Lorain County Community Guide - Nov. 2, 2023 by Lorain County Printing and Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023

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Volume 10, Issue 43

State auditor, County sheriff: Radio contract OK DAVE O’BRIEN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

Two parallel investigations into allegations of criminal activity surrounding both the actions of the Lorain County Board of Commissioners and the process of obtaining new radios for the county’s first responders concluded last week. Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office confirmed Wednesday that an investigation into possible conflicts of interest and unlawful interest in public contracts in Lorain County that started in August 2021 at the request of a sitting commissioner ended Oct. 10 with no criminal charges. “In regard to our investigation, at this time no new evidence re-

lated to the investigation has been uncovered” in a series of lawsuits filed over the matter. “This case has been reviewed by three legal attorneys for (the attorney general’s Special Investigations Unit) with no evidence to confirm the allegations,” three investigators with Faber’s office wrote in a memo provided to The ChronicleTelegram on Oct. 25. The audit and investigation were then recommended to be closed “without further … action” and any ethics matters uncovered referred to the Ohio Ethics Commission. Faber’s Special Investigations Unit found “three possible instances of nepotism” allegedly committed by Commissioner Michelle Hung. Those allegations were forwarded to the Ohio Ethics

Commission for review, according to the memo. Commissioner David Moore, a Republican, had requested Faber’s office investigate Hung, a fellow Republican, in a letter to the state auditor dated Aug. 23, 2021, according to the memo. Faber’s office officially opened a “preliminary audit” and investigation into the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6, 2022, according to the memo. Also concluded was a sixmonth-long investigation by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office into allegations that the county’s $6.7 million contract with Cleveland Communications Inc. of Parma to provide first responder emergency radios to Lorain County sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and police was improperly rigged

in CCI’s favor or steered to the company. Sheriff Phil Stammitti released the results of the investigation, spanning more than 200 pages, to the media and on his website on Tuesday. “Despite an extensive investigation, no evidence was found that the bidding process was ‘rigged or steered,’” sheriff’s Detective Lt. Robert Vansant wrote in his report. “While both Commissioners (Jeff) Riddell and (David) Moore made allegations as such, they declined the opportunity to provide information of how, or to direct the investigator where information would exist to establish it.” Vansant’s investigation came to pass after Stammitti announced in April that he was opening an investigation into allegations at the

request of Hung and the Lorain County Fire Chiefs Association just this year, and previous requests by Moore and the editorial board of The Chronicle. It notes that after a contract with CCI was approved by Hung and a former commissioner, Democrat Matt Lundy, in a vote in December 2022, commissioners Moore and Jeff Riddell voted to rescind it in January, making numerous, unsubstantiated claims that the bid process was illegal or improperly in CCI’s favor. Moore and Riddell have not produced any evidence of their allegations at the request of The Chronicle, the state auditor, or the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. Their vote to rescind CCI’s contract was met with a lawsuit CONTRACT PAGE A3, A5

Health of the Black River, and its fish, continues to improve OWEN MACMILLAN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

The U.S. EPA and the state have agreed to remove a specification that the health of fish in the Black River is an area of significant concern. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that while the Black River is still an Area of Concern (AOC) it would remove the river’s Fish Tumors or Other Deformities Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI). The BUI designation identifies specific environmental issues present in a river or watershed. The Black River was initially diagnosed with nine BUIs in 1990, but, with this latest removal, it is down to four. “Essentially that means that the fish are looking healthier and more normal,” Don Romancak, Storm Water and Community Development coordinator for Lorain County, said. “Which is always good to see, because you don’t want to see a deformed fish on your dinner plate.” Romancak is also the chairman of the Black River AOC Advisory Committee, which oversees the area of concern running from Cascade Falls north to Lake Erie. It was on the recommendation of Romancak RIVER PAGE A2

Winter is coming on the Ohio Turnpike OWEN MACMILLAN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

AMHERST — The last thing most Lorain County residents want to think about before the end of October is snow-covered roads. But they are coming, and, on Oct. 25 the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission made sure its Amherst Maintenance Building crew and equipment are ready. “If it snows tomorrow, we’ll be ready and we’ll be out there getting the road clear,” Amherst maintenance foreman Greg Brown said. Every year in October, commission officials travel to the eight Turnpike maintenance facilities to inspect the more than 100 snow and ice trucks that keep the Turnpike WINTER PAGE A2

STEVE MANHEIM | The Community Guide

MAIN: Matt Timms, chief mechanic for Eastern Division of Ohio Turnpike, inspects a snowplow truck, in preparation for the upcoming winter season. ABOVE: Ohio Turnpike workers inspect snowplow trucks at the Amherst Maintenance Building of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure on Oct. 25.

INSIDE THIS WEEK Amherst

Veterans Day plans ● A3

Election

Oberlin

Issue 20 explained ● A4

KELC earns award ● A5

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A5 • CROSSWORD A7 • SUDOKU A7 • KID SCOOP A8

Page A2

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

OBITUARIES David C. Hayslip David C. Hayslip, 45, of Amherst, passed away Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at his home. Hempel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

RIVER

FROM A1 and the Black River AOC Advisory Committee that the Ohio EPA and Ohio Lake Erie Commission requested the removal of the tumors and deformities BUI. Following that request, the U.S. EPA determined that the Black River does not have a higher proportion of fish that are deformed or have tumors than control, non-area-ofconcern waterways. The commission and state EPA are just two of the many state, federal and local organizations that have participated in the cleanup efforts of the Black River over the last three decades, Romancak said. Prior to that recovery work, the Black River had been one of the most polluted rivers in the entire Great Lakes region due to years of industrial byproducts, dumping and overdevelopment. “The restoration progress over the last several years on the Black River is something to celebrate,” Joy Mulinex, executive director of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, said in a news release. “Water quality, wildlife habitat and sedimentation have improved so that the community is able to enjoy the river again. Congratulations to the partners who helped get the fifth BUI removed.” The remaining beneficial use impairments in the Black River AOC are the degradation of fish and wildlife populations, beach closings forced by conditions, loss of wildlife population and degradation of benthos (small organisms that live in the river bed) populations. It has taken millions of dollars and decades to improve the quality of the Black River, and the methods through which officials have worked toward that goal are multifaceted. Romancak said that some of the most crucial activities have been dredging of the riverbed, which helps remove toxins; the creation of protected fish shelves, areas designed to

stabilize fish habitat; the reintroduction of native plants to provide additional shelter for wildlife; and the removal of thousands of cubic feet of industrial byproducts. Romancak said the work on the Black River really took off after the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was started in 2010, providing a central funding source for research and rehabilitation in Great Lakes waterways. The advisory committee has brought in over $16 million for projects on the Black River from the restoration initiative. These projects have completely overhauled the health of the river, Romancak said. “When I first came to Lorain County over 20 years ago, there was an advisory against coming in contact with the water,” he said. “Over the years, we’re now hosting national fishing tournaments, you have a lot of canoeing and kayaking up and down the river. People can now access the water, which is huge.” Romancak said that with the Black River becoming more appealing and accessible to residents, it creates a feedback loop where they care more about the river and therefore take better care of it. “It is good that things are getting better environmentally and ecologically, but it’s also creating an impetus for economic development,” he said. “Private investment, long term, creates opportunities. That then also incentivizes our community to protect the resources. The Black River is a resource that provides for us, and the cleaner the water, the better.” While it is important to recognize how far the Black River has come, Romancak emphasized the amount of work left to do. “We should celebrate these successes, but we still have four BUIs that need to be removed,” he said. “We have to be both vigilant and diligent that we do not backslide.”

Sheffield Lake residents, firefighters pull kitten from storm drain STAFF REPORT

Kitten-saving prowess is clearly not limited to those stuck in trees for members of the Sheffield Lake Fire Department after firefighters pulled a young feline from a storm drain. Lt. Chad Bowman said that at about 9:30 p.m. Oct. 23 the department received a call from residents that they had found a kitten in a drain at the intersection of Lake Breeze Road and Ferndale Avenue. “A few residents said they thought they had heard it crying earlier in the day, but they weren’t sure where it was,” Bowman said. “It may have been up a tree or anywhere. Eventually, someone found it in the drain.” By the time firefighters arrived, a woman was holding the small white, orange and gray cat through the grate of the storm drain. Firefighters removed the grate and freed the kitten, which they discovered was wearing a collar. Bowman said the cat was left for the night with one of the residents who had discovered it and that it was to PROVIDED be taken to the Avon Lake A resident holds the kitten saved by Sheffield Lake firefighters from a Animal Clinic on Oct. 24. storm drain on Oct. 23.

WINTER

FROM A1 passable through the winter. Matt McMullen is the superintendent of the Turnpike Commission’s Eastern Division, headquartered in Berea, and he inspects all four of his maintenance facilities every year. They are located in Amherst, Boston, Hiram and Canfield. “This is really our final check,” McMullen said. “We bring in a fresh set of eyes; our chief mechanic leads his crew over every truck in the Eastern Division. The idea is to find any issues that would prevent us from being effective when the winter does start.” Amherst has 14 snow and ice trucks and every one must be thoroughly inspected. Every aspect of the trucks is examined, from the engine and general condition of the truck itself to the intricate systems that operate their plows and de-

“As soon as winter ends we are preparing for the next winter when it comes to the fleet.”

Matt McMullen,

Eastern Division Superintendent

icing systems. “By doing it this way, we make sure that we are all on the same page pretty much at the same time,” Brown said. The inspection is really more the end of the commission’s preparation for winter than it is the beginning, as the crew in Amherst has spent the last six months working on its vehicles. “As soon as winter ends we are preparing for the next winter when it comes to the fleet,” McMullen said. “We make sure that we are prohibiting corrosion because of the salt and then we get into all of the preventative maintenance. Any issues that came up over the snow and ice season, we start repairing

immediately.” Members of the State Highway Patrol were present for the inspection as well. The winter time is especially stressful for them as it is for the crew at the maintenance building. “We definitely see more accidents in the winter,” Staff Lt. Rick Reeder said. “That is why we emphasize that people need to plan, be patient and be prepared. … Patience is especially important when you have slick roads and inclement weather.” Reeder said that equipment is especially important in the winter, so drivers should get their vehicle inspected and repaired before the winter forces them to do so. He said that inspections

are available at any Highway Patrol station, and if motorists run into any trouble on the Turnpike they can dial #677 and a patrolman will be out to help. If nothing else, Reeder said, all motorists should always have jumper cables and a blanket in their vehicles through the winter. As the winter begins and motorists begin to find themselves sharing the road with plow trucks, McMullen and Brown emphasized the same thing: Give our crews room. Brown said he has even seen drivers try to pass on the shoulder when trucks are working across all lanes. “Give us room and give us time,” Brown said. “I know in this day and age it’s an inconvenience to be slowed down. But these crews are out here for your benefit and your safety, so please let them work.”

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SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD ON PAGE A7

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE A7

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Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

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Amherst mural selected as regional site for Veterans Day ceremony LAUREN HOFFMAN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

The site of the Amherst veterans mural was chosen as a regional site for the 2023 Veterans Day commemoration, according to Veterans Mural Association director John Sekletar. “I was informed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that our site in Amherst has been named as the regional site for Veterans Day 2023, which is a huge recognition for us,” Sekletar said. “This designation is always a good position to be in, especially when you are getting endorsed by the government.” The endorsement has its perks. “This allows us a better opportunity to attain a few things I’d like to add to our ceremony, including a military flyover and band,” he said. “Now these aren’t fully confirmed mind you, but we have a greater

chance and that’s something I have been wanting to have for the ceremony for quite some time.” Still, the celebration is no stranger to the attention. In 2021, a Grumman Ag Cat biplane swooped low over downtown Amherst, flown by Bill Koleno of Legend Aircraft. Additionally, the ceremony has continuously seen Fox 8 News anchor Lou Maglio as master of ceremonies since it began 13 years ago. “We have been able to hold this every single year since it began 13 years ago, which is really something,” Sekletar said. “I mean, it started out as a small Veterans Day observance and unveiling of the Iwo Jima mural (at 248 Park Ave.) but it has just continued to grow every year since then.” The endorsement is expected to further that growth. Sekletar said he expects a big turnout, despite the cold conditions that are

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expensive repeaters to be installed in buildings if first responders want to get a signal. Some of those same critics have further accused Moore and Riddell of siding with the MARCS system for political reasons: It is, they said, backed by political allies of the Republican county officials and County Administrator Jeff Armbruster — whose son used to work for a Republican state representative who tried to make MARCS mandatory for all Ohio first responders. The commissioners have denied they favor MARCS, saying they only want a fair, open bidding process before choosing the winner. During his time in the Ohio Statehouse, Armbruster served on the MARCS oversight committee but said in an interview with The Chronicle in February that he was removed “for asking too many questions.” Years after, his son Will Armbruster went to work as a legislative aide for state Rep. Brett Hillyer, a Tuscarawas County Republican. It was Hillyer who in early 2021 proposed a bill that would make MARCS the mandatory radio communications system for Ohio first responders. Jeff Armbruster denied that he or his son tried to steer the county’s business CONTRACT PAGE A5

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to approve a $6.7 million contract with CCI. Lundy was a “lame duck,” having already lost to Riddell, a Republican, in the November election. Among the critics who stood up to challenge Moore and Riddell’s vote were the Lorain County Fire Chief’s Association, the Lorain County Deputies Association, Lorain and Elyria city officials and Stammitti, who said his deputies would be in danger if they continued to use their outdated radios and weren’t provided the L3 Harris system. Stammitti and other supporters of CCI’s L3 Harris radios said they are state of the art, don’t need additional equipment beyond what CCI would have installed under the contract, and are far and away better than the state-backed Multi-Agency Radio Communication System provided by Motorola. Emergency first responders in Avon Lake, Avon, Sheffield, Sheffield Lake, and North Ridgeville already use the L3 Harris radio system purchased through CCI. Officials in those cities have said the clarity of the radio signal is unmatched and provides better communication and safety for firefighters and police officers. Critics of MARCS, which is used by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Transportation, say it works well outdoors but requires

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Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

Proponents, critics debate what Issue 20 will mean for county DAVE O’BRIEN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

Issue 20, the so-called “seven districts” plan on the ballot in the Nov. 7 election, would alter the way Lorain County government looks and possibly how it operates. Known as the “Lorain County Appointive Executive Plan,” it would create seven approximately equal representative districts of 45,000 residents based on a map created by a private political action group, the Citizens for Equal Representation. Each of the seven districts would be represented by an elected commissioner, turning the current three-member board into a seven-member board. Commissioners would each be paid $56,000, or about 60 percent of what they make now. No elected county offices would be eliminated and Issue 20 would not raise taxes, according to the ballot language. Critics, including county Democrats and unions, say the plan is drawn in a way that will create oneparty rule by Republicans, whom they claim would end up with a 5-2 or 4-3 edge on a seven-member Board of Commissioners. Dr. Mark Sailing, of Cleveland State University and the Triad Research Group, used 2020 Census data to create the map at the direction of the Citizens for Equal Representation. The Lorain County Board of Commissioners held several hearings in July before voting to put the plan to voters. After voting to put the issue on the ballot, Republican Commissioner Michelle Hung has since come out publicly against the plan. Proposals for a county charter with a five-, seven-, nine- or even 11-member council have been drawn up in the past. All failed, and a subsequent ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court has made it difficult — or even impossible — to ever create a county charter form of government in Ohio again, officials have said. Eighty-six out of 88 Ohio counties have a three-member board of commissioners. Cuyahoga County and Summit County both have an 11-member council and an elected county executive, the only two Ohio counties with such a governmental structure.

Supporting the plan

Riddell and Moore have they plans to run for seats on the seven-member Board of Commissioners if the plan succeeds at the polls. A Henrietta Township resident, Riddell said he plans to run for the final two-years of his four-year term in District 2. He has said he isn’t interested in serving more than a single four-year term on the Board of Commissioners. Moore, who served one term as commissioner from 2001-2004 and won his current four-year term in 2020, said he plans to run again for office in District 1 if the issue passes. He said it would be a tight race. “It’s the tightest district when you look at the numbers,” he said. “I only won that (district) by 500 (votes). Trust me, I’ve already looked at all that stuff.”

If it doesn’t pass, he plans to run again for his county-wide, at-large seat. Moore denied threatening to retaliate against any elected official who doesn’t support or actively opposes Issue 20 when county budget hearings start later this year. “I never said that,” he said Friday. He is being accused of what he said are “the kind of politics” his critics are accustomed to. Moore said he’s been working on variations of the plan for more than a decade, and public campaign finance reports show Riddell has been a longtime financial supporter of the Citizens for Equal Representation. Moore said the plan originally was to replace the elected county treasurer and auditor, in particular, with appointed positions to prevent to stop elections that were no better than “popularity contests.” Moore said the idea was to put more districts in play for election and seven seemed to be the most appropriate number in Lorain County. “We all felt that was a fair and equal way to do that,” he said. Having three solidly Democratic districts and three solidly Republican districts, Moore said, mean that a seventh commissioner would have all the power to make decisions if there was a 3-3 tie. So a group of supporters approached Sailing and his Triad Research Group to design such a proposal. Moore then ran his 2020 campaign on creating that seven-district plan, while Riddell won his 2022 Republican campaign for commissioner. Moore said Friday that he believes “at least 30” people will run for election to the seven proposed seats on the Board of Commissioners if Issue 20 passes. “I know too many Democrats who are gonna run,” he claimed. Asked to name them, Moore declined. “I’m not giving names,” he said. “I know a lot of people are waiting until Nov. 8 to announced. There’s a handful who are all ready to go. Nobody wants to spend money and run countywide. It’s a hard race to run.” Supporters of Issue 20 also say that running for a single district would be an easier campaign for a lot of candidates. It means more people running in primaries, more competition, “more people getting involved, more citizens getting involved,” Moore said. “I want it on the ballot,” he said. “I want the public to say yes or no. Whatever the public says, I’m OK with that.” At Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting Riddell said the board can move money around in the county budget to deal with the increased salary requirements of a sevenmember board. Commissioners will “take savings out of another line item” to fund the increase, he said. Among the Democrats supporting the plan is Brian Hoagland, who is a member of the Citizens for Equal Representation. “I think that Lorain County is better off with more representation and two people not running the county based on political decisions,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s Democrat or Republican, I just feel like two people making decisions is just not healthy. Right now, two mem-

bers of the three-member board of commissioners can make a decision that controls what happens with taxpayer money with a 2-1 vote over their third colleague. Lorain County is “too big, too diverse” of a county to have just two commissioners needed to make a big decision, Hoagland said. He said he’s not worried about critics who say the districts are drawn to favor Republicans and create a 5-2 or 4-3 Republican majority on a seven-member board of commissioners. There are too many independent voters in Lorain County for that to happen, Hoagland said. “One district might favor the Democrats, one district might favor the Republicans, but the rest are totally up for grabs,” he said. “We’ll get a lot of competition for those districts.” One person who won’t be running for commissioner is Hoagland himself. “Absolutely not,” he said. “I have an extremely good job. I don’t like politics. I hate the fact that this has gotten political. I don’t want anything to do with politics. I’m just doing what I think is right.”

Critics: A power grab

Opponents of Issue 20 include other countywide elected officials, public safety unions and associations representing county officials who claim the plan will strip them of power and responsibilities granted to them by state law. They say no one knows how much money it will cost, because no budget or proposed budget for the seven new commissioners and additional staff has been provided to the voters. Under Ohio law, the new commission could also choose to create new or duplicative departments under the appointed, not elected, county executive. The Lorain County Democratic Party is against the plan, previously calling it “gerrymandering on a local level” that will “result in bigger government and increased taxes for the residents of Lorain County.” The party “is standing firm with our county officials, sheriff, labor and residents who know that Issue 20 means bigger government and higher taxes,” county Democratic

Party Chairwoman Sharon Sweda said. “(The) cost of those new employees will be more than salary and benefits. Payroll taxes for the seven (commissioners) and their staff will add even more.” Lorain County “has been paying the price for mishandled county government since the administration change” in 2020, she wrote in a statement to the Chronicle. “Taxpayers have had enough.” Lorain County Auditor Craig Snodgrass, a Democrat, estimated the appointed executive plan would cost an additional $120,000 to $2 million for taxpayers to support the increase in the number of commissioners. That Ohio Revised Code 302, the law behind the plan, has never been put into practice by any Ohio county is for one reason only: It’s a “bad law,” Snodgrass said. Snodgrass said the law would allow the seven commissioners to create new offices, such as departments of finance, law, personnel, detention and corrections that would either strip elected officials — the sheriff, auditor, treasurer, and prosecutor among them, and all of them Democrats — of their legal authority, duplicate county government responsibilities and even place hiring decisions for his office and others in the hands of the appointed county executive. Riddell countered Snodgrass’ claim, saying the issue hasn’t even been approved yet and there’s no proof that the sevenmember board of commissioners would create any of those new offices. Multiple local and statewide unions and associations of elected officials are against the plan, Issue 20 critics said. So too has the union representing Lorain County Jail staff. “In regard to Issue 20 I cannot express enough how horrid this would be to the citizens and workers of Lorain County,” said David Edwards, union director of the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Lorain County Corrections Union in a statement provided to the Chronicle. “As the political atmosphere of the country, the state of Ohio, and Lorain County have become an unfortunate divide, it is very important for Lorain County to stand up for itself and come together against this issue.” Issue 20 would “make

Lorain County a fascist county, a government of authoritarian rule with no opposition to the governing body of Lorain County,” Edwards wrote. “The authors of this proposal are commissioners Moore and Ridell. Commissioner Riddell is the second largest donor to Citizens for Equal Representation for Lorain County. Commissioner Hung is the only one to stand beside those of us opposing this issue and I commend her for that stance.” The issue “will destroy the voice of Lorain County voters and we will never be able to change that with the passage of Issue 20. All of Lorain County will suffer with the passage of this issue. There is only one vote to save your voice in Lorain County. That vote is NO on Issue 20. Your next vote soon should be in removing Commissioner Moore and then Commissioner Riddell when that time arrives,” Edwards wrote on behalf of his union members. The Lorain County Deputies Association, representing road patrol deputies in the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, also came out with a statement against Issue 20. Issue 20 “is just more bad business coming from Commissioner Moore and Riddell,” LCDA President Adam Shaw -- a deputy, Ward 4 councilman on Sheffield Lake City Council and candidate for an at-large seat on Sheffield Lake Council on Nov. 7 -- said in a statement provided to the Chronicle. “So bad in fact, they won’t provide any (proposed) budget numbers to anyone, even another commissioner.” Hung has said she requested, but was refused, a cost analysis of the appointive executive plan by Moore and Riddell that would explain how much more money it would cost taxpayers. Moore and Riddell “seem to be hiding the truth about the proposed changes by not even talking about what the law says they ‘shall’ do,” Shaw wrote. “Every good businessman knows what ‘shall’ means when it comes to contracts and legal documents, how do they (Moore and Riddell) not know?” The only thing Moore and Riddell “continually mention is how this will save money and how ‘I’m willing to cut my pay and power to let other people

have a seat at the table’ but they won’t produce numbers,” Shaw wrote. “Quick math shows it does not save money right from the rip even with the reduction in salary. A little more math seems to show a potential cost of $2 million more then what is spent now,” he wrote. “Maybe that’s why Mr. Moore wants ‘as much detail on these elected officials so that we’ll decide if they are coming or not’ when talking about the budget after the (Oct. 17, 2023) commissioners meeting that was caught on camera.” Moore made that statement after Tuesday’s (Oct. 17) Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned, at the 34:35 minute mark, in a video that can be watched on the commissioners’ YouTube channel. Issue 20 is “a disaster,” Shaw wrote. “It has already cost taxpayers thousands of dollars in flyers disguised as a county newsletter but clearly campaigning for the issue. Similar to how they used it to push the MARCS radio narrative! Speaking of radios, we still don’t have them and our current radios have gone down a few times, but it’s OK. We are not important.” Commissioners seem more interested in awarding contracts to backers of Issue 20, pushing for the MARCS radio system with direct ties to campaign donors and current staff members and buying the Midway Mall, Shaw wrote. “It seems everything done by Mr. Moore and Riddell is riddled with red flags and holes. Issue 20 is no different and if passed, it will only get worse for all,” he wrote. “The Lorain County taxpayers deserve to know the truth about issue 20 and I encourage Moore, Riddell and the others on the team to engage in a public debate with those against it to discuss the issue at length.” Shaw then offered to “bring the beer and pizza.” All Moore and Riddell “have to do is show up,” he wrote. The FOP of Ohio called Issue 20 an “authority grab” that would “remove the jail from the sheriff and personnel matters from all county departments” in a post on its Facebook page on Oct. 13. Collective bargaining rights and the careers of Lorain County law enforcement officers are in hanging in the balance, the FOP wrote.

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CONTRACT FROM A3

to Motorola and MARCS. Will Armbruster has worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a special projects director since August 2022.

Auditor investigation

In the instance of the nepotism allegations against Hung, SIU agents found that Hung attempted to get her brother, Ed Dobias, hired by the Lorain County IT department. Moore told investigators that Hung “pushed for her brother to get a second interview after the interview board determined that he didn’t meet the minimum qualifications,” according to the memo. Secondly, Hung approved the hiring of Hallie Noble, daughter of her now exhusband Jeff Hung’s boss at Sherwin-Williams, for a county job “without informing anyone of the relationship.” Hallie Noble worked as an intern for Lorain County from May to August 2021, and former Lorain County Human Resources Director Jen Sinatra confirmed the incident in an August 2022 interview with investigators, according to the memo. Third and last, Hung “tried to push an administrator to create a position for her sister-in-law” at Lorain County Job & Family Services, investigators found. No other allegations made by Moore were substantiated, according to the memo. The three investigators assigned to the case over its lifetime — Todd Clark, Kevin Monnolly and Greg Kopniske — wrote that they interviewed Moore three times from August 2021 to May 2023. Moore provided investigators with documents, and they conducted another 15 interviews with county officials, the vendors who bid on the radio contract and issued subpoenas. Moore told investigators he believed Hung was attempting to award a $6.7 million no-bid contract to CCI for the radios. Investigators also interviewed Wellington Fire District Chief Mike Wetherbee, president of the county fire chiefs association. He told them CCI’s L3 Harris system was better than MARCS, which was “antiquated” and can’t be

expanded. L3 Harris radios performed better indoors and the majority of Lorain County fire chiefs were in favor of it, Wetherbee told investigators. CCI owner Alan Close told investigators that he was given documents by former Lorain County 911 director Harry Williamson — fired in August 2021 after his extramarital affair with Hung was revealed publicly — “with a quote from Vasu Communications for the project asking him (Close) if he could beat the quote from Vasu,” according to the state auditor’s office. The quote was for a project involving the installation of consoles for Lorain County’s 911 system, according to the memo. “Close said he could, and he provided a quote that was less than Vasu,” according to the memo. Close “said he did not know why he received the quote from Mr. Williamson, that he did not ask for it,” the memo stated. Close also told investigators Ottawa County Sheriff Stephen Levorchick called him in July. Levorchick told Close he was approached by a man named Dana Gollner who said he could “help Mr. Close land a $6.4 million dollar contract with Lorain County, and help him in Trumbull, Delaware and Mahoning counties.” Gollner told Close “he could get him a 3-0 vote on the Lorain County contract.” The two men met in person and Gollner, who said he was a retired Beachwood police officer, gave Close documents that mentioned Williams, Hung and Williamson, according to the memo. Gollner wanted a 10 percent fee to help Close get the Lorain County contract and asked Close to build in a $650,000 fee for him in CCI’s contract with Lorain County. After Close gave Gollner a nondisclosure agreement to sign, Close told investigators he never saw Gollner again. Gollner later was interviewed by investigators. He told them he ran Energy Resources Unlimited, an electric and gas brokerage firm that negotiated resources contracts. Saying he had contacts among Lorain County police and firefighters, Gollner told investigators he offered

to act as a sales agent for Close, but never heard back from him. He admitted asking for a 10 percent fee from Close to seal the CCI deal with Lorain County. Alan Vasu, owner of Vasu Communications, told investigators he was also contacted by Williamson about expanding the console system, provided a quote, but never heard back from the county — believing the whole time that his quote was provided to CCI “with instructions to beat Vasu’s quote,” according to the memo. Vasu’s quote was $103,165, and CCI’s was $102,118, according to the memo.

Vansant’s investigation

In a news release accompanying the release of the investigative report, Stammitti wrote that his office investigated after Moore and Riddell alleged that the contract was “steered or rigged,’ thus alleging impropriety and/or illegality in the process that led to its prior approval.” “Our investigation found absolutely no evidence that the contract bidding process was steered or rigged to CCI,” Stammitti wrote. Chief Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Dan Petticord, legal counsel to the board of commissioners — and an announced Democratic candidate for Common Pleas judge in the 2024 election to replace Judge James Miraldi — said Tuesday that he reviewed and approved the CCI contract “as to form.” He said “the contract was legal to be entered into” by Hung and Lundy. “As a part of the investigation, we attempted to interview both Commissioner Moore and Commissioner Riddell. Both had made the allegations of impropriety. As such, it was the logical place to look for evidence supporting the allegations. Both commissioners declined to be interviewed,” Stammitti wrote. Along with refusing to offer evidence of their allegations, Moore and Riddell hired attorneys as outside counsel. Through those attorneys, they and Deputy County Administrator Karen Perkins declined to be interviewed for Vansant’s investigation, according to

his report. The law firm Ulmer & Berne, which the county has hired in the past to represent them as outside counsel in legal matters, then “drafted a letter to the State Auditor’s Office asking them to direct the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office to ‘stand down’ on its investigation of the radio matter to prevent the Sheriff’s Office from doing its duty and investigating criminal allegations,” Stammitti wrote. Stammitti said his office forwarded a copy of its investigation to the state auditor’s office. He is now investigating allegations by the Lorain County Fire Chiefs Association that the original contract approved by Hung and Lundy was improperly rescinded by Moore and Riddell less than a month later. Stammitti’s office also is investigating claims made in CCI’s lawsuits and one brought against the county by Williamson, who is Hung’s boyfriend. Allegations in those lawsuits include corruption, attempted bribery and intimidation, the sheriff said. “The radio contract has become a hot button issue,” Stammitti said in his news release. “It is important that the public has confidence in how its government conducts business. It is my hope that by investigating these claims we can provide the necessary information to the public. As with the first part of the investigation, where it leads is wholly dependent on what the evidence shows.” Moore accused Stammitti of playing politics. “The reset that was done in January of 2023 in regards to the bidding process has led to a robust qualification of participants which in turn will lead to millions of dollars saved for the citizens of Lorain County,” Moore said Tuesday. “Too bad the sheriff missed the mark in his political motivated autopsy.” Moore did not respond further to a reporter’s question asking what evidence he had that the bid was rigged in CCI’s favor, nor to a question about the status of an ongoing investigation by Auditor Faber’s office into the matter. Riddell did not respond to a phone message left by a Chronicle reporter.

PROVIDED

A Kendal at Oberlin resident reads to children at the Kendal Early Learning Center.

Kendal at Oberlin earns national award STAFF REPORT

OBERLIN – Kendal at Oberlin Early Learning Center has been selected by Mather Institute as a 2023 Honorable Mention recipient of the Promising Practices Award. Now in its thirteenth year, this awards program recognizes organizations that are moving away from conventional practices by developing and implementing new and innovative approaches for older adults. Kendal Early Learning Center was chosen based on its unique

programming designed to form closer bonds between older adults and preschoolers. The Early Learning Center is located within the Kendal at Oberlin life plan community, and routinely invites community residents to participate in meetups and join in activities of interest to them. Each meetup typically included five to seven older adults – called “grandfriends” – and the same number of children. A wide array of programming was offered, ranging from art and reading to yoga, cooking, and conversation time.

City of Oberlin continues LCCC skill partnership STAFF REPORT

The City of Oberlin announced during an Oberlin School board meeting on Oct. 25 that they will be continuing their partnership with Lorain County Community College on what is known as the Oberlin Social Equity and Skill Development Promise and asked the school district to continue to spread the word. Modeled after a similar program in Elyria, the Oberlin Social Equity and Skill Development Promise is an agreement between the City of Oberlin and Lorain County Community College that was originally authorized by the Oberlin City Council in September of 2022. “This is something that was in its pilot program last year and following that success, we have renewed

it to continue until the end of 2026,” said Cindy Kushner, Director for School and Community Partnerships at LCCC. “Essentially through this program, we are able to provide Oberlin residents with a chance to earn free short-term certificates.” The 16-week programs are heavy in medical, business and entrepreneurship, programming and IT with over 30 courses available, many of which are provided online. Those interested in applying for the program who are Oberlin residents can do so by going to lorainccc. edu/programs-and-careers and selecting short-term training from the left-hand column. Participants must be 17 years or older, have earned a High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma and be an Oberlin residents

CLASSIFIEDS PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on October 16, 2023. The complete text of each item may be viewed or purchased in the Clerk of Council Office @ Lorain City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH, during normal business hours or contact Breanna Dull @ 204-2050 (Breanna_ Dull@cityoflorain.org). The following summary of legislation passed has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws. Reso. 38-23 Recognizing & appreciation to Republic Services for their tireless work helping with additional trash due to flooding. 39-23 Honoring, celebrating & declaring the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 40-23 Amending Reso 1-22, establishing Council Rule 47. 41-23* Accepting the amounts and rates and auth the necessary tax levies & certifying them to the County Auditor. 42-23* Concurring with the expenditure of ARPA funds for the Boys and Girls Club. Ord. 211-23* Auth the Police Chief to accept the grant award from the Ohio Dept of Pub Safety - Ohio Traffic Safety Office. 212-23* Amending Lorain Codifieds Section 109.01 by reflecting the new statutory threshold for public contracts that need to be competitively bid. 21323* Approving preliminary development plan for AMCOR (PDP 5-2023). 214-23 Auth the S/S Director to amend Ord 173-21 for prof. services related to the Stormwater Outfall Emg Repairs Project funded by ODNR. 215-23* Auth the expenditure of Ohio Settlement funds for the Lorain Recovery Court. 216-23* Amending Ord 72-16 section 1509 property maintenance code. 217-23* Assessing the cost of abating nuisance by cutting noxious weeds. 218-23* Auth & directing the S/S Dir to enter into an agrmt w/ McCaulley & Company LLC for prof services related to securing state, federal & philanthropic funding for priority projects in the City. 219-23* Entering into a contract w/ Tyler Tech. for time

clocks for the Utilities Dept. 220-23* Amending Ord 201-21 for God’s Kngdom to amend contract #A-22098 to expand eligible uses of funds. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.) LCCG 11/2/23 20727263 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO THE PARTIAL REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF SIDEWALKS AT LONGFELLOW AND LARKMOOR IN THE CITY OF LORAIN LOR-LORAIN SRTS PID 115380

Sealed bids will be received by the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, December 4, 2023, Lorain time, Law Department, Lorain City Hall 3rd Floor. TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM, December 4, 2023, Lorain time, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor. COMPLETION DATE: October 15, 2024 Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier’s Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of

REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HEAR ONE OF CLEVELAND’S GREATS IN MEDIA

BOB FRANTZ From AM 1420 - The Answer

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9th AVON – AVON LAKE REPUBLICAN CLUB Fr. Ragan Hall - 1783 Moore Rd., Avon 5 PM SOCIAL HOUR / 6 PM MEETING Members Free • Guests $5 COME TO HEAR BOB FRANTZ’S POST MORTEM OF THE 11/07 ELECTION

the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured. Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract. Cash deposits will not be accepted. Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at www.cityoflorain.org. Each bidder must insure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, sex or national origin.

All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American Disabilities Act. All federal minority business enterprise and women business enterprise requirements shall be met. All contractors and subcontractors involved with the project will to the extent practicable use Ohio products, materials, services and labor in the implementation of their project. Bidders must be listed on the ODOT pre-qualified list for highway construction. Bidders shall submit a list of available equipment, and labor shall be paid not less than the prevailing wage rate as determined

by the U.S. Department of Labor Davis Bacon requirements for Lorain County, Ohio. NO BID WILL BE OPENED WITHOUT THE CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFICATION OR THE ACCEPTABLE LETTER OF APPLICATION ATTACHED TO THE OUTSIDE AS DIRECTED. The Director of Safety/Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. No Pre-Bid meeting is scheduled. By order of the Director of Public Safety/Service LCCG 11/2, 11/9/ 11/16/23 20725906

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 NOVEMBER 2, 2023 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live NOVEMBER 6, 2023 ......SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 P.M. – CONFERENCE ROOM 1 PURPOSE: To adjourn into executive session to review negotiations with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment and to discuss pending litigation with the city law director. NOVEMBER 6, 2023 ......REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 7:00 P.M. – COUNCIL CHAMBERS NOVEMBER 7, 2023 ..... HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION – 5:00 P.M. 36 S. PROSPECT STREET - CANCELED

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 .... OCIC – 8:00 A.M. NOVEMBER 8, 2023 .... OURCIT - 3:00 A.M. - 36 S. PROSPECT ST. NOVEMBER 8, 2023 .... CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE – 7:00 P.M. – CONFERENCE ROOM 2 NOTICE: DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL 775-7203 OR E-MAIL: banderson@cityofoberlin.com NOTICE REQUIRED: TWO (2) WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING (48 HOURS) CLERK OF COUNCIL’S OFFICE.

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SPORTS

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

Send sports news to news@lcnewspapers.com. Deadline for all submissions is 10 a.m. each Monday. Printed as space is available.

Amherst girls move forward

All photos RUSS GIFFORD | The Community Guide

LEFT: The Comets celebrate a block at Strongsville. ABOVE: Amherst’s Roxy Trunzo gets the dig on a Strongsville serve. The Comets won 3-1 against the Mustangs during playoffs on Oct. 18.

Wellington ends afterseason play

ABOVE: Wellington’s Tess McDonnel knocks the ball away from Fairless’ Myla Robinson. RIGHT: Wellington’s Nadia Greer pushes the ball past Fairless’ Olivia Stutz. The Dukes lost 2-1 against the Falcons during playoffs.

Huskies best Dukes

LEFT: Wellington’s Gabby Miller blocks a hit by Northwestern’s Avery Mullet. ABOVE: Wellington’s Joyce Stallard hits past Northwestern’s Alexa Riffel. The Dukes lost 3-1 against the Huskies to end afterseason play.

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BULLETIN BOARD Sports card show

A sports card collectors show will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Presbyterian Church, 515 N. Leavitt Rd., Amherst. Following the show, there will be a trade night from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Great Lakes Sports Cards, 2290 Kresge Dr. The store also hosts hobby nights including weekly Magic the Gathering from 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Pokemon Saturdays. For more information, call (440) 984-7018.

Pittsfield Township Historical Society

The Pittsfield Township Historical Society will host “Death from Above: Paratroopers in World War II” at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Pittsfield Townshp Hall. Eric Rivet of the Western Reserve Historical Society will discuss the evolution of paratroopers during the war with a focus on the Normandy invasion.

Blood Drive

Community Congregational United Church of Christ will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5. The Vitalant Bloodmobile will be at 379 S. Main Street, Amherst. Donors are asked to eat before they donate, bring a photo ID and a list of any medications they take. To make an appointment, go to vitalant.org and search Blood Drive code 10054604.

Rotary Club of Oberlin

Rotary at the Races is 6 p.m. Nov. 11. Tickets can be purchased at oberlin rotary.org through Nov. 3. No tickets will be sold at the door. The event is at the New Russia Township Complex, 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd. Tickets are $100 for a pair or $50 for a single ticket. Proceeds support local and international charitable projects.

Amherst Historical Society

For more information or to register for a program, call (440) 988-7255 or email office@amhersthistoricalsociety.org. ● 1930s Living History is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18 at Sandstone Village, 763 Milan Ave. It will include 1930s games, music and pastimes, hobo jungle and culture, kids’ activities, a soup kitchen (for a donation), blacksmith shop and the Village buildings will be open for tours.

Workshop Players

● The Awning Company, with Workshop Players, presents “Arsenic and Old Lace” by Joseph Kesselring, directed by Pat Price. The play follows drama critic Mortimer Brewster, who can’t believe his eyes when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunt’s window seat. His second shock comes when he learns that they believe it was a merciful act to kill him! Two sweet little old ladies with a penchant for poisoning

The Lorain County Community Guide Bulletin Board is for local nonprofit and not-for-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@lcnewspapers.com. wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police add up to one thing: Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic black comedy that audiences like to see again and again. Join us in the laughter. Cast: Jarred Nichols, Holly Nichols, June Lang, Miki Kopocs, Brad Sales, Jonathan McCleery, Kevin Boland, Susan Wagner, Michael Attali, Keith Joe Dick and John Hnat. Performances are November 9-11, 17, 18 at 7:30 p.m. with 3 p.m. matinees on November 12, 19. Doors open 45 minutes before show time. Tickets are $18.50 (includes all fees.) Group rates are available. Tickets online at workshopplayers.org or by calling the Box Office at 440-634-0472. ● Auditions announced for “The Dining Room” by AR Gurney. Auditions are 7-9 p.m. Nov. 6-7 at the director’s home, 141 Graybark Lane, Amherst. It is in need of three men and three women. The play is set in the dining room of a well-to-do household. The action involves a mosaic of interrelated scenes -- some funny, some touching, some rueful. The actors change roles, personalities and ages, portraying little boys to stern grandfathers, gig-

gling teenage girls to Irish housemaids. Each vignette introduces a new set of people and events dovetailing swiftly and smoothly into a theatrical experience of exceptional range, compassionate humor and abundant humanity. Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Performances will be Jan 25, 26, 27, 28; February 2, 3, 4. For more info, contact the director, Dave Stacko at 440-984-2002 or georges_12@hotmail.com

Avon/Avon Lake Republican Club

The Avon/Avon Lake Republican Club will host Bob Frantz at 5 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Knights of Columbus Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd. Frantz is a conservative news commentator, radio and TV personality. Refreshments are available. Guests are $5.

Herrick Memorial Library

● READ to PUTTER: Thursdays @ 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. - Putter, our friendly therapy dog, will visit the Herrick Memorial Library every Thursday to listen to your child read. This is a wonderful way for children to practice their

FAMOUS SCIENTISTS ACROSS 1. Dylan lyric, “There was music in the ____ at night and revolution in the air” 6. *Many scientists have this 9. Alpha Centauri B, e.g. 13. Measured in kilowatt-hours, on electric bill 14. Ring of flowers 15. TV’s “____ Blinders” 16. Make believe 17. Public promotions 18. Appropriate for Halloween 19. *F unit of capacitance named in whose honor? 21. *Marine biologist and “Silent Spring” author 23. L.A. baller 24. Not on a rolling stone? 25. Value added reseller 28. New Zealand fruit 30. Option at a hot dog stand, adj. 35. One’s final notice 37. Without, in French 39. Time being 40. Toy construction set brand 41. Turning token taker 43. Jewish month 44. Jab on field of play 46. A ride up ski hill 47. Short for Milton 48. *A unit of electric current named in whose honor? 50. Home to Zion National Park 52. Wood-shaping tool 53. Morays, pl. 55. One little piggy 57. *A telescope was named in his honor 60. *Primatologist and world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees 64. Popular snorkeler’s attraction 65. Have a cold 67. Sphere in Las Vegas, e.g. 68. Pond buildup 69. To and ____ 70. Gives off 71. Goes with a rod 72. Small dog’s bark 73. Tears down DOWN 1. Take into custody 2. On a deck? 3. So-so 4. a.k.a. tent caterpillar or lappet moth

5. Maurice of “Where the Wild Things Are” 6. Eugene O’Neill’s creation 7. He had 8. Popular 70s genre 9. Witnesses 10. Hawaiian tuber 11. Similar 12. Kind of bourbon 15. P in POI 20. Out of whack 22. Cleopatra’s killer, according to legend 24. Not a full size bus 25. *V unit of electric potential named in whose honor? 26. Crosswise, on deck 27. Build temporarily (2 words) 29. *W unit of power named in whose honor? 31. Type of rich soil 32. Most populous country

reading skills. Please call the Library (440-647-2120) to sign up your child for a 15-minute time slot to read to Putter. ● Fiber Arts Group First Tuesday of Each Month @ 1:00-3:00 PM Do you enjoy knitting/ crocheting/needlepoint/embroidery? Join this newly formed group at the Herrick Memorial Library and work on your projects in the company of fellow fiber enthusiasts. Not interested in fiber arts but still want to come for the company? We’ll also have coloring sheets available to occupy your time. ● T-Rex Tea Party Monday, November 6 @ 2:00 PM (No School for Wellington Students) School-age children can join the staff of the Herrick Memorial Party in the library’s Community Room for this fun tea party. Please call to register your child at 440-647-2120 by November 2. ● The Underground Railroad in Ohio Monday, November 6 @ 6:00 PM Author Kathy Schulz will speak about her book ‘The Underground Railroad in Ohio’ and Ohio’s importance in the flight to freedom. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the program. ● Library Board Meeting Tuesday, November 7 is the next Herrick Memorial Library’s Board meeting. The Board will meet in the Library’s Board Room at 10:30 a.m. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome. ● Play and Learn! Tuesday mornings, November 7, 14, 21, &amp; 28 @ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Children, ages 0-4, and their caregivers can enjoy an unstructured play time with a variety of fun, developmentally, appropriate toys that encourage learning and literacy. This is a great opportunity to learn socialization skills and give the adults a chance to share ‘adult time’ together. No registration is needed. ● Veterans Day Closing: Saturday, November 11 The library will re-open on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 PM. ● Afternoon Book Group Thursday, November 15 @ 2-3 PM The Afternoon Book Group will meet on Thursday, November 15 at 2:00 PM. The Group will be discussing the book ‘Every Good Boy Does Fine’ by Oberlin Grad Jeremy Denk.

Adults wishing to join the discussion can borrow a copy of the book at the library. Call the library at 440-647-2120 for more information.

Oberlin Heritage Center

Trivia Night is Nov. 10. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the contest at 6 p.m. at First Church UCC in Oberlin. Round up a team of players, or come on your own, and test your knowledge of pop culture particulars, historical minutia, geographic oddities, animal anomalies, and more. Kurt G. Sarringhaus is returning as our premier sponsor and Kevin and Max Greenwood are returning as our MCs. Pricing: $20 for adults ($18 with membership) $15 for kids ($13 with membership) Also enjoy our Early Bird special of $5 off per adult or $4 per kid if you and your teammates register before Friday, November 3 Team captains can register their whole team at once or advise their players to register themselves. We’ll be in touch with the Captains as soon as they register. Teams this year will be limited to 8 adults, whether they’re playing or not. (Kids under 18 years old don’t count toward the team limit but still need to register.)

Amherst Public Library

For more information, or to register for programs visit amherstpubliclibrary. org or call (440) 988-4230. ● Fall Storytimes have been extended by two weeks. Toddler Tales (ages 2-3) are 10 a.m. Mondays Preschool (ages 3-5) are 11:15 a.m. Mondays Waddlers Storytime (up to 2 years old) is 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays. Afternoon storytime for ages 2-6 are 1:15 p.m. Thursdays. ● Drop off new or gently used craft supplies to Community Room A during library hours through Oct. 27. The Craft supply swap will be open to the public 1-4 p.m. Oct. 28. Please bring a canned good or nonperishable food item to benefit a local food bank. Donation of supplies to the swap is not required, but those who donated will have a first chance to “shop” the swap from 12-1 p.m.

33. Burn with water 34. *Synonymous with unit of frequency and a car rental company 36. Muscle quality 38. Floor plank 42. Muse of love poetry 45. The ____makers of “Pitch Perfect” 49. #53 Across, sing. 51. Vacuum cleaner, in U.K. 54. Like kale or spinach 56. Swelling of human organs 57. Golfer’s destination 58. Desires 59. Ancient Semitic deity 60. Lump of stuff 61. Black tropical cuckoos 62. Guitar forerunner 63. Is it really more? 64. *Carl Benz invented the first practical modern one in the 1880s 66. Retirement plan, acr.

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

Page A8

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

Life can be expensive at times.Familiesworkhardanddon’thavemoneytowaste. YOUcan helpkeepyourfamilyfromoverspendingongroceries,energybillsandmore! You’re at the grocery store with your parents. Suddenly, you see something you’d really like to have! Snack food, candy bars, toys, magazines and more grab your attention.

Kevin lovescollectingtoyracingcars.Butthepriceofthese littlecarswentuprecently.Hisfamilyisspendingmore ongroceries,too.Kevin wanted tohelp. Hedidn’taskhismomto buyhimanothercaron thisweek’s groceryshoppingtrip. Instead,Kevintradedsomecarswith hisfriendsEvanandOscar.Nowall threehavedifferentcarstoplaywith fromtimetotime.Foreachoftheboys,it’s likegettinga newcarwithoutspendinganymoney atall!

Find thetwoidenticalcars.

Workwithafamilymembertocome upwithideastosavemoneyoneach oftheseitems.

GROCERIES

ELECTRICITY

What you are feeling is an impulse to buy something. An impulse is something you do without thinking about it. (The tempting items are displayed right at a kid’s eye level for a reason!)

What would it cost? Ifyouboughta$2candybar everyweekforamonth?

By skipping these items, you’ll be healthier, and you’ll save your family a LOT of money over time. It all adds up!

CLOTHING

Standards Link: Economics: Students learn to differentiate between wants and needs.

Ifyouboughta$2candy bareveryweekforayear?

Standards Link: Math: Solve word problems in two or more steps.

Steerthisshoppingcarttotheproduce aisle,avoidingtheimpulse-buyitems alongtheway.

Replace the missing words.

ENTERTAINMENT Standards Link: Find similarities and differences in common objects.

Olivia wanted a new soccer ball. There wasn’t anything ________ with the one she already had, but the new one had cooler colors. It was expensive, but she had enough money in her ______________ to buy it.

Olivia decided not to buy it right away. She __________ making an impulse buuy.

GASOLINE

Each time she went to the store, Olivia ________ at the new ball but didn’t buy it. Instead, she went hom me to ______ about it. Did sshe really need it? She found thhat the longer she waited, thee less she thought about the new w ball. ball And her ball was still in ______ shape.

If her ball starts to wear out, she has the ________ saved and can buy the new ball at the store.

Circleeveryotherlettertorevealoneofthemostpowerfulways youcanhelpyourfamilysavemoneyathome.

ATBULRYNZOCFVFC LHIJGUHBTNSKAHN LDSEGLHEJCVTSRIO PNHIUCWSVWTHO EGNIYTOSUILVEPATV JECTVHLENRIOEOHM

Don’tWaste It! Stevenwashungry.Hemadeahugesandwich. Afterafewbites,hewasfull!Wastingfood wastesmoney.Usethecode todiscovera shockingfactabout foodwaste. 18 10 14 6 11 16 18 9 5 2 18 5 4 14

18 17 8 3 4

13 8 6 4 1

7 14 6 16 14 9 4

8 13

4 12 14

13 8 8 15

7 6 8 15 3 16 14 15 14

14 6 1

1 14 18 6

What do you need?

Look through the newspaper to find 10 items you like. Decide if these are things you NEED (this you must have) or things you WANT (things you would like to have). Standards Link: Differentiate between wants and needs.

18 = A 17 = B 16 = C 15 = D 14 = E 13 = F 12 = H 11 = I 10 = M

9= N 8= O 7= P 6= R 5= S 4= T 3= U 2=W 1= Y

ADDS BILLS BUY CART HELP HOME IMPULSE LESS MONEY NEED SPENDING STORE TEMPTING THINKING WRONG

Money-Saving Headlines

Cut words out of newspaper headlines to make a message about saving money. Use magnets to post the message on your refrigerator. Example: Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow multiple step directions.

Withhundredsoftopics,every Kid Scoop printableactivitypack featuressix-to-sevenpagesof high-interestextralearning activitiesforhomeand school!Getyourfree sampletodayat:

A W B I M P U L S E

T L N U L W O N L T

H C E B Y R D Y L E

I E A S C O A R I M

N M L R S N D C B P

K O V P T G D E Y T I H W D O H S B E I

N Z A Q R C T R S N G W S P E N D I N G

F J O L V Y E N O M

Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

This week’s word:

IMPULSE

The noun impulse means a sudden urge to do something. I had the impulse to take the biggest cookie, but I took a smaller one instead. Try to use the word impulse in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

Report on It!

Write a report about some news in your life. Be sure to include facts that tell who, what, when, where and when.