Income tax revenue is the “lifeblood” of Independence. As income tax goes, so goes Independence!
The robust Rockside Road Business Corridor, the more industrial-focused area north of I-480, the Old Brecksville Road District and the East Pleasant Valley Road Corridor are the primary business districts that supply the vast majority of Independence’s income tax revenue.
However, over the last few years, various dynamics have challenged the traditional business model of people commuting to a place of business to work, where local income taxes were earned and paid. That business model has sustained Independence financially since the 1970s.
However, the portion of Independence’s income taxes derived from employers withholding income taxes from employees, the largest of the local income tax sources, was no greater in 2023 than in 2019.
Of course, the cost of almost everything rose considerably during that period.
That is why the Independence Finance Office is a key partner and resource to Mayor Kurtz and Council members as we collectively analyze these current trends to help us determine the most likely ways for the City to achieve continued future success.
Sincerely,
Vern Blaze, FINANCE DIRECTOR
Outdoor Oasis
FREEDOM PLAYGROUND
Opened in June 2024, Freedom Playground in Elmwood Park began to take shape after the Parks and Recreation Department surveyed residents on what new amenities they wanted to enjoy.
One of the requests: an inclusive playground.
“It’s set up in a way that someone in a wheelchair can easily access it, with sidewalks from the playground to the parking lot,” says Tom Walchanowicz, Director of the Independence Parks and Recreation Department. “We have a lot of elements
Find out more about Independence’s efforts to bolster the city’s greenspaces.
that special needs kids and adults can use.”
Elements of the playground include a swing that allows multiple people to swing together; a stand-on merrygo-round; and an interactive play feature called Movmnt.
The Kiwanis Club of Independence and the Autism Society each donated $5,000 to help fund the Movmnt piece of equipment.
ELMWOOD PARK TREE FUND
In May 2023, the Elmwood Park Tree Fund took root in Independence.
“It’s a way for the residents to commemorate a loved one and to keep replenishing the trees that we’ve had to cut down,” Walchanowicz says.
The city performs plantings of only native trees in spring and fall, says Ryan Wancata, Parks and Recreation Manager for Independence.
Overall, the Tree Fund has boosted the city’s tree plantings from five to 10 trees a year to nearly 80.
“It’s taken us to the next level. We have high hopes that the number keeps rising,” Wancata says. “It’s really making a difference with our tree canopy in the parks.”
Contact the Civic Center at 216.524.3262 for more information on how to participate.
Eye to Future the
The Independence Historical Society and Independence Community Theater are focusing on youth programming.
By Sarah Webb
The Independence Historical Society and Independence Community Theater have cast an eye toward the future by engaging the younger generations. Here’s how.
INDEPENDENCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Independence Historical Society remained inactive for several years due to the pandemic, with its
Completed Freedom Playground
Independence Historical Society Military Display
By Sarah Webb
Ryan Wancata, Rocco Petrozzi & Myles Mathlage
Historic Hall left vacant and several officers resigning.
In 2021, members who wanted to save the organization became the newly elected officers. However, membership is still down 50% from 2021. To reverse the trend, The Historical Society plans to rebrand.
“We hope to generate more interest among younger people by updating the name and making our exhibits more interesting,” says Deborah Hudnall, President. “Our desire is to offer more events that appeal to a younger group.”
Reopening the main floor of Historic Hall represented just one part of the refresh.
The Historical Society also plans to help families store genealogy information in museum files; present programs for schools and other groups; put on a new offering during Home Days, the Cemetery Tour in October and the Holiday Home Tour in December; and collaborate with the city to apply for grants to restore the Hemlock Cemetery.
“Our goals are to perpetuate the memory of the pioneers of Independence, disseminate information and historical data to our residents, foster a spirit of neighborliness and stimulate an appreciation of the fundamentals of American Democracy,” Hudnall says. “This requires a workforce, and we are hoping to enlist residents to join us.”
COMMUNITY THEATER
Independence Community Theater also features programming geared toward youth with its theater Summer Camp.
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Taking place over the course of several weeks, the Summer Camp consists of putting together a full production from start to finish. This year, it’s Finding Nemo
“It’s an all-inclusive arts experience. It builds [the children’s] confidence and stage presence, as they work together for a common goal,” says Jennifer Sindyla, Summer Camp Director. “The youth are our future in the arts, and providing this experience at a young age exposes them to that opportunity. Theater opens doors to all types of opportunities.”
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2023 Production of Anything Goes
Around Town Talk
Get the inside scoop on the latest developments within the City of Independence. By Sarah Webb
The City of Independence has ramped up its development efforts in a big way. Here’s a look at the latest updates.
INFRASTRUCTURE
In 2023, Independence capitalized on grant funding through the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to extend sidewalks along the western side of Rockside Woods Boulevard, North.
“The sidewalks provide a vital link between many of the city’s major tenants and the retail businesses they
wish to support,” says Jessica Hyser, Economic Development Director for the City of Independence.
Additionally, Independence implemented the first phase of its wayfinding program in 2023 by installing color-coded banners along Rockside Road to help those unfamiliar with Independence with navigation.
“Look for the city to continue to build out this helpful tool as it continues to invest in infrastructure and the business community,” Hyser says.
POLICE
The Independence Police Department recently invested in new camera technology.
The department installed a closed circuit television blue light camera at Brecksville and Chestnut roads and another at Brecksville Road and Selig Drive.
“Those cameras run 24/7 live footage, and we can go back three days in case there’s an incident,” says Police Chief Robert Butler. “The technology works cooperatively to provide a clearer picture of what could be going on.”
Further assisting the police force in presenting the full picture, each officer has been equipped with a Getac body camera to record their interactions.
“We use that for training capabilities and for the protection of the officers and everyone they come into contact with,” Butler says.
FIRE
The Independence Fire Department also honed in on the latest technology with the purchase of a new drone, supplementing the drone program already in place.
“This drone’s basic premise is to do inside-type activities or fly through tight spaces like wreckage — something the other drone couldn’t do,” says Fire Chief Steven Rega. “It is meant for search and rescue operations.”
The new drone also features virtual reality goggles so operators can fly it with a firsthand view of what’s happening.
Following the Road to Readiness Road to Readiness
Independence Schools partnering with the city and local businesses
are showing teachers
the skills required in today’s workforce so they can prepare students for future success.
By Kristen Hampshire
Effective communication, time management, sticking to deadlines, showing up on time and when expected — these executive functioning and soft skills are in-demand in the modern workplace.
During the one-day Road to Readiness program, Independence educators and administrators listen to straight talk from local employers representing many different industries.
“It’s our job to prepare students for their futures and as teachers, we need to continually update our knowledge base of what the future looks like — the skills, ideals and ethical components businesses are seeking in potential employees,” says Mike Pennington, Director of Curriculum and Technology Integration for Independence Local Schools.
The Road to Readiness initiative is rooted in conversations between
the city’s Economic Development Department, Independence Schools and the business community. The program launched with an event at the Civic Center in November 2023, gathering educators and local employers with the theme: Culture of Work – Employer Perspectives on Hiring and Working in the Current Global Economy.
The idea of this initiative is to ensure students are future-ready in today’s dynamic economy and then explore how to embed these skills into the curriculum.
A spring 2024 Road to Readiness program included visits to employers who spoke to educators about what today’s businesses want and need.
Notable was a growing gap in communication and time management skills, which is an area of focus at Independence Schools. An equally impactful take-away:
Career exposure in high school can introduce pathways that lead to a fulfilling life. For instance, David Hughes, Vice President of Gray Media/WOIO-TV19, says he traces his career path back to a high school video production class.
“We have more than 800 businesses in Independence, and they are looking for ways to give back to the community,” says Jessica Hyser, Economic Development Director, calling the Road to Readiness initiative a way for “teachers to get out there and build connections.”
Connecting in the Community
“As we work within our four walls here, we can see a bigger piece to connecting what students learn to workforce needs — and it was eyeopening,” says Jamie Vanek, Principal, Independence Middle School.
Road to Readiness at Redwood Living
In-person tours throughout the business community are insightful for educators.
“Often, we still go back to the Flintstones era when we think of what manufacturing is or what an office looks like, but not until you are out seeing it and experiencing it can we understand how the workplace has evolved drastically, especially during and after Covid,” Hyser says. “The tours gave teachers a look at the diversity of what’s available in the local workforce.”
The caravan of educators stopped at Kurtz Brothers’ headquarters, which runs landscape supply centers in Northeast Ohio. Also on the agenda was CBIZ, an accounting and insurance advisory firm, along with Liberty Home Mortgage, Redwood Living, Grice Corp., MCG Architecture, CSA Group and Wild Republic.
With Hughes serving as the lunchtime speaker, he emphasized to educators that high school students are searching for their passion, adding that students should look on companies’ websites for staff emails and connect to ask questions.
Following a tour and talk with CSA Group, teachers returned to see what happens at the global standards development corporation that tests, inspects and certifies companies. Hyser says, “They are actually putting car batteries and other lithium ion batteries through extreme conditions to see how they perform.”
Without knowing what CSA is all about, a student might not realize that an interest in tinkering or pushing the limits can translate to a role in testing and standards, Hyser points out.
During the initial business event in November 2023, Ben Tyrrel, assistant to the special agent in charge at U.S. Secret Service, brought his armored vehicle, opening the doors for teachers to tour.
All this immersion informs curriculum planning, classroom projects and field experiences. It’s a connect-thedots win for employers and students.
“We’re learning what skills are necessary to succeed in today’s workforce. We can tie that to the curriculum and explain to students, ‘If you were look-
ing in your own backyard at a wealth management firm, engineering company or any one of our many businesses, these are skills you will carry into the workplace,’” Vanek relates.
These meaningful connections go a long way toward helping students understand that even the everyday mechanics of classroom culture are important skill-building opportunities that are highly marketable to employers.
“Getting your work done on time is important not just because your seventh-grade teacher expects it, but the employers who are hiring students also see this as important for being successful,” Pennington relates. “Anytime we can take students out and give them real-world experience is beneficial.”
Also, Pennington says visiting local employers and recognizing the skills they are seeking is what is expected of graduates and what they are prepared to do affirms the district is on the right track.
Paving Career Pathways
Road to Readiness illustrates the Independence business community’s interest in “not just being a tenant,
but a good corporate citizen,” Hyser says, relating that when MAI Capital moved to Independence in 2022, the organization specifically told the city it wanted to get involved.
So, MAI Capital has been hosting student groups at their offices to expose students to the financial field and show teaching staff what these careers entail.
For the student who wonders in class, “Why am I learning this?” these experiences are a case-inpoint explanation.
Wild Republic moved to Independence from Twinsburg and is a leader in the plush toy industry, selling its stuffed animals to aquariums and zoos across the globe. Teachers probably didn’t realize they were going to learn about ecological preservation and environmental stewardship from a company that makes stuffed toys, but they did.
“For Earth Day, they came out to Independence Primary School and educated a fourth-grade class about recycling and taking care of the environment, and all the things they make at the company from recycled goods,” Hyser shares. Each child went home with a plush toy and a fresh perspective.
MCG Architecture Tour
CBIZ Tour
Grice Corp Tour
Each state in the US has a federally designated anti-sexual violence coalition, as well as an anti-domestic violence coalition. Ohio’s anti-sexual violence coalition is the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV), and our work is a little bit different than the work that rape crisis centers do. We’re responsible for training and technical assistance for the rape crisis centers in Ohio, as well as providing information to legislators and even some services directly to survivors, such as housing and legal representation. And we make it a point to do all of our work through an anti-oppression lens.
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“They, like many Independence businesses, want to ensure the development of our workforce and be a part of our community,” Hyser relates.
The Road to Readiness momentum continues, and Vanek says it has helped open up even more conduits in the community for career exploration.
“There have been some great partnerships formed where the business community is reaching out saying, ‘We’d love to speak to your students or come to a job fair,’” he says.
Now, Pennington wants to explore how parents can get involved, further strengthening connections and highlighting what the modern workforce is looking for in qualified candidates, noting that this might mean earning a technical certificate or onthe-job training. There are many pathways toward a bright future.
He says, “The city has always been such a great partner and this collaborative program emphasizes the importance of what we do as a district.”
the StaffMeet
Independence Local Schools welcomes strong new leaders to the district.
By Kristen Hampshire
Kelli Cogan, Superintendent
Kelli Cogan’s succeeded Ben Hegedish as Superintendent of Independence Local Schools and started in the role on August 1. She is enthusiastic about the community, the citybusiness-schools partnership and advancing an already recognized educational system.
“The district’s reputation for excellence precedes it, and I’m genuinely excited to contributed toward its con-
SCAN TO GET INVOLVED
tinued success,” Cogan says, citing the talented staff, supported community and hardworking, engaged students.
Cogan brings deep experience in K-12 curriculum standards and leadership throughout her career in education. She is a Harvard EXCEL project participate, president of the Ohio Middle Level Association and presents at educational conferences.
Jennifer Knapp, Treasurer
Jennifer Knapp brings her extensive fiscal leadership and treasury experience to Independence Local Schools. She has an advanced understanding of employment law and a comprehensive accounting background, and she has participated in bond issue campaigns.
Knapp is a multi-year recipient of the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting, has earned the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction and maintained a favorable Aa3 rating from Moody’s Investors Service.
Knapp says, “Joining a community rich in tradition and excellence is an honor. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve the students, staff and community while ensuring the financial objectives are achieved.”
Brett Diehl, Athletic Director
Extensive athletic administration and coaching experience positioned Brett Diehl to be named Athletic Director — a competitive interview process involving 115 candidates. He will oversee the district’s entire athletic program, from hiring and evaluating coaches to managing the budget, scheduling contests and maintaining facilities.
“I am excited to work with the student-athletes, coaches, parents and community to build upon the district’s rich tradition of athletic excellence,” Diehl says.
We’re
24
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Savor the Flavors Savor
The first Cultural Fair — a collaboration with the schools, city, community organizations, and local businesses — provided a platform for showcasing the community’s diversity and unity.
By Kristen Hampshire
There’s a world of culture in Independence that families and the community discovered at the Independence Primary and Middle Schools’ first Cultural Fair in April at the Civic Center.
Second- and sixth-grade students collaborated to explore diverse flavors, customs, attire, holidays — even famous people — from 75 countries across the globe in a project that promoted connectivity and unity.
The event was hatched by the cultural committee at the Independence Primary School, says Principal T.J. Ebert. Last year, the team focused on grade-level programs. “We wanted to plan something to make it communitywide and include other schools,” he says.
Another parameter: Ask students to study a culture other than their own.
The concept evolved into an all-in community affair with educational tri-folds sharing interesting facts, kids’ cooking projects to try, demonstrations, an arts-and-craft component for the younger brothers and sisters, and food stations offering tastes from around the world prepared by generous local businesses.
“The students were so excited,” says Michelle Koussa, sixth-grade teacher, fast-forwarding to a moment when she knew the effort was a real point of pride. “The kids were going out to the front of the Civic Center, telling visitors, ‘You have to see this!’ and it was neat to see how many people who were there to attend sporting events or go to the library stopped in to check it out.”
Learning Together
There’s a curricular parallel in second- and sixth-grade social studies, which made for a natural pairing when considering how to merge two Independence schools for the project, says Jamie Vanek, Principal, Independence Middle School.
Sixth graders chose countries to study, and the first meeting with second graders was on primary school turf, “their comfort zone,” Koussa says. From February through April, the team met to learn, explore and participate in fun activities like scavenger hunts and ice breakers to bridge the grade gap.
“It was really a big brother, big sister program for our students,” Ebert says,
noting a long-term benefit as elementary classmates progress into higher grades. “When our primary school students transition to the middle school, they will feel even more comfortable because this program provided an opportunity to meet with students and be involved at the school.”
Through winter and early spring, the event expanded. The district met with Economic Development Director Jessica Hyser. “We wanted to figure out, how can we make this the best night it can be?” Vanek relates.
Hyser coordinated with Independence restaurants such as Tita Flora’s and Cozumel, and five establishments enthusiastically participated by setting up booths at the Cultural Fair with samples of foods from across the globe. Many more offered to host or help with other events.
Ebert says, “Supporting our local businesses is so important, and this event gave us another opportunity to do that.”
Koussa adds, “The partnership really helped the kids bring their projects to life and also gave the community an opportunity to experience the wonderful foods from around the world that Independence has to offer.”
A Unifying Celebration
Koussa opened the event noting a “kaleidoscope of cultures” under an overarching theme of unity inspired by the 2024 Summer Olympics. “We thought this would be a way to highlight countries from all over the world and how everyone comes together to celebrate being one,” she says.
Students lived out the Olympic tagline, “Stronger, higher, faster, together,” by working in teams and
Tita Flora’s Cultural Fair booth
Students showcase the heritage of many different nations
celebrating unity while creating their tri-fold presentation boards and coming together with the community to showcase their work.
INDY Alive! sponsored the project, allowing the district to provide Olympic-themed T-shirts to participating students, who sported all the colors of the rings.
Family activities included a selfie backdrop and a mural where families could record their family traditions to share. Complete with a mariachi band and kids’ activities, the evening showcased how the schools, city, businesses and community organizations partner to create enriching experiences.
Koussa says, “Any way we can bring the classroom to life and support each other makes for a great community.”
Tony Castro says guests who travel from Texas, California, and other locales known for the best Tex-Mex tell him, “This is the best Mexican around!”
There’s a reason, he explains.
“We follow authentic recipes from centuries ago, from our grandmas, and everything we make in the restaurant is from scratch,” notes Castro, owner of the Independence location that has served the community for more than 20 years.
“Here, you get the most fresh food,” Castro says, offering a few selections to try.
Plate It. The Fajita Rice Bowl is trending at Cozumel. Pick your protein — steak, chicken, shrimp. Includes grilled peppers, onions and tomatoes, topped with cheese and served on rice, black beans, corn and pico de gallo.
Filipino Family-Style
Tita Flora’s
They call her Tita because she’s an aunt to so many and every guest is family to Flora Grk and at her restaurant. Ultimately, the Filipino menu is her life’s work and family’s heritage. She opened in July 2023 in Independence and when she says authentic, “there is no twist,” she says. “This is the
way I make food at home and feed my children.”
Grk worked a career in the nursing field, where she became known as Tita, a name Filipino’s call their respected elders in general, and specifically their aunts. Her coworkers would tell her, “If you ever open a restaurant, you have to call it Tita Flora’s!”
Plate It. Pancit incorporates lots of garlic for health benefits, along with onions, carrots, green beans, cabbage and celery. Add a protein: chicken, shrimp, pork or tofu. Served on rice or wheat noodles. Another crowd favorite and authentic dish is Sisig, which is pork or tofu, chili pepper, onion, and mayo. Served on a hot plate topped with egg and citrus.
Healthy Mediterranean Aladdin’s Eatery Rockside
Health, heritage and heart are mixed into the menu at Aladdin’s, a staple in Independence for more than 20 years, says manager Rana Pischieri. “I just love getting to know everyone who comes in,” she says of regulars and new guests.
Reflecting on the Cultural Fair, she smiles, relating how one student came back for a half-dozen helpings of hummus after discovering how much he loved it.
Plate It: The newest dish, Genie’s Combo Plate, is chicken mishwi on seasoned rice with vermicelli served with Lebanese salata, hummus, lightly fried cauliflower florets, and drizzled with tahini lemon dressing and turnips.
Old World Italian Gentile’s Bakery, Catering and Deli
For 32 years, Gentile’s has been an area staple with owners Al and Laurie
Gentile — longtime Independence residents — at the helm of a generational family business where dishes are made in-house daily.
Helping craft authentic meatballs, cavatelli, pizza, sauce and cannoli are a team of Italian bakers and a chef from the Old Country. “It’s all homemade and you can tell the difference,” says Al, who rises before the sun to start the day’s baking.
Laurie adds, “We love helping the community as much as we can, and we try to donate food when events like the Cultural Fair come up — it’s nice to give back and pass out Italian food that is homemade.”
A Taste of Thailand Thai Gourmet
Traditional Thai and Chinese dishes include a full menu of starters, salads, sides and entrees, including “must try” favorites the restaurant and its owner Ariel Laurel highlight.
Plate It: Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup combines rice noodles, bean sprouts and beef slices in a rich broth garnished with fresh basil, while coconut fried bananas satisfy a sweet tooth. The hot and spicy Green Curry Entrée includes sweet onions, green beans, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, sweet peas and carrots sauteed in a coconut curry sauce.
Students use their creative expression to celebrate diversity
Aladdin’s Cultural Fair booth
The Plaza 45 parking lot on Rockside Road transforms into a festive lunch hotspot for the business community, guests and locals during Food Truck Fridays, April through October from Noon to 2 p.m.
“The events provide an opportunity for people to take a walk with colleagues and other workers in the area, grab lunch and gather,” says Irene Kalal, Economic Development Coordinator. With a rotation of 16 different food and dessert trucks, the city offers a welcome variety of fare while giving culinary entrepreneurs exposure to a wide audience.
Barrio Food Truck’s Patrick Granfors, Director, says the trucks “go everywhere and are very local,” adding that Independence Home Days are one of their favorite events. “We provide multiple food trucks and our crews always tell us how friendly and generous the community is,” he says.
Barrio Food Truck was involved in the Food Truck Fridays test run last fall and returned this summer for multiple stops. Barrio runs four food trucks 365 days a year.
Smokin’ Rock N’ Roll is another favorite with Todd Chaison at the helm of a longtime operation consisting of two full-size food trucks and the Smokin’ Rock N’ Roll Ice Trailer.
