Lorain County Community Guide - Oct. 21, 2021

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AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

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Volume 8, Issue 42

Amid police morale probe, Kucirek retires JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — After an 11 week investigation into complaints of low morale at the Amherst Police Department, Chief Joseph Kucirek has chosen to retire.

He has been on paid administrative leave since July 23, and tendered his resignation notice last week, effective immediately.

“To my great disappointment,

you have chosen to force me into an early retirement,” Kucirek wrote to Mayor Mark Costilow.

“You decided earlier this year that you wanted to remove me as chief, and then, after your decision had already been made, you initiated an investigation to justify your decision.”

In a written response to the letter, Costilow and Safety Service Director John Jeffries disputed the chief’s complaint but accepted his retirement and thanked him for his service.

Earlier this year, they hired Beavercreek-based LeBrun Management Solutions to look into why police officers Joseph were leaving Kucirek Amherst. Five had taken jobs at other departments in the last couple of years, most recently Ptl. Eric Layfield, who was assigned to the Amherst

Schools.

The consulting firm interviewed current and former police officers and dispatchers, and found employees were unhappy with Kucirek’s “military-like” leadership style. According to a report obtained under the Ohio Public Records Act, they called the workplace “hostile” and “toxic.”

Employees said they feared making decisions while on patrol that the chief would later disagree with, and did not feel

trusted. They also complained about discipline, saying Kucirek led by “intimidation and fear,” according to LeBrun’s report.

"He threatens to take things away and will target staff that gets in his way,” it said. “He uses video equipment and car tracker devices to 'spy' on the staff. It is believed that the roll call room has a voice recorder, and the chief has access to monitor all equipment from home. He is KUCIREK PAGE A4

Better late than never!

Photo by Lillie Paquette

MIT professor Joshua Angrist, a 1982 alumnus of Oberlin College, celebrates winning a Nobel Prize.

Oberlin grad Joshua Angrist wins Nobel Prize JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Joshua Angrist, a 1982 graduate of Oberlin College, has been awarded the Nobel Prize for advancing the way researchers understand complex economic problems.

He shares the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel with Guido Imbens of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and David Card of the University of California at Berkeley.

“Together, they have revolutionized empirical research in the economic sciences,” the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in an announcement last week.

NOBEL PAGE A3

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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

Angelo Angel | Oberlin News-Tribune

Members of the Oberlin College Class of 2020 receive applause from faculty and staff Saturday on Tappan Square. Graduates — 192 of them — who could not receive diplomas last year due to COVID-19 restrictions were treated to an out-of-the-ordinary fall commencement ceremony.

College President Carmen Twillie Ambar and class representative Naeisha McClain offered remarks. A unity celebration, Black Family Appreciation Ceremony and luncheon, homecoming tailgate party, social hour and toast to the Class of 2020 were planned. More than 400 guests were expected to attend, according to the college.

Issue 1 would help fund Crime Lab STAFF REPORT

Issue 1 on the Nov. 2 ballot is a county-wide, 0.3-mill, five-year levy to fund the Lorain County Crime/ Drub Lab and Lorain County Coroner's Office.

If approved, the levy will begin collection in 2022 and will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $10.50 per year for five years.

The levy would cover the "high upfront" costs associated with moving the county crime lab out of the basement of the County Administration Building on Middle Avenue and into

Copyright 2021 Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company

its own secure building.

The levy also would help provide more funding for the coroner's office.

It currently draws its budget from the

county's general fund.

The crime/drug lab's current home in a former employee cafeteria in the building was meant to be temporary.

The crime lab's most-recent levy was passed in the 1980s and provides only about $150,000 annually. Because it remains housed in what was meant to be a temporary location, the lab is not certified and cannot be certified.

The FBI, Lorain County Sheriff's Office and local law enforcement rely on the lab to test drugs that are seized during criminal enforcement operations.

Criminal defendants in Lorain CRIME LAB PAGE A2

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Send legal notices to jyoder@chroniclet.com Submit advertising to chama@chroniclet.com

Issue 1 What it is: A 0.3-mill levy Duration: Five years Would raise: $2.3 million a year Purpose: To move the Lorain County crime and drug lab out of the basement of the County Administration Building in Elyria and provide funding to the Lorain County Coroner’s Office Cost to homeowner/taxpayer: The owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $10.50 annually

Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Report detailing findings on former PD chief • A5

Evidence in 59-year-old murder case gets review • A4

Meet the six candidates vying for school board • B1

OBITUARIES A2 • VOTING INFO B1-B3 • SPORTS B4-B5 • CLASSIFIEDS B6

Page A2

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Rotary peace conference

Sixty-three Rotary clubs from across Northeast Ohio will hold a conference seeking to promote peace and understanding across the region.

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Lorain County Community College, 1005 North Abbe Rd., Elyria. It will feature keynote speakers Xavier Ramey, founder and CEO of Justice Informed; Dr. Akram Boutros, president and CEO of the Cuyahoga County MetroHealth System; and the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. of the Mount Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland.

“There is no question that we face enormous challenges in today’s world,” said Jeanine Donaldson, Rotary District 6600 peace conference chair and executive director of the YWCA of Elyria. “If we don’t act now to build the conditions for a sustainable peace, the problems will only increase.”

The conference is open to the public and free to attend with registration. Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/ PeaceRotaryLCCC.

Trunk or Treat at Open Door

A “cops and community” trunk or treat event will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29 at Church of the Open Door, 43275 Telegraph Rd., Elyria.

Kids can wear costumes to get candy in an event sponsored by Amherst, Wellington, Avon, Avon Lake and Olmsted Falls police and the Lorain County Deputies Association.

Refreshments will be provided.

OBITUARIES Frances L. Andel Frances L. Andel, 87, of Wellington, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, at the Elms Retirement Village, Wellington. She was born March 13, 1934, in Rochester to the late Margaret (Sojeba) and Leon Wolfe.

Frances was a graduate of Brighton High School, Class of 1952 and worked and retired at Forest City Technologies, Wellington. She lived in the area until moving to Naples, Florida in 1996 and then returned to Wellington in 2017. Mrs. Andel was a member of the Rochester Baptist Church until moving to Naples where she joined the First Baptist Church in Naples and sang in the choir. She enjoyed doing crafty things including crocheting, music and made Christmas ornaments for all her family.

Mrs. Andel is survived by her four daughters, Linda Smith of Cape Coral, Florida, Laura (Tom) Paul of Naples, Florida, Leona Williams of Wellington, Lou Ann (Rick) Williams of Wellington and son, Todd Andel of Clarksfield; six grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren and sister, Barbara Abbott of Elyria.

She was preceded in death by her parents; greatgrandson, Thomas Michael Smith; siblings, Leona Boxler and Robert Wolfe.

Friends and family will be received Thursday, October 21, 2021, from noon to 2 p.m. at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 South Main St., Wellington, with the service beginning at 2 p.m., conducted by The Rev. Paul Wilson. Burial will take place at Rochester Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or Rochester Baptist Church, 207 State Route 511, Wellington, OH 44090.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www. norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.

JEAN MARIE HARDWICK (nee Sislow) left us to be with her parents and siblings in Heaven on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Hempel Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

JOHN 'JACK' EDWARD MCDONALD, 82, of Amherst, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, at Ames Family Hospice Center, Westlake, following a full and meaningful life. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

Our condolences go out to families that have suffered the loss of a loved one.

For information about placing an obituary or death notice in the Community Guide, call (440) 329-7000.

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Music therapy soothes patients’ souls LORAIN — Clinical therapists know playwright William Congreve was on to something when he wrote that “music hath charms to soothe the savage breast.”

Now Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital is putting that 400-yearold wisdom to work, launching its first music therapy program to help patients.

“Using singing, instrument play, songwriting and lyric discussions, music is often able to reach the parts of a person that no other intervention can touch, and I am honored to be bringing this work to the people of my hometown, through Mercy,” said Jaclyn Bradley, who will run the program.

Bradley is a board-certified music therapist as well as an international singer and songwriter.

She trained at Indiana University, the Cleveland Consortium and Colorado State University. Bradley has also previously practiced at University Hospitals and the St. John of God Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Clinical music therapy is a fastgrowing field that helps hospitalized patients manage pain, reduce

Provided photo

Therapist Jaclyn Bradley is harnessing the power of music to help patients at Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital. anxiety, rehabilitate speech and motor function and cope with the hospital experience, according to Mercy.

The hospital’s new music therapy program will be available with a referral from the medical team, or it can also be requested by patients and families.

“We are so excited to begin to offer music therapy to our patients

here at Mercy Health – Lorain,” said Nursing Director Shawna Kobelka. “This program comes at the perfect time for us. Caring for patients with excellence and compassion is what we do best.

Jaclyn’s talents are welcomed, and we look forward to building this program to a provide new experience and an improved healing process.”

High-tech tractor donated to JVS students PITTSFIELD TWP. — Students in the industrial equipment mechanics program at the Lorain County JVS have the opportunity to be trained on a high-tech piece of agriculture equipment, thanks to a partnership with Wellington Implement.

Tom Stannard, the company’s president and general manager, recently delivered a Case IH Magnum 310 tractor to the vocational school on Route 58.

“Obviously the school can’t afford to go out and buy brand new equipment every year, so with the partnership with Case IH, they allow us to place equipment like this in programs like this one Provided photo so the students can get Industrial equipment mechanics students at the Lorain County JVS talk familiar with some of the with Tom Stannard and instructor Mason Bremke about the donation of a newer equipment,” said tractor by Wellington Implement.

Stannard. on it: electrical, hydrauWellington Implement, rently out there in the real Wellington Implement lic, emissions, the tech“and the more exposure world, and this piece of also sends employees nology part, and so we they have to the newer equipment shows them to the JVS a few times hope the students spend technology, the better it is the exact types of things during the school year time with each part so for us all,” he said. that are coming into the to work one-on-one with when they do go out on Instructor Mason shops to be worked on,” students and help fathat job interview, they Bremke, a 2011 graduate he said. miliarize them with the are able to really talk the of the program, said he The tractor is valued equipment. talk,” he said. looks forward to the trac- at more than $400,000 According to Stannard, The partnership is imtor donation each year. and represents the cutthere are several things portant to his business be“It is so important that ting edge of farm equipstudents can learn about our students learn on the ment technology, said via the tractor. “There are cause some students may one day go to work for equipment that is curStannard. a lot of different systems

New at the Amherst Public Library: tween fiction

The Amherst Public Library has made an addition to its collections. The tween fiction collection helps take the guesswork out of finding books for strong readers who have advanced beyond juvenile fiction but aren’t quite ready for some of the concepts found in young adult fiction.

Tween fiction books are age and reading level appropriate for ages 9-11 and grades four to six. Visit the second floor of the library to find the collection.

CRIME LAB

FROM A1

County Common Pleas Court are sent there for court-ordered drug screening, and the county uses the lab for pre-employment drug screening.

An additional $400,000 from the county general fund was spent this year to bolster the crime lab's operations. General fund money also used to make up any shortfalls in the coroner's budget.

With certification or accreditation, the lab can apply for additional state and federal funding, its test results are considered better for use in criminal court cases and substances to be tested won't have to be retested by other, outside labs for certified results.

This helps local and federal law enforcement authorities better do their jobs, officials have said.

A similar levy on the ballot in November 2019 failed by approximately 1,900 votes.

The Lorain County Coroner is responsible for investigating and determining the cause of death of anyone who has died suddenly, suspiciously, while in the custody of police or the county jail, unattended deaths, those who die on the job or by violent means.

Open 24/7, the office investigated 1,150 deaths in 2020, and partners with local hospitals for morgue and autopsy space and services.

Kristin Bauer | Community Guide

Chelsea Lang, forensic drug analyst with the Lorain County Crime Lab, works with the gas chromatographymass spectrometry machine that tests drugs for substances such as fentanyl at the Lorain County crime and drug lab.

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.

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

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A3

Weber fired, White hired in another county shake-up DAVE O’BRIEN

THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

ELYRIA — Interim Lorain County Administrator Rob Weber was fired by the Lorain County Board of Commissioners last week.

Weber's tenure as interim administrator ended at 4:30 p.m. this past Friday, commissioners decided in a 3-0 vote. Replacing him on a full-time basis is attorney James "J.R." White, whom commissioners unanimously hired as the new county administrator, effective Thursday, Oct. 14. He is the third person to serve in that role since Jan. 4.

Commissioner Michelle Hung released a statement thanking Weber for his service.

"We wish him well in his future endeavors," she wrote.

Referencing Weber's firing, Commissioner Matt Lundy said by phone that "it was best we move in a new direction and I wish him all the best."

Commissioner David Moore said in a phone interview that Weber "didn't have the temperament for the job."

"And I think the other two (Hung and Lundy) finally realized he did not have the temperament for the job," Moore said. "There was no 'straw that broke the camel's back.' He was in over his head. He didn't have the temperament and everything that happened to him proved that I was right."

Weber, a Henrietta Township resident, had an excused absence from last Wednesday's commissioners meeting, Hung said. He had not given a report to commissioners for the past three weeks.

Weber responds In a phone call, Weber said he learned of his firing in a text message sent to him last Wednesday while he was out on emergency leave through the end of the week.

He said he was due to return to work Monday, and shared a screenshot photo of the termination letter he received by text from Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Dan Petticord, the commissioners' legal counsel.

Weber said he has been away from the job because his wife is missing. He had asked for official leave to deal with his family issues but was denied.

Weber said his wife has been missing for a number of weeks, that he tracked her to Florida, and that it was only on Wednesday that he found out she is alive.

"That was the happiest news that I've ever heard,

that she's alive," he said.

The Chronicle-Telegram couldn't independently verify Weber's story, but multiple sources within the county familiar with the situation confirmed portions of Weber's account about his leave from the county.

In the meantime, Weber said he was upset with the way the county commissioners handled his firing.

"All the work I've done and service and the help, they terminate me by text message while I'm out pursuing my wife who is a bona fide missing person human being. I never received a single phone call from anyone in Lorain County about job duties or anything," he said. "All they said was 'You didn't return phone calls.'"

Weber said his firing is a deflection from the dysfunction in county government in recent weeks. He said he stepped up into the interim administrator role when former County Administrator Tom Williams was fired in August, and was working 60- and 70-hour weeks for the county, all while dealing with concerns with his wife.

"I didn't want Tom to get fired, but who else is going to do it?" he said. "I asked for help, I'm granted some leave, and I'm fired while I'm out looking for my wife.

I go from the happiest moment of my life to knowing that she's still alive to half an hour later, 'You're fired.'"

Weber said the culture of the board of commissioners right now is a "toxic culture."

"Upon reflection and hindsight, it's probably a blessing to get out of the toxic environment that is the Lorain County Board of Commissioners," Weber said. "All I tried to do was try to get my wife help and get her to safety, and they turn around and fire me?"

Weber controversy Weber is a licensed attorney and former Republican candidate for U.S. Congress who lost a 2020 election bid to U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. He was hired as deputy county administrator on Jan. 4 and was being paid about $86,500 annually to start.

He rose to interim administrator, with an increase in pay to $110,000 annually, after commissioners fired Williams on Aug. 18.

Weber has twice been at the center of controversy, both prior to his tenure with the county and during. One of his responsibilities as deputy county administrator was oversight of the Lorain County Dog Kennel.

A "visibly upset and distraught" dog kennel employee approached Hu-

man Resources Manager Adina Bargan on Aug. 23 and asked how to make a complaint against Weber, according to documents provided to The Chronicle in a public records request.

The employee's name was redacted, but they were described as "afraid to physically come in and be seen at the Administration Building for fear of retaliation" from Weber, Bargan told Human Resources Director Jen Sinatra in an email.

The employee reported that since February, employees at the kennel had been "afraid of retaliatory action against them" by Weber and that they believed he had asked them to break the law.

County Dog Warden Tim Pihlblad was fired after a dog that was being quarantined there attacked a man on kennel property on June 26, but he was rehired by the board as of Sept. 27, according to board documents.

How kennel employees were allegedly being asked to break the law was not clear, but employees there were "confused about the current chain of command, particularly as it relates to filing complaints" and were "instructed by Mr. Weber to 'under no circumstances' speak to anyone else other than himself," according to the one-page human resources email.

The employees there had also asked if it was possible to address commissioners directly because "they believe the commissioners had been misinformed about certain matters by Mr. Weber," especially after Williams was fired, according to the email.

The employee was advised to put their complaint in a written statement accompanied by documentation.

It wasn't clear Wednesday if that was done or what resulted from the complaint.

Without going into detail, Lundy said he had discussed supervision of the dog kennel with Weber and that Weber's management style "was not a management style that I want in the workplace."

A little less than a month later, there were revelations that a state disciplinary panel had recommended Weber's law license, which he has held since graduating from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2003, be placed on stayed suspension for one year for violation of rules of conduct governing licensed attorneys in Ohio.

The Chronicle-Telegram reported Sept. 18 that a disciplinary panel recommended the one-year stayed suspension in June after finding that Weber mishandled money belonging to clients he represented in his

private legal practice.

Between 2016 and 2018, Weber deposited checks made out to his clients into a specialized account where attorneys place fees, retainers or settlement funds. According to the Ohio Supreme Court's Board of Professional Conduct, none of the clients were aware that someone had signed their names on the checks before they were deposited. Later, when it came time for that money to be disbursed to Weber's clients, some of the checks bounced, some of the money had not been properly transferred and Weber had commingled his personal funds with his clients' funds, the disciplinary board found.

Other clients did not get the money they were owed for months, though Weber eventually repaid all the money owed his clients, the board said, finding "no dishonest or selfish motive" on Weber's behalf.

Weber admitted to "some administrative mistakes" in a Sept. 17 interview, but said he acknowledged them and quickly and immediately repaired them. He remains licensed to practice law in Ohio, and it is up to the Ohio Supreme Court to make a final ruling in the matter.

Moore further called Weber "ethically challenged" in a Sept. 18 Chronicle-Telegram article.

White hired White's salary will be $72.07 per hour, commissioners decided.

Hung said the board was "pleased to announce that an offer was extended and accepted" by White.

"I appreciate the opportunity the commissioners have given me. I appreciate it was

of Trustees over the past 10 years, according to his resume.

Save for when he was going to college, White said he has lived in Lorain County his whole life, he said.

While he plans to resign as United Way board president after getting the county administrator job, White said the "great, great work in the community" that the United Way does "drove me toward public service."

"This role is where you serve the people. I think this is a great opportunity to serve the people," he said. "I want to serve to the best of my ability."

White also represented businessman Kevin Flanigan in a successful request to annex 42 acres of Eaton Township into the village of Grafton, a decision handed down by commissioners in May. Commissioners Hung and Moore voted in favor of the annexation while Lundy voted against it.

White "handled that case very well and I thought so even though I voted against him and his client," Lundy said.

White is smart, "he knows the community and is wanting to transition his skills to public service," Lundy said, and his legal knowledge and skills "will serve him well in his new role as county administrator."

Moore said that he believes White deserves "a clean slate" and "a fighting chance" to prove he can be a calming influence after "a lot of drama and chaos" in county government recently.

"I don't know many people who would want to work for these three commissioners," Moore said.

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FROM A1 Answering broad questions about how military service impacts income, or how immigration and labor regulation affect the economy isn’t easy. The kind of randomized trials used in a laboratory don’t work when unpacking social issues.

That’s where Angrist and his colleagues have made breakthroughs. They have pioneers “natural experiments.”

“The key is to use situations in which chance events or policy changes result in groups of people being treated differently, in a way that resembles clinical trials in medicine,” said the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

In an Oct. 11 press briefing, MIT Provost Marty Schmidt praised the advances Angrist has made.

A native of Columbus, Angrist graduated from Oberlin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1982, earned a master’s from Princeton University in 1987 and his doctorate there two years later.

He has taught at Harvard, Hebrew University and is now the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT, where Schmidt said he is a director of Bluepint Labs, researching problems in education, health care and the

a unanimous vote and I look forward to the opportunity to serve the board of commissioners and citizens of Lorain County," White told the paper.

White, a Carlisle Township resident, had submitted his resume to the county to be considered for the position of Job & Family Services director after Tim Carrion was fired in August.

His application came with five letters of reference and a one-page resume, all of which were provided to The Chronicle-Telegram as part of a public records request.

Commissioners eventually rehired Barbara Tamas to take back her old role as JFS director after she was fired in January, but White's resume made an impression.

From June 2005 to July 1 this year, White worked at Fauver Co. LPA, an Elyria law firm that has represented The Chronicle-Telegram in legal matters. White mostly practiced employment law, including advising The Chronicle, he said.

White left his position with the law firm, he wrote in his county job application, "to pursue interests outside the private practice of law."

A graduate of North Coast Christian Academy, the University of Akron and Cleveland State University's Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, White has represented the South and Central Lorain County Joint Ambulance districts and the village of Rochester, according to his county job application.

He also served on the United Way of Greater Lorain County Board of Trustees, the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts Board of Trustees and the Rotary Club of Elyria Board

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workforce.

Angrist is the fourth Oberlin graduate honored with a Nobel Prize and the eighth from MIT to earn a Nobel in economics.

“It’s a stellar legacy indeed, and I’m just humbled and gratified to be part of that list. I can hardly believe it,” he said.

In a press conference, Angrist said he was having a hard time coming to grips with being on the same list as giants in the field, such as Paul Samuelson and Robert Solow, who in the 1960s helped define the relationship between inflation and unemployment, or Esther Duflo, whose life work has been to find solutions that could end poverty.

“It’s just the greatest honor a person could have. It’s a high point of my life,” he said.

Oberlin College President expressed pride in the Nobel Laureate’s work.

“We are pleased that Oberlin played a part in shaping his economics career, and that he has continued the Oberlin tradition of graduates who further knowledge for the benefit of others, who make an invaluable contribution to society, and who shape the world for good,” she said.

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Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Evidence review doesn’t break open case in Windom Durham murder 59 years ago JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Small steps have been made toward solving the murder of Windom Durham as its 59th anniversary nears, but investigators have also run into new dead ends.

Windom, 77, was bound, gagged and severely beaten in his Lincoln Street home on Nov. 2, 1962. After robbing his house, the assailants left him to suffocate to death.

Experts at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Cold Case Unit have spent the past year combing over the evidence and using new technology to find the killer’s identity.

“We haven’t given up. We’re still working it,” said Officer Bashshar Wiley of the Oberlin Police Department in an interview last week.

Last year, he found the original evidence box in storage at the police station. It hadn’t been

touched since the 1960s, when leads ran dry.

In October 2020, state investigators agreed to conduct a case and evidence review.

“Several items of investigative interest were identified for further consideration,” said Special Agent Lindsay Mussell of the Cold Case Unit.

Hard copy case files have been digitized for preservation, and Durham’s birthdate was discovered by cross-referencing archived information. It was previously unknown because he was born in the late 1800s, before birth certificates came into use.

Family trees were created to try to track down any of Durham’s living relatives. Durham and his wife did not have any children, and both his wife and brother preceded him in death. He was the last member of the Durham family and is buried in Oberlin in an unmarked plot.

BCI experts examined fingerprints again — with no helpful hits — and its lab tested DNA

evidence.

“Back in the 60s, there wasn’t any DNA testing,” Wiley said.

“That wasn’t a thing. It was all fingerprints.”

A gun was stolen from Durham’s home during the murder. Investigators were able to find a paperwork trail and serial number and trace it to the last owner, who died in the 1990s.

“Unfortunately, with a case like this, so much time has passed.

It’s really going to take somebody coming forward,” said Wiley.

He is hoping against hope that tips will provide the break needed to finally solve Windom’s murder. It doesn’t have to be an eye witness — family rumors, gossip or innuendo, even faint memories of the case being mentioned at the dinner table 50 years ago could provide a valuable clue, Wiley said.

The case now rests in the public’s hands, he said. Members of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Depart-

ment and Bureau of Criminal Investigation who helped process the crime scene back in 1962, administer polygraph tests, conduct interviews and analyze fingerprints have all passed away.

Yet there is no statute of limitations on bringing murder charges in Ohio.

“We’re not treating this any differently because this is a 59-yearold case,” Wiley said. “If someone were to come forward, we’d treat it like it happened yesterday.

We’d take it very seriously.”

Prosecution would be another matter. Taking the cold case to a conviction would be tremendously difficult because the original investigators are no longer alive to testify.

Wiley said Oberlin, especially the once tight-knit residents of Lincoln Street, deserve to know what happened to Durham.

Any information can be reported to Wiley at (440) 774-1061 or bwiley@oberlinpd.com. Tips can also be left at www.tinyurl.com/ DurhamMurder.

Oberlin Road and Russia Road intersection to get a four-way stop after severe crashes LAINA YOST THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

NEW RUSSIA TWP. — After a series of serious crashes, the intersection of Russia and Oberlin roads will be a four-way stop.

The Lorain County Engineer's Office announced the change last week, and it will take effect on Nov. 3.

A fatal crash at the intersection on Tuesday, Oct. 5 resulted in the death of three people.

At the Lorain County commissioners' meeting Wednesday, Oct. 13, Oberlin Fire Chief Robert Hanmer said almost every accident at that intersection is "horrendous."

This year alone, there have been eight crashes at the intersection. There were three last year and five in 2019.

Hanmer said although those numbers may not seem high compared with other accidentprone intersections, that area has the worst crashes he’s seen in his 26 years.

As state Routes 58 and 113 become more congested, Hanmer said drivers turn to rural roads as a quicker route. The high speed equals high-impact crashes, he said.

Hanmer said stop signs, flashing lights and rumble strips have not helped. He suggested a four-way traffic light or roundabout. Residents and New Russia Township trustees are in favor of changes at the intersection, Hanmer said.

“Something more needs to be done at this intersection,” he said. “… Something needs to be installed and soon. If there’s anything, I mean anything, I can do to expedite this, let me know.”

Residents from the area agreed.

Kim Polen lives on Russia Road.

For more than two years, she said she’s been in touch with the Engineer’s Office to try and find a solution.

She said the majority of crashes are people heading north on Oberlin Road and failing to stop and look for oncoming traffic.

“I just feel like something more

can be done,” Polen said.

And when the corn grows high, she said it’s scary to drive through. Commissioner David Moore said the corn hides the intersection from view and makes it dangerous.

Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Dan Petticord said the Ohio Department of Transportation limits what the county can do as far as signage and other solutions. He said all this during the commissioners' meeting Wednesday morning; later in the day, the Engineer's Office announced the change to the traffic pattern.

“There’s an underappreciation of how involved ODOT is in these types of decisions,” Petticord said. “I don’t mean to make light of the situation and I don’t mean to blow you off. … I’ve been involved in these situations before. With ODOT, there are a lot of things that have to happen.”

Petticord said there’s a certain level of criteria from ODOT to meet before stops signs, lights, signs or rumble strips can be changed at intersections.

Commissioner Matt Lundy said he spoke with the coroner recently and was alarmed at the increasing number of auto fatalities this year. He said the commissioners will work with ODOT to find a traffic solution at Oberlin and Russia roads.

“It seems like people are more aggressive in their driving these days,” he said. “Everybody seems to be in a hurry.”

The crash last week killed Mason Smith, 28, of Elyria, and Roy Van Keuren, 66, and Susan Van Keuren, 65, of Grafton. Witnesses told the State Highway Patrol that Smith was driving a pickup north on Oberlin Road when he ran through the stop sign and struck the Van Keurens' Nissan Versa.

Before the four-way stop is installed, notices will be posted at the intersection announcing the change. During the first month, advance warning signs and markers will be in place.

The Lorain County Engineer’s Office urged drivers to use caution with the new traffic change.

KUCIREK

FROM A1 perceived as being vindictive, inflexible and close-minded.”

In his retirement letter, Kucirek dismissed allegations against him as either false, taken out of context or exaggerated, and said they wouldn’t support a decision to terminate his employment.

The situation never progressed that far.

Costilow said there was a fact-finding investigation to determine what the LeBrun report meant for the future of the police department. While Kucirek was on paid leave, he was not formally accused of wrongdoing, and was not disciplined.

Attorneys for the city and chief worked through a process that included several interviews.

Costilow was interviewed separately by Jeffries, as were other employees, the mayor said.

Costilow said he felt there were disciplinary issues that may have potentially led to termination. However, the process did not progress to a pre-disciplinary hearing where Kucirek could have presented a defense.

With Kucirek’s voluntary retirement, the investigation was required to halt and a considerable number of sick, vacation, personal and holiday time — 4,240 hours — accrued over the years must be cashed out at his hourly pay rate.

A civil suit is still possible, though the former chief said he does not have the resources or energy to fight the city.

While on paid leave, Kucirek was barred from visiting the Amherst police station or contacting its employees. During that time, Costilow said “everybody has been pitching in and working well together” under lieutenants Mark Cawthon and Dan Makruski.

Both are eligible under Civil Service Commission rules to apply for the chief position.

This week, the commission is formally setting the process for appointing Kucirek’s successor and the domino effect of promotions up the ladder that will follow.

The next chief will be expected to have more involvement with training officers, said Costilow. And while a chief must still have the final say in decision-making, LeBrun recommends they should listen more to input from officers and dispatchers.

“We’re going to be ready for this change in the chief’s leadership style,” Costilow said.

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Lorain County Community Guide

Page A5

Report: Former Amherst chief was insubordinate JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Accusations of insubordination against former Police Chief Joseph Kucirek riddle a 19-page report released by city officials after a public records request.

Kucirek retired last week during an investigation over low morale at the Amherst Police Department.

It wasn’t a friendly parting of ways. Kucirek blasted Mayor Mark Costilow on the way out, saying the city used false or exaggerated allegations to force him into an early retirement.

The report from Safety Service Director John Jeffreys paints an entirely different picture, however — one in which Kucirek ignored orders and deadlines, did not cooperate with other employees, violated standards of conduct and appears to have broken labor laws.

It came with 83 pages of supporting exhibits. They detail frustrations vented by officers and documented by an independent consultant, complaints from residents, memos, emails and communications from Kucirek himself.

Strife over low morale dates back to at least September 2019, when the wives of three officers approached Costilow with concerns about their husbands’ safety and mental well-being.

Costilow asked Kucirek to look into the issue.

“During this discussion with the mayor, you were more concerned with who the wives were and what evidence they provided to back up their accusations than you were looking into low morale,” Jeffreys told Kucirek in the report. “You denied repeatedly that there was a morale problem.”

The report said the chief laid the problems at the feet of “a few troublemakers at the station” and said “it was not acceptable for the mayor to be listening to wives of officers and sergeants.”

Around the same time, there was grumbling within the department about Kucirek taking time to make decisions about requests to change the kind of vests officers wear and switch to 12-hour shifts.

There were also rumors that several officers were unhappy with Kucirek’s management and had applied for positions at the Lorain Police Department.

When these issues were brought up, Kucirek was reportedly disrespectful.

“You often told the mayor that he is not a police officer, that the mayor does not understand how police departments work and that he should stay out of his (police department) business,” Jeffreys wrote.

Instead of finding ways to improve morale, he said Kucirek searched for ways to stop Lorain from recruiting Amherst cops and even suggested pressing charges

against the neighboring city for allegedly violating civil service rules.

Ordered to improve Kucirek was directed to appear at the mayor’s office April 15 for a meeting on morale, where he was “uncooperative and insubordinate,” according to Jeffreys.

Four officers had already resigned, and there were rumors more would follow, the report said.

Kucirek was given a list of 12 imperatives to improve morale and retain workers, but the report said he was not receptive.

“If you continue to give in and give them what they want, they will always want more,” Kucirek reportedly said. “It never ends.”

That’s when Costilow directed the safety service director to find an outside consultant who could evaluate the situation at the police department. Jeffreys put forward LeBrun Management Solutions, which he described as impartial and without any prior knowledge of the city of Amherst.

Disciplinary issues Disagreements also rose in the spring over several disciplinary measures that were deemed to be taking too long.

One involved an alleged workplace violation

by Officer Eric Layfield stemming from an incident in January. It was not resolved by May, and Kucirek allegedly sought to send Layfield a letter telling him he could be removed from his assignment patrolling the Amherst Schools.

Costilow believed doing so just before Layfield, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, was to go on extended military leave could be considered a Department of Labor violation.

He ordered Kucirek not to send the letter.

That stance was backed up by the city’s labor attorney, Ryan Gembala.

Kucirek didn’t send the letter to Layfield. According to Jeffreys’ report, the chief instead sent a shorter one that was very similar, and contained the same information that had first raised flags.

And it wasn’t sent only to Layfield, but to the entire police department, Jeffreys said.

“Anyone exercising common sense, especially a chief, should realize that is not something that should be sent to the entire department,” he wrote.

Jeffreys also said Kucirek went behind the mayor’s back and tried to convince Gembala it was acceptable to send the letter without Costilow’s knowledge.

That broke Costilow’s trust in Kucirek and damaged their working relationship, Jeffreys said.

“The mayor now has to worry that every time he gives you an order, you will be looking for ways to get around the order,” he said.

PUBLIC NOTICE TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGE New Russia Township Lorain County Engineer Ken Carney announces a traffic pattern change at the intersection of Russia Road and Oberlin Road as of November 3, 2021.

The intersection will be a four-way stop. Notices will be posted at the intersection announcing the change.

During the first month, advance warning signs and markers will be in place. Drivers are urged to use caution with the traffic pattern change.

Other complaints There was more friction over filling a vacant position for officer-in-charge — a designated leader when other members of the command staff were not on duty.

The space opened in February 2019, and the job wasn’t filled for more than eight months, despite the urging of Lt. Mark Cawthon.

In May 2021, Costilow became aware that three of the police department’s four officer-in-charge positions were vacant, and had been for more than a year, leading to excessive overtime. He ordered them to be filled by June 4.

Jeffreys’ report called leaving the positions open so long “incompetent, inefficient and a gross neglect of duty.”

Kucirek showed an inability to follow up and complete important tasks in a reasonable amount of time necessary for the effective operation of the department, Jeffreys said.

“You consistently lay roadblocks in front of your subordinates, making it difficult for them to complete other simple tasks,” he said.

Kucirek was also called out for reportedly ridiculing his employees in public settings or in front of other workers. For example, he allegedly called Ptl. Jason Nahm “mediocre” in a group meeting, leading Sgt. Jacob Perez’s platoon to question the chief for three hours.

During that meeting, which was recorded, Jeffreys said Kucirek took potshots at several other current and former police officers, and said he would “find a way to get rid of” anyone he perceived as causing problems.

In a couple of instances, Kucirek was asked whether he obeyed a COVID-19 mask mandate inside the police station while it was in place.

He said he’d never violated the policy, but five officers testified that wasn’t the case, which led Jeffreys to call the chief’s honesty into question.

Other accusations put the city in a precarious legal position, according to the report. Jeffreys said Kucirek demonstrated “a pattern of failures to comply with federal and state laws” with regard to labor.

One situation involved retaliation against an officer who filed a grievance.

Perez had been set to re-

ceive a new patrol vehicle, but it was suddenly taken from him, Jeffreys wrote.

The report also cited an August 2020 incident in which Kucirek allegedly railed against an arbitrator who ruled in favor of another officer, Ptl. Bob Lane, who filed a grievance. The chief allegedly then sent an email that Jeffreys said appeared to retaliate against Lane.

On another occasion, Kucirek reportedly told an officer he didn’t “give a sh-- about” the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which affords workplace protections to police and dispatchers.

In another complaint, Kucirek reportedly asked a dispatcher who was seeking a promotion a set of questions about how she could arrange childcare for her baby, what her husband’s job and military obligations were and whether she was planning to have more children.

All were “wholly improper” questions in light of federal and state antidiscrimination laws, the report said — and that dispatcher didn’t get the promotion.

LeBrun assessment LeBrun Management Solutions conducted 26 in-person interviews and 16 phone interviews with current and past employees, who largely pegged Kucirek as the root of stress and low morale.

Those “climate assessment” results outlined dysfunction within the department, including staffing shortages, lack of trust, lack of appreciation, poor communication with the chief, “petty” issues that led to discipline and that employees felt they were constantly under surveillance.

Several employees told LeBrun, “We are trusted with a gun on our hip, but we are not trusted inside our own building or while patrolling.”

Kucirek was called to a June 22 meeting to discuss the results of the assessment with Costilow and Cindy LeBrun, owner of the consulting firm.

“You were uncooperative and unproductive during most of the three-hour meeting,” Jeffreys wrote to Kucirek.

He accused Kucirek of being more concerned with which employee said what and who performed the assessment than the actual results. Meanwhile, the re-

port said the police chief told story after story about how bad some employees were and blamed lieutenants.

“You showed no interest in improving morale,” Jeffreys concluded.

In an emailed message this week, Kucirek said the LeBrun assessment inaccurately claimed he showed a lack of appreciation and positive recognition for his employees.

He provided a screencaptures of a large number of emails sent between 2014 and 2021 in which he praised staff for work well done.

Among them were words of thanks for contributors to the 2020 annual report, praise for Sgt. Mike Rosebeck and Ptl. Brian Griffin for saving a woman from a burning building, many short “nice job” shout-outs, messages informing staff of lunches and other donations made to department employees by local businesses and nonprofits and thank-yous to officers who followed up on issues. Several of the emails passed along compliments from the public about the way officers handled incidents.

“The below emails may also contain other evidence refuting climate assessment claims such as not listening to the staff, not empowering the staff, the chief’s way or the highway, and lack of trust, just to name a few,” Kucirek wrote.

He also accused LeBrun of failing to fact-check statements made by Amherst Police Department employees about him.

“Had the assessor factchecked, verified, or corroborated many of the negative comments she wrote in the final climate assessment report, or simply had the follow-up interview with the chief’s office to ‘fill in the gaps’ as she said she was going to do before any report was written and given to the mayor, a lot of these inaccurate and erroneous comments could have been clarified or context added,” he said.

His attorney, Jonathan Rosenbaum, provided further texts sent by Kucirek to Amherst officers.

Among them were messages thanking Lane for 45 years of service, compliments on reports and ceremonial duties, questions about officers’ families and special occasions, holiday wishes and information about COVID-19 shots.

Placed on leave A month after the meeting with LeBrun and Cos-

tilow, Kucirek was placed on paid administrative leave “while a fact finding of your neglected duties as chief” was conducted, according to Jeffreys.

The chief was barred from visiting the North Lake Street police station or contacting workers.

That didn’t stop more issues from coming to light.

After The ChronicleTelegram reported that Kucirek had been put on leave, Costilow’s office received several emails and calls about the chief’s interactions with the public.

One involved a personal legal dispute with a neighbor over homeowner’s association dues that resulted in an out-ofcourt settlement.

“Ending up in court against your community where you live, over a dispute over HOA dues is not behavior the police chief should consider honorable,” Jeffreys wrote.

He specified that the court case wasn’t his cause for concern, but Kucirek’s interaction with the HOA representative was. After receiving a dues reminder in March 2020, Kucirek allegedly responded with an email that warned the HOA rep to “Tread lightly, and pick your battles” — not the kind of email a public official should be sending a neighbor, Jeffreys said.

Another issue rose when Pastor Alex VanCuran of Faith Baptist Church asked police not to use the church parking lot. Kucirek sent a long email attempting to justify why his officers were on the private property across the street from the station and providing statistics about how often they were there in marked cars.

He said Amherst police were directed not to work inside the station due to COVID-19 that their presence at the church could deter criminal behavior.

“I can only hope that your parishioners are aware of your request to not have a police presence around your church,” Kucirek wrote to VanCuran. “If so, please share with them that the Amherst Police Department will always be there for them, even if their pastor does not want us on the FBC property.”

Jeffreys labeled that response as disrespectful and said it did not project a good image of the chief or police department.

Such responses “severely damage the city’s image and the public’s trust,” he wrote.

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Traditional OHS marching band light show to return OBERLIN — After a long absence, the 40-year-old tradition of the Oberlin High School Phoenix Marching Band Light Show is being rekindled.

The eight-minute routine will make its return at the end of the Oberlin varsity football game against Lorain County League rival Brookside on Friday, Oct. 22. When the field lights will go off, musicians will don light packs to perform.

Band Director Leonard Gnizak said the 40-year tradition had to be put on hold for a couple of years.

“Between the loss of our own stadium and then the COVID-19 pandemic, the

light show, which is a phenomenal show, has taken a backseat to our fall performance schedule,” he said.

Gnizak said he hopes the football crowd will remain in their seats for the spectacular show. It can’t be performed at halftime because it takes about 20 minutes for the field lights to go back on.

“The players need the lights turned on for the game, and we do not want to interfere with play time,” he said.

Oberlin senior band members will be recognized at halftime instead, and the Brookside marching band will also perform.

OHS earns bronze PBIS award

of those who bravely escaped slavery and the people who assisted them.

Evans was a free man of color born in North Carolina. In 1856, he moved into a home on Vine Street in Oberlin, which was an interracial and antislavery stronghold.

Two years later, he was instrumental in the rescue of former slave John Price, who after escaping north en route to Canada was kidnapped by federally-deputized slave catchers. Evans and others marched south to Wellington and stormed the hotel where Price was being held.

Evans and 36 others were indicted for their role in the rescue. He spent three months in a Cleveland jail until charges were dropped.

For the second consecutive year, Oberlin High School has been named by the State Support Team as a recipient of the Ohio Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Bronze Award.

PBIS is an evidence-based framework used to improve and integrate all of the data, systems and practices affecting student outcomes every day.

Oberlin City Schools Family Engagement Facilitator and previous Oberlin High School Assistant Principal Celina Bigio said winning the award during a time when students were split between remote learning and in-person instruction at the high school level is definitely rewarding.

“To have earned this top honor, for the second year in a row at the high school level is a huge accomplishment, and kudos to our high school teachers, staff and administration for a job well done,” she said.

Bigio said students are recommended by their teachers for modeling the behaviors of being responsible, involved, safe and empathetic.

The accomplishment will be celebrated at the Annual Ohio PBIS Showcase on Dec. 9. The virtual event will focus on “Responsive, Reimagined and Resilient Leadership.”

Evans home now part of national network

The National Park Service has accepted the Wilson Bruce Evans House in Oberlin as a site on its National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

It joins 18 new listings and more than 695 others already in the network. The sites provide insight into the experiences

Open positions in Oberlin government

The city of Oberlin is accepting applications for vacant positions on the following boards and commissions: • Records Commission • Civil Service Commission • Fire Code Board of Appeals • Firefighters' Dependents Fund Board • Housing Renewal Commission • Human Relations Commission • Income Tax Board of Review • Planning Commission • Community Improvement Corporation • Public Utilities Commission • Recreation Commission • Resource Conservation and Recovery Commission • Oberlin Underground Railroad Center Implementation Team • Zoning Board of Appeals Terms for those selected to serve will begin Jan. 1. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8. To apply, visit www.tinyurl.com/OberlinBoards.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FRESH Retired teacher endorses Amherst candidates TURKEYS To the editor: . I endorse Morgan as an ideal candidate The future of the Amherst Schools is will bring a parents perspective and & TURKEY bright! As a retired teacher in Amherst, who fresh ideas to the school board. I urge all I am encouraged to see the large slate of of “Comet Nation” to support the slate BREAST candidates running for the school board. of Wachholz/Messer to usher in a bright

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I would like to give my endorsement to a former student of mine, Morgan Wachholz

future for the Amherst Schools!

Mark Skladan

Recognition of first responders is important To the editor: Following the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we all need to take time to recognize and thank all the members of our first responder teams including the firefighters, police, EMTs, 911 operators and all their supporting staff.

The courage and bravery shown by first responders on that terrible day in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., can still be found in the hearts and actions of our past and current first responders in Lorain County. These first responders are professionals that expertly, patiently and consistently help us, reassure us, care for us, mourn with us, send aid to us, carry us, watch out for us, protect us, warn us, remind us, save us, treat us, guide us, wait

for us, listen to us, serve us, preserve our property, guard us, catch those who harm us and sometimes, at a risk to their own safety, act for us.

For all these heroic actions we are all truly grateful and wish the best to them every day.

We are asking all the citizens of Lorain County, if you see any of these special people when out and about, to please thank them for their service or give them a thumbs up as a positive sign of our gratitude for the critically important job they do for us every day.

Tomie Patton President, Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club

Protest against Oberlin professor is unfair To the editor: The Community Guide reported on Oct. 14 that a group plans to demonstrate outside Oberlin College’s administration building against professor Jafar Mahallati. Why, 14 years after being appointed presidential scholar on the faculty and 33 years after the end of the Iran-Iraq War, is he being attacked?

As Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Mahallati brokered U.N. Resolution 598, ending a brutal conflict in which some 500,000 people died. His scholarly work and his personal life on campus and in the community are focused on “friendship.” He has won the respect and affection of his students and is held in high regard by his faculty colleagues. But a cabal of right-wing Israelis, hawkish American politicians and people agitating for Iranian

regime change want to sabotage the Biden administration’s efforts to reconstitute the nuclear agreement with Iran.

As a member of Oberlin’s Community Peace Builders, I support efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear war capability by a multinational agreement that would lift the crippling sanctions against Iran in return for Iran’s limiting of its nuclear capacity.

When former President Donald Trump abruptly pulled out of the previous agreement, all parties affirmed that Iran was abiding by its conditions.

Threats to destroy the Iranian regime strengthen, rather than weaken it. Using Mahallati as a scapegoat for abuses by that regime by trying to link him to abuses by the Iranian government three decades ago is personally and institutionally destructive.

John Elder

B

ELECTION 2021

Lorain County Community Guide • Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Challengers make for big Wellington Schools race

Mike Davidson Age: 47 Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Marketing focus Family: Married 18 years with two boys, ages 14 and 9 Job history: AT&T for 22 years Website: www.tinyurl.com/ DavidsonWellington JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — In recent years, the Wellington Board of Education has had trouble finding enough candidates to fill its ranks. Now six candidates are fighting for three open spots on the school board as incumbents Penny McClaflin, Brett Murner and Ayers Ratliff face challenges from newcomers Mike Davidson, Jennifer Kazmierczak and Phillip Mohrman.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Davidson: I have dealt with large budgets and have managed both union and nonunion staff.

Kazmierczak: I am the best candidate for this position because I have educational experience as a teacher and also have children attending the district.

McClaflin: I have been a board member for four years. I am dedicated to the school

Jennifer Kazmierczak Age: 37 Education: Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Ashland University Family: Married for 13 years to Josh Kazmierczak. Three children: Josie is in fourth grade, Jacob is in second grade and Jaycie is in prekindergarten at the Early Learning Center.

Job history: Teacher at the Oberlin City Schools for 14 years; teacher at the Holmes County Training Center for one year Website: www.tinyurl.com/ Kazmierczak and the children. I have enjoyed serving Wellington Schools. We have faced many challenges over these four years, especially in the last year and a half.

I think the decisions we have made have made us a better district and stronger.

I think continuing on the school board would be very beneficial for the district to have experienced members as we continue through uncharted waters with the COVID virus and other challenges I am already familiar with.

Mohrman: I am a resident, graduate and parent of Wellington Schools. I have a history of solving complex problems in my professional career and will provide a transparent and honest approach to solving the school district’s challenges. I will work to implement STEM programs that will enrich our academic programs.

Penny McClaflin Age: 59 Education: Monroeville High School graduate Family: Married to John Mcclaflin Job history: Mercy Lorain Hospital STNA one year, Mercy Lorain Hospice four years I understand how much the world is evolving in technology and skills and want to help meet these challenges. I will encourage and build relationships with local businesses and with key partners like Lorain County JVS and Lorain County Community College to provide students with the resources they need to succeed.

Murner: I have been part of the team bringing high expectations and accountability to the district over the course of the past five years. I will continue to do so to allow our students to receive an education that continues to prepare them for real world success.

Ratliff: I am running to be re-elected to the Wellington school board because I have a sincere and deep interest in public education. I am committed to making our school district and our Wellington students the best they can be.

I have faith in the future of public education and a passion for its welfare. Our Wellington school board’s actions affect not only the life of every student, but also the growth and future of our entire Wellington

Phillip Mohrman Age: 39 Education: Master’s of Industrial Engineering, Ohio University; Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, Akron University, Lorain County Community College Family: Married with two boys in seventh and eighth grade Job history: 12 years tool and die, TAPE Inc. (Mohr Stamping)

Brett Murner Age: 50 Education: B.A., Xavier University; J.D. Cleveland Marshall College of Law; M.P.A. Cleveland State, Levin College of Urban Affairs Family: Wife Andrea) and sons Blake Murner, 12, Maximus Murner, 11 and Hudson Murner, 7 Job history: Law Offices of Brett Murner, managing attorney since 2011

community. Our Wellington Board of Education has the wonderful opportunity to contribute and make sure our students receive the best education possible.

decision that has the best outcome for our students and staff. It takes the whole village to make the school system the best it can be. I pledge to continue to be a voice for our students!

Mohrman: The key issues at Wellington Schools are safety, test scores and infrastructure. Safety is the utmost importance. Our children trust that we will uphold policies that were placed to protect everyone equally. Wellington High School is ranked in the lower 50 percent of all Ohio schools. Test scores have been declining resulting in 55 percent of the graduates proficient in reading and 43 percent are proficient in math (source nces.ed.gov). Our graduate population has declined 17 percent over the last five years. Lastly, our assets are crumbling. We need to responsibly take care and maintain our assets to maximize their life.

Murner: The biggest challenge facing this school district is identifying and implementing edu-

What is the biggest challenge facing the school district and how would you address it?

Davidson: Complete transparency with how taxpayer money is utilized.

Kazmierczak: Trust and transparency. I will address this concern by communicating alongside the district to help educate the community on questions they have. I hope to continue to build strong relationships with the community in order to decrease this challenge of trust and transparency.

McClaflin: The biggest issue facing Wellington Schools is the perception that the school board really doesn’t care about the students and staff. I as a board member have always been willing to listen to all the sides and make the

Ayers Ratliff Age: 72 Education: B.S. from Ohio State University; M.A. from Ohio State University; post-graduate work for superintendent’s certificate from Bowling Green State University Family: Widower with four children: Heather, Ayers Jr., Amanda and Ryan Job history: Retire teacher, elementary principal, middle school principal, high school principal, owner of Wakeshire Standardbreds Horse Breeding Farm, owner of Motivation Plaques cational recovery that has come about as the result of the COVID pandemic.

Through the wise use and implementation of additional funding, this can be accomplished.

Ratliff: Our community must work to improve our school facilities for our students. In addition, we must hire the best people to educate our children and we must provide them with the things they need to be successful. Our Wellington Schools must continue to welcome our parents’ active participation in each of our classrooms. It is a known fact that when our parents are involved academically with our students, much more learning is achieved by these students. Our Wellington community must continue to show our students how much our community cares for them and their right to the best education.

Issue 2 would renew Lorain County Issue 3 would fund TB levy at lower cost to taxpayers public health for five more years DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Lorain County voters are being asked to approve Issue 2, a 0.06-mill renewal of the county's tuberculosis care and treatment levy, on Nov. 2.

This time around, the levy will cost taxpayers less than they have paid in the past.

This year's request is a 0.005mill reduction, from 0.065 mill to 0.06 mill. That equates to a 14-cent reduction in taxes each year for the

Issue 2 What it is: A 0.06-mill levy Duration: Five years Would raise: $419,165 per year Purpose: To pay for the care and treatment of tuberculosis patients in Lorain County Cost to homeowner/taxpayer: The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $1.61 per year

owner of a $100,000 home.

The levy, if approved, is expected to raise $419,165.

It pays for the care and treatment for those with tuberculosis, an infectious, airborne bacterial disease that typically attacks the lungs and can also affect other parts of the body.

Officials were able to ask for less money due to increased home values, Lorain County commissioners learned when they first discussed a reduction in millage in April.

Ohio law requires counties to pay the cost of tuberculosis, or TB, treatment for their residents. Mercy

TB CLINIC PAGE B2

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Issue 3 on the fall ballot is a 0.5-mill, five-year renewal benefiting the Lorain County General Health District and Lorain County Public Health.

The levy is a renewal and will not Issue 3 raise taxes.

What it is: A 0.5-mill levy If approved, the Duration: Five years levy will be colWould raise: $3.5 million per year lected for five years Purpose: General purposes and starting in 2023, operating expenses of the Lorain and is expected to County Health District and Lorain cost the owner of County Public Health a $100,000 home Cost to homeowner/taxpayer: The $16.01 per year. owner of a $100,000 home will pay $16.01 per year It renews a 0.5mill levy created after all the health departments in the county merged into one in 2017.

A 1.0-mill levy on the books at the time was cut in half to create the existing levy. What is now labeled Issue 3 is a renewal of that half-mill levy and not a new tax.

Lorain County Public Health is led by a health commissioner, who answers to the Lorain County Board of Health.

Health Commissioner David Covell told Lorain County commissioners in July that the merger of all the boards allowed for a fine-tuning of operations that aided in the county's response to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in early 2020.

In addition to overall pandemic response, Lorain County Public Health is responsible for administering vaccines including COVID-19 and influenza vaccines; keeping

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

HEALTH PAGE B2

Page B2

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Interest rekindled in Oberlin Board of Education seats JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Appointments, as much as elections, have shaped the Oberlin Board of Education in recent years due to a string of resignations. Now interest has surged, leading to a field of five candidates for three open seats. The ballot holds just one incumbent — Farah Emeka, who was appointed. She will face challenges from Samuel Baker, Rosa Gadsden, former City Councilman Ronnie Rimbert and Jo-Anne Steggall.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Baker: My decision to run for Oberlin school board is based around making the best decisions for the children of Oberlin City Schools. I have three children who are currently students in the district in addition to my wife who works for the school district. I offer an uncompromised, fair-handed approach to making the best choices for the students of Oberlin City Schools. I am not here to promote a political ideology, nor do I have an agenda. I want to hold people accountable for their decisions and actions.

Emeka: I bring a great deal of experience to the position as a current member of the Oberlin City Schools board, a mother, a wife and an attorney.

As a parent, I know the district’s strengths and areas for growth having helped my sons navigate the Oberlin City Schools from preschool to high school graduation. As an Oberlin resident, I know there is no “one size fits all” education, so it is important to provide options for students with academic, vocational, entrepreneur-

Samuel Baker Age: 48 Education: Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Urban Planning, Cleveland State University; Emergency Medical Technician, Lorain County Community College; Firefighter Level 2, Lorain County Fire Chiefs Academy Family: Wife Bethany; daughters Nora, Scarlett and Beatrice Job history: Firefighter and EMT at the Oberlin and Eaton Township fire departments; substitute teacher at Oberlin City Schools Website: www.tinyurl.com/ SamuelOwenBaker ial and other aspirations.

Finally, I know the limits of the school board’s authority because of my legal training.

Gadsden: I am a previous school board member and former home daycare provider for 11 years. I attended Oberlin schools as well as my children. I have been active in the schools, both with my children’s activities and with my employer.

Rimbert: I have the pulse of the district. I understand the school district is he heart beat of the community. I am willing to ask the tough questions. I understand the school board's responsibility is setting policies. I am highly qualified to sit on the Oberlin school board. For these reasons I am asking for your vote on Nov. 2, 2021.

Steggall: I'm a strong candidate for this position

Farah Emeka Age: 45 Education: Oberlin College B.A. in Chemistry; Seattle University School of Law J.D. Family: Justin Emeka, King Emeka and Jabir Emeka Job history: Current positions: assistant law director/chief prosecutor, city of Oberlin; associate attorney, Fauver Co. LPA, Elyria; Past positions: assistant prosecuting attorney, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, Cleveland; senior assistant director of admissions, Oberlin College; and deputy prosecuting attorney, Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office, Tacoma, Washington.

Website: www.tinyurl.com/ FarahEmeka because I have both current students in the district and experience at school board meetings. I understand what is going on in our schools right now, and also how the board functions. I've been serving on school board committees for years, including the Health and Wellness Committee, which I've been a part of since it was formed six years ago. I have been involved, will always be involved and I'd like you to vote for me for school board so I can continue this work in an official capacity.

What is the biggest challenge facing the school district and how would you address it?

Baker: The biggest challenge to face school

Rosa Gadsden Age: 49 Education: University of Tennessee-Knoxville Family: Mother of two, grandmother of one Job history: Volunteer/outreach coordinator at Oberlin Community Services. districts today is the achievement gap. It occurs when one group of students outperforms another group and the difference in the performance of the two groups is statistically significant. School districts need to understand that children, no matter what walk of life they come from, should be afforded the opportunity to excel in education. A school district should do everything in its power to ensure each and every student has a prosperous path through a district's education system that provides them with the resources and services they may need to reach their highest potential.

Emeka: Creating a positive and safe school environment is the biggest challenge the Oberlin City Schools is facing. Modeling and rewarding positive behavior is the best way to keep students engaged and learning. The schoolhouse plays an important role in developing student's social emotional skills and it requires collaboration with family and the community as a whole to create a positive learning environment.

By continuing to implement positive behavioral interventions and supports, the school district can

Ronnie Rimbert Age: 67 Education: Graduate of Oberlin High School.

Attended Ohio University.

Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Family: Wife Renetta Rimbert, four grown adult children and 10 wonderful grandchildren Job history: Owner and operator for A 2 Point B Transportation Service for 12 years. Retail car salesman for 18 years. improve academic performance, decrease truancy, cut drop out rates and produce more graduates who go on to become productive members of society.

Gadsden: Oberlin is generally moving the right direction, but more work is needed to get us to where we should be.

Rimbert: The biggest challenge for the Oberlin school district, I feel, is enrollment. We are one of the smallest schools in Lorain County. It is very important to retain our student enrollment. One thing I would do is to challenge our administration to be all-inclusive of extracurricular activities. Case in point: We as a school district do not offer girls and boys tennis, cross country, bowling, swimming or golf, to name a few. Someone has to be an advocate for extracurricular activities. With that and our outstanding academics, the school district would be at an even playing field with the rest of the Lorain County.

Steggall: I think the

Jo-Anne Steggall Age: 45 Education: I grew up in Massachusetts, where I attended Raynham public schools from kindergarten through eighth grade; then Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, which was regionalized for those two towns to share resources. I have a BFA in Design and Technical Theater from Emerson College.

Family: I live in Oberlin with my partner Eric and our three children who currently attend Oberlin City Schools.

Job history: I’ve been a self-employed scenic artist for the past 23 years. I paint the scenery for theatrical productions. I’ve also taught theater classes at community colleges in both Michigan and California, and worked in circulation at several libraries. biggest challenge for the school board is providing each student with what they need to be successful, while staying within our budget. The district has worked hard to receive grants at all levels, while also being strongly supported by the community. Our students are also fortunate to have classes like orchestra, band, Spanish, art and music, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. I want to make sure we are funding these programs and hiring the best teachers and staff so our students can succeed in whatever it is they want to pursue postgraduation.

Newcomers vie in Amherst’s Ward 4 Issue 4 would levy role. I work well with people of all viewpoints and I care deeply for the city. Everyone in my ward will have a voice in me.

JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Republican Councilman Matt Nahorn is not seeking re-election this fall, leaving two newcomers to vie for Amherst’s Ward 4 seat. Republican Deborah LeSuer and Democrat Stephanie Smith Pinskey are in the running.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

LeSuer: I have been a resident of the Amherst community for almost 50 years.

I was fortunate to be hired as a music teacher for the Amherst Schools as this gave me the opportunity to continue residency in Amherst.

I have watched the population grow and have seen the revitalization of business ventures throughout our city.

I am eager to be a part of this continued growth and will commit to the upkeep and integrity of its present and future objectives.

Smith Pinskey: As a lifelong Amherstonian and Marion L. Steele High School graduate, I come to this race having worn many

Deborah LeSuer Age: 58 Education: Proud graduate of Amherst Steele High School; Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Kent State University Family: Parents Ted and Barb, brothers Mark, Doug and Kevin Job history: Served as an elementary music teacher for 31 years in the Amherst school system hats (homeowner, landlord, business owner, attorney, etc.) that give me a valuable and relatable perspective. I have served others in many capacities (past president of the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board, past CBCF board member, founding member of the Lorain County Recovery Court, current Amherst Public Library board trustee),

TB CLINIC

FROM B1 Health administers the TB clinic and care program in Lorain County.

As of April this year, the county's TB fund had $1.4 million in it. The county had been collecting almost $500,000 annually and spending about two-thirds of that, about $370,000, per year on TB treatment.

Stephanie Smith Pinskey Age: 45 Education: Associate of Arts from Lorain County Community College; Bachelor of Arts from CSU in Urban Planning/ Management, Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Family: Proud animal rescue mom Job history: Production supervisor, Ford Motor Company; owner, Law Offices of Stephanie Smith Pinskey; assistant prosecuting attorney, city of Elyria Law Department; manager, McDonald’s Corporation Website: www.facebook. com/electstephaniesmithpinskey and want to continue that service in a governmental

HEALTH

What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?

LeSuer: We need to strengthen the trust between elected officials and constituents. Financial stability and decision making among City Council must be demonstrated with full transparency. If elected as Fourth Ward councilperson, I will listen to your concerns and will make them a priority during my term on Council.

Smith Pinskey: The biggest challenge is bringing in new businesses while still maintaining the small-town feel and integrity of our city.

Because of necessity, the pandemic has proven that many jobs can be performed remotely, so we need to seek out and be open and welcoming to non-traditional business opportunities.

We need to be deliberate and forward-thinking about our infrastructure and how we will utilize and/or build it up to attract new residents and enterprises.

FROM B1 birth and death certificates; HIV, Hepatitis C and other infectious disease testing; providing health services to local schools; lead testing; mosquito abatement; food safety; emergency preparedness; smoking cessation programs; inspecting campgrounds and public pools; animal bite and rabies control; water quality sampling; and other programs.

hotel tax to fund a convention center DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

A proposed 3 percent hotel bed tax on the ballot Nov. 2 could put Lorain County on the road to building a convention center to attract business and events.

Issue 4, a new tax on hotel lodgers, would be paid only by those who rent hotel rooms in Lorain County.

It would raise an estimated $700,000 annually, county officials said.

Lorain County Issue 4 commissioners What it is: A 3 percent hotel bed tax have said their Duration: Permanent, with collecplan is to use the tion starting in January new money to set Would raise: An estimated up an 11-mem$700,000 annually ber convention Purpose: To create a convention board to plan board and convention center in the construction Lorain County. of a convention Cost to homeowner/taxpayer: center.

Nothing, unless they stay overnight in a hotel in Lorain County Currently, there aren't many indoor locations in Lorain County that can comfortably house more than 500 people for a community event, a high school graduation or for their safety in the case of a severe weather event or natural disaster.

Commissioner David Moore said in August that Lorain County is perfectly located between Cleveland and Cedar Point, as well as other resorts around the Sandusky area. Commissioner Matt Lundy said in August that he wants a functional multipurpose center.

A mid-sized convention center could attract more business and visitors to the county, he said. Additional money from the Visitors Bureau could help bolster the convention center's budget and profile.

Graduations, boat shows, auto shows, gun shows and other events could have a place to go in Lorain County, Lundy said.

Moore and Lundy both had tried to create convention bureaus in the past, but it was only recent action by the stage legislature made it possible.

One of the convention board's first responsibilities BED TAX PAGE B3

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Page B3

In Amherst’s Ward 2, Harmych challenges Cowger for Council seat I would invest the time that is needed to achieve positive results. I have a passion to help others and this starts with my home town of Amherst. It would be an honor and privilege to serve my community on city council.

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Note: Candidate Ed Cowger submitted his responses to our questionnaire after the deadline, and only challenger Becky Harmych’s responses were included in last week’s edition. Here are their profiles in full.

AMHERST — Republican Ed Cowger is hoping to defend his Ward 2 City Council seat against Democratic challenger Becky Harmych. The ward seat represents residents in much of Amherst’s south side.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Cowger: I believe that I am the best candidate based on the years that I have worked as a manager in a customer service industry and the skills that I have honed on that job as

Ed Cowger Age: 55 Education: Graduated from Marion L. Steele High School in 1984, attended Lorain County Community College Family: Married Debra Scheidler and have one child, Emily Job history: I have worked as a manager for Wendy’s for the last 33 years.

Becky Harmych Age: 66 Education: 1973 graduate of Marion L. Steele High School Family: Children Melissa Harmych Vanray and Kyle Harmych; grandchildren Henry and Elle Job history: 36 years in the medical field as medical secretary. Retired last year from Retina Association of Cleveland

well as the knowledge of the way that city government must operate. I have served as a ward councilman for over 14 years and enjoy helping those in my

ward.

Harmych: I would attend all Council meetings. I would listen to Ward 2 residents’ concerns and problems and be their voice.

Henrietta Twp. seeks to renew two operating levies CHRISTINA JOLLIFFE CORRESPONDENT

HENRIETTA TWP. — Issue 30 is a 1.0-mill, five-year renewal levy, first placed on the ballot in 2016.

Issue 31 is a 0.75-mill, five-year renewal levy that has been on the books for many years, but was reduced in 2016 from a 1.75mill to the current 0.75-mill on the ballot today.

“Five years ago, it was decided to reduce the fire levy from 1.75 mills to 0.75 mills and put the additional mill toward our roads,” Fiscal Officer Joe Siekeres said. “This is the first time putting on the renewal with the lower amount.”

The money raised from Issue 30 goes toward maintenance and upkeep of the roads, ditching, snow plowing and updating equipment, Trustee Joe Knoble said.

“We’ve been very fortunate out here with the people in Henrietta Township,” he said. “This levy allows us to continue our upkeep of the road system, and I feel we have a very high level of roads.”

The township maintains 16 miles of road, with a considerable number of hills.

“Good roads make a better community,” Siekeres said.

Issue 31 allows the township to pay for fire protection from South Amherst and Florence and Camden

Issue 30 What it is: A 1.0-mill renewal levy Duration: 5 years How much would it raise: $53,700 annually Purpose: To raise money for roads and bridges Cost to homeowner/taxpayer: The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $32.62 annually Issue 31 What it is: A 0.75-mill renewal levy Duration: 5 years How much would it raise: $ 37,273 annually Purpose: To raise money for fire purposes Cost to homeowner/taxpayer: The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $19.64 annually townships.

“We’re also very fortunate that people understand how serious that is,” Knoble said.

The levy ensures fire protection for all township residents, and is imperative that it passes, he said.

“We couldn’t afford it otherwise,” according to Knoble.

Siekeres put it this way, “Fire protection is fire protection. Everyone needs it. It’s a good value for the money. But fire protection is very expensive.”

Siekeres is hopeful voters will approve the levies in November.

“Townships are local government and they are the most local government people have,” he said.

“It’s not like if they have a problem trying to reach someone at the federal government. The township is local. We know the people and they know us. If they have an issue or problem, we’re there for them.”

Amherst leaf pick-up

Fall leaf collection in the city of Amherst will begin Monday, Nov. 1 and end Monday, Dec. 3. Pickup will alternate between the north and south side of the train tracks for the first four weeks. During the last week, beginning Monday, Nov. 29, pickup will be citywide.

BED TAX

FROM B2 would be to hire a consultant to determine the best location and setting for the proposed convention center.

A 3 percent bed tax benefiting the Lorain County Visitors Bureau already raises between $600,00 to $700,000 annually. The new tax would be an additional 3 percent to be collected if approved.

With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting in 2020 and affecting every industry including tourism, that tax raised only about $400,000 last year, county officials said.

According to the Erie County Auditor's Office website, Erie County currently charges a 4 percent tax on hotel and transient guests. The cities of Huron and Sandusky each charge an additional 3 percent tax on top of that tax for hotel and transient renters in their cities.

Amherst cemetery walk

“By My Lantern’s Light” will be presented from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 and Sunday, Oct. 24 as a walking tour at Amherst’s Cleveland Avenue Cemetery.

Meet some local historic spirits who will share stories from days gone by in this Amherst Historical Society event. Parking will be available at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Tickets are $5 per person and free for kids under five. Children will not be admitted without an adult. Advance reservations are required by calling (440) 988-7255.

Skeleton Run on Halloween

What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?

Cowger: I believe that the city is in good shape and doesn't face any major issues in the near future.

We have worked together to stabilize the general fund and to keep the city infrastructure up to date and in good repair. I am proud to call Amherst my home and enjoy giving back to the city as best I can.

Harmych: Aging infrastructure, staying within budget. Continue updating the city’s aging streets, utilities and sidewalks while trying to grow and improve our city.

The 22nd Annual Skeleton Run will return in person on Sunday, Oct. 31 at Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst.

The event includes a 5K, a stroller division, a dog division, youth races for each grade level, free items from Lorain County Public Health and free snacks and drinks for all runners. The Skeleton run is also special because many choose to take part in full costumes, with prizes for the best.

A free quarter-mile silly run for kindergarten through fifth grade starts the fun at 8:30 a.m.

The first 300 registered 5K participants will receive a long-sleeve shirt. The 5K race will be chip timed, which means that runners will receive a computerized chip to put into their bib that will accurately record all race information.

There are overall men and women’s trophies and grand masters men and women’s trophies in addition to medals for the top three finishers in each of 14 age groups.

Pre-registration, course map and all race information can be found at www.tinyurl.com/Amherst Skeleton. Register by Oct. 30 to receive the discounted rate of $25.

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 OCTOBER 21, 2021 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live OCTOBER 25, 2021........SPECIAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION & RECOVERY – 5:00 P.M. - PURPOSE: General Purposes OCTOBER 26, 2021........OPEN SPACE COMMISSION – 5:00 P.M. NOTICE: DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL 775-7203 OR E-MAIL: banderson@cityofoberlin.com NOTICE REQUIRED: TWO (2) WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING (48 HOURS) CLERK OF COUNCIL’S OFFICE.

OBERLIN CITY COUNCIL - CLERK’S OFFICE

CITY OF OBERLIN NOTICE OF BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE VACANCIES Oberlin City Council will be accepting applications to fill the following vacancies: City Records Commission (1) Civil Service Commission (1) Fire Code Appeal Board (1) Fire Fighters Dependents Fund Board (2) Historic Preservation Commission (1) Housing Renewal Commission (1) Human Relations Commission (2) Income Tax Board of Review (3) Oberlin Community Improvement Corporation (OCIC) (5) Planning Commission (2) Public utilities Commission (1) Recreation Commission (1) Resource Conservation and Recovery Commission (1) Underground Railroad Center Implementation Team (1) Zoning Board of Appeals (2) Persons interested in serving can contact: Oberlin City Clerk Belinda Anderson, MMC 85 South Main Street Oberlin, Ohio 44074 Phone#: (440) 775-7203 Fax#: (440) 775-7208 The deadline for applications will be November 8, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Page B4

SPORTS

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

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

After battling all season, Phoenix feelin’ fine ERIK ANDREWS CORRESPONDENT

Oberlin picked up its second victory of the season Friday night against Clearview, 52-22.

The Phoenix jumped ahead 14-0 in the first quarter following a pair of Clippers turnovers — one fumble and one interception. Dayvion Witherspoon bulled into the end zone for the first score, while senior quarterback Andre Yarber connected with Jonny Frazier on an 84-yard completion for the second.

In a game delayed over an hour by thunderstorms, Clearview finally got on the board early in the second quarter, but Oberlin would come right back with two more Witherspoon rushing touchdowns before the end of the half.

The Clippers made things interesting with two third quarter scores, closing the gap to 30-22. However, the determined Phoenix offense got back on track for the fourth quarter, posting three touchdowns and a two-point conversion to extend the victory margin to 30.

"The team has been battling all year,” said coach Mike Akers. “It's fantastic to see them creating opportunities and taking advantage of them. We'll prepare for Brookside starting Monday (Oct. 18) and look to finish the season with a nice little two-game win streak."

Yarber was on target much of the night as he completed 19 of 24 passes for 289 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. His favorite receiver was Johnny Frazier, who had eight catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns — and who took advantage of an errant Clippers pass in the flat to tally a critical pick six late in the game.

On the ground, Witherspoon toted the pigskin 18 times for 112 yards and four touchdowns.

Oberlin (2-7, 1-5 in the Lorain County League) will Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune Oberlin’s Dayvion Witherspoon racked up 112 yards and four touchdowns Friday against Clearview. close the regular season against Brookside this Friday.

WHAT A FIGHT

DUKING IT OUT IN OVERTIME

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Russ Gifford | Amherst News-Times

Firelands lost the first set 21-25, but fought hard to seal a 3-1 win over Keystone by coming back 25-21, 25-22, 28-26 on Senior Night.

Grace Tansey had 42 assists, Layne Riley had 29 digs and Lexi Mack had 22 kills for the Falcons. ABOVE: Firelands' Lexi Mack gets the hit against Keystone.

Kenny Grobolsek’s two-point conversion in overtime, which came after he scored on a threeyard run, gave Brookside a 14-12 win Friday over the Dukes. The Cardinals had scored in the first quarter on a 62-yard race to the goal line by Michael Gomes, but scoring remained stagnant as both sides struggled in the heavy rain. Wellington leveled the field in the fourth with a 53-yard pass from CJ Polen to Jon Brasee, and ran in an OT touchdown to take a 12-6 lead before Grobolsek put the cap on the night. ABOVE: Drew Unangst and CJ Polen wait for the Brookside offense to come to the line. RIGHT: Cheerleaders Melanie Solkiewicz, McKenna Solkiewicz and Chloe Black share a smile on Senior Night.

COMETS CRUSHED BY THE PIONEERS Joe Colon | Amherst News-Times

Torre Weatherspoon put Amherst up 7-0 in the first quarter on a four-yard run with an Adam Henderson PAT, but Elyria stomped all hope of allowing the Comets their first win of the season, hitting hard for 30 points before halftime. Emery Horton added a 21-yard scramble to the goal line for the Pioneers in the third, and a fourth quarter touchdown on a short run felt good for Amherst’s Matthew Beischlag, but didn’t move his team far enough ahead to change the game’s outcome. The Comets ended up losing the rushing game 252 yards to 31, but fared well in the air, racking up 124 yards to Elyria’s 44. ABOVE: Quarterback George Gotsis eludes Elyria defender Adrien Williams.

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

PHOENIX POWER UP

Page B5

SENIOR NIGHT VICTORY

Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

The Dukes boys took home a 5-3 win over the Trinity Trojans on Senior Night. ABOVE: Bryce Shaw clears the ball against Trinity.

An undermanned Wellington squad was no match for the Oberlin Phoenix as both teams closed out their Lorain County League play for the 2021 season. With the 8-2 victory, Oberlin moved into third place in the five-team league. The Dukes, despite a couple goals from senior Derrick Andolsek, could not keep up as Phoenix senior defender Cam Thompson got into the scoring act with a 35-yard bomb placed just under the crossbar, yet over the reach of netminder Connor Norton. ABOVE: The Phoenix celebrate their 8-2 LCL victory.

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT

Cooley Mile placers named AMHERST — The Cooley Mile Youth Races and Comets cross country teams’ Senior Night were held Monday, Oct. 11. The top three finishers for each grade level in the race were:

Fourth grade boys • First place: Luke Lamoreaux • Second place: Alec Wenger • Third place: Jamar Miller

Kindergarten boys • First place: Oliver Waddell • Second place: Charles Magyar • Third place: Logan Folop

Fourth grade girls • First place: Quinn Reutepohler • Second place: Hailey Pfeiffer • Third place: Lola Born

Kindergarten girls • First place: Jade Michalewicz • Second place: Emma Schwarz • Third place: Darby Routh

Fifth grade boys • First place: Asher Hylton • Second place: Brayden Danz • Third place: Carter Banyas

First grade boys • First place: Hayden Clayman • Second place: Logan Brandich • Third place: Lorenzo Bruzzese

Fifth grade girls • First place: Olivia Ford • Second place: Maddy Merthe • Third place: Cece Adams

First grade girls • First place: Mikaela Kothe • Second place: Jatajah Johnson • Third place: Jayna Davis

Sixth grade boys • First place: Landon Boone • Second place: Eli Nicely • Third place: Billy Kessler

Second grade boys • First place: Ben Dupaski • Second place: Ethan Thompson • Third place: Emmett Szakats

Sixth grade girls • First place: Lola Candelario • Second place: Rebecca George • Third place: Julia Fossie

Second grade girls • First place: Kallahan Coleman • Second place: Amelia Springer • Third place: Scarlett Gerber

Amherst Junior High boys • First place: Ben Thompson • Second place: Zane Rhoads • Third place: Asa Nicely

Third grade boys • First place: Elias Carrion • Second place: Cole Fossie • Third place: Braden George

Amherst Junior High girls • First place: Paige Miller • Second place: Alaina Alflen • Third place: Grace Bruewer

Third grade girls • First place: Lily Tellier • Second place: Eleyna Szakats • Third place: Mia Kothe

Steele High boys • First place: Luke Bowlsby • Second place: Ty Perez • Third place: Henry Isaacs

Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

Oberlin dropped a heartbreaker to Clearview in its penultimate Lorain County League match, 2-3 (22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 8-15). Fighting back from 0-1 and 1-2 deficits, the host Phoenix just didn't have enough to push through in the fifth and final set. ABOVE: Clipper Ellie Petkovski hits between Oberlin's Kyria Lopez and Pearl Gunn.

RAZOR CLOSE

Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Brookside took a two-set advantage over Wellington in Lorain County League play with 25-17 and 25-23 wins before the Dukes could recover.

Wellington took the third set 25-19, but lost the fourth to the Cardinals by two points. ABOVE: Wellington's Bella Beck gets the block.

GR RAND OPENING Misses, Juniors, Plus, Men’s, & Kids M ENTER TO WIN $100

Shopping Spree

SHOP IN-STORE TODAY! 291 South Main St Oberlin, OH 44074

HOURS M-F 10am - 8pm Sat 10am - 6pm Sun 12pm - 5pm

(440) 774-1803 www.labelshopper.com Five $100 shopping sprees at Label Shopper will be drawn on 11/4/21. Limit one per customer. Winner does not need to be present. No purchase necessary.

Page B6

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

PIRATES WIN

Deputies prepare for week-long Halloween drunk driving blitz ELYRIA TWP. — Lorain County sheriff’s deputies will be conducting high-visibility traffic enforcement starting Friday and running through Halloween.

The main goal is to reduce the number of alcohol- and speeding-related crashes and to promote seat belt use.

“Halloween is meant to be scary, but not when it comes to driving,” said a news release from Sheriff Phil Stammitti. “When it comes to drunk driving, Halloween can turn the roads into a true horror story.”

Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to drunk drivers. Between 2015 and 2019, there were 126 drunk-driving deaths on Halloween night, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-

Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Black River's Nicole Beard gets the hit against Our Lady of the Elms in a 3-0 Pirates win.

tion, 41 percent of all deadly motor vehicle crashes on Halloween night for those years involved a drunk driver.

“Even though Halloween is on a Sunday this year, we’re certain to see extra parties throughout the weekend, and every single party-goer should plan their sober ride home in advance,” Stammitti said. “Even one drink can impair judgment. You should never put yourself or others at risk because you made the selfish choice to drink and drive.”

Funding for increased deputy presence on the roads during the coming week is paid for by a grant from the federal Impaired Driving Enforcement Program in conjunction with the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.

CLASSIFIEDS LEGALS LEGALS 0-21-26 Ordinance authorizing and directing the Safety Service Director to solicit bids to provide towing services in the City for two years; and authorizing and directing the Safety Service Director to award the contract for such work to the bidder the Safety Service Director deems most qualified and able to render such services.

0-21-27 Ordinance authorizing and directing the Safety Service Director to enter into various contracts not to exceed $198,000.00 relating to certain emergency repairs to approximately 775 feet of water main piping on Washington Street.

0-21-28 Ordinance authorizing and directing the Safety Service Director to submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission for State Issue I (Round 36) funds for the year 2022 for roadway improvements and repairs on Middle Ridge Road and various other streets.

0-21-29 Ordinance authorizing and directing the Safety Service Director to accept assistance to Firefighters Grant Funds in the amount of $54,943.45 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to solicit bids for the procurement of certain air

compressor equipment for the City of Amherst Fire Department, and to award the contract for such equipment to the lowest responsive and and responsible bidder.

0-21-30 Ordinance creating a tax increment financing incentive district; declaring improvements to the parcels withing the incentive district to be a public purpose and exempt from real property taxation; requiring the owners of those parcels to make service payment in lieu of taxes; establishing a municipal public improvement tax increment equivalent fund for the deposit of those service payments; specifying the public infrastructure improvements that benefit or serve parcels in the incentive district; and authorizing payment to the Amherst Exempted Village School District (A-21-26) 0-21-31 Ordinance authorizing the Safety Service Director to enter into a contract to lease to purchase a Vactor 2115 Combination Sewer Cleaner Truck for the Sewer Collections Department trough the Ohio State Cooperative Purchasing Program.

0-21-32 Ordinance approving the General Development Plan for the proposed development of a portion of Parcel No. 05-00-044-000-096 for the purpose of constructing a shop/warehouse for use

by North Coast Design Build, LLC.

0-21-33 Ordinance accepting certain improvements of the Eagle Ridge Subdivision and dedicating such improvements for public use.

0-21-34 Ordinance approving the final development plan for the proposed development of a portion of Parcel No. 05-00044-000-096 for the purpose of constructing a shop/warehouse for Use by North Coast Design Build, LLC. 0-21-35 Ordinance authorizing an increase in appropriations for repayment of debt due December 1, 2021.

The complete text of the above listed ordinances and resolutions may be viewed in the office of the Clerk of Council during regular business hours.

Olga Sivinski, Clerk of Council 206 S. Main St. Amherst, OH. 440-988-2420 L.C.C.G. 10/21/21 20691744 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF DEFICIENT SIDEWALKS ON OAKDALE AVE FROM W. 17TH TO W. 30TH AND ON W. 30TH FROM MARSHALL TO CLIFTON AVE LOR-LORAIN SRTS PID 110932 Sealed bids will be received by

the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, October 29, 2021, Lorain time, Engineering Department, Lorain City Hall 4th Floor.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM, October 29, 2021, Lorain time, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

COMPLETION DATE: October 14, 2022 Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier's Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured.

Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract. Cash deposits will not be accepted.

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at www.cityoflorain.org or at the Engineering Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Each bidder must insure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, sex or national origin. All bid-

ders must comply with the provisions of the American Disabilities Act. All federal minority business enterprise and women business enterprise requirements shall be met. All contractors and subcontractors involved with the project will to the extent practicable use Ohio products, materials, services and labor in the implementation of their project.

Bidders must be listed on the ODOT pre-qualified list for highway construction. Bidders shall submit a list of available equipment, and labor shall be paid not less than the prevailing wage rate as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor Davis Bacon requirements for Lorain County, Ohio.

NO BID WILL BE OPENED WITHOUT THE CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFICATION OR THE ACCEPTABLE LETTER OF APPLICATION ATTACHED TO THE OUTSIDE AS DIRECTED. The Director of Safety/Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

No Pre-Bid meeting is scheduled.

By order of the Director of Public Safety/Service L.C.C.G. 10/7-14-21/21 20689796 LEGAL NOTICE August 30, 2021 Pursuant to City of Oberlin Ordinance No. 21 - 48 AC CMS,

passed by Oberlin City Council on August 11, 2021, the following issue will appear on the ballot for residents of the City of Oberlin, Ohio, at the General Election to be held on November 2, 2021: PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT Ballot Language Shall Section III(F) of the Charter of the City of Oberlin be amended to authorize the City Council to enact legislation to prescribe the conduct of its meetings as an alternative to the provisions of state law?

SHALL THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION III (F) OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF OBERLIN, OHIO, BE ADOPTED? YES _________ NO __________ (FULL TEXT) SECTION III. COUNCIL F. Meetings and Organization.

During the first regular meeting in January following each regular municipal election, Council shall meet for the purpose of organization. Thereafter Council shall meet at such times as may be prescribed by its rules, regulations, ordinances and bylaws; but it shall hold regular meetings at least twice during the calendar months of the year, with the exception of the months of July and August, during each of which months Council may at its discretion dispense with one of its regular meetings. All meetings of the Council, whether regular

or special, shall be open to the public except as is otherwise authorized by State law.

Meetings of Council shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of State law or as may otherwise be prescribed by Ordinance of Council approved by at least a 5/7th majority of its members and provided that said Ordinance shall assure that the public is able to hear and observe the discussions and deliberations of all of the participating members of Council.

Belinda B. Anderson, MMC, Oberlin Clerk of Council.

L.C.C.G. 10/7-14-21/21 20690004 PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on October 4, 2021. The complete text of each item may be viewed or purchased in the Clerk of Council Office @ Lorain City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH, during normal business hours or contact Nancy Greer @ 204-2050 (Nancy_Greer@ cityoflorain.org). The following summary of legislation passed has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws.

Resolution 35-21 Supporting the Vision Zero Initiative, a strategy to eliminate traffic

fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all.

36-21 Auth the S/S Director to apply for 2022 TLCI implementation program grant for construction of the Planned Active Transportation Plan/ Transportation for Livable Communities. 37-21* Offering to pick up all or part of the voluntary contributions through a payroll deduction for members of the bargaining units in the police & fire depts. to purchase service credit. 38-21 Adopting new CDBG policies and procedures. Ordinance 170-21 Approving the Chief of Police to accept the award from the OH Dept of Public SafetyOhio Traffic Safety office. 17121Auth the S/S Director to enter into an MOU between the City of Lorain and USW6621.

172-21 Approving the MOU between the City of Lorain and Telecommunicators effective 1/1/20-12/31/22. 173-21 Auth the S/S Director to enter into an agrmt w/ Coldwater Consulting LLC for prof services related to the storm water outfall emergency repairs project. 174-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into a contract w/ Advanced Demolition Services for demo of multiple houses. 175-21 Approving the Chief of Police to accept the award from Ohio Dept of Public Safety- Ohio Traffic Safety Office. 176-21* Auth the Auditor to pay an invoice from the utility dept invoking the Then &

Now exception process. 17721* Appropriation. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.)

L.C.C.G. 10/14-21/21 20691185 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Please be advised that Lorain City Council will host a public hearing on Monday, November 15, 2021 in the Lorain City Council Chamber at 200 West Erie Ave., Lorain, Ohio. The hearing will commence at 5:45 p.m. to discuss the following item: ZCA-14-2021 - An application to rezone PPN: the front 300 feet of PPN 02-01-003-262025 @ 380 North Ridge Road West, Janice Numma is the applicant.

The Lorain City Planning Commission met on October 6, 2021 and recommend approval of the item above to Lorain City Council. Copies of all documentation related to this proposal will be on file for public inspection in the Office of the Clerk of Council, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio. Please contact Nancy_Greer@cityoflorain.org for additional information. NANCY GREER, CMC L.C.C.G. 10/14-21/21 20691244 Call us: (440) 329-7000

WELLINGTON RECYCLES!

Did you know, everything you recycle in your green recycling tote is weighed and recorded? The village of Wellington receives grant dollars from the Lorain County Commissioners, and Lorain County Solid Waste Management District, because you recycle. The more you recycle, the more grant money the village is eligible for! Grant dollars have been used to purchase recycled content park benches, trash/recycling receptacles, crushed red brick for the ball fields at the Rec. Park, the sun shade at the splash pad, and playground equipment.

What to Recycle in your Green Curbside Tote • Glass Bottles & Jars (all colors) • Metal Cans: Aluminum, and steel cans and lids • Paper: Newspaper, magazines, cardboard, mixed office paper and envelopes, paperboard (cereal boxes), telephone books, and catalogs

• Plastics #1 -#7 (reattach lid): Bottles and jugs that have a small mouth and wider base, such as milk jugs, soda bottles, laundry detergent bottles, water bottles, and shampoo bottles • Cartons (paper fiber): Juice, Milk, Soy Milk, Soup and Broth, Cream, and Wine

Recycling Tips – • Mix all items together – no separation required • Empty and rinse all bottles, jugs, cartons, and cans • No Need to remove labels • For plastic bottles, empty, crush and reattach lids

• For cartons, remove plastic caps and straws • Never place medical sharps or needles in the recycling • Do Not use plastic bags

Not for Recycling –

No plastic bags, cassette tapes, bed sheets, hangers, metal chains, garden hoses, batteries, needles, syringes, electronics, polystyrene foam, buckets, car parts, food, yard waste, light bulbs, drinking glasses, ceramics, pots, pans, and scrap metal.

Hard to Recycle Items Lorain County Solid Waste Management District Collection Center

540 South Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035, 440-329-5440 Hours of Operation: Wednesday 12 PM – 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM (Lorain County Residents Only) • Household Hazardous Waste (see website for accepted materials) www.loraincounty.us/commissioners-department/solid-waste-management/collection-center • Fluorescent Lamps & Ballasts • Papers to Be Shredded • Cooking Oils • Scrap Tires • Electronic Waste

Lorain County Habitat for Humanity –

If you have items such as new paint, used paint that is half full, construction or building items – you can donate them to the Lorain County Habitat for Humanity, www.loraincountyhabitat.org, 440-322-2355.