7th District August 2013 eNewsletter
Content
From the Desk of Rep. Dovilla
x From the Desk of Rep. Dovilla x x x At the Statehouse Around the 7th Upcoming Events
Dear 7th District Resident: Labor Day is right around the corner, which means the kids are heading back to school, fall schedules are resuming at churches and civic organizations, and life is getting back to the normal routine that seems to return each year with the cooler weather. The Ohio House of Representatives will also reconvene after its summer recess from voting sessions, which we legislators have spent in our districts and conducting business around the state on various committees and special task forces. Last month, I mentioned we would be taking the House Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee to the four corners of Ohio to examine a number of public policy issues that are important to Ohioans. We’ve completed two of these hearings, which you can read about in this month’s “At the Statehouse” section below. It has also remained a busy time here in our area with many community events, dedications, and other gatherings I have been pleased to attend. To see where I’ve been over the past few weeks, please review the “Around the 7th” segment of our newsletter. And please note that starting in September, we will hold our next set of district office hours. We’ll have more information soon on these regular opportunities to meet me in our local public libraries. Thank you for the great privilege of serving as your voice in the Ohio House of Representatives. If I may ever be of assistance to you or your family, please contact my office at 6144664895 or [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, State Representative Mike Dovilla At the Statehouse In my last update, I mentioned the summer field hearings we would be conducting around Ohio with the House Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee. We have now held the first two of these four hearings in southwest and southeast Ohio, and over the next several weeks will be convening the other two in northwest and northeast areas of our state.
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126 – Proud New Homeowners 238 – Responses to Constituents
Olmsted Falls Arabica Café Grand Opening Judy Seitz Retirement from Baldwin Wallace Suburban Clock 60th Anniversary
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On Thursday, July 25, the committee gaveled in at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services to receive proponent testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 27 (JohnsonMallory), a bipartisan measure to urge the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to take immediate action to correct its policies and cease targeting organizations applying for taxexempt status based on their political affiliation. During a 90 minute hearing, the committee heard from numerous witnesses representing Ohio organizations that were the subject of incredible scrutiny by the IRS. We learned that many of these organizations had just recently been established by citizens – everyday Ohioans, like you and me, engaging in the political process for the first time to express concern about the expansion of the federal government. After the hearing, the committee issued several key findings, which it shared with Ohio’s Congressional delegation. When the House reconvenes this fall, the committee will hold a final hearing on HCR 27, where we will accept all remaining testimony and bring the resolution to a vote. On Monday, August 12, the committee met at Ohio University Eastern Campus in St. Clairsville for an oversight hearing on maintaining affordable, reliable electricity for Ohioans. I convened this hearing to examine the impact of regulations being promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to shut down coalfired power generation. The prospect of electricity rates increasing by more than 300 percent, particularly on our state’s senior citizens and impoverished, and the loss of thousands of jobs in eastern Ohio that support coal and related industries is a matter of real concern for our state, which generates 78 percent of its electricity from coalfired power plants. In a three hour session, the committee heard from ten witnesses representing interests ranging from coal producers to industrial energy users to environmental organizations. This hearing was the first in a series of three such events we have planned for our committee before the end of 2013; others will take place back at the Statehouse in Columbus. The response to our field hearings has been positive with both legislators and citizens expressing their support for this effort to take the public policymaking process of Ohio government around our great state. Looking ahead to September, the committee will hold hearings in Sandusky on the positive impact of tourism on Ohio’s economic development and in North Canton on the promotion of employment and other services for Ohio’s military veterans. Around the 7th In addition to preparing for our summer hearings and continuing to work on legislative and oversight matters at the Statehouse and around Ohio, over the past few weeks, I participated in the following activities in our district: On July 24, I attended a public meeting of residents, officials, and other stakeholders on storm water management at the Donauschwaben
GermanAmerican Cultural Center in Olmsted Township. Our region – and many other metropolitan areas around the U.S. – continues to face challenges with flooding related to suburban development, something which is exacerbated in our area by the local topography. While this is primarily a municipal, township, and country matter to address, I am working closely with our local partners in elected office and various agencies to provide support and possible funding to continue addressing this pervasive issue for our residents. I am aware of what an acute situation this is for property values, quality of life, and health and will continue to stay on top of this issue. On July 27, I dropped by the grand opening of the new Arabica Café in Olmsted Falls, presenting a House commendation to the owner, Connie Mills, and visiting with employees and customers. Since state legislators don’t have district offices, I often meet with constituents in establishments around the district. It will be good to have a new coffee shop to visit with residents right here in Olmsted Falls. On July 29, I joined residents and local officials for a groundbreaking of an expansion at Shurmer Place at Altenheim, which is adding several new units to its assisted living facility in Strongsville. Altenheim has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1887 by a group of women of German ancestry as a facility to help care for our senior citizens. I appreciate their continued presence and growth in our community. On August 1, I attended a retirement reception and presented a House commendation to Judy Seitz, an employee of Baldwin Wallace University for more than 32 years. Judy has been a friendly face welcoming guests to BW’s Colony Room in the Strosacker Union for as long as I can remember. We wish her all the best as she transitions to this next stage of her life. On August 3, I participated in the grand opening of the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s new North Royalton branch on Wallings Road. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon for this second such celebration in our district this year (Olmsted Falls opened its new branch last winter), and a sizable crowd of North Royalton residents joined us for the ribbon cutting. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit, I encourage you to drop by and see this great new building for our community. On August 6, I spoke at an open house and building dedication for IMARC on Lunn Road in Strongsville. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit with the leadership of this biomedical research company, founded in 1999, which recently moved to Strongsville. I was particularly pleased to be joined by Congressman Renacci, Senator Patton, and Mayor Perciak for this special occasion – and even more pleased to have these 30 new jobs in our district. On August 10, I dropped by “CLOCKtoberfest,” celebrating the 60th anniversary of Suburban Clock in Berea. I presented a House commendation to Rudi Kamper, the owner of this fine establishment,
which recently refurbished a family clock that is very special to me, a timepiece my maternal grandfather received in the 1980s on the occasion of his 25th anniversary working at General Motors in Parma. On August 13, I met with governmental affairs staff from the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) to discuss various legislative matters, economic development initiatives, and transportation and infrastructure projects underway around northeast Ohio. I appreciate the diligence of the GCP, our regional chamber of commerce, in advancing the region we call home. Upcoming Events Labor Day weekend is just around the corner. If you have the time, please consider participating in some of the exciting events related to the bicentennial of the Battle of Lake Erie, which will be taking place over the long holiday weekend. Other upcoming dates of note include: x x x August 2325: North Royalton Community Festival (City Green, North Royalton) August 25: North Royalton Community Festival Parade (steps off at 3:00 p.m. from St. Albert the Great, 6667 Wallings Road, and proceeds down Ridge Road to North Royalton High School) August 26: Fall semester classes begin (Baldwin Wallace University, Berea)
Stay tuned for the September issue of this Newsletter, which will include dates for our fall round of district office hours at local branches of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. For more information on any event or to submit an event for inclusion in a future issue of the 7th District Newsletter, please email me at [email protected]. Thank you!
x From the Desk of Rep. Dovilla x x x At the Statehouse Around the 7th Upcoming Events
Dear 7th District Resident: Labor Day is right around the corner, which means the kids are heading back to school, fall schedules are resuming at churches and civic organizations, and life is getting back to the normal routine that seems to return each year with the cooler weather. The Ohio House of Representatives will also reconvene after its summer recess from voting sessions, which we legislators have spent in our districts and conducting business around the state on various committees and special task forces. Last month, I mentioned we would be taking the House Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee to the four corners of Ohio to examine a number of public policy issues that are important to Ohioans. We’ve completed two of these hearings, which you can read about in this month’s “At the Statehouse” section below. It has also remained a busy time here in our area with many community events, dedications, and other gatherings I have been pleased to attend. To see where I’ve been over the past few weeks, please review the “Around the 7th” segment of our newsletter. And please note that starting in September, we will hold our next set of district office hours. We’ll have more information soon on these regular opportunities to meet me in our local public libraries. Thank you for the great privilege of serving as your voice in the Ohio House of Representatives. If I may ever be of assistance to you or your family, please contact my office at 6144664895 or [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, State Representative Mike Dovilla At the Statehouse In my last update, I mentioned the summer field hearings we would be conducting around Ohio with the House Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee. We have now held the first two of these four hearings in southwest and southeast Ohio, and over the next several weeks will be convening the other two in northwest and northeast areas of our state.
Forward this newsletter to a friend!
126 – Proud New Homeowners 238 – Responses to Constituents
Olmsted Falls Arabica Café Grand Opening Judy Seitz Retirement from Baldwin Wallace Suburban Clock 60th Anniversary
To unsubscribe please reply to this newsletter with the response, “Unsubscribe.”
On Thursday, July 25, the committee gaveled in at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services to receive proponent testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 27 (JohnsonMallory), a bipartisan measure to urge the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to take immediate action to correct its policies and cease targeting organizations applying for taxexempt status based on their political affiliation. During a 90 minute hearing, the committee heard from numerous witnesses representing Ohio organizations that were the subject of incredible scrutiny by the IRS. We learned that many of these organizations had just recently been established by citizens – everyday Ohioans, like you and me, engaging in the political process for the first time to express concern about the expansion of the federal government. After the hearing, the committee issued several key findings, which it shared with Ohio’s Congressional delegation. When the House reconvenes this fall, the committee will hold a final hearing on HCR 27, where we will accept all remaining testimony and bring the resolution to a vote. On Monday, August 12, the committee met at Ohio University Eastern Campus in St. Clairsville for an oversight hearing on maintaining affordable, reliable electricity for Ohioans. I convened this hearing to examine the impact of regulations being promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to shut down coalfired power generation. The prospect of electricity rates increasing by more than 300 percent, particularly on our state’s senior citizens and impoverished, and the loss of thousands of jobs in eastern Ohio that support coal and related industries is a matter of real concern for our state, which generates 78 percent of its electricity from coalfired power plants. In a three hour session, the committee heard from ten witnesses representing interests ranging from coal producers to industrial energy users to environmental organizations. This hearing was the first in a series of three such events we have planned for our committee before the end of 2013; others will take place back at the Statehouse in Columbus. The response to our field hearings has been positive with both legislators and citizens expressing their support for this effort to take the public policymaking process of Ohio government around our great state. Looking ahead to September, the committee will hold hearings in Sandusky on the positive impact of tourism on Ohio’s economic development and in North Canton on the promotion of employment and other services for Ohio’s military veterans. Around the 7th In addition to preparing for our summer hearings and continuing to work on legislative and oversight matters at the Statehouse and around Ohio, over the past few weeks, I participated in the following activities in our district: On July 24, I attended a public meeting of residents, officials, and other stakeholders on storm water management at the Donauschwaben
GermanAmerican Cultural Center in Olmsted Township. Our region – and many other metropolitan areas around the U.S. – continues to face challenges with flooding related to suburban development, something which is exacerbated in our area by the local topography. While this is primarily a municipal, township, and country matter to address, I am working closely with our local partners in elected office and various agencies to provide support and possible funding to continue addressing this pervasive issue for our residents. I am aware of what an acute situation this is for property values, quality of life, and health and will continue to stay on top of this issue. On July 27, I dropped by the grand opening of the new Arabica Café in Olmsted Falls, presenting a House commendation to the owner, Connie Mills, and visiting with employees and customers. Since state legislators don’t have district offices, I often meet with constituents in establishments around the district. It will be good to have a new coffee shop to visit with residents right here in Olmsted Falls. On July 29, I joined residents and local officials for a groundbreaking of an expansion at Shurmer Place at Altenheim, which is adding several new units to its assisted living facility in Strongsville. Altenheim has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1887 by a group of women of German ancestry as a facility to help care for our senior citizens. I appreciate their continued presence and growth in our community. On August 1, I attended a retirement reception and presented a House commendation to Judy Seitz, an employee of Baldwin Wallace University for more than 32 years. Judy has been a friendly face welcoming guests to BW’s Colony Room in the Strosacker Union for as long as I can remember. We wish her all the best as she transitions to this next stage of her life. On August 3, I participated in the grand opening of the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s new North Royalton branch on Wallings Road. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon for this second such celebration in our district this year (Olmsted Falls opened its new branch last winter), and a sizable crowd of North Royalton residents joined us for the ribbon cutting. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit, I encourage you to drop by and see this great new building for our community. On August 6, I spoke at an open house and building dedication for IMARC on Lunn Road in Strongsville. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit with the leadership of this biomedical research company, founded in 1999, which recently moved to Strongsville. I was particularly pleased to be joined by Congressman Renacci, Senator Patton, and Mayor Perciak for this special occasion – and even more pleased to have these 30 new jobs in our district. On August 10, I dropped by “CLOCKtoberfest,” celebrating the 60th anniversary of Suburban Clock in Berea. I presented a House commendation to Rudi Kamper, the owner of this fine establishment,
which recently refurbished a family clock that is very special to me, a timepiece my maternal grandfather received in the 1980s on the occasion of his 25th anniversary working at General Motors in Parma. On August 13, I met with governmental affairs staff from the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) to discuss various legislative matters, economic development initiatives, and transportation and infrastructure projects underway around northeast Ohio. I appreciate the diligence of the GCP, our regional chamber of commerce, in advancing the region we call home. Upcoming Events Labor Day weekend is just around the corner. If you have the time, please consider participating in some of the exciting events related to the bicentennial of the Battle of Lake Erie, which will be taking place over the long holiday weekend. Other upcoming dates of note include: x x x August 2325: North Royalton Community Festival (City Green, North Royalton) August 25: North Royalton Community Festival Parade (steps off at 3:00 p.m. from St. Albert the Great, 6667 Wallings Road, and proceeds down Ridge Road to North Royalton High School) August 26: Fall semester classes begin (Baldwin Wallace University, Berea)
Stay tuned for the September issue of this Newsletter, which will include dates for our fall round of district office hours at local branches of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. For more information on any event or to submit an event for inclusion in a future issue of the 7th District Newsletter, please email me at [email protected]. Thank you!
