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New mayor sets goals for first weeks in office
(by Sue Reid - November 25, 2009)
New mayor sets goals for first weeks in office
By SUE REID
Solon Councilwoman Susan A. Drucker, who will take on her new role as mayor beginning Dec. 1, already has identified several goals for her first few weeks in office.
Mrs. Drucker, whose last day on the job at Bedford Municipal Court is Nov. 30, will be sworn in as mayor at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Solon Center for the Arts.
She said one of her first initiatives will be to meet with department heads to discuss goals, objectives and expectations.
"That includes departmental budgets, personnel issues and any capital-expense requests," Mrs. Drucker said. She will have department heads identify their priorities, she said, not only for next year, but a three- and five-year forecast for each department as well.
Mrs. Drucker said she also will continue her meetings with Finance Director William Weber to discuss the 2010 budget and to project the budget for the city in the next five years. That will work in conjunction with sitting down with department heads, she said, in light of the finances the city is facing with its income tax shortfall.
"This is a position the city has never been in before," Mrs. Drucker said. "Obviously, we will be tightening our belts with the budget, not only this year but in years to come."
In her first few weeks in office, Mrs. Drucker said, she also will continue discussions with city businesses and the Solon Chamber of Commerce. She will initiate a round-table discussion, she said, which will also include Peggy Weil-Dorfman, the city's economic development director.
"The idea is to continuously reach out to the businesses that are here in Solon, to evaluate what the city is doing right, what it needs to improve upon and how to remain competitive," Mrs. Drucker said. "I want that teamwork approach with the businesses." It is important to work together with them to be successful, she said.
"Solon's future success depends on their success," Mrs. Drucker said of the businesses. "I want to encourage any new businesses to become partners with Solon, but also help current business partners to grow."
Mrs. Drucker said that the door to the mayor's office always will be open. She promised this to residents when campaigning door to door, she said.
"I believe in a grassroots effort," Mrs. Drucker said. "I want residents to know they can approach me at any time with any issue.
"The mayor's office will be open at all times," Mrs. Drucker said. "When the city building is open, the mayor's office will also be open." She said she may not always be there, but someone from her office will.
"That is one of the immediate changes I'm making," Mrs. Drucker said.
Mrs. Drucker also will make committee appointments at City Council's meeting Dec. 7. The only exception to that is the public works committee, which must be in place prior to that as its next monthly meeting is Dec. 2. She will finish meeting with all of the council members this week, she said, to see if they have any preferences.
"I want to make the best decisions for each committee to make them run efficiently and effectively," Mrs. Drucker said.
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