Brunswick recognizes public officials and residents for their work in successfully repealing interchange mandate

BRUNSWICK — Members of grassroots organization Homes Not Highways gave public officials a standing ovation on Monday for their work to repeal the interchange mandate. Homes Not Highways comprises Brunswick and Strongsville residents who have fought against the mandate for the past two years. The group gathered at Brunswick City Hall with their blue shirts and signs to celebrate its repeal during Monday's City Council meeting. "Folks made numerous trips down to Columbus and that showed your passion with your T-shirts and your signs and your dedication to this," said state Rep. Sharon Ray, R-Wadsworth. "You guys are the ones that really helped make a difference in this because people saw you, people heard you and you were visible." Mayor Ron Falconi presented proclamations to Ray, Medina County Commissioner Aaron Harrison and state Rep. Melanie Miller, R-Ashland. State Sen. Mark Romanchuk, R-Ontario, was previously recognized for his efforts last year. "It's our community that we're sticking up for," Harrison said. "I was happy to be a part of that. When what we're fighting for is so obviously the right answer, it's great." A proclamation was also dedicated to Homes Not Highways. "It's been a ride, and we're probably going to miss it," member Mike Kellums said. "What are we going to do with our time? (We've been) making signs, making T-shirts and doing some shenanigans, but it all worked out. I think it was for the right cause." A framed Homes Not Highways shirt is now hung up inside City Hall. Vice Mayor Nick Hanek said the shirt is a reminder that when people work together, anything is possible. "It's up there as a memory, but it's also that we can put that shirt back on and fight again if we need to," he said. "Hopefully that won't have to come, but we could because we did it once, and we can do it again." Gov. Mike DeWine signed the transportation budget on March 31, which included a repeal of the mandate to construct interstate highway exchanges under certain conditions. The conditions could have led to an Interstate 71 interchange on Boston Road between Brunswick and Strongsville. "I want you to know that we never stopped fighting for you, and when there were compromises that were not going to be good for Brunswick, we said, 'No way. That's a bad deal for our constituents,'" Miller said. "We kept fighting for you, so thank you for never giving up and for staying in the fight with us." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.