Jim Carbone Strongsville Councilman Ward 3

Jim Carbone

The job of any public servant starts with listening to the voice of the people. I’ve heard from many of you about your concerns and ideas to strengthen Ward 3, and I’ve based my platform on your input.

ISSUE 1:  Upholding high standards for property maintenance not just for homeowners but also for businesses, restaurants and companies in Ward 3.

ISSUE 2: Taking the lead on the beautification, redevelopment and rezoning of businesses along Pearl and Prospect Roads. 

ISSUE 3: Increasing the minimum lot size required by the City of Strongsville to encourage larger homes, which will increase all homeowners’ property values and preserve residential land in Strongsville. With limited land available in Strongsville, larger lot sizes can stem the growth of traffic on our roadways and the strain on our sewer system.

ISSUE 4: Creating a program called S.T.O.P. -- Safe Traffic-Oriented Policing.  S.T.O.P. would put extra police on traffic enforcement and patrol and would be self-funded through citations issued. S.T.O.P. officers would primarily patrol I-71 North and South, but would also be available to answer calls and assist residents with neighborhood traffic complaints. A more visible police force would help in deterring crime in our community. Any additional funds collected through the S.T.O.P. Program would be allocated to:

• New equipment purchases for the police department

• The Shade Tree Committee for beautification projects

• Road improvements throughout the city

• College scholarships for Strongsville High School graduates

• New equipment purchases for the Strongsville Recreation Center

• Support of programs and services for seniors at the Senior Center

ISSUE 5: Creating an optional “Are You Okay?” program for the senior citizens of Strongsville. Seniors would receive an automated phone call daily, which they can simply pick up and hang up to indicate they are okay. If the senior does not pick up the phone, the police dispatcher immediately calls the resident. If they still do not pick up the phone, a patrol car would be dispatched to the house. A lock box at the senior’s home would allow police to enter the home to check on them. This is a program being used with great success in North Olmsted.

ISSUE 6: Seeking solutions to reduce traffic on Pearl Road. Long-time residents and new visitors agree, the traffic on Pearl Road is problematic. One potential solution is eliminating driveways in and out of retail strips. Having several entrances in and out of a strip does not allow traffic to flow freely. Reducing the number of driveways from three or four to one or two per strip while connecting the strips would allow motorists to travel from one to the other without having to exit to Pearl Road. Such an approach could also help boost business at these connected strips.