Lorain County Coroner, Judge Bilancini Will Speak at June Heroin Forum

Forum planned after overwhelming response to Zilka's April announcement about city's heroin and drug problem.

Mayor Greg Zilka said a public forum will be held on June 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Avon Lake Public Library to address the issue of heroin and drug abuse. He made the announcement at the May 13 City Council meeting. Zilka spoke out at the April 16 meeting that the city has a “serious” drug problem, specifically with heroin.  “When I spoke out about a month ago, I did so at the risk of labeling our community in a negative manner,” Zilka said.  “By studying information about this crisis, it’s evident the problem is widespread from one region in the state to the other.” He said the “hype is not an option” and the “we truly want to break the downward spiral.” The community forum, meant to educate and understand the challenges of addiction, was …

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Mayor Tells Avon Lake: We Have A Serious Heroin Problem

Recent deaths have put drug problem in spotlight.

In a surprising gesture of frankness, Avon Lake Mayor Zilka spoke from prepared correspondence about a problem in the city that many are aware of, but few discuss: heroin and drug use. “There is a plague in our community about the use of prescription drugs and heroin,” Zilka said at the April 15 council meeting. “And they have resulted in several related deaths in recent months.” In Lorain County, drug-related deaths tripled in 2012 to 60, from 22 in 2011. Sixteen of those resulted from users jumping from prescription drugs to the significantly cheaper heroin. And although the problem is often discussed in more private circumstances, Zilka is bringing the issue to the public forefront. "At the risk of others labeling out community in a …

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THE HONEST TAXPAYERS OF sheffield Lake

7:45 pm on Monday, May 13, 2013

Thank you for informing us of this ON- GOING epidemic And we will all steer clear of Anon Lake !!!!!   more ›

Zilka Injects Humor, Speaks of Compassion at Mayors Luncheon

Says city is "doing well" in trying times.

Borrowing a page from the Jim Smith book of humorous speeches, Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka took the opportunity to entertain a sold-out crowd at this year’s Mayors Luncheon March 20 at Tom's Country Place. The annual lunceon features mayors from Avon, Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake and Sheffield Village. He opened with a joke about how Smith called him last week to tell him Easter was postponed this year. “I asked him how that could be and he proceeded to tell me that Pope Francis came out on the balcony, saw his shadow and now we have six more weeks of Lent,” Zilka said. “Now I can’t say that, but Mayor Smith can get away with that.” He then jokingly said he met Smith last week “and after kissing his ring” reminded Avon’s mayor how much his …

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Failed Levy Could Mean No More Crossing Guards, Summer Concerts

Zilka says passage of levy is critical to avoid financial crisis.

Stressing the need to pass the Paramedic Levy in the November General Election, Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka outlined a list of potential cuts residents could see if the levy failed in November, including the elimination of crossing guards, Safety Town and several recreation programs. Zilka said in his State of the City address on Sept. 13 that despite significant cuts, the city will be thrown into a financial crisis if the levy fails.  “We looked at a scenario where the 2.0-mill levy goes down, and it is not good,” Zilka said in his speech. City leaders are reviewing programs that could be axed if the levy fails.  "Eliminating crossing guards will save $51,000," Zilka said. “What price do we put on child safety?” Zilka said in his address…

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Good Times Roll at ADA Picnic: Gallery

Were you there? Add your photos to the gallery, featuring pictures from photographer extraordinaire Bob Quinlan.

Once again, Avon Lake's  Annual ADA (Americans With Disabilities) brought out a crowd. The 22nd annual picnic on Aug. 12 at the American Legion Post 211 featured food, drink, snacks and music as well as a few "celebrity mascots" including the Cleveland Indians own “Slider,” Al the Alligator and Cupcake the Clown. The event helped celebrate the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Pictured are city council members Jennifer Fnderbosch, Larry Meiners and Mayor Greg Zilka.

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Zilka Says Tax Revenues Up More Than 6%

Income tax collections up more than $2 million

Fourth of July Celebration Moves to Weiss Field, ArtsFest Scrapped

Fireworks will be held July 3

After several years of holding a Fourth of July celebration at Miller Road Park in conjunction with ArtsFest, Mayor Greg Zilka said this year’s celebration will be moved to the landlocked Weiss Field. Zilka said the event, which will be held July 3, will be more traditional and include music before the fireworks--but no ArtsFest as in years before. He made the announcement at the Feb. 13 City Council meeting. “That’s not part of the plan,” Zilka said. “The cost of the event (with ArtsFest) was quite high including overtime. The hours put into it where quite a bit. This would be more affordable.” He called the plan “more streamlined and more manageable” adding that having fireworks at the lakefront Miller Road Park meant keeping a police …

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Dennis Kucinich Stops By As New Council Is Sworn In

Shuffling of seats, addition of new members gives the next council a new look

Avon Lake City Council got a new look Jan. 3, with the exit of some longstanding members and the addition of new ones. Greg Zilka, who has been running council meetings for years as the council president, moved into the mayor’s seat, two seats to the left from the new council president, Martin O'Donnell. O’Donnell, a nine-year councilman, previously ran meetings in Zilka’s rare absence. Rob James was sworn in as the new Ward I councilman, replacing Tim Rush, who opted not to run to retain his seat. The three unopposed council members whose terms expired Jan. 1, Jennifer Fenderbosch, David Kos and Larry Meiners, were also sworn in for another four-year term. Avon Lake Municipal Court Judge Darrel Bilancini swore in the council members as …

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Zilka Injects Humor, Need For Economic Development at Swearing In

Zilka, other elected officials will be sworn in at Jan. 3 council meeting

Mayor Greg Zilka, whose term officially began on Jan. 1, infused humor into his acceptance speech at his private swearing-in ceremony Dec. 30 while stressing the need to continue economic growth efforts and maintain city service. After being sworn in by Avon Lake Municipal Court Judge Darrel Bilancini during a private ceremony at Ahern's Banquet Center, he addressed more than 200 supporters with stories of his family connections to Avon Lake. Zilka told the audience of his grandfather’s visits to Avon Lake on the Interurban and subsequent car accidents while visiting the city he would eventually be mayor of. “Judge Bilancini, I think there was alcohol involved,” Zilka joked. He noted that while Ford’s income tax receipts and the plant’s …

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Zilka Will Take Mayor's Oath on Dec. 30

Zilka transitions from council president to Avon Lake mayor on Jan. 1

Mayor-elect Greg Zilka will take the Oath of Office on Friday, Dec. 30. His four-year term as mayor officially begins at midnight at Jan. 1, 2012, however, he can be sworn in beforehand. Avon Lake Municipal Court Judge Darrel Bilancini will administer the oath at Ahern’s Banquet Center. State Rep. Matthew Lundy will act as the master of ceremonies for the event and Richard Turner will provide the invocation followed by remarks by Zilka. The event is not open to the public. Zilka expressed regret that the size of the venue would prevent it from being a public event. “It’s important to be sworn in before,” Zilka said, noting that circumstances beyond one’s control, such as a blizzard, could prevent a swearing in Jan. The ceremony will be …

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