The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
OFFICE REDESIGNED
Changes in Treasurer’s Office reflects the pride of its employees
The city of Lorain’s Treasurer and Income Tax Office, 605 W. Fourth St., has been altered over the course of the past few months to make it a better representation of the women who work there.
“We want it to be indicative of who we are and what we are about,” said Treasurer Terri Soto. “The ladies in here painted the walls beautifully and have done work throughout the building and grounds.”
Soto said the paint also was partially funded by the workers.
“They wore jeans to work in exchange for giving a dollar each day toward the paint,” she said. “We also had donations of
“We want it to be indicative of who we are and what we are about.”
— Treasurer Terri Soto
pictures from a local business owner.
“The pictures are of landmarks in Lorain and really give a Lorain-pride vibe. We also had ladies out planting and caring for the flowers that greet people as they come in.
“It is all about putting pride in the work environment.”
Soto said the office would not look as good without the great work of the women who work there.
“They are experts at customer service and care about what they are doing,” she said. “I had someone come to me and say that the clerks made a difficult situation better.
“We know this isn’t a place people like to be, but we try to make it a more
pleasurable place through the look of the office and the service provided.”
Soto also thanked Pam Tremaine, deputy treasurer, and deputy tax clerks Max Molina, Nellie Thomas, Elsie Palacios, Tami Dziak and Mindy Stoyka for all they do.
“I couldn’t do it without them,” she said.
There also is an effort to preserve the building’s past, Soto said.
“This building was the first fire station in Lorain, and we like to honor that,” she said. “We have a picture of the building from those days displayed in the office, as well as an antique alarm my husband set up.
“I feel like we should preserve the past as best we can, especially with a building like this one that has so much history.”
Soto said ultimately, it is all about serving the people of Lorain.
“We are here to help,”
she said. “We can file your local taxes for free and help you understand what you need to pay based on where you live and work.
“It can be tricky when those are two separate places. State taxes are also tricky because they are always changing and affecting Lorain citizens in different ways. Whatever the tax problem, we’re here to help.”
Molina said Soto deserves the credit and recognition for the sprucing up of the office and the morale of the staff.
“She has done a great job and really cares for the city of Lorain,” she said. “She has done so many great things for the city and continues to give without wanting anything in return.
“It is a pleasure to come to work, and this place reflects the positive effect she has had in this office and the entire city.”