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IT IS TIME to reflect on Chris Grimm's political career over 20 years as mayor of Tallmadge and as city council president. Chris has built a resume' with a multitude of accomplishments that have made our city a special place. No one can look back on his career and come to the conclusion that Chris was just a caretaker. Chris proved to be bold and innovative, always thinking outside the box in order to improve the quality of life for Tallmadge citizens. A quote that best captures Chris's tenure as mayor is one made by George Bernard Shaw and paraphrased by Robert F. Kennedy, "Some men see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were and say why not? " This quote is the essence of Chris Grimm's tenure as mayor of Tallmadge over these last last twenty years in office.

It can be perplexing how public servants who must make decisions to serve the greater good will find the usual number of detractors who believe their self interests are not being fully represented, hence they act like wolves constantly nipping at your ankles. Accomplishments are soon forgotten while detractors wonder to themselves, "What have you done for me lately?" This is the reality of public life. Chris's tenure as the longest serving mayor of our great city shows his ability to reach compromise with even his most ardent detractors, that the best interests of the city as a whole is ultimately their own interest in the long run. It is very much a balancing act to appease everyone and still be able to "get things done". Chris will be the first person to tell you he could not have accomplished all of these things alone. Throughout his career, Chris Grimm exhibited the uncanny ability and temperament to move Tallmadge forward. Chris' record of accomplishments as city councilman and mayor are a testament to his abilities and his love for our city.

Upon reflection, this partial list of Chris' accomplishments by itself is dizzying;

The Community Center with kitchen facilities as a special gathering place for Tallmadge organizations and residents as a meeting place for special events, meetings, pancake breakfasts, chili cook-offs, spaghetti dinners, business meetings and receptions. The center also houses the non-profit organizations Tallmadge Chamber of Commerce serving the business community and Good Neighbors serving Tallmadge residents in need.
The new library on Community Drive that better serves the public needs - from adults, to students and children.
Municipal Building - Converted the First Congregational Church on north Avenue into a new Municipal Building.
Improved traffic/accessibility on Tallmadge Circle by creating a third center lane for streets entering the Circle, improving traffic and allowing visitors to access to businesses, banks, restaurants, and offices in close proximity to the Circle.
Creating the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) with Brimfield Township for the long term economic health of our city.
West Avenue Street Improvements - Upgrading and widening West Avenue to serve businesses, residents, and overall traffic flow and accessibility
The Tallmadge Recreation Center - While critics told Chris it could not be done, Chris never wavered from his vision to create a state of the art recreation center for the residents of Tallmadge. Most cities subsidize their recreation centers. Chris rallied the business community behind the construction of the recreation center and got it done, improving the quality of life for Tallmadge residents. Tallmadge is one of the few, if not the only community whose recreation center operates in the black. Over 3500 residents are dues paying members.
Maca Swim and Aquatic Park - The construction of a new state of the art summer swim park for residents, adding to the quality of life and leisure for Tallmadge families.
A new Street Service Office and Garage to run operations more efficiently out of a single complex and to repair and store equipment.
Utilized Tallmadge Grow, a Community Improvement Corporation, (CIC) , a non-profit organization to assist economic and community development projects in the city.
Utilizing federal Community Development Block Grants passed through the County to repair roads and provide services for residents and senior citizens
Converted abandoned rail lines into a city Hike and Bike Trail that will soon be connected to the Ohio and Erie Canal Trailway (linking Tallmadge to Cleveland and Stark County)
Keeping our schools strong by working with the Board of Education to build a new high school for our children so that we may continue to be an attractive place to live for families. In spite of a divisive voting public on this issue, Chris placed the good of the community over those who disagreed. He knew that a strong community educational system for our children is critical to the long term health of Tallmadge if we are to maintain our economic well-being as a city.
A Leader in Regionalism - Transferred the dispatchers to Stow as a regional operation saving Tallmadge taxpayers an estimated $200,000 .