Friday, November 06, 2009

Sinclair students recognize Englewood fire and police personnel as 'heroes'

Friday, November 06, 2009

(Photo by Marilyn McConahay) From left, Sam McConnell, president of the Student Leadership Committee at the Sinclair Englewood Learning Center, and Joe Lofino, Student Leadership Committee Representative, presented a framed copy of a special tribute to local heroes, signed by Sinclair students, to Englewood Police Chief Mark Brownfield and Fire Chief Elmer “Bud” Bergman.

By Marilyn McConahay

For the Independent

Englewood's police and fire departments received an unusual tribute of special recognition from the Englewood Sinclair Learning Center when the city council met on Oct. 27.

"The Student Leadership Committee came up with the idea to thank our local heroes as a tribute to the Sept. 11, 2001 anniversary," said Sam McConnell, president of the Student Leadership Committee at the center. "We wanted to come up with a way that all the students who wanted to could say thanks. So we had the poster finished the first week of classes and by Sept. 11, we had a lot of signatures expressing 'thanks.' We were glad people felt the same way we did!"

The text on the poster reads as follows: The team and students of Sinclair's Englewood Learning Center would like to extend its gratitude and thanks for your dedication and service to our community and country on this day of freedom, September 11, 2009.

As McConnell and Leadership Committee representative Joe Lofino presented the framed and signed poster to Englewood Police Chief Mark Brownfield and Fire Chief Elmer "Bud" Bergman during the meeting, he said, "As first responders you all have a tough job. You protect our streets, keep fires and criminals at bay, and come to our rescue when we need medical assistance. And your crews do all of this with honor and courage everyday to keep the city of Englewood safe."

"Reporter and author Elmer Davis once stated that, 'This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.' We think the emergency services of Englewood embody that bravery and with that we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks," McConnell said.

During the meeting, Mayor Patricia Burnside introduced a Proclamation declaring October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and recognizing that Oct. 16 was National Mammography Day.

Burnside presented a copy of the proclamation to Northmont School Board president Linda Blum, who as a breast cancer survivor, has made several public appearances during the last couple of years to promote awareness.

During the legislative portion of the meeting, the council approved the following: An ordinance calling for overall reduction in appropriations in the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, to accommodate a reduction in TIF (tax increment) fund expenses based on a second-half property tax settlement and an allowance for pre-bid engineering expense for 2010 OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission) projects.

An ordinance approving the inclusion and replacement of certain parts of the city's codified ordinances, to allow for new legislation to be added on variety of issues from maximum speed limits to registration of vehicles to public indecency and fireworks.

A resolution adding a routine "Amounts and Rates Resolution," an annual action that marks the beginning of the city's budget season. The amounts reflect pending election results, adjustments to property values and actual percentage of property taxes collected.

A resolution approving an OPWC project grant/loan for drainage channel improvements along drainage ditch near Englewood Elementary School on Durst Avenue. The estimated cost is $349,500, of which $78,637 is a grant and $235,913 is a no-interest loan. The project is expected to be carried out next spring.

The next regular Englewood City council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10.