EAST LIVERPOOL - Last year was a positive one for the city all the way around, and Mayor Jim Swoger anticipates more good news in 2012.
Offering his annual state of the city address to City Council Tuesday night, Swoger outlined a year in which several major paving projects were completed, new employee contracts were inked and a new hazmat program was implemented by the fire chief.
Among the street projects completed were Bradshaw Avenue at a cost of $1.4 million; state Routes 30/39, $116,704; Third Street, $81,413; and portions of Martin, Erie, Etruria, Maryland and Dewey, $104,464.
This year's paving projects include the bottom of St. Clair Avenue, McKinnon, Maine Boulevard and a small portion of Ambrose Avenue.
With a proposed 5-mill street levy on the March 6 ballot this year, Swoger indicated more streets will see improvements in the coming months, but emphasized the importance of voters approving the measure.
With the levy in place, the city hopes to pave neighborhood streets in each ward, depending upon the cost of materials, which Swoger said will hinge on the price of petroleum products in the coming months.
He commended Deputy Service-Safety Director Dan Galeoti and the street and refuse departments for their efforts at making "much needed improvements" in the city, saying progress has been admittedly slow and frustrating at times due to aging equipment breaking down on a daily basis.
Swoger also commended the income tax department and law director's office for their continuing efforts to collect delinquent taxes and the Municipal Court and Judge Melissa Byers Emmerling for helping the city in its budgeting process.
Swoger said the health department continues to provide "excellent service" to the residents and also has implemented a wellness program designed to keep city employees healthy.
Referring to recently approved union and non-union contracts that will save the city money with lower salary rates for new hires, Swoger commended employees for their understanding and cooperation regarding the city's financial situation.
"Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to remember the sacrifices they have made over the last several years and that they continue to do so," Swoger said.
As for city safety forces, Swoger commended Fire Chief Bill Jones for the new hazmat program that includes the city and Hancock County fire departments, as well as plans to bring on board three Columbiana County departments.
The department responded to 450 calls in 2011, and Swoger said Jones is looking forward to this year with a new firefighter to be hired in March and possibly six more if a grant is received.
He also commended firefighter Bill Miller for his years of service. Miller will be retiring in March.
On a less positive note, Swoger referred to the loss in 2011 of police Chief Mike McVay, who died suddenly in November, but thanked the entire police department and dispatchers for "carrying out their duties with professionalism and dignity in this time of change."
The Civil Service Commission will be conducting a competitive exam next week for the chief's position.
Saying he looks forward to working with the newly seated council and auditor, Swoger said both have been "very cooperative," and reminded them, "It's not about me; it's not about you. It's about the city."
Admitting that, for his last eight years in office, he hasn't been able to "get my eyeballs above water," Swoger said there is now some relief in sight from both the anticipated savings from new contracts and the revenue expected from a gas lease with Chesapeake Energy, but he ended on a cautionary note: "I beg you (council), let us use that money that God sent us only to cut costs in the future."
