BRECKSVILLE – Last week, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) held a Main Street Tour in Brecksville, Ohio with constituents and business owners to hear their concerns, answer their questions and exchange ideas on how to continue building upon local economic growth and enhancing the community. The day began with a tour of the new police station as well as a visit to the fire department, included a meeting with local officials and small business owners, and concluded with a visit to two local small businesses.

“When I’m back home in Northeast Ohio, connecting with constituents, local business owners and community leaders is one of my favorite things to do because I get to meet the people who sent me to Washington, get a feel for what they need and find out how I can continue to support their success,” said Dave. “I was honored to spend my day doing just that in Brecksville and I look forward to continuing to do these tours all over Ohio’s 14th Congressional District.”

During the tour, Dave chatted with Police Chief William Goodrich and Fire Chief Nikola Zamiska about topics of public safety including the opioid crisis, emergency services, and funding for much-needed safety equipment. Dave was impressed by the new Brecksville Police Station and was pleased to see a new fuel exhaust capture system installed at the Brecksville Fire Department. This system, which Chief Zamiska was able to purchase thanks to a federal grant, will help protect the firefighters from cancerous fumes. 

Dave then went on to meet Patricia Penland, who owns Brecksville Florist & Gifts. Patricia has owned the business since 2009 and last year, her small business was named Brecksville’s Business of the Year. Dave walked through the entire store, met Patricia’s employees and even got a centerpiece for his family’s Thanksgiving table. Dave also visited The Framer’s Gallery, a custom framing and gift shop owned by Christy and Dave Ping. Their shop has been voted number one in “Best Custom Framing” in Cleveland four years in a row.

“With Small Business Saturday just around the corner, it was an honor to host Congressman Joyce for a tour of Main Street Brecksville,” said Jon Kozesky, the Executive Director of the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce. “These ‘mom & pop’ type shops make up 99% of jobs in the United States, and they are the backbone of our local Brecksville economy. With on average 68% of every dollar spent at a locally owned retailer being reinvested in the local economy, the growth of these businesses is vital in ensuring all other aspects of our community continue to thrive. Tuesday presented an amazing opportunity for these small business owners to share with Congressman Joyce the stories of their success, as well as their greatest concerns, and he proved that they have a representative in Washington who hears them and is fighting just as hard for them in Congress and they are fighting to better their local community.”

Dave met with several other community leaders during the tour, including Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby, Jon Kozesky, the new Superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Dave Mangas, Brian Zimmerman, the CEO of Cleveland MetroParks, Brecksville-Broadview Heights Superintendent Joelle Magyar, Brecksville-Broadview Heights High Teacher Sean Brennan, Kris Toth, owner of Toth Painting, Rachel Torcia, owner of Gateway Title who has twice been named Female Entrepreneur of the Year by the Plain Dealer, and Matt Harper, owner of Creekside Restaurant who was named the 2018 Brecksville Citizen of the Year.

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