June 1, 2012 [Joanne Berger DuMound, cleveland.com]
BEREA — Michael Gallagher called the last 17 months a testimony to voters and those involved in the Cuyahoga County’s new form of government.
“If you look at just starting an organization, let alone an organization with different folks from different parts of the county, and not even have paper and pencil when you walk through the door that first day and get where we are today, it is a testimony to those involved and those who voted for us,” said Gallagher, Cuyahoga County Council District 5 representative.
“You (voters) put a lot of faith in a change of government where not many have done. Now others are contacting local officials to find out how they feel about what is occurring and transferring what they have to what we have now.”
Gallagher spoke at a joint Berea and Brook Park chambers of commerce gathering last week at Baldwin-Wallace College. Gallagher represents Berea, Middleburg Heights, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Strongsville and Olmsted Township’s Precinct D, which will be shifted to District 1 in the next county election.
Under the county charter, council must make economic development its priority, he said. He discussed such items as the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, jobs in Northeast Ohio, casino taxes and other local interests.
GOAL! — The new Berea school district colors soon will appear on Brook Park and Berea recreational soccer fields.
The Berea Youth Soccer Club and Brook Park Soccer Association joined forces this year to create the Tri-City United Soccer Club.
Its goal is to improve the youth soccer programs within the school district’s communities that include Brook Park, Berea and Middleburg Heights.
SLIDES AND MORE — The city will have a new playground by the end of next month.
A piece of land at St. Adalbert Parish on Adalbert Street now is undergoing preparation for a 2,000-square-foot playground that will have handicapped access.
The Polish Village Playground project received $35,000 from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program.
Some of the playground’s equipment includes a variety of slides, climbing station and a four-legged seesaw. A sitting bench also will be installed at the site.
GROWING GREEN — The city will introduce a new community garden Saturday.
Volunteers at the Runn Street property will help fill the 12 raised beds with dirt and such plants as tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and spinach. They also will plant seeds, including Swiss chard, beets, carrots and organic zucchini and cucumber.
All produce from the Polish Village Community Garden this year will be donated to local food banks, which will distribute it to those in need.
The Cuyahoga County Land Bank demolished a vacant house on the property, tilled and graded the land, which it turned over to the city.