Politics & Government

City Council Spends Time Recognizing Local Individuals With an Impact on Brecksville

Council members and the mayor also commended the city's safety and service employees for their work during Monday and Tuesday's flooding.

The Brecksville City Council took time during its meeting Tuesday night to recognize three individuals who have made an impact in the community in different ways: a former county commissioner, a recently retired city employee and a new, local Eagle Scout. 

The first person to be recognized was former county commissioner Timothy F. Hagan, who the mayor said was instrumental in helping the city purchase the land for the Blossom Complex. Board President Larry J. Potla commented that while the liberal former commissioner and the city’s administration didn’t always see eye-to-eye politically, Hagan was a friend to Brecksville during his years of service. 

Mayor Jerry N. Hruby also praised the politician for standing up for funding for social and health services over the years and added that he thought it was a shame that the politician’s county career had to end under the cloud of the county government corruption scandals. Cuyahoga County is now under a new form of county government, headed up by a . 

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Hagan thanked the council and the audience for the commendation, saying that he would cherish the gift, a commemorative clock, and the resolution, as it is a reminder that his public service was valued, even after the past months of controversy. 

The second recognition was to Carole Harwood, the mother of City Councilman Mike Harwood and a longtime employee with the city. Harwood worked as a deputy clerk in the court department and is retiring after 25 years of service. The resolution noted her constant smile and friendly attitude, and members of the council and the mayor teased her, joking around as they piled on the praise. Hruby said she was a loyal and honest employee who was a joy to have in . 

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Before the council moved on to the rest of its regular business, it also recognized junior Jacob T. Durda, who recently earned his Eagle Scout designation. Hruby began reading the official proclamation, which was framed and given to Durda, saying that the student’s list of accomplishments as a scout and a volunteer “just goes on and on and on.”

His Eagle Scout project was releveling a brick walkway in the . Durda thanked the council for the proclamation, saying he’d remember it for the rest of his life.

In other council news:

  • The City Council approved a grant for the for $2,815 to purchase items like new equipment. 
  • Council also approved a resolution allowing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the city of Broadview Heights and move forward on plans to widen state Route 82 near Interstate 77. During the committee discussion before the main meeting, the mayor said that Broadview Heights has found traffic on the road to be a safety issue there, and the majority of the construction would take place in Broadview Heights. Other specifics are yet to be determined. 
  • Council approved an increase in the blanket purchase agreement for its snow plowing for seniors program from $1,000 to $2,000. According to the committee agenda, more people are using the program this year, which is made available to seniors living at poverty level, and there was more snowfall than expected. The mayor said during the committee meeting that 18 residents have used the service this year. 
  • The mayor commended the service, and departments for their work during the flooding this week. Overall, there were few issues, and the city’s storm water plans seemed to be effective, Hruby said. After the meeting, Potla said that the city has invested about $5 to $6 million in storm water improvements, such as a retention pond, since the city saw a major flood about five years ago.  


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