My vision is to make Avon Lake the premier lakefront community for families. I see so many exciting opportunities ahead of us. All of the building blocks are in place to take our community to even higher heights. 

Avon Lake is a great environment to raise kids. We have high quality housing options, a high quality of life, highly ranked schools, excellent recreation opportunities; and engaged, active residents who strengthen our community by participating in boards, commissions, and civic groups. 

We also have one of the safest communities in Ohio. Among cities of our size, we have the lowest rate of property crime and the second lowest rate of violent crime in the state, as recorded by the Ohio Incident-based Reporting System. In addition, Avon Lake was recently named the 10^th safest city in Ohio in the 2025 Safest Cities report published by SafeWise, an industry-leading research group that tracks national crime and safety trends. These ratings are a testament to the investments our community has made in safety services, and the dedication of our leadership and first responders to ensure our residents feel safe and protected. 

The Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) all-inclusive playground project at Bleser Park continues to make great progress. Our Public Works Department along with RMH Concrete and Foundations completed Phase 1 of the ALPS project in April, which included the installation of gliders at the top of "Lakers Lookout" for great views of Lake Erie, and turf for a four-season sledding hill. Phase 2 will include the purchase and installation of playground equipment, installation of lighting, construction of a fitness loop, and additional storm water management for the site. I encourage Avon Lake residents to visit the ALPS page on the city website for project updates and to view photos and renderings.  

In January, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks program awarded the city a $69,000 grant in support of the ALPS project. In a press release announcing the grant recipients, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine underscored the importance of strengthening communities by creating exceptional opportunities for recreation, stating that ALPS and other grant-funded projects across the state are "crucial in building stronger connections to the outdoors." Our vision for the ALPS project is to create a safe, accessible, and engaging playground that fosters creativity, connection, and community growth. We cannot achieve that vision through grant-funding alone. Sponsors are needed to help get us across the finish line. Excellent sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact our Recreation Department at ALRec@AvonLakeRec.com or call 440-930-4130. 

This summer is going to be action-packed with plenty of family-friendly recreation options, from our Summer Concert Series to the annual Independence Day Fireworks Celebration. Our Parks and Recreation department has done an amazing job of planning a wide variety of activities for all ages. I encourage you to explore the department’s Spring/Summer Program Guide to check out the many great offerings they have in store. 

My family history goes back more than 100 years in Avon Lake. This community is my home, and I feel truly honored and privileged to serve as your mayor. Thank you for your continued support.