Lorain County Community Guide - Feb. 27, 2020

COMMUNITY GUIDE

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LORAIN COUNTY

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

www.lcnewspapers.com

Volume 7, Issue 9

HELPING KIDS IN NEED

BULLETIN BOARD Thursday, Feb. 27 • AMHERST: The annual luncheon meeting for the Friends of Amherst Public Library will be held at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at the Nordson Depot, 671 Franklin Ave. Reservations are a must and can be made by calling Judy at 440-823-2823. Members will be updated on the upcoming bond issue for the addition to the library and the current building as well as news and events for the year. The deadline for the reservations is Saturday, Feb. 22.

For more information, call the Library at 440-9884230.

• WELLINGTON: “Weight Management for Healthy Living” will be presented at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the LCCC Wellington Center, 151 Commerce Way. This session on metabolic syndrome will feature dietician Libby Showalter, who will speak on how to reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke. Deb Lansman of Lansman Shape Shop will lead a discussion on mindfulness as it relates to eating, and will demonstrate breathing and posture exercises.

The event is sponsored by the LCCC Wellington Center and THRIVE! Southern Lorain County.

Friday, Feb. 28 • PITTSFIELD TWP.: A fish fry dinner will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 at Pittsfield Community Church, routes 58 and 303.

The cost is $12 for adults, $8 for kids ages seven to 12 and free for children ages six and under. All are invited for food and fellowship.

• OBERLIN: Russian Renaissance will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28 at Finney Chapel, 90 North Professor St. The group modernizes the sound of traditional folk instruments, creating a fusion of styles and exploring techniques and genres in ways that often land well outside the bounds of the expected. The same is true of their expanded repertoire, which includes the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Francois Couperin, Sergei Prokofiev, Richard Galliano, Egberto Gismonti, and others.

Tickets are $35 for the public; $30 for seniors, military and Oberlin College staff, faculty and alumni; and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased on the Oberlin Conservatory of Music’s website.

• ELYRIA: A free federal financial aid information session will be held from 1-4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 in the Bass Library Community Resource Center at Lorain County Community College, 1005 North Abbe Rd. Students should take a Federal Student Aid ID (username and password to log in to www.fsaid.ed.gov), BULLETIN BOARD PAGE A3

U.S. Postal Service Use Only

Classifieds, legals, display advertising, and subscriptions Deadline: 1 p.m. each Monday Phone: 440-329-7000 Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday News staff Jason Hawk news@lcnewspapers.com Phone: 440-329-7122 Submit news to news@lcnewspapers.com Deadline: 10 a.m. Tuesday Send obituaries to obits@chroniclet.com Send legal notices to jyoder@chroniclet.com Copyright 2020 Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company

Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise

Steve Neff and Jenny Artnz meet at Wellington Music on West Herrick Avenue to talk about a luggage and backpack drive to help residents displaced due to crime.

Suitcases for the displaced

JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — During his career in law enforcement, Steve Neff saw kids removed from homes because of crimes they didn't commit.

It often happened because of parents battling drug addiction — a problem that hasn't disappeared.

In Lorain Couty, about 120 people are displaced every year. And in neighboring Ashland County, the issue affected about 40 each year — until 2019, when the number shot up to 227, according to Neff.

They're not just kids.

He said Medina County officials have talked about people with disabilities, and older residents in Adult Protective Services.

With nowhere else to go, they have to collect what few belongings they can carry.

Neff, who owns Wellington Music and is a member of the Main Street Wellington board, runs a nonprofit called Safety Service Fundraising. "There appears to be a strong need for something for the children who are being displaced to put their personal posses-

sions in," he said Friday.

"We're here to give them something."

That's where Leadership Lorain County has stepped in to help.

This year's class is organizing a suitcase and backpack drive that will run from April 1-21.

The luggage will go to police and sheriff's deputies, and will end up with SUITCASES PAGE A2

Reservoirs could become wetlands JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Plans to drain at least one of the Morgan Street reservoirs to make way for wetlands stirred interest last Tuesday during a City Council forum.

The Ohio Department of Natural Affairs is demanding about $450,000 worth of repairs at the site on the city's west side.

The agency's eye was drawn in April 2018, due to a mysterious drop in the water level.

In a report to Council Environmental Design Group project manager Julie Lawson said bringing the reservoirs into state compliance would mean losing half the trees and brush on the property.

Only well-cut grass would be allowed along its banks, she said.

Walking trails would have to be removed.

The ODNR typically gives about five years to address issues with dams. For several of the repairs needed, that window has closed, said Lawson.

Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

Geese gather on the rim of the eastern reservoir on Morgan Street.

Her firm was hired last year to explore what can be done to transform the reservoirs so they will no longer fall under state control.

The answer: They have to be drained significantly.

One option is to keep the eastern reservoir and replace the second with wetlands.

Some parts of the bank would have to be lowered about three feet, which would mean losing certain trees, Lawson said.

They could be replaced, though, and concept drawings show that would actually lead to a 26 percent increase in tree cover.

WETLANDS PAGE A2

INSIDE THIS WEEK Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Anger over proposed RV rules at City Council • B1

Protest erupts over college union worker layoffs • C1

Kiwanis Pancake Day is sweet-tasting tradition • D1

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A4 • CROSSWORD B4 • SUDOKU B4 • KID SCOOP C4

Page A2

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Mead sets sights on VA residency

Oberlin College recognized as top Fulbright producer

Amherst native Kaelyn Mead who graduated from Logan University with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree this fall, recently completed an eight-month preceptorship at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

At Walter Reed, she completed a rotation that included orthopedic surgery, radiology and physical medicine and rehabilitation Kaelyn Mead where she helped with patient intakes, patient exams, treatment plans and rendered treatments under supervising clinicians.

After serving there, Mead has her sights on a residency within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“My experience at Walter Reed affirmed my goals for a career in an integrated health care environment, such as the VA, DOD or a hospital.” Mead said. “I loved being a part of the conversation when it came to triaging patients and treating low back pain.”

As she advances her career, Mead looks forward to beginning several projects in conjunction with her alma mater Logan University in line with mentoring and educating Doctor of Chiropractic students.

For the 11th consecutive year, Oberlin College is included in the list of colleges and universities that produced the most Fulbright students from the United States.

Each year, the U.S.

Daylight Saving Time

Get ready to “spring” your clock forward. Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8. This is the dreaded change that steals an hour of sleep from your family — but it also signals the return of bright sunshine through the early evening hours.

Final vote on garden

Oberlin City Council has granted a three-year contract to Elyria-based nonprofit OUR Family to operate the Legion Field Garden on West Hamilton Street.

A final vote was cast Tuesday, Feb. 18, with unanimous support from Council members, leading to applause among residents.

The space will continue to be operated as a community garden, with most produce going to Oberlin Community Services to help people in need in southern Lorain County. Under the new OUR Family contract, a portion can be sold to support the organization's overhead costs.

OBERLIN COLLEGE COMMUNICATIONS

Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces the top producing institutions for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program.

The Chronicle of Higher Education publishes the list annually.

In the 2019-2020 aca-

Early voting for the spring primary election is underway at the Lorain County Board of Elections, 1985 North Ridge Rd., Lorain.

Regular office hours there are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Early voting hours are: • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through March 6.

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, March 7 and 14.

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 13.

• 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15.

• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, March 16.

On Election Day: The polls will open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. across Lorain County on Election Day, which is Tuesday, March 17.

OBITUARIES HELEN "WINDY" GRACE CONNONE (nee Wortman), 96, of Lake Placid, Florida, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Oberlin's Welcome Nursing Home in Ohio following a long and blessed life. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

PHILIP BOLTON DREW, 67, of Lorain, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at O'Neil Nursing facility following a lengthy illness. Arrangements are being handled by Hempel Funeral Home.

Fulbright scholars gain valuable, transformative professional experiences.

By living with host families, Fulbright scholars are immersed in the culture of the country they reside in during their grant year, making them not only cultural ambassadors, but ambassadors of Oberlin throughout the world.

SUITCASES

FROM A1 children in need.

"Most of the police departments I've spoken with want five or six on site," said Neff. "Anybody who needs these items, they're available locally."

Neff worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for 25 years, then went to the Department of Corrections, retiring from the Division of Parole and Community Services.

He said he witnessed situations in which children had to be removed from their homes, sometimes due to a parent's drug addition or because of molestation.

Now his son is a deputy in Ashland County and, and Neff said he's still seeing the cycle continue.

The good news is that heroin and fentanyl deaths seems to be coming down in Lorain County. The bad news is that methamphetamine and cocaine use is spiking, he said.

When children are removed from those situations because they no longer have an adult to rely on, Neff wants them to at least take a few possessions of their own. "As limited as it may be, at least they'll have something to put items in, to take what's theirs," he said.

Jenny Arntz works closely with Neff as the director of Main Street Wellington, and she is part of the Leadership Lorain County class that

started last May. The class has adopted the fundraiser, calling it LIFT, or "Giving Local Youth Luggage, Independence, and Faith to Travel Through Transitions with Dignity."

The program will serve Lorain, Ashland, Medina and Huron counties.

Arntz's class first set a goal of collecting 200 suitcases and backpacks.

About five minutes later, a classmate who works at Bettcher Industries in Birmingham had a commitment from the company for every single bag.

The new goal is 500 pieces of luggage.

"I just can't imagine, as a mother, having a kid who is victimized," said Arntz. "To think there are kids out there who have to leave their homes, and have nothing but trash bags to take their clothes and other belongings with them, is just tragic."

The need doesn't end with luggage.

Neff and company are simultaneously launching a drive for baby formula, bottles, onesies, and personal items for older children, such as deodorant and toothpaste.

Already, Sikora Family Dentistry of North Olmsted has provided hundreds of dental packs with toothbrushes and toothpaste. The family lives in southern Lorain County and is aware of the need, Neff said.

WETLANDS

Early voting open

demic year, nine Oberlin graduates received Fulbright awards to engage in international exchange and learning.

From English teaching assistantships in South Korea and Colombia to researching economic development in India and studying historical harp performance in Switzerland, Oberlin’s

FROM A1 The cost to go that route would be about $300,000.

Draining a reservoir would have to be done slowly — one foot every 10 days — to limit the possibility the thin strip of land separating the two bodies of water could collapse.

Soil boring at the site confirmed the bank there is not stable, said Lawson, but it could be reinforced.

Oberlin could choose to go even further, and replace both reservoirs with wetlands, Lawson said.

She suggested creating a second channel of Plum Creek across the property, she said.

The goal would be to populate the reservoir land with flowers, turtles and birds, and increase tree cover by about 35 percent.

With a price tag of roughly $550,000, the result would be poor for recreation but the best option for the environment, said Lawson.

Residents who spoke during the meeting overwhelmingly supported creating wetlands.

"I think it's time to consider what the future of the reservoirs is as a passive recreation site," said Diana Steele, who lives on Cedar Street.

She asked Council not to make a decision based solely on the estimated prices of each option.

Draining both reservoirs may cost more, but Council has spent large sums on other projects that have far less impact on the community, she said.

No decisions were made Tuesday. Council signaled it will provide more time for public comment on the issue.

NEEDED

New backpacks and 18-inch rolling/ handled suitcases in neutral colors; hygiene items such as deodorant; and monetary donations that will be used to buy more hygiene items, car seats and accessories for children.

Drop off items at: • The Elyria police station, 18 West Ave. • Lorain County Sheriff's Office, 9896 Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria Township • Second Harvest Food Bank, 5510 Baumhart Rd., Lorain • Wellington Music, 117 West Herrick Ave. • Home Instead Senior Care, 35590 Center Ridge Rd., Suite 101, North Ridgeville • The "Collection Celebration" to be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26 at the Wellington Eagles, 631 South Main St. For more info, email: safetyservicefundraising @outlook.com "This is just a way of us giving back to the communities for the kids, elderly, whoever needs it — with no hook," he said.

FAST FACTS

• The Morgan Street Reservoirs were built in the late 1880s and mid-1920s.

• They were originally Oberlin's source of drinking water, but that hasn't been the case for about 70 years. Today, the area is part of the public park system.

• The reservoirs have been regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources since 1985.

• They are considered a single Class II dam by the state, not two separate bodies of water.

• A public meeting was held in August 2019 to gather feedback about how residents want to use the reservoir property on Morgan Street.

• People overwhelmingly said they want to save the trees surrounding the reservoir and protect wildlife that's taken up residence.

• Fixing the reservoirs to state standards would mean removing trails, and would require installation of pipes and overflows. Only grass less than 12 inches tall would be allowed around the banks.

• Residents also said they wanted seasonal ice skating, which the city could do whether or not the reservoirs are under state control.

• If one has to be drained, the public prefers keeping the western reservoir, according to Julie Lawson of Environmental Design Group.

• Oberlin firefighters also want to keep that reservoir on hand to fill tanker trucks during an emergency, she said.

• The Ohio Department of Natural Resources can choose to make the dam compliant through force if no action is taken, and bill Oberlin for the cost.

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 B4

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE B4

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GUIDE LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY GUIDE (USPS 673-960) is published every Thursday, 52 weeks per year by Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company, 225 East Ave., Elyria OH 44035.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $40 for 52 weeks in Lorain County; $45 in Erie, Huron, Ashland, Medina, and Cuyahoga counties; $50 in all other Ohio counties; $55 outside Ohio.

Periodical postage paid at Wellington OH.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Lorain County Community Guide, PO Box 4010, Elyria OH 44036.

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A3

BULLETIN BOARD FROM A1 2018 financial information (taxes and W-2s) and 2018 financial information for parents if a dependent student.

No appointment is necessary.

To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study and loans, students need to complete the FAFSA. Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and gives students access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. In addition, many states and colleges use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for state and school aid.

For more information, contact Financial Services at 440-366-4034 or finaid@lorainccc.edu.

Starting Feb. 28 • LORAIN: Pierogi will be served from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Friday during Lent from Feb. 28 to April 10 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1305 East Erie Ave. The menu will include pierogi for $7 per dozen frozen or $8 per dozen cooked; cabbage and noodles ($3 small or $6 large); macaroni and cheese ($3 small or $6 large); a pierogi to-go dinner for $10; and specialty pierogi (frozen only) for $4 per half dozen.

Saturday, Feb. 29 • AMHERST: A duck race fundraiser to benefit the Amherst Marching Comets will be held Saturday, Feb. 29 at Amherst VFW Post 1662, 165 Cleveland Ave. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. and a 7 p.m. post time. The dinner menu includes fried chicken, pulled pork, green beans, mashed potatoes, roll, salad, dessert and beverage. Draft beer is included in the ticket price of $25. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 13.

There will be basket raffles, alcohol raffles, side boards, a 50-50 raffle and other games. You can also name a duck for $20 and if your duck wins the race, you’ll win $40 and a trophy. Duck whistles will also be sold to help you cheer your pick to victory.

For more information, call Sandy Pack at 440-522-3557 or email ddoddles68@yahoo.com. • WELLINGTON: A Camden Township Fire Department reverse raffle will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 at the Lorain County Fairgrounds.

Tickets are $100 each and include two dinners. Only 200 tickets are available. The grand prize is $7,500. A buffet dinner will be served by Sterks of Wakeman.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. and the raffle at 7 p.m. BYOB. You do not have to be present to win. • WELLINGTON: A free family fun night will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 at Wellington Town Hall.

Sponsored by Fellowship Church, it will feature a freethrow shooting contest, card and board games for all ages and a craft station for kids. The menu includes shredded chicken and sloppy joe sandwiches, chips and desserts.

The Lorain County Community Guide bulletin board is for local nonprofit and not-for-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for news style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@ lcnewspapers.com.

Wednesday, March 4 March 1 and 8 • CARLISLE TWP.: The Friends of Metro Parks of Lorain County pancake breakfasts will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays, March 1 and 8 at the Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd. The menu includes all-you-can-eat pancakes served with scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee or tea, orange juice or milk. The cost is $7 for adults, $4.50 for children ages three to 10 and free for kids two and under.

Monday, March 2 • OBERLIN: A Dr. Seuss Day celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, March 2 at Splash Zone, 95 West Hamilton St. Hear a story, swim and do crafts. Go dressed in your best Dr. Seuss costume. The cost is $2 for members and $3.50 for non-members.

For more information, call 440-774-5059. • AMHERST: A watercolor pencils mixed media workshop will be held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2 at the Amherst Public Library.

Learn new skills and techniques during this creative workshop where all skill levels are welcome. Students will need a set of watercolor pencils, #8 round Taklon brush, a natural sponge, half-inch foam brush, 140 lb. watercolor paper, and an ultra-fine Sharpie or .02 Micron pen.

Registration is required. Visit www.amherstpubliclibrary.org or call 440-988-4230.

Tuesday, March 3

• CARLISLE TWP.: Free maple sugaring activities will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 29 and March 1, 7 and 8 at the Lorain County Metro Parks Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd. Learn how to take sap from sugar maple trees to turn into maple syrup. Explore the history and science of maple sugaring with hands-on activities for all ages. This is a free event with no registration required.

• CARLISLE TWP.: A program on Kestrels nesting near West Side Market in Cleveland will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 at the Lorain County Metro Parks Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd. In this Black River Audubon Society program, Walt Gachuk, Najada Davis and Larry Wilson will describe how a pair of kestrels are successfully fledging five chicks within sight of the market. The event is free to the public.

For more information on programs, volunteering or becoming a member, visit www.blackriveraudubon.org or call 440-365-6465. • AMHERST: A meeting for prospective youth and adult umpires for the Amherst Athletic Association will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 at the Main Street Community Center, 255 Park Ave. Consider attending if you are 13 years or older, enjoy baseball or softball, and want to support athletics this spring while having a great time. Umpires will earn a per game fee. No previous experience is needed — a threesession clinic will be provided free of charge.

For more information, contact Tom McMahon at umpireamherst@gmail.com or 440-396-4825.

Sunday, March 1

Starting March 3

• AMHERST: A spaghetti dinner to benefit the Steele After-Prom 2020 Committee will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 1 at VFW Post 1662, 165 Cleveland Ave. Enjoy all-you-can-eat pasta served with meatballs and sausage, raffles and a chance to win a 65-inch television. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under seven. Additional meatballs and sausage can be purchased for $5, payable at dinner.

For tickets, call or text 440-320-4530.

• LORAIN COUNTY: Lorain County Public Health will host community meetings for homeowners with household septic systems throughout the spring.

They will feature information about new requirements through the operation and maintenance permit program.

LCPH will answer questions and concerns about the new changes, and will provide education on how to properly maintain a household sewage/septic system.

Community meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday,

Starting Feb. 29

Public health officials seek adventurous science students Every spring, Lorain County Public Health begins a search for adventurous college students studying science.

Environmental health interns spend the summer out in the field acting as a first line of defense against mosquito-borne diseases like the West Nile virus.

They work under the supervision of registered sanitarians to identify mosquito breeding sites, trap mosquitoes and provide treatment in areas where mosquitoes could spread disease.

Last summer, the county health department’s interns learned a lot about mosquitoes — for example, that

scientists have identified more than 200 species here in Ohio. Those interns were part of the team that trapped an Asian Tiger mosquito, which had never before been found as far north as Lorain County.

Interns visited dump sites with scrap tires, which are among the most popular breeding grounds for mosquitoes. They also visited public areas and private homes to respond to resident concerns about mosquitoes.

The internship also offers opportunities to shadow professionals from other divisions within Lorain County Public Health.

Summer 2019 interns

ADVERTISE â–ş

IN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

March 3 at Grafton Township Hall, 17109 State Route 83; 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4 at The Lodge at New Russia Township, 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd.; 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7 at the Sheffield Township fire station, 5166 Clinton Ave.; 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14 at Penfield Township Hall, 41012 State Route 18; and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at Camden Township Hall, 50679 State Route 303.

reported surprise at the breadth of public health services in Lorain County, from birth certificates to solid waste programs to rabies response.

College students can apply for this hands-on experience at www.employment. loraincountyhealth.com.

Here's some advice from last year's interns: • Be prepared for the heat and wear bug spray. • Have an open mind and flexible personality. The world of public health often changes quickly which makes for crazy days. • Be ready for bad smelling water. • Stay out of creeks and always wear boots.

CALL US AT 440-329-7000!

• AMHERST: “Understanding and Standing Up to Bullyingâ€? will be presented from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4 at the Steele High School Creative Learning Center, 450 Washington St. Amherst Junior High School guidance counselor Mary Scott Williams and Nord Middle School guidance counselor Debbie Raesler will speak on empowering children to be their own best advocates. • WELLINGTON: The Wellington Genealogy Group will meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4 at the LCCC Wellington Center, 151 Commerce Dr. March’s meeting will focus on FamilySearch.org. The speaker will be Betty Franklin of the Westlake History Center, who will give an overview of recent developments on the genealogy website. Feel free to take your laptop. Monthly meetings are free and open to the public. • OBERLIN: Residents can join in a national conference call to discuss preventing war with Iran and deescalating Middle East hostilities at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4 at Kendal at Oberlin.

Write postcards and discuss issues with the Friends Committee on National Legislation. The phone call will feature background information and updates from members of Congress and other experts. The event is sponsored by the FCNL Oberlin Advocacy Team. Take a pen and your phone.

Thursday, March 5 • OBERLIN: A preview of Mozart’s “Cosi fan tuttiâ€? will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

Student performers will join Jonathon Field, Director of Oberlin Opera Theater. Performances at Hall Auditorium will be at 8 p.m. on March 11, 13 and 14; and 2 p.m. on March 15. To purchase tickets, call Oberlin College Central Ticket Service at 800-371-0178. There is no registration or fee for the preview. All are welcome. • LORAIN: A book signing and informational talk will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 at Elmcroft of Lorain, 3290 Cooper Foster Park Rd. Many families experience the effects Alzheimer’s disease as on loved ones, but many have difficulty explaining this to children or grandchildren. Author Pam Reese will share her personal and professional experiences in health care, which inspired her book, “Gigi, Are You In There?â€? Light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

RSVP to 440-960-2813 by March 2.

Friday, March 6 • OBERLIN: Soulful Sundown, an informal, interactive spiritual circle, will meet at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, March 6 at the Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 355 East Lorain St. It will feature stories, music and activities for all ages.

All are welcome. • OBERLIN: Tell your true story at Slow Train Storytellers at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 6 at the Slow Train Cafe, 55 East College St. The theme will be “The Lesson of a Good Fail.â€? Email kgwaite@gmail.com to secure a space to tell your story. • WELLINGTON: First Fridays continue with a “Spring Feverâ€? theme from 4-8 p.m. on March 6 in the village’s downtown.

There will be a miniature golf challenge at several businesses, bees, honey, baseball and more. The event is sponsored by Main Street Wellington and Putter the Therapy Dog.

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Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Celebrate 100 years of Ludwig van Beethoven’s music The 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth has celebrations worldwide throughout 2020.

Oberlin College and Conservatory are taking part with dozens of concerts dedicated to the masterful composer.

Peter Takacs, professor of piano at Oberlin, said audiences should examine why Beethoven's works have such an enduring popularity and relevance.

“Of course, there are the wellknown aspects of his life, such as the compelling personal story of overcoming advancing deafness, personal struggles and physical ailments," he said. "And there are the immediately recognizable works, such as the fifth and ninth symphonies, and the ‘Pathetique,’ ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Appassionata’ sonatas.

“Beyond these claims to global fame, however, there are aspects of his life and work that con-

tinue to inspire us even today: his gift for responding to adversity through art, constantly striving for artistic evolution, a nobility of spirit, a gruff and sometimes impish sense of humor, and above all a search for transcendence and the sublime in music. There is no other artist in Western history who combines so many essential human qualities in which we can recognize ourselves."

Oberlin’s “LvB 250” celebration is underway now.

On Saturday, Feb. 29, there will be a performance by the Oberlin Orchestra under the direction of Raphael Jimenez dedicated entirely to works by the master.

The program opens with "Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21," which was unusual for its time in part for its frequent shifting of tonal centers and its abundant use of wind instruments. Beethoven’s first symphony also features obvious nods to the music of his

teacher, Joseph Haydn.

It will be followed by "Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36," in which the composer reveals numerous “musical jokes,” particularly in the symphony’s second half.

The evening concludes with "Wellington's Victory, Op. 91," sometimes called “The Battle Symphony,” which was penned in the months after Britain defeated Spain at the Battle of Vitoria in the summer of 1813.

Jimenez’s orchestras will complete a survey of all of Beethoven’s nine symphonies by the time the calendar year closes.

The heroic Ninth Symphony is slated for Dec. 11 and will be performed in collaboration with the Oberlin College Choir and Oberlin Musical Union.

“This is a very big, very difficult project for an undergraduate institution to take on over the course of just two semesters," said Jimenez.

"It will be a remarkable experience for our students.”

During the spring semester, the Oberlin Orchestra will also perform the most recognizable work in all of classical music, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony (April 4). The Chamber Orchestra will perform the Eighth Symphony (April 11) and Seventh Symphony (May 5).

In March, 20 student quartets are taking on the herculean feat of performing all 16 of Beethoven’s string quartets and the Grosse Fuge in five concerts spanning three days.

Oberlin College is the only institution in America presenting the complete Beethoven string quartets — performed by students — in the span of a single weekend.

Each concert will take place in Kulas Recital Hall beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6, continuing at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, and concluding

at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 8.

Also scheduled this spring: • On Wednesday, March 4, the Oberlin Arts and Sciences Orchestra will perform Egmont Complete Incidental Music, conducted

by Tiffany Chang and featuring faculty soprano Kendra Colton, with musicology professor Steven Plank as narrator. The 7:30 p.m. concert will be preceded by a brief talk by musicology professor Charles McGuire.

• On Thursday, March 19, faculty baritone Timothy LeFebvre will join forces with Takacs for a performance of "An die ferne Geliebte" (“To the Distant Beloved”), regarded as one of the world’s first song cycles.

• On Friday, April 10, Oberlin Sinfonietta, under the direction of Timothy Weiss, will perform the Quintet for Piano and Winds at 7:30 p.m. in Warner Concert Hall.

'DON'T WAIT TO BE KIND'

Lorain County difference makers awarded at gala LAINA YOST THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Community activists were celebrated Friday night at Leadership Lorain County's Difference Makers Gala.

With more than 32 nominations for this year's honors, three people and one organization were recognized for their contributions.

Clare Cygan Young and Dave and Noelia Nodal were honored with the excellence in leadership award.

Cygan Young is the retired executive director of NAMI Lorain County. She began to volunteer with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and realized that was the field she belonged in.

In 1988, Cygan Young left her position at the Rape Crisis Center to begin a program at The Nord Center. And in 2015, she put her retirement plans on hold to become the executive director of NAMI Lorain County.

"Due to my work, I want to acknowledge and recognize the rape and sexual assault survivors that have come in contact with me," Cygan Young said upon receiving her award. "And I learned from them the courage and the endurance that they had.

And I am so ever grateful that they allowed me to walk beside them during their journey of recovery and healing."

The Nodals, who are longtime Amherst residents, were honored for their community work around

Kristin Bauer | Chronicle

Neil Lynch (Board President at the Nord Center and an Amherst Township trustee), Eric Morse (CEO at the Nord Center), David and Noelia Nodal of Amherst, Clare Cygan Young and Stacie Starr were honored at this year's Difference Makers Gala on Friday, Feb. 21. the county.

Both have given service on multiple boards, including church ministry, Neighborhood House Association, Women's Fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County and others.

Noelia cited her mother's passion for giving back as instrumental to her both during her childhood and later in adulthood.

She encouraged those at the gala to take time to make one act of kindness a day for strangers.

She met a veteran named Walter through her work at the American Patriot Title Agency.

He served in the Korean War and was severely injured there.

Walter was diagnosed with PTSD in the 1970s. Noelia took Walter under her wing and made him a part of her family. She has helped care for him since, and after his house was severely damaged in a fire.

"Don't wait to be kind," Noelia said. "Don't wait for someone

else to do it first. Don't wait for better circumstances. You be the change. You be the first. You be love. Because you never know how much needs it. Or perhaps how much you need it."

Stacie Starr, the program director for Save Our Childrens' Elyria Teens Achieve Success and senior classroom supervisor at Murray Ridge School, was honored with the Emerald Award for Inspirational Leadership.

Starr was an intervention spe-

cialist with the Elyria Schools for 14 years. She said it was instrumental in teaching her how to be brave and be with people.

She now works at Murray Ridge, and said the experience both at the school and with SOC taught her about life.

"Murray Ridge Schools taught me love, patience and that inclusion in society matters," Starr said.

Although the SOC program is targeted toward teenagers after school, Starr said the teenagers really saved her in the process.

The Nord Center was also honored with an Excellence in Leadership award.

The organization began in 1947 currently serves about 7,500 people per year. It's worked hard to improve services, and managed to bring its wait times down from eight months to an average of 30 days.

The Nord Center plans to open satellite offices in Oberlin, South Lorain and expand its Sheffield Village office. Leaders there also plan to develop culture specific teams to better serve the underserved populations, and to open an urgent care to serve those who need immediate mental health care.

The 2020 gala honored the legacy of Eric Nord.

The Difference Makers Gala committee, made up of two Lorain County community leaders and four Leadership Lorain County board members, did an extensive review of each nomination.

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LEGALS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Village of South Amherst, at a special meeting Monday, March 9, 2020, at 6:45PM, 103 West Main Street, will meet for the purpose of discussing and adopting permanent appropriations for the year 2020. The public is invited to attend.

L.C.C.G. 2/20-27/20 20658820

HELP WANTED

ATTENTION DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS!!

Contribute to the community, begin a rewarding career, enrich the lives of others, and have funWHILE getting paid!

Full-time / Part-time Positions available

• Full-time: Exceptional benefit package including medical, dental, vision, paid holidays, and more!

• Part-time: Accrue paid time away from work and paid holidays!

HUMAN RESOURCES COORDINATOR Contribute to the community and enrich the lives of others by performing valuable and gratifying work!

• MUST have a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field, 2+ years experience, excellent communication skills, and proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing software.

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Applications are available on our website: http://murrayridgecenter.org/human-resources/current-job-opportunities

http://murrayridgecenter.org/human-resources/current-job-opportunities NOTICE Plaintiff, State of Ohio, filed a Complaint in Lorain County Common Pleas Court at 225 Court St., Elyria, Ohio 44035, Case No. 19 CV 198523, against Defendants Master Landscaping Sprinklers, LLC and Alejandro Sanchez, both of who are believed to

have last resided at 1031 Tower Blvd. Apt. 104, Lorain, Ohio 44052. The lawsuit was brought in the public interest and on behalf of the State of Ohio, having reasonable cause to believe that Defendants’ conduct violated the Consumer Sales Practices Act, R.C. 1345.01 et seq.,

and the Home Solicitation Sales Act, R.C. 1345.23, et seq. Defendants failed to deliver goods and services, performed substandard and shoddy work, failed to make refunds, and failed to provide required disclosure statements to prospective purchasers. Plaintiff seeks

declaratory and injunctive relief, reimbursement for consumers, and civil penalties pursuant to R.C. 1345.07(D), costs, and other just relief as deemed appropriate by the Court.

Defendant is notified to answer or respond to Plaintiff’s Complaint within

28 days of final publication of this notice. Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General, Christopher Ramdeen, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section, 30 East Broad Street, 14th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, (614) 995-1577.

L.C.C.G. 2/6-13-20-27; 3/5-12/20 20657806

PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on February 17, 2020. 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 has been reviewed/ approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws.

Reso. 10-20 Supporting Issue 17, the renewal operating levy for Lorain County Community College on the 3/17/2020 ballot. 11-20 Amending Reso 1-20, the Rules of Council, by adding new rule 12-a, Council Work Sessions. 12-20 Auth the Mayor to accept the NOPEC 2020 Community Grant Event Sponsorship award of $3500 and designating the funds to Main Street Lorain.

Ord. 14-20* Auth the Safety/ Service Director to advertise for a RFP w/ an organization to utilize Campana Park for youth and/or adult baseball and other recreational activities. 15-20* Auth the Safety/ Service Director to permit

the repair and upgrading of lighting at the 21st St & 28th St underpasses as outlined w/ First Energy Lighting Service Efficiency Safety Incentive Prog. 16-20 Amending Section 16.4 of Ord 59-19 providing for the modification of one management classification series within the Engineering Dept. 17-20* Levying special assessments for the installation of sanitary sewer lines on Cooper Foster Park Rd. between S. Broadway & Cherrywood Drive. 18-20* Auth Safety/Service Director to enter into agrmts to resolve a dispute between Lorain County and the City of Lorain arising from an agrmt made 7/28/1976 whereby the City agreed to accept & receive sanitary sewage and wastes originating in other portions of the County. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.)

L.C.C.G. 2/27; 3/5/20 20659170

Public Notice City of Lorain, Ohio Request for Proposals Baseball and Recreational Programs at Campana Park 2840 Meister Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053

The City of Lorain is requesting proposals from those interested in providing baseball and other recreational programs at Campana Park, PP# 202-018-000-028 and PP# 202-018-000-033, also known as, 2840 Meister Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053.

Proposals must include a detailed outline of recreation programs and capital improvement plan with financial

endorsement from those submitting the proposal. The City will be open to negotiations for future possibilities based on the proposals received.

The City of Lorain may cancel this Request for Proposals or reject proposals at any time prior to an award.

Those interested must supply the City with their statement of proposal no later than 3:00 PM, March 13, 2020.

Proposals are to be turned into 114 E 35th Street, Lorain, Ohio 44055. Statements received after this deadline will not be considered. For additional information, please contact the Lorain Department of Public Property, 114 E 35th Street, Lorain, Ohio 44055 or via email to: lori_garcia@ cityoflorain.org mail to: elva_ flowers@cityoflorain.org or phone: (440) 244-4294.

L.C.C.G. 2/27; 3/5/20 20658865

NOTICE OF ORDINANCE LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SANITARY SEWER LINES ON COOPER FOSTER PARK RD. (BETWEEN S. BROADWAY & CHERRYWOOD DR.)

Notice is hereby given that on February 17, 2020, the Council of the City of Lorain, Ohio, passed Ordinance No. 17-20, levying special assessments for the installation of sanitary sewer lines on Cooper Foster Park Road between South Broadway and Cherrywood Drive together with all necessary appurtenances and

declaring an emergency.

Ordinance No. 17-20, levies special assessments against each lot or parcel of land listed below and may be paid in full on or before March 27, 2020, to the Auditor of the City of Lorain or at the option of the owner in twenty (20) installments with an interest rate of 3%.

PPN 0621001101049 M49 Capital LLC, 5050 Detroit Rd. Sheffiled ($59,718.61) PPN 0621001101049 - Antonio & Donna Palacios, 155 Cooper Foster Park Rd. ($59.718.61) PPN 0500081000006 - Eschtruth Investment LLC 175 Cooper Foster Park Rd. ($77,634.20) PPN 0500081000009 - Eschtruth Investment Co., 205 Cooper Foster Park Rd. ($66,884.85) PPN 0500081000003 - Eschtruth Investment, Cooper Foster Park Rd. ($11,943.72)

All assessments and installments thereof remaining unpaid on March 27, 2020, shall be certified by the Clerk of Council to the Lorain County Auditor as provided by law to be placed on the tax duplicate and collected as other taxes are collection. The special assessments levied by Ord. No.17-20 and all other documents are on file and may be inspected in the Office of the Lorain City Clerk of Council, 200 West Erie Ave., Lorain, OH. N. Greer, CMC

L.C.C.G. 2/27/20 20659023

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INSIDE: CODE UPDATES DUE TO NEIGHBOR DISPUTES • B2

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES THURSDAY, FEB. 27, 2020 • SERVING AMHERST SINCE 1919

Angry over RV rules, huge crowd causes fire hazard JASON HAWK EDITOR

Residents were fired up Monday about a proposed crackdown by City Council on how boats, campers, storage units and lawn tents are kept. They ended up causing a fire hazard.

With every seat filled, dozens stood along walls, sat on the floor and spilled into the hallway at Amherst Town Hall.

So many people packed inside that officials made an unprecedented decision — they called a halt to the meeting.

"There's too many people in our building. It's really not safe," Mayor Mark Costilow said.

Nearly 100 people walked two blocks to the Main Street Community Center, where with more space Council picked up deliberations again.

Through the evening, angry residents yelled objections to a proposal by Building Inspector David Macartney that would, among other changes, bar large recreational vehicles from being stored in driveways.

Council President Jennifer Wasilk had to bang her gavel repeatedly and call for order.

Most in attendance signaled they side with Bobby Lockhart, a Tenney Avenue resident who said the city is not a homeowners association and shouldn't operate like one.

Councilman Martin Heberling said the thrust of the legislation is safety. "I don't think we're trying to hinder or take away anyone's personal rights," he said.

Safety is a key requirement to place

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Residents walk out of Amherst Town Hall on Monday night, clearing the building due to a maximum occupancy issue. A proposed ordinance that would curtail storage of boats and motor homes drew so many residents it created a fire hazard. restrictions on property use, said Amherst Law Director Tony Pecora, who urged Council to table the issue.

"We have to have a rational and actually substantial tie from the legislation to the safety of our citizens, the public health of our citizens," he said.

He said vehicles that block the sightlines of drivers traveling down the street, or engine work being done on or near the street could pose concerns.

Carl Rosso of Milan Avenue objected to language that would require residents COUNCIL PAGE B2

Did someone order delivery?

Murray Ridge lends hand with Meals on Wheels

Two empty residential parcels on Mill Avenue are costing Amherst taxpayers money.

The city bought the land three years ago when the owner fell behind on property taxes, according to Mayor Mark Costilow.

Nobody bid on the land when it went up for auction, he said.

Now City Council is expected to turn to Amherst's Community Improvement Corporation for help.

The CIC is an appointed body that can negotiate land and equipment deals as the city's agent.

Costilow wants it to find a buyer for the Mill Street parcels, which have a combined market value of $52,440, according to Lorain County Auditor records.

"It is a buildable lot. There is another lot behind another house," Costilow told Council last week.

Normally, cities are not charged taxes for land they own. But the Mill Street lots aren't being used for any purpose that benefits the public — such as parks, schools or utilities — so Amherst is still responsible for property taxes.

The city also paid the delinquent taxes owed by the previous owner.

Costilow said those expenses could be recouped by selling the land, and it's possible MILL PAGE B3

ODOT plans $5.7M paving project along State Route 2 JASON HAWK EDITOR

JASON HAWK EDITOR

For Lizbet Negron, carrying hot meals to older residents across Amherst is a fun way to spend time with friends and meet new people.

"I just like seeing a lot of different places," she said.

But for about 30 shut-ins in the city and surrounding rural areas who need Meals on Wheels, the service is a lifeline.

Every Thursday, a group from the county agency for people with disabilities helps the Amherst Office on Aging deliver food.

Negron, Isaiah Wicks and Chelsie Jenkins volunteered on Feb. 20. All three are consumers at Murray Ridge's Lorain Opportunity Vocational Center.

"People often think of them as the ones who need help.

This gives them a chance to be the helpers, to give back," said Jill Camp, habilitation manager for Murray Ridge.

"These guys come back with big smiles on their faces. They

City wants to offload Mill St. lots

Photos by Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Isaiah Wicks and Chelsie Jenkins of Murray Ridge help employee Missi Obeshaw load food containers for transport. really love it," she said.

Murray Ridge celebrated its 50th anniversary three years ago. Instead of throwing a big party, the agency decided to find ways to give back to the community.

Consumers there pick up trash, adopt park paths, volunteer at the Animal Protective League and deliver for Meals

on Wheels, Camp said.

The Amherst Office on Aging, located on Cleveland Avenue, is a city department.

Director Carrie Adams said about 30 people receive meals each weekday. Volunteers like those from Murray Ridge are appreciated, she said.

"Our clients really get a lot of joy out of visiting with

them," said Adams. "They're always so helpful and kind."

Murray Ridge volunteers sort premade food packages at Sprenger Health Care's Amherst Manor, load coolers, plan the delivery route and make sure food gets to each house.

An estimated $5.7 million in resurfacing is being planned for Summer 2021 on a stretch of State Route 2 that runs through Amherst.

Work is expected to begin next April and run through October, according to Ohio Department of Transportation District III spokeswoman Kaitlyn Thompson.

The "minor rehabilitation" will start just east of Baumhart Road in Lorain and end on the other side of Route 58, she said.

Mayor Mark Costilow said the work will include ramps to and from the highway.

Under a longstanding maintenance agreement, the work will be done at no expense to local taxpayers, he told City Council last week.

In related news, Costilow said he planned to meet this week with Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley to discuss a traffic study for the area of Cooper Foster Park and Oak Point roads.

The intersection is a short jaunt from the Route 2 ramps, and traffic can back up during peak times.

Costilow said it's located within the Amherst city limits, but there are plenty of shoppers and students from Lorain who travel through the area.

"There's a lot of Lorain effect on that intersection. We're looking at what we can do

MURRAY RIDGE PAGE B2

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

PAVING PAGE B2

Page B2

Amherst Manor employee honored as Parkinson’s Hero Devin Jarvis, a physical therapist at Sprenger Health Care Amherst Manor, has been named a 2020 Parkinson’s Hero.

The Parkinson’s Foundation annually honors five people who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people affected

by Parkinson’s disease.

The Cleveland chapter recently recognized Jarvis, who has been the leader of the Delay the Disease program at Amherst Manor on North Lake Street for more than five years.

This Parkinson’s-specific exercise program is designed to optimize the physical functioning of people with Parkinson’s disease.

Jarvis earned a bachelor of science degree in exercise science from the University of Toledo and received a doctorate of physical therapy from Cleveland State University.

She has experience in treating orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary, degenerative and geriatric conditions in outpatient, inpatient and home-based settings. Neurological rehabilitation is her primary area of interest.

In addition to her Parkinson’s disease training, Jarvis is a certified neuro-developmental treatment specialist.

Jarvis empowers her team of fellow therapists to provide the highest level of compassion and rehabilitative care through its Reconnect: Excellence in Neurological Care program. It consists of the Delay the Disease weekly exercise programs, a monthly support group for Parkinson’s and stroke patients, and disease specific training for staff.

For more information on these programs, call Laura Toetz at 440-988-1825.

JVS teens join the 'McKenna Squad' Juniors studying early childhood education at the Lorain County JVS learned during February about giving back to the community.

Teens in the vocational school's FCCLA chapter teamed up with McKenna’s Squad, an organization that gives beauty boxes to children and teenagers who are battling cancer and other childhood illnesses.

“The McKenna’s Squad started from McKenna Schummer, a young girl who had cancer and really enjoyed doing makeup, and getting makeup boxes during her time in the hospital,” said Veronica Janosik, a student from Amherst. “It gave her something to focus on and distracted her from her treatments.”

The boxes were designed after Schummer died, but her dream lives on.

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Amherst News-Times

Provided photo

Veronica Janosik of Amherst, Emma Hickman of Midview and Haleigh Polen of Wellington smile with the McKenna Squad beauty box items they collected.

Each box contains beauty items to help teenagers feel better about themselves as they are going through treatments.

“Items in the box range from nail polish, makeup, lip gloss, and headbands to deodorant, cologne

and even some decks of cards,” said Haleigh Polen, a student from Wellington Students collected more than 800 items to be sent to McKenna’s Squad Beauty Box Inc. in Michigan.

Property code updates aimed at easing neighbor disputes JASON HAWK EDITOR

Amherst Building Inspector David Macartney is asking for sweeping changes to Amherst's property maintenance code, which was passed in 1965 and last updated 14 years ago.

"Obviously, the city has changed quite a bit since then with the development and everything else we've had going on," he told the Building and Lands Committee last week.

Rented storage "pods" are one of the chief targets of his proposal.

Macartney said they're intended to be temporary, but as he drives around town he sees some that have taken up more or less permanent residence in driveways and yards.

Right now, shipping containers, mobile offices, storage units, and temporary sheds can be used in the city limits as long as they're in decent condition.

Macartney wants that to change to prevent nuisance

situations. reational vehicle He said storage could be stored pods would still no more than 30 be allowed for days per year, and short periods or it would have to during construcbe parked in a tion projects. driveway.

"So if you've Some of the got a house that restrictions are David you're building or meant to stop Macartney a large renovation Building Inspector frictions between you're doing and residents, Macartit's three or four months, ney told the committee. as long as that particular "This is just putting project is going on, those something down on paper temporary storage units to try to take care of these would be permitted on issues before they become the site during that time neighbor disputes," he period," he said. said.

Another issue is tents — Gary Dodson is among some families put them up the residents unhappy with during the summer as play the proposed crackdown. A spaces or for parties, but realtor of about 30 years, Macartney wants to restrict he said Friday that he's their use to 14 days. received calls from half Non-commercial campa dozen clients who are ers, motor homes, boats, upset. trailer beds, horse trail"It's the same old story: ers and snowmobiles are government coming into another target. your house and trying to Any recreational vehicle tell you what you can do more than 25 feet long and what you can't," he would have to be stored in said. either off-site or in a fully"It isn't an HOA comenclosed building under munity, and it isn't going to the proposed rules. be one unless we allow it," In front yards, one recsaid Dodson.

COUNCIL

FROM B1

to have a completely enclosed garage for vehicle body work, some large repairs, major overhauling of engines, spraypainting and other jobs. He also bristled at a proposed $250 fine for each violation.

"We have to make sure we don't allow the city to come in for whatever reason they want to your property, and dictate what they feel is an inspection," Rosso said.

Pecora said city officials can only enter property with a warrant or court order, and

must show cause.

Some, like Joe Kubic of Lincoln Street, said Council's legislation would be unfair to residents who spent a lot of money on recreational vehicles. "You get blindsided by something like this, and I don't see how you don't get upset" he said.

Kubic has owned an RV for more than 40 years and said there's no reason he shouldn't be able to keep it on his property as long as it's in good repair.

Costilow said the new

regulations were proposed in response to complaints received over the years by the Building Department.

"Please know that we are not out to get you and we are here to hear you," agreed Councilman Jake Wachholz.

The issue was sent back to committee, where it will be discussed at 7 p.m. Monday.

The venue will be the Main Street Community Center, 255 Park Ave., Council Clerk Olga Sivinski confirmed Tuesday morning.

Isaiah Wicks hauls a cooler filled with chili and cornbread for Meals on Wheels to be delivered to older residents in Amherst and South Amherst.

MURRAY RIDGE

FROM B1

"They enjoy the interaction with the folks who are getting the meals," Camp said. "They really get the idea that they're helping people. They truly enjoy helping others, but they also enjoy working together as a team."

Adams said there's always a demand for food. The city is home to many older people with mobility issues.

"It can be a huge burden if you can't drive or can't cook for yourself," she said.

"A lot of folks can't stand long enough to cook."

A typical meal includes a hot entree such as spaghetti, meatloaf, chicken or stuffed peppers, along with sides such as green beans, mashed potatoes, roll and dessert.

For information on how to sign up to receive meals or volunteer to deliver them, call 440-988-2817.

"It's really nice because sometimes people don't see anyone but our delivery drivers," said Adams. "To know that someone will stop by, check on them and make sure they're doing OK is nice for them, and nice for their families to know."

PAVING

FROM B1

together to make it better," he said.

"It's an area I think most people find to be an area of concern."

Costilow said traffic volume is already heavy near the highway, with Target, Lowe's, the Cleveland Clinic and Mercy Health facilities close by.

There's also a lot of empty land he believes will be

developed in coming years, which could increase traffic.

City Council recently voted to hire an attorney to negotiate Tax Increment Finance agreements for land surrounding the Oak Point ramps at Route 2. The TIFs could allow Amherst to collect a larger portion of property taxes generated by new development there.

"It's not a question of if

that will ever get developed, it's when. It want to get ahead of it," Costilow said.

The last thing he wants near the highway is a traffic bottleneck, he said.

Right now, waits aren't terrible during even the most-traveled times of the day, he said. But the mayor called the Oak Point corridor "one of the biggest areas of concern with traffic."

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Amherst News-Times

FIRST PLACE FOR MENDEZ

Page B3

Belak dives to 18th at state Comets sophomore Ethan Belak finished 18th on Sunday in the state diving competition with a score of 222.10.

He went into the contest seeded 20th of 24 divers, and missed the finals cut by 26.35 points.

It's an improved performance over last year when, as a freshman, Belak placed 21st in the state.

Later in the day, he took to the water again as a member of Amherst's 200-yard free relay team, where he earned All-Ohio honors.

With his twin brother John and seniors Kevin Heyd and Jacob Rakar, the Comets finished 15th with a time of 1:28.24. They entered the B final as the No. 16 seed.

Ethan Belak

DEFENSIVE FIGHT Anna Norris | Chronicle

Amherst's Noah Mendez works Avon's Joe Mrosko to the mat in the third period of the 132-pound championship match in the Southwestern Conference Championships, held Saturday at North Olmsted High School. Mendez won his 30th match of the season, scoring a 5-4 decision over Mrosko in the final. The Comets' Brandon Bratovich won by decision over Shane Swindig of North Ridgeville, 7-6, in the 152-pound match for third place.

Also taking home bronze was Clay Carpenter at 195 pounds, pinning Nistor Krizan of Lakewood in 3:26.

VELASQUEZ FIRST TO STATE

Steve Manheim | Chronicle

Avon's Brooke Laub runs into Amherst's Amaya Staton on Feb. 20. Staton had 15 points and Faith Lewis had 11 to boost Amherst over Avon in a low-scoring 39-28 Division I sectional battle. The Comets also knocked off the Southwestern Conference rival Eagles last year in sectionals.

STATE-WORTHY ART Provided image

Steve Manheim | Chronicle

Amherst's varsity girls bowlers are (front) Hannah Aschenbach, Makayla Velasquez (rear) Trinity Miller, Katelynn Romancak and Katherine Dull.

Velasquez, a sophomore, made school history Sunday as the first Comets bowler to ever qualify for the Division I state tournament. She finished fourth out of five singles qualifiers to state at the Northeast Division I district tournament at Stonehedge Lanes with a 257-155-179-591 series. The girls state tournament is March 7 at Columbus’ Wayne Webb Bowl.

ICE HOCKEY

No hope for Westlake in 8-0 rout Four goals from four Comets in the first period alone spelled doom for the Demons on Saturday in the district tournament.

Nick Ciura opened the first wound against Amherst's Southwestern Conference foes, then Jacob Kramer followed up a few minutes later on a power play to make it 2-0.

Unassisted, Nathan Harmych shot past West-

lake goalie Alex Rendziak a minute and a half later, and Joey Kramer closed out the period by scoring again with less than a minute to go.

Jacob Kramer added two more to the tally to open the second period, and Ciura doubled his own count. Kramer had the only goal of the third period, unassisted to make it 8-0.

Amherst attackers buried Rendziak under an avalanche of 54 shots, and he managed to stop 46.

Brady Grove remained perfect for the Comets, stopping all five Demons shots sent his way.

Sixth-seeded Amherst improved to 25-4 and was set to face the winner of Strongsville/Benedictine after press time Tuesday.

MILL

FROM B1 the city would get another resident.

"I don't know how we don't win with this," he said.

"It would be nice if we could get it moved for this building season. I really believe that as high in demand as lots are, it wouldn't take long for somebody to develop this parcel," he told Council.

Any deal negotiated by the CIC would go back to Council for approval.

The lots in question are empty. Trash and a dilapidated building have been removed.

A work by Amherst Steele High School junior Alex Moore has been chosen for the Ohio House of Representatives 2020 Student Art Exhibition in Columbus. This show is sponsored through a unique partnership of the Ohio Arts Council, the Ohio Art Education Association and the Ohio House of Representatives.

Moore and her family have been invited to a statewide exhibition reception on Oct. 17 to celebrate creativity, education and the arts. Each student artist will receive a $100 award for their artistic achievement from the Ohio Art Education Association.

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Page B4

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Amherst News-Times

Lent schedule

CANDY ACROSS 1. Unfathomably deep chasm 6. Lawyer group 9. Factoid 13. Non-flat area 14. Loquacious person’s gift 15. Member of clergy 16. Kitty sounds 17. Mesozoic one 18. All thumbs 19. *Who’s Pieces?

21. *Life ____ 23. Comic book cry 24. Evening in Roma 25. Boar’s mate 28. Bank deposit 30. Actress Ali or singer Tim 35. Flying saucers 37. Yeahs’ opposers 39. One of the Muses 40. Ancient region of western Europe 41. *Sweet bear 43. In a little while, old-fashioned 44. Like a neon sign 46. Fashion’s “New Look” inventor 47. Weasel’s cousin 48. Cash in credit card points, e.g.

50. “Good grief!”

52. The Old Man’s turf 53. Tucked in 55. Sine ____ non 57. *”Gimme a break” bar 60. *Egg with a surprise 63. Southwestern hut 64. Step on it 66. Small Asian ungulate 68. What radiology and biology have in common 69. Chihuahua’s cry 70. a.k.a. Ernest?

71. Japanese money, pl.

72. Blitzed 73. Industrious DOWN 1. Similar to an adder 2. View from a moving train 3. Yesteryear 4. Shopping ____ 5. Creates disorder 6. Forever and a day 7. *Hershey made the first American milk chocolate one 8. Belittle

Midweek services have been set for 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25 and April 1 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 115 Central Dr., Amherst. Lent fellowship suppers will be held at 6 p.m. before worship.

Tree trimming money

Amherst City Council is moving quickly to bid and award its annual tree-trimming program.

"It really does help reduce the electrical outages within the town. It clears all the lines," Mayor Mark Costilow said during a Feb. 17 Finance Committee meeting.

Amherst typically spends between $80,000 and $90,000 each year to remove branches that hang close to wires and poles. Costilow said moving quickly and approving the trimming would help get the best prices.

Safety Town registration

Sign-ups are now open at www.amherstpolice.net for Amherst's 2020 Safety Town. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 440-988-2625.

9. Have supper 10. Tennis serving whiz 11. Memorial Day solo 12. “The ____ of Racing in the Rain” 15. Fast and lively 20. Increasing 22. Location of ulna 24. Hindered 25. *Principal candy ingredient 26. Allowed into a bar, e.g.

27. Past tense of will 29. Glorify 31. SI unit of mass 32. Raja’s wife, pl.

33. Do penance 34. *Famous fictional bar 36. ____ gin

38. Smoke plus fog 42. Baghdad resident 45. Not strongly 49. CEO’s deg.

51. Fertilized 54. C2H5 56. “J’____” by #46 Across 57. Green superfood 58. Desktop picture 59. Facebook photo links 60. Not disregarded, as in a promise 61. Marine eagle 62. Surprise at a speakeasy 63. *Almond-induced state 65. Cardinal 3 67. Bovine hangout

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OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE THURSDAY, FEB. 27, 2020 • SERVING OBERLIN SINCE 1930

Protesters rise up against layoffs 108 union workers notified they will lose jobs JASON HAWK EDITOR

C

hanting “union busting is disgusting,” more than 800 students crammed the King Building’s hallways last Wednesday at Oberlin College.

They gathered outside a chamber where college President Carmen Ambar reportedly told faculty of plans to lay off 108 fulltime union workers.

Union representative Erik Villar said dining, maintenance and custodial staff will be replaced with lower-paid workers to save money as the college wrestles with a budget deficit.

The United Auto Workers represent the current workers. Villar said the most recent contract was negotiated in 2016 and allows Oberlin College to outsource jobs.

“As soon as that was a green light for them, they started preparing for this,” he said.

In an email notifying workers of the impending layoffs, Ambar said the changes could “save a critical $1 million a year in the operational costs of the dining program, and potentially another $1 million or more a year in custodial services.”

Ambar wrote that 63 percent of the college’s budget “is dedicated to compensation.” There is an approximate three-to-one ratio of students to employees at the college.

Angered at the costsaving measure, students chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, austerity has got to go.”

They held signs that said “We are family,” “Oberlin values exploitation” and

Photos by Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

Oberlin College students and union workers fill the third floor of the King Building on Professor Street, holding signs and chanting. The protest was held Wednesday, Feb. 19 during a college general faculty meeting.

“Worker student solidarity.”

The protest was led by student organizations Oberlin Beyond Austerity, Student Labor Action Coalition and Oberlin Democratic Socialists, with other organizations in attendance.

Riley Calcagno, a fourthyear student who helped organize the protest, described some of the union workers as being surrogate family members. He recalled one custodian who cleaned the dorm his freshman year, made him feel welcome and gave students congratulatory cards at the end of the semester.

College security was present in the building and kept aisles clean, but took no steps to curb the protest.

None was apparently needed — the demonstration appeared wellorganized, and while some signs used profanity, stu-

OC finances part of national trend for liberal arts colleges

dents exercised their First Amendment rights peacefully. At one point, they stood in absolute silence as a deceased faculty member was honored in the meeting hall.

“We don’t want to be loud or disruptive but we do want to demonstrate with our bodies,” said Pearse Anderson of Sunrise Oberlin, a campus political advocacy group.

“I’m worried about a lot of people who have been here for decades, and are going to lose their jobs,” said Jasper PerryAnderson, a member of the Student Labor Action Coalition.

She said she talked with union workers who are scared about being able to cover their mortgages and children’s college bills.

The college is exploiting workers, Perry-Anderson said. She worried that non-

union hires won’t get living wages and will have high turnover.

“I don’t think being a job creator matters if those jobs are really bad,” she said.

Second-year student Evelyn Chedekel was also angry and worried. She stood outside the King Building holding a sign that said “Your students are mad.”

“I learned about what is going on yesterday from a friend of mine who is a cook,” she said.

Lu Zucker, a 2019 graduate who attended the protest, said the students and UAW want to keep people employed with livable wages and appropriate benefits.

“Oberlin College is prioritizing money over ▲ Second-year student Evelyn Chedekel holds a workers’ rights, therefore, human rights,” Zucker said. sign outside the King Building, which was filled with an estimated 830 protesters.

PROTEST PAGE C2 ▼ Union plumber Al Fleming makes his voice heard during the protest.

“We call on the Oberlin faculty to continue to stand with us in solidarity with the targeted workers.”

Alex Chuang, Oberlin College senior

DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Laying off 108 employees in its dining services and custodial departments in order to obtain vendorprovided contract services is a symptom of Oberlin College’s effort to cut costs as it faces deficit spending, the college announced last Tuesday.

The effort will save the college an estimated $2 million per year, it said.

Oberlin College is not the only four-year liberal arts college to take measures to improve its finances.

Across the country, the number of college-age youths is shrinking as the population ages. That also means undergraduate enrollment is down, which in turn shrinks the amount colleges receive in tuition payments.

Fewer students are expected to graduate high school in the coming years, with a story at EducationNext.com from fall 2018 saying the decline already has taken place in the Midwest and Northeast, where there are more small, private colleges than in LIBERAL ARTS PAGE C2

▲ Fourth-year student Juliana Stoner shows her support for union workers who have received layoff notices.

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

Page C2

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Oberlin News-Tribune

Addiction recovery center Rucker hanging up hat after 37 years serving residents owner seeks annexation JASON HAWK EDITOR

A company called Omega Health Services is looking to annex its 36.5acre property into the city of Oberlin.

Brian Wade runs The Alpha House, an addiction recovery home for men, which for the past three years has been located at 14868 State Route 58 just north of US Route 20.

It sits between the Caribe Bake Shop and Oberlin Laser Wash.

Annexation is required to tie into Oberlin's sanitary sewer, he said.

The existing septic system was built for an

average-sized family "and we have more than an average-sized family living there," said Wade.

The Lorain County commissioners will consider the annexation request on March 3.

Their approval will send the measure to Oberlin City Council for a final vote.

Law Director Jon Clark said he expects the request to go through quickly.

That's because The Alpha House is located in a special district created by Pittsfield Township trustees and city officials to expedite annexation. The district runs down Route 58 to the Lorain County JVS property.

"If it's covered under the annexation agreement, it's pretty much automatic," Clark said.

The Alpha House is a 4,896-square-foot building surrounded by an organic vegetable farm.

The property is zoned residentially.

Wade said the farm gives recovering men an opportunity to work the earth during their stay.

"Some get a sense of enjoyment from putting their hands in the dirt and working," he said.

The produce is sold by the roadside, and the farm is tied in with the Oberlin Food Hub. There are no plans to further develop or sell the land, Wade said.

STAFF REPORT

Dave Rucker, who has worked for the city of Oberlin nearly 37 years, is ready to retire. He'll hang up his safety vest on Saturday.

Since 1994, Rucker has served as the general maintenance division superintendent, charged with caring for the city's streets, garage, sanitary and storm sewers, and garbage and recycling operations.

"Dave has been an integral part of many of our core services for nearly three decades," said Public Works Director Jeff Baumann in a Feb. 11 memo to City Council. "His can-do attitude and

his institutional knowledge have been a huge asset to the Public Works Department, the city administration and our community. We wish him well."

Rucker was hired in August 1983 to work as a mechanic at the old city garage behind Oberlin Municipal Light & Power on South Main Street.

Less than a year later, he was promoted to chief laborer in what was then called the Street Department.

In August 1994, he was promoted again to the maintenance superintendent job, which had just been created.

Dawn Ferro has been chosen to step into his large shoes. She has worked for the city since 1994, when she joined OMLPS as a

computer-aided design technician.

Later hired into the Public Works Department to coordinate Oberlin's mapping efforts, she has played a significant role in planning, designing and building nearly all of the city’s infrastructure projects for the past 25 years.

Baumann praised her technical background and willingness to serve, which led to Ferro being named the city's network administrator. "She is particularly looking forward to applying her diverse skill set to the daily challenges of providing direct service to our community," Baumann wrote to Council. "We look forward to working with Dawn in her new role."

PROTEST

FROM C1 “These are the people who cook our food, who clean our homes, who care for us when we’re sick,” said Matt KinsellaWalsh of Sunrise Oberlin in a prepared statement. “They are often the first people we see in the morning: our coworkers, our mentors, our friends.”

The 108 workers up for elimination are among those who make being at Oberlin College worth it, he said. They “keep this school from falling down around our heads.”

Kinsella-Walsh said students choose to attend the college because it claims to embody progressive politics — but union busting doesn’t reflect those values.

“Willingly impoverishing over 100 longtime employees and their families means that, at the end of the day, the values we claim to stand for are hollow,” he said. “And if Oberlin continues down this route, students will stop coming. I certainly know I wouldn’t have.”

Al Fleming is a union plumber who will be laid off. He said wages were fairly negotiated with college representatives.

“If there’s a problem with the wages we negotiated, why aren’t they looking at their lawyers and administrators instead of us? Change starts at the top,” he said.

He’s been in the union 24 years and said he’s not worried about finding a new job, or even a higher-paying one — United Association Local 42 has his back.

The reason he decided to work at Oberlin College so that his son could attend there. Once hired, he fell in love with the school, he said.

Now that’s soured. Fleming said he’s lost faith in the college.

“We know it’s a matter of time before the rest of the unions go the same way,” he said.

Villar said the UAW is prepared to help make strategic cuts, talk about pay or hiring freezes or even cutting benefits — whatever is necessary to help

the college control deficit spending.

He said employees learned about the cuts at 11 a.m. last Tuesday, when union reps were called to an 11:30 a.m. meeting with management.

“They said it was a hard decision to make, but under the current situation that it’s the best route possible to save that money,” Villar said.

The layoff decision was made in bad faith, he said, with no input from the union.

“It’s wrong for them to take this route because they’re putting dollars over family. They’re not thinking about the people who’ve been here 40 years,” he said.

The layoffs are one of several cost-cutting measures Oberlin College has put in place in recent years.

Others have included changes to health care and retirement benefits, reducing the size of administrative staff, and relying less on visiting faculty, accord-

ing to Ambar.

“Over the last two years we have taken a number of essential steps together to ensure that we continue to fulfill our distinctive mission as a leading liberal arts college and conservatory of music: namely, educating our students for lives of meaning,” she wrote. “Our efforts have made possible strategic investments and have required shared sacrifices, as we have faced unprecedented financial and demographics challenges, including an unsustainable structural deficit.”

She continued: “We expect our potential vendors’ deep experience would help us achieve improved levels of service for our students, faculty, and staff. Oberlin, like many college campuses that have made this decision, would thereafter be able to focus our resources on the missioncentered activities the institution can best provide, investing in the academic and creative endeavors that prepare our students for lives of purpose.”

Ambar said the decision is “not a decision we take lightly” and that the college hopes that any affected employees would be able to either retire, if eligible, or interview for jobs with vendors who bid to replace them as contractors for custodial and dining staff.

Contracting out to an unknown firm to provide the services current employees provide also comes with unknowns, Villar said.

He said he could recall no incidents of custodians or food service staff accused of harassment, theft or inappropriate behavior with students.

“The way they’re going about it, is just totally wrong,” he said.

“I know times get difficult, times get hard, but to go about it the way they did is just not right... A lot of people, their whole life is Oberlin.”

Brookie Madison and Dave O’Brien contributed to this report.

LIBERAL ARTS

FROM C1 other regions of the U.S. The late Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen predicted last decade that up to 50 percent of American universities would either close or go bankrupt within 10 years.

He and higher education writer Michael Horn explained in a 2013 New York Times article that “a host of struggling colleges and universities — the bottom 25 percent of every tier, we predict — will disappear or merge in the next 10 to 15 years,” Horn wrote in an article for Forbes in December 2018.

Founded in 1833 and with a long history of social activism including the temperance movement, women’s rights and civil rights, Oberlin College is one of the most expensive four-year liberal arts colleges in the United States.

In February 2017, Business Insider ranked Oberlin College No. 19 on its list of “the 50 most expensive colleges in America,” based on data gleaned from the College Board and the Chronicle of Higher Education and 2016-2017 tuition, fees and room and board prices.

Total cost for one year was $66,012 at the time, with $52,002 in tuition and $14,010 for room and board.

That was a year after students protested a 3.9 percent tuition increase, driving costs for the 2015-16 school year from slightly more than $48,000 in tuition to more than $50,000 per year, according to Chronicle-Telegram archives.

Tuition and fees for the 2019-20 school year at Oberlin College were more than $56,800, according

to U.S. News & World Report, which compiles figures on U.S. colleges each year. Room and board was another $16,800 for the approximately 2,800 students enrolled this year.

The college has a history of offering significant financial aid, through needbased grants, work study programs and low-interest loans, according to its website. Income from students (tuition and fees, room and board) totaled 66 percent of the college’s operating revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, according to the college’s most recently available financial report.

Despite some larger firstyear class sizes, enrollment at the college has fallen every year since 2014, when it was 2,961. In 2018, it was 2,785, according to the 2018 financial report.

The most recent public

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 FEBRUARY 20, 2020 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT 85 SOUTH MAIN STREET

MARCH 2, 2020 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MARCH 3, 2020 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION 5:00 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM 1 MARCH 4, 2020 PLANNING COMMISSION 4:30 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM 2 NOTICE: DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL 775-7203 OR E-MAIL: banderson@cityofoberlin.com NOTICE REQUIRED: TWO (2) WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING (48 HOURS) CLERK OF COUNCIL’S OFFICE.

update and clearest picture of Oberlin College finances came in June 2019, when President Carmen Twillie Ambar was called to testify in the damages phase of the case of Gibson’s Bakery v.

Oberlin College.

The bakery and its owners sued the college in 2017, alleging the college defamed and libeled them and the business during and in the aftermath of student protests there in November 2016.

On the stand in Lorain County Common Pleas Court, Ambar testified that the college’s total assets are an estimated $1.4 billion.

That includes an endowment that was estimated at $887 million as of June 2019.

Ambar and Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings, the college’s vice president for finance and administration, testified that two-thirds of the endowment is earmarked for spending only on donors’ specific wishes.

Enrollment declined over the previous decade and a nearly three-to-one ratio of students to employees was called unsustainable under the college’s current finances, Ambar testified.

Vazquez-Skillings testified the college has been deficit spending “for decades,” and pays down $10 million in debt each year from its endowment.

It also spends $9 million more each year than it gets from tuition, room and board and other revenue, she testified.

Oberlin College said on its website that the cuts announced Tuesday are entirely unrelated to the

more than $31.5 million judgment it owes Gibson’s Bakery and the Gibson family after losing the court case. Both the college and the Gibsons have appealed elements of the case to the 9th District Court of Appeals in Akron.

“This effort is completely independent of the Gibson judgment and is directly connected to the need to support Oberlin’s mission and improve the college’s operating budget as identified by President Ambar in her first few months on campus,” the college stated in a “frequently asked questions” document attached to Tuesday’s announcement. “The Gibson’s matter is now on appeal and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

In fact, Oberlin College laid out some of its plans to cut costs not long after Ambar was named president.

A 31-person committee came up with the 42-page “One Oberlin” report after the Academic and Administrative Program Review or AAPR, which was started in 2018, completed in June 2019 and accepted that month by the college’s Board of Trustees.

Other cost-cutting measures Oberlin College laid out in the FAQ document included a statement that a total of $17.3 million in spending reductions are planned by 2025.

In recent years, other jobs on campus were eliminated through buyouts or attrition, administrative salaries and benefits were cut or frozen and unfilled posi-

tions eliminated, college officials testified. Those savings amounted to $5.5 million, according to the FAQ document.

Another 25 full-time faculty positions and 50 administrative and professional staff positions are scheduled to be eliminated by 2024, the college announced.

Academic programs also have been trimmed, such as the Arabic language program that ended last fall due to low enrollment and budget concerns.

As Oberlin tries to make its business model and finances sustainable, there is precedent for smaller, private colleges to close.

In Ohio alone, Cincinnati Christian University closed in 2019 and Trinity Lutheran Seminary merged with Capital University in Columbus in 2018.

Most famously in Ohio, Antioch College in Yellow Springs was open from 1850 until 2008 when it closed amid financial problems. It reopened in 2011 under new management after alumni helped save it, but as of fall 2017 it had only 135 students, down from 2,000 in the late 1960s.

Even state colleges are not immune. Miami University in Oxford announced plans Feb. 10 to permanently cut 39 jobs and eliminate 89 unfilled positions, with plans to save $2.4 million in payroll and nearly $5.3 million total, according to a letter sent to the city of Oxford and submitted to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Oberlin News-Tribune

Page C3

PHOENIX WIN SHARE OF LCL TITLE ERIK ANDREWS CORRESPONDENT

The stage was set: two hot basketball teams, a senior night of recognition, a full house of raucous fans, a dance team and pep band for half-time entertainment and a potential share of the Lorain County League title in the balance.

Oberlin started slow, down by 15 early and working back to a 31-23 deficit at the half, The Phoenix took control after the break as Giles Harrell worked the outside and Aaron Hopkins dominated inside. They seized the lead midway through the third quarter and carried it to a 65-60 conclusion, claiming a share of the inaugural LCL title.

While the hosts' freethrow shooting wasn't stellar (9 for 17), it was just good enough when combined with the Clippers' free-throw woes (6 for 14) to keep the visitors at bay.

Harrell, who was quiet in the first half, exploded for 16 of his 18 points in the second.

The Phoenix sharpshooters found the range from outside, and when there was a miss, Hopkins or Ty Locklear were often there to corral crucial rebounds and put-backs.

Hopkins, like Harrell,

Photos by Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

▲ Phoenix assistant basketball coach Jordan Beard makes the final snip, cutting down the basketball nets Friday after Oberlin won a share of the inaugural Lorain County League championship title.

► Senior James Davis drives the lane for a pair early in the Phoenix's thrilling 65-60 win. He helped keep Oberlin within striking distance during the first half with eight of his nine points before the break. tallied 16 of his 18 points in the second half, including 10 in the fourth quarter.

The Phoenix couldn't have done it on their own — they needed a big helping hand from Keystone, which beat Columbia, the same Keystone team that Oberlin vanquished the week prior. The Wildcats

did their part, edging the Raiders 68-65 in LaGrange.

Coach Kurt Russell beamed as his players celebrated by cutting down the nets.

"You know, these guys have worked hard, particularly the seniors," he said.

"They've come to practice every day and bust their

Fallon Cook wrestles at first girls all-state meet

tails. They lead by example. And they're getting to see that hard work pay off.

This is a very competitive conference for us, and to share the league title with teams like Keystone and Columbia, well, we'll take it. That's some fine company."

Russell was named the

Lorain County League and Lorain County Division III Coach of the Year.

The Friday results place Oberlin at 16-6 overall (104 in LCL play).

The Wildcats and Raiders finished with identical 10-4 LCL records, and right behind the tri-champions are Firelands and Clearview

at 9-5.

Oberlin now takes to the tournament trail.

The Division III seventh-seeded Phoenix hosted 10th-seeded Burton Berkshire on Tuesday after press time. The winner of that contest squares off against Elyria Catholic at 7 p.m. on Friday.

HIGH FIVES FOR SENIORS

SHAUN BENNETT THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

While it wasn’t the on-the-mat performance Oberlin senior Fallon Cook was hoping for, competing in the inaugural Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association girls state tournament was everything she had dreamed it would be.

“I just feel that every single girl that’s here worked so hard to be here and to be able to be here myself means so much,” she said. “It’s been really motivating. I go out there and see girls giving it their all on the mat. It’s so inspiring.”

Cook opened against Indian Creek’s Ellie Paterra, the No. 2 seed in the 116-pound bracket, and was pinned in 18 seconds.

Paterra got her forearm into Cook’s neck, cutting off the oxygen and blood to the point where Cook nearly lost consciousness.

“She had a really tight grip,” Cook said.

“I couldn’t breathe after she had got over my throat. When they blew the whistle the entire room started spinning. I tried to stand up but I had to go talk to the medics.”

Cook was cleared to continue, but lost a 10-3 matchup against Columbus Centennial’s Hamdi Osman in the consolation first round.

“Right now it stings that she’s done, but she came down and she wrestled to the best of her ability,” Oberlin coach Gary Huff said. “When she looks back on it

Photos by Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

Two groups of Phoenix seniors were honored Friday prior to the start of Oberlin's basketball game against Clearview. Pictured with coach Kurt Russell, varsity basketball seniors include Aaron Hopkins, Giles Harrell Jr., James Davis and Jordan McCants. Pictured with adviser Denita Tolbert-Brown, cheer seniors include Faith Gooch, Ginger McFarlin, Bailey Wallace and Aniya Smith.

Thomas Fetcenko | Chronicle

Oberlin's Fallon Cook wrestles at the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association Girls State Tournament.

she’s going to enjoy that she was down here. She gave it her best shot and just came up a little bit short.”

Cook said she’s happy to be part of the first group of state tournament girls, which she expects will open the doors for future female wrestlers, and she’s also happy she was able to represent one of two Lorain County schools in the inaugural event.

“Now I can say I’ve got to state for Oberlin and I’m really excited about that,” she said.

PLAYOFF WIN FOR PIRATES Russ Gifford | Oberlin News-Tribune

Black River’s Ashley Kalman drives past Oberlin’s Mar’khila Holloway. It hasn't been easy for the Black River girls. But last Wednesday they surged to a 66-42 victory over Oberlin in Division III section play in Sullivan. The Pirates nearly doubled the points average from their past 13 unlucky sectional losses, banking on Sara Kuzik to lead the way. She did, with 24 points, helped

by Lydia Wacker with 10. Victoria Jackson had 15 points and Mar'Khilia Holloway put up 13 more for the Phoenix.

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Page C4

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Oberlin News-Tribune

© 2020 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 36, No. 12

n Tuesday, March 3rd, citizens over the age of 18 in 14 states and American Samoa will vote ffor who will represent their political party as thee candidate for president in the November nationnal election. That is a quarter of the states and U U.S. Territories all voting on the same day, and itt’s known as Super Tuesday. It is a super day too celebrate democracy!

The right to vote makes our form of government in the United States a

To find the word that goes in the blank, write down each letter you pass along the correct path of the maze.

WHO IS VOTING?

The states holding their primaries on Super Tuesday are shaded.

Draw a line from the name of each state to where it is located on the U.S. map at right.

*Not shown on map: American Samoa will also hold caucuses on Super Tuesday.

Replace the missing words.

WHO WILL BE PRESIDENT?

The primary election season is heating up as candidates try to become the next ___________ of the United States.

This year, Republicans will work to see Donald J. Trump re-elected for a ___________ term as president.

Meanwhile, Democrats will cast their ______ for the person they think can defeat President

Trump in the fall and ___ back the White House for their party.

The U.S. Constitution calls for American ____________ to elect a president every four years. The ____________ takes place in November.

Republicans and Democrats hold primary elections to help __________ which person, or candidate, will represent their party in the November election.

Candidate Search

Where does the president of the United States live?

Circle your guess. Then do the math to see if you are right.

The even-numbered photo shows the White House.

4+2+4+3+6=

How many stars do you see?

5+5+5+5+4=

4+6+6+3+4=

Look through the newspaper and find the names of people running for public office. On a piece of paper, write down each name and the office they wish to represent.

Can you discover which political party each candidate represents?

Election Words to Know

As you read more about elections in the news, it is good to know the meanings of the words you will read and hear.

Candidate: a person running for office

7+2+3+6+5=

Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate information.

Election: the process of choosing a leader by voting Caucus: the process where people come together to discuss and vote for a candidate

Donkeys and elephants have long been the symbols of the two biggest political parties in the United States, thanks to a cartoonist named Thomas

Nast. In the 1870s, Nast drew a donkey to represent one party and an elephant to represent the other in cartoons for Harper’s Weekly magazine.

Unscramble the letters to see which party each animal represents.

TRACMODE

EARPBUCNLI

Standards Link: Civics: Know the meaning of various American symbols.

CANDIDATE REPRESENT FEBRUARY R Y Y V P A R T Y C CAUCUSES E R L O F C T R S A CITIZENS P A K R O W A N T U PRIMARY WEEKLY R M E E U U E S V C ELECT E I E P R Z A O T U PARTY S R W B I N T R E S FOUR E P E T C E L E R E CAST VOTE N F I I M A R Y M S TERM T C A N D I D A T E WORK Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recongized identical NAST words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

REPRESENT

The verb represent means to act for or in place of.

John was selected to represent the team at the ceremony.

Try to use the word represent in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family.

You’re the Candidate

What do you think?

Look through today’s newspaper for an article about a problem you think needs to be solved.

Write a letter to the candidates asking them for their solutions. Tell them your ideas.

ANSWER: Alabama: It has four As and one B!

Standards Link: Writing Applications: Students write to influence and request.

This week’s word:

Pretend you have been chosen for president of your class.

What would you like to happen in your class that would make it a better place to learn?

INSIDE: RESTRAINT ON SCHOOL SEAT BELT ISSUE • D2

WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE THURSDAY, FEB. 27, 2020 • SERVING WELLINGTON SINCE 1864

Custodian shows where Westwood needs repairs JASON HAWK EDITOR

Linda Karp

No one knows better than Linda Karp what repairs are needed at Westwood Elementary School.

As a custodian there for 20 years, she is perhaps the biggest cheerleader for Issue 16, an $8.7 million request by the Wellington Schools on the March pri-

mary ballot.

Karp provided behindthe-scenes access at the school Friday, showing the hulking, worn boilers.

"When one goes down and it can't be repaired, what are we going to do?" she asked.

The three heaters are the same ones that have been in use since Westwood was built more than 60 years ago. It's taken hard work,

but two are still operational.

"They've lasted all these years. You don't expect that in your home. I think they've done their job, and now we need new ones," Karp said.

Elsewhere in the school, ceilings are dotted with brown splotches due to leaks in the roof. Karp showed classrooms where cabinets and floors suffered

water damage.

She worries about leaks that will ruin computers and other expensive equipment — "The problems with the roof don't just affect the roof," Karp said.

The district will offer several open houses and tours of Westwood and Wellington High School before the election.

The high school will be open from 6-7:30 p.m. on

Thursdays, Feb. 27 and March 12.

Westwood will be open from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10.

Superintendent Ed Weber said he wants visitors to see condition the schools are in and understand the need for repairs is pressing.

The facilities may look clean and neat due to WESTWOOD PAGE D2

PIECE OF CAKE

Provided photo

Cody Velez is remembered as someone who loved marching in the Black River band and playing basketball and baseball.

Black River mourns death of 8th-grader

Photos by Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise

Sue Andras flips flapjacks as orders surge in Friday morning during the Kiwanis Club's annual Pancake Day as ResCare of Wellington.

Nothing ‘batter’ than this tradition

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Black River students are reeling after the unexpected death of a classmate.

Cody Velez, 13, passed suddenly last Monday.

He died peacefully at home, according to Judy Martin, a close friend of the family.

"When I got the phone call Monday, I was devastated.

I was in total shock, and it's hit a lot of his friends the same," she said.

The district reacted by delaying the start of school by two hours the following day and making both grief counselors and ministers available. Counselors returned Wednesday morning.

"A small district like ours, everybody is like family," said Superintendent Chris Clark.

Losing Velez has created a void at the middle school and students will need time to find closure, he said.

"I think time heals all wounds. That void is probably always going to be there, it's how we're going to deal with it," said Clark.

Velez played the bass drum and was one of a few eighth-graders allowed to join the Pirates marching band.

He was also active in Boy Scouts, the middle school symphonic band, was interested in sports and was a student council member, said Principal Cathy Aviles.

She described the teenager as someone who was always at the center of activity, outgoing, constantly VELEZ PAGE D2

JASON HAWK EDITOR

The smell of hotcakes and butter filled the air Friday in one of Wellington's favorite traditions — the annual Kiwanis Pancake Day. "Everybody loves to fill up," said Paul Wilson, president of the service club's local chapter.

Over the course of 12 hours, he expected to serve up to 2,000 pancakes and 1,000 sausage links, filling about 500 hungry bellies.

Food and advertising sales helped raise money for scholarships for two graduating Wellington High School seniors, as well as the district's trust fund.

"We try to get kids to sign up for a college fund.

Stevie Pasadyn mixes up a batch of batter.

If they put $50 down when they're young, we match it," Wilson said.

This year's Pancake Day will also benefit playgrounds at Union School Park, Westwood Elemen-

tary School and the Wellington Recreation Park on Johns Street.

Among those, the Westwood play area is the club's top priority, Wilson said, because it gets the most

use.

In November, Wellington school board member Ayers Ratliff said the playground was deemed by insurers to be in bad shape.

He said it needs $20,000 in repairs, and suggested asking local groups to pitch in for a new playground surface and equipment.

That $20,000 estimate was far off the mark, Ratliff said Friday — it will take $80,000 to $100,000 "to do it right instead of putting in something small that won't last," he said.

The Wellington K-Kids, overseen by Kiwanis, has agreed to give $5,000 and the Westwood parent cooperative will chip in too.

Ratliff said there are some reservations about the effort because Westwood's future is uncertain.

PANCAKES PAGE D3

School calendar gets nip-tucked Beriswill JASON HAWK EDITOR

Maybe it's not exactly what parents and teachers wanted, said Ed Weber, but a calendar has been hammered out for Wellington's 2020-2021 school year.

The superintendent's revised set of dates for next year have been approved by the Board of Education.

It includes tweaks that now put graduation on June 6 and the last day of

school on June 10.

That's five days shorter than originally planned.

School board members were unhappy with plans to run later into the summer, due to a late start for the Lorain County Fair.

The fair draws more than 100,000 people each year, and many Wellington students are involved in showing animals and 4-H projects.

Traditionally, the district has waited until after the close of the fair to begin fall classes.

The 175th Lorain

County Fair is scheduled to run from Sunday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 30 — those dates are set by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Teachers will report Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 for convocation and professional development days.

They can also use Sept.

2 to prepare, and meetand-greets with parents will be held that evening.

Classes will begin Tuesday, Sept. 3, which falls the week before Labor Day. Weber said he was un-

willing to cut the number of days students attend school. So to tighten the calendar, some vacation days were trimmed.

Of note, the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas, which had originally been included in students' winter break, will now be school days.

Winter break will run from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3.

Weber asked the board to pass the 2021-2022 calendar at the same time. It calls for classes to run from Sept. 2 to June 9.

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Page D2

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Wellington Enterprise

Officials view school bus seat belts with restraint JASON HAWK EDITOR

When it comes to one man's plea to put seat belts on school buses, Wellington Superintendent Ed Weber is sympathetic but unconvinced.

Rudy Breglia of Avon Lake has petitioned the Board of Education and Village Council to support a trial run with shoulder harness belts on a single school bus.

He's the head of the School

Bus Safety Alliance, which has approached districts all over Northeast Ohio to press for seat belts, most recently during a Feb. 18 meeting in Wellington.

Weber said seat belts would help in a rollover crash, but not if a bus were submerged in floodwaters, and they could slow an evacuation if a bus filled with smoke.

"None of those things are likely, but they can happen," he said. "Right now there is no safer vehicle on Ohio roads than a

school bus."

Weber said he has no personal opinion on seat belts — he's happy to stick with the statemandated "compartmentalization" seats meant to keep kids from tumbling around during a collision.

"We have a little interest to learn more but not to act today," he said.

Meanwhile, a pilot to test school bus seat belts in Avon Lake at Breglia's urging is off to a rocky start.

Sue Cole, who is in charge of the northern district's transportation department, said younger students struggle with the seat belts, older students don't want to wear them and bus drivers are unhappy with the situation.

“From the beginning, we’ve kept a very open mind about what could come from the seat belts,” Cole said. “The students have not been very open to the idea.”

Bus drivers have reported students tying the seat belts togeth-

GIBBS SCORES 22 OF 30 Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Wellington’s Jalen Gibbs gets a layup against Warrensville Heights. Cornered by Tigers at every turn, the Dukes suffered a season-ending 48-30 loss on Saturday in Division III sectional tournament action. Shutting down Gibbs was the Tigers' main goal. She still made 22 points and pulled down six rebounds, despite sometimes facing a fourperson press. While she was the only Dukes scorer in double digits, Gibbs credited teammates for her standout performance. "I'm so proud of my teammates,” she said. “They pushed through a lot of adversity. They're a big part of me and I'm so proud that I get to call them my sisters."

er, which takes significant time to fix, and seat belts falling into the aisle, which could present a tripping hazard.

“This is new equipment and these kids aren’t used to having seat belts on the school buses,” Breglia said. “I think one of the solutions to that would be having a strong school policy where if the seat belt is there, you are required to use it.”

Dylan Reynolds contributed to this article.

MAN ON FIRE Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Mason McClellan wasn't just on fire Friday night — he burned every Cardinal he went up against.

Scoring a game-high 28 points, he led the Dukes to a 60-53 win over Brookside to wrap up the regular season. Wellington trailed 12-10 in the first quarter and found its pace in the second, going 15-8. McClellan had more than half of Wellington's points in the opening half. The closing quarters were an all-out battle, but the Dukes held a onepoint upper hand in each. Noah Diermyer had 13 points and Ben Bliss scored nine. Now the Wellington boys are seeded sixth and will face 11th-seeded Akron Manchester.

A DANCE TO REMEMBER

FIRE & ICE

Provided photo

Members of the Civil War History Club at Wellington High School get their dance moves on during the Lincoln Ball on Feb. 8. Here, seniors Evan Kirkpatrick and Cally Hardwick (center) demonstrate a traditional dance of the Civil War area.

WESTWOOD

FROM D1 custodians' hard work, but those efforts can only go so far without real repairs, he said.

Continuing to use Westwood without extensive repairs isn't an option, Weber said, and the Board of Education has talked about possibly closing the school if a levy isn't passed in 2020.

"It's just not smart money management," he said. "We need to get to the

root of the cause, which is we have an aging roof that needs to be reconstructed and boilers that need replaced."

A well-run school system should have a maintenance fund, said Weber. One should have been established in Wellington 20 years ago.

"Let's do it right. Let's make some smart decisions that will keep us moving forward," he said.

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Provided photo

Seventh and eighth grade student council members pose with McCormick Middle School secretary Deb Kimmich before their benefit dance in February. Student council sponsored a winter "Fire & Ice" dance with proceeds going to Wellington's first responders, raising $425.

VELEZ

FROM D1 smiling and "had a certain charm."

Aviles said he loved wearing shorts, no matter how cold it was outside.

When there was a project to be done, Velez volunteered. When a younger student needed a mentor to look up to, Velez was by their side.

"He was just kind of that student who you knew you could count on him," said Aviles.

Many of her young students had never experienced the death of a close one before, she said. They are having trouble understanding why they want to laugh one moment and cry the next.

Martin said her sons are also reeling — they played basketball and baseball with Velez since they were four years old.

His father, Isaac Velez, has been a baseball coach for Spencer Hot Stove and Black River Youth Sports, and Cody would help him out on the diamond, she said.

"Anything you needed, he would be there for you. He was just an all-around

good kid. Little kids looked up to him in Scouts and he mentored a lot of kids," she said.

Black River Youth Sports secretary Nikki McConnel went online to offer a tribute to Velez.

"So many of our coaches, players and parents have had their lives touched by Cody's kindness. We will forever miss his earthly presence and will forever be grateful for the cherished time he shared with us," she wrote on social media.

Another family friend, Nichole Adkins-Bentley started a fundraiser through GoFundMe to help the Velez family pay for funeral expenses.

"Cody was a sweet and hilarious kid and an amazing big brother who was adored by all who knew him. He had a tremendous love for sports, band, family and friends," she wrote on the donation page.

Martin said a funeral service is being planned and will be held at the school.

A March 14 fundraiser is also in the works to help the Velez family.

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Wellington Enterprise

Page D3

Meyers appointed OFMA director-at-large Lorain County Fair Board Director and President Kim Meyers has been appointed to serve as a director-at-large for the Ohio Fair Managers Association.

The appointment was made by OFMA President Rodney Arter and formally announced at the OFMA Board of Directors during a Feb. 15 meeting in Columbus.

The OFMA serves and promotes state, county and independent agricultural fairs and festivals throughout the state. It represents more than 95 fairs and 240 organizations and businesses from

agricultural and trade related fields.

It also assists and supports the International Association of Fairs & Expositions.

Meyers has spoken on many topics and given educational and legal presentations at annual OFMA conventions held each January. Topics have included constitutional law, contract law, business law, media relations, Ohio Sunshine Law and the Public Records Act, nonprofits, business promotion and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Meyers has been a director on the Lorain

County Fair Board for 16 years and now serves as president and chairman of midway and concessions, media relations, executive committee, and co-chairman of the beer garden and fundraising committees. His primary responsibilities are overseeing food, amusement rides, games and indoor and outdoor exhibitors of the fair.

In 2016, he received the prestigious Clair Hill Director Award for his commitment and years of service to the Lorain County Fair. He is also the recipient of the Greater Ohio Showmen’s Associa-

Apply for a grant

The Wellington Women’s League is accepting applications through March 16 for the $1,000 Sherryl Perkin’s Memorial Scholarship.

It will go to a Wellington High School graduate or resident who is attending a college or trade school for nursing.

SCHOLARS RACHEL BARLETTA of Wellington has been named to the president's list for the Fall 2019 semester at LeTourneau University. She is a junior majoring in psychology.

Kim Meyers tion Fair Director of the Year Award for 2019.

Meyers works as a magistrate and attorney with the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas in Elyria.

HAPPY 100TH DAY

POLICE REPORTS • Feb. 8 at 12:17 a.m.: Nicholas Senghas, 37, of Wellington, was arrested on warrants through the Huron County Sheriff's Office for menacing by stalking and criminal trespassing.

• Feb. 9 at 8:18 p.m.: Officers investigated a domestic violence complaint on Willard Court.

• Feb. 9 at 8:33 p.m.: A man reported an ongoing identity fraud issue.

• Feb. 17 at 9:56 a.m.: Charles Emory, 45, of Wellington, was arrested on three warrants, including a felony warrant through the Medina County Sheriff's Office.

• Feb. 18 at 12:20 p.m.: An employee at Farm & Home Hardware provided police with evidence related to a theft from the store.

Editor's note: Though charged, defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PANCAKES

FROM D1 An $8.7 million ballot issue in March for repairs at the aging school, but without the money Board of Education members have said they may have to close the building.

"That does raise the question of why we'd have a playground there if there's no school," Ratliff said.

NRA CCW Class One Day $75

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Photos by Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise

Teacher Brianne Burcl leads her class through phonics exercises on Friday, which was the 100th day of kindergarten at Westwood Elementary School.

CROSSHAIRSCONCEALEDCARRY.COM

Please support the

Wellington Fire District

Fire District Seeks Replacement Levy

On Tuesday, March 17, residents in the Village of Wellington and the townships of Brighton, Huntington, Penfield, Pittsfield and Wellington will be asked to support a five-year, 2.75 mill replacement levy for the Wellington Community Fire District. This levy, as in the past, will appear on the ballot as a replacement issue. Your board of trustees, which represents the village and each township, opted to replace the 2015 levy, which expires December 31, 2020.

Levy History

In its 50th year as a fire district, the Wellington Fire District was formed in 1970 when voters approved a 1.5 mil levy. The levy increased to 2.0 mils in November 1979. The levy stayed at 2.0 mils until March 2000 when voters approved a 2.75 mil levy.

In February 2005 voters approved a reduced, 2.50 mil levy, due largely in-part to the economy.

However, with rising costs of fuel, equipment and protective gear, the need to supplement the budget is necessary. Keeping the levy at 2.75 mils, the Fire District can continue to operate effectively, efficiently and financially sound for years to come.

The funding from this levy will be used to maintain the day-to-day operations of the Fire District, as well as provide for some much-needed capital expenditures.

In this levy period, refurbishment of the oldest vehicle in the fleet, a 1992 Pierce Rescue truck will take place, saving approximately $350,000; allowing for another ten years of service.

Other capital expenditures: 2021:

Brush truck replacement; $60,000

Radio replacement, Phase 1; $75,000 Replacement 2001, Engine 153; $476,000 Radio replacement, Phase 2; $75,000 2023: Refurbish Rescue 154; $75,000 Radio replacement, Phase 3; $75,000 2024: Turnout gear replacement; $25,200 Radio replacement, Phase 4; $75,000 2025: Turnout gear replacement: $25,200 Most importantly, the Fire Board of Trustees wisely manages YOUR money. With cost of most things increasing, the Fire District is striving to insure the financial stability for the future. If the levy is not increased, within several years, the district will be forced to operate on a good portion of the savings, which is held in reserve for unforeseen circumstances. The capital planning model is constantly reviewed to ensure the responsible use of YOUR tax dollars!

2022:

Issue 15 Summary Millage...............................................2.75 Length ............................................5 years Generates Annually ....................$922,000 Annual Cost for $100,000 home......$96.25 Annual Cost for $150,00 home......$144.00 Annual Cost for $200,000 home....$192.50 Paid for by Committee to Support the Wellington Fire District Levy, Ken Knapp, Treasurer.

©The Chronicle-Telegram

Capital Expenditure Five-Year Strategic Plan

Page D4

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Wellington Enterprise

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