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Jodi Gross to lead the Family Center
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By Larry Limpf News Editor news@presspublications.com
Jodi Gross, a long-time advocate for East Toledo, has been named the new executive director of the East Toledo Family Center. Gross replaces Kim Partin, who now works for ProMedica, according to Dave Yenrick, vice president of the center’s board of trustees. “Kim decided to move in a different direction,” said Yenrick. Gross, who has led the One Voice program at the center as a community builder for over six years, was one of three candidates who was interviewed for the top post, he said. “A search committee decided that Jodi was the best candidate,” he added. “The East Toledo Family Center is one of the most organized and active family centers in northwest Ohio as far as the number of employees, budgets, and number of programs and services it provides,” he said. “Jodi has some big shoes to fill, but she’ll do it because she’s been very acJodi Gross tive in East Toledo.”
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Still, we behave badly. John Szozda
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Leaf piles no violation of code
By Kelly J. Kaczala Press News Editor kkaczala@presspublications.com
Right person Toni Moore, who is a member of the center’s board of trustees, and who was on the search committee, said Gross is an excellent choice to lead the center. “There were great candidates for this position. I think Jodi shined through with her knowledge of the Family Center and East Toledo,” said Moore. “She has been involved in One Voice for East Toledo for so many years, and has done an exemplary job with that.” Gross, said Moore, “understands the needs of the East Toledo community.” “That’s it in a nutshell. She really cares, and has for many years. She not only lives in East Toledo, but has been a part of
Lost Dogs See pages 12-13
Sharing the eclipse
Top photo, things were “looking up” Aug. 21 as about 70 people came out to the Oak Harbor Public Library’s Eclipse Dance. Patrons supplied the dance moves; the library provided the glasses. (Submitted photo). Bottom photo, Matt and Katie Stapleton, of Oregon, traveled to Portland, Tennessee to get this full view of the eclipse. (Photo courtesy of Katie Stapleton)
Lake Township officials said they are satisfied a parcel of land along Woodville Road being used to temporarily store large piles of leaves is in compliance with the township’s zoning regulations. Jim Mlynek, owner of Woodville Road Nursery, invited township officials to his business Wednesday to explain how he is converting leaves from several area municipalities and the township into compost. During the Aug. 15 meeting of the township trustees, four residents of Bailey Road had complained about the piles of leaves, saying they were causing an odor and possible drainage problems. They also questioned whether the site’s B-1 zoning classification was being followed. Mlynek purchased a parcel in January that sits adjacent to Bailey Road for use as what the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency calls a yard transfer facility. He explained his business has been accepting leaves from Lake Township for more than 25 years. The cities of Northwood and Oregon have been bringing their leaves to his business in the past few years and villages of Walbridge and Millbury have also started to do so. As landfilling yard wastes became illegal, municipalities have looked for other ways to process them. Mlynek said he purchased the parcel across Woodville Road from his nursery yard to give him “some elbow room” as the requests from municipalities to accept their leaves increased. The actual composting process is conducted at his nursery site and not in the parcel next to Bailey Road, Mlynek said Jeff Pettit, who chairs the township board of trustees, Jamie Stanley, township zoning inspector, and Mark Hummer, township administrator, accepted Mlynek’s inviContinued on page 4
Elmore looking to lower interest rates By Larry Limpf News Editor news@presspublications.com Hoping to benefit from more favorable interest rates, Elmore village officials have given the thumbs up to participating in a state program when the village renews notes used to finance upgrades to the village’s electric system. American Municipal Power, Inc., on behalf of the village, issued $750,000 in notes in 2012 to pay for the construction of an electric substation and a connection point with FirstEnergy’s transmission system. The remaining principal is now about
$510,000. An ordinance to have AMP issue renewal notes on the village’s behalf in the Ohio treasurer’s market access program was approved earlier this month by village council. In 2016, the interest rate for the note was 1.75 percent, according to the village fiscal office. The Ohio Market Access Program is designed to lower borrowing costs on shortterm notes issued by Ohio schools, cities and local governments. OMAP leverages the state’s high short-term credit rating to help improve market access for local governments and save money on debt service for Ohio municipal issuers.
Generally, political subdivisions issuing notes with a term of one year or less and a par amount of $3 million or less are eligible to participate. The program allows AMP to issue tax-exempt debt on behalf of member communities. Bonds or notes are issued by AMP and supported by the member community’s pledge to pay debt service from revenue collected by its electric fund. Because the amount financed for a specific project is not included when calculating the municipality’s regular bond cap, the service can provide communities extra flexibility and Continued on page 6