North Royalton Ward 3 & Community E-Newsletter: December 2020 (Volume 5)
I am happy to share with you that on December 3rd I officially pulled my petitions from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to run and re-earn my North Royalton Ward 3 Council seat in the November 2021 General Election. Click Here or below to view my Special 2021 Announcement Video. I look forward in coming months to go door to door (wearing a mask & using social distance) to meet with you and learn more how we can make North Royalton better together.
If I can be of any service to you or your family don’t hesitate to email me at danlangshawfornrward3@yahoo.com or call me at 440-785-4240.
Finally, my family and I like to wish you all a Happy New Year!
(Marissa, Henry, Derek, & Dan)
Dan Langshaw
Former Councilman &
2021 Candidate for North Royalton Ward 3 City Council
COVID-19 Update
Top 4 places to get accurate and 24/7 situational information you need to know in staying safe throughout this pandemic are the following resources:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
State of Ohio & Governor Mike DeWine
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home
Cuyahoga County Board of Health
https://www.ccbh.net/coronavirus/
City of North Royalton
Website: www.northroyalton.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofNorthRoyaltonOH/
CDC Safer Celebrations for the New Year Tips
Staying home and celebrating with the people you live with or celebrating virtually with loved ones is the safest choice this year. Do not attend large gatherings this year. If you do host or attend a small gathering, everyone can take steps to make celebrating the New Year safer.
- Talk with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
- Limit the number of guests.
- Keep celebrations outdoors, if possible.
- If indoors, open windows and doors. Use a window fan to blow air out, which will pull fresh air in through the open windows.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
- Have guests bring their own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
- Have extra unused masks available for your guests and encourage everyone to wear them inside and outside.
- It’s okay if you decide to postpone or cancel your gathering. Do what’s best for you.
- It’s okay if you decide to stay home and remain apart from others. Do what’s best for you.
- If traveling for a celebration, know what to do before, during, and after travel.
- Bring your own food, drinks, and disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
- Wear a mask indoors and outdoors and safely store your mask while eating and drinking..
- Avoid areas where food is prepared, such as the kitchen.
- Use single-use options, like condiment packets.
Click Here to view more tips from CDC.
State Curfew Extension
Governor Mike DeWine has announced that the Ohio Department of Health will extend Ohio’s 10:00pm to 5:00am curfew until January 23, 2021. The extension is necessary until Ohio can determine if it will see a post-holiday case surge that impacts hospitals. The curfew does not apply to those going to and from work, those who have an emergency, or those who need medical care. The curfew is not intended to stop anyone from getting groceries or going to the pharmacy. Picking up carry-out or a drive-thru meal and ordering for delivery is permitted, but serving food and drink within an establishment must cease at 10:00pm. Learn more at coronavirus.ohio.gov
Ohio COVID-19 Vaccines
Ohio is expected to receive more than 238,000 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines next week. Governor DeWine encourages citizens who wish to be vaccinated to act with urgency when offered the vaccine. Because the vaccine is currently scarce, Governor DeWine warned that those who decline to receive a vaccine at the first opportunity may not immediately receive another chance.
Click Here to learn more about Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program.
Click Here to learn more about the Myths vs. Facts regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine
School Quarantine Guidance Change
Governor DeWine has announced that Ohio is changing its guidance regarding quarantines following an in-classroom exposure in K-12 schools. Moving forward, students and teachers exposed to a COVID-positive person in school are no longer required to quarantine as long as the exposure occurred in a classroom setting and all students/teachers were wearing masks and following other appropriate protocols. The change follows an evaluation of virus spread in Ohio schools conducted by researchers with the Ohio Schools COVID-19 Evaluation Team. Preliminary results of the evaluation found no discernable difference in the risk of contracting the coronavirus between those in close contact with a COVID-positive person in the classroom and those who were farther away. Schools should continue to require quarantines for exposed students in situations where masking and distancing protocols were not followed. The updated quarantine guidance does not apply to after-school activities, including sports. Read More.
Current COVID-19 Data as of December 31st
There are 628,336 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 8,112 confirmed COVID-19 deaths. A total of 38,334 people have been hospitalized, including 5,870 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov. In the 44133 Zip Code which North Royalton is located in there are 1,618 reported cases by Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Click here to see the full report issued by the CCBH.
In late March of 2020, while serving on City Council I launched my #MaskUpNoRo Initiative to get as many homemade cloth face masks to residents and businesses who urgently need in both Ward 3 and North Royalton Community to eliminate the spread of COVID-19!
Because of the help of many amazing volunteers “Mask Angels”, generous donations of supplies, and more. Over 4,000 FREE homemade cloth masks have already been given out so far to the elderly, those with high risk conditions to COVID-19, #NRWard3Buddy Program residents, nurses, front line health care workers, nursing homes, residential care facilities for those with developmental disabilities, essential businesses, essential workers, first responders families, kids, teachers and more throughout North Royalton! Wearing a mask on top of other measures like social distancing and proper personal hygiene will help get us hopefully closer to a return back to normal sooner!
If you need a mask or like to make a donation of supplies email me at danlangshawfornrward3@yahoo.com or call 440-785-4240.
2nd Round of Economic Stimulus Payments Update
US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced on December 29th that the Treasury Department has delivered a payment file to the Federal Reserve for Americans’ Economic Impact Payments. These payments may begin to arrive in some accounts by direct deposit as early as this week and will continue into next week. Read More. Paper checks will begin to be mailed soon. You can check the status of your payment at IRS.gov/GetMyPayment
City Council Legislative Highlights
Some highlights from the Council Meetings for the month of December. The following legislation was approved:
- Resolution 20-137, a resolution accepting the recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council on the City of North Royalton’s Community Reinvestment Act Agreements.
- Resolution 20-138, a resolution accepting the recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council on the City of North Royalton’s Enterprise Zone Agreements.
- Ordinance 20-140 to approve the purchase of a tandem axle cab and chassis and one single axle cab and chassis trucks for the Service Department.
- Ordinance 20-134, the 2021 City of North Royalton Budget.
- Ordinance 20-146, to accept the proposal from Envision to Prepare a city master plan update for an amount not to exceed $66,100.
If you like to learn more about what is going on in City Council check out the minutes online by Clicking Here. Also your welcome to attend City Council Meetings, just make sure that you wear mask or face covering while inside City Hall.
City 2021 City Budget Update
City Council passed the 2021 City Budget at their last meeting of the year on December 15th. The 2021 City Budget added some additional expenditures, such as the cost of the Master Plan and the increased rubbish contract. The Police Department will see several retirements in 2021, in which the city plans to hire three new officers. There is also a higher contracted cost for dispatch services and rubbish collection, as well as property insurance and Board of Health costs. $1.95 million, plus $230,000 from revenue from license plate fees set aside for the 2021 road program. $635,000 for 1 tandem, 1 single axle dump truck with plow package for the Service Department; $182,000 for four vehicles, for the Police Department; $50,000 for one utility vehicle for the Fire Department; $25,000 for shower repairs and gear lockers for the Fire Department; $75,0000 for jail security door replacement and upgrade in clerk’s room for the Police Department. The city will also plans to purchase one Vac truck, at $450,000 for Stormwater Department, one single axle dump truck and Wastewater Treatment Plant A filters/disinfection and blower building control.
Before City Council approved the 2021 City Budget, I addressed Council at the Special Finance Committee Meeting on December 15th. Click Here to view the full text of my comments. I share a number of concerns I had about the budget as proposed and offered some possible solutions. Something that was most concerning to me was at one of the prior Finance Committee Meetings the Finance Director stated that city may have a slight deficit. I also did not believe it was really necessary to spend $106K in FY 2021 for the City Master Plan and a separate Recreation Plan. Given the recent legal precedent set by this Council with the City Charter Amendments, deadlines of the City Charter can be delayed. I strongly urge Council to delay both plans for a year and focus funds on retaining and assisting struggling small business in our community.
I urge this Council to slow down. Per the City Charter the budget has to be approved by the end of March. I suggested that they pass a temporary budget now with emergency items that are needed such as Service Department snow plows, safety forces staffing, and etc. The rest can wait till end of January or early February when we should have a better idea of economic impact of COVID-19 and other relevant data to make an informed decision on the FY 2021 Budget.
2021 Original City Budget Ordinance 20-134
December 15, 2020 Special Finance Committee Comments
Need Food Assistance?
North Royalton Produce Market
The North Royalton Produce Market’s outdoor season has ended. Starting January 9th, the program will move to Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, from 9:00am-10:00am on the second Saturday of the month through March. The indoor dates are January 9th, February 13th and March 13th. In April, the program will once again move back outdoors to the York Road Baseball Complex.The program is specifically geared toward serving the senior citizen population within our community; however, anyone who meets the income criteria, determined by the Federal Government Poverty guidelines, may receive fresh produce from the market. If you are in need of monthly food assistance, call Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church at 440-237-7958 ext. 130 or St. Albert the Great Church at 440-237-6760 for information on their food pantry requirements.
Holiday Trash & Recycling Collection Schedule
Trash & Recycling Service will NOT occur Friday, January 1st due to New Years Day holiday. Friday’s collections will be picked up Saturday, January 2nd. Also the City Service Yard will be closed Saturday, January 2nd then reopen on January 9th.
Click HERE to view Rumpke’s holiday schedule to see a complete list of days that impact your service. Please make sure your trash and recycle carts out the evening before or by 7:00am on your collection day. Routes can change at any time and so can your pick up time.
Helpful Winter Tips
Winter is in full swing. Just a friendly reminder about snow parking bans and where to find out if one is in effect. A snow parking ban pertains to all city streets is not cancelled until a North Royalton Police Department supervisor deems all roads safe and clear, which typically occurs after snow plow operations have been completed. Violators of the snow parking ban are subject to parking citations and/or impoundment of their vehicles. If you like to find out if a snow parking ban is in place you can check out the NRPD Facebook page. You can also see updates in the Facebook and Twitter feed portions of my website’s homepage at www.danlangshaw.com
Keep Fire Hydrants Clear
Just a reminder from the North Royalton Fire Department. Please make sure you keep your fire hydrants clear just in case of an emergency.
Damaged Mailboxes
If your mailbox was unfortunately damaged by one of the city’s snow plows. Please email the City Service Director at ncinquepalmi@northroyalton.org or call the Service Department at 440-582-3002 and provide your first and last name, address, and a phone number you can be reached so they can repair your mailbox.Helpful Tips to Protect Your Mailbox during the Winter
We all live in Northeast Ohio and know that Mother Nature can be very cruel when she sends a ton of snow our way. Below are some helpful tips on ways you can better protect your mailbox during the winter months:
- Make sure your mailbox is 6” to 8” back from the curb (this is also required by the USPS).
- Put reflective tape or reflective address numbers on your mailbox. This allows the snowplow driver to see the mailbox in low-visibility conditions.
- Use a heavy metal post (instead of wood) to mount your mailbox on, and plant it deeply into the ground (at least 1 foot), with cement at the base for additional support.
- Remove snow directly around the mailbox (2 feet on all sides)
before the plows come. This will make it less likely for large piles of snow to get pushed onto your mailbox and damage it. - Use a mailbox snowplow protection product, such as Mailbox Buddy. It’s essentially a heavy-duty shield that you mount in the ground on the side of your mailbox. If a snowplow is on a path to hit your mailbox, the shield should deflect it. I have something like this that I found on Amazon that has worked in protecting my mailbox.
US Postal Service Issues
Some of you have been asking me about the continued delays with the US Postal Service. I feel your pain. As my family has yet to get our Christmas gifts from family out of state that was sent with expedited delivery. Last update shows that it has been stuck in Philadelphia, PA the last 10 days or more since it was accepted on December 12th. Click Here to view a recent news story that I think you might find of interest that explains more whats going on. I have also written all our members of Congress about this important issue. Click Here to view my letter to Congress.
Please note that Cuyahoga County property tax deadline has been extended by the county to January 28, 2021 due to mail concerns. Read More.
Finally, if you want to know where your incoming packages, bills, and other mail is. I strongly urge you to sign up for FREE for the US Postal Service Informed Delivery at: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action I use it and find it very helpful especially now.
Around Ward 3 & Our City
Christmas Buddy Program Care Packages
On Christmas Eve December 24th it was great delivering with my son Henry all the Christmas Care Packages for my #NRBuddyProgram Thank You to all those whose children and students that made so many wonderful Christmas cards, the wonderful items donated for the care packages, gift cards, food, and more for those in the program!
Santa on Wheels Huge Success
Special thank you to Carbone-McDonald Family, Langshaw Family, Royalton Gifts , Peeboo & Beanie Gourmet Ice cream , Beyond Words: Music & Dance Center, Generations Antiques and More, so many others for making Santa on Wheels on December 12th a huge success in bringing so much joy to so many children throughout the neighborhoods of North Royalton! It was an honor to be a part of this! I especially want to thank both Santa and Mrs. Claus for staying even longer, battling the weather, and donating 6 hours of their time to make sure kids throughout the city were able to get a picture or talk to Santa & friends. Hopefully this has helped make a tough year due to COVID-19 a little more happier to those who need some extra Christmas magic! Read More.
Children’s Book Supporting COVID-19 Relief Efforts in the Community
Earlier in 2020 I published my first ever children’s book called “Can You Fix My Street?” that is available on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Can-You-Fix-Street-government/dp/B08GFSYKDJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dan%20langshaw&qid=1605671109&sprefix=dan%20lan&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR2kckSjqhfteGprmqTa7YmobEzgdy3b76Z0s12mh4xZDerTwJW1-tgYBzk 50% of the profits I make on my book I am doing to charities helping North Royalton residents impacted by COVID-19. I have also donated copies of my book to local schools and little libraries in the area too. Thank you those who have purchased my book or even just made donations to local charities too! Read More.
Upcoming City Government Meetings & Community Events
Storm Water, Streets, and Utilities City Council Committee Meetings January 5th at 6:00pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agendas.
City Council Meeting January 5th at 7:00pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.
Finance, Building & Building Codes, and Safety Council Committee Meetings January 19th at 6:00pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agendas.
City Council Meeting January 19th at 7:00pm at City Hall. Click Here to view agenda.
North Royalton Community Meal
The next North Royalton Community Meal will be hosted January 31st. There will be no community meal in December. Meals are distributed from 3:00pm-4:00pm. Participants will enter Saint Albert, located at 6667 Wallings Road, via parking lot A or C and then follow the parking attendant’s direction. Everyone will remain in their vehicles with the trunk open. Anyone may participate, no questions asked.
Full City Calendar for January
Send In Your Feedback or Invite to an Event
Got an issue you are concerned about? Is there a Homeowner Association Meeting, Condo Association Meeting, Community Organization Meeting, Block Party, Zoom Townhall Meeting, or Event that you would like for me attend? Email me your feedback or invite to an event in the city or ward at danlangshawfornrward3@yahoo.com