Westlake

Westlake sure has changed in the last 27 years.

That was Mayor Dennis Clough’s message to Westshore Chamber of Commerce members during his State of the City address at LaCentre on March 13. Since Clough was elected in 1986, the city has undergone a period of major growth – residential, commercial and municipal.

In preparing his remarks, Clough looked back on the city’s needs in his first year in office. At that time, he felt that Westlake most needed strong financial management – not surprising, given Clough’s accounting background.

The City of Westlake is very proud to launch this year's Westlake in Bloom community beautification program, which showcases the beautiful landscaping and gardens of residences and businesses. Every year we have one or two spectacular gardens that really stand out and we think they cannot be topped, until the next year when a different garden takes our breath away.

Westlake residents and business owners can enter their gardens in one of 15 categories, which will be judged in July and awards presented at a ceremony on August 7 at LaCentre, where a slideshow of the winning gardens is shown. Entry forms can be downloaded from the city’s website at www.cityofwestlake.org and mailed to: Westlake in Bloom, City of Westlake, 27700 Hilliard Boulevard, Westlake, OH 44145, or dropped off at the reception desk at Westlake City Hall.

The idea of citizens making resolutions for their communities is a good one – democracy thrives on the involvement of those being governed. This is another way of making our voices heard.

As chairman of the Westlake Charter Review Committee for 2009, I could say that our committee of appointed citizens, representing the public - by hearing suggestions for improvements to our charter, considering them and them making recommendations to Council for its consideration to put on the ballot in 2010 – has been preparing resolutions for almost a year. This review committee is established every 10 years to ensure our charter is up to date in an ever-changing society.

Nan Baker, Ward 6 council member who was recently elected state representative, will be resigning her seat on the Westlake City Council at the end of December. Council has 30 days after her resignation to appoint a replacement to fill out the remainder of Baker's term, which runs through December 31, 2009. Anyone interested in being considered for the seat should submit a letter of interest and personal information to Susan J. Prehoda, Clerk of Council by December 1, 2008.