H CITY COUNCIL H JUSTIN BERNS Serving Beachwood and its residents has been one of the cornerstones of my life. That service has provided me with wide-ranging experience and knowledge of the city’s affairs and governance that will help make me an effective Council member. I have served as a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and other city commissions, and for 12 years I was a volunteer firefighter. In May 2010, council unanimously selected me to fill an unexpired term and it was my honor and privilege to do so. I have demonstrated commitment to Beachwood by regularly attending council meetings for more than 20 years. My civic and business activities have provided opportunities to understand the concerns of Beachwood residents and I am dedicated to addressing them. My wife Lisa and I are parents of three children, Caleb (11), and twins, Allie and Sarah (10), all of whom attend the Beachwood schools, and I have a special interest in seeing the city and schools work cooperatively. In 2014-15, I served as the Beachwood Elementary School PTO president. During my tenure, it became apparent that there was redundancy among the PTO organizations and they could be more efficient and effective if merged. I helped spearhead this merge and, today, I serve as co-president of the Beachwood Schools PTO. Beyond my family and serving the city, I am president of Berns Custom Homes, a land development firm and custom home builder that also performs home renovation projects. As a developer and builder, I have first-hand experience with the construction of infrastructure improvements like roads and sidewalks. I have also developed and constructed rental properties, office and warehouse buildings, and automobile dealerships. And, as the manager of residential, commercial and industrial rental properties, I have prepared and followed short- and long-term budgets, and have a strong understanding of financial reporting. I believe that these experiences give me a unique perspective on many of the challenges that the city may face in coming years. Beachwood is the best governed community in Northeastern Ohio, and I have been proud to serve you in many capacities over the past 23 years. I now ask for your vote on November 3rd so that I can continue to help our city thrive and prosper. I believe that these experiences give me a unique perspective on many of the challenges that the city may face in coming years. H CITY COUNCIL H MICHAEL ELLIS Diane and I have been Beachwood residents for 32 years, and our children, Carrie, Joshua and Gillian, all graduated from BHS. I am currently a partner in the law firm of Porter Wright specializing in corporate and securities law. I’ve served on the Boards of WVIZ/WCPN Ideastream, North Coast Angel Fund, Bnai Jeshurun Congregation, and the local chapters of Jewish National Fund and Ort America. I am running for Council to leverage my experience in financial oversights and controls, honed as a board member and corporate attorney, which are essential in today’s changing and demanding environment. Beachwood is blessed with strong community services that we must protect. The city’s forefathers envisioned a balanced residential and commercial area providing a strong tax base. However, in the midst of the economic downturn, the city raised its income tax rate, thus discouraging some businesses from moving here. The city’s salaries and expenditures are among the highest in Ohio. Council has done an insufficient job of fiscal oversight and control. Only recent public exposure has led to salary and expense restraints. One of my priorities is to review expenditures to ensure the city is obtaining the very best value and being efficient with our funds. We can also do better by involving residents in community decisions and having an open, transparent government. Legislative proposals should be available on-line before council meetings, as should copies of enacted legislation and policies. An interactive forum should be created for important matters, such as commercial expansion and new governmental buildings. Recognizing past successes, the city must plan for a changing future. The city is more diverse and older. It needs to be aggressive in attracting younger residents with families. Beachwood should provide economic incentives to residents purchasing vacant and distressed properties. Such properties diminish the value of adjacent properties; converting them into flourishing new family homes would benefit our neighborhoods. Economic incentives for businesses should continue, but targeted to focus on job growth. Benchmarks should be structured to ensure employment promises are met. Beachwood must move past the current negative perception of our city’s government. It must address deficiencies in a positive, collaborative manner and, where appropriate, disseminate accurate data refuting erroneous information. I can provide new ideas, leadership and a consensus-building role to council. I hope you will consider voting for me. 50 Beachwood Buzz n October 2015