Parma Mayor talks to NewsChannel 5 about his decision not to run for re-election.

PARMA, Ohio - Parma Mayor Dean DePiero sent a letter to the residents of Parma Saturday announcing he will not be running for another term as Mayor.

Most Parma residents received the letter Saturday. DePiero writes it is time for him to move on and for his family to begin a new phase in their lives.

In the letter, he lists many accomplishments achieved in the past seven years. Some include, spurred investment, launching vital economic developments, improved sewers, and building two state-of-the-art fire stations.

DePiero was first elected to the position of Mayor of Parma in 2004.

He says he looks forward to finishing his final year as Mayor and promises to continue to work hard and serve the city.

DePiero talked with NewsChannel 5 Monday to discuss the reasons he has decided not to run for re-election. You can see the full interview in the media player on the left.

 

Below is the full text of the letter:

January 22, 2011

Dear Friends,

For the past seven years, I have had the honor and privilege of serving you as Mayor.

When I was first elected in 2004, I promised a new era for Parma’s city government- a promise to run an effective and efficient administration that put service to residents above all else. I brought in first-rate individuals from the private and public sectors to help me in this effort and lead this great city. All of us- the administration, council members, elected officials and residents- worked together and weathered tough economic times to make Parma a stronger community.

I have worked closely with many of you and it is for that reason I want to share with each of you my decision not to run for a third term as Mayor. It is not a decision I have made lightly, but a conclusion I reached after careful reflection with my family. Having helped chage the tone and way city government works, I believe it is now time to pass the responsibility and privilege of leadership to others.

Working together, we have helped put Parma on a sturdier foundation from which to move forward. We can take pride in what all of us have accomplished:

•  Enacted important reforms in our safety forces and a record for keeping out neighborhoods safe- Parma, according to national statistics, is one of the safest in the nation for a city of our size
• Spurred investment and redevelopment in many key areas of the city
• Launched vital economic development projects, from expanding our industrial park and focusing on job creating to growing our local health industry- an effort that includes a new VA Hospital that is expected to open later this year
• Made major improvements to out sewers and streets after years of neglect
• Promoted regionalism and collaboration among local mayors and elected officials
• Spearheaded important partnerships, including our effort with Cleveland MetroPark and West Creek Preservation Committee to create a 300-acre park with a one-of-a-kind Watershed Center
• Built two state-of-the-art fire stations and improved the city’s recreational facilities and parks
• Improved significantly the use of technology in all aspects of city government
• Cut-spending and avoided major cuts and layoffs to safety forced in the worst economy since the Great Depression- all while not raising taxes.

The credit for all of these things belongs to the dedicated employees with whom I have worked over the past seven year. I cannot say enough for all they do every day in our city.

Now, it is time for me to move on and for my family to begin a new phase of our life. I am excited about pursuing new and different opportunities and challenges. My wife, Kathleen, and I are very fortunate to have a young son whom we can raise and watch as he takes in the wonders of this world.

If anything, this past year has taught me to appreciate what is truly important to all of us and the priorities we set in life. My family experienced incredible joy at the birth of our son, while at the same time dealt with the loss and struggles of those so dear to us. I appreciate all of the support that many of you have shown me and my family over the years and especially over the past several months. I will never forget it.

I look forward to finishing my final year as your Mayor and promise to continue our hard work and will serve the city with the same enthusiasm and vigor that I always have. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of Parma.

Thank you for your support and for allowing me the privilege and honor of serving as Mayor of Ohio’s seventh largest city. God Bless all of you and our great city.

Yours Truly,

Dean DePiero
Mayor of the City of Parma