The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mayor serves up thanks at annual breakfast
Sheffield Village Mayor John D. Hunter stressed partnership and collaboration in moving Lorain County forward at the 10th annual Mayor’s Business Council Breakfast on May 14 at Quaker Steak and Lube.
Hunter outlined ongoing projects in Sheffield Village and lauded the efforts of county and state officials in working together to get things done.
“We’re all a team,” he said. “The village can’t operate without the businesses and the businesses can’t operate without the help of government.”
The mayor added he placed communication at the top of the list in getting things done and understanding the problems faced by individuals and businesses in the village.
“And I’m very thankful to have a lot of forwardthinking people in this village and forward-thinking people in the county government and the state,” Hunter said.
In 2018, the village added 20 businesses and is preparing for summer infrastructure projects including the widening and resurfacing of Detroit Road and resurfacing projects on Abbe and Colorado roads.
With the support of local businesses, a new stoplight will be installed on Transportation Drive.
Relationships
In 12 years as mayor, Hunter discussed the relationships he has built with the Lorain County commissioners and elected officials of all party affiliations in working in the best interest of his constituents.
“We’ve been fortunate in the village that over the last 11 years, we’ve brought in $18 million worth of grants compliments of state and federal government,” he said. “And we lay politics aside.”
He lauded the efforts of Congressman Jim Jordan and state Rep. Gayle Manning, both Republicans, for their assistance in helping to keep the VA hospital on Abbe Road in Sheffield Village and in obtaining grants for sidewalk improvements.
“We can’t do it by ourselves,” he said. “It takes a team effort of all of us pulling together to get things done.”
Health issues
Hunter also gave a personal thanks to Sheffield Village Council Pro Tem Carolyn White and his staff for their hard work in keeping the village running while he was dealing with health issues.
In late 2018, Hunter was undergoing a routine heart procedure and developed complications with ulcers caused by surgical stress and was hospitalized for about a month.
“The Lord brought me back to reality last October when I went in for a simple operation and developed some serious medical problems from that operation,” he said. “I never had an ulcer in my life, and all of sudden, I’m on my death bed with ulcers.”
Hunter said he received about 30 pints of blood over four days.
“In that 30 days, I was in intensive care,” he said. “And in the 30 days that I was away from the job in the village, you know what, Sheffield Village didn’t miss a beat.
“Carolyn White and the staff and the Council and the team, which I call the A-Team, carried on. And the people that are in business community worked with them. The people that are the mayors in other cities did.”
Hunter said he was overwhelmed with the thousands of cards and calls he received with all 10 Sheffield Village churches offering their prayers.
“I got thousands and thousands of cards and calls, and I felt those prayers,” he said. “So if you don’t think that prayer works, they do.
“I’m here as a living testimony to that. He put me back in charge again and opened my eyes to reality that we all can be replaced and we’re just passing through.”
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