Greetings Ward 3 Resident,
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their family and friends! About 13 more days till Christmas! Also I have been married to my wonderful bride and First Lady of Ward 3 Marissa for almost 5 months now. Wow, time really has flown by this year! As we approach the end of 2016, things remain relatively busy in City Government with much to update you on below.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my family to yours!
Dan Langshaw
Ward 3 Councilman
North Royalton City Council
Council Update
Highlights from Council Meetings
Some highlights from the City Council Meetings for November. Council approved Ordinance 16-152 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $200,000 to fund the development of the Chippewa Creek Headwater Park in North Royalton. Read More. Council approved Resolution 16-155 accepting the recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council on the city of North Royalton’s enterprise zone agreements. Council approved Ordinance 16-159 granting a similar use permit to John Franko/Blueline Classic LLC to operate an indoor classic automobile sales and detailing facility at 12496 York Rd Suite A.
Review & Oversight Committee
At the November 15th Review & Oversight Committee Meeting we had discussion on medical marijuana for the first time since we passed Ordinance 16-131 enacting a six month moratorium to better research the issue after it was legalized in September through House Bill 523 by the Ohio General Assembly. As a member of the Review and Oversight Committee I agreed with Chairman Dan Kasaris that I too can’t support medical marijuana because it is in violation of Federal law. Marijuana is still listed as Schedule I drug by the Federal Government. Other Schedule I drugs are Heroin and LSD. In addition if our city allowed the sale and cultivation of medical marijuana I am very concerned it would cause greater problems to the drug epidemic we already face with folks overdosing and even dying from drugs like Heroin. It is also troubling from research I have found that medical marijuana is not FDA approved and not enough studies have been done to provide how successful it is in treating various medical conditions. Council will continue to discuss this issue into early 2017 and will have to make decision on what to do before early March when our six month moratorium expires. Residents that I have heard from have made it clear that they want the city to focus on bringing a Starbucks, Panera Bread, additional restaurants, and amenities than this. I am waiting to see what the majority of City Council is leaning to do. If necessary I am prepared to introduce legislation to ban the sale and cultivation in all zoning districts throughout our city. As a city we cannot stop folks from legally obtaining medical marijuana but we can regulate the sale and cultivation of it. I will keep you posted if I have any additional updates.
2017 Budget Update
City Council has started reviewing the 2017 City Budget at the November 15th Finance Committee Meeting and discussed it great depth. Once again it is very conservative and solid balanced budget. Read More.
New Council Meeting Start Time for 2017
Council President Larry Antoskiewicz recently announced that he has changed the Council meetings official start time for the entire year of 2017 to 7:00pm instead of 7:30pm. Committee meetings, which begin at 6:00pm, will remain unchanged. Committees and Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The full Council Meeting Schedule can be found by Click Here. The change is being made to make meetings more efficient. Read More.
If you like to learn more about what is going on in City Council check out the minutes online by Clicking Here.
City Update
November 8th Ballot Issues Update
I wanted to give you an update on the results of all the ballot issues the city had on the November 8th General Election Ballot. All four charter amendments Issue #74, #75, #76, and #77 that were housecleaning measures meant to tidy up charter language and simplify terms of office rules all passed. Besides the charter amendments the city also had Issue #73, an EMS levy on the ballot that would have replace the old 1.7 mill EMS levy with a new 1.7 mill levy that would restore collection back to the original intended amount that voters in early 1990s passed that has been lost to inflation, population growth, cuts in state aid, and House Bill 920. Unfortunately the EMS levy failed by only 137 votes city wide. Final results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections show that vote totals were 7,451 (49.54%) For the Levy 7,588 (50.46%) Against the Levy. Here in Ward 3 the EMS levy passed by a vote of 1,307 (50.79%) For the Levy 1,266 (49.2%) Against the Levy). Also it is important to note here in Ward 3 there were 271 residents that skipped even voting on this issue and city wide a total of 1,632 residents that skipped voting on this as well. Maintaining this vital service is so important to the overall safety of our entire community. Something I understand first-hand. This past summer my 37 year old cousin Darryl Langshaw, a resident of North Royalton suddenly passed away due to unknown condition that was later found. What gives me peace and helps me in trying to deal with his sudden loss this holiday season is that it was our amazing Paramedic/Fire Fighters who rushed to his home to try to save his life. In the end God need him more. His wife, my young cousins, and all of us family miss him dearly. As your representative on City Council I feel ensuring the safety of you, your family, our ward, and city is one of the most important responsibilities I have been given. In the coming months City Council and the Administration will review the results more and discuss what options we have moving forward to ensure we continue to maintain this vital service that residents count on in an emergency situation. Read More.
Donations to the City Food Bank
The City Food Bank asking for your help during this holiday season so that we can provide at least enough food for a holiday meal for those in our community in need. Any support you can provide whether it be gift cards to local grocery stores, canned food items, or even monetary donations would be a great help. If you like to make a food donation call Kat Lacinski at 440-237-7958, ext. 133. If you wish to make a monetary donation to the food bank, please send a check to the Kiwanis Charitable Trust Fund at P.O. Box 33543, North Royalton, Ohio 44133. For Christmas if you would like to adopt a family with children who are in need, please contact Judy Willey at 440-582-6333 or by email at jwilley@northroyalton.org.
Around Ward 3
Taste of North Royalton
On November 3rd attended the Taste of North Royalton which helps support the North Royalton School District’s Educational Foundation and Stadium Foundation. Read More.
Valley Vista Veteran’s Day Celebration
On November 11th I attended Valley Vista Elementary School’s Veteran’s Day Celebration. Over 50 veterans attended the celebration! It was such an honor to meet two WWII Veterans from Royalton Woods Retirement Living who came to the celebration. It was truly an honor to be able to thank them both for their service! Great job to students, PTA, Principal Hill, and staff for such a wonderful celebration they put on each year!
Food Bank Thanksgiving Food Box Distribution
On November 19th my son Henry and I helped deliver about a dozen Thanksgiving Food Boxes and some turkeys from our community Food Bank to those who are in need and homebound here in North Royalton. Over 145 food boxes were distributed this year to those in need in our community. This was all made possible by the new partnership with the City of North Royalton, North Royalton Kiwanis Club, and Royal Redeemer Church! Special thanks to all of you who made generous donations to help ensure those in need here in our community experienced a good Thanksgiving! Read More.
North Royalton Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade
On November 27th attended the Annual North Royalton Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade. Special thanks to all the community service clubs and volunteers who made it a wonderful event to start the holiday season! Read More.
NOPEC/First Energy Contract Update
I have gotten some phone calls and emails about this issue and want to give you all an update. NOPEC has entered into a contract with NextEra, replacing First Energy Solutions as the supplier of electricity in our city effective January 2017. You will be receiving a letter from NOPEC in the next few days explaining the terms of the new agreement. If you are currently a NOPEC customer, you do not need to do anything, you will be automatically enrolled. If you are not a customer, you can call NOPEC at 1-855-667-3201. Read More.
Snow Parking Ban Reminder
Since we are approaching the start of winter. Here is a reminder about snow parking bans and where to find out if one is in effect. A snow parking ban pertains to all city streets is not cancelled until a North Royalton Police Department supervisor deems all roads safe and clear, which typically occurs after snow plow operations have been completed. Violators of the snow parking ban are subject to parking citations and/or impoundment of their vehicles. If you like to find out if a snow parking ban is in place you can check out the NRPD Facebook page. You can also see updates in the Facebook and Twitter feed portions of my website’s homepage at www.danlangshaw.com
Send In Your Feedback
Got an issue you are concerned about? Is there a Homeowner Association Meeting, Condo Association Meeting, Community Organization Meeting, Block Party, or Event that you would like for me attend? Email me your feedback at ward3@northroyalton.org
Upcoming Events
Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive
Help support the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive going on now till December 24th at the North Royalton Giant Eagle on Royalton Road. Donations benefit the North Royalton Service Unit, which helps those in need here in our community. Click Here to learn more.
City Council Special Finance Committee Meeting December 6th at 6:30pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.
City Council Meeting December 6th at 7:30pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.
City Council Meeting December 20th at 7:30pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.
Monthly Coffee with Councilman Dan Langshaw
If you are a constituent living in the North Royalton Ward 3, you are invited to attend my monthly constituent coffee. I hold these coffees in order to stay in touch with fellow residents and listen to their feedback. There is no appointment necessary. Simply stop by and talk to me. The next coffee will be held on:
When: December 31, 2016
Time: 10:00am-11:00am
Where: Subway
5660 Wallings Rd.
North Royalton, OH 44133
Contact:
Dan Langshaw
Ward 3 Councilman
North Royalton City Council
14600 State Rd.
North Royalton, OH 44133
Phone: 440-785-4240
E-mail: ward3@northroyalton.org