THE PRESS
NOVEMBER 14, 2016
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November 14, 2016 to
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Pres. pledges balanced budgets By Larry Limpf News Editor news@presspublications.com
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Every step could take you forward, backward, or to the side. Bryan Golden See page 7
Clay to present South Pacific
Paige Titsworth (as Nelli Forbush) and Brian Gardiner (as Luther Billis) rehearse the song "Honey Bun" from Clay High School's upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific." Performances are November 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 pm, and November 20 at 3:00 pm. Active duty U.S.military and veterans will get free admission on opening night, November 17. Call the box office to reserve your complimentary ticket. For reservations or more ticket information call 419693-0665 ext. 2150. (Press photo by Ken Grosjean)
Oregon vote
Curfew for minors done deal By Kelly J. Kaczala Press News Editor kkaczala@presspublications.com Oregon voters on Tuesday passed a curfew for minors by a vote of 62,388 to 37,721, according to unofficial results from the Lucas County Board of Elections. The curfew restricts youths younger than 18-years-old from being out between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. “I think, generally, everyone thought the curfew would pass,” said City Administrator Mike Beazley. “Nobody campaigned against it.” He said it will become law 30 days after the election results are certified. Members of block watch groups had promoted the curfew at Safety Committee meetings earlier this year, but city council on March 21 voted 5-2 against the measure. At the time, city officials announced plans to beef up road patrols in areas where block watch groups have complained about juvenile crime and to post signs that restrict attendance at some parks. Petitions But proponents of the curfew circulated petitions to get it on the ballot so voters could decide. “We’re excited,” Lori Render, a member of block watch who helped circulate
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It’s an issue about which reasonable minds can differ.
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A strong show of support by voters in the Woodmore School District for a levy renewal on Tuesday’s ballot can be attributed to the efforts of a committee of volunteers promoting the issue and to a growing trust in the school board’s management of district finances, Joe Liszak, board president, said last week. Voters had twice this year rejected the operating levy that generates about $600,000 annually for the school district but reversed themselves last week by approving the issue by a wide margin. In Sandusky County, it passed by 251 votes, 1,089 for to 838 against, while Ottawa County voters approved it by 311 votes, 1,003 for to 692. Results are unofficial. “We had an extremely strong levy committee led by Jan Busdeker who worked tirelessly on weekends handing out flyers, holding meetings, putting up signs and talking to people. Our superintendent Jay LeFevre went out to restaurants and other venues and spoke about the levy,” Liszak said. “The board held a public forum and we continued to try to educate the community on why we needed this money and make the case for it. “Finally, I think the public’s confidence is beginning to return. I think the community has restored trust with this school board and we are going to watch the money.” Liszak said that a year and a half ago the district typically had the cash equivalent of three days of expenses on hand. Now, the cash balance is equal to 46 days of expenses. “We’re watching every expenditure. I think that means a lot to the public and their confidence is starting to come back to us,” he said. “We have a lot more to do. We’re going to remain fiscally soluble and remain vigilant and watch every penny. We need to make sure this district has the money to get through times of emergency. We will continue to have balanced budgets.” The board did not prepare a list of
petitions, said about passage of the curfew. The margin of victory, she added, was likely due to the increased number of voters who are drawn to the polls in presidential elections. “When there are just a few things on the ballot, not as many people vote. So this was a good opportunity for us.” Render and other proponents of the curfew hope it will deter such crimes as loitering, ransacking vehicles, theft, fighting, vandalism, trespassing, littering, congregating on street corners, parks and yards, egging vehicles and houses, and toilet papering. Areas that are having issues include neighborhoods off Starr, Navarre, Woodville, Wheeling, Pickle and Coy. Juvenile crime rose from 126 in 2013 to 171 in 2014. The F.O.P. Command Officer’s Union
and the Oregon Police Patrolman’s Association supported passage of the curfew. Curfew list Oregon is now added to the list of surrounding communities that have a curfew for minors, including Northwood, Toledo, Genoa, Pemberville, Walbridge, Rossford, Port Clinton and Sandusky. Opponents of the curfew on city council had questioned whether a curfew would change the behavior of juvenile delinquents, saying the responsibility to supervise youths rested with the parents. Mayor Mike Seferian, who also opposed the curfew, had expressed doubts it would deter juvenile crime. Still, Seferian and Beazley helped supporters put together petitions to get it on the ballot. “In the past, there have been issues where an administration played games to try and keep something off a ballot,” said Beazley. “It was really important to the mayor and council to have respect for the democratic side of this. If citizens wanted to have an initiative petition, it was important to us that it got on the ballot. A lot of citizens voted for it, and thousands voted against it. It’s an issue about which reasonable minds can differ. That’s OK. That’s how democracy works.”
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