“Members of City Council, honored guests, City staff and citizens of Oakwood:

As I begin my 16^th year as a member of City Council and my 9^th year as your Mayor, it is my honor to proclaim that Oakwood continues to be the premier residential community in the Dayton region.

We have this distinction because of our beautiful neighborhoods, our excellent public schools and library, unmatched city services, including public safety, public works, recreation and leisure, and most of all because of our citizens.

Community Servants: I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the efforts of our outstanding city staff. Alex Bebris, our Public Safety Director departed after 11 years of outstanding public service to our community. We promoted Alan Hill as our new Public Safety Director and promoted Kevin Pruszynski to Captain and Mike Tanner to Lieutenant. These internal promotions are a testament to the quality and talent of our public safety department.

We will issue our 2017 Annual Report to every household in the near future. This report provides an abundance of information about our city and the services we provide to our citizens. Accordingly, I will not repeat tonight the good news found in the report. Please read this interesting report at your leisure.

In past messages to our citizens, you have heard me extol the benefits of our Public Safety Department. Our first officer on scene response time for any emergency is under two minutes, by far the fastest in the region.

This is merely an interesting fact until you experience it directly. During our November 2017 City Council meeting, a citizen experienced a life threatening emergency. Our public safety officers immediately responded, quickly provided emergency assistance, transported the citizen to the hospital, and he survived emergency heart surgery. This was a life-saving event and we commend the crew on staff that evening.

Jay Weiskircher, our assistant city manager, retired after 35 years of exemplary service to our community. Jay was involved with every major project in our community and had a hand in hiring every current city employee, save two.

Mike Wenclewicz, our assistant public works director, retired after 36 years of outstanding service to Oakwood.

Cindy Stafford received another Auditor of State Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. She and her staff continue our tradition of transparency in all financial respects.

Our Public Works Department continues to provide comprehensive refuse services, curb collection of yard waste, fall leaf collection and spring mulch delivery. We routinely receive letters of appreciation from residents having positive experiences with our public works personnel.

A special mention also belongs to Carol Collins, our leisure services director, who has served our city for 43 years.

The excellent services provided by our public safety, leisure services and public works departments would not occur if not for the leadership of City Manager Norbert Klopsch. He is recognized throughout the region as an outstanding city manager.

Business District: Our unique business district saw many positive developments in 2017. Ashley’s Pastry Shop, Flyboys Deli and the Oakwood Farmers Market all received Best of Dayton Awards. The Christina Gentry ReMax Ultimate office opened at 2331 Far Hills. Blue Turtle Toys has a new owner and remains in Oakwood. Graeter’s ice cream shop is staying in Oakwood, but on a month to month lease. Please buy Graeter’s ice cream. The Oakwood Candy