Mayor Sam Alai’s column

Happy Thanksgiving! This is one of my favorite holidays because it reminds me of all the things for which I am truly thankful. Too often, I, like many of you, get caught up in the hustle and bustle of my daily responsibilities and don’t take time to relax and reflect on the many blessings in my life.

As I think about the many gifts I have been given, one of them is definitely being the mayor of such a wonderful city like Broadview Heights. My wife and I were recently talking about all of the kind and friendly people we have met since I was first elected to council in 2003, and even more so since I was elected as your mayor in 2007. As you’d probably guess, my job takes to me to many different places and to all kinds of events. Each one has given me opportunities to meet not only new folks I’ve never met before, but to also visit with friends I’ve made along the way. Whether I’m at one of my many meetings downtown, participating in a fundraiser at our local churches, cutting the ribbon at a new business, or even just dining in a local restaurant, I am reminded of how truly welcoming our community is.

Another reason I am thankful is for the amazing group of employees with whom I work each day. Regardless of their job titles, our city workers are among the best. Certainly, we all fulfill our job responsibilities, but equally important is the fun we have as we come together each day. Whether it’s a door-decorating contest or a luncheon to support an ill employee, we are a family. Sometimes we disagree, but it’s always for the greater good, and the solution ends up being something that helps everybody. I am constantly in awe of the way people on our city campus pitch in and help each other, no matter how big or small the task. Terry and I have made so many good friends in the last 20 years, but we would not have met most of them had I not become an elected official. I know that those people will be my friends long after my career in Broadview Heights has come to an end, and I am very appreciative of each and every one of them.

Not to be forgotten is our city council. These seven individuals were elected by all of our citizens to serve our community. We are fortunate to have a slate of people with varying educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives. Through our collective ideas and discussions, I believe that we represent our community to the best of our ability, even when we do not always agree with one another.  Just as your elected officials are a diverse group, so is our constituency.

Finally, as you might imagine, I am profoundly grateful for my family. I am fortunate to still have my mom with us, and even luckier to have fantastic siblings and siblings-in-law, as well as lots of nieces and nephews. When we get together, our time is filled with laughter, story-telling and a lot of ribbing! My wife and I have six adult children, all of whom have enriched our lives beyond our wildest dreams. When we were married, I had a daughter and my wife had a daughter and a son. In the following three years, we were blessed with two more daughters and another son. We loved watching each of them grow into kind, generous, open-minded adults. With each passing year, we find joy through so many milestones faced by our immediate family. Each year, it seems like we are welcoming a new daughter/son-in-law or a new grandchild. Our oldest granddaughter heads off to college next year and our oldest grandson will be learning how to be a carpenter. We will have five grandchildren in kindergarten through the fourth grade next year at the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Elementary school. A lot goes on, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

As you gather with friends, family, and your fellow community members this Thanksgiving, I hope that all of you, too, will take some time to look at all the wonderful blessings you have received. At a time when our world seems to be at odds over so many issues, I pray that you will share my optimism for the future and know that we have so much to be thankful for. There will always be valleys, but they are greatly overshadowed by all the peaks. I wish you all a Thanksgiving filled with love, togetherness and peace. ∞