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The Better access to Lake Erie See page 2
June 24, 2013
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Traffic cameras shut down By Kelly J. Kaczala Press News Editor kkaczala@presspublications.com
Living history Brandville School hosted its annual Blast to the Past, a living history camp for students entering grades 3rd-5th. Top left, at the museum’s general store, Blake Dayton weighs some coffee beans on an antique scale. Bottom left, Katelyn Wagner and Mackenzie Gatewood take a closer look at a spinning wheel. At right, long before cell phones; Ella Moore and Morgan Cook look on as Morgan’s sister Cameron uses a dial phone. (Press photos by Ken Grosjean)
Clay High saves $43,343
Wind fills 100% of energy load Since the electrical connection on October 20, 2012, the PW 56 wind turbine at Clay High School has been generating as much energy as the campus uses. According to a school press release, the district has saved $43,343 from the Clay turbine and two turbines at Eisenhower Middle School. The electrical output of Clay’s 900 kilowatt turbine has provided an average campus demand of 6,036 kilowatts per day, generating between 75 percent (December 2012) and over 101 percent (February 2013) of demand. The turbine has been producing an average of 100.8 percent of the electricity needed from renewable wind power for the Clay campus during eight months of activity. “This far exceeds our conservation estimate at 85 percent,” said Clay environmental science and biology teacher Dennis Slotnick. “Furthermore, with over 100 hours of survey for downed birds and bats, no evidence exists that our wind turbine poses a threat to wildlife.”
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Seeds planted in places such as Oregon, Ohio...are beginning to grow.
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By J. Patrick Eaken Press Staff Writer news@presspublications.com
Last month, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) included Oregon City Schools in his Earth Day proclamation to President Barack Obama. “Seeds planted in places such as Oregon, Ohio...are beginning to grow,” the proclamation stated, talking about the district’s partnership with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to transition from traditional electricity to wind and solar. “And these innovative investments have paid off,” the proclamation continued, “This means less acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide going into the air... This innovation and activism marks tremen-
dous progress toward a more sustainable environment. “If we fail to protect our natural resources, we risk the health of citizens, the viability of our coastal areas, and the productivity of our state’s farms, forests and fisheries. We risk our long-term economic and national security. Yet we know that choosing between economic growth and environmental protections is a false choice.” Brown met with approximately 160 Oregon City School District students and teachers, as well as Tom Susor, City of Oregon Council President. “Oregon City School District administrators, teachers, parents – and especially students – are working to improve our environment. I am proud that Ohio is home to schools that are taking steps to protect our environment for current and future generations,” Brown said. “Schools that work to reduce environment-related health issues are doing their part to provide students with an environment where learning is the primary focus.” Eisenhower School has an even longer track record than Clay for electrical produc-
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Automated photo speed and red light enforcement traffic cameras at two intersections in Northwood have been deactivated. “I’m convinced that there are still four votes on council against renewing the contract for the traffic cameras. They are not wavering,” City Administrator Bob Anderson said of city council last week. Since the city’s three year contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., expired on April 23, Anderson said there is no reason for the cameras to continue catching motorists speeding or running red lights. The strobe lights emitted by the cameras, which caused speeding motorists to cringe as they crossed the intersections, are no more. “We don’t have a contract now, the system is not operating,” said Anderson. City council on May 9 tabled the vote on whether to renew the city’s contract with Redflex to continue operating the cameras because council wanted all seven members to be present to vote on the measure, and Councilman Mike Myers was not in attendance. At subsequent meetings, there was at least one council member missing. At the most recent council meeting on June 13, several members did not attend. “We, in essence, by putting it off, have made a decision,” Anderson said. “So whether they just don’t sign a contract and keep it tabled forever, or vote not to renew the contract, the result is the same: The red light traffic cameras are not operating.” Anderson said he told Police Chief Tom Cairl to inform the company following the expiration of the contract that the cameras were to issue “no more tickets.” “There will never be a ticket issued from the time that contract expired. The contract ended, and it wasn’t fair when we knew the vote on council to renew the contract was 4-3 against. I knew the sentiment. Council has spoken, basically. I’m in favor of the cameras. But I just don’t think it was the right thing to do, as the public safety director, to operate it while we don’t have a
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uote of The Week
Nearly all bird kills occur on one outdated wind farm in Altamont, California... Dennis Slotnick See page 4