Dear DeanDePiero.com Visitor:

Time is drawing near for my 6th annual 5k Run and 2k Fun Walk at Byers Field on Saturday, June 13. I always look forward to race day because it's a fun, community event and especially because it's a great charity that should make all runners and walkers proud of their efforts. In other words, we are all winners regardless of what the clock says at the finish line.

As it states in the accompanying news release on my web site, Parma's own Brian and Joe, two of Cleveland's best known radio personalities, will be our official starters. And once again, the race will benefit Seasons of Life Hospice located at 9511 West Pleasant Valley Road. Seasons of Life is a service of Parma Community General Hospital.

I am truly proud of the fact that over the past five years, nearly $30,000 has been collected in donations from Dean DePiero's charity race. In particular, the hospice is close to my heart. My family has benefited from their giving spirit and generosity that is quite evident at this wonderful facility.

The 5K run and 2K Fun Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. You can register here or by simply clicking on the running shoes that you see on the home page of my website.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our residents for your continued support of the fire department. Issue 8, the Parma Fire Renewal Levy, passed at the polls on Election Day. To me, that is an indication that you understand the great work firefighters and emergency service workers do daily here in the city.

Voters approved the five-year 1.5-mill property tax renewal with 64 percent of the vote. I give all the credit in the world to those volunteers who worked so hard to help pass the renewal. I salute the Parma Fire Department administrators and members for their progressive and forward thinking that has resulted in increased response times and lead to the development of programs recognized nationally.

Finally, the City of Parma has announced a furlough plan for non-union employees to trim the budget and allow my administration to stabilize the budget during this volatile economic recession that is challenging residents, schools, cities and corporations across the country. We are negotiating with the unions to adopt a similar furlough schedule.

I am optimistic we can weather this economic storm, but it will take the equitable cuts that my administration is planning to get us back on track. I have no choice but to make tough decisions in these tough times. I appreciate your understanding and support.

Sincerely,
Dean DePiero
Mayor of Parma