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6 Beachwood Buzz
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January 2016
Letters to the Community
Thank you for your support and vote of confidence in the recent City
Council election! I am truly honored to again serve as a councilman in
Beachwood.
As in the past, I am committed to serving with integrity, honor, and
passion.
While I understand that elections can tend to bring out people's differenc-
es, it has been my experience that they can also bring people closer together.
There is no doubt that, as a community, we all share a love for Beachwood.
I look forward to working with the other members of City Council and the
Mayor to do great things for Beachwood.
Thank you again for your support and trust.
Brian Linick*
As I leave office, I am proud of the outstanding position that the City of
Beachwood is in and proud of my participation in making that happen.
During my tenure I always focused economic development and finances
to be sure that we had appropriate funds to pay for the fabulous facilities
and services that the employees of Beachwood bring to us. This was not an
individual effort, but my joint effort with the administration and the var-
ious City Council members with whom I have served over the years: Alice
Jacobs, Marty Arsham, Si Wachsberger, my good friend Ken Kleinman and,
most recently, Mark Wachter, Mel Jacobs and Mark Mintz. This group, along
with the Mayor, have created what I believe is the most significant city
government in Ohio. Our city services are second to none and our financial
position is the envy of most cities. Our strong financial position has allowed
us to remodel City Hall, construct the Aquatic Center, provide for new fire
stations, and develop the Beachwood Parks, all at no additional expense to
the taxpayers, and while maintaining a AAA bond rating.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as council president these last
two years. I thank Mayor Gorden for running a great administration, and
all the employees at City Hall for their hard work and dedication in making
Beachwood great. I thank you, the community, for your trust and faith in
me, allowing me to serve on Council for six terms.
Finally, I am turning over the city, in great shape, to the new Council.
Keep it that way! I challenge all of you to look at the issues and make
decisions for what you believe will be in the best interests of the city, our
employees, the businesses, and, of course, the residents, just as the previ-
ous Councils have done.
I thank you all for the opportunity to have served.
Fred Goodman

When I was growing up, my father instilled in me the idea that it is better
to give than to receive. He taught me by example, and throughout my life I
strived to live up to his values. Now, I've come to the close of another chapter
in my efforts to give back to my community. The past 22 years have been
very rewarding and fulfilling, having served 6 years on the School Board of
the district from which I graduated and 16 years on City Council. I'm proud
to say that my son, Josh, is carrying on the family tradition, having been
re-elected to serve his second term on the Beachwood School Board.
I've had the privilege of working with school board members and council
persons who were very dedicated, and always seemed to come together
for what was in the best interests of our schools and city. During my tenure,
I have watched the schools and city continue to remain the envy of other
cities, not only in Ohio, but across the United States. Obviously, this doesn't
happen by accident.
Mayor Gorden has worked tirelessly, and has surrounded himself with the
absolute best people available who always give 110 percent. I take my hat
off to all past, current and newly-elected public officials. The job can be an
emotional roller coaster with many highs and lows along the way. No matter
where you stand on a particular issue, there may be someone who disagrees
with your decision. At such times, public servants need the courage of their
convictions.
When I decided to run for public office, it was always my intent to make a
positive difference in our city. I tried to do what was best for the majority of
our residents and our city. It is my hope and belief that we got it right more
often than not.
As our city enters a new era with a new Council, my advice to each person
who serves is to be a good listener, to the people and to the experts; to follow
your heart, and to work together so Beachwood continues to be the best
place to work, learn and live. Thank you.
Mark Mintz
It has been my honor and privilege to serve on the Beachwood City Coun-
cil and the Beachwood Planning and Zoning Commission. Over the course
of the last 20 years, it has been my privilege to help create some wonderful
amenities in the City. I am proud to have been able to work on the City Hall
renovation, the Community Center, Fire Station No. 1, the Family Aquatic
Center, and the Beachwood Parks.
I took great pleasure in working with Eaton Corporation in the creation of
its world headquarters here in Beachwood. In 1989, I was privileged to assist
the law director in the preparation and execution of the initial documents
that created Chagrin Highlands. To see it developed into a premier office
and medical campus, while a member of the City Council and the Planning
and Zoning Commission, is very satisfying. On the other hand, I found great
joy when I was able to respond to the needs of an individual resident with a
particular concern, often by simply placing a phone call to the appropriate
city staff member.
We are very fortunate to have an outstanding administration, headed by
our Mayor, and supported by incredibly talented department heads and
devoted employees. They are the ones who make Beachwood work.
I have learned so much from my colleagues on Council. In most years,
there were frequently differing opinions on how to get there, but the
destination was always the same ­ to create a better Beachwood. Reaching
consensus through compromise and negotiation has resulted in programs
and services that have benefited all of us in Beachwood.
Beachwood now faces new challenges. Once, businesses came to Beach-
wood simply because of its great services and business friendly attitude.
Today, municipalities vie for corporate citizens through various incentives.
Reaching a proper balance will be a test for future Councils.
I am looking forward to watching the city from the sidelines, for now. I
have truly enjoyed my years of service and thank all of the Beachwood resi-
dents for their support over the years.
Mark I. Wachter
*Brian Linick's letter was scheduled to run in the December issue of
Beachwood Buzz. The omission was a publishing error.