02/18/1997 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/18/97 Dave Smith, 27922 North Park Drive, the executive director of the Horizons Activity .~~. Center, spoke about the CDBG application for Horizons. He expressed his appreciation for the Mayor's encouragement and Council's encouragement and patience as they go about assembling their block grant proposal. He is excited about the project. Horizons is a 19-year old non-profit organization. The organization is governed by a volunteer board of trustees. The mission of Horizons is to provide education and care programs for children in our communities regardless of financial means and including those with special needs. He believes the new venture with allow Horizons to help additional families on the east end of the city and to improve the general quality of life of all citizens in North Olmsted. The city and Horizons have teamed up in the past to do two CDBG projects. Three families who use the Horizon facility are here tonight to give their perspective. Norma Monroe, 21920 Elizabeth, Fairview Park, read a letter from her daughter, Darlene Naeen, who lives in the Jamestown Apartments in North Olmsted and sends her two sons to Horizons. Mrs. Naeen, a single parent, said that Horizons is a great asset to North Olmsted. Horizons has provided reliable and affordable daycare for her children. Horizons has given her family a break during a difficult financial time, and she hopes that the facility will be able to continue to help other families. Lisa Shuey, 3901 Brendan Lane, is a single parent who sends her two children to Horizons. She said it was a good feeling to know you can leave your children at a facility like Horizons and go to work knowing that your children want to be there. She knows she represents many families who are in the same situation--single parents trying to make their bills and live in the suburbs. It is important to have a facility such as Horizons so that single parents can keep on working instead of going on total assistance. Mena Mangla, 3961 Brendan Lane, recently moved to this country from India. Moving to another country is very difficult, and Horizons has solved her daycare problems. Her family uses the full-time daycare for a young child and the after-school and summer camp programs for an older child. She appreciates the availability of these programs and feels it is a good service to children. Jeff Tasse, 5522 Quail Run, addressed the comments and discussion on Resolution 97-12 regarding the Crocker/Steams extension. He is opposed to the legislation and is disappointed in it. He is pleased that Council deleted the section which seeks to advance the project, which he saw as a hastening of the destruction of what remains of the area's natural resources. He does not believe the legislation is needed as it simply asks to maintain the status quo. Mr. Tasse believes that the extension is largely for the benefit of the surrounding communities such as Westlake and Bay Village. However, he does not dispute that some North Olmsted residents would benefit by the extension. But, when this is examined closely, he does not think it will be the cure-all that some people think it is. In truth, it will cut down what's left of our few natural resources, our trees. Our city needs to take a stand and say, "enough development." With respect to the people on Porter Road, he empathizes with them. It should be noted that there are nine separate streets that filter out into Porter Road, and these streets have been around for 15 to 20 years. He does 10