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Richfield officials thank community event volunteers



Richfield Village Council reflected on the Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial and Community Days weekend, which took place Aug. 9-11, at the Aug. 20 meeting.
Mayor Bobbie Beshara thanked those who worked to prepare the village, as well as those who participated in the events, which marked Beshara’s last Community Days event as mayor, as she is term limited and cannot seek re-election.
The Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial honored men and women in the state who died while serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and the war on terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001. The display, which was located on the Village Green, included flags for each Ohio service member killed in action.
Beshara singled out residents Linda Corsi and Ken Haystrick for their volunteer efforts.
“They outshined everybody; anything we needed we asked them,” said Beshara, adding Haystrick brought together five veterans who lived in Richfield to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening ceremony.
Beshara said she planned to participate as a flag watcher at the Flags of Honor Memorial in North Olmsted Aug. 23-25.
“I’m glad we were able to do it, let me tell you, because it’s a lot of effort and a lot of work,” Beshara noted.
“I’ve lived here all my life, and I thought that was one of the nicest things that I’ve seen in the town done,” added Fire Chief Phil McLean.
Beshara also praised the sunshine and lack of rain that occurred during the Sunday of Community Day Weekend.
In other news:
• In a written report, Assistant Police Chief Mike Swanson reported no significant calls for service were made during the Community Days weekend.
• McLean said the Bath/Richfield Explorers pancake breakfast and safety services open house went very well.
• Parks and Recreation Director Ruth Jocek announced the Fall Fest is set for Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Eastwood Preserve, 4712 W. Streetsboro Road. Jocek said a chicken dinner will be provided for $12, but all tickets for the dinner are presale.
• In an addendum to his written report, read by Beshara, Planning and Zoning Director Brian Frantz reported Cleveland Water officials authorized their consultant engineer to begin design for the water main extension into the center of the village. The report said the project remains on track for completion in the fourth quarter of 2020.
• During the work session, Service Director Chris Papp discussed plans to add a sidewalk on the east side of Brecksville Road from the entrance of Richfield Commons down to the Musketeers Bar and Grill, as well as adding crosswalks at the intersection of Highlander Parkway and Brecksville Road.
Papp said the design phase of the project is almost complete. The estimated cost of the sidewalk is $30,000 and the estimated cost of the crosswalk signal is $80,000, according to Papp.
Councilwoman Barbara Lanford asked if the sidewalk would see heavy traffic.
Council Vice President Michael Wheeler said Musketeers gets crowded during lunch and he knew people that cross the street from Highlander Parkway to go to lunch.
• Beshara recognized Joan Williams, Summit County outreach coordinator for U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-District 11), and invited Council to ask her any questions they may have.
The next Richfield Village Council meeting is set for Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, located at 4410 W. Streetsboro Road.