Finance Update

Councilman at Large &

Finance Committee Member

Danny V. Colonna

In March of this year City Council passed the “08” budget. Unlike previous year’s budgets, this year’s budget will carry on a new importance due to the employment and cost cutting at Ford Motor Company. These changes in revenue will have a direct effect on future spending and budgets. City Council and the Mayor are committed to evaluate and adapt to these changing revenues. It will be vital to spend and operate closer to the belt so we can minimize the effect of these losses. Economic development will take on a new aggressive importance. Brook Park has many great assets that businesses need to succeed in this economy. The test for us will be to sell our city to those companies on why this is the best location in the land. While doing this we will also work to maintain the revenue sources that currently exist. Council and the Mayor have had discussions with Ford Motor Company representatives and their future plans. Though Ford has expressed some jobs returning, it will be prudent for Council to move forward based on no return of these jobs. Currently Brook Parks financial status is a stable one, our goal is to keep it that way for years to come. While on city council we have been very aggressive in upgrading the cities infrastructure and roads, but more importantly we have been able to build healthy reserves. Our city must continue to evolve and address infrastructure needs and ways to improve our municipal buildings by looking at proper and efficient financing. Council and the Mayor will continue to evaluating how your tax dollars are being spent to better deal with these future challenges. City Council, the Mayor and the administration will take these challenges head on, and as Brook Park always does, we will rally together and persevere. To follow the cities finances please log on to www.cityofbrookpark.com and click the Finance Department. I wish all of you a happy and safe Summer. Support Ford Motor Company and BUY FORD

 Quiet Zone Construction

Phase I of the all awaited quiet zones is underway. Construction has begun at the Holland Road crossing on the west end of town near Sylvia. We ask all residents to be patient and be aware of traffic flow changes during the project. Safety is top priority. Also be aware that at the end of the project it will take a period of time before train conductors stop sounding their whistles. Brook Park has and will continue to be the driving force for implementation of quiet zones throughout our region.

Municipal Campus Improvement

In 2007 City Council and the Mayor have discussed building improvements within the municipal campus. Those Discussions brought about plans to build or renovate the police & fire stations. Also part of those discussions was to add senior facilities and renovate certain areas of the Rec. Center. To this point R.C.U. Architects have presented layouts of a new police station and rec. center renovations. Unfortunately the developments at Ford Motor Company has side tracked these types of projects. Council will now look at the funding possibilities based on our current and future revenues. In the mean time you can expect to see minor upgrades and improvements through out the municipal campus.

Around Town

The Snow Rd. underpass project is in full swing and will continue throughout 2008. Please drive safely through this area. The new construction of a Dunkin Doughnuts is almost completed on the corner of Delores and Snow Rd. Also as you may have seen,

across from City Hall there are 14 new homes being built which will provide a new type of living. Also well underway is the west 150^th improvement project. This project will also include phase I of the sanitary sewer improvement project. This project will combine with a larger project that will address the August 2007 flooding problems that damaged many of our properties. We are committed to addressing this problem. The 2008 Roads program will soon be out to bid. The program will be highlighted by the reconstruction of old Grosse Drive and the continuation of the Michael Drive reconstruction project. A number of streets will see minor work done to them along with some of our highway ramps.

Home Days Moving To City Hall Area

The Cities annual Home Days will take on a new look. The location of this years events will be centered around City Hall and the Council Chambers area and will also expand to the Football field area and the New Gazebo Area which will allow for entertainment through out the weekend. This years festivities will once again be highlighted by the Flags of Honor, as well as the annual parade and fireworks on Sunday of that weekend. This is truly a breath taking event. We hope to see all of you out at this years festivities which are scheduled for July 11^th, 12^th & 13^th.

  I’ve created a web-site to serve you!

I have created a web site to serve you, www.dannycolonna.com. I created this site to keep you up to date with council happenings. This web-site is not paid for at tax payers expense.  I invite feedback as well as comments. Your opinion counts!!!!