Also congratulations to Annette Tucker Sutherland and Norm Bliss for their re-election to the Shaker Heights Board of Education and congratulations to Jennifer Mearns for her first election to the Board of Education. 

Shaker Heights benefits greatly from the close working relationships between Mayor Leiken, City Council, the School Board and School Superintendent Mark Freeman.  We all recognize that by working together we can best face the challenges and realize the opportunities that are before us.

Shaker Heights is a great community, recognized nationally for its beautiful neighborhoods and magnificent houses, for its high achievement schools, for its first rate city services, and for its legacy of commitment to diversity and integration.  Thank you for the opportunity to continue representing you on Shaker Heights City Council.

“There are some tough choices for Shakerites when they go to the ballot box and some tough issues facing the city.  The best combination to tackle these issues and keep the city going strong are incumbents Brian Gleisser, Lynn Ruffner, and Rob Zimmerman.

Gleisser, 53, has been on council for 10 years and is a city planner who loves solving problems related to cities.  He was an advocate in urging the city to invest $1 million in Horseshoe Lake Park, an investment that has paid off in the form of a vibrant public facility that gets lots of usage.  He has a handle on budgetary matters, which will continue to be a major issue in the city, and we believe his experience is sorely needed on council. ….

Shaker Heights is a professionally run political body and we believe in the adage that if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.  Therefore, we recommend Shaker voters keep Gleisser, Ruffner and Zimmerman on City Council.”

The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission established its Preservation Awards program in 1998 to recognize and highlight efforts by property owners who have preserved and improved their properties.  The awards program is mirrored after the program established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In reviewing the 2009 nominations, the Landmark Commission chose to recognize projects meeting the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.  The Standards for Rehabilitation are basic principles created to help preserve the distinctive character of a historic building and its site, while allowing reasonable change to meet new needs. 

The four Preservation Award winners were:

A Merit Award for Exterior Restoration to the Graham Residence at 21031 Sydenham Road.  The owners of this English Tudor style home completed many repairs while staying true to the original look of the home.  The house was designed by George Howard Burrows and constructed in 1931.

A Merit Award for the Retention of Urban Fabric, Experience and Community Character to the owners of Shaker Commons, 16730-16834 Chagrin Boulevard.  Shaker Commons, a cluster of commercial buildings on the south side of Chagrin Boulevard across from Shaker Town Center, is at the center of one of the city’s original commercial areas.  These buildings were constructed between 1934 and 1938.  This project renovated six buildings and included facade restoration, new storefront windows, new paint, awnings and signage.

An Honor Award for Excellence in Stewardship for the Winslow Road Preservation Project.  Winslow Road is Shaker Heights’ newest local landmark district, designated in May 2007.  Winslow Road is the only street in Shaker Heights that consists entirely of two-family houses,  Most of the homes were constructed before 1929, making it one of the oldest streets in the city.  Winslow’s two-family homes were cleverly designed by prominent architects to retain the appearance of single family homes.  Thanks to matching grants from the Fund for the Future of Shaker Heights, 59 Winslow Road homeowners were able to complete exterior home improvement projects between 2006 and 2008.  Over the life of the program, the Fund for the Future allocated $317,000 in grants and homeowners invested an additional $413,000.  The total value of home improvements leveraged by the program is $730,000.

An Honor Award for Exterior Restoration to the Deitelbaum Residence at 2678 Eaton Road.  This beautiful Tudor home was designed by prominent Cleveland architect John Sherwood Kelly and constructed in 1928.  The current homeowners purchased the home several years ago and have since made a series of extensive repairs using original brochures and other reference materials from the Shaker Historical Society.  Deteriorating timbers and damaged stucco were replaced; damaged roof slate tiles were replaced; custom copper work included the replacement of scupper boxes, gutters and downspouts; a bay window was reconstructed; and a copper roof in the rear of the home was replaced.  In addition, new landscaping was completed all around the home.

Representatives from the city of Shaker Heights, RTA, University Hospitals, adjacent businesses, residents, and the consultant team met to begin discussions about a new intermodal bus/rail station that could be located at the southeast corner of the Warrensville and Chagrin intersection.  Goals for the intermodal program plan include:

(1) Improve transportation access and circulation in the Warrensville/Van Aken commercial district by identifying a location for a new station that facilitates improved traffic circulation and reconfiguration of the intersection; improves bus-rail connectivity; and improves pedestrian and bicycle access.

(2) Support and enhance the City’s economic development and smart growth/sustainability goals by developing a conceptual plan for an intermodal transit station that incorporates the elements of transit oriented development, smart growth, and high standards of environmental design in station construction and operation.

(3) Improve RTA’s transit infrastructure and attract new riders to RTA by developing a facility that complements the surrounding development and is built to the same standards as residential areas of Shaker Heights; provides improved amenities for RTA patrons using the site; and improves safety for RTA riders, drivers and pedestrians.

I am seeking your support as I run for re-election this November to Shaker Heights City Council.

Shaker needs strong and experienced leadership as we face a very challenging economic environment. Difficult decisions affecting services lie ahead of us. It is crucial that these decisions are made in the context of setting a 21st Century direction for our unique city. My record shows that I have the skills, experience and ability to help guide Shaker to a bright future, even as we respond to the immediate problems before us.

These times call for innovation, efficiency and accountability. Maintaining our quality of life is essential to sustaining our community. Excellence in our schools and in the delivery of public safety services is paramount. Improving our housing and strengthening our local businesses supports vibrant neighborhoods. In a somewhat new initiative I believe pursuing an aggressive community-wide Green Strategy on energy, environment and education would position Shaker well for the future. A balanced financial outlook is critical.

I respectfully ask for your support in seeking re-election. Join with me as, together, we work on solving today’s challenges and move forward to assure a strong future for Shaker Heights.

Sincerely,
Brian Gleisser

It is the 4th of July again. Time to fly the red, white and blue. Time for picnics, parades, and fireworks. Time to come together as one community to celebrate our country.

But our community celebrations are disappearing from America. “Too costly” say the government officials. “Too inconvenient” is the reason given for cancelling fireworks, parades and community events.

Why are fireworks on the 4th of July important? The first 4th of July celebration was in 1776 at the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The beginning of the greatest experiment in democracy the world has ever seen. Life. Liberty. The pursuit of Happiness. Freedom. John Adams wrote his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776 saying that “the day will be the most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival …. it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade …. bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this day forward forevermore.”

An eight year Revolutionary War ensued. A Constitution and Bill of Rights was adopted. A bloody Civil War was fought. Constitutional amendments and laws have given more and more Americans their unalienable rights and that process continues even today. Many thousands of men and women have fought and died to protect American democracy and freedom.

Memorial Day is set aside to remember the heroes who sacrificed for our country. The 4th of July—Independence Day—is meant to celebrate why that sacrifice was made.

Coming together as one community to sit on blankets and lawnchairs to celebrate our country and our freedoms is important. It is a communal way to pass this on to our children. It is a way to reinforce community. It is a way to join together, regardless of political persuasion, to celebrate how great our country really is.

It is important that for one day each year our country and our community stops to celebrate and watch the fireworks together. It is worth the cost and the inconvenience.

Happy Birthday America and may you have many more to come. John Adams would be smiling. Let’s go watch some fireworks!

Brian Gleisser
Shaker Heights City Council Member
22162 Westchester Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122