Hello Villagers,

The winter months seem to be yielding to the promise of spring. At least that is how it felt this morning at 6am as we watered the plants in our greenhouse. New annuals are sprouting from seeds, cuttings are taking roots, potting mix is scattered over the floor and the tropical and annuals have withstood their temporary winter quarters in the greenhouse waiting for outside hardening in April.

In the Village Hall, we are also feeling the promise of spring and new beginnings. I am excited that Dixon Morgan has agreed to serve as Village Treasurer to fill the open position. Dixon brings decades of investment experience and will be key in shaping our investment policies in this higher interest rate environment. I am pleased that the Village’s appointment of Dr John Kramer and Mitchell Bass to the Land Conservancy Board reflects a wonderful combination of John’s many years of experience and Mitchell’s fresh ideas and passion for arboriculture.

The beginning of the Village’s third century in 2026 will be guided by the findings, ideas and suggestions developed by hundreds of Villagers over the last several years in town halls, surveys, and interviews. I thank each of you for your contributions to the planning process. Council and I have agreed that the findings will be addressed by groupings of operational items (i.e. improving recycling) and of strategic items (i.e. the tree canopy). The operational items will be addressed primarily by the mayor and his staff in their operation of the village. The strategic items will be addressed in council workshops to focus on these key elements of our future. The workshops will be open to the public and live-streamed. I am optimistic that this approach will yield a productive path forward.

I am finalizing committee composition this month. If you have an interest in working on a committee, let me know. In collaborating with each other, we will move the Village forward.

Start the month by participating in the Community Club’s pancake breakfast on March 3. Enjoy the final month of winter and hope for an early Spring.

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