Lorain County Community Guide - Nov. 3, 2022

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Surge in early voting, absentee requests

JASON HAWK EDITOR

SHEFFIELD TWP. — Robert

Shirey has been caught in long voting lines before, and has no patience for it.

That’s why he voted early in person Monday at the Lorain County Board of Elections office.

“I don’t wait until Election Day

WIZARDS

anymore,” said Shirey, of North Ridgeville. “… But you’ve got to vote — I just feel it’s my civic duty. And if you don’t vote, you get what you get. I’d rather have some say in it.”

As of Monday 38,322 Lorain County residents had either turned out to vote or requested to cast their ballots by mail.

That’s far ahead of the 33,792 people who had taken the same

steps at this point during the last midterm election in 2018, said Paul Adams, director of the county elections board.

“I anticipate that increase is go ing to grow,” he said.

On Friday, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said 1,076,049 people statewide had already voted or asked for an ab sentee ballot. That’s a 1.8 percent increase over the same point in

the 2018 gubernatorial election.

The biggest increase is among in-person early voters. As of Friday, 135,889 had cast their ballots, compared to 93,763 in 2018, according to LaRose.

This week, Adams predicts about 1,000 people each day will turn out to vote early at 1985 North Ridge Rd. East in Sheffield Township.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7.

Polls across Lorain County will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8. To find your voting location, visit www.voteloraincountyohio.gov. Adams said larger early voting

The boy who became pastor

JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Laurence Nevels Sr. calls the 7.5 acres at Lincoln and Hamilton streets “God’s corner in the kingdom.”

For the past 45 years, he’s been planting spiritual seeds there at Christ Temple Apostolic Church.

The church is preparing to cel ebrate Nevels’ anniversary as pas tor — the longest-serving Oberlin minister, by the congregation’s count — with special services at 4 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20.

The Harlem Wizards made some magic happen last Thursday night during a visit to Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, where the zany hoops crew battled teachers, principals and PTO members for court dominance. The wise cracking Wizards’ visit helped raise money for playground equipment at Powers Elementary, Nord Middle School and Amherst Junior High. Just one night before, the Harlem team’s Leon “Space Jam” Sewell accidentally shattered a backboard at Vermilion High School.Principal Jennifer Bengele estimated the cost at $3,000 and said an insurance claim was immediately filed. ABOVE: The Wizards’ Mr. Bounce goes for a dunk.

“You’ve got to blossom where you plant it. That’s been the case with us,” Nevels said. “I may get a chance to see it and I may not. Who ever’s been a beneficiary of it, praise be to God.”

Christ Temple was founded in 1913, its first permanent meeting spot at a home at the corner of South Park and Sumner streets.

When Nevels was a boy, the church was located on South Pleas ant Street. His father, John Nevels, was pastor there from 1957 to 1962.

Ministry was a family calling — his maternal grandfather had previ ously been pastor at Rust United Methodist Church just a couple blocks away.

The Nevelses lived in Akron, where John worked at Firestone. Each Sunday, he would load his seven sons into the family Ford and make the long commute to Oberlin.

At age 11, Laurence was im pressed with Oberlin’s quaintness, and has warm memories of a friend there giving him a rabbit.

The Christ Temple congregation loved the elder Pastor Nevels, and Laurence said he recalls how much his father loved the city right back. Ultimately, it was the long drive that caused John to leave the pulpit.

The Rev. G. Grady Benton was named to fill the void. In 1967, the congregation bought “God’s corner in the kingdom” and built a parson age — but two heart attacks and a decade later, with a new church building under construction on

the property, Benton left to lead a church in California.

On his way out, he recommended Laurence be hired as the new pastor. The church agreed, fondly remem bering the Rev. John Nevels.

“When I came back, it was almost like fulfilling his heart, his dream, his visions,” Laurence said.

The younger Nevels had graduated from high school at age 16 and then from Aenon Bible College in India napolis. He and his wife Dolorus moved into the parsonage in Janu ary, just a couple of weeks before

the Blizzard of 1978.

Seeing his childhood church through the eyes of leadership was a strange shift in perspective, said Nevels.

The intervening decades have brought weddings and funerals, cel ebrations and hardships, he said. And they inevitably brought change.

Searching for a boost in income, Nevels added “prison chaplain” to his resume in 1993, serving the

Nevels looks back on his 45 years at Christ Temple

Bruce Bishop | Oberlin News-Tribune

Christ Temple Apostolic Church is holding a series of anniversary events in November for Sfg. Bishop Laurence Nevels, who has been pastor for 45 years. He's the longest-serving Oberlin current pastor, according to the congregation. His father was pastor before him.

Angelo Angel | Amherst News-Times

50TH REUNION GIFT

OBITUARIES

Dwight Hayes, 97, passed away Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. He was born March 21, 1925, in Cortland, Ohio, the son of Carl and Theresa (Huffman) Hayes.

Dwight was a Minister of The United Methodist Church, ordained in 1943. As a Pastor, he served congregations in Alliance, Cincinnati (Westwood), Arcadia, North Ridgeville (Fields), Newton Falls, Wel lington, Dalton, East Con neaut and Wooster. In each small town he would find the local coffee shop as he enjoyed spending time connecting with each community. He has helped, supported and been on the board of several charitable organizations including Meals Together and Habitat for Humanity. In Wellington he formed HELP, Inc.

Surviving are his three children, John (Sue) Hayes of Macedonia, David Hayes of Wooster, Susan (Mike) Ad ams of Medina; five grandchildren; three great-grandchil dren and Deb Monaghan, who has been like a daughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and his wife, Maxine, to whom he had been married 67 years.

A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at St. James Episcopal Church, Church North Market Street in Wooster where his family and friends will rejoice that Dwight has entered Heaven and found God's peace.

DAVID C. LOS, 61, lifetime resident of Amherst, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at his home. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

SONJA K. KNEISEL (nee Manuel), 83, lifelong resident of Amherst, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Avenue at North Ridgeville, following a full and meaning ful life. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

VOTING

FROM A1

numbers won’t necessarily translate to higher turnout overall.

“I’m still not certain whether that increase in early vot ing means there’s an increased interest in this election, or whether there were individuals who got used to early voting since 2020,” he said.

Voters have already expressed huge interest in North Ridgeville’s school and city bond issue, Adams said. Issues calling for support of the Midview and Columbia school systems are also driving early voters, he said.

The Board of Elections parking lot was busy Monday, but voters entered and exited the building quickly. Some bypassed the building entirely, instead using a dedicated drive-thru lane to drop off completed absentee ballots.

“It’s just easily accessible… It’s easier than going in side,” said Shearon Holmes of Avon.

The drive-through booth is jointly manned at all times by a Democrat and Republican. Early Monday afternoon, the pairing was Democrat Jill Murrell and Republican Bob Bakaitis.

“I’ve seen people who are very happy they have an easy way to bring back their ballots. They don’t have to worry about the post office,” Murrell said.

“They pull around here and enjoy not getting out of the car,” Bakaitis agreed.

The drive-thru is in operation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Adams said board staff take turns observing the Board of Elections parking lot for traffic or other issues that might arise. A Lorain County Sheriff’s deputy is also on site around the clock.

“The good thing is at this point they haven’t had to exer cise that part of their duties,” Adams said.

He also confirmed that absentee ballots were mailed to those who have requested them without a hitch.

Unlike the situation that unfolded in October 2020, when there was a backlog of 30,000 ballots to be mailed out, there have been no issues with printer Midwest Di rect, said Adams.

DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION

We

THE BREAKFAST BOOST

Dwight Hayes

Provided photo

The Oberlin High School Class of 1972 collected $767 to donate to the Oberlin Schools Endowment Fund during its 50th class reunion. About 55 classmates attended the event, held Sept. 23-24 at Steel Magnolia and The Hotel at Oberlin.

Provided photos To give them a brain boost, about 75 students at Westwood Elementary School were treated last week to free breakfast before taking the Ohio Department of Education's Third Grade Reading Guarantee test. Research shows that students who eat before an exam perform better.

Angelo Angel | Amherst News-Times

Members of Marion L. Steele High School’s Amherst Marching Comets, along with costumed kids of all ages, head down Park Avenue on Sunday afternoon during the city’s Halloween parade.

South Amherst water rates

The village of South Amherst intends to increase water rates by 6 percent for the next three years, according to documents from the Board of Public Affairs.

Public hearings have been scheduled for 6:45 p.m. on Mondays, Nov. 7 and 21 in Village Council chambers.

Westwood wins PBIS award

Westwood Elementary School in Wellington has been named a recipient of the Ohio PBIS Bronze Award for 2021-2022.

The award is given by the Ohio Department of Education State Support Team for Region 2. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS, is an approach schools use to promote safety and good behavior.

Feel the rhythm

Cardio drumming is held at 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the LCCC Wellington Center, 151 Commerce Dr. Be sure to take your own bucket, ball and drumsticks. The cost is $5.

NEVELS FROM A1

needs of inmates at Lorain Correctional Facility until 2008.

Along the road, he was appointed suf fragan bishop of the Apostolic Church’s Diocese of Ohio.

Suffragan means “assistant,” and there are suffragan bishops assigned to districts covering about 90 churches statewide.

Nevels was charged with oversight of six churches across Northwest Ohio, includ ing finances and encouragement of their ministers.

Through the years, his own church has grown and contracted. Today, its predomi nantly Black congregation of 40 to 50 is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, and starting to return to regular worship.

A significant number travel from Cleve land, Akron and Mansfield to attend ser vices, Nevels said. Many of the faces that filled the pews in his early pastoral years in the 1970s are gone, but a few remain that have made the entire 45-year journey by his side.

Now 76, retirement is a question that looms large in Nevels’ mind.

“I kind of feel like it from a physical, natural standpoint,” he said — but letting go isn’t his style. Nevels said he’s pre fer to age into another phase of spiritual leadership, a kind of “pastor emeritus” who can use his experience to mentor a younger pastor, while continuing to write and periodically preach.

Nevels said he’d also like to see con struction of a new building or addition for education and recreation, a place to serve unmet needs in the Oberlin community. That’s likely a job for his eventual suc

cessor, though, he said.

“See, this is one reason I’m not able to retire,” he said. “Because people keep bringing ideas to me and saying, ‘Maybe you could do this,’ and ‘Maybe you could do that.’ So you end up stay ing on longer.”

While he breathes, there will always be another step to take for “God’s corner in the kingdom,” said Nevels.

“And my wife helps me not to see the end of the road,” he said, “although we are both physically and almost emotion ally feeling the end of the road. Because after a while, you just wear some, you know what I mean?”

Provided photos

A 31-year-old Laurence Nevels smiles after being chosen to lead Christ Temple Apostolic Church in Oberlin, where his father had been pastor in the 1950s and 1960s.

40th Annual Lorain County High School Art Exhibit

ELYRIA — The 40th Lorain County High School Art Exhibit will run through Friday, Nov. 18 at the Elyria Pub lic Library’s West River branch, 1194 West River Rd. This year, 126 pieces of artwork will be displayed dur ing the three-week show, featuring student artists from Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, Elyria High School, Firelands High School, HEARTS for Jesus Christ, Keystone High School, Lorain County JVS, Lorain High School, Midview High School, North Ridgeville High School, Open Door Christian School, Vermilion High School and Wellington High School.

Debbie Hunt, special projects coordinator for the Edu cational Service Center, said the event was made possible thanks in part to the dedicated art teachers.

“The art teachers within our Lorain County high schools help develop the student-talent and allow for the art show to be seen by residents of the county,” Hunt said. “This is a won derful way for our student artists to showcase their talent.”

Gordon named new county jail administrator

James Gordon of Elyria has been promoted to adminis trator of the Lorain County Jail after serving as assistant administrator since 2020, Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti announced.

Gordon joined the sheriff’s office in 1989 as a correc tions officer. He was promoted to technical corrections officer in 1994, to sergeant in 1997 and to lieutenant in 2014. He has more than 33 years of service with the Lo rain County Sheriff’s Office. Gordon will report to Direc tor of Corrections Jack Hammond.

LETTER

Keep income taxes in place

To the editor:

My thanks to the Lorain County Community Guide for Jason Hawk’s Oct. 27 article entitled “Oberlin voters asked to keep income taxes on the books.” The article accurately describes in detail aspects of the two renewal income tax levies for the City of Oberlin that are on the Nov. 8 ballot (Issues 37 and 38).

The income from the two levies, a combined $2.6 mil lion, goes into the city’s general fund, which supports essential city services, including police and fire. Failure to pass the levies, which represent approximately one quarter of general fund revenue, would soon result in substantial reductions in city operations and services.

Given the fact that Oberlin’s income taxes are very rea sonable when compared to neighboring cities and also that the renewal levies do not increase taxes, the case in their favor is a slam dunk.

For the election on Nov. 8, all Oberlin voters should vote in favor of Issues 37 and 38 – income tax renewals for the City of Oberlin.

Ray English Oberlin City Councilman

CLASSIFIEDS

LEGALS

CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO THE PARTIAL REMOVAL

AT ADMIRAL KING, HAWTHORNE, AND GARFIELD IN THE CITY OF LORAIN LOR-LORAIN SRTS PID 113537

Sealed bids will be received by the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UN TIL - 11:00 AM, Novem ber 28, 2022, Lorain time, Law Department, Lorain City Hall 3rd Floor.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM, November 28, 2022, Lorain time, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

COMPLETION DATE: October 13, 2023 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 perfor mance bond properly secured.

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

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at www.cityo florain.org.

Each bidder must insure that all employees and applicants for employment are not dis criminated against because of their race, creed, color, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provi sions of the American Dis abilities Act. All federal minor ity business enterprise and women business enterprise requirements shall be met. All contractors and subcontrac tors involved with the project will to the extent practicable use Ohio products, materi als, 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

by

ELECTION

Lundy faces challenge from Riddell for Lorain County commissioner job

DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Incumbent Lorain County Com missioner Matt Lundy is facing a challenge from businessman Jeff Riddell for a seat on the three-mem ber Board of Commissioners in the election Nov. 8.

Lundy, a Democrat, has been on the commission since 2015. Before that was an elected two-term state representative in the Ohio House of Representatives, worked in Elyria City Hall, served on Avon Lake City Council and was a television and radio journalist.

A Republican, Riddell is president and fourth-generation owner of Consumer Builders Supply on North Ridge Road in Sheffield Town ship and also served on the Lorain County Community College Board of Trustees.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Lundy: I listen to the taxpayers of Lorain County. That’s why I voted to cut the county sales tax so that resi dents can keep more of their money. I’m the only candidate in this race who has pledged not to raise the county sales tax. I am known for working in a bipartisan fashion. We must work together to do the work of the people. My record is strong — balancing the budget and making sure law enforcement gets the fund ing needed to protect our families. We must stand with the brave men and women in law enforcement.

Riddell: I came up through the ranks from tow motor operator to the desk where the buck stops. I have worked with a diverse employee

Matt Lundy, 62 Party: Democratic Education: Lorain County Community College; bach elor's degree, human resource manage ment, Friends University, Kansas. Family: married Job History: Lorain County commis sioner, 2015 to present; Ohio House of Representatives, 55th House District, 2007-2014; former assistant safety-service director, city of Elyria; Avon Lake City Council, 1994-1995; former radio and television journalist Website: mattlundy.com

crew to serve an even more diverse customer base. I will take charge and stop the chaos in the commis sioners' office that is an embarrass ment that is led by my opponent. He has created the chaos to deny the change voters demanded in 2020. Employee morale and pride are my priority because that leads to excel lent service to and for our residents. County money must be spent for the benefit of all county residents, not just to benefit political cronies or vote buying.

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

Lundy: There’s too much politi cal division. We must work together to make our county a better place. I’ve worked closely with state and local leaders to protect and grow our

Jeffrey "Jeff" Riddell, 70 Party: Republican Education: Lorain High School; bach elor's degree in accounting, Penn State University Family: married to Donna for 44 years; four children; six grandchildren Job History: president of family busi ness, Consumers Builder Supply, 48 years Website: voteforriddell.com

jobs. "Made in America" needs to be our focus. When funding was cut for local veterans, I worked across the aisle to get the funding restored. When others played politics in an effort to divide us, I focused on mak ing common-sense decisions to bring stability to county government and our families. We must listen to what the taxpayers want.

Riddell: Getting Lorain County in position to share in Ohio's progress and success. We need a healthy economy so employers come to Lorain County and stay; so our chil dren and neighbors can stay in their hometowns and enjoy the best that our county has to offer. We can do this without raising taxes if we all work together. That starts with com missioners who build the vision, and a team to execute it. Passing out money without a plan alone is not leadership. Spending to vision and plan is what we need. Listen, and then come up with an effective plan together.

Snodgrass versus Roeser for auditor

DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

In the race for Lorain County auditor on Nov. 8, incumbent Lorain Craig Snodgrass, a Democrat, faces a challenge from business owner Rodger Roeser, a Republican.

County auditors in Ohio manage the appraisal and assessment of real estate. They cannot raise or lower property taxes but make sure they are properly billed and collected, according to the County Auditor's Association of Ohio.

They also distribute tax dollars to cities, schools, villages, townships and county agencies; prepare and maintain county financial records; enforce state weights and measures laws such as at the gas pump or grocery store; issue dog licenses and tags; issue vendor and cigarette licenses; hear complaints about property tax values; and serve on the county's budget commission, accord ing to the CAAO.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Roeser: It’s what I do for a living and have for more than two decades.

Craig Snodgrass, 57 Party: Democratic Education: Certified public accountant, certi fied government financial man ager, chartered global manage ment accountant, bachelor’s degree in accounting Family: wife Wendy; daughters Madison, Morgan and Emma. Job history: Lorain County audi tor, 2013 to present; deputy Lorain County auditor, 1994-2012; Lorain city councilman, 8th Ward, 20062012; staff accountant at Frank, Seringer & Chaney Inc., certified public accountant firm; vice president of County Auditor’s Association of Ohio.

providing exceptional service. We need more business-minded people in these positions.

Rodger Roeser, 53 Party: Republican Education: bach elor’s degree in journalism, Kent State University Family: did not answer

Job History: CEO of the Sheffield-based marketing, advertis ing and public relations firm The Eisen Agency Website: RoeserForAuditor.com

Bacon

An application has been filed asking to be appointed as Ad minister of decedent's estate.

A hearing on the application will be held November 16, 2022 at 2:30 P.M. The Court is located at Lorain County Justice Center, 225 Court St., 6th Fl., Elyria, Ohio 44035. You are one of the persons en titled to administer decedent's estate, and if you wish to be considered for appointment to do so you must apply to this Court. If you do not apply, it will be considered that you renounce your right to admin ister the estate. The Court may appoint any suitable and com petent person to administer the estate, giving due weight to relative priority of right to do so. Even if you decline ap pointment yourself, if you know of any reason why the above applicant is not suitable or competent, you should appear and inform the Court.

Zachary B. Simonoff, #0070088 Attorney for Applicant 124 Middle Ave. #500 Elyria OH 44035 L.C.C.G.10/27; 11/3,11/10 20710657

My multiple-award-winning, nation ally recognized firm helps busi nesses and organizations thrive. We work with a variety of businesses and organizations to assist them in objectively auditing their business operations — financial, operations, marketing, personnel and others — to find areas of improvement. Then, implement those improve ments making for a more profitable and more rewarding organization. Government at almost every level needs to take this approach and is ripe for improvements in technol ogy, service and fiscal policy. The days of complacency, bloated staffs and feel-good programs, neverending annual raises and bonuses and treating taxpayer dollars as if it is theirs needs to be over. This is your hard-earned money, and you deserve to keep more of and know it’s being invested properly. I’ll be taking a more businesslike approach, working with fellow elected officials to streamline operations and set an example that government can be less burdensome on taxpayers while also

Snodgrass: I have served as the Lorain County auditor since 2013 and have been with the auditor's of fice more than 28 years. I have more than three decades of professional financial experience that is crucial in performing the daily duties and deci sion-making of the office. I am expe rienced in managing a diverse staff of more than 60 employees. Under my tenure as auditor, the county has received clean audits from the state auditor's office, my financial report ing has been nationally recognized by the Government Officers As sociation and my mapping system has received state recognition for its enterprisewide projects. The profes sional, educational and extracur ricular activity clearly provides me with the background to continue to serve the citizens of Lorain County another four years.

What is the biggest challenge facing the county auditor's office and how would you ad dress it?

Roeser: The challenges are nu merous — we need a more diverse workforce that more closely re sembles the makeup of our county — and to that end I’ll be implement

ing public outreach programs that encourage young people to look into public service and civics, all while deeply evaluating current staff and staff levels. We need more voices and more diverse areas of critical thinking that better reflect our entire county. We’ll have more consistent public outreach (not just in an elec tion year on the taxpayer’s dime) that provides significantly better transparency and clarity in how taxpayer dollars are both being col lected and spent and help everyone understand areas where they may be able to realize tax savings and what everyone can do collectively to start a trend of lowering highly burden some taxation. We’ll implement better user experience programs both in person and online. Overall, the single biggest challenge is fiscal — the rapid increase in inflation and property taxes has been a double whammy to hard-working women and men, farmers, seniors and small business owners who have all looked at ways to tighten their collective belts, all while government contin ues to let their belt out and rake in more and more of those dollars and proceeds to spend it without fiscal restraint.

Snodgrass: Aside from the day-today challenges, which includes ad equate staffing to serve the public, a huge task is to reach out and educate the public to the various programs available to help them ease their tax burden and explain the valuation/ taxation process. Like many busi nesses today, staffing has become a challenge as many people

ELECTION 2022

Miller, Gallagher vie for Ohio 53rd House District seat

THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Incumbent Democrat Joe Miller, D-Amherst, is seeking a third term in the Ohio House against Republican challenger Marty Gallagher, R-Avon Lake.

First elected in 2018, Miller, a former educator and member of Amherst City Council, goes up against Gallagher, an Avon Lake business owner in the race for the newly drawn Ohio House District 53.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Gallagher: As a business owner for 35 years I have created hundreds of jobs. I know what it takes to attract businesses to the district. I have roughly 40 employees with one business and 40 with another. As a real estate developer, I know what it takes to attract businesses. I was a federal legislative chairman, state legislative co-chairman and PAC chairman for a national trade

Joe Miller, 53 Party: Democratic Education: Amherst Marion L. Steele High School, Lorain County Community College, bachelor's degree from Bowling Green, master's degrees at Ashland University Family: Kelly, Joseph, Jordan and bulldog Heisman Job History: Associate direc tor of planning at Design Build Firm; general manager in a print production facility; social studies teacher at Firelands High School; adjunct instructor of political sci ence at LCCC Website: joemillerforohio.com

association. I have presented tes timony in front of the Ohio State house numerous times. I raised $1.4 million for Avon Lake High

Marty Gallagher, 58 Party: Republican Education: North Olmsted High School; Cuyahoga Community College (two years) and Dyke College (18 months). I attended both colleges and was close to a degree when Dyke College went out of business. I never finished.

Family: Married 29 years, three girls and one boy; Shannon, Megan, Liam, Erin. All in college. I am the middle of 13 kids.

Job History: Ultraviolet Resources 1982-1987; selfemployed, 1987 to present Website: electmartygallagher.com

School Athletics as booster presi dent. Board member of Beachpark Railway Museum, AL Historical Society and volunteer to numerous

community organizations.

Miller: I am the best candidate for the position because I will continue to be a socially con scious legislator. Having worked in both the public and private sectors, I have experienced first hand challenges of the workingclass family. As a legislator, I support commonsense policies, such as the right to an abortion as a private health care decision, tax cuts for the middle class and as sistance for our veterans. I have backed the fair funding of public schools and authored an end to public school takeovers. If reelected, I will continue to listen and care because you matter.

What is the biggest chal lenge facing the district and how would you address it?

Gallagher: Economic develop ment — businesses are struggling to find employees. It is caus ing less production, longer lead times, higher prices and financial strain on the economy. Inflation is driving up the cost of living. I would work with colleges, joint

vocational schools, and trades to create job-ready candidates by expanding industry-specific curriculum. Even create a 15-20 industry specific workshop field trip facility for high school stu dents. Work with local, county, and state agencies to incentivize businesses to move into enter prise zones close to schools. Invest in infrastructure.

Miller: The biggest issue facing the district is a lack of support for the working-class family. Families need higher wage career opportunities while protecting their pensions. In addition, families deserve to have the ability to plan for their families on their own terms. This includes having access to paid family and medical leave. Families are struggling econom ically, and their basic rights are under attack. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate and work on legislation that creates op portunities for business growth and workforce development that will provide opportunities for working-class families.

Burgess takes on Stein in new 54th Ohio House District

JASON HAWK EDITOR

State Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk, is run ning for re-election in the 57th Ohio House district created this year via redistricting. His opponent is Oberlin City Council President Bryan Burgess, a Democrat.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Burgess: My first job at age 16 was work ing for the Lorain County Metro Parks and I have been in public service ever since. I have a record of supporting both Republicans and Democrats in past elections because I believe that Ohio deserves better than corruption and extremism in government. I support women’s right to health care – including abortion, responsible gun ownership, unionized work ers, legalization of marijuana, renewable energy and public education. I’m running for office because these causes are threatened by a small minority of extremists. Dark money might pay for their campaigns, but our free doms are not for sale.

Stein: I have worked diligently to be avail able to constituents across my district and have the experience to help navigate and solve issues brought to our office. As chair man of the House Commerce and Labor

Committee, I have worked to balance new rules and regulations with the need to make Ohio a business-friendly state. In addition, I have built relationships with counties, local government and businesses to better under stand the needs of our communities. With your support, I will continue to serve our new 54th District in the coming years.

What is the biggest challenge fac ing the state House district and how would you address it?

Burgess: The quality of public educa tion in Ohio seems determined by zip code, with wealthier cities outpacing rural school districts. School funding is also threatened by corporations not paying their fair share, as is the case with the NEXUS pipeline across Ohio or Green Circle Growers in the Fire lands school district. Ohio has an obligation to distribute funding to local school districts to ensure equal educational access. This funding should be allotted based on need and recog nizing that some districts have greater need than others. We must pass the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan and commit to equitable public school funding.

Stein: Inflation, public safety and the drug epidemic are areas to address as a state. Infla tion’s primary drivers are our energy cost, and while Ohio has an abundant supply of energy we have been stymied by President Biden

Bryan Burgess, 43 Party: Democrat Education: Graduate of Oberlin High School, Ohio (1997), Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Computer Systems, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico (2001)

Family: My wife Amy and two sons Owen (15) and Porter (10)

Job history: IT support for the Las Cruces Public Schools, New Mexico (2002-2004), partner in Burgess Electric, Oberlin (2004-present), Oberlin City Council (20102019, 2022-present), president of Oberlin City Council (2018, 2019, 2022)

Website: www.burgess4ohio.com

from using Ohio’s natural resources to help lower our costs for all Americans. Ohio must work to strengthen our laws on behalf of all law-abiding citizens and I encourage your support of Issues 1 and 2 this election. Illegal drugs and overdoses continue to plague our state and I will work to stop the import of il legal drugs and hold criminals accountable.

Dick Stein, 68 Party: Republican Education: St. Paul High School (1972), Masters of Photography Degree from the Professional Photographers of America (1992), Photographic Craftsman Degree from the Professional Photographers of America (1994)

Family: Married to Patty for 45 years. We have two married sons and 10 grandchil dren.

Job history: An accomplished business owner for the past 40-plus years who has grown our company into the top 5 percent of professional photography studios is the United States. In 2000, we strategi cally transitioned our company into digital wholesale printing services within the pho tography industry. In my third term of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving the 57th District. Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee. Member of the Ohio Power Siting Board. Member of Public Utilities and Technology and Innovations committees.

Website: www.steinforstaterep.com

Ryan, Vance seek to become Ohio’s next U.S. Senator DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Two men are battling for Ohioans' votes to become the junior U.S. Senator representing the Buckeye State in Washington, D.C.

They are long-time U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat who has served voters of Northeast Ohio in Congress for the last 20 years, and JD Vance, a Republican venture capitalist and lawyer whose rose to prominence after writ ing a memoir of his family's Appalachian roots.

Ryan and Vance are running to replace U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, after the Republican announced he would not seek another term.

What makes you the best candidate for the position?

Ryan: "As a lifelong Ohioan, I’m proud to have spent my career fighting for Ohioans in Congress. I’ve seen

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have retired, left the workforce or sought other job opportunities. I have used a number of media plat forms, attended job fairs along with working with our community college to try to attract personnel. Like wise, in terms of educating the public on programs, I will continue to explore different media options that are available and expand on the ones currently in use to push information out. My website provides a whole array of material for the public which currently averages over 7,000 views a day. I will expand our highly successful public outreach program to frequent more venues as feasible. We currently use Facebook, YouTube, radio, newspapers, public speaking appear ances, direct mail, and will be activating our Twitter account soon. I will continue to grow our presence in the community to engage and inform the public of the resources our office can provide and the programs available.

what happens when our politics and economy aren’t working for working people and there’s nothing more pa triotic than bringing good-paying jobs to Ohio. I worked across the aisle to support working families, combat the opioid crisis, and reinvest in our communities. I’ve also worked with businesses to revitalize manufacturing and bring good-paying jobs home. As a Senator, I’ll fight for workers by raising wages, making it easier to union ize, making health care more affordable, and revitalizing manufacturing so we can make things in Ohio again."

Vance: "First, I haven't spent my entire life in Washing ton. I've accomplished things in the real world. I'm also the only candidate offering substantive ideas for how to fix our border crisis, drug crisis, and inflation crisis. We aren't going to beat China and return prosperity to our people with slogans from career politicians."

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

Ryan: "The biggest challenge we face is rising inflation. We need a permanent working-class tax cut to put money in the pockets of Ohio families. In the long run, we need to end the supply chain disruptions and bring back the good-paying, union jobs that made Ohio a manufactur ing powerhouse. I’ll fight like hell to reinvest in our team at home so our workers can compete around the world, crack down on the companies that ship jobs overseas and reward those that create jobs here, and stand firm against unfair trade policies that sell out our workers."

Vance: "The wide-open southern border is destroying this country. It's how China uses the Mexican drug cartels to flood our country with drugs and crime. It stresses our

Tim Ryan, 49 Party: Democrat Education: bachelor's degree in political science, Bowling Green State University; law degree, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law.

Family: wife Andrea, children Mason, Bella and Brady

Job history: U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio 13th Congressional District (formerly Ohio 17th Congressional District prior to redistricting) since 2003; Ohio State Senate, 2001-2002.

Website: TimForOH.com

JD Vance, 38 Party: Republican Education: Ohio State University, Yale Law School Family: wife Usha, three children Job history: co-founder of Narya Capital; author of the New York Times besteller “Hillbilly Elegy.” Website: JDVance.com

hospital and school systems with people we can't take care of. And it increases the homelessness and crime in our big cities and small towns. It's time to close the bor der and take care of American citizens."

more election information

www.chroniclet.com

BULLETIN BOARD

Amherst fall book sale

The Friends of Amherst Library fall book sale will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 for members only. It will open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5.

Kindland at First Friday

The Wellington Schools Kindland Initiative will collect toys, canned goods and more from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 in front of Town Hall as part of Main Street Wellington’s First Friday event. Earn raffle tickets per item or dollar donated for a chance to win prizes.

Parents Weekend tours

Oberlin College's Parents and Family Weekend is one of the Oberlin Heritage Center's last big tour weekends of the year. Tours are open to the public as well as to campus visitors Friday through Sunday, Nov. 4-6. Advance registration is required by calling (440) 774-1700 or at tinyurl.com/OHCtours.

On Friday, Nov. 4, the “Civil War to Civil Rights” tour will run from 3-4:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the “Freedom's Friends” tour will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon and a tour of architecture will run from 1:30-2:45 p.m.

On Sunday, Nov. 6, “Freedom's Friends” will be offered from 1:30-2:45 p.m.

Self-guided tours can be done from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Craft tree decorations

Children can get a head start on the holiday season with Christmas crafting at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Herrick Memorial Library in Wellington.

Kids ages 4 and up can create decorations to hang on their tree. Registration is required to ensure there are enough sup plies. To sign up, call (440) 647-2120.

Creative writing exercises

Taking on National Novel Writing Month this year? Join the Amherst Public Library’s guest, Victoria Vogel, for creative writ ing exercises at 10 a.m. each Monday in November by Zoom.

Registration with an email address is required to participate in these virtual sessions. Registering for one session will register for all sessions. Sign up at www.amherstpubliclibrary.org or by calling (440) 988-4230.

Storytimes for kids of all ages

Storytimes will return to the Amherst Public Library beginning Monday, Nov. 7. Enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes for children of all ages with new storytimes every Monday and Wednesday through Dec. 14.

Toddler Tales for ages 2-3 will be held at 10 a.m. on Mondays. Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5 will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Mondays.

Baby Bounce and Rhyme for newborns through 12 months will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Waddlers Storytime for ages 12-24 months will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesdays. Family Storytime for children of all ages will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

School board reschedules

An Amherst Board of Education meeting originally sched uled for Monday, Nov. 7 has been canceled. It is rescheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28 at the Amherst Junior High School Creative Learning Center, 548 Milan Ave.

Wellington library meeting

The Herrick Memorial Library board will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the library. The meeting is open to the public.

Gaming club to meet

The Tabletop Game Time club will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the Amherst Public Library.

A new club for teens and adults, it meets on the second Tuesday of each month. You do not need to have attended previous sessions to attend this one. The club is recommended

for ages 12 and up. A variety of two- to six-player card, strategy and party games will be available.

Agricultural Society meeting

The Lorain County Fair Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the fairgrounds in Wellington, followed by the annual meeting of the Lorain County Agricultural Society will be at 8 p.m. All members of the society are invited to attend. Newly elected directors will be sworn in, election of officers will be held and pass and ticket prices will be set for the 2023 fair.

Oberlin library meeting

The Oberlin Public Library board will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 at the library. The meeting is open to the public.

Republican club meeting

A reenactor portraying General George Patton will appear at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 during a meeting of the Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club at Father Ragan Knights of Columbus Hall, 1783 Moore Rd., Avon.

In honor of Veterans Day, Living History Productions will present “Mr. Ohio History” Ken Hammontree, a teacher, author and historian. Snacks and refreshments will be available. The cost for guests is $5.

McCormick celebrates veterans

Veterans and their families are invited for a morning of appre ciation on Friday, Nov. 11 at McCormick Middle School, 627 N. Main St., Wellington.

Breakfast will be served from 8:30-9:15 a.m., sponsored by the Drew Guyer Memorial Foundation. A presentation by fourth, fifth and sixth grade students will follow at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Joe Saunders at (440) 6477428 or jsaunders@wellingtonvillageschools.org.

Oberlin Veterans Day ceremony

The Oberlin City Schools, Oberlin College and city of Oberlin will host a Veterans Day ceremony from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Oberlin Elementary School gymnasium, 210 North Park St.

The event is open to the public. Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend. The ceremony will feature a slide show presentation with photographs of veterans. To submit pho tos of you or your loved ones who served, send a copy of the image to veteransdayceremony2022@gmail.com.

Veterans Day at Patriots Park

Amherst’s Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at Patriots Park and the city’s municipal parking lot on Park Avenue.

Fox 8 News personality Lou Maglio will serve as master of ceremonies. Eleven new paintings will be unveiled on the park art wall, which was dedicated last year. Retired Navy Captain Carol Shinsky and Chief Warrant Officer W3 Gail Shinsky will be the keynote speakers.

Test your trivia knowledge

The Oberlin Heritage Center will hold a community trivia night at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 at the First Church in Oberlin UCC fellowship hall, 106 N. Main St.

Round up a team or compete on your own to test your knowl edge of pop culture, history, geography, animals and more. See if you can dethrone the reigning champions, The Arch Rivals.

The evening includes pizza, side games, basket and 50/50 raffles and prizes. Advance registration is required. The cost is $13 for OHC members, $15 for non-members, $8 for kids ages 11 and under with an OHC member or $11 for those kids with out an OHC member. Registration prices will go up $2 each for

registering the week of the contest.

Register at www.oberlinheritagecenter.org/eventsnews or by calling Liz Schultz at (440) 744-7100. Team captains can regis ter their whole team at once or advise their players to register themselves.

Teams this year will be strictly limited to up to eight people, whether they’re playing or not, to ensure distancing. Kids 11 and under don’t count toward the team limit but still need to register. Attendees will be strongly encouraged to wear masks when not at their team tables.

Learn about General Wayne

David Lupien will speak about General Anthony Wayne at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Ritter Public Library, 5480 Liberty Ave., Vermilion.

Lupien is the Northwest District chairman of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Although "Mad" Anthony Wayne gained most of his fame in the 1790’s Northwest Indian Wars, he was a patriot who served in the American Revolution, and a founding father of Ohio. The event is sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution, Firelands Bicentennial Chapter. The public is invited to attend.

Amherst library meeting

The Amherst Public Library board of trustees will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 at the library. The meeting is open to the public.

Context for historical documents

What Is Unwritten” will be presented at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 in a virtual meeting of the Lorain County chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society.

Michael John Neill will speak on underlying laws, statutes and cultural practices behind historical documents and how under standing them can further family research.

This free program is open to the public. Email meetings@ loraincoogs.org to receive a link to the meeting.

Indigenous earthworks talk

“Going High-Tech to Rediscover Ohio Indigenous People’s Earthworks” will be presented at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15 in an Oberlin Heritage Center virtual program.

Archaeologist Jarrod Burks specializes in geophysical surveys for Ohio Valley Archaeology, a private firm in Columbus. One of his great passions is relocating ancient earthwork sites through geophysical survey. To that end he has surveyed several dozen of these earthwork sites in Ohio, making numerous unique dis coveries, including finding previously unknown sites.

Advance registration is required for this free Zoom program.

Visit tinyurl.com/OHCearthworks.

Lewis book group meeting

The C.S. Lewis and Friends Book Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Amherst Public Library’s second floor community room. Readers will discuss the essays “Man or Rabbit” and “God In the Dock.” For more information, contact Marcia Geary at mgeary@gearylawllc.com or (440) 988-9803.

Get ‘warm and fuzzy’

Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and meet fuzzy friends from Our Little World of Alpacas at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the Amherst Public Library. This event will be held outside but moved inside in the case of inclement weather. It replaces family storytime for the week.

Learn tax season basics

Simple or complex? Student or retiree? Not every tax return is the same. Find out what your tax preparer needs to know for your situation, with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Amherst Public Library, presented by O’Neal Tax & Bookkeeping.

‘Turkey Tango’ time

Prepare for Thanksgiving with engaging musical activities for ages 9 months to 6 years with music therapist Hannah Gonzalez at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Amherst Public Library.

PARADE

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

Photos by Angelo Angel | Oberlin News-Tribune

Spooky season in downtown Oberlin brought a Halloween parade to College Street on Saturday. Members of the Oberlin High School marching band, Cub Scouts Pack 460 and lots of costumed kids hit the pavement.

RIGHT: TJ Hellmuth carries his son, Ollie, on his shoulders.

TOWNS

Can’t afford Thanksgiving dinner this year?

Second Harvest wants to help ease the burden

JASON HAWK EDITOR

ELYRIA — With record inflation taking a toll, Thanksgiving staples may be harder to come by this year.

Armed with $500,000 in Ameri can Rescue Plan funds from Lorain County commissioners, Second Harvest wants to put holiday dinners on 2,000 tables.

Its Thanksgiving meal giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the north end of Lorain County Community College’s campus, 1005 N. Abbe Rd.

“Everyone should be able to cel ebrate the season with family around a holiday meal,” said Julie ChaseMorefield, president and CEO at Second Harvest.

The nonprofit started its Thanks giving mass giveaway in 2020, dur ing the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for help was so high that vehicles choked the Mid way Mall parking lot.

Last year, the event was moved to LCCC. Demand was still amazingly high, said Susan Bartosch, Second Harvest’s vice president of external affairs.

Vaccines have helped cut COVID case counts and ease pressure on

hospitals. But Bartosch said the eco nomic damage caused by the pan demic is still there, and temporary relief programs such as the child tax credit and free school lunches have been phased out. Reductions in food stamp benefits have also caused problems with hunger to mount.

Unemployment numbers are low, but for many families making ends meet against rising grocery store costs, gas prices and rent has been difficult, Bartosch said — especially those with kids.

“Some families haven’t been able to quite make it back,” she said.

Before the pandemic, Second Harvest was helping about 88,000 people a year — that’s not repeat

‘Am I going to have to breathe through an oxygen tank?’

Welcome to 'Kindland'

WELLINGTON — October is National Bullying Prevention Month. The Wellington Schools hosted two rallies last Wednesday, inviting students in grades four to nine to be citizens of “Kindland.”

Presented by Cleveland-based nonprofit Values-inAction Foundation, Kindland challenges kids to be part of a groundswell of positivity. Students pledged not to bully others, and signed a “stick together” banner. Since the Kindland initiative was adopted last year in Wellington, students and staff have been spreading kindness in the community. “Ambassadors” created goodie bags for sports officials, for example.

Mayor Hans Schneider agreed to get the village aboard the effort, partnering with the school for fall community events. Ambassadors are also taking part in Main Street Wellington’s First Friday activities downtown.

Vets tell senator about toxic exposure

JASON HAWK EDITOR

ELYRIA — Smoke rose day and night from football field-sized burn pits just a few miles from where Bryan Markle was stationed in Iraq.

The acrid smell of aerosol cans, metal, rubber and plastic didn’t mean much to him during his tour of duty in the war on terrorism. After all, it was standard operating procedure for the Army to light its garbage on fire.

Today Markle, 36, of Sheffield, is scared. Toxic gas from the pits is known to be the source of a range of respiratory illnesses affecting poten

tially millions of military veterans. “I’m nervous what’s going to hap pen. Am I going to have to breathe through an oxygen tank?” he said last Wednesday, sitting across a table from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown in the canteen at American Legion Post 12 in Elyria.

Brown, D-Ohio, is on a statewide tour to talk with veterans affected by the burn pits and exposed to other dangerous chemicals, such as Agent Orange. He’s spreading the word about the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, which has been hailed as one of the most significant expansions of Veterans Affairs benefits in the past 30 years.

President Joe Biden signed the

Man charged in Amherst woman’s death

DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

A Huron County man has been charged in Lorain County Common Pleas Court with causing the death of an Amherst woman in a motorcycle crash this summer.

Charles Martin, 32, of Wakeman, was indicted by a Lorain County grand jury on six felony charges and two misdemeanors on Sept. 30.

The felonies include two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and one count each of tampering with evidence, improperly handling fire arms in a motor vehicle, possession of drugs and possession of cocaine. The misdemeanors both are DUI

charges.

Martin has pleaded not guilty, posted bond and is free pending future court dates.

He hired attorney Kenneth Lieux to represent him in the case, which is assigned to Judge James Miraldi's court.

Lieux said Saturday he hadn't yet had a chance to look at the evidence he has received from the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office, including a crash reconstruction report.

According to the State Highway Pa trol, Martin was riding a 2012 Harley

Davidson motorcycle west on state

Route 113 with 26-year-old Satira

King of Amherst as his passenger the morning of July 11.

The highway patrol said the motor cycle crashed near the intersection of Route 113 and Gore Orphanage Road in Henrietta Township, possibly after Martin laid it down while trying to negotiate a curve in the road.

King was flown from the scene by helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, where she later died, according to the highway patrol.

Martin was treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries at Mercy Health Lorain Hospital.

Neither King nor Martin were

PACT Act in August, after it found bipartisan support in Congress. It was introduced by Senators Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, and Jon Tester, D-Montana.

“Thousands of veterans who an swered the call to serve after the ter rorist attack on 9/11 suffer the health consequences of exposure to open burn pits,” Moran said in a formal statement. “Many of these veterans are simultaneously experiencing a battle with the VA to gain access to the health care and benefits they des perately need.”

The PACT Act will provide medi cal coverage to veterans who

Scott

Denise

Angelo Angel | Community Guide Luis Cardenas carries boxes of food over to a car for the Second Harvest Drive-Thru Thanksgiving Mobile Pantry event at Midway Mall, Elyria on Nov. 21, 2020.

Charles Martin

Photos by Jeff Barnes | Wellington Enterprise Wellington students sign their names to a banner last Wednesday at the Patricia Lindley Center for the Performing Arts, promising to stick together and fight bullying.

Photos by Bruce Bishop | Community Guide

Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, talks to veterans at a roundtable event held last Wednesday at American Legion Post 12 in Elyria.

TOXIC

suffered after exposure to Agent Orange in the Vietnam era, and to the 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans exposed to burn pits.

The full name of the new legisla tion pays homage to Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, a Central Ohio vet eran who was deployed to Kosovo and Iraq with the Ohio National Guard.

After being exposed to toxic gases from burn pits, he died of lung can cer in 2020 at age 39.

As a member of the Veterans Af fairs Committee, Brown pushed for the bill. But passing it was just the first part of his job, he said — the second part is making sure veterans know how to get their additional benefits.

Those benefits are an entitlement, he said.

“Entitlement means you earned it. You’re entitled to Social Security be cause you paid in. You’re entitled to Medicare because you paid in when you work,” Brown said. “You’re entitled to veterans benefits because you served the country.”

Eleven senators, all Republicans, voted against passage of the PACT Act.

Brown said their chief complaint was the expense.

“They never say it’s too expensive to send men and women to war, only too expensive to bring them home and take care of them,” he said. “That’s just an immoral argument, as far as I’m concerned.”

Other local veterans told Brown it is far past time for more medical help to be extended to them.

Bill Provident of Amherst, known for years as Admiral King High School’s head football coach, served in the Marines at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Contaminated water there has been tied to thousands of cancer cases for people stationed at the based from the 1950s to 1980s.

Provident has survived prostate and bladder cancer, enduring 45 radiation treatments in addition to surgeries to remove tumors.

He continues to undergo invasive scope procedures twice a year to see whether the cancer has returned.

“I’m 86 and not going to be around much longer,” he told Brown. “But

I think these younger people should have the benefits that when they go to the service, they’re at least compensated with education and that after they come out.”

Algie Nelson of Elyria also served at Camp Lejeune. He eventually required a kidney transplant, but said eventually the VA cut off his serviceconnected benefits.

When he learned the PACT Act was making its way through the halls of Congress, he went to Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield’s office and told him something had to be done to support the effort.

“I figure it’s my duty to inform the veterans in this area,” Nelson said.

Phones at the Lorain County Veter ans Service Commission have been busy in the two months since Biden signed the bill into law, said service officer Krystol Mayer.

A lot of Vietnam veterans are asking questions about how the act will expand their benefits, she said. Mayer said it’s important to have those conversations even if it’s un clear whether they were exposed to toxic chemicals.

Vietnam vets fought hard for passage of the act, said the com

mission’s executive director, Jacob Smith.

“I am a veteran and my generation has benefited so much from the Viet nam veterans,” he said. “If it wasn't for them, the PACT Act probably never would have happened.”

Now the VA is deciding how to implement expanded benefits, leav ing many unanswered questions, Smith said.

Specific cases covered by the PACT Act aren’t being processed right now, he said — that will likely begin next year.

As information rolls out, American Legion Post 12 and other service organizations are making it their business to spread the word, said post commander Manny Cantu, who served two tours in Vietnam.

Lorain County Community Col lege is also throwing its resources behind the effort. About 300 vet erans are among the student body, according to college Veteran Service Coordinator Sarah Chapman.

Younger veterans need to know they have a place to go for assis tance, Cantu said.

“You have backup. You have people who care,” he said.

Turn your clocks back

Daylight Saving Time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. Don’t forget to “fall back” by an hour.

THANKSGIVING FROM B1

customers, but individual people. Today that number is about 120,000.

“And it’s all very uncertain because they’re still wait ing to see what will happen to the remaining supports out there,” Bartosch said. “People are nervous.”

Knowing demand would be high, Second Harvest asked county commissioners for ARPA funding early in the year and were awarded $500,000.

Half of that money is being used for the Thanksgiving distribution, which is the nonprofit’s largest of the year.

Second Harvest ordered turkeys in May, suspecting supply chain issues could both ramp up costs and lower availability by fall. Bartosch said prices were much higher than in the past, because factories are still reeling from COVID-related issues, including temporary plant closures and company consolidations.

Valued at $125, each box includes a turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, sweet potatoes, eggs, butter, frozen apple pie, apples, canned pumpkin, cornbread mix and soup.

Pre-registration is required before Nov. 17 at www.sec ondharvestfoodbank.org or by calling (440) 960-2265.

Drivers will be allowed to pick up packages for two families, but must sign up for each separately and provide two registration codes.

All participants must show registration codes to get into the distribution line at LCCC. Eligibility is based on in come and household size. Home delivery is not available for Thanksgiving dinner food bundles.

Second Harvest is based in Lorain but serves a much wider area. It plans to hold similar Thanksgiving events in Lorain, Huron, Crawford and Erie counties, giving away a total of 3,300 Thanksgiving meals.

The distribution at LCCC is for Lorain County residents.

The college has the space and plenty of muscle to help, Bartosch said — the drive-thru event will offer no-touch pick-up.

LCCC President Marcia Ballinger said she wants to see hunger eliminated both on campus and in the broader community.

“We partner with Second Harvest year-round for our Commodore Cupboard on-campus food pantry,” she said. “We are honored to enhance that collaboration to help distribute holiday meals to those in need. LCCC students, faculty and staff have volunteered to make sure everyone in our community has access to everything needed for a nice Thanksgiving meal.”

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FROM B1

wearing helmets, which are recommended by safety ex perts but not required for motorcycle riders older than 18 with at least a year of riding experience under Ohio law.

Martin also was allegedly impaired by drugs or alcohol, according to the highway patrol.

King was a former track and field athlete at Firelands High School, where she graduated in 2014. She had worked at Uniontown Provisions in Lorain as a chef and award-winning baker, according to her published obituary.

King is survived by her daughter, mother, brother and other family members.

Martin has prior convictions for traffic violations in at least three Lorain County municipal courts.

In 2015, Martin was convicted of an amended charge of failure to maintain physical control — reduced from DUI — as well as driving under suspension and possession of marijuana, all misdemeanors, in Oberlin Municipal Court. He was fined and placed on probation, according to court records.

Martin also was convicted of failure to stop after an accident and following too closely, both misdemeanors, in Elyria Municipal Court in 2014, according to court records.

He was ticketed by a highway patrol trooper in Vermil ion Municipal Court for going 93 mph in a 65 mph zone in September 2012. He paid $369 in fines and court costs and received 2 points on his license, according to court records.

Bill Provident of Amherst talks about his battles with cancer as Sarah Chapman, veterans services coordinator at Lorain County Community College, and veteran Bryan Markle listen. Markle talk ed about his constant exposure to burn pits while in the military.

Amherst man kills himself at church during traffic stop

DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

AMHERST — An Amherst man died from apparent self-inflicted injuries in a Middle Ridge Road church parking lot after Cuyahoga County authorities tried to arrest him on a warrant Friday morning.

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office requested Amherst officers assist them after deputies stopped 48-year-old Jason Swain's vehicle in the parking lot of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church at 46485 Middle Ridge Road about 10 a.m., accord ing to a news release from the Amherst Police Department.

Cuyahoga County deputies were at tempting to arrest Swain on a warrant issued Aug. 24 in Cuyahoga County Com mon Pleas Court, according to Amherst police and Cuyahoga County court re cords.

Swain didn't respond to officers' com mands, so they approached his vehicle and found him dead "from an apparent selfinflicted injury," the news release said. Amherst police are investigating the incident, according to the news release.

According to Cuyahoga County Com mon Pleas Court records, a grand jury indicted Swain on one count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud and grand theft as well as 13 counts of tampering with records, all felonies, in August.

Swain was issued a summons to appear in court for an arraignment but when the summons failed to reach him by certified mail, Judge Michael Russo issued a war rant for Swain's arrest on Aug. 24, accord ing to court records.

All of the alleged offenses took place

between March 2015 and August 2017, according to the indictment, and involved Swain and his trucking firm, SWX Cleve land LLC.

Swain allegedly stole approximately $12,522 from multiple trucking firms by falsifying or filing fraudulent interstate fuel tax assessment returns, also known as IFTA returns, which are used to compute fuel tax payments for interstate trucking companies.

Swain made fraudulent IFTA returns for at least a dozen trucking firms he worked for or with, according to his indictment.

Swain filed to incorporate SWX Cleve land LLC with the Ohio secretary of state in November 2013. The address of the company matches Swain's address in court records. The company was dissolved in January 2021, according to another filing with the Ohio secretary of state.

One of the victims named in Swain's indictment, American Power LLC of Day ton, filed a protest with the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department in Sep tember 2018 arguing that it wasn't liable for weight distance tax, penalty, interest and underreporting penalties because its contractor, SWX Cleveland, "filed fraudu lent returns," according to documents on the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department website.

American Power's protest to New Mexico authorities for underreporting was denied, and the company was ordered to pay $1,491.90 in underreporting penalties and interest, according to a summary of the decision.

Swain had prior convictions for at tempted felonious assault, aggravated theft and forgery in Cuyahoga County dating back to the mid-1990s, according to court records there.

Amherst police get budget bump for overtime and fuel

JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — City Council approved $39,000 last week to cover an end-ofyear budget shortfall at the Amherst Police Department.

The vast majority of the cash — $21,000 — is for overtime incurred in extra patrols along Route 2 as part of the Northern Border Initiative, according to Mayor Mark Costilow.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security pro vides grants for police to look for drugs and terror threats along the border with Canada. Costilow said related police overtime is paid up front and reim bursed through grants.

Due to inflation, Council was also asked to approve an additional $8,000 for gas. At the urging of Coun cilman Chuck Winiarski, R-at Large, that amount

was upped to $12,000 in committee.

“I think that gives us a buffer that I would feel more comfortable with,” he said.

Winiarski said police needed all the help they could get ahead of Am herst’s two busiest nights of the year: Halloween and Thanksgiving. He said the final quarter of the year also sees increased calls due to shoplifting and thefts.

Another $5,000 was ap proved for police disability and pension costs related to overtime, along with $1,000 for training.

In a separate vote, Coun cil approved $124,000 for the purchase of two new police cruisers.

It had previously ap proved a lower amount, but Costilow said last year’s models were no longer available. Each 2023 model will cost about $5,000 more

than had been budgeted.

Councilman Martin Heberling, D-at Large, said he’s been car shopping recently and found $62,000 per vehicle to still be a good deal.

The cost was negotiated by the state on behalf of Ohio’s police departments, Costilow said.

Under the police union’s contract, taxpayers are obligated to buy the new cruisers, said Costilow. The agreement requires ve hicles to be replaced every 125,000 miles for safety.

Council’s committee agenda for Monday, Nov. 7 calls for $14,390 in dona tions to be accepted from Sliman’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Amherst VFW Post 1662.

The money is earmarked for the purchase of two ballistic riot shields and other equipment, accord ing to Council Clerk Olga Sivinski.

Lorain County teens win statewide fair contest

WELLINGTON — With a staggering 13,480 pounds, Lorain County Junior Fair teens col lected more food than anyone this year in Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st’s Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer contest.

The Lorain County Fair ranked both first in Northeast Ohio and the entire state for collect ing food donations, contest-runners announced last Thursday. Junior Fair boards from 55 coun

ties gathered a combined 169,296 pounds of food for 73 organizations during fair season. Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer grew remark ably in its second year, said Melanie Strait-Bok, senior vice president of agricultural lending for Farm Credit Mid-America in Ohio.

Prizes include a $500 award for each county fair that participates. The Lorain County Junior Fair won $5,000 for collecting the most food.

Harding pulls double duty at JVS and Coast Guard

PITTSFIELD TWP. — Matthew Hard

ing wears different hats.

At the Lorain County JVS, he is a com mercial truck technology instructor. But in the U.S. Coast Guard, he is a machin ery technician chief petty officer.

“I knew that the cost for me to go to school to obtain my teaching license would be expensive, so I applied for the 2022 Coast Guard Foundation Enlisted Reserve Scholarship and was one of eight people selected for this scholarship out of the entire country,” he said. “That is very humbling, but I am also proud of it.”

Harding said he’s been getting a lot of recognition for the scholarship, including congratulatory emails from fellow mem bers of the Coast Guard.

When Harding graduated from careertechnical school, he knew he wanted a teaching career.

“I know that if you want to teach

career-tech, you need to work in the field, so I started out as a school bus mechanic and at the same time I enlisted in the Coast Guard and went to their techni cal school,” he said. “After a few years, I realized that I wanted to do more with engines and the only way for me to learn is to do it. I am a hands-on learner.”

He eventually found his way to the Cleveland Metro Parks, where he re paired trucks, inspected ferry vessels and cared for heavy equipment.

Now Harding is working in what he calls his dream civilian career and said being entrusted with two classrooms of students is his greatest accomplishment.

“I am happy to be in a classroom, and after working hard for 15 years, to have gotten where I always dreamed of being is great,: he said. “The year is going well. I am learning every day, as well as the students are.”

WELLINGTON RECYCLES!

Did

BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 8,

NOVEMBER 9, 2022

NOVEMBER 9,

- 7:00 P.M

Lorain County Habitat for Humanity –

If

as

used paint that is half

construction or

donate them to the Lorain County Habitat for Humanity, www.loraincountyhabitat.org, 440-322-2355.

Provided photo

Matthew Harding, Lorain County JVS Commercial Truck Technology instructor.

Comets swat the Bees

BALANCE

Dear Voters; I have worked in Lorain County for over a decade as a licensed attorney, practicing both family and criminal law, and currently serve as a Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Magistrate. I have a passion for justice and the safety of our community and take pride in having an unmatched work ethic, firm knowledge of the law, and ability to make unbiased decisions that bring positive changes in the community.

If elected, I will become the sole female on the bench of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas General Division. I will make the court room a place to connect with litigants and the community, maintain an efficient docket aimed at resolving cases in a timely and fair manner, and openly collaborate with agencies and programs to make a difference in our criminal justice process in Lorain County.

I want you to know that a vote for me is a vote for an honorable, involved candidate, a candidate devoted to moving justice forward with both fresh ideas and traditional values. It is my belief that together we can balance the bench. Until we meet, you can learn more about me on my Facebook and Instagram pages and read about my education, professional experi ence, and community service.

Meilssa

Photos by Russ Gifford | Amherst News-Times

Senior Nia Hall’s undeniable talent powered the Comets past the Medina Bees in a 3-0 district semifinal victory last week. Amherst won 25-21, 25-22, 25-21. Hall had 24 kills, 9 digs, 26 serve receives and 3 aces in the match. Ava Haddix had 35 assists and Lindsey McConihe had 20 digs. Ce cily Waynar and Isa Gotsis each had 4 block kills.

ABOVE: Amherst's Kendra Shimrock passes the ball against Medina.

RIGHT: Cecily Waynar gets a hit for the Comets.

‘NEVER GIVE UP’ SPIRIT PAYS OFF FOR AMHERST

FALCONS’ WINGS CLIPPED IN SEMIFINAL

Photos by Russ Gifford | Amherst News-Times

Top-ranked Revere blew past the Firelands boys 3-0 last week in the Division II district semifinal. The Falcons held the line for 30 minutes, refusing to allow a goal, but eventually the Minutemen’s Joe Brown found gaps and tested goalie Nathanial Duke. Revere’s Ryan Brown and A.J. Catlett finished the job. Firelands was able to make just one shot on Revere keeper Ryan Cunningham.

LEFT: Firelands' Garrett Yakunovich battles Revere's Jack Morris for the ball. MIDDLE: Merritt Davis moves with the ball at Revere. RIGHT: Alec Urbansky flicks the ball forward at Revere.

Photos by Thomas Fetcenko | Amherst News-Times

Fourth-seeded Amherst overcame a two-set deficit last week to top St. Joseph Academy in the district finals, winning 13-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 15-12. In the process, the Comets broke the third-seeded Jaguars a sixth trip to the Sweet 16 in seven years. Nia Hall had 22 kills and 16 digs. Ava Haddix racked up an incredible 46 assists. Lindsey McConihe had 22 digs, 16 serve receives and 3 aces. Cecily Waynar had 8 block kills.

ABOVE LEFT: Amherst's Ava Haddix, Nia Hall and Ava Darmos celebrate a point scored. ABOVE RIGHT: Amherst's Isa Gotsis hits the ball over the net toward St. Joseph's Hannah Foor and Hannah O'Toole.

Decide whether each of these people can vote. Then follow each path in the maze to find out if you are right.

Can’t vote? Start a “Don’t Forget to Vote” Campaign! Here’s how:

Cut out the “Don’t Forget to Vote” badge on this page and wear it proudly!

On Election Day, ask every person you see who is over 18 if he or she has voted yet Ask your teacher, your parents, the school secretary, and clerks at stores. Ask them all!

In order to vote, you must qualify three ways:

You must be at least 18 years old.

You must be a citizen of the United States.

You must be registered (signed up) to vote in the state where you live.

Complete this activity at home this evening with a parent or another learning buddy.

1. People elected to government offices must be good leaders. With a learning buddy, find 10 words in today’s newspaper that describe a good leader.

2. Write the 10 words here in alphabetical order:

is a U.S. citizen is 79 years old retired 10 years ago has not registered to vote

is 30 years old is a U.S. citizen has registered to vote does not read English

Unscramble each election word on the hats. Then look for an article in the newspaper that uses one of these terms. Read the article and then use your own words to explain what you think the word means.

Read Between the Lines

People often use both fact and opinion to persuade others about their way of thinking. Look at a letter to the editor. Underline the facts in red and the opinions in blue. Does the writer use more fact or opinion?

J. Oker 222 Funny Pl. Laughton, HA

is an Air Force pilot based in Germany is 22 years old is a U.S. citizen has registered to vote

3. Discuss some leaders you or your learning buddy respect. On the lines below, each of you write some reasons why you think this person is a good leader.

Your reasons:

turns 18 on Nov 1, 2022 is a U.S. citizen does not have a job has registered to vote

Look through the newspaper for 10 words about the coming election. Cut them out and glue them onto a piece of paper in alphabetical order Bonus Challenge: Can you find an election word for each letter of the alphabet?

Standards Link: Spelling: Arrange words in alphabetical order.

Your learning buddy’s reasons:

This week’s word:

The noun candidate means a person who seeks to be elected or appointed to a certain position or job.

Each candidate gave a short speech to the voters outside city hall.

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

Look through the newspaper for words and pictures that show why it is important to vote. Make a Don’t Forget to Vote Poster and find a place in town to put it up!

Standards Links: Social Science: Students understand the role of citizens including how to participate in civic life.

Standards Link: Social Science: Students understand the ways in which citizens participate in the American political system.

Claracantvotebecauseshedidntregisterwhenshemoved.TomcanvoteeventhoughheisinGermany.How?Hecanvotebymail!

Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recongize identical words. Skim and scan

Recall spelling patterns.