Mayor Jensen Teams with AHS for State of the City Video

Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen teamed with Avon High students for his 2018 State of the City address last week, presenting to the packed house at Tom’s Country Place an 18 minute video produced by Eagle News Network.

The stunning video captures not only the many public servants and community partners who work in Avon, it was a chance for Mayor Jensen to do what he does best as he serves his hometown: To touch the heart of the community.

After recognizing the many people and places who make Avon special, Mayor Jensen concludes the video with a wrenching look at the nation’s opioid crisis and its impact on the Avon community.

Taking his lead from Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka, who last year urged parents to talk to their kids to help avert a family tragedy, Mayor Jensen took the message a step further by honoring families of loved ones lost who hope to spare their neighbor a similar devastation.

“If we could get in front of people and let them know about children we have lost too soon, that we could take the words of this song and put it into our own lives,” says Mayor Jensen as song “Miracle of Love” by Jamie Lawson begins. “I have two grown children. They never got addicted to opioids. In their growing up, I wondered if we had done something different. But quite honestly, I wasn’t a better parent than anyone who has lost their child. I wasn’t a better person than anyone who has lost their child.

“Through this, I am trying to give you the idea that these children are children within our neighborhoods, they’re children within our area and their parents are in our area.

“If we can surround those parents with support, support each other, than maybe we can find an answer to the opioid addiction and to stop it.”

You can view Mayor Jensen’s video at @EagleNewsNet or click the link here. His remarks on the opioid crisis begin at 12:05.

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