Bay Village Mayor Sutherland to Retire Oct. 1

The longest serving Mayor of the City of Bay Village, Deborah L. Sutherland is announcing her retirement effective October 1, 2016. Mayor Sutherland has served 16 years as Mayor, appointed by City Council on October 2, 2000 and subsequently elected and re-elected to four 4-year terms.

Mayor Sutherland has been widely recognized for her regional leadership, innovative management, and collaborative approach to municipal government. Under her guidance, Bay Village experienced a renaissance with new municipal buildings, enhanced parks and recreational facilities. Mayor Sutherland also championed a new focus on sustainability and operational efficiency. Sutherland states “It has been a privilege and an honor to represent the residents of my hometown and to lead the wonderful administrative team at the City of Bay Village”. She further stated, “I have been fortunate to work with 3 talented Council Presidents and 23 different councilmen and women. Together, we have accomplished much and are reaping the benefits of hard work and tough, disciplined decisions that have made our community so desirable.”

Mayor Sutherland’s reputation as a convener, advocate, and collaborator across party lines has resulted in regional initiatives, state policy changes, and a deep network of resources that have benefited the City of Bay Village, Northeast Ohio, and municipalities across the State of Ohio. Sutherland, a fearless, results-driven visionary, further stated “When I took on this job, I stated that if I was required to be mired in meaningless minutia rather than big, transformative projects, it would be time for me to move on. That time has come.” Sutherland plans to start a consulting business focused on local government advocacy, regional collaboration and operational efficiency.

Letter to the Community

Dear Fellow Residents:

‘I hope you are having a wonderful summer in beautiful Bay!

‘I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the great privilege and honor of leading my hometown as Mayor for the past 16 years. Together, during that time, we have been through both great and tough times. But, no matter what life throws at us, Bay always prevails. Through blizzards and hurricanes, post-9/11, and the Great Recession, we have remained a desirable, tight-knit, caring community with wonderfully talented residents.

‘During the past 16 years, we have invested heavily in projects that continue to build on past successes and move the city forward, without raising taxes. From the Family Aquatic Center, to the Police Station, to the various sewer and road projects, strategic investments were made to improve our community to maintain property values and the desirability of our beautiful city. In this current real estate market, we are certainly reaping the benefits of great schools, neighborhoods, and city services.

‘I have had the distinct honor of working with 3 talented Council Presidents as well as 23 Council men and women. Together, we have worked very hard to be good stewards of our tax dollars while always trying to move the city forward.

‘When I first took this job in 2000, I said that if the time ever came that I was required to manage minutia rather than drive big, transformative projects, it would be time for me to go. That time has come. I will be retiring from public office effective October 1, 2016and will be starting my own consulting company to help other municipalities become as innovative and operationally efficient as Bay Village.

Thank you for your help, support, and love of Bay Village!

‘Sincerely,

Mayor Debbie Sutherland’