Hello Villagers,

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends. It is a special time to enjoy each other’s company, retell stories from years past, and make New Year’s resolutions for 2024. The Village Center was especially attractive with thousands of lights and decorations. And with calmer winds than last year, we were able to start the bonfire and gather around the tree, though in mud boots this year. Thanks to the village staff, organizations, donors and families who made the Christmas and Hanukkah season special for all of us in this beautiful Chagrin Valley.

We have been busy at village hall getting organized for 2024. We are excited to start evaluating the recommendations of the citizen-led Comprehensive Plan. Recall there were 21 major objectives and strategies, and over a hundred recommendations and actions. Council and I will work through them, using the plan as a guide for the village future. We’ll likely undertake this in a workshop setting, and plan to open that to the public.

Several items are underway. The coffee shop has been open since June and is delivering an attractive menu and a warm place to gather and engage. We have finalized the specs to repair, resurface and repaint the tennis courts into two tennis courts and four pickleball courts. That work will be completed in the Spring. We had a great meeting today in forming a tree committee between the Village, the GM Land Conservancy and residents. The goal is to start with education to our villagers about tree health, create a tree plan, and execute the plan over the years with the ultimate goal of healthier trees, increased tree canopy and intentional use of levy proceeds. 

In February, we plan to create and deliver a summary of 2023 and a view of priorities for 2024. Karen Schneider has left us a wonderful Village with a plan to guide our future, a strong financial picture, a dedicated staff, and most importantly, 2,000 engaged residents who want the best for Gates Mills. That’s a pretty good situation to have inherited. 

I look forward to collaborating with you and the various village organizations to move the Village forward into our third century.

Steven L Siemborski, Mayor
1470 Chagrin River Road
Gates Mills, OH  44040
(440) 423-4405   Ext. 122