Local entities applauded for creating partnerships | Editorial
In the pursuit of success, partnerships often serve as a cornerstone for organizations and communities alike, a principle recently highlighted by two notable stories from Lake County. The first example comes from Mentor, where city leaders collaborated with Aqua Ohio to revitalize the Reynolds Road water tank. This project culminated in the vibrant “Mentor Rocks” logo being painted on the tank, symbolizing not only the city’s popular summer concert series but also its dynamic and progressive spirit. Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak emphasized that the logo transforms the water tank into a landmark that promotes Mentor as an active, thriving community. Aqua Ohio’s area manager, Bill Bowers, noted that the tank’s rehabilitation included essential repairs and enhancements, which are typically undertaken every two decades. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving community infrastructure while simultaneously enhancing the city’s image.
The collaborative spirit doesn’t stop with the water tank; it extends to the realm of education as well. Lakeland Community College recently earned the title of 2025 Collaborative Partner of the Year from Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio. This recognition highlights the successful partnership between Lakeland’s Information Technology and Computer Science (ITCS) program and Goodwill, particularly for their joint initiative—the Computer Basics Workshop. This free, weeklong program equips participants with essential digital skills, covering topics from the Windows Operating System to Microsoft Word and Excel. By providing facilities and a focus on workforce development, Lakeland, alongside Goodwill’s instructional expertise, has empowered community members to bridge the digital divide and enhance their employability in an increasingly tech-driven job market. Lakeland President Sunil Ahuja underscored that such collaborations exemplify the college’s mission to foster community success.
Both stories serve as compelling reminders of the power of partnership. Whether through improving public infrastructure or enhancing educational opportunities, the efforts of Mentor and Aqua Ohio, along with Lakeland Community College and Goodwill, showcase the remarkable outcomes that can arise when organizations unite for a common purpose. These initiatives not only enrich the community but also set a precedent for future collaborations aimed at addressing local needs and aspirations.
Establishing partnerships often plays a key role in helping entities of all kinds to achieve success.
We were reminded of that principle in two recent News-Herald stories involving events in Lake County.
Let’s begin with a highly visible project in the city of Mentor that involved collaboration. To be specific, The new Mentor Rocks logo painted on the Reynolds Road water tank was the result of a partnership between city leadership and Aqua Ohio,
The News-Herald’s William Tilton reported.
And as Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak stresses, the logo is more than just a reference to the summer concert series.
“When you see that Mentor Rocks symbol on a universal landmark it does more than just remind people of the music series, it puts us on a cutting-edge opportunity to promote the fact that Mentor is a cool city, we are on the move and an active community not sitting still.”
Bill Bowers, the area manager II for Aqua Ohio Lakeshore Mentor Division, said the Reynolds Road water tank was due for rehabilitation work, which included tank repairs, resurfacing and painting.
Other needed site work also included valve replacements and general repairs such as new fencing and tree trimming. This type of work is usually completed every 20 years, depending on overall tank conditions.
Bowers said he and Councilman Scott Marn attended Leadership Lake County in 2018 and have an “excellent working relationship.”
Marn took a particular interest in the Reynolds Road tank rehabilitation and was excited to work with Aqua on the new logo addition to the tank.
“I told the story of the old water tower when it was repainted we didn’t have the money in the city to put the Mentor logo on, and I told Bill we have the money now and we should put the Mentor Rocks logo on the water tower when we redo the logo,” Marn said. “Bill agreed and with the backing of Aqua Ohio we were able to finish the water tower. It is something to be proud of. It looks pretty neat.”
Besides this project, Bowers said Aqua routinely and positively collaborates with city leadership on needed water projects.
“Water towers are an important element of any water distribution system,” Bowers said. “They help supply adequate water pressure to surrounding homes and businesses and provide vital water storage for potential firefighting needs.”
Bowers said the project on the 700,000-gallon standpipe, which is owned by Aqua Ohio, took about six weeks to complete from start to finish.
As for seeing the Mentor Rocks logo on display with so many people driving by the busy area on a daily basis, it gives Aqua an equal amount of satisfaction as it does for city leaders and the residents of Mentor.
“Absolutely, we are excited to see the new logo and proudly display Mentor Rocks,” Bowers said. “We support the city of Mentor and their fantastic summer concert series.”
Now, let’s turn to a story involving an area institution of higher learning.
Lakeland Community College’s Information Technology and Computer Science program has been awarded the 2025 Collaborative Partner of the Year by Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio,
The News-Herald’s Chad Felton reported.
The award serves to recognize “an outstanding organization that has provided valuable outreach and services to the community and exemplified the spirit of collaboration.”
The award specifically honors the partnership between Lakeland’s ITCS program and Goodwill for a joint effort in hosting the Computer Basics Workshop.
The free, weeklong program offers foundational skills in “essential areas,” including the Windows Operating System, Google Suite, Microsoft Word and Excel basics, and general computer hardware knowledge, “empowering community members with the digital literacy needed for today’s job market.”
The workshop offered multiple sessions throughout the summer, serving students and community members looking for career paths in information technology.
The collaboration leveraged both organizations, officials noted, as Lakeland provided facilities and a commitment to workforce development, while Goodwill provided instruction to participants looking to enhance their existing skills.
Lakeland President Sunil Ahuja said receiving the award is a true testament to the dedication of the ITCS department’s faculty and staff.
“This partnership (also) embodies Lakeland’s mission to serve as a catalyst for community success,” he added. “When we collaborate with organizations like Goodwill, we can effectively bridge the digital divide and provide tangible skills that lead directly to meaningful career opportunities for our residents.”
The News-Herald commends Mentor and Aqua Ohio, and Lakeland Community College and Goodwill, for embarking on these respective partnerships. Both alliances are good examples of what can be achieved when separate entities decide to work together on important projects.
