TO: Bellaire Council members Jerry Fisher, Mike Doyle, Jerry Olack, Janet Richardson, Bubba Kapral, and Elizabeth Dugmore
RE: An American Town’s Future
Allow us to begin with a disclaimer … not one of us live in Bellaire, but every one of us is a fan of the village because we are wise enough to recall when the community truly was this region’s “Great American Town.”
We felt it then, and we miss it now.
But we heard Mayor Ed Marling on River Talk-Wheeling a few weeks ago, and not only did he sound like a humble man with the best intentions but his agenda is inclusive, addresses all the issues that have been bantered about for years, and adds amenities like basketball courts on vacant lots. But see, Mayor Marling needs each of you to accomplish Goal No. 1 let alone the rest of the long-overdue improvements.
But, that’s right, he’s from Shadyside, and he won the position as a write-in candidate. Does that mean he has two strikes against him already? If so, are you just waiting on a third?
We hope not. Instead, we are encouraging each of you to become ambassadors for the village with a collective vision to communicate to property owners, rental residents, business owners, and corporate partners so they, too, can become recruiters for Bellaire. Sure, finances are tight, but who in the administration is working on state and federal grants, and how have you chosen to spend federal dollars received from the American Rescue Plan?
There was even a survey released nearly a year ago, but what were the results? What? Did? The? People? Say? After all, we never know who will think of the next best idea, but we do know operating the same way for years clearly has not worked.
Our Advice: Get Out of the Box and be the Big Reds
Thank you for your letter, Steve. We hear you! We all want to work together to build a better Village. Much work has been accomplished in addressing many old open items within the span of just two council meetings. In assessing the business operations there is a great deal of work to be done by the new administration in updating and establishing new processes that will streamline daily business operations. Council has supported the Mayor in requests for equipment and personnel to rally this effort and all is underway, but the process takes time. Existing ordinances must be followed, and there are severe budget restraints. We all recognize that “communication is key,” both internally and with the citizens of the village. Plans are underway to provide citizens with a monthly newsletter to include updates about village business, goals, the work that’s being accomplished, future projects and education bites to empower citizens with a broader understanding about “how it works.” Mayor Marling is a good man, and he truly wants to make a better Bellaire. Every Council member wants to make a better Bellaire too! We all want the same thing. In order to move forward, we need to curtail the “us against them” assumption by all. Progress take time, which will require patience, but we will get there.