Time and time again, I reflect on the great community we are blessed to call home. Sunday, March 27th embodied and personified that, almost beyond words. Wow. Kirtland’s first Shamrock Shuffle and Shenanigans went off in just about the coldest and blusteriest conditions imaginable. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sight of more than 150 runners and walkers leaving the starting line in near white-out conditions as a snow-covered bagpiper pumped the air with mystical tunes giving encouragement to the daring participants. It was a sight to behold and a very proud moment for our City.
An effort like this takes a village of willing and hard-working volunteers. Four months ago, I floated the idea of a March community event to my wife and several others I knew we could depend on. I had no idea they would pull off what they did this past Sunday. Jeni Potter, Megan Lallo, Shannon Green, Katie Zielaskiewicz and Jen Dennison, your hard work made our City proud. Thank you.
None of this would have happened without a special commitment from our City Service Department, the Kirtland Fire and Police Departments, and our City Administrative and Community Center Staff. Additionally, Councilmen Haymer, Fenstermaker, Smolic, and Ziegler braved the elements to make the day a success. Thank you to all.
An event of this magnitude could not be accomplished without all hands-on deck. Led by Kirtland Kiwanis, and at the risk of leaving someone off the list, the following groups (in no particular order), families, and businesses responded to an early February community-wide call to action: Kirtland Schools, Mr. Harvey & the Kirtland High School Art Department, Kirtland High School Volunteers, Evan Dures (event logo design), Angelo’s Pizza, Down the Block, Tavern Six, Greg Kessler, Synergy Salon, Mind and Body Infusion Therapies, Lake Metroparks, JMAR Contracting, NovaCare, Kirtland Library, Fiona’s, The Sams Team, The Well, Dr. Emily Butler, Tim Misny, Fungry Food Truck, The Shizz, the Raishart Family, Murphy’s Irish Dance, Harmony Yoga, Tim Reed, GCXC, Just One More, the Noonan Family, Kirtland Football Moms, Grazia-Rensi Team, the Whittaker Family, Dr. Bailey, the Meyer Family, Ayers Well Drilling, Campbell Plumbing, Lozar Home Repair, DiMarco & Associates, Eric Ziegler-Edward Jones, DeJohn Funeral Home, Kirtland Youth Soccer, SME, the Davidson/Davis Family, Faith and Beauty Salon & Spa, the Martinez Firm, and David Askew (St. Baldrick’s Day). Thank you!
As I run out of space in this month’s edition, I close with a few upcoming dates. The City sponsored Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, April 9th at 10:30 a.m. in front of City Hall. On Saturday, April 30, the Mayor’s Action Network Spring yard cleanup is available for Seniors and Veterans. And of course, Brush Pickup throughout the month of April (Ward 2, week of April 4th; Ward 1, week of April 11th; Ward 4, week of April 18th; Ward 3, week of April 25th).
Additionally, I’ve asked City Council to join me in engaging our community in an open conversation about the future of our City’s road funding. We will soon be announcing a City-wide forum inviting our residents to collaborate on determining an appropriate long-term road funding solution for the City. Stay tuned.
Hoping by the time this reaches you, Spring will have sprung!
Thank you,
Mayor Potter