To Tee Off

Golfers will play nine holes at Shawnee Golf Course, located at 18753 Egbert Road in Bedford.

Registration is open for the new Youth Golf Program, which is the first program of its kind in the area.

Independence residents in grades 5-8 can participate in this program, which will be held every Tuesday in June and July from 5 to 8 PM.

Six groups of four golfers will play against each other in friendly competition. Players must have their own golf clubs and golf balls.

The cost to participate is $90, which includes nine sessions of nine holes of golf, a polo shirt, and a cap. For details, call 216.524.3262.

Fieldhouse Site

of Collectors Convention

Memorabilia enthusiasts look over the many items during a previous card collectors show presented by Greenie Sports Cards.

The Great Lakes Collectors Convention presented by Greenie Sports Cards will be held April 5-7 at the Independence Fieldhouse, 6354 Selig Drive (next to Independence High School).

Event times are April 5 from 2 to 8 PM; April 6 from 10 AM to 6 PM; and April 7 from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The event features hundreds of tables of collectible sports cards, plus celebrity appearances, family friendly activities, and more.

You can find ticket information at greeniesportscards.com/great-lakes-convention or by clicking here.

America Red Cross

Plans Blood Drive

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on April 8 from 7 AM to Noon at the Civic Center.

Donors must be 17 years of age (16 with parental permission) or older to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other photo identification. Appointments are strongly recommended. For details, click here or visit redcrossblood.org.