I am hearing that there are significant downed trees and power lines around Strongsville.  If you are going out on the road, please be alert.

Many are still without power.  I hope that everyone is safe and that safety forces and the power company are working to get everything working again.

As of now, Strongsville City Schools are still open tomorrow, November 6th.

This article appeared in the Strongsville Post this weekend:

I am voting for Kelly Kosek in this election

To the Editor:

I’ve had the chance to get to know Kelly Kosek over the last six months as we cheered on our boys at Strongsville Swim League meets. I will be voting for her this November. Here are two reasons why I am voting for Kelly and why I hope you will too.

1. Kosek is a smart, dynamic, caring leader.

As a successful lawyer and partner in her law firm, Kosek demonstrates intelligence and leadership. She is a persuasive communicator. And she is both intelligent and personable, which I discovered in the first five minutes I talked with her.
She also listens, and she cares. Our boys recently had a spat on the bus. Together with Kelly, we were able to find a productive solution that actually helped the boys become better friends. Although a small example, I think it demonstrates Kelly’s ability to understand the needs of our community. She can cut through conflict in order to implement solutions that will strengthen Strongsville.

2. Diversity matters.

I’m not talking about a buzzword here. I’m talking about diversity that helps us see the world more clearly. A more diverse council will better find solutions to problems and keep our community a desirable place to raise a family and do business. And a more diverse council will better reflect all of our values.

Everyone of you has had a woman in your life–mother, grandmother, teacher, doctor, aunt, friend–who has made your life better in a way than a man simply could not. She brought different life experience, intuition, learning, and perspective that uplifted you, challenged you, motivated you.

A council without a female is missing a vital voice for our community, and Strongsville has been missing that female voice since 2001. We have the opportunity to change that this year with a vote for Kelly Kosek.

Kosek offers so much more than gender diversity. She brings experience as a lawyer, wife, mother, friend, and Strongsville community member. She does indeed offer a new voice for Strongsville.

I would encourage you to vote for Kelly because we need a smart, dynamic female leader on council. We need a voice of diversity on our council. We need a leader who listens, who cares, and who acts. That leader is Kelly Kosek.

Curt Bissell
Strongsville

We are in the home stretch!  There are only 4 days until Election Day.  Do you know where your polling place is?  You can find your polling place here.  Make your plan now to vote for Kelly Kosek on Tuesday, November 7th!

 

Election day is Tuesday, November 7.  Strongsville voters will be presented with a big choice at the ballot box.  Who do Strongsville voters want to represent them for the next 4 years as City Council Members At-Large?

I’m asking Strongsville voters to choose change and to vote for me.  I’m a lawyer and a mom.  I’m not a politician.  I’m running for Strongsville City Council because we shouldn’t settle for the status quo.  I will bring ethics, transparency, and change to Strongsville.

If you are ready for change, please remember to vote for me on November 7th!

Happy Halloween!

Get out your warm clothes because it’s going to be in the thirties for tonight’s Trick or Treat!  I guess we can be happy that it’s not going to snow.  Despite the chilly weather, I hope to see you out for Trick or Treat tonight.  Strongsville Trick or Treat runs from 6-8 pm. 

I’ll be out with my boys:  one T-rex fossil & one who might be afraid of his Elmo costume.  But even though I’ll be enjoying Trick or Treat with my kiddos, we’ll have plenty of treats at our house for YOU! Be sure to stop by and say hi.  (We participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project too.)

I also want to caution everyone to please be careful out there!  If you’re driving, keep an eye out for all of the costumed trick-or-treaters! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

At the October 16th City Council meeting, Strongsville residents came out in force to oppose the proposed re-zoning of the former Medical Mutual property at 17800 Royalton Road.  I had the opportunity to speak during the public meeting and I voiced my opposition to the re-zoning.  My concerns include exacerbating the traffic headaches on 82, the problems created by adding more retail to an already saturated market, and adverse impact on Ledgewood residents.  The Strongsville Post printed an article in today’s edition about the hearing.  Here’s an excerpt:

Kelly Kosek, who is running for an at-large council seat, implored council to vote on the rezoning that evening so residents would know which way council members voted prior to the Nov. 7th election.

She also pointed to traffic issues and the oversaturation of retail should the project go forth.

“I can’t imagine that single traffic light is going to be sufficient,” she said.  “I, frankly, find it hard to believe that an office worker would not drive across the street to The Rail.  There are other restaurants that are not that far either.  Are you going to fail the residents on this?  Strongsville City Council should be listening to the residents and not a New York City private equity firm.”

To read more, check out the Post’s article.

Bob Sandrick, from Cleveland.com, published candidate profiles in the Strongsville City Council race.  Kelly’s profile is below:

Better communications 

Candidate: Kelly Kosek

Age: 40

Occupation: Attorney, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, in Cleveland

Prior elected office or campaign: None

Education: Bachelor’s degree in history and political science, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania; law degree, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

Family: Husband Jason Wheat; sons Sawyer, 7, and Beckett, 2

Kosek said she is running for council because she doesn’t believe the status quo is good enough. She said citizens deserve a choice, and a chance to bring change.

“I’m especially concerned about the unchecked development and lack of communication from the city about that development, and a lack of foresight,” Kosek said.

For example, Kosek said the subdivision Fieldstone Preserve was in the works for months earlier this year before neighboring residents realized it was coming.

“The developer was able to work on their plans before residents knew,” Kosek said. “A whole bunch of trees that had been there for decades were clear-cut. By the time residents started attending meetings about the development, it was basically a done deal.”

Kosek said she opposes the proposed retail development near the former Medical Mutual building because the city – with the I-71 slip-ramp proposal off the table – has not resolved its traffic problems. More retail will only add cars.

“Also, that development may cause flooding in Ledgewood, which is directly behind it,” Kosek said. “Ledgewood residents are worried. The best use of that land is for office buildings, what its’s already zoned for, because it will give us the best jobs.”

Kosek said she’s disappointed council likely won’t vote on the proposed retail development in front of the Medical Mutual building until the night before Election Day. She believes council planned it that way, so that members won’t have to weigh in on a controversial issue before the election.

Kosek said council needs more transparency. She said she has seen council vote on ordinances without explaining their positions.

“Also, they livestream every council meeting, but you can’t see a replay,” Kosek said. “The meeting minutes aren’t available until they are approved two weeks later. It wouldn’t be that difficult to retain the video and replay it for two weeks until the next meeting.”

Kosek said she would also like to see the city add more family-friendly amenities.

“Broadview Heights and Berea have splashpads, but we don’t,” Kosek said. “We should also have a (handicapped-accessible) playground. I believe we can get grant money.”

The complete article is available here.

Thank you for the Strongsville Early Childhood PTA for hosting the Candidates’ Forum last night.  I really appreciated the opportunity to talk with the PTA members and their guests about the future for Strongsville.  It was a very relaxed atmosphere and we really got discuss important issues about the city and about the campaign.  Plus, there were Nothing Bundt Cakes and other homemade (!!) treats.

This was the first time in a while that SECPTA hosted a candidates’ night and I hope that they make it an annual event!

 

The Strongsville Early Childhood PTA is hosting a City Council Candidate’s Night at 7:30 this evening (October 17).  The event will be held at the Strongsville High School in the Mustang Room. 

I look forward to talking with concerned residents about Strongsville’s future.  I’ve been looking forward to talking with moms and dads about how we can make Strongsville more welcoming for young families.  And I want to hear your concerns and ideas.  If you can join us, please come.  The event is open to the public.  I hope you to see you there!