At February’s Council meeting, Hiram Village Mayor Anne Haynam conducted a swearing-in ceremony for the Department’s two newest Firefighter/EMTs. That evening, Samantha Stone and Emmalisa Falkowski each took an oath of office.
In similar news, Police Chief Brian Gregory noted that the 2025 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for the “Shop with a Hero” program will take place on Saturday, April 5th from 9 am until 1 pm. The all-you-can-eat event will be held at Dix Dining Hall at Hiram College’s Kennedy Center, and all donations will help fund this year’s program.
Formerly known as “Shop with a Cop”, the program was renamed “Shop with a Hero” in 2024. As such, the program grew to encompass Not only the Police Departments from both Garrettsville and Hiram Villages, but the Garrettsville Freedom Nelson Joint Fire District, Community EMS District, and the Hiram Firefighters Association.
The Shop with a Cop program was founded by Former Hiram Police Chief Ed Samec in 2011. “By uniting police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel, Shop with a Hero now provides an even greater level of support and mentorship, ensuring a lasting impact on the children and families it serves,” Chief Gregory explained. The newly expanded program made a meaningful difference by providing Christmas gifts to 29 children and their families from the James A. Garfield and Crestwood Local School Districts.
Each year, the program requires more than $7,500 to operate at a basic level. Without local involvement and support of efforts including the upcoming Pancake Breakfast, it would not be possible. These fundraising efforts allow first responders to continue making a difference in the lives of local children during the holiday season.
Lastly, it was noted that per the Kimble contract, a price increase of 5.8% on trash and recycling services to Village and Township residents took effect on January 1st, 2025.
The next regularly scheduled Village Council meeting takes place on Tuesday, March 11th at 7 pm; residents are encouraged to attend.
