The following is our administration’s vision for the future of the City of Ashtabula. A vision is a “look” into the future of something. A vision is what a leader sees something can be. This vision is a 15 year look into the future of this area, even though many things are happening right now in 2007. Although some things to some people may seem “far-fetched”, one must dream and see what it can be in order to form a strategy to get it there. As the old saying goes, “if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time”. Our mission “to aesthetically and economically redevelop the City of Ashtabula” will make this vision a reality, not just a dream. Our value of the people who call Ashtabula home is what drives us to accomplish our mission.

We see a day when the City of Ashtabula will be a city of common purpose. A city where pride, community spirit, integrity and public service are not just qualities we claim but who we are. A community that celebrates and is empowered by one of our greatest strength’s, diversity. A city in which politics is no longer the force hindering progress, but where progress stifles the force of politics. We see a day when the beautiful natural resources bestowed upon us without choice or will of our own, have been “potentialized” by our choice of good stewardship and care. We see a day when all of this and what you read in the following will come to fruition for and by the people and for the good of our people. This is a picture of what Ashtabula will look like as we work together to make it happen.

• A pristine Walnut Beach, beautiful pavilion/concession overlooking Lake Erie, live music, festivities, restored habitat, natural sand dunes, bocce tournaments and other recreational opportunities with friends, family and vacationers coming together to enjoy.
• The Greenway Trail being completed with its terminus at Walnut Beach for increased pedestrian and bike traffic and increased recreational opportunities.
• A thriving port on the Great Lake Erie with increased boating, fishing, trade and tourism.
• The Ashtabula River dredged to a depth that promotes larger vessels entering our harbor and cleansed of dangerous chemicals and toxins to improve habitat.
• Hotels, condominiums and restaurants lining up in the Historic Harbor along the Ashtabula River for greater economic development, entertainment, tourism and recreation.
• Walnut Beach, the Historic Harbor area and East 6th Street all connected to Route 11 by excellent streets and sidewalks, beautiful trees and flowers and old-fashioned light posts inviting people to come to the area to shop, dine and enjoy the scenic view of our port and harbor.
• Festivals promoting Walnut Beach, the Historic Harbor and Downtown Main Street to welcome citizens and visitors annually and bring back community spirit.
• Bridge Street and Main Avenue occupying apartments, condominiums and storefronts with a diversity of people, restaurants, eatery’s, retail, organizations and entertainment for an increased social atmosphere and improved economy.
• Various streets such as Main Avenue, Goodwill Drive and Hulbert Hill restored and scaped, uniform lighting and signage as well as the buildings restored to their original beauty.
• The quality of our housing stock improved structurally and aesthetically for safety and beauty, and an increase in home ownership to improve economy.
• Commercial/industrial brownfields cleaned up and promoted for new industry, economic development and job creation.
• A city that is recognized for its great public school system, private schools and local Kent State University that provides excellent education and training right here at home.
• An efficient, hard-working, dedicated local government to lead our citizens in accomplishing all of this and more.

It is the goal and responsibility of the Cantagallo administration to provide the leadership and expertise to form a strategic plan on how we will accomplish this. We will use our people, the employees of the City of Ashtabula, to our fullest capability and capacity with maximized efficiency and effectiveness. With that said, we cannot do it alone. We need our citizens to take pride in their properties, protect their investments in home and land, and put forth their effort and expertise to partner with us. We also count on our social service organizations, churches and other organizations to help our citizens help themselves. Furthermore, we rely on our local developers/investors as well as those outside of the area, to provide their expertise and input and provide the backing to help us redevelop this city. This monumental effort cannot be done by any single individual or entity, no matter how great. Please join us in this effort which will benefit not only ours, but our children’s future!