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Residents urge Mentor Council to support a Peace Pole at Garfield Park and to revisit short‑term rental policy
Summary
During public comment, Mentor Rotary representative Jessie Baginski asked council to approve a Rotary International Peace Pole for Garfield Park; resident Jeff Jukowitz criticized the recent short‑term rental ban and urged council to reopen discussion and consider permitting and inspections.
Mentor — Two residents addressed the Mentor City Council during the public‑comment period on Nov. 18: a Rotary Club representative requested permission to install a Rotary International Peace Pole at Garfield Park, and a local resident criticized the council’s recent ban on short‑term rentals.
Jessie Baginski, speaking on behalf of the Mentor Rotary Club, asked council to support installation of a Peace Pole at Garfield Park. Baginski described a Peace Pole as “a tall PVC pipe that in 7 languages has the message of ‘may peace prevail’” and said Mentor was a good site because of park accessibility and educational opportunities with local schools. When manager Ken asked whether the pole would later be replaced with a stone column, Baginski said it could be replaced but preferred heavy‑duty PVC to allocate fundraising dollars to other community needs.
Later, resident Jeff Jukowitz said he opposed the recent council vote to ban short‑term rentals and argued the decision lacked public outreach and transparency. “There has never been publicized public discussion forums or canvassing of the neighborhoods where the short term rentals are in operation,” he said, and added that lost short‑term rental activity reduces earnings for local handymen, landscapers, cleaners and restaurants. Jukowitz asked council to reopen the topic, conduct research and consider alternatives such as permits and inspections.
Neither item received a council vote during the public‑comment period; they were presented to council for consideration and public record.
