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In November 2007, Mike Dudley Sr. was elected to the Garfield Heights City Council during a critical time for the city. Shortly after his election, in 2008, Garfield Heights was declared in a state of fiscal emergency due to significant financial shortfalls. This announcement marked the beginning of a challenging period that required strong leadership and difficult decisions to restore stability.

Councilman Dudley quickly rose to the occasion. One of his first actions was to take decisive steps to reduce government expenses. With leadership, administrative salaries, including those of council members, were reduced. Dudley also reversed a pay raise previously approved by the former council, ensuring that unnecessary expenditures were eliminated. These moves demonstrated a commitment to shared sacrifice among city officials and employees during the city’s financial recovery.

The turnaround was no small feat. It required a combination of strategic cost-cutting, and a commitment to shared responsibility from city employees and residents alike. Through this collective effort, Garfield Heights was able to navigate through its fiscal emergency and emerge stronger.

By 2013, Garfield Heights officially exited fiscal emergency, a milestone celebrated by city leaders and residents. The Auditor of State at the time commended the city for its hard work and sacrifice, highlighting the importance of the difficult choices made to achieve this success. Central to these efforts was Mike Dudley Sr., whose leadership and resolve helped guide the city through one of the most challenging periods in its history.

Dudley’s actions during his tenure on the council reflect his unwavering commitment to the community. He prioritized fiscal responsibility, transparency, and fairness, ensuring that the burden of recovery was shared equitably. His decision to reverse previously approved pay raises and lead by example underscored his dedication to the city’s well-being.

On this Veterans Day, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the men and women who have served our nation with courage, honor, and selflessness. Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a day of remembrance, reflection, and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military members to protect the freedoms we hold dear.

As a veteran myself, I know that service is not just a job; it’s a commitment that extends beyond the battlefield and into our daily lives. To all my fellow veterans, thank you for your dedication, your bravery, and your unwavering resolve. Each of you represents the highest ideals of our country, and your contributions remind us of the strength and resilience that make this nation great.

To the families of veterans and active-duty service members, we thank you as well. Your support, patience, and strength are the foundation that allows our military to thrive. Your sacrifices are equally valued, and today we honor you alongside those who wear the uniform.

Today, let us also remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and are no longer with us. Their legacy lives on in the freedom we enjoy, and it is our duty to ensure their memory is honored and preserved for generations to come.

Thank you to all veterans, past and present. May we continue to uphold the values of duty, honor, and country, and may we never forget the price that has been paid for our freedom.

Happy Veterans Day, and may God bless you all.

— Mike Dudley Sr.

A: It depends on the situation:

• No frequent or continuous animal/bird/vehicle noise that can cross a residential property boundary.
• Mufflers on vehicles must be in good working order.
• Racing the motor, peeling the tires, or causing a vehicle to chatter or backfire is prohibited.
• Burglar, fire, and motor vehicle alarms shall be set to automatically terminate after 2 minutes, or the owner or trustee of the house or vehicle may be cited.
• Loading/unloading is prohibited between 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
• Loudspeakers/PA systems must not cause a disturbance that crosses residential property boundaries between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Mobile loudspeakers are exempt if the resident has a permit.
• Domestic power tools may not be operated between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. (Codified Ordinance Sections 505.09 & 535.03-535.14)

A: Yes. During any school day, all children between the ages of 6 and 17, inclusive (other than a child who has been expelled from school) shall not be in any place in the City of Garfield Heights between the hours of 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. except in attendance at school, unless that child has written proof from school authorities excusing him or her from attendance. The penalty for the child violating this law is a fourth degree misdemeanor. For the parent or guardian a first offense is a minor misdemeanor. For a second offense, it is a fourth degree misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent offense is a first degree misdemeanor. (Codified Ordinance Section 531.05)

A: Curfew laws vary with the age of the child and the situation. Minors may not be upon any streets or sidewalks or in a public place (restaurant, bowling alley, shop, theater, store, pool hall, shopping center, and any other place devoted to the amusement or entertainment of the general public) unless accompanied by a relative over 18, a guardian, or some other responsible person over 21 years of age.

• If the minor is attending or actively participating in a school, church, or city-wide event, then the curfew for such a minor shall be extended to one-half hour after the termination of such event.

THE NEW CURFEW HOURS BY AGE ARE:

• Under 12: 9:00 p.m. – dawn
• 13-14: 9:30 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
• 15-16: 11:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
• 17: midnight – 6:00 a.m.

You are free to set curfew hours within your own household, so long as they include the restrictions above. If your child is found by a police officer to be in violation of the curfew laws, the child will be returned to your residence, these laws will be explained to you and the child, and the police officer may issue citations for the violation. The citation for the parent/guardian is for a fourth degree misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. The penalty for a subsequent violation is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. (Codified Ordinance Section 531.04)

Common Legal Questions Asked by Residents
A: YOU CANNOT PARK CARS ANYWHERE ON YOUR LAWN (FRONTYARD OR BACKYARD). YOU MAY NOT PARK CARS IN YOUR DRIVEWAY IF THEY INTERFERE WITH PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ON THE SIDEWALK.
Cars should be parked in your garage at night. If you have more cars than garage space, you may park them in the driveway, close to the garage. If your residential area allows street parking, you may not park a car within 3 feet of a driveway. (Codified Ordinance Section 351.03)

Common Legal Questions Asked by Residents

Q: What is ethnic intimidation?
A: Ethnic intimidation is a criminal offense under Ohio Revised Code Section 2927.12 and Codified Ordinance Section 541.09. It is a separate offense from aggravated menacing, criminal damaging or endangering, menacing, criminal mischief or telephone harassment when committed because of the victim’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, Vietnam-era or disabled veteran status, or the victim’s desire to live or travel in any neighborhood. Violation of this law is an offense of the next higher degree than the offense, one of those mentioned above, that was committed.