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Council appointee outlines early goals
(by Sue Reid - April 07, 2010)
Council appointee outlines early goals
By SUE REID
Following an executive session last week, Solon City Council voted 4-2 for an ordinance confirming the appointment of Toni M. Richmond as Ward 3 council representative.
Voting in favor of the appointment were Councilmen Lon D. Stolarsky, Robert N. Pelunis, Richard A. Bell and Edward H. Kraus. Opposing it were Councilmen William I. Russo and William M. Mooney.
Ms. Richmond, a resident of Solon for five years, will complete the remainder of the four-year term of John T. Scott, who resigned March 1. The seat will be up for re-election in November 2011.
Ms. Richmond was one of seven candidates vying for the seat. She was sworn in at Monday's regular City Council meeting.
An attorney with a general practice in Cleveland, Ms. Richmond said her first short-term goal in office will be to connect with residents in Ward 3 with relation to the Bainbridge Road reconstruction project. She will reach out not only to residents along the road, she said, but consider input from all residents in the affected ward with regards to such issues as sidewalks. "My belief is they are for the benefit of the entire community," she said.
Ms. Richmond said she would like to begin sending newsletters periodically to keep residents of her ward informed.
"I will encourage them to have access to me so I can get their input," she said. "I know there's going to be a lot of problems with the project, and it will be a disruption in people's lives, but I think the money is there to do the project, and the project is going to go on." Ms. Richmond said people will be "more tolerant of the disruption if they are informed."
She said she sees as major issues moving forward the need for more work on the revitalization of the city's downtown. "That's going to take some effort on the part of the owners of the three shopping centers," she said, regarding SOM Centre, Solar Center and Solon Square.
"I would like to see some efforts there to somehow improve those shopping centers." Some type of different concept would be needed, she said.
"I personally don't think that Solon needs another Legacy Village," Ms. Richmond said. "We need something that will bring people to Solon, and if we would develop a concept different then Legacy or Crocker Park, that would attract businesses here and make it more unique."
Legacy Village in Lyndhurst and Crocker Park in Westlake are referred to as "lifestyle centers."
Ms. Richmond said she is a team player and looks forward to working with all of her fellow council members and the mayor and administration "to better not only Ward 3, but the entire city of Solon."
"I think Toni brings with her some impressive credentials," Mayor Susan A. Drucker said. "Solon is fortunate that we have such community-minded individuals like Toni who are willing to dedicate their time and efforts to the city."
Mrs. Drucker said that, during the interview process, Ms. Richmond "demonstrated a real and true enthusiasm for the opportunity to represent Ward 3. "I look forward to working with her," she said.
Mr. Stolarsky said Ms. Richmond "has the intelligence and the temperament that will make her an excellent representative for Ward 3 and for the city as a whole."
"She will make an excellent council person," Mr. Bell said. "I'm excited for the residents of her ward, because she is intelligent, prepared and genuinely concerned about their issues."
Mr. Mooney, who supported candidate Barbara Shane, said Solon is fortunate to have so many high-quality people who would like to serve on council.
"I supported Barbara Shane, because she had a slight edge in my view with her involvement in the Solon school system and the fact she ran for the ward before, but Toni will make an excellent council person, and I'm glad to have her on board," Mr. Mooney said.
Mr. Russo, who nominated Ms. Shane, said he too supported her because he is a firm believer in community involvement. "It has nothing to do with Toni." He said the city is fortunate to have "good, quality people who are interested in taking the time to get involved."
Ms. Richmond said she is honored that her fellow council people have the confidence in her ability to do the job.
"I know that there were exceptional candidates who wanted the job, and the fact that they selected me, I'm very honored. I'm looking forward to working with all of them," she said.
A graduate of Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Ms. Richmond is married to H. Kenneth Douthit, publisher of the Solon Times. The couple have a son, Hale, who attends University School.
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