Although things have been pretty quiet lately, that doesn’t
mean that there’s nothing’s going on in the city.
GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK
Sgt. Bruce Balzano received a Resolution of Appreciation at
the June 11th Council meeting in honor and recognition of his
retirement from the Highland Heights Police Department.
Patients of dentist Dr. Stephen Bloom can breathe easy. Although
her husband is hanging up his uniform, Peggy Balzano doesn’t plan to turn in
her dental hygienist instruments quite yet.
 |
| Sgt. Bruce Balzano |
 |
| Peggy Balzano looks on as her husband is honored |
 |
| Mayor Scott Coleman reads Council's Resolution of Appreciation |
MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS IN THE WORKS
Mayor Scott Coleman and Council are apparently moving
forward with a plan to take advantage of historically low interest rates in
order to increase the number of badly needed infrastructure projects that the
city can get done, beginning this year.
While no debt-related legislation has yet appeared on the
agenda, on June 11th Council authorized engineer Brian Mader to do
preliminary work for road improvement projects impacting Miner and Ford Roads,
Radford Drive and the Municipal Center.
That work is in addition to previously authorized preliminary engineering work for Highland and Miner Roads.
Mader will also apply for state “Issue 1” funding, which could help offset some of cost of the city’s infrastructure work.
That work is in addition to previously authorized preliminary engineering work for Highland and Miner Roads.
Mader will also apply for state “Issue 1” funding, which could help offset some of cost of the city’s infrastructure work.
STILL NO UNION CONTRACTS
Council pulled a resolution authorizing Mayor Scott Coleman
to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the union representing
members of the Highland Heights Fire Department.
Those labor negotiations have been dragging on since late last year.
Those labor negotiations have been dragging on since late last year.
Law Director Tim Paluf recommended pulling the resolution.
He explained that he was still waiting for the union to return the final proposed
contract to him.
Paluf didn’t indicate whether the delay was a minor issue or a cause for concern.
Paluf didn’t indicate whether the delay was a minor issue or a cause for concern.
NOVEMBER COUNCIL ELECTIONS
While elections always add some uncertainty to the Council
mix, one thing is crystal clear: not every current Council member will be
running for reelection in November.
Work demands have reportedly caused Councilman-at-large
Frank Legan to decide to bow out when his at-large Council term ends in
December.
Former Council President Scott Mills, who ran unsuccessfully
for mayor in 2011, has pulled nominating petitions for both Ward 4 and Legan’s at-large
seat.
Stickan said that although she has very much enjoyed serving the residents in Ward 4, the opening of an at-large seat is:
“…an opportunity that I can’t ignore. I am ready to step up to the plate and serve residents throughout the entire community.”
As a result of a recent Charter change, the individuals
elected to fill at-large Council seats this November will serve four (rather
than two) year terms.
Ward reps, on the other hand, will have to be patient.
They won’t begin serving extended terms until January 2016….which means they have survive both this year’s and the November 2015 election before they can take a breather.
They won’t begin serving extended terms until January 2016….which means they have survive both this year’s and the November 2015 election before they can take a breather.
