City Manager’s Desk

by Thomas Sheridan

As summer begins to wind down and students prepare to head back to school, we encourage everyone to help make the start of the school year a safe one. The return of school buses, increased traffic on the roads and more children walking throughout our neighborhoods means we all need to be extra attentive while driving.

Please remember that school zones are in place to protect our youngest residents. Slow down, eliminate distractions and allow yourself extra travel time during the morning and afternoon commute. Children may not always judge traffic accurately before crossing the street, so stay alert and watch for crossing guards, bicyclists and students throughout our community.

Parents play an important role in keeping our students safe. Take time to review safe walking and biking practices with your kids, remind them to use designated crosswalks, obey crossing guards and avoid distractions, such as phones or headphones, when crossing streets. If your child rides a bike, scooter or e-bike be sure they wear a properly fitted helmet every ride.

It’s also important to remember Ohio’s laws regarding school buses. Drivers must stop for buses picking up and dropping off students per Ohio Revised Code Section 4511. Passing a stopped school bus is not only illegal – it places children at serious risk. A few moments of patience can save a life.

As we safely settle into the new school year, we also look forward to our late summer season events. We hope you’ll join us for the 44th annual Art on the Green on Aug. 29 and 30, when our historic greens will once again showcase talented artists from across the region, alongside live entertainment, food and family-friendly activities.

Then, on September 6, the community is invited to continue celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary at the Hudson America250 Community Picnic. This special event will bring neighbors together for an afternoon of food, carnival games, a pie-eating contest, a 360-photo booth and a performance by the Western Reserve Community Band, plus a few added surprises.

As always, thank you for doing your part to keep Hudson safe and welcoming. Whether you’re driving, walking or attending one of our upcoming events, your patience and attention help make our city a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.