City Council Recognize Firefighter, Corrections Officer At Meeting

Mentor City Council began their meeting by recognizing a pair of men who work in the city's safety forces.

Mentor Firefighter Jerry Craddock received the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Pillar of Support Award, as wll as the National Water Safety Congress's Regional Award.

U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Suvak presented Craddock with the award during Council's meeting Tuesday evening at .

"This is not often given to civilians," Suvak said of Pillar of Support Award. "That tells you how much (Craddock's) work means.

Craddock teaches people about boating safety -- not just as firefighter but as a programs and training instructor for the NWSC and the Spirit of America program, which gives young people a safe and fun introduction to boating.

Craddock thanked everyone at the meeting and said he thought the NWSC's work helps save lives.

Also at the meeting:

• the city recognized Corrections Officer Richard Radtkin for saving the life of a man .

Mentor Police Chief Daniel Llewellyn gave him the Life Saving Award for his efforts.

• Council approved a , respectively.

already receives an incentive grant from the city, dating back six years.

In 2006, Lincoln Electric began a multimillion-dollar upgrade to its facilities at 6500 Heisley Road, which included a 100,000-square-foot addition to their building.

As part of the project, Lincoln Electric received a grant that was initially slated to last 10 years. Depending on its payroll, the company could receive up to $50,000 per year from the city in tax breaks.

However, Lincoln Electric is beginning a new $7 million project to retool one of its manufacturing lines by purchasing or relocating machinery.

Once again, the city encouraged this project by extending its already existing grant. Originally the grant was going to end in 2017; but, if City Council approves the amended grant, it will last until 2022.

That means Lincoln Electric will receive as much as $750,000 (as opposed to $500,000) in tax breaks from the city during a 15-year span.

As part of the grant, Lincoln Electric must maintain a monthy payroll of $1.37 million.

Furthermore, Lincoln Electric will give two percent of its annual grant to the city's Mentor Economic Development Fund.

Additionally, Council also approved a one-time $7,000 grant for OurPet's, which develops, designs, produces and markets pet products.

Two years ago, OurPet's (which is headquarted in Fairport Harbor) purchased Cosmic Pet Products, a maker of catnip products.

It recently leased a property on Twinbrook Road in Mentor to house its Cosmic Pet division.

This will create 10 new jobs in Mentor. Initially, OurPet's hopes to have a payroll of about $250,000 in the city but that number will increase to $315,000 by 2015.

The entire project, including leasing the building and relocating operations, is costing OurPet's about $1.22 million.