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AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
www.lcnewspapers.com
Volume 8, Issue 6
Why are vaccine numbers so low for some? Numbers show huge divide between white COVID shot recipients and people of color JASON HAWK EDITOR
When Claudia Jones got her first COVID-19 vaccine shot, she had her camera ready. The Oberlin NAACP president said she felt a responsibility to share the pictures with Black friends, because some have struggled with doubts about be-
ing inoculated. "Some people just have their suspicions about white folks giving Black folks vaccines," Jones said. The war against the virus isn't just about science and medicine. Statistics released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm it's also about race, ethnicity and trust. Of the Americans who have
been vaccinated so far, just 5.4 percent are Black. That low figure isn't at all proportional to how many Black people are in long-term health care facilities (14 percent) or how many work in the health care industry (16 percent), both groups that are part of the earliest vaccine rollouts. In Ohio, 908,096 people — 7.77 percent of the population — had started vaccinations as of Feb. 3, and only 43,801 of them identify as Black or African American. That's just 4.8 percent.
The Ohio Department of Health also breaks down the vaccination numbers for Asians (2.3 percent) and people who are Hispanic or Latino (1.3 percent). White people account for a little over 68 percent of the state's vaccine recipients so far. The numbers are even more skewed for Lorain County, with 76 percent of the 24,140 people who have been vaccinated identifying as white, 3.3 percent as Hispanic or Latino, 2.2 percent as Black and 0.9 percent as Asian. RACE PAGE A4
Provided photo
Claudia Jones receives a COVID-19 vaccination.
Oberlin alum, Unemployment fraud rampant victims don't member of the Many realize that their identity was stolen ‘Chicago Seven’ until they receive a 1099-G in the mail dies at age 80 DYLAN REYNOLDS
THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM
JASON HAWK EDITOR
OBERLIN — Peace activist Rennie Davis, one of the most prominent opponents of the Vietnam War and a member of the "Chicago Seven," died Tuesday, Feb. 2. He was 80 year old. Davis was a graduate of Oberlin College, attending from 1958 to 1962. It was at Oberlin that he Public domain became known as "a fabulous Rennie Davis, a political organizer for change," 1962 graduate of said fellow alumnus David Oberlin College, Finke. was an influential "He was always cheerful, always upbeat, always had a smile peace activist. on his face. But he was intense. He would work 18 hours a day," Finke remembered in a phone interview. "He would work until he was exhausted, then drink whiskey to fall asleep and coffee to wake himself back up... I was active, but Rennie was three CHICAGO SEVEN PAGE A2
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EATON TWP. — Dick and Gail McConnell knew something was wrong when they received a 1099G tax form in the mail. It showed Gail had claimed more than $11,000 in unemployment benefits. Both are retired and neither had needed any type of unemployment benefits in decades. The Eaton Township residents are among a growing number of Lorain County and Ohio residents who are realizing they are victims of identity fraud related to unemployment scams. Dick McConnell, 76, said he and Gail, 72, are always cautious with their mail, and they figure the most likely way Gail’s personal information could have gotten out was through tax or medical documents. “We’re really racking our brain trying to figure
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not heard back. Stories like the McConnell's are part of the reason why the state says it is forming a public-private partnership to work on improvements to the unemployment system. "These experts will provide recommendations and solutions to improve the
call center, claims process, and fraud detection efforts in the state unemployment system," said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday as he announced the partnership. The goal of the 16-or-so private-sector experts in FRAUD PAGE A2
OBERLIN — A man was stabbed near the throat early the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 3 after a night of drinking and playing cards, according to Oberlin police Lt. Mike McCloskey. Tracy Brown, 24, of Oberlin, was visiting friends on the 200 block of South Pleasant Street when an argument broke out, McCloskey said. Around 12:31 a.m., Jason
Radca, 34, of Pensacola, Florida, allegedly knifed Brown in the upper chest. An incident report said police found the victim bleeding, but not heavily enough that they believed his artery was cut. David Dock, who had been inside during the incident, told police he had restrained Radca from behind. They wrestled into the snow outside, and Dock
thought Radca dropped the knife. The incident report said police searched and didn't find the knife in the snow. But McCloskey said it was later recovered with blood still on it. Radca told investigators that his memory is bad due to epilepsy, and he did not know whether he'd cut STABBING PAGE A2
INSIDE THIS WEEK
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out how they did it, and our greatest concern is that they’re going to do it again,” he said. The couple reached the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services by phone and was assured their complaint was being investigated, but as of Sunday the McConnells had
Stabbing results in felony charge
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Angelo Angel | Chronicle
Dick McConnell of Eaton Township holds up a 1099-G tax form on Sunday. He and wife Gail McConnell were surprised when the form showed Gail had received $11,235 in unemployment benefits that she did not actually claim.
Amherst
Oberlin
Wellington
Primary filings show a City Council shake-up • B1
South Park Street shooting now a homicide • B2
Schools hope task force will help tackle hard decisions • B1
OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A3 • CROSSWORD A4 • SUDOKU A4 • KID SCOOP B6
Page A2
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
Lorain County Community Guide
OBITUARIES Catherine B. Wise
On Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, sweet, treasured Catherine Bradley Wise passed from this life surrounded by her loving family and her dearest life-long friend, Bonnie Pitzer. She was the daughter of the late Champlin Gross and Marion Bradley Kelly. Cathy “Cat” was a loving mother to daughter, Davia Wise Barber (Ian) and son, Jamison Wise (Heather). She was adored by three grandchildren, Kali Barber, Drew Barber and Ronin Wise. She was likewise revered by multiple cousins, nieces and nephews. Her sister, Ann Gross Paynowski preceded her in death. She leaves behind her husband of 54 years, David Wise; sister, Dolly Viscardi (Jerry) and brothers, Pat Kelly (Cathy), Bill Kelly (Susan), Cris Gross and Dan Gross (Ann). Born in Oberlin in 1943, Cathy attended Oberlin Schools graduating in 1961 with numerous classmates with whom she maintained life-long contact. She was known as their “social chairman,” a fitting description of her role both 60 years ago and recently. Throughout her life she imbued almost any gathering with her warm and lively nature. She graduated from Kent State University in 1965 with a degree in Elementary Education. She often joked that she really didn't want to be a teacher, but after becoming one she loved it. It showed in the multiple Teacher-of-theYear and Outstanding-Educator awards throughout her 41 year career. Her colleagues often remarked that she was a 'natural', as if describing a high-level athlete who does amazing things effortlessly. It was said that there was hardly a child anywhere that she could not teach to read. Wherever she taught, she was assigned or volunteered to help students having reading difficulties. Cathy lived in various places, Ohio, Canada, Texas and Colorado. No matter where she resided, she attracted a 'flock of friends' with her kind and gentle spirit. This trait was extended to family members, especially young relatives and neighborhood kids who thrived on her gentle attention. Following her teaching career, she became involved in the “I Love to Read” program in Littleton School where, again, her outstanding abilities in encouraging reading was recognized. She was also regularly active in distributing meals through Meals on Wheels. In this, again, her calm outgoing friendliness helped her with client interaction to achieve the secondary purpose of Meals on Wheels, to check on clients' welfare. A lifelong Democrat, she was very active in supporting liberal candidates and ideas while maintaining good will with friends with diverse political persuasions. She was a true daughter of Oberlin, vigorously championing the causes of civil rights, equality and inclusion for which that town is famous. Her life motto seemed to be to draw people to her and make them comfortable. Cathy did not wish to be remembered in traditional memorials, but her wishes are to have two informal celebrations, one in the Centennial, Colorado area and one in Oberlin where her ashes will be interred. Of course, due to the COVID virus plans for these parties are incomplete. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Catherine B. Wise to Hopkins Elementary School-I Love to Read Program. The address is 7171 South Pennsylvania St., Centennial, CO 80122. BILLY JUNIOR MORRISON, 97, of Amherst, passed away Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, at Kingston of Vermilion, following a full and meaningful life. Hempel Funeral Home is handing arrangements. BEVERLY DORRANCE, 85, of Oberlin, passed away Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at her home, following a six year battle with Lewy Body dementia. Hempel Funeral Home is handling arrangements. HAROLD 'MONK' RAESLER, 91, of Amherst, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, at his home following a full and meaningful life. To place an obituary, call us at (440) 329-7000.
Lorain County Urban League efforts recognized with award The Lorain County Urban League has received the Advocate of the Year Award from the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County nominated the Urban League in recognition of its suicide prevention activities and leadership on mental health care for communities of color.
The award was presented by Elaine Georgas, MHARS interi director, to Urban League CEO Parris Smith during a virtual statewide meeting. “If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that prioritizing the health and wellbeing of our communities, especially those of color, is of utmost importance," said Smith. "Here at the Urban League, we believe knowledge is power, and
empowering our community through the ‘Bridging the Health Gap’ series has encouraged individuals to take charge of their own wellness journeys while emphasizing mental health. We are honored to have the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities recognize our advocacy." Georgas said the Urban League has a history of behavioral health advocacy,
and has for multiple years supported suicide prevention efforts like the “How I Cope” storytelling campaign. She also said the Urban League was a key partner in sharing national research on the crisis of Black youth suicide, based on a report from a task force of the Congressional Black Caucus. The report is available at www.mharslc.org/ ringthealarm.
CHICAGO SEVEN
FROM A1 times as active as I ever was." Because of their political activism, Finke and Davis lived in the same South Professor Street house while attending Oberlin College, but a year apart. They also both belonged to the Committee of 42, a group formed in 1961 to protest the construction of new dorm buildings without student input. Davis started the Progressive Student League at Oberlin, one of the early campus political movements, and joined the Students for a Democratic Society. But where Finke was focused on calling for nuclear disarmament, Davis' mind turned to economic and cultural problems, including hostilities brewing in far-away Vietnam. They maintained a friendship through the 1960s, even lived down the hall from each other in Chicago. It was Davis who knocked on Finke's door in April 1968 to tell him
Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated. Four months later, Davis was thrust onto the national stage as was one of several activists responsible for organizing an anti-Vietnam War protest outside the Democratic National Convention. Denied the proper permits, some 30,000 protesters skirmished in the streets with police and the Illinois National Guard. Davis was hospitalized during the fighting, which an investigating commission later said was a "police riot." Davis and co-defendants David Dellinger, John Froines, Tom Hayden, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and Lee Weiner — "the Chicago Seven" — were tried for conspiracy and crossing state lines to incite a riot. Their convictions were overturned in federal appeals court. Writer and director Aaron Sorkin told the story in "The Trial of the
Chicago 7," released in September 2020 on Netflix. The ensemble cast was headed by Sacha Baron Cohen as Hoffman, with English actor Alex Sharp portraying Davis. The Golden Globes announced Wednesday the film was nominated for Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Supporting Actor for Cohen, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Original Song. The cast is also up for a number of Screen Actors Guild nominations, announced Thursday. Davis' wife, Kirsten, took to Facebook to announce her husband's death. She said he succumbed to a large lymphoma tumor they had learned about only two weeks prior. “He will be missed beyond words, but I know he has other grand things to do,” she wrote. “His beingness will always be a trail-blazer and visionary forging the path for humanity’s evolution to fully wake up and enter a new paradigm of existence.”
FRAUD
FROM A1 the partnership will be to make improvements quickly while also keeping an eye on the long-term best processes for the state unemployment system through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, DeWine said. Extra attention to the system could be needed as local police agencies have been hearing from more and more residents who have been victimized by scammers. Among the many local victims, according to police reports: a 45-yearold Avon Lake woman who told officers she’d been having identity fraud issues since November, an Amherst man whose employer informed him of the fraud and an 84-year-old Wellington man who has been retired since 1997.
In Avon, police say they are seeing numerous residents coming to the station with 1099-G tax forms exposing fraudulent unemployment claims. The forms are sent to recipients of benefits so they can report that income when they file their annual taxes. “Since Jan. 1, we’ve had 13 reports, and almost every one of them was because they got a 1099 in the mail,” said Public Information Officer James Drozdowski. He said police have been filing reports on the fraud complaints and advising the residents to reach out to the state. Why the sudden increase in this type of fraud? In addition to traditional unemployment fraud schemes, scammers have
seized on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which expanded federal unemployment benefits earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was designed to make it easier for more Americans in need to receive assistance but also left some doors open for scammers. One scammer admitted to paying in cryptocurrency to access a database of hacked information, which he uses to link names to the victims’ dates of birth and Social Security numbers, according to a report from USA Today. Many victims of the fraud do not realize their identity was stolen until they receive a 1099-G form in the mail indicating they received unemployment benefits.
The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services recommends that anyone who thinks they may be a victim of unemployment fraud complete an online form to report the fraud. The form can be found in a link on the department’s website: unemploymenthelp.ohio.gov/IdentityTheft. A fraud hotline is also available by phone at (833) 658-0394. The line is staffed from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. After receiving fraud complaints, the department processes the reports, conducts an investigation and issues a correction to the Internal Revenue Service if necessary, according to the Department of Jobs and Family Services website.
STABBING
FROM A1 anyone. He also said that "where he comes from in Florida, he could defend himself if he had a reason to," according to the report. Radca was charged with second-
degree felonious assault and was taken to the Lorain County Jail. At his arraignment in Oberlin Municipal Court, he was found indigent. Attorney William Mooney was
assigned to defend Radca. Judge Thomas Januzzi set bond at $5,000 but stipulated that Radca would remain under house arrest at his stepfather's South Pleasant Street apartment.
LETTERS Letters to the editor should be: • Written to the editor. We do not allow open letters or those to specific residents, politicians, or groups. • Concise. There is a limit of 350 words on letters. • Polite. Letters that use crude language or show poor taste will be rejected. • Opinions. We reserve space for letters that share a unique perspective. Press releases are not letters and will be considered for publication in other parts of the paper. • Free of advertising, product or service endorsements or complaints, poetry, language that could raise legal problems, or claims that are measurably false. • Signed. Include your name, address, and daytime telephone number for our records. Up to two signatures. • The deadline to submit letters is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. They are used on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit any submission for length, grammar, spelling, and clarity, or to reject any submission.
SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD ON PAGE A4
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE A4
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Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
Lorain County Community Guide
Health officials: Showing up hours early at vaccine clinics doesn't help DYLAN REYNOLDS THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM
ELYRIA — People are showing up way too early at some COVID-19 vaccination clinics, and it is creating problems, Lorain County Health Commissioner David Covell told community leaders in a meeting last week. He said some people believe arriving two hours before a clinic opens will benefit them, but it ultimately just forces older adults to spend hours needlessly lined up in the cold. That was the case at a clinic in Lorain County Community College in late January. “We had a problem a little bit at LCCC and people were out in the weather for a long, extended period of time,” Covell said, “mostly because we had a ton of people come at 7 o’clock. That was a problem for us.” The clinic was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. “If people come during the time frame you’re invited, everything will be fine,” Covell said.
A nearly identical vaccination clinic was held Feb. 2 at LCCC, and Covell said there were no crowding issues and health workers were “cranking out 200 people in an hour.” One difference between the clinics was that the latter one was kept more low-key. When word starts spreading online that a clinic is taking place at a certain time and location, Covell said people without appointments sometimes flock there. In a meeting of the Lorain County Community Protection Team, he cautioned officials to consult with the health department if they want to share details of upcoming clinics online. “We don’t want to be overwhelmed, but we also don’t want to have vaccine left over,” Covell said. “Sometimes there is a balance there.” Lorain County Public Health schedules appointments for a time frame rather than at one specific time, because many people will sign up for vaccination appointments from multiple providers and only show up wherever they can get the shot first. Covell said the strategy helps public health workers get more people
vaccinated faster. Residents who are eligible for a vaccine under Ohio guidelines may seek to get an appointment through Lorain County Public Health or other providers including Discount Drug Mart and Giant Eagle pharmacies. A complete list of local providers is available online at www.tinyurl.com/ VaccinesLC. A digital sign-up sheet for notification of vaccine clinics from Lorain County Public Health is available online at loraincountyhealth.com/ signup. Currently, the form is for people 65 years old or older who live with severe congenital, developmental or early-onset medical disorders and live or work in Lorain County. Covell also suggested that older adults contact local senior centers, the Office on Aging or some faith organizations for help securing a COVID-19 vaccination appointment and being notified when it is coming up. The Lorain County Office on Aging is reachable at (440) 326-4800. The United Way of Lorain County's 211 number is also a helpful resource for older adults seeking a vaccine.
OPINION
How my second COVID-19 shot went As a health care worker, I received my first COVID-19 Moderna vaccination shot on Jan. 6 without any side effects, except for arm soreness at the injection site. I returned for my second and final shot on Feb. 3. I had zero side effects for the first 11 hours except for a sore arm. Eleven hours in, at 1 a.m., I started to feel achy. Throughout the rest of the night and into the afternoon, I felt achy, sluggish, little appetite, slight headache and an occasional fever as high as 100.6 degrees. Around 4
HANS SCHNEIDER MAYOR OF WELLINGTON
p.m., 15 hours since initial symptoms, all the symp-
toms subsided and I felt back to normal except for being a little tired. I woke up Feb. 5 feeling normal aside from soreness at the injection site and was ready to go. Having done my own research and talking to others who have had the shots, the symptoms weren’t unexpected. Many have had no symptoms while others have had varying degrees some worse than mine and some not so much. Despite being uncomfortable for several hours, I would definitely recommend the vaccine to those able to
receive it. That being said, nobody should get the vaccine just because I did. But I do think it’s important to hear from people we know and their experience. Everyone should do their own research on the vaccines and come to their own conclusion regarding the benefits and potential side effects. It’s a personal choice. Keep an open mind as concerns you may have now may fall by the wayside as we get further into the vaccination process. As always, stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed.
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LEGALS PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on Jan. 21, 2021and January 25, 2021. 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 Nancy Greer @ 204-2050 (Nancy_Greer@cityoflorain. org). The following summary of legislation passed has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws. Resolution 2-21 Recognizing & commending Pat Morrisson & Footprint Tours for 34 years of operations in the City of Lorain. 3-21 Recognizing & commending Marilyn Lopez & Sun Novelty for 41 years of operations in the City of Lorain. 4-21 Auth the S/S Director to sell obsolete equipment by internet auction. 5-21* Declaring it necessary to levy a renewal of the 1.7 Mill property tax to
supplement the General Fund for the providing and maintaining adequate and consistent fire service, apparatus, buildings or sites. 6-21* Repeal Reso 5-21 and declaring it necessary to levy a renewal 1.7 mill property tax levy to supplement the General Fund for providing adequate fire service, apparatus, buildings or sites. Ordinance 5-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into a contract w/ Medical Mutual for the renewal of health care insurance and stop loss coverage for Lorain employees healthcare. 6-21 Auth the purchase of materials, supplies and asphalt from Kokosing Inc. 7-21* Appropriation. 8-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into an agreement w/ Southeast Security fir the installation of security cameras at Oakwood & Central Parks. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.) L.C.C.G. 2/4-11/21 20676977
INVITATION TO BID Sealed bids for Tree Service in the City of Oberlin will be received at the Oberlin Police Department at 85 South Main Street, Oberlin, Ohio 44074, until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021. The said bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 289 S. Professor Street at 10:15am. Specifications and bidding documents may be obtained from the office of the Oberlin Municipal Light and Power building, 289 South Professor Street, Oberlin, Ohio. Bid documents may also be obtained on the City of Oberlin’s website at www.cityofoberlin.com, under Quick Links and RFP and Projects out for Bid. All bids shall be signed and submitted on the forms bound in the contract documents. Bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Bid for Tree Service”. Each bid must be accompanied by a Bid Guaranty which shall be either a certified check payable to the City of Oberlin, or a bid bond satisfactory to the City, in the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000). All bidders must comply with the provisions of Ordinance No. 951 AC CMS (Equal Employment Opportunity Reports) and with the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder. The City of Oberlin reserves the right to accept the lowest and/or best bid, to reject any or all bids, to waive any informalities in the bids received, and to purchase those services which, in the sole judgment of the City, will best suit the City’s needs. Robert Hillard, City Manager City of Oberlin, Ohio L.C.C.G. 2/4-11/21 20676898 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO PURCHASE OF MATERIALS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY 2021 Sealed bid packages will be received by the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, Friday February 19, 2021 Lorain time, Engineering Department, Lorain City Hall 4th Floor. TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM, Lorain time, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor. All in accordance with specifications now on file at the Engineering Department. Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier’s Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of 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. The bid check/bond should be enclosed in the sealed bid, but in a separate envelope clearly marked ‘BID CHECK/ BOND’ with the bidders name & address on the bid check/bond envelope. Each bidder must ensure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of
their race, creed, color, handicap, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act. Bidders shall be required to comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations concerning these matters. Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at the Engineering Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday thru Friday. Electronic packages may be secured, via email Matt_Kusznir@ cityoflorain.org or the city website, www.cityoflorain.org. The Director of Public Safety/ Service reserves the right to make separate or combination awards and to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in the bids received. By order of the Director of Public Safety/Service L.C.C.G. 2/4-11/21 20677234
QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENT FROM INTERESTED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, AND SURVEYING FIRMS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES The City of Lorain, Ohio requests qualification statements from any interested professional engineering, architectural, and surveying firms to provide professional design, construction administration or field survey services. The purpose is to pre-qualify firms in the following areas for possible City contracts: • Storm Water Improvements • Sanitary Sewer Improvements • Waterline Improvements • Street Infrastructure Improvements • Brownfield • Environmental • Architectural Improvements • Wastewater / Water Treatment Plant Improvements • Construction Administration and Inspection • Field Survey Services • Geotechnical and Soils Investigation • Geographic Information Services (GIS)
• Other The Qualification Statements should include the following information: 1. A COVER LETTER INDICATING THE PREQUALIFICATION AREA/AREAS FOR WHICH YOU ARE REQUESTING CONSIDERATION. 2. A brief history of the firm. Please include information pertaining to major areas of expertise of the company. 3. Resumes for Key Personnel of the firm. 4. A list of clients and representative projects worked on in the last five (5) years per area seeking pre-qualification. 5. A list of other public authorities that have deemed the firm pre-qualified. Include a listing of ODOT pre-qualification areas. 6. A description of the firm’s approach to managing workload, project scheduling, and deadline adherence. Include a list of available qualified personnel, equipment, and facilities to perform the services. 7. Provide any further information that may be helpful to the City of Lorain to determine the qualifications of your firm. Please submit one (1) qualification statement. Any statement that does not include all the requested information will not be deemed responsive. Please limit the qualifications statement to 75 pages and include an electronic version as well. The City of Lorain reserves the right to request additional or supplemental statements, as it deems necessary. Professional design firms must annually submit an update of its statement to maintain or modify its qualification status with the City. This request does not constitute a commitment on the part of the City of Lorain to award any contract to any pre-qualified firm. Submit your Statements of Qualification to Dale Vandersommen, PE, City Engineer, City of Lorain, 200 West Erie Avenue, 4th Floor, Lorain, Ohio 44052 by February 19, 2021 by 3PM. L.C.C.G. 2/4-11/21 20677135
PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION
The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on Feb. 1, 2021. 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 Nancy Greer @ 204-2050 (Nancy_Greer@cityoflorain. org). The following summary of legislation passed has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws. Resolution 7-21* Submitting to the electors of the City of Lorain the question of a renewal of a 1.7Mil property tax levy for a period of 5 years to provide for fire service, apparatus, buildings & sites. 8-21 Auth the Mayor to accept the NOPEC Community event sponsorship award. 9-21 Commemorating the life and legacy of Allister Wright. Ordinance 9-21 Auth the Mayor to accept the 2021 NOPEC Energized Community Grant. 10-21* Allowing the City of Lorain to accept $5k from LC Commissioners for expenditures incurred in the creation of legislation creating a SID. 11-21 Accepting the plat of Cornerstone Farms Subdivision #5. 12-21 Auth the S/S Director to enter into a contract w/ ODOT & auth resurfacing and repair on US Route 58. 13-21* Auth S/S Director to enter into an agrmt to settle and resolve all claims/issues raised in the civil action filed by reps of local property owners known as Winrod, et al v. City of Lorain. 14-21* Amending Ord. 166-20 auth the S/S Director to enter into an agrmt between the City and the County auth the collection and transport of wastewater to the City’s wastewater treatment facility and for the sale of water to a portion of the County. 15-21* Appropriation. 16-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into an agrmt w/ for the acquisition of real property @ 400 & 346 W. 23rd St. 17-21 Est. a Sewer & Water Advisory Board for the City of Lorain. 18-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into a contract w/ Seitz Builders for the Distribution Building Renovation project not to exceed $1,172,270. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.) L.C.C.G. 2/11-18/21 20677587
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Upcoming events at the Allen Memorial Art Museum All are virtual programs and all are free. To register for programs, visit amam.oberlin.edu/events. Tea, Time, and Taste: Thoughts on Tea Bowls at the AMAM: Thursday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. Do old, weathered, and broken things have their own special beauty? What are wabi-sabi and kintsugi? In this brief video, Kevin R.E. Greenwood, Joan L. Danforth Curator of Asian Art, will describe the aesthetic principle and the Japanese ceramic repair technique using examples from the museum collection. The video will appear in the Facebook feed and Vimeo page of the Allen Memorial Art Museum. Perfect Imperfections: Nature in Japanese Ceramics: Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1 and 1:30 p.m. Mari Kuroda, resident artist at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, leads an art-making activity that you can do from home. Register for this Zoom event before Monday, Feb. 15 to receive a free kit via postal mail. In these two identical sessions, participants will apply the techniques of kintsugi and learn about the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which embraces the unexpected, finds beauty in imperfections, and reveres the natural world. In the Galleries: The Goddess Shield: Thursday, March 4 at 3 p.m. This talk introduces an important new acquisition at Oberlin's Allen Memorial Art Museum: a beautifully painted shield, made in Northern India in the mid-19th century, covered with images of warrior goddesses. But why? What did they represent? And who would have owned it? Kevin R.E. Greenwood, Joan L. Danforth Curator of Asian Art, gives a lively presentation that will appear in the museum’s Facebook feed, and on its Vimeo page. Webinar: The Cause of Art is the Cause of the People: Thursday, March 18 at 3 p.m. For nearly a century, Oberlin College and Chicago’s famous Hull House Settlement shared countless points of intersection and common purpose. None left as lasting an impression on Oberlin and the Allen Memorial Art Museum as the week when Hull House co-founder Ellen Gates Starr — artist, activist and lecturer — visited in the spring of 1917. In this free webinar, Annie Storr of Brandeis University presents “The Cause of Art is the Cause of the People: Ellen Gates Starr at Oberlin College.” Museum Director Andria Derstine will moderate a Q&A after the talk. Be sure to register in advance for the webinar. Painting the American Wasteland: Thursday, April 1 at 3 p.m. "Picturing the Land," an exhibition at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, explores how artists mediated and defined perceptions of the land. In the 19th century, marshes and swamps were considered wastelands, standing in the way of agriculture and urbanization. In a talk titled “Painting the American Wasteland,” Maggie Cao of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, explores American paintings of wetlands before they were considered and vital ecosystems. Why did landscape painters portray these so-called wastelands in the Civil War era? How did these unusual environments challenge the conventions of landscape painting? And, how do the wastelands of the past relate to our current understanding of wetlands? An audience Q&A moderated by Alexandra Letvin, assistant curator of European and American art, will follow the talk. Be sure register in advance for this free webinar.
Ash Wednesday
Wellington First Congregational United Church of Christ, 140 South Main St., will have drive-thru ashes in the parking lot from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, weather permitting, and an online worship service at 7 p.m.
How to Respond When Risk Tolerance is Tested When you begin investing, you’ll generally assess your comfort with risk, as your investment choices will be guided at least partially by your risk tolerance. But once you actually experience the ups and downs of the market, this tolerance could be tested. Risk tolerance may appear less bothersome in the abstract but seem quite different in reality. For example, you might initially think you wouldn’t be fazed by short-term market downturns, no matter how severe. However, when the financial markets really decline, as happened when the COVID-19 pandemic struck last March, you might find yourself being more concerned than you thought you would be. Before you change your investment strategy, it’s important to understand the potential tradeoffs. By limiting your downside risk by investing less aggressively, you may also limit your upside potential. You might need to change your strategy in other ways, such as saving more or working longer. That said, the tradeoff involved in reducing your downside risk may be worth taking, if it helps you cope better with wild market swings, as the best strategy may be one you can stick with through the inevitable ups and downs of the markets. Because market fluctuations are a normal part of investing, here are some additional suggestions that may help you focus on your long-term strategy. • Look past the immediate event. While the market’s pandemic-driven fall was sudden, its recovery was also fairly quick. Eight months after its March meltdown, the market had regained all the lost ground and reached a new record high. During the midst of what appears to be a real threat to your investment portfolio, it can be difficult to anticipate a more fa-
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vorable environment. Yet, while past performance can’t guarantee future results, every historical market decline has been followed by a recovery. • Understand that the Dow isn’t your portfolio. When the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the other major market indexes such as the S&P 500 fall precipitously (or shoot up), it makes headlines. But the Dow and the S&P 500 only track the performance of large U.S. companies – and while their performance may be an indication of the U.S. economy, they aren’t going to track the results of your portfolio, which should ideally include a personalized mix of large-company stocks, small-company stocks, international stocks, bonds, government securities and other investments. • Keep your emotions out of your investment moves. The market will fluctuate constantly – but you should always try keep your emotions in check. Excess exuberance when the market rises, or extreme despondency when the market falls, can lead you to make poor decisions. Specifically, we may buy when we feel good (when the markets are up) and sell when we feel badly (when markets are down). Your heart and your emotions may drive your financial goals – creating a comfortable retirement, sending your kids to college or leaving a legacy for your family – but when you invest for these goals, you should use your head. Your risk tolerance is a key part of your investment strategy. But by taking the steps described above, you can gain a broader understanding of how risk fits into your overall picture – and a better understanding of yourself as an investor.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Michael E. Verda AAMS Financial Adviser 12289 Leavitt Rd. Suite E. Oberlin, OH 44074 Bus.: 440-774-4625 Fax: 866-486-8146
Steve Schmittle
mike.verda@edwardjones.com
steve.schmittle@edwardjones.com
Financial Adviser 20 South Main Street Oberlin, OH 44074-1627 Bus.: 440-775-4357 Fax: 888-204-0352 Fax: 800-755-4944
Member SIPC
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Cabaret for a Cause
The MAD Factory and Oberlin Community Services will hold "Cabaret for a Cause" starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, streaming live on Facebook and YouTube. The free online concert will be a night of entertainment, education and fun featuring MAD Factory alumni and local talent from Lorain County. Its goal is to raise awareness about OCS.
Expanded bus service
The Oberlin connector bus service has expanded and is now available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Call (800) 406-7541 to schedule a ride. Trips are $2, one way. Discounts are available. The service area includes the city of Oberlin and portions of New Russia Township, Amherst Township, the city of Amherst, Lorain, Sheffield Township, Elyria and Carlisle Township. Learn more at www.cityofoberlin. com/oberlin-connector.
Women’s League scholarship
Applications are being accepted by the Wellington Women’s League for the $1,000 Sherryl Perkins Memorial Nursing Scholarship. It will be awarded to a female Wellington High School graduate or Wellington resident who intends to study nursing. The non-renewable, non-refundable scholarship money will be sent to the college or trade school of the recipient’s choice. Before the scholarship funds will be disbursed, recipient must send to Wellington Women’s League, a copy of the official invoice listing the school name and address, classes for which the student is registered, student ID number and total cost of tuition. To apply, submit an application form, an essay outlining why you should be awarded the scholarship and three adult references with name, address and phone number along with a letter of recommendation from each reference. One reference must be from a high school or college staff member (if the applicant is a student) or a colleague (if the applicant is an adult). A committee composed of members of the Wellington Women’s League will choose the scholarship recipient. The deadline to apply is March 16. The application is available at the Wellington High School office and at www.tinyurl.com/WellingtonWomen.
When you need to talk
Dealing with an ever-changing world can be difficult. Here are some resources that can provide support when you need it: • COVID-19 CareLine: 800-720-9616 • Crisis Text Line: Text “4HOPE” to 741741 • 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 800-888-6161 • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 • The LCADA Way drug and alcohol addiction and recovery support: 440-989-4900 • Domestic violence support via the Genesis House: 440-244-1853 or 440-323-3400 • Lorain County Child Protection Services: 440-3295340 or call the after-hours line at 440-406-5121 • Call 911 first if you need medical attention
RACE
FROM A1 Lorain County Health Commissioner David Covell said a large number of people, when filling out vaccination paperwork, check off the "unknown" or "other" boxes. "There's some issue with the form, and if some people don't fill it out, we're certainly not going to get in an argument with them or turn them away," he said. The CDC has a similar problem. Its data is incomplete because more than half of states and jurisdictions didn't break down vaccinations by race or ethnicity. But there's far more going on than clerical anomalies. A history of horrors Mistrust of vaccines has been part of Black identity for generations, said Dr. Carla Harwell, medical director of the University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center in Cleveland. Many of her patients — who are almost all Black — have insisted they won't be among the first to get the COVID vaccine. History carries too many cautionary tales. Among the most horrific examples is the Tuskegee experiment, carried out from 1932 to 1972 by the U.S. Public Health Service and CDC. It documented untreated cases of syphilis among impoverished Black men who were told they were getting free health care from the federal government. That was a lie — a majority were never told they had the sexually-transmitted disease and were given placebos or bunk treatments. None were even prescribed penicillin, even when it became widely available in the late 1940s, and 128 participants died either as result of syphilis or its complications. "It means that we were
used as guinea pigs without our knowledge," Jones said. "Of course it made Black people fearful." The unethical program was only shut down after its existence was leaked to the press, resulting in the passage of new human rights laws. Jordann Sadler, president of the Oberlin African-American Genealogy and History Group and an Africana studies major at Oberlin College, said the Tuskegee experiment isn't ancient history. Her parents and grandparents were alive when it ended. The betrayal remains fresh, and has caused many people to be suspicious of vaccines, Sadler said. "There is a sort of conspiracy-type thinking within the Black community, such as, 'Maybe there's something wrong with the vaccination. Maybe they're trying to do a sterilization of the people,' " she said. "There's just honest and rightful distrust within the Black community." The United States also has a terrifying history of forced sterilization policies that lasted into the 21st century, Sadler said. Many African-Americans grow up hearing stories of women who went to the doctor and, without consent or even their knowledge, ended up unable to have children. The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation has taken a different tack. "We need to bust this myth that a lack of trust is the root of the problem," President and CEO Barbara Sykes said in a release Monday. "Racism is the root cause of the vaccine not being distributed timely to save lives to people of color in Ohio." She challenged Gov. Mike DeWine to reaffirm that racism is a public health crisis, and "take emergency steps to confront COVID-19 for Black Ohioans." DeWine should make vaccinating Black people a priority and "stop blaming
GOLDEN AGE OF TV ACROSS 1. *Quiz show whistleblower, ____ Stempel 5. Time std. 8. “____ Like it Hot” movie 12. Walkie-talkie word 13. Wild hog 14. Blender setting 15. Coniferous tree 16. Of long ago 17. Gastric problem 18. *A show that had a Ball 20. Surveyor’s map 21. Changes to a manuscript 22. Mai follower 23. Get a move on 26. *Superman portrayer 29. Knot-tying words 30. Like unskilled work 33. Play with a bow 35. New Mexico’s state flower 37. Will Ferrell’s Christmas classic 38. On the radio 39. Nobel Peace Prize capital 40. Beat around the bush 42. Toddler 43. SAT administrator 45. Software plug-ins 47. Facebook photo option 48. Indulgence of impulses 50. Brees or Barrymore 52. *”Dragnet” sergeant 56. Old Brazilian coins 57. Pakistan’s official language 58. *”Your Show of Shows” comedian Reiner 59. Novelist Zola 60. Not made up 61. *”The ____ of Night” 62. Extinct bird 63. Call minus c 64. Gloom’s companion DOWN 1. Arizona tribe 2. Bad to the bone 3. Nevada city near Lake Tahoe 4. Warrant for officer promotion with no pay 5. As opposed to stay in 6. Chagall and Anthony 7. 3-pointer in basketball 8. *”Toast of the Town” host
9. Willy of “Free Willy” 10. Track event 11. Always, to a poet 13. Reference to the writer 14. Between larvae and adults 19. Allergic reaction to bee sting 22. ____ Aviv 23. *Ranger’s call to Silver 24. Sunbaked, archaically speaking 25. Wall or pedestal support 26. Kon-Tiki, e.g. 27. One of the Muses 28. Offspring 31. Getting warm 32. Not in good health 34. Tiny leftovers 36. *Abbott’s comedic partner
the victims," Sykes said. Black people make up nearly 20 percent of the state's COVID-19 hospitalizations and 12 percent of deaths, but less than five percent have been vaccinated, said Petee Talley, vice chair of the Foundation. "There's something totally wrong with this deadly picture," Talley said. Among Latinos Hard work is also needed to raise the vaccination rate among the Hispanic population, said Nelly Davila, who heads up the COVID response team at El Centro de Servicios Sociales in Lorain. Language has been a barrier, she said, because most information about vaccines has been presented in English, not Spanish. "If they don't have the information in the language, they speak, read and write, they don't feel like they can make an informed decision," said Davila. Many older Latino residents aren't comfortable with online registration for vaccination appointments, she said, or don't have rides to get there. They also have fears about the long-term effects of the vaccine. Davila said undocumented residents also have "real fears, real concerns" that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could show up to clinics. "We have to find ways around it, because the reality is that if everyone doesn't get vaccinated, there is an issue," she said. Covell said he understands concerns about ICE interference, and Lorain County Public Health is working with El Centro, the Lorain County Urban League and other groups to ease that distrust. Fixing problems Harwell said honesty is the first step toward healing. In her practice at UH, that process starts with revealing that she has received both COVID vaccine doses. That news makes it easier for patients to take her advice and get the shots themselves. "I look my patients squarely in the eye, and I say to them that I am more afraid of COVID than I am of the vaccine," Harwell said. Most are immediately receptive, she said. Some make excuses — they talk about people they've known who got the virus but only had mild symptoms. Harwell, who said she's had many patients die from COVID in the past year, said a false sense of security is dangerous. "When COVID rolls the
dice for you, you don't know if you're going to be on the end of mild to no symptoms, or on the other end of the scale, which is respiratory failure and needing a ventilator," she said. "It's a crap shoot." Harwell said it's important for that message to come from a trusted source. If that's not your family doctor, it may be your church. Carl Small, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Elyria, is among the clergy who have been asked by Lorain County Public Health to spread the message from the pulpit. In a virtual service, he invited retired surgical nurse Dorothy Jackson to explain the importance of vaccinations to the congregation. Her appeal made a huge difference, Small said. Now a coalition of 22 churches in Elyria alone is working to choose a place of worship where the faithful can feel safe getting their shots. "There is already an atmosphere of peace and protection, of serenity at the church," Small said. "That is just a place where people already say they feel comfortable... So it makes sense to vaccinate there." Covell said he expects to have clinics at several churches in coming weeks, and is working out the logistics. Location is important, according to the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. Vaccines are being given in pharmacies and grocery stores, but many are located outside Black communities. DeWine said Tuesday that the state is taking steps to address those types of inequities. "There are Ohioans who simply do not have equal access to health care," he said. "We have worked hard to address these gaps, especially in our efforts to roll out the vaccine, but there is still more to do." Instead of setting up "mega vaccination sites" like other states have done, he said Ohio's vaccination plan focuses on putting multiple vaccine providers in every county. They include federally qualified health centers that serve vulnerable neighborhoods, as well as pop-up vaccination sites through partnerships with churches and other faith organizations. DeWine pledged to launch a series of virtual town hall meetings to better understand barriers to vaccination and develop solutions. The events will be coordinated with help from Ohio's Minority Health Vaccine Advisory Group the week of Feb. 22.
38. Online purchase 40. *Marjorie Reynolds in “The Life of Riley” 41. Scolding 44. Schoolmarm’s whip 46. Defrosted 48. Popular winter boot brand 49. Put it to the metal 50. Audition tape 51. SWAT attack 52. France/Switzerland border mountain range 53. Carpenter’s groove 54. Ben Affleck’s 2013 Oscar winner 55. Original matter 56. *Buttons or Skelton
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Concerts explore Black composers' diverse styles A series of concerts highlighting Black composers will be sponsored by Oberlin College in February. Blackness isn't a uniform style, and the musicians have diverse approaches, according to Oberlin Conservatory Associate Dean for Academic Support Chris Jenkins. Historically, music that falls outside the traditional canon has been ignored, and the conservatory is seeking to expand listeners' horizons by sharing pieces that defy expectations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, performances have moved online. Visit www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/stageleft to listen to these and other concerts through the spring.
Provided
Oberlin High School's Scholastic Games team consists of Zenobia Calhoun, Marcus Bertoni and Sasha Chen.
Oberlin defeats Avon Lake on the Scholastic Games OBERLIN — Zenobia Calhoun, Marcus Bertoni and Sasha Chen won a 120-80 Scholastic Games victory for Oberlin High School in a Feb. 1 contest. In the quiz show competition, aired on WEOL 930 AM and 100.3 FM, the OHS lineup went head-to-head with Spencer Dabney, Randy Jung, and Emmet Fink of Avon Lake. Chen also earned the program’s $50 Standout Scholar Award, which is presented to the student who contributed the most to their team. Though similar to the format used for 30 years, the program was modified for social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
First round questions ranged from grammar to science to geography — it was in the second round, focusing on current events, that Oberlin took a 20-point lead. That advantage held true through the theme round, which dealt with literary characters. Clues about colonial Williamsburg, gave Oberlin the boost to win. Scholastic Games began in the fall of 1990 with the support of Nordson Corporation and has continued WEOL every school year since. This year's season will run through May and conclude with the Lorain County championship.
Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Presented live from Warner Concert Hall, this program joins two works by William Grant Still — an Oberlin student more than 100 years ago who went on to become known as “The Dean of African American Composers” — with one by conservatory horn professor Jeff Scott. Violin professor Sibbi Bernhardsson teams up with piano professor Haewon Song on Still’s "Pastorela," Song joins violin professor David Bowlin for Still’s "Blues from Lenox Avenue" and Bernhardsson and piano professor Robert Shannon perform Scott’s "Transparencia."
Mercy Health commits to confronting racism
Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Associate Professor of Voice Katherine Jolly hosts this concert of solo and chamber music repertoire. Flute professor Alexa Still will perform Valerie Coleman's "Danza de la Mariposa" and Allison Loggins-Hull's "Home-
STAFF REPORT
LORAIN — Mercy Health announced last week that will confront racism as part of a new initiative with the Catholic Health Association of the United States. It joins 22 of the nation's largest Catholic health care systems in an effort to achieve equity in health care. That effort starts with hospitals' response to COVID-19, according to a press release. That entails ensuring testing for the virus is available and accessible in minority communities and that new treatments are distributed and used equitably as they become available. It will also mean examining and changing hiring, promotion and retention practices to ensure diversity and inclusion; forming stronger partnerships with communities of color to improve health outcomes; and seeking policy changes that address the root causes of racism and social injustice.
“Our Lorain-based ministry has been responding to the needs of our community for more than a century — a century committed to extending the compassionate ministry of Jesus and bringing good help to those in need, especially those who are poor, dying and underserved,” said Edwin Oley, market president at Mercy Health Lorain Hospital. “Over the last several years, our operations have been focused on addressing social determinants of health, those external factors that affect one’s health as well as a focused effort on providing access to those who need it most is core to our mission. We will continue to invest in our community and health equity. The time is now.” CHA members say racism is an affront to the core values of Catholic social teaching. The solution is to join in solidarity to promote the common good and seek justice by being actively anti-racist and accountable in effecting positive change in the communities we serve, Mercy said.
land"; viola professors Peter Slowik and Kirsten Docter team up with alumni violists Troy Stephenson and Marlea Simpson for "A Canadian Boat Song" by Maurice Arnold; Alexa Still, bassoon professor Drew Pattison and piano professor James Howsmon present "Reverie Champetre" by Edmond Dede; organ professor Christa Rakich performs William Grant Still's "Elegy for Organ"; and Alexa Still and James Howsmon conclude with William Grant Still's "Summerland and Quit Dat Fool’nish." Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Jeff Scott returns to host this performance of Abel Meeropol’s "Strange Fruit," performed by Scott on horn; Ulysses Kay’s "Sonata for Bassoon and Piano," performed by bassoon professor Pattison and piano professor Howsmon; Duke Ellington’s "Cotton Club Stomp," featuring Oberlin’s ensemble in residence, the Verona Quartet; and Scott’s own "Sacred Women," performed by the Oberlin Orchestra under the direction of Raphael Jimenez. Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. The series concludes with a second live-streamed recital from Warner Concert Hall. Violin professor Francesca dePasquale and Howsmon will perform Still's "Suite for Violin and Piano"; faculty cellist Darrett Adkins presents selections from Dorothy Rudd Moore's "Baroque Suite" and excerpts of solo works by Jeffrey Mumford; and Bowlin and faculty harpsichordist Mark Edwards perform "Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord in G Minor" by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Commissioners should admit to mistake To the editor: Admitting a mistake and rectifying it would go a long way toward building confidence in the new Board of Commissioners here in Lorain County. Recently elected commissioners Michelle Hung and David Moore have insisted for weeks that they were in the right to rescind CARES Act funding promised to local charities and other county organizations desperately in need during this pandemic. The funds were promised by the former commissioners after the allocation plan for the money was approved by no less than the state auditor’s office, the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office, the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, as well as the county’s finance department. Could four different official sources be incorrect in their assessment?
Regardless, the former commissioners clearly performed their due diligence to make sure the funds were handled appropriately in their desire to provide assistance to Lorain County residents. I call on commissioners Hung and Moore to take the higher road, put aside partisan reasoning, and admit they were mistaken to rescind the funding without properly investigating the allocation process, previously vetted and approved by so many. Show the citizens of this county that our recently elected leaders are critical thinkers who will put the needs of their constituents above partisan politics. Kate Rivet Editor's note: Hung and Moore have maintained that the money allocated to nonprofits was not CARES Act money, but came from the county's general fund.
-Advertorial-
Local Business Spotlight: Gutter Cover Co. Jim Carbone Elyria’s Gutter Cover Company
Gutter Protection products have many different designs, but the goal has always been the same- Keep the Leaves out and let the rainwater in. Here are some strategic details to look for when choosing a gutter cover and who to call to install it. A good gutter cover needs to perform in certain areas in order to be successful: • Must allow debris like small leaves, needles, spinners, seedpods and roof shingle grit to naturally slide off the cover. • Must handle heavy amounts of rainwater without overflowing. • Must be wind resistant and strong enough not to “cavein” under heavy snow loads. • Must not require any trips up the ladder to maintain performance. • Cannot have vertical openings like screens or filters that can clog easily. Don’t be fooled…All screens can clog! The Gutter Cover Company has been installing Gutter Topper for almost 23 years. Gutter Topper is proudly manufactured right here in Ohio and made to withstand our wicked weather. It is a smooth, solid aluminum cover that has no holes or gaps on top. A sloped, self-shedding design prevents spinners, pine needles, shingle grit or
seedpods from clogging the gutter. Gutter Topper can handle heavy downpours of up to 22 inches of rain per hour and 110 mph winds. It also features a lifetime transferable performance warranty. Many competing gutter guards require full replacement of both gutters and downspouts. Gutter Topper installs over your existing gutters, and each installation includes cleaning, tightening, resealing and properly aligning your gutters. New seamless gutters are also available. The Gutter Cover Company also offers a safe and effective way to stop big icicles and ice damming. An optional add-on product called Heater Cap can be installed with or without Gutter Topper that gently heats the gutter area with a self-regulated heat cable. Heater Cap can be installed on most existing gutter covers. Hiring the right company to install the cover correctly is very important. The Gutter Cover Company has a proven track record of success in Northeast Ohio and the locals have been referring their friends and neighbors for years. “Our company takes pride in solving gutter problems the right way. Our product, experience and attention to detail really make us stand out from the big box stores and other competitors. Free estimates are always punctual and
professional, but still friendly and casual.” -Jim Carbone, Owner You can reach The Gutter Cover Company at 440-3660688 or 1-800-335- 4367. View short videos of Gutter
Topper and Heater Cap at: www.gutterguard1.com. The Gutter Cover Company is your locally owned and operated source for the ultimate in gutter protection.
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Lorain County Community Guide
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LORAIN — Almost a decade later, Lorain has reached a settlement with residents in the nearby Hidden Valley housing development. City Council unanimously approved a settlement with the residents of the Amherst Township neighborhood, capping their out-of-city sewer rate at 125 percent of in-city prices after a gradual phase in. In 2013, two Hidden Valley residents sued Lorain over its sewer fees, alleging the development had been overcharged for decades, including paying operations and maintenance fees beyond those of in-city rates. One of those residents, Christine Winrod, died in 2019, but the lawsuit continued on, as Lynda Ashley remained a Hidden Valley resident. The new agreement starts Hidden Valley’s rates at 105 percent of in-city rates, raising them by an additional 5 percent each year through the fifth year when it caps at 125 percent. It also establishes a settlement fund, with the city paying $371,671, including $21,670 in plaintiff’s legal costs. The settlement will be paid from the city’s sewer fund, Mayor Jack Bradley said, with no impact on the general fund. “In the long run it's going to save the city money as far as litigation costs and it's been going on too long. We need to get it behind us,” Bradley said. Lorain County will take over ownership and maintenance of Hidden Valley sewer lines, meaning residents' bills will be routed through the county rather than the city. The city will save money on sending workers to service those lines, Bradley
said. There are 850 homes in the development. Attorney Matt Dooley, who represented Hidden Valley since the class action’s inception, said the residents are expected to see a savings upward of $2.4 million over the next 10 years. “I genuinely think the people of Hidden Valley are going to get some real relief from this settlement and have certainty in the rate structure going forward,” Dooley said. “And certainty is one of the things that might mean the most to people who are trying to budget and live on a fixed income.” For 2026-27 — when the new rate maxes at 125 percent — Hidden Valley residents are projected to pay about $637 a year for sewer service compared to the $926 a year they were projected to be charged at the prior rate of 150 percent incity residents, according to the settlement. The agreement is about a year in the making, following the settlement of another lawsuit between Lorain city and Lorain County regarding service rates for Sheffield Township and Elyria Township residents. In April 2020, Lorain County agreed to pay the city $1.5 million, with the city agreeing to treat sewage from the townships under updated rates, starting at 105 percent of in-city rates and increasing to 125 percent over five years. “The suits have all been settled with acknowledgment that those are fair and reasonable rates. That's what we're trying to do is be fair and reasonable to people we service outside the city of Lorain,” Bradley said. Council was in an executive session for close to an hour before approving the agreement last week.
Classroom webcams roll out at McCormick, could be kept JASON HAWK EDITOR
WELLINGTON — Livestreaming webcams are rolling out in McCormick Middle School classrooms as educators tinker with technology to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers in grades six to eight have started broadcasting their in-person lessons in real time to students who are still learning at home. In a Feb. 2 report to the Wellington Board of Education, Principal Nathan Baxendale called the model "live interacting," and said it's a low-cost way to keep
students on track. Fourth and fifth grades will start using classroom webcams a little slower, starting with language arts classes, then adding math after a few weeks, he said. McCormick teachers are still wrestling with how to use the tech for art, music and physical education classes. Baxendale said he hopes the setup is a temporary solution to the difficulties posed by the pandemic, and that schools can return to normal as soon as possible. But Superintendent Ed Weber said there may be benefits to wiring classrooms for remote learning, even after the pan-
demic is over. He said he believes schools all over the world will continue to experiment with new ways of keeping students engaged remotely if needed. School board member Jessica Reynolds said she does not believe "live interacting" should end when Wellington students return to school buildings full-time. As the district edges back toward normalcy, and as Lorain County is slowly vaccinated, there will continue to be students quarantined and otherwise out for extended periods of time, she said.
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Council OK's cardiac monitors for FD, endorses radio grant JASON HAWK EDITOR
OBERLIN — Firefighters will get two new cardiac monitors and defibrillators worth $57,704 as emergency medical calls rise steeply. Oberlin City Council expedited a vote Feb. 1 for a purchase order with Stryker Medical of Chicago, after hearing a request from Fire Chief Robert Hanmer. He said fire crews went on 452 emergency medical calls last year, up from 208 just two years ago. Firefighters, many of whom are also paramedics, use monitors to evaluate patients' vital signs to determine whether electric shock is needed to stabilize their heart rhythm. Hanmer said the manufacturer revealed in late June that Oberlin's monitors are out of service life, meaning there would be no replacement parts available should they break down. The new units will come with some advantages. For example, they'll be able to transmit EKG readings directly to the hospital. Hanmer said that way doctors will already have vital readings in hand, and the patient will be able to bypass the emergency room and go straight to a catheterization lab if they're having a
heart attack. "So it's really a true life saver in that sense," he said. In a separate vote, Council put its stamp of approval on an application for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The Oberlin Fire Department is joining forces with colleagues in Wellington, Rochester, Camden Township and Carlisle Township to jointly apply for cash to buy new portable radios. The request endorsed by Oberlin City Council Feb. 1 is for $123,106. Firefighters, police, paramedics and other emergency workers in Lorain County have been transitioning to digital radio equipment over the past decade. The problem is that old-style radios can't communicate with new ones. That means in some responses, Oberlin police officers, firefighters, Central Lorain County Ambulance District personnel, Lorain County sheriff's deputies and Oberlin College security haven't been able to share information back and forth. City Manager Rob Hillard said Oberlin and the other partner communities applied last year for similar radio funding, but were not awarded the grant. "However, we'd like to try again," he said. Council fast-tracked its support so Hanmer and company could meet the Feb. 12 application deadline.
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OUR TOWNS
Lorain County Community Guide • Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
Task force to help navigate expensive school options JASON HAWK EDITOR
WELLINGTON — Expensive plans to rescue deteriorating Westwood Elementary and Wellington High School buildings have met failure. Now the Board of Education hopes a task force can find a path that will appeal to the public.
Voters rejected back-to-back attempts to pass a tax increase for renovations. With that option exhausted, and leaky roofs and clunky boilers still causing worries, the school board is open to other ideas. The right strategy could come from outside the circle of elected officials and educators, said board member Kevin Stump in a work session last week.
District Treasurer Mark Donnelly said that the Strongsville Schools, where he previously worked, found success through a task force of residents. They examined facilities problems from angles the Board of Education hadn't considered, and brought to light longstanding issues that teachers had forgotten even existed. Armed with the task force's in-
sights, Strongsville passed a bond issue for a new middle school and high school, Donnelly said. The effort succeeded because the resident group listened to input that was both supportive of the district and critical of it. School board President Brett Murner said Wellington needs that kind of advice, and "not just (from) the usual suspects." Stump said the panel could help
Perez and St. Peter's art scores big
the Board of Education choose among several high-priced plans laid out in January by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission — or reject them all. OFCC spokesman Steve Roka pitched a range of options that would qualify for state funding assistance. The most costly, estimated at $22.5 million, would SCHOOLS PAGE B2
Two Amherst councilmen won't run, new faces in filings JASON HAWK EDITOR
ABOVE LEFT: "A Study of My Mother" by Catie Perez, 12th grade, Amherst Steele High School ABOVE RIGHT: "Face in Profile" by Paige St. Peter, 11th grade, Amherst Steele High School
Steele pieces will be judged in NYC The 53th Scholastic Art Regional Show awards have been announced, with both judging and the show moved online this year due to the pandemic. About 1,000 pieces were submitted, and 335 were chosen. Judges awarded 56 Gold Keys, 97 Silver Keys and 182 Honorable Mentions.
Amherst Steele High School students Catie Perez and Paige St. Peter were awarded Gold Keys and their pieces will travel virtually to New York City to be judged at the national level. Last year, Perez won a national Silver Medal for her work. Both Perez and Ashley London were named Silver Key winners.
Honorable mentions went to Emily Behm, Bailey Crum, Skyler Frederick (two awards), Leah Gerke, Lauren Hoffman (two), Briana Hoopes (two), Ashley London, Madison Matejcik, Perez (two) and Gabrielle Smith. A guided tour of the show's five galleries can be found at www. tinyurl.com/stockerart.
Fatality involved Vermilion fire truck STAFF REPORT
BROWNHELM TWP — The Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a Vermilion firetruck and a personal vehicle that killed a motorist on state Route 2 early Saturday. According to the Highway Patrol's Elyria post, 56-year-old John Goolman of Berlin Heights was westbound in a 2019 Honda Insight shortly after 3 a.m. when he hit a fire truck assisting at the scene of a separate crash on Route 2 near Baumhart Road. Goolman, who was wearing his seat belt, was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital where he later died, the Highway Patrol said. A Vermilion firefighter was treated and later released. Mayor Jim Forthofer confirmed the incident on a post on the city of Vermilion Facebook page. He said four firefighters were injured in the crash, but three declined treatment. "A motorist drove into the back of a fire engine CRASH PAGE B2
Bruce Bishop | Chronicle
Elected officials have expressed interest in getting rid of the closed Golden Acres nursing home in Amherst Township.
Moore: County should sell old Golden Acres DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM
AMHERST TWP. — One Lorain County commissioner has brought up the possibility of selling Golden Acres, the county-owned former retirement home. Commissioner David Moore said he and County Administrator Tom Williams walked through the former retirement home at 45999 North Ridge Road in Amherst Township, which has been owned by the county since before it closed in 2015. "We need to liquidate the building," Moore told his fellow commissioners in remarks at the commission's Jan. 27 meeting.
Among the items stored in the decadesold sandstone building are multiple hospital beds from its previous life. "Somewhere people probably need them," Moore said. The building's roof recently was replaced but the interior is "pretty rough," he said. Commissioners previously said the roof repairs were necessary to keep water from getting inside and further damaging the building. Moore also questioned why the county was paying $2,100 per month for phone service at the building, and was seeking more information on that issue as of the Jan. 27 meeting. GOLDEN ACRES PAGE B2
AMHERST — The political landscape is certain to change as a result of Amherst City Council race filings last week, even if no candidates will appear on the May 4 ballot. A look at filings made before the Feb. 3 deadline shows the two big parties are strategically running their candidates in a way that results in no primary contests. At least two familiar Council members will bow out. Republicans Phil Van Treuren (atlarge) and Matt Nahorn (Ward 4) are not seeking re-election. "I'll be moving on. I Matt Nahorn don't have anything negative to say, just a very positive experience," said Nahorn, who has served two terms. He said he is leaving public office for the private sector, though he would not disclose details about his plans. Nahorn said he will miss constituents he grew to know through doorto-door canvassing, and is thankful to Amherst Republican Party Chair Phil Van Treuren and City Council President Jennifer Wasilk for guidance since he first ran in 2017. He also said he is proud of how Amherst Republicans and Democrats have set aside partisanship to vote unanimously on nearly all legislation in recent years. Nahorn's seat will go up for grabs in the fall. Democrat Stephanie Smith Pinskey and Republican Deborah LeSuer Chuck Winiarski both want the job. Van Treuren did not return calls for comment. Meanwhile, former Councilman Chuck Winiarski (R) is seeking to return to Amherst political office, looking COUNCIL RACES PAGE B2 1960-2021
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Audubon seeks board members The Black River Audubon Society, serving the Lorain County area, is seeking passionate and energetic board members to help protect wildlife and their habitats through science, education, advocacy and conservation. Its board provides nature speakers, conservation programming, wildlife field trips and other opportunities to the community. The Society is seeking prospective leadership with previous nonprofit or board experience, fundraising, event planning, strong community connections and a passion for birds and conservation. If interested, contact blackriveraudubon@gmail.com or text 440-610-8626 for a Black River Audubon Society Board Member Application.
Jones retires after 30 years
Doug Jones has retired from his post as the city of Amherst’s wastewater collections foreman, effective Jan. 29. He started working for the city in 1990. Mayor Mark Costilow told City Council last week that after going through the civil service process and interviews, Dustin Voros has been promoted to the position.
SCHOOLS
FROM B1 add on to McCormick Middle School and make it a prekindergarten through 12th grade campus. For just $16.15 million, the district could convert McCormick to a PK-6 building, renovated WHS for grades 7-12 and tear down Westwood. Or for $17 million, McCormick could be used for grades 6-12, Westwood could handle everything else and WHS could be demolished. In each of those scenarios, Wellington taxpayers would still be left holding the majority of the bill. Stump said the task force should figure out whether any of Roka's routes are the right one. He said the board needs to "get some people who believe in the need, get them inside the high school, let them see what locker rooms look like, what science labs look like." Hiring a firm to do in-depth surveying about the public's views on levies and bond issues is also needed, said Murner. "We all know eventually our facilities need updated or we're going to have a situation where we'll need a major repair that will cut into the entirety of our rainy day fund," he said.
COUNCIL RACES
FROM B1 to win one of three open at-large seats. In late 2018, he announced he would not seek re-election to his Ward 3 seat and "take a couple of years off" to "reflect on where I'm at." "It was a great head-clearing experience," he said in an interview Thursday. "I always planned on coming back in two years." Winiarski said he has remained active in local politics behind the scenes and has a list of goals he'd like to accomplish if elected, but would not give specifics. Also in the hunt for Amherst at-large seats in November are Democratic incumbents Martin Heberling III and David Janik, and Republican Bradley Lacko, who made unsuccessful bids in 2017 and 2019. Barring a write-in contender, councilmen Brian Dembinski (D-Ward 1) and Jake Wachholz (D-Ward 3) both have locks on another term, with no opponents filing. Republican Ed Cowger will face a fall challenge from Democrat Becky Harmych for the Ward 2 seat. Wasilk has filed to seek another term as City Council president, with no opposition. Republicans Derek Pittak and Richard Ramsay are also unopposed to keep their jobs as city auditor and treasurer, respectively.
CRASH
FROM B1 parked at the scene causing one Vermilion Fire Officer to be taken to the hospital," Forthofer wrote. The injured firefighter was released from the hospital early Saturday, he wrote. The highway patrol reported the firefighter suffered minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol's Elyria post. In a news release announcing the crash, troopers also reminded motorists "to move over or slow down when approaching emergency response vehicles and roadside workers." Amherst police and firefighters, Vermilion firefighters, LifeCare, the Ohio Department of Transportation, Elyria Towing and Dunlap's Garage assisted at the scene, the Highway Patrol said.
GOLDEN ACRES
FROM B1 "After I walked (through) I am open to any positive ideas for the building," Moore said in an email Friday. The county at one time had planned to put Recovery One, a one-stop substance-abuse recovery center, in the former nursing home. Those hopes were dashed in November 2018 when voters rejected a 0.3-mill levy that would have raised $2 million annually to run the center as Lorain County dealt with the opioid epidemic. Recovery One was supported by the Nord Family Foundation, The LCADA Way, the then-separate Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County and the Lorain County Board of Mental Health, along with Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services and Road to Hope. At the time, commissioners said they would revisit the project with hopes of getting federal and state funding for Lorain County to pull it off. The approximately 22-acre property's value is appraised at $1.53 million, according to the Lorain County Auditor's Office. The county took it over in 2013.
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
Lorain County Community Guide
Oberlin police: South Park shooting now being investigated as homicide JASON HAWK and DYLAN REYNOLDS
OBERLIN — A Jan. 31 shooting on South Park Street is now being investigated as a homicide, after the victim died of his injuries. Tray Porter, 21, of Olmsted Falls, was shot in the upper thigh. Oberlin police Lt. Mike McCloskey said the bullet went all the way through and severed Porter's femoral artery, which is one of the largest blood vessels in the body. When police arrived, Porter was lying on the ground and still able to
move slightly. Officers performed first aid. He was then taken to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland for treatment, and Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office records show Porter died at the hospital Feb. 2. McCloskey said the investigation is progressing. He said there are persons of interest, but for now they are not being named. No charges have been filed. "There's a lot of evidence that has been submitted to the lab for processing," McCloskey said. However, the crime scene was a difficult one to process. It extended
from inside a South Park Street house to the driveway and a suspect vehicle, he said. Weather conditions didn't help, since quickly-falling snow covered footprints and other evidence. Police did find a semi-automatic handgun in the snowy driveway and spots of blood that could not immediately be identified as being from the victim or the suspects. A witness told police that two suspects had gone to the house to smoke with Porter, but a confrontation began when the suspects shouted for him to “get down on the ground” inside the residence.
Plum Creek trail near Civil War general statue will get upgraded JASON HAWK EDITOR
OBERLIN — A piece of land has been donated by Oberlin College to help the city improve its trails around Plum Creek. Planning Commission members agreed last week to subdivide three parcels between Wright Memorial Park and Professor Street. A tiny portion will be kept and maintained by the college. It is home to a statue honoring Civil War Gen. Giles Shurtleff, who lived from 1831 to 1904. A theology student at Oberlin when the war began, Shurtleff helped form the 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry's Company C, made up of Oberlin students, serving as its captain. He later commanded the 5th U.S. Colored Infantry, the first Black regiment from Ohio. He fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862, and was severely wounded in a charge on New Market in 1864. Shurtleff rose through the ranks to brevet brigadier general. Brevet ranks
Bruce Bishop | Chronicle
The Gen. Giles Shurtleff statue on South Professor Street in Oberlin.
denote gallantry on the field of battle. After the war, he taught Greek and Latin at Oberlin College. Oberlin Public Works Director Jeff Baumann said he's been working for
years to hammer out a plan and grant funding to upgrade paths that wind past the statue, through the woods and over Plum Creek. "We are particularly interested in trails that improve connectivity between neighborhoods," he said — in this case, the southwest part of town and the central business district. "Nothing has been done to it for quite a few years. It's in pretty bad condition. So we want to improve that pedestrian connection," said city Planning Director Carrie Handy. She said the land will help the city develop its recreational greenway along the water. Design work has not yet been done, but Baumann envisions widening an existing asphalt path, fixing where it is "pretty seriously degraded," installing lighting and likely replacing a foot bridge over the creek. The total cost is $106,100. Baumann said he is applying for $16,000 in assistance from Oberlin College's Green EDGE Fund. The goal is to do the work this summer, he said, though with a full slate of projects it may be pushed to 2022.
Oberlin Council favors rolling back old, heavy-handed food truck rules JASON HAWK EDITOR
OBERLIN — Tight restrictions on food trucks could be eased as City Council looks for ways to get customers back into Oberlin. Other cities have found ways to make wheeled taco stands, barbecue joints and burger bars work, said Sylvan Long of the city's Community Improvement Corporation. Oberlin limited its own success by passing heavyhanded rules in 2017. After long months of debate, it allowed food trucks to set up shop at special events or under limited conditions on private property. Some local food trucks do exist, Long said — Steel Magnolia is one success story — but there are "not a whole lot when you compare it to other cities." The CIC asked Council last week to rework it rules by creating "food truck zones" where vendors can
operate on a regular basis. "If you can only operate at special events, it's not really a viable business," Long said. Potential spots include North Main Street along Tappan Square, a parking lot between City Hall and Martin Luther King Jr. Park as well as the George Abram Pavilion on South Main Street. Those areas have been vetted for safety, aren't directly in front of brickand-mortar restaurants and have proper setbacks, Long said. The plan calls for detailed rules about hours of operation and how large vehicles can be. City Council members voiced majority support, seeing it as a way to kickstart food tourism. "It still seems like we're trying everything we can to stop food trucks from coming to town," said Councilman Kelley Singleton — Oberlin needs to be "more food truck friendly" to win visitors, he said.
Sylvan Long Long agreed. He said the CIC looked at Athens and Columbus as models for how food trucks should be regulated, and saw them help the cities' economies. "I really believe that food trucks bring more people, and making Oberlin more of a destination than it already is will really help all of our businesses," he said. Long also argued that food trucks, with lower start-up costs, are a way to level the playing field for minority business owners. It's important for nonwhite entrepreneurs to
get a leg up, he said, and Oberlin should think about equity and inclusion in economic development decisions. That brought agreement from Councilman Ray English: "I think we as a community need to look carefully and consistently for ways to overcome the racial wealth gap that exists in our community," he said. Others, like Councilwoman Mary Price, said food trucks have a practical purpose that went unrealized until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said their presence in town was missed when sitdown dining was closed statewide in the spring. If Council acts quickly, food trucks could be a good selling point for Oberlin when the pandemic is over, Singleton said. By unanimous vote, the CIC plan was referred to the city's Planning and Development Department for ordinance revisions to be drafted.
Carney takes pastorate at Amherst United Methodist The Rev. Joseph Carney was welcomed as the new pastor of Amherst United Methodist Church on Jan. 1. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Carney spent 18 months in Vietnam serving as a physician’s assistant and medic, sustaining a severe eye injury. He earned a master’s degree in biomedical engineering, and designed many technical projects, such as a study to temporarily replace the human lung during surgeries. He moved to Ohio in 1988.
Carney is an avid singer and has performed with the Philadelphia City Choir, accompanied by the Philadelphia PhilharmonJoseph Carney ic Orchestra. He has been a member of the Elyria Cascade
Chordsmen Chorus and plays the sousaphone and piano. He also has a pilot’s license and a black belt in taekwondo. With full-time retirement, Carney was called to the ministry. He serves both Amherst United Methodist Church and Lorain Faith UMC. Amherst UMC, located at 396 Park Ave., has in-church services at 11 a.m. each Sunday. You can also listen to sermons live by calling (440) 462-2193.
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
Lorain County Community Guide
Villarreal named Kendal board chair Joan Villarreal has been named the new chair of the Kendal at Oberlin board of directors. Board leadership changes every two years. Liz Burgess, owner of Ginko Gallery and Studio in Oberlin, stepped down as chair in December but remains on the board. Villarreal, of Elyria, retired as senior vice president after more than 30 years at Lorain National Bank.
“I was so proud when I was asked to lead the (Kendal) board," she said. "I am especially thankful to past chair Liz Burgess, Kendal resident Ruth Ann Clark and CEO Barbara Thomas for their encouragement and coaching." Other new members of the 2021 board are Gary Olin, Andrea Derstine, Andrea Kryszak, Betsy Manderen, Liz Schultz and Tracy Sutherland.
Joan Villarreal
"China in the Modern World" will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17 in a live, virtual program through the Amherst Public Library. Researcher Jim Levey will talk about the future of U.S.-China relations in light of ongoing conflicts in human rights, trade, military, soft power and other issues. The program will take place via Zoom. Registration with an email address is required to get the link. Visit www.amherstpubliclibrary.org or call (440) 988-4230.
POLICE REPORTS • Jan. 17 at 7:44 p.m.: A Westchester Drive man filed a harassment complaint against his ex-girlfriend over unwanted text massages. • Jan. 18 at 2:47 a.m.: Jacob Young, 32, of Lorain, was served with a warrant for failure to appear in court. The original charges were theft, obstructing official business, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. • Jan. 19 at 12:43 a.m.: Officers responded to a domestic dispute at Motel 6 on Route 58. • Jan. 20 at 12:07 a.m.: A 17-year-old boy walking on the side of the road was charged with unruliness and curfew violation. • Jan. 20 at 3:38 a.m.: Police responded to Days Inn on Route 58 for an unresponsive male, possibly due to a drug overdose. He was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital. • Jan. 20 at 9:12 a.m.: A fraud complaint was filed involving unemployment paperwork submitted to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. It used an Amherst woman's personal information. • Jan. 20 at 9:33 a.m.: A theft was reported at Speedway on Route 58. • Jan. 20 at 11 a.m.: A 15-year-old at Steele High School was charged with illegal possession of an electronic cigarette. • Jan. 20 at 1:40 p.m.: A woman said her underage daughter was receiving naked male photos via Snapchat. • Jan. 20 at 1:44 p.m.: Kenneth Peete Jr., 38, of Cleveland, was arrested on a warrant through the Amherst Police Department for failure to appear in court. The original charges were driving under suspension, fictitious plates and display of plates. • Jan. 20 at 8:38 p.m.: Johnathan Thompson, 42, of Elyria, was charged with three counts of theft following a complaint at Speedway on Route 58. • Jan. 20 at 8:43 p.m.: A 17-year-old Amherst girl was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, reckless operation and underage consumption. She allegedly struck a mailbox in the area of North Ridge and Dewey roads and left the scene. • Jan. 22 at 10:53 a.m.: An Amherst woman said she was scammed out of $10,000. The money was sent to an address in Maryland, and police there confirmed there were victims from all over the United States who had fallen for the same racket. • Jan. 22 at 3:40 p.m.: Officers responded to a woman experiencing mental health distress at Days Inn on Route 58. • Jan. 22 at 10:20 p.m.: Police responded to a domestic dispute on Milan Avenue. • Jan. 24 at 12:18 a.m.: A 42-yearold homeless man was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital for a mental health evaluation. • Jan. 25 at 2:40 p.m.: A woman at Steele High School said a child exposed his private parts to her. • Jan. 26 at 11:26 a.m.: An Amherst man said an unemployment claim had been fraudulently filed using his private information. • Jan. 26 at 12:37 p.m.: Officers responded to South Lake Street, where they determined a 68-year-old man died of natural causes. • Jan. 26 at 1:40 p.m.: A 15-year-old Steele High School student was charged with illegal possession of an electronic cigarette. • Jan. 26 at 2:14 p.m.: A man said his mail included unemployment paperwork that he had never filed for. • Jan. 26 at 2:37 p.m.: Police responded to a custody dispute. • Jan. 27 at 4:36 p.m.: Police responded to Target on Oak Point Road following a road rage incident. • Jan. 27 at 8:39 p.m.: A 17-year-old
Amato named Oberlin Rotary Senior of January The Oberlin Rotary Club honors a high school senior each month during the school year. These young people are recognized for character and positive attitudes. The Oberlin Rotary Club will donate $25 to a charity or project of the student’s choosing in their name.
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Vermilion boy was charged with traffic violations, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of tobacco products. • Jan. 28, time undisclosed by police: Linda Bowyer-Zelenak, 45, of Lorain, was charged with criminal trespass, resisting arrest and criminal damaging. The charges followed a police response at Motel 6 on Route 58. • Jan. 28 at 8:53 p.m.: A credit card fraud complaint was filed about purchases in 2019. • Jan. 28 at 9:30 p.m.: Officers responded to a possible psychiatric situation on Cleveland Avenue. • Jan. 29 at 12:45 a.m.: A man at Motel 6 on Route 58 asked to be taken to the hospital because of a mental health issue. • Jan. 29 at 11:36 a.m.: A South Lake Street man said someone tried to open a bank account for unemployment benefits in his name. • Jan. 29 at 12:31 p.m.: A manager at Days Inn on Route 58 said a television was stolen from a room. • Jan. 29 at 12:50 p.m.: An Amherst man said he received paperwork in the mail from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services regarding unemployment benefits requested by someone using his information. • Jan. 30 at 11:24 a.m.: Daniel Rosemark, 33, of Lorain, was charged with disorderly conduct. A police report said he was approaching vehicles at Pure Gas on Cooper Foster Park Road and asking for money.
OBERLIN
• Jan. 22 at 3:35 p.m.: Officers responded to a domestic dispute at Walmart, where a vehicle was blocking the roadway. • Jan. 25 at 7:40 a.m.: Alyssa Henderson, 20, of Oberlin, was charged with domestic violence. • Jan. 26 at 3:38 p.m.: Marcella Dvorscak, 44, of Oberlin, was charged with petty theft. She is accused of stealing cash from the register at Walmart, where she had been employed. • Jan. 27 at 3:57 p.m.: Someone in California filed a fraudulent insurance claim in an Oberlin man's name, alleging they were involved in an August car crash. • Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m.: A man said someone tried to file a fraudulent unemployment claim in his name. • Jan. 29 at 7:11 a.m.: A man was found dead on Morgan Street after an apparent overdose. • Jan. 29 at 6:40 p.m.: An Amazon package was reported stolen from outside an East Lorain Street residence. • Feb. 2 at 3:27 p.m.: Tyler Glime, 25, of Oberlin, was charged with theft of a firearm and ammunition and carrying a concealed weapon.
WELLINGTON
• Jan. 16 at 11:21 p.m.: A Cleveland man was given a warning for equipment violations and possession of marijuana during a traffic stop. • Jan. 17 at 11:27 a.m.: An unlocked vehicle on Prospect Street was entered. Cigarettes and a buck knife were reported stolen. • Jan. 21 at 4:58 p.m.: A 13-year-old girl described by police as unruly was taken to the Turning Point Facility. • Jan. 23 at 10:38 p.m.: James Schaffer, 30, of Wellington, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, bloodalcohol content of 0.17 percent or higher and failure to control a vehicle. • Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.: An 84-year-old man who retired in 1997 said someone fraudulently claimed unemployment benefits of $9,435 in his name. Editor's note: Though charged, defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
SARAH COLSON OBERLIN HIGH SCHOOL
The Oberlin High School senior honored for the month of January is Casey Amato. She has loved playing sports all her life and has won many awards in varsity volleyball, basketball and softball. Amato won a middle school championship with her volleyball team, which made her want to continue playing in high school and pushed her to keep improving as a player. She earned her varsity jacket at the beginning of junior year and has earned varsity letters, honorable mentions and scholar athlete awards throughout high school. She's also won coach’s awards and most valuable player in all her sports. Amato was elected vice president of her junior class. In this position, she ran concession stands at home basketball games and organized several fundraisers, such as selling flowers for Valentine’s Day. All the proceeds were to go toward the prom, which was canceled due to the pandemic. Amato was re-elected as vice president for her senior year, and is hopeful that traditional OHS senior events, including the prom, will be able to go ahead this year. Amato has participated in the Jobs for Ohio Graduates program at OHS both junior and senior years. Last year she participated in the Youth Career Olympics and won first place in the mock interview competition. This made her eligible for a $1,000 raffle, which she also won. Amato said she was in shock to win and very grateful to put this prize money toward
college tuition. She is working hard to win in another category this year. During the pandemic, she has stepped up to help care for her grandpa, who lives with her family. She has Casey Amato enjoyed the extra time spent with him playing cards, working on puzzles and getting in their steps on their Fitbits. To stay in shape for sports, she has been spending time at the gym, which has had physical and mental benefits. She said the time in the gym makes her feel better about herself and “takes all the negativity away.” Believing in service, Amato has been a member of the Interact Club, the community service club of Oberlin High School, sponsored by the Oberlin Rotary Club. Amato said she especially enjoyed her time with the BackPack program, packing weekend food for elementary school children. She says she loved doing it because she knew it would make the recipients happy. Amato also enjoyed making and selling candy for a club fundraiser. Amato is exploring several career possibilities. She loves design, color and creating spaces, which may lead to interior design. Since she was very young, because of her love of animals, she has considered studying veterinary medicine. Her mom and sister are hair stylists and she has always been attracted to their work. She loves experimenting with makeup and beauty and has experienced the satisfaction of making others happy using these skills. Amato has received a $10,000 scholarship from Lorain County Community College and is busy applying for additional scholarships.
Black History Month proclamation passed by Oberlin City Council Whereas, in 1915 Dr. Carter G. Woodson of Virginia justly earned his reputation as “the Father of Black History for his role in forming the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (formerly known as ASALH), an organization whose mission it is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community; and Whereas, while this organization believes that Black history like American history, should be studied 365 days a year, it continues to observe February as the critical month for pursuing this mission; and Whereas, the association’s theme for Black History Month 2021 is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity”; and Whereas, the Black family has been a topic of study in many disciplines such as history, literature, the visual arts and film studies, sociology, anthropology and social policy. Its representation, identity and diversity have been reverenced, stereotyped, and vilified from the period of enslavement to our own time; and Whereas, since family reunions and genetic ancestry searches testify to the spread of family members across states, nations, and continents, the Black family knows no single location. Not only are individual Black families diasporic, but Africa and the diaspora itself have been long portrayed as the Black family writ large; and Whereas, while the role of the Black family has been described by some as a microcosm of the entire race, its complexity as the “foundation” of African-American
life and history can be seen in numerous debates over how to represent its meaning and typicality from a historical perspective-as slave or free, as patriarchal or matriarchal, as single-headed or dual-headed household, as extended or nuclear, as fictive kin or blood lineage, as legal or common law and as Black or interracial; and Whereas, variation appears as well in discussions on the nature and impact of religion, parenting, childhood, marriage, gender norms, sexuality and incarceration; and Whereas, the Black family offers a rich tapestry of images for exploring the African-American past and present; its elements can be found intricately woven into the fabric of mainstream culture in the United States. Now, therefore, I, Linda Slocum, mayor of the city of Oberlin, Ohio, on behalf of Oberlin City Council, proclaim the month of February 2021 as Black History Month and urge all citizens of Oberlin to participate in the appropriate programs and activities of our schools, churches, public library and other organizations that recognize and honor the significant contributions Americans of African heritage have made to Oberlin, both city and college, to the state of Ohio, to the nation, and throughout the world. In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and caused the great seal of the city of Oberlin, Ohio, to be affixed hereto this 1st day of February, 2021. Linda Slocum, Mayor and President of Council
85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 FEBRUARY 11, 2021 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live FEBRUARY 15, 2021 .....OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENT’S DAY FEBRUARY 16, 2021 .....REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 7:00 P.M. FEBRUARY 17, 2021 .....COMMUNIY ORGANIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE – 11:00 A.M. FEBRUARY 18, 2021 .....ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS – 4:00 P.M. 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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Lorain County Community Guide
SPORTS
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
Send sports news to news@lcnewspapers.com. Deadline for all submissions is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. Printed as space is available.
TWIN PINS FOR SENIOR STARS
First SWC title for Comets girls bowling team The Comets girls won their first-ever Southwestern Conference championship on Sunday in tournament play at Buckeye Lanes. Amherst finished with 3,852 points, far outpacing second place Berea-Midpark's 3,446 total. Avon Lake was third with 3,083, followed by Westlake (3,068), Olmsted Falls (2,957), North Olmsted (2,839), North Ridgeville (2,544) and Midview (803). Makayla Velasquez anchored the Comets team with a 682 series (214, 254, 214) for first place. Sabrina Stawicki had a strong 614 series (232, 211, 172) to finish second in individual scoring. Also pumping up Amherst's team score were Hannah Aschenbach with a 547 series (186, 189, 172), Allison Taylor with a 487 (159, 168, 160) and Amanda McElheny with a 399 (133, 134, 132).
GOOD, SOLID PLAY
Photos by Joe Colon | Amherst News-Times
ABOVE: Lavell Gibson looks to pin his opponent, Michael Reddick from Luthern West. Both he and teammate Noah Mendez — both seniors — won by pin on Senior Night, while Amherst won as a team. RIGHT: Noah Mendez gets the double leg takedown against Lutheran West’s Joey Finnegan in the 126-pound class.
Gibson signs with Notre Dame College football Amherst senior Lavell Gibson signed a national letter of intent Feb. 3 to continue his football career at Notre Dame College, an NCAA Division II school in the Mountain East Conference. Gibson was a two-sport star at Amherst Steele High School, making his name on the Comets football and wrestling teams. On the football field, he
was named 3rd Team AllOhio as a senior. He was 1st Team All-Southwestern Conference twice, 1st Team All-Lorain County two times, and 1st Team All-Northeast Ohio. Gibson was a captain as both a junior and senior. He was selected by his teammates as the Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year after his senior
season. He has 121 career tackles, with 90 solo tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks. As a wrestler, Gibson has been a Southwestern Conference champion, sectional champion and a district qualifier. He has also won championships at the Avon Lake and Bellevue tournaments. Gibson has earned six varsity letters.
Lavell Gibson
DUKES TOP CARDINALS Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise
It wasn't a blowout, but it didn't have to be. A well-rounded Wellington bench picked up a 51-42 win over the Cardinals in Lorain County League play on Feb. 2. After going into the locker room tied 19-19 at the half, the Dukes went 14-7 in the third quarter and kept ahead of the Brookside pace in the final period. Sean Whitehouse had 13 points and Cole Standen put up 12, mostly on foul shots. Jay Roberts added 11 to the Wellington tally. For the Cardinals, Jake Barnhart and Avery Young each contributed 13 points. ABOVE: Wellington's Jay Roberts collects a rebound at Brookside. BELOW: Wellington's Wyatt Sasack gets to the basket.
Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise
Karlie Frenk scored 11 points to lead the Dukes to a 42-38 win over the Cardinals in Lorain County League action Saturday. Shyann Shinsky had 14 for Brookside. LEFT: Frenk gets points in the paint. ABOVE: Wellington’s Amanda Spiekerman drives to the basket. BELOW: Wellington's Tori Paramore and Brookside's Savanah Walls chase after a loose ball.
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
Lorain County Community Guide
TURNOVERS WIN THE DAY
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RAIDERS BY 20
Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise
Photos by Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune
Outstanding defense allowed the Phoenix to control the flow against Clearview from start to finish on Feb. 2, resulting in an 88-47 win. Oberlin forced 30 turnovers in the Lorain County League game, which allowed Trajen Chambers to stack up 27 points and Isaac Thompson to shoot for 20 more. Ty Locklear upped the Phoenix total with 14. The Clippers' Samuel Clark held the line and found 16 points, but was largely on an offensive island with teammate B'ohn Smith-Belcher, who scored 10. Oberlin ran up a 48-19 first half and, while Clearview started to regain composure in the third quarter, a 16-9 final run erased any doubts about the outcome. ABOVE: Isaac Thompson looks for a quick put-back bucket after corralling an offensive rebound.
UNSTOPPABLE TRIO
After back-to-back losses to Keystone, Columbia rebounded Saturday with a Lorain County League win over Wellington, 83-63. Raiders guard Brandon Fisher led the way with 20 points, while the Dukes were led by Jacob Weegman with 14 and Cole Standen with 13. Wellington struggled to land shots, with a 37 percent field goal rating, and went 7 for 16 at the free throw line. ABOVE: The Dukes’ Drew Unangst blocks the shot of Columbia's Brandon Fisher. BELOW: Riley Reyna slides past Columbia’s Brandon Fisher on his way to the basket.
Photos by Russ Gifford | Amherst News-Times
Abbey Schmitz, Madison Sutton and Megan Sutton seem to be an unstoppable trio. They gave the Falcons wings in a 53-43 win over Columbia on Feb. 4, with 15, 14 and 12 points, respectively. The Firelands arsenal also includes Lauren Valerius, who put up 10 more points. The Raiders are no slouches, with their own bench of offensive stars. Allyson Ross led all scorers with 16 points, and Averey Lavinde and Elise Champagne each put up 10. ABOVE: Firelands' Madison Sutton gets points in the paint. ABOVE RIGHT: Abbey Schmitz gets the basket over Columbia's Elise Champagne. RIGHT: Megan Sutton steals the ball from Columbia's Mallory Hottell.
COMETS BRIEFS
FIFTH GRADE CHAMPIONS
Boys Basketball • Amherst will open to the OHSAA postseason by hosting Wadsworth at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27. • Holding Berea-Midpark to single digits in each of the first two quarters, Amherst shot ahead to a 65-45 victory on Feb. 5. George Fayer had a 17-point night, Austin Bray put up 15 and George Gotsis contributed 12 more. Ice Hockey • Nick Ciura opened the scoring in the first period, and it looked like blue skies for Amherst. Rocky River had other plans, mounting a wear-and-tear campaign that shut the Comets out of late-game scoring and sealed a 5-4 defeat. Ciura ended with a hat trick, and Nate Harmych contributed a goal of his own. But goalie Brady Grove was snowed under by 47 shots from the Pirates forwards. Haiden Weaver, Ian Opdycke, Danny Asmar and Alex Parnell all hammered away until they found openings. Rocky River goalie Chris Cogan had an easier day, with 13 shots and nine saves.
Provided photo
The fifth grade Amherst Comets finished the season as league champions. In their last 15 games, they went on a 14-1 run. They ended the season with a 43-41 thriller over a previously-undefeated Fairview team. Pictured are (front) Sam Tollett, Wes Leibolt, Chris Foisy, Christian Vorhees, Zaiden Rosario (back) coaches Jeremy Leibolt and Tommy Tollett, Zach Diedrick, Teagan Debronsky, Ben Dotson, Evan Swiers, Jack Coleman and coach Ryan Coleman.
Boys Bowling • Amherst placed second at the Southwestern Conference championship tournament Sunday, behind BereaMidpark. Antonio Rodriguez led the Comets with a 644 series (204, 187, 244). Logan Stewart followed with a 583 (200, 187, 197). Other Comets scorers were Chandan Weisnsier with 537 (180, 190, 167), JP Gregory with 515 (207, 167, 141), Zach Zakrajsek with 357 (217, 140) and Thomas Heider with 181.
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Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021
Lorain County Community Guide
© 2021 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 37, No. 11
Most of the clouds you see fall into one of three groups.
Make some clouds with newspaper!
Cirrus clouds are high clouds. They look like thin, wispy streamers. Cirrus clouds are usually white and predict fair to pleasant weather. Cumulus clouds are the puffy white clouds that look like floating cotton balls. They usually mean good weather is coming. But if the cumulus cloud starts to get taller and taller, they can become thunderstorm clouds.
Stratus clouds are grayish clouds that often cover the entire sky like a big blanket. They make for dark, sometimes drizzly weather.
Here are three facts about clouds and one statement that is NOT true. Use a red crayon to cross out the false statement. Look outside today to find shapes in the clouds!
What do you see in these clouds?
Rain, sleet, snow and hail falling from clouds is called precipitation.
If you move slowly and carefully, you can sit on a cloud.
How many clouds can you find on this page?
Fly high to discover if this statement is true or false: FOG IS A CLOUD.
Then cut out shapes to make the different kinds of clouds. Make two matching shapes for each kind of cloud. Staple the matching shapes together.
Leave a space to stuff some crumpled newspaper inside then staple the cloud closed.
F
Lupé DeLoops is flying her plane through this big cloud. The letters along the correct path will reveal if the above statement about fog is true or false. U Don’t get dizzy!
Clouds form when water evaporates into the sky and condenses high up in the cooler air.
Paint some pages of the newspaper white and let them dry.
A cloud is a large group of water droplets that we can see in the air. E
S T
R
S
A T
L E
CLOUD COMPUTING: Have you heard about cloud computing? Or have you ever stored a photo or a file in “the cloud”? The cloud is a name that has been given to large warehouses full of computers that connect to the internet. When you need computer space or apps, you can get those by plugging into the internet which will connect you with the computing cloud.
The sum of every row, column and diagonal must be the same.
8 1
9 7
PLEASANT COMPUTER CUMULUS PREDICT WEATHER STRATUS CLOUDS CIRRUS WISPY PUFFY SLEET HAIL SNOW SKY FOG
Weather News
Look through the newspaper for your local weather forecast. Based on the forecast, what clothes will you need to wear outside this coming week? Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate information.
Hang your cloud from the ceiling. What kind of cloud did you make?
Children are born curious. From their earliest days, sensory exploration brings delight and wonder. New discoveries expand their minds. When they unlock the joy of reading, their world widens further. Magic happens. Kid Scoop opens the doors of discovery for elementary school children by providing interactive, engaging and relevant age-appropriate materials designed to awaken the magic of reading at school, at home, and throughout their lives. For more information about our literacy non-profit, visit kidscoopnews.org
P I S T R A T U S R
C T R E H T A E W E
U P R E D I C T I T
C L U R E U L W S U T I I F M G O F P P
E A R U F N U N Y M E H L R S Y D T H O L U E S U K S K Y C S Y T N A S A E L P
Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.
This week’s word:
PREDICT
The verb predict means to guess or estimate something that may happen in the future. The dark clouds helped us predict that it would rain the afternoon of our family picnic. Try to use the word predict in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.
Environment Quiz
Look through the newspaper for articles about the environment and weather. Create a 10-question quiz from these articles to test other students’ knowledge of these issues. ANSWER: Thunderwear!
Standards Link: Writing Applications: Students write phrases that describe concepts.
If you were a bird, what kind of bird would you be? Why?