Mayor Don Kuchta

Mayor's Report

September 23rd 2010

Mayor’s Report aired on Cable CH9: Monday and Thursday 6:30 p.m. and Sunday @9:30 p.m.

We have a new storm water retention basin just east of the new railroad bridge on Route 82. We hope to turn this area into a rain garden as a model of what can be done for storm water detention, which decreases the chance of flooding downstream. Our storm water needs are far greater than just that one shallow bowl… but it’s a start. If we can just keep some of the water from rushing down to the birdie streets it’s worth it. There was no extra cost to the City because Kenworth Construction did it as part of buttoning up the Route 82 widening and new bridge job. Very soon the cover will close on the story of the Route 82 Bridge. This was undoubtedly the most waited for and anticipated jobs we had ever attempted as a community.

I would like to ask our residents if any of you would be interested in forming a Garden Club. We always tried to keep our Cities image up with our Service Department. Because of budget cuts we are not able to take care of the flowers and plants like we should be doing. We want to complete the image we have with more care for our flowering friends. Please give of your time and energy to help keep us looking sharp. You can contact my office and we will help to get you started for next year.

As many of you know, due to current budget restraints because of the economic climate, we are unable to function as well as we did. As such, I would like to applaud our understaffed Service Department who have complied with Management’s request to altering work schedules. They took time this summer away from their families, so that your families could enjoy the weekends in the park and on the ball diamonds. I am thankful and appreciate immensely the way the employees of City have risen to the occasion in going out of their way and adjusting their lives to keep the City functioning.

We are working toward having leaf pickup and are watching expenditures to still make it happen. However, we will need to ask for your patience this year because we have less people to do pickup with, and we won’t be doing pickup on weekends. Our goal will be to get them all picked up and I am sure that Jim and his crews will do their best.

The new High School Stadium is open and is getting Macedonia recognition. The new stadium is yet another step toward making our City a destination, and giving us more of the “wow” factor. We have two issues that will deal with your City services on the ballot. Issue #35 is a tax renewal on a Levy that is close to 50 years old. A renewal like this will not cause a raise in your total Real estate taxes. The City’s portion will remain the same as you pay today. On a $200 thousand house the City’s portion is roughly $200 a year for all the services you receive. Remember that the City only gets roughly 10% of the total taxes you pay. The Schools get about 70% and the County gets about 20%. Voting for this issue #35 is voting just for Macedonia’s (the city’s) portion. The School’s and County’s portion are controlled by separate millage and are separate issues.

Issue #36 is to raise the City Income Tax by ¼ %. City income tax is only paid by people who are working. If you are retired or disabled, this should absolutely have no effect on your wallet or purse.

The moneys generated by these two issues would stabilize the ability to perform your City Services.

The Halloween party thrown by the Fire Department is a great time, and I look forward to it again this year. Watch for the announcement of the date. It is usually held on the Saturday before Halloween. Halloween Night is scheduled for Sunday October 31st. Remember the party’s intent is to have some fun with the kids. Come join us for costume judging, give-aways, and cookies. The ladies from our Firefighter’s families do a great job with helping this event every year. This is a special thank you to them for their efforts behind the scenes. ‘Kudos’ for them and all of the people who make this event happen.