Parma Heights Just Got Safer

The city just got safer. Parma Heights has been awarded $538,350 in federal funding over a three-year period in a cost-sharing grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant, known as the Safer Grant, will provide funding to hire three additional firefighters for the city’s fire department. “It’s a great opportunity for us (the city) to get up to the proper staffing levels (in the fire department,” said Katie Iaconis, the city’s new Director of Finance and Personnel. According to Iaconis, the grant monies will not only boost the employee ranks by an additional three firefighters, but will also help the city “drastically reduce its overtime costs within the department.” “What this really does is provide additional safety and security for the residents of Parma Heights,” Iaconis said.  “Congratulations to the fire department for being so diligent (in working with us to pursue this funding).” The city was notified of the grant award on September 10.

Working with the current Civil Service List, the process of hiring three new firefighters will take place within the next six months, in accordance with terms of the grant, Iaconis said. The purpose of the SAFER grant program is to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments.

COFFEE WITH A COP -- P.A.C.T., also known as Police and Citizens Together, is hosting a special program at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 22 called “Coffee with a Cop.”  It will take place at the Parma Heights Senior Center, 9275 North Church Drive. The Senior Center is located on the main floor of the Educator Apartment complex. This is an opportunity to talk with our police and find out some new exciting things that are happening in Parma Heights. Come and join in the dialogue.

ARE YOU OKAY? – The city provides a free and confidential program called Are You Okay?  A computer service calls you at the same time every day (you choose the time) to make sure you are all right. Applications for the program are available in the Senior Center office. If you have any additional questions, please call the Parma Heights Police Department at 440.884.1234.

A SPECIAL PROGRAM -- The Parma Heights Library is hosting an adult program titled, "The Shawshank Redemption Revealed" on Tuesday, October 1 at 7 pm. Enjoy a fascinating presentation by author Mark Dawidziak, based on his new book, "The Shawshank Redemption Revealed", highlighting the 25th anniversary of the film adaptation. For further details, call the library at 440.884.2313.

IN CONCERT – The Parma Symphony Orchestra  will perform in concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 13 in the auditorium of Valley Forge High School, 9999 Independence Boulevard. Music by Mozart will be featured.

ONSTAGE AT THE CASSIDY THEATRE – The musical Footloose, with book by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, Music by Tom Snow and Jim Steinman, and Lyrics by Dean Pitchford, will be presented October 11 – 27. Footloose is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago. He and his mother move to the small town of Bomont after his father abandons them. Upon arriving, Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Bomont. The Reverend has convinced the town to outlaw dancing, which Ren finds unbelievable. With the help of the Ariel (the Reverend’s daughter) and Willard (a country hick who becomes his best friend), Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that affected them all.

For more information or tickets, call the theatre box office at 440.842.4600. The theatre is located at 6200 Pearl Road in the Greenbrier Commons complex.

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Rick Haase

Rick Haase is a freelance writer from Parma Heights.

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Volume 11, Issue 10, Posted 7:57 AM, 10.03.2019