Gazette 02-08-12

Geneva Eagles scratch Spartans in boys basketball — See Sports

Dare to Pair —

Meet Your Neighbor — See page 2A

See Recorder

THE GAZETTE

Vol. No. 136, No. 6

Expansion progressing at Jefferson businesses

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Periodical’s Postage Paid

75¢

JAHS Honor Choir members raise their voices in song

BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Two businesses in the Village of Jefferson are either in the midst of expanding or are considering it.

Village Administrator Terry Finger shared some positive business news during the Jefferson Village Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 6.

“Presrite Corporation’s plant expansion is progressing as planned,” Finger noted in his report.

Presrite is in the process of finishing an 80,000-square-feet addition at its facility on 322 S. Cucumber Rd. in Jefferson. In 2011, Presrite had received a 75-percent tax exemption for five years on the $2.2 million that will be invested in the project. The $2.2 million will be invested solely in the 80,000square-foot addition.

Presrite expects to retain 334 jobs at the project site because of the addition, with an estimated corresponding payroll of $7.8 million, according to the tax-abatement application. The warehousing, processing and shipping departments are moving into the addition, which is needed because of an increase of business from its customers.

“Management advised us that the expanded plant is already planned to be fully occupied,” Finger said. “They recently placed an order for 19 million pounds of various types of steel bar stock to meet additional orders.”

Finger also shared some news coming from King Luminaire. He said the company is thinking ahead for a possible expansion.

“King Luminaire management met with village officials to discuss the need for attachment to the sewer to accommodate future expansion currently in the planning stages,” Finger said.

See EXPANSION page 7A

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME

The Jefferson members of the District V Honors Choir pose for a picture in their choir outfits. They chose to dress up instead of wearing robes. Pictured are (front) Becca Banks, Mallory Severa, Clayton Ketola, Valerie Brice, Audra Franley (back) Justin Brown, Nick LaGrange and Patrick Martin

BY CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - “This is the best high school Honors Choir that we have had in years!” exclaimed Jefferson Area Junior/ Senior High School choir director Kelli Olesky upon returning from the District V event.

For two days, students and directors gathered together in Youngstown from all over Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Their joint purpose was to raise their voices in song under the direction of

Winterfest warms up with spring-like weather

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers G E N E VA Even without s n o w , G e n e v a ’s Winterfest was still a go on Saturday with its annual parade and Chili Cook-Off. Some of the usual events were canceled, such as the snowmobile rides and ice skating, but the festivities were still held throughout the day, such as the ice sculpting.

“In the past they’ve always done a snowmobile ride,” PHOTO BY DEE RILEY Christine Harting, direc- Alexa Jordan, from Ashtabula, strikes a pose beside t o r o f t h e the ice carvings by the Kent State Ice Carvers in W i n t e r f e s t the North Broadway parking lot. pageant, said.

“I don’t think Although the snow did not that’s looking very promising at make an appearance, snowmen this point seeing that we don’t still filled the streets as the anhave enough snow.” nual snowman contest was held by local businesses decorating snowmen to be placed on lamp posts and other places throughout the city.

See WINTERFEST page 4A

Dr. Steve Ausmann, a professor at YSU. Olesky, who is also the chairperson for the district, was trilled with this year’s event.

“I was very excited that all of the other directors took it as seriously as I did and worked with the students prior to the event. It was truly an honor to be a part of Honors Choir this year,” she said.

As a director, Oleksy also said, “I am very proud of all of the students that went (junior high and high school). They did a great job representing Jefferson! They were hard working and well prepared! I would take them all again.”

Senior Brad Weisbarth was attending Honors Choir for the first time.

“It was a really great experience. I learned that you can have the same song sound very different depending on the director,” he said.

Like Weisbarth, Shelby Potter and Brittney Teter were going to Youngstown for the first time.

Potter, a junior, said, “The whole thing was amazing. Dr. Ausmann was a wonderful director and everybody there was extremely nice and really talented.”

See CHOIR page 6A

Ashtabula Council votes in support of school levy

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers

cials said they will not get additional aid from either the state or federal level, with the economy only predictASHTABULA - On the March 6 ing future cuts. ballot, the Ashtabula Area City “There has been no increase in Schools (AACS) will have an addi- local property value, which means tional 6.8-mill emergency levy for a that our local property revenue is flat. five-year period. AACS officials re- We have not received any new local cently went to the City of Ashtabula funds since the year 2000,” Donatone asking council members for their sup- said. port.

AACS has reduced its operating “We are facing a financial emer- budget by $4 million over the past gency, an educational emergency and five years, and the district has elimia community emergency,” Joseph nated over 100 teaching, staff, extraDonatone, superintendent of the curricular and administration posiAACS district, said. tions.

Over two years, AACS has lost Other changes are being imple$1.7 million in state aid. AACS offi- mented, such as French classes be-

ing eliminated in the high school and the way technology is used and taught throughout the school day.

“We are losing programs such as all-day, everyday kindergarten. Next year we will reduce it to half days every other day,” Donatone said. “We are reducing the size of our preschool.”

Donatone said a strong school system affects the community as well as a weakened system.

“Without a strong educational system in our community, that translates directly into a less skilled work force and fewer jobs and people to fill them,” Donatone said.

See LEVY page 6A

Geneva Schools students showcase research at annual Science Fair

BY JAN PERALA Geneva Area City Schools GENEVA - More than 150 Geneva students spent weeks crunching numbers, analyzing data, documenting results and imagining new possibilities as they prepared to explain their research projects before judges at the Geneva Schools science fair last week.

According to fair coordinator Wendy Booth, a GHS Biology teacher, the school’s annual celebration of science has become a much anticipated event.

“We are fortunate to have such supportive parents and community members who serve as mentors for our student scientists,” said Booth.

“And we have a contingent of experienced volunteer judges who team up with teachers and Advanced Placement science students to evaluate the projects our kids work so hard on. This year, a local

business, Waste Management, sent five volunteer judges and donated Earth-friendly insulated cups for each science fair participant.”

The rewards for completing an

inquiry-based project are great, and Geneva students success in district state competitions in past years has literally put the school district on the map for science edu-

See SCIENCE page 9A

PHOTOS BY JAN PERALA FOR GENEVA SCHOOLS

Scientific Minds. Geneva Middle School seventh-grader Emily Forman explains her research project focusing on the effect of temperature variations on fingerprints for judges Evan Jahn, Jerry Ross and Jeremy Williams of Waste Management at the Geneva Schools Science Fair last week.

2A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

Meet Your Neighbor

McMinn finds vocation in God and antiques

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers

MORGAN TOWNSHIP Bill McMinn is known as the pastor of Eagleville Bible Church. McMinn opens his arms to whomever walks through the church’s doors.

“We want them to feel comfortable, never embarrassed,” McMinn said. “They can come here and they’re not going to be pointed out.”

Although McMinn’s ministries might be the number one things he is known for, McMinn and his family have another passion of buying and selling antiques and collectibles.

Walking into his office, pictures of the City of Ashtabula and Geneva from the early 1900s can be seen on the walls, along with antique toys on the shelf and tin posters of gasoline and cola advertisements nailed to the walls.

McMinn said sometimes his hobby can test his faith as he has to negotiate in a fair and faith-based manner.

“We’re buyers and sellers, there are a whole bunch of cut-throats out there,” McMinn said. “My hobby is something that’s highly competitive. You’ve got dozens and dozens of buyers, and you have to bargain in a way

PHOTO BY SADIE PORTMAN

Bill McMinn stands by his wife Jeri. McMinn is pastor at Eagleville Bible Church and a buyer and seller of antiques. that’s not greedy, in way that is kind.”

Being born in Wilmington, Delaware, and growing up in northeast Pennsylvania, McMinn’s passion for antiques goes back to his childhood, something he cannot quite explain as neither his fa-

ther nor mother were collectors.

“I used to go out as a boy and dig up old milk bottles and other items,” McMinn said. “I’ve always loved antiques.”

Even McMinn’s wife, Jeri, loves the antique business, as it has become a special

time for their family as they wake up early on Saturdays to hit a list of garage sales with promising items.

“We spent miles and miles together going to yard sales and walking through flea markets and going to auctions,” McMinn said. “That was

one thing that really kept the family together because we had this hobby that we all did together.”

McMinn said on a family vacation, they made a game out of buying and selling their way to New Jersey.

“We had a big competition on the trip of who could find the best piece,” McMinn said.

One of their biggest finds involves a Beatles kickball they bought for 10 cents and ended up selling it for $1,600 to a man in Beverly Hills, California.

“I didn’t even think much of the ball when we bought it,” McMinn said. “My buddy came over and said he had never even seen one like this before because it’s a kickball.

They pop and get beat up and thrown away.”

McMinn said whenever he buys and sells his antiques, he brings along his Christian beliefs.

“You have to be out for the success of others and not just for yourself, and I think that is what the challenge is,” McMinn said.

McMinn said his hobby is a way to have down time from his job as pastor.

“It takes so much time [to be a pastor] and you’re never done,” McMinn said.

“There’s so much to do and

you can’t do it all. It’s a race for every Sunday.”

Although being a preacher is time consuming, McMinn said he would never change his career path.

“I love helping people,” McMinn said.

McMinn does not just serve as pastor and counselor to his parishioners.

He also is active in his community, serving as a soccer coach and always being the first one to come out to support the Jefferson Falcons, whether it is watching the annual performance of Falcon Follies or going to a Friday night football game.

McMinn said life is about community and helping out everyone around you, no matter their race, creed or heritage.

“If I help someone, I think that’s what makes life worth living,” McMinn said. “If you just live for yourself I think it’s going to be a sad existence.”

Know any clubs, organizations or people who should be featured in the Gazette’s new “Meet Your Neighbor” weekly feature? E-mail suggestions of those in the Ashtabula-, Geneva- and Jefferson-area communities to gazette@gazettenews.com.

Jefferson Council passes meth-lab ordinance

BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Jefferson Village Council passed the third and final reading of an ordinance dealing with the clean-up of clandestine drug labs and assessing costs to landowners during its meeting on Monday, Feb. 6.

With this ordinance, Jefferson Council follows in the footsteps of Geneva-onthe-Lake Village Council, the members of which passed legislation last year that makes the property owners responsible for the clean-up costs of a meth lab, not the municipality.

The need for such legislation began when the Jefferson Police Department took down a methamphetamine lab on Elliot Avenue

in the Village of Jefferson on Friday evening, Dec. 2. The Jefferson Police Department had to contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist with the clean up of the lab. Mayor Judy Maloney said the clean up will cost the village between $4,000 to $6,000.

Small municipalities are responsible for the clean up of meth labs, unless they have ordinances shifting the responsibility elsewhere, thus the ordinance now passed by council.

With this new ordinance, council makes the owner of the property where the drug lab is located responsible for the costs of clean up.

For the purposes of the ordinance, “clandestine drug lab” means the unlawful manufacture or attempt to

manufacture controlled substances. It also means any place or area where law enforcement has determined that conditions associated with the operation of a clandestine drug lab exist. The lab may include industrial, commercial and residential buildings and dwellings, including accessory buildings, accessory structures, motor vehicles, a chemical dumpsite or any land.

These drug labs, when identified by law enforcement authorities, will be declared to be public health nuisances. When the village administrator receives notice of the lab, he will promptly issue a Declaration of Public Health Nuisance for the affected property and post a copy of the declaration at the entrance to the dwell-

ing, according to the ordinance.

When the administrator or police chief determines there is an immediate threat of human exposure or injury, the village may conduct emergency dismantling and disposal of drug processing apparatus and/or chemicals.

“To the extent permitted by law, the individual or entity responsible, and/or the owner of the property where the site is found, shall be liable to the village for its costs incurred in conducting the emergency dismantling and disposal,” the ordinance reads.

The administrator also will notify the owner of the property by mail, as well as notify the occupants of the premises, all adjacent property owners and any other

neighbors at probable risk and the primary and secondary mortgage holders.

The proposed ordinance also allows the administrator to order the owner of the property to do the following: —Cause the immediate vacation of all portions of the property which may place the occupants or visitors at risk.

—Contract with appropriate environmental testing and cleaning firms to conduct an on-site assessment, complete clean up and remediation testing and follow up testing and determine that the property risks are sufficiently reduced to allow safe human occupation of the dwelling.

—Provide the administrator with written documentation of the clean-up

process, including a signed written statement from the environmental testing and cleaning firm that the property is safe for human occupancy and that the clean up was conducted. The owner must complete the remediation and postremediation assessment within 90 days from the date of the Declaration of Public Nuisance.

“The property owner shall be responsible for all costs of clean up of the site, including contractor fees,” the ordinance reads.

If the property owner fails to make arrangements, the administrator is allowed to initiate the clean up. If the village cannot locate the property owner within 14 days of the declaration, the administrator is authorized to proceed with the clean up.

“The village shall be entitled to recover all costs of abatement of the public nuisance. The village may recover costs by civil action against the person or persons who own the property, or by assessing such costs as a special assessment pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code,” the ordinance reads.

Anyone found violating the ordinance is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor.

Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.

Ashtabula County Meetings Feb. 8 Jefferson: Board of Health meeting The next regular meeting of the Ashtabula County Board of Health will be held on the second Wednesday of the month, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the basement of the Ashtabula County Health Department at 12 West Jefferson St., Jefferson.

Feb. 8 Jefferson: Fair Board meeting The Board of Directors of the Ashtabula County Agricultural Society will meet at 8 p.m. on Wednesday in the Concession Building at the Fairgrounds in Jefferson.

Feb. 9 Ashtabula: Children Services Board meeting The Ashtabula County Children Services Board will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Children Services Board offices located at 3914 “C” Court, Ashtabula.

Executive session will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the public meeting at 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

COMMUNITY

GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 3A

Smart Art: Students dig deep in AP Arts Class

PHOTOS BY CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME

Logan Derbin is a student in AP Studio Art.

Jennifer Hall works on a project during AP Studio Art.

BY CAROLYN BEHRJEROME Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Jefferson Area High School, like many schools in the United States and Canada, has been offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses for several years.

This program is sponsored by the College Board, a membership association formed in 1900 that sells standardized tests to measure a student’s ability. The AP curriculum, which began in 1998, is recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college. Colleges grant credit for high scores on the test.

The College Board offers 34 AP courses to choose

from. The most common was AP United States History, with over 340,000 students taking the exam in 2008. The least common was AP Italian Language and Culture, with just under 2,000 students taking the exam that year.

Somewhere in between is AP Studio Art, one of several AP courses offered at JAHS. “I believe we are the only school in the county that offers AP Art,” explained Valori Curie, JAHS art teacher.

That’s something this year’s students are proud of.

This year Curie has four AP students, although in the past she’s had as many as 14. Those students are Patrick Martin, Angel Moriarty, Logan Derbin and

Angel Moriarty is one of the students in AP Studio Art. Jennifer Hall. Each one is a senior and has had Curie as a teacher for at least three years.

Unlike the AP courses where students take a standardized test to assess their knowledge, this program requires a portfolio. The College Central website explains that the AP Studio Art offers three portfolios: Drawing, 2-D Design and 3D Design.

“Portfolio includes work done over a single year or longer, in class or on their own,” Curie said.

Curie explained this further by saying that each portfolio must include pieces in Quality. For this students can select the works that best exhibit a synthesis of form, technique

and content.

Next, they must submit 12 pieces in Breadth that demonstrate a serious grounding in visual principles and material techniques.

Finally, the students must submit 12 pieces of Concentration. The Concentration section asks students to demonstrate a depth of investigation and process of discovery.

Derbin said the examples they’re looking at really dig deep.

“It’s scary. The concepts are profound and emotional,” Derbin said.

Derbin’s Concentration centers on memories and how they are exaggerated in our minds.

“I have journals of doodles, drawings of build-

ings swaying.

Every memory look is whimsical,” he explained.

Hall explained that her Concentration is cities.

“I am focusing on different aspects of city life,” she said, “and how the elements could be found in the rural areas, too.”

One painting Hall had for her portfolio was of a tree stump with vehicles instead of ants.

“The kids must write a commentary, too, to describe the body of work and the journey,” Curie said. “Because the Concentrations are unique, we try to find an underlying theme. For example, Angel (Moriarty) has a hand in all of her pieces.”

“I also have a lot of macabre puns, “ Moriarty said.

Curie explained that something that is macabre has death as a subject and dwells on the gruesome, while puns use a word in a humorous way that suggests more than one meaning.

Martin, who plays the violin, is also still working on narrowing his concentration down.

“Most all of my drawings have a violin somewhere, “ Martin said.

Occasionally Curie’s AP class takes a break from the rigor of preparing their portfolio. Before Christmas, for example, the class took three days to decorate the classroom door. They used a popup book theme and the door had moving parts. They won first prize of $50, which Curie will use to buy art supplies.

Decision in referendum case not expected for a month

BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON A Jefferson Village councilor shared his thoughts on council’s decision to pursue the purchase of the old Jefferson Elementary School during a council meeting on Monday, Feb. 6, and the village solicitor gave an update on the status of the court case regarding the referendum petitions.

Court of Common Pleas Judge Alfred Mackey is expected to give a judgment on the case involving the refer-

endum petitions and the school purchase in about a month, Solicitor Jerome Lemire said.

Former Jefferson Village Councilor and Referendum Committee member Ken Fertig and his attorney, Kyle Smith, are seeking a declaratory judgment from Mackey on whether the citizens who attempted to place a referendum on the November 2012 ballot regarding the school purchase by council followed the proper steps or not. Fertig has filed a civil complaint against Village of Jefferson Clerk/Treasurer

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Patty Fisher and Village Administrator Terry Finger.

The referendum committee and the village have been at odds over council’s decision to purchase the building and property at the old Jefferson Elementary School on 104 E. Jefferson St. for $300,000. The deal consists of $150,000 in cash and an additional $150,000 credit package for in-kind labor and improvements spread over an unspecified period of time. The village intends to use the property for the police department, which needs the additional room.

With the case ongoing, Lemire said the temporary restraining order forbidding the village from going out and purchasing the property until the issue has been resolved in the court remains in place. He said the village didn’t fight the order, as it also wants a judgment from Mackey on the matter.

Councilor Brian Diehl shared some background about the matter from his perspective during the meeting Monday.

“During the budget process in December 2009, a discussion was held regarding the expansion of the police department,” Diehl said.

“The finance committee and the police department

agreed that it was not fiscally prudent to pursue an expansion at that time.”

He said the request was made for a few reasons, including: • The current facilities do not provide adequate facilities to meet Ohio Revised Code 2901.13 requirements for the collection and retention of evidence.

• The current facilities require that suspects be interviewed at the kitchen table, also used by the employees for breaks and meals.

• The current facilities do not meet the requirements of Senate Bill 77, 128th legislature, regarding interviewing and detaining suspects.

Diehl said the request was made again in December 2010, and this time the finance committee agreed with the need and that the cost could be supported.

“After consulting with Smolen Engineering, the expansion was estimated at $150,000 and would provide an additional 960 square feet,” Diehl said. “This would provide the necessary space to the police department but is also a significant cost to pay for limited space. Due to the location of the existing station, no further expansion would be possible in the

future.”

Given the cost and limited space, council and the administration felt that this would not be an ideal solution, Diehl said. He said the school was presented as an alternative, and council agreed to allow the administrator to pursue negotiations.

“After negotiations with the school, the best possible bid accepted was $150,000 cash and $150,000 [in] inkind services,” Diehl said.

“Lower offers were presented and denied by the school.

Because of concerns on the matter, a $25,000 cap on in-kind services per year was placed on the bid, essentially providing a no-interest loan from the school to the village for a minimum of six years, Diehl said.

“After the inspection report was received, a bid was obtained from a reputable local contractor to determine costs of repairing all deficiencies noted in the inspection report,” Diehl said.

“This not-to-exceed bid was $25,000.”

“Given the total cost of $325,000, $150,000 of which was not in cash and could be spread over a minimum of six years, the majority of council felt that this was the preferred alternative to

meet the needs of the police station expansion,” Diehl said. “$325,000 for a 12,000square-foot commercial building on four acres of village property is more than reasonable. It was also the minimum that would be accepted by the school.”

Diehl said the building and property also offered a full commercial kitchen and would complete the park space on Market Street.

Given that the building was purchased by taxpayers throughout the school district, not just those in the village, Diehl said the village is “buying out” their portion of the property.

“Although no negotiations can be held until the village owns the building, interested parties have approached the village regarding leasing the other half of the building,” Diehl said.

“This provides a potential income stream that would help cover the cost of the building.”

Diehl said the school purchase is a better alternative than expanding in the limited space at the current police station.

Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.

Put on your hats Jefferson Area Senior High School Student Council raised money on Friday for Jordan Trenn, a 2010 graduate of JAHS who was recently seriously injured in a car accident.

Students were asked to donate $1 for the privilege of wearing a hat all day on Friday.

Many kids gave more than $1, including Sam Caskey who donated $40. “It’s for Jordan,” he said. Caskey’s brother, DJ, is good friends with Trenn. In the photo, Student council member Kaydee Devivo presents Jeremy Trenn with nearly $250 raised during Friday’s Hat Day in his brother’s honor.

PHOTO BY CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME

4A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

WINTERFEST The Geneva Fire Department welcomed the festival’s visitors with free donuts, coffee and hot cocoa and provided tours of the fire station.

The Geneva First United Methodist Church held its pancake breakfast and entertainment by bands and Jungle Terry filled the day

From page 1A

with family fun.

The Geneva area proved even with this unusual spring weather, they can still have winter fun during Winterfest.

PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard marches down Geneva’s streets, leading the Winterfest parade.

Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@ gazettenews.com.

PHOTO BY DEE RILEY

The Ashtabula Rod and Gun Club came dressed in authentic early settlers garb and also brought along with them their fourlegged friends.

Madelynn McKinney, age 7, of Geneva watches the children at the Inflatable Play Land at the Geneva Recreation Center.

Madelynn is the Little Miss Grapette 1st attendant for 2011.

The Young Marines show their skills as they march carrying the flags of their country and organization.

PHOTO BY DEE RILEY

Makhaila Kriglein, six years old, of Geneva, volunteers to help Ronald McDonald with this magic tricks at the Geneva Community Center.

The Winterfest pageant winners had a chance to ride in the parade Saturday afternoon, greeting the crowds lining the city’s streets.

The Geneva Boys Scout troop walked together during Saturday’s afternoon parade.

The Winterfest pageant winners wave to the crowd.

LEFT: Geneva’s other main pageant winners, the Grapettes, also had a chance to represent the City of Geneva in the parade.

PHOTO BY DEE RILEY

Jungle Terry displays a python for the crowd of engaged children.

The City of Geneva had special visitors in their firetrucks during the parade, allowing two local boys to come along for the ride.

PHOTO BY DEE RILEY

Isabella Tapia, 20 months old, pets her first alpaca at the Geneva Winterfest. Alpaca Mustache Pete is from Royal Apacas in Madison and owned by Micheal Luban.

Isabella is held by Sharon Glover.

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Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary students carry their school’s banner in the Winterfest parade.

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

JAHS Freshman Class to sponsor Chili Cook-Off

BY CAROLYN BEHRJEROME Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - This Friday, the Freshman Class of Jefferson Area High School is sponsoring a Chili CookOff before the boys’ basketball game.

With the help of the Student Council, chili will be judged and prizes given for

Best Tasting Chili, Hottest Chili, Most Creatively Named Chili and a People’s Choice Winner.

The entry fee is $5 and anyone wishing to enter may contact Mary Hostetler at 576-4731, ext. 1302. Dinner is all-you-can eat and is served from 4 – 7 p.m. and tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children under 12 and senior citizens.

Community Driven Murals to work with Ashtabula to paint the town

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers ASHTABULA - A resolution in support of painting murals throughout the City of Ashtabula was unanimously passed at Monday night’s city council meeting.

“The city council of the City of Ashtabula, Ohio recognizes the importance of the benefits of promoting the public arts,” the resolution read.

City officials said the murals will aid in the beautification of the city.

“The city council recognizes the potential for a mural committee to benefit community development as people can get involved with a project that has real potential to beautify the appearance of public and private structures, as well as encouraging [people] to utilize their artistic talents in a positive fashion,” the resolution said.

Several cities throughout the United States have partaken in such mural projects, and the works of art have only proven to be beneficial.

“The city council finds that other communities have created mural committees and have found them to be very beneficial from both community and economic development perspectives,” the resolution said.

The City of Ashtabula also see the murals as a way to attract outsiders to the city.

“The city council recognizes the potential for completed murals to benefit economic development as an attraction to residents, nonresidents and tourists to key

areas of the city,” the resolution read.

The City of Ashtabula see the murals as a positive outlet for the youth in the community and also as a way to decrease vandalism.

“The city council of the City of Ashtabula endorses the mission and goal of Community Driven Murals to accomplish beautification, community development and economic development through the expression of artistic excellence on display on public and private structures,” the resolution read.

The Community Drive Murals committee will work hand in hand with the city to ensure all regulations and ordinances are not violated.

“The city council strongly encourages Community Drive Murals and Christopher Raab, as the chair, to work closely with the Parks and Recreation Board to ensure compliance with all applicable ordinance and regulations,” the resolution read.

Rabb was thankful for the city’s support and sees the murals as another positive change for the city.

“I see a transformation in Ashtabula,” Raab said.

Raab said he was looking forward to implementing the project with the City of Ashtabula.

“I would like to say thank you for both the consideration and the acceptance of that resolution,” Raab said.

“I look forward to helping you guys positively in whatever way I can.”

Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@ gazettenews.com.

Birth Announcement Tim Jakubic and Alyse Kelner of Jefferson announce the birth of their son, Bentley JohnLee Jakubic.

Bentley was born Jan. 24, 2012, at the Ashtabula County Medical Center.

Grandparents are Jerry and Karen Kelner and Jeff and Phyllis Jakubic of Jefferson.

Great-grandparents are Paul F. and the late Sally Williams of Lenox, Frank and Carol Jakubic of Dorset and Paul and Naomi Fishel of Willoughby.

GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 5A

Jefferson Area Chamber accepting nominations for Citizen of the Year

BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - The Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the details for its 59th annual Citizen of the Year Awards Banquet.

This year, the Citizen of the Year Awards Banquet will be held Tuesday, March 27, at the Jefferson Community Center, located at 11 E. Jefferson St. Social hour will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner being served at 7 p.m.

During the dinner, several awards will be given out, including two that residents can submit nominations for. The Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Citizen of the Year and the Youth of the Year.

The intent of the Citizen of the Year award is to rec-

ognize a resident of the Jefferson Area School District communities (or nonresident who works in Jefferson or has a significant presence in Jefferson) for his or her significant efforts and/ or service in 2011 or recent years that advance the best interests of the Jefferson area as stated in the Chamber ’s Mission Statement.

Since the Chamber can only pick one person a year, Chamber officials encourage people who have nominated someone in the past who has not yet been honored to nominate that person again.

With the Youth of the Year award, the Chamber recognizes a student or former student (between the ages of 15 and 21) of the Jefferson Area School District for his/her significant efforts and/or service in his/

her community and/or the greater school district communities.

The nomination may be based upon a major service project in 2011 or accumulation of service over the past few years that advances the best interests of the Jefferson area as stated in the Chamber ’s Mission Statement.

Since the intent of this honor is to nurture, as well as award, the spirit of community service, it is not based upon scholastic achievement, although the nominee may be a good student who participated in many school activities. This award is an acknowledgment of service outside the classroom, while fostering the encouragement to serve fellow citizens taught directly or indirectly in some school courses.

Nominations need to be detailed and elaborated to include offices or positions held.

Nomination forms can be found in this week’s Gazette and should be mailed no later than Friday, March 9, 2012, to the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 100, Jefferson, OH 44047.

People interested in attending the Chamber dinner also have until Friday, March 9, to reserve a spot at the dinner, as seating is limited.

The cost for the dinner is $125 for a table of eight, or $20 for individual tickets.

Reservations can be made by calling Mary Jo Braden of the Lakeview Federal Credit Union at (440) 576-4382.

Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews.com.

JEFFERSON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JEFFERSON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2011 “CITIZEN OF THE YEAR”

2011 “YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD” Nomination Form

Nomination Form The intent of this nomination is to recognize a resident of the Jefferson Area School District communities (or non-resident who works in Jefferson or has a significant presence in Jefferson) for their significant efforts and/or service in 2011 and/or recent years, which advances the best interests of the Jefferson area as stated in the Chamber’s Mission Statement.

Each year we have many excellent nominations for consideration, and we can only choose one. So, if you have nominated someone in the past who has not yet been honored - we encourage you to please nominate that person again.

Nominations need to be detailed and elaborated to include offices or positions held, using the categories below. Should additional space be needed, please feel free to use a separate piece of paper.

NOMINEE’S NAME, ADDRESS and PHONE NUMBER: YOUTH INVOLVEMENT, RECREATION, SPORTS: EDUCATION:

Sponsored by the JEFFERSON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, the intent of this nomination is to recognize a student or former student (between the ages of 15 and 21) of the Jefferson Area School District for his/her significant efforts and/or service in his/her community and/or the great school district communities. The nomination may be based upon a major service project in 2011 or accumulation of service over the past few years, which advances the best interests of the Jefferson area as stated in the Chamber’s Mission Statement.

The intent of this honor is to nurture, as well as award, the spirit of community service. It is not based upon scholastic achievement, although the nominee may be a good student who participated in many school activities. This award is an acknowledgement of service outside the classroom, while fostering the encouragement to serve fellow citizens taught directly or indirectly in some school courses.

Nominations need to be detailed and elaborated to include offices or positions held, using the categories below. Should additional space be needed, please feel free to use a separate piece of paper.

NOMINEE’S NAME, ADDRESS and PHONE NUMBER: YOUTH INVOLVEMENT, RECREATION, SPORTS:

CHURCH:

CHURCH:

SERVICE CLUBS-ORGANIZATIONS: PUBLIC-CIVIL SERVICE: PROMOTION OF JEFFERSON: SPECIAL PROJECTS:

SERVICE CLUBS-ORGANIZATIONS: PUBLIC-CIVIL SERVICE: PROMOTION OF JEFFERSON: SPECIAL PROJECTS:

OTHER:

OTHER:

NOMINATION SUBMITTED BY: __________________________________________________________ (NAME, ADDRESS & PHONE NO.) Return this form in a sealed envelope NO LATER THAN Friday, March 9, 2012, to “Citizen of the Year,” Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 100, Jefferson, OH 44047

NOMINATION SUBMITTED BY: __________________________________________________________ (NAME, ADDRESS & PHONE NO.) Return this form in a sealed envelope NO LATER THAN Friday, March 9, 2012, to “Youth of the Year,” Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 100, Jefferson, OH 44047

Two local reverends honored at council meeting

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers

the world, teaching and preaching in places such as Athens, Greece; London, England; Jerusalem, Israel; and Kakinada, India.

In 1996, Carter started a school and orphanage in Nigeria with a fellow colleague from London.

“Today the school has nearly 200 students and 16 orphans, with a small community hospital as part of their mission,” Lattimer said as she read from the city’s resolution.

Carter serves on several Ashtabula activist groups, such as the Ashtabula County Medical Center Board, Hospice of the Western Reserve and the

Ashtabula Arts Center.

Carter was humbled by the resolution.

ASHTABULA - The City of “Thank you very much to Ashtabula honored both Reveverybody,” Carter said. erend Neroy Carter and RevCarter said he cannot erend Stephen Long for their take the complete credit for years of service to the city. his vocations.

“It’s been a great honor “There are two people I this year because we have am indebted to, one of them had several pastors that is the Lord Jesus Christ, but have been serving in our secondly and not far behind community for so long,” is my wife,” Carter said.

Ward 4 Councilor Julie After 37 years of marriage, Lattimer said. “I think that Carter and his wife have also is so wonderful.” fostered 45 children.

Carter has been pastor of “I call Ashtabula very afNew Hope Pentecostal fectionately, Ashtabula, the Church for 22 years.

Promise Land, and it is a big Before coming to community. It’s not perfect, Ashtabula, Carter served in but what community is perthe Air Force and traveled fect?” Carter said.

Carter said he is proud to call the City of Ashtabula his home.

“I am so very appreciative of this honor,” Carter said. “I am so appreciative to everyone that has helped us in this and is in support of the church.”

Long was also honored as his church, First Presbyterian Church, celebrated its 190th anniversary in 2011.

Long has served as pastor since 1986.

Long served in the United States Army for four years, where he was a German linWard 4 Councilor Julie Lattimer reads the resolution for guist and traveled to GerReverend Doctor Stephen Long for serving as pastor of many.

First Presbyterian Church since 1986.

PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN

Reverend Neroy Carter stands next to his wife, Nadena, and daughter asWard 4 Councilor Julie Lattimer reads a resolution recognizing his service to the community.

Long was the Cup of Cold Water recipient in 2010, an award given by the Ashtabula Area Ministerial Association.

“Reverend Doctor Long is extremely active in the Ashtabula community,” Lattimer read from the resolution.

Long, too, was very appreciative of the resolution.

“I would like to thank the

city council and the City of Ashtabula for this honor,” Long said.

Long grew up in southern Ohio, where he lived for 22 years, his second longest place of residence.

“I’ve lived longer in Ashtabula more than anywhere else,” Long said. “It’s been an honor to serve here more than anywhere else.”

Long has a passion to

keep the City of Ashtabula a strong and vibrant place to live.

“It allows me and gives me the opportunity to serve the community in so many ways, and that is something that I enjoy doing,” Long said.

Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@ gazettenews.com.

6A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

CHOIR

From page 1A

encourage anyone who loves singing to go to Honors Choir.

Potter also said she learned a lot over the two days.

“I learned how to properly pronounce tall vowels in vo- It’s an amazing experience.”

Franley is a junior, so she will have one more chance cal performances, make a line of music dramatic and beautiful, proper pronunciation of Latin and Greek words, and next year to return.

Other JAHS students who were a part of the District V some crazy, fun dance moves,” she said.

Teter, a sophomore, added that she was very proud of Honors Choir were senior Patrick Martin, senior Clayton Ketola, junior Valerie Brice, senior Brianne Bodisch, Jefferson. sophomore Mikayla “In my opinion, Jefferson McMinn and senior Zack really stepped up and beMiller. came leaders in all the sec- “In my opinion, Jefferson really stepped Justin Brown, a junior, tions,” she explained.

Junior Abby Kovacs up and became leaders in all the sections.” said he enjoyed being agreed.

– Brittney Teter, JAHS sophomore taught to sing like a college student as Ausmann is a She said, “When we got professor at YSU. there, I was one of only two Senior Rebecca Banks Soprano twos. A lot of sowas one of the most experienced choir members, as she prano ones had to learn a whole new part on the spot.”

She and Mallory Severa had to do that as they re- has been going to Youngstown since her freshman year.

Banks explained that the days can really drag on if schools hearsed and sang as confidently as possible.

The days were long in hours but not short on fun, sopho- don’t know their music.

“The past few years other schools haven’t been premore Nick LaGrange, explained. The choir left at 7 a.m.

Friday morning, Jan. 27, to practice at YSU. They re- pared, but this year everyone was prepared. It was great,” turned around 4 p.m. Saturday’s time frame was the same she said.

Banks couldn’t stress enough how this year surpassed and it included the concert at Stambaugh Auditorium. all previous years.

This was LaGrange’s second time in Honors Choir.

“I seriously loved this year. Everything was so orgaJunior Mallory Severa was returning a second time, nized. Dr. Ausmann was so animated and great. I felt too, and praised Olesky for all her hard work.

“We couldn’t have done it without her. She prepared Jefferson was very well prepared,” she explained.

Banks also praised the directors from the other schools, us well,” Severa said.

Second-time attender Audra Franley said, “I’d really as well as her fellow classmates.

$5 OFF

LEVY Donatone said AACS has made many sacrifices to keep its budget above the red. but the district is getting to a point where cuts are not enough.

“We have cut as much as we can for as long as we can, and now we must have additional revenue,” Donatone said.

The schools want to see a bright future for all their students.

“It’s our turn to support our students,” Donald Rapose, principal of Lakeside High School, said.

Rapose said he understands the times are hard, but the levy will only add less than $9 a month to property taxes.

“Can anyone afford another pinch on our inc o m e ? I t ’s g o i n g t o b e tight, but it’s the right thing to do,” Rapose said.

ORDER OF $25 OR MORE

AACS officials are proud to be a part of Ashtabula and said they only want the best for the city and its residents.

“I see a lot of positives going forth in this city, and we need to make it as positive for our students as we can,” Rapose said.

The Ashtabula City Council unanimously passed the resolution in support of the levy.

“I have a very difficult [time] advocating more taxes on this community, but there is probably nothing more important in this community than fostering the education of our children,” J.P. Ducro, president of the council, said.

Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@ gazettenews.com.

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GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 7A

Morgan Township gets bad news about township truck

BY SUE LUTZ Gazette Newspapers MORGAN TOWNSHIP – Hopes of purchasing additional equipment or completing a few road projects may have to be nixed after routine maintenance on Morgan Township’s largest truck revealed structural problems.

Trustee Rodney Truckey delivered the bad news about the 30-year-old truck to the rest of the Board during its Feb. 1 meeting.

“Anyone in their right mind could see that truck shouldn’t be driven on the road,” Truckey said.

He said equipment maintenance and replacement is expected, but with the current economy, no one is anxious to make any unnecessary purchases. In this case, however, options are limited.

“I crawled under there

and the frame rails are entirely unfit for the truck to even be driven on the road,” he said. “I told Fred to red tag the truck.”

Truckey said he checked with Ashtabula County and got a comparable quote on a new Mack tandem axel 14foot box dump truck. At a base price of about $104,000, Trustees Don Dietrich and Brett Bellas were speechless at first.

Dietrich asked about the possibility of purchasing a used dump truck, but Truckey, who heads the roads and bridges committee, shot down the idea.

“Buying a used truck is just buying someone else’s headache,” Truckey said.

“And as far as fixing this one, well, it’s a 30-year-old truck and it’s not work the money to put into it. Fixing a frame rail is doable, but this one goes well beyond that – it’s whooped!”

President Brett Bellas and Fiscal Manager Jean Brand said making such a large purchase isn’t as easy as just getting a few quotes from a few different truck dealers. Assuming financing could be arranged, the township would then have to decide on specifications and then advertise for bids.

“I’m just saying this is something we have to look into – or if the township can even afford it or not,” Truckey said. “I’m presenting it and putting it out there because this is what has happened since the last meeting.”

Trustees Dietrich and Bellas said they would have to stop by the garage to survey the damage firsthand.

Truckey said the $104,000 doesn’t include a dump box, and in reality may be closer to $130,000 after central hydraulics and a snow plow are fitted. He

then added he would prefer to see that money put into road improvements.

“Trust me – this is the last thing I want – I was shooting for putting a hitch on the one we’ve got and then buying a tag along trailer,” he said. “I’d rather be putting more money into the roads, but that truck is horrible….there is a time when you have to start replacing your equipment.

In other township business, trustees authorized a $1,500 repair of leaky ridge vents on the garage roof, and a $1,250 repair to a ditching bucket.

Trustees also reported that the time clock is broken, and then discussion ensued over whether or not there is a requirement to replace it. Trustees tabled the issue so the Board can further investigate the legal and insurance implications.

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Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette Newspapers, may be reached at swessell@gazettenews. com.

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Bellas said he started a maintenance log about 18 months ago to track expenses because he was afraid the truck might “nickel and dime” the township. In retrospect, he said he was hopeful that there would have been a lot more life left in it.

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8A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

Local Coast Guard trains with new technology

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers

tice ‘firing ranges’ with both stationary and moving targets, the staff of the simulator can set the computer software to run scenarios involving hostile assailants who draw their weapons and fire at the Coast Guardsmen participating in the training,” officials said.

The crews who attended the training came away with refreshed and new skills and the Coast Guard seemed pleased with the results.

“On top of the live-fire training that is required for crew qualification, this portable weapons simulator provides valuable additional training time for our crews, the men and women we entrust with ensuring the safety and security of mariners on the Great Lakes,” said Captain Stephen Torpey, chief of response for the 9th Coast Guard District.

The Coast Guard plans to continue such training in the future and see their crews benefiting from the simulations.

“And, it’s great that we can bring the training to our crews, rather than having to send crews to the training. This resource represents a cost-efficient way to deliver training to our members that compliments their underway, live-fire experience and positively reinforces their judgment and weapons proficiency skills,” said Torpey.

The local Coast Guard participated in a recent weapon training session in the Cleveland area on Jan. 24.

“More than two dozen Coast Guardsmen assigned to Cleveland-area units were run through weapons training with the use of a computer-generated simulation program Monday and Tuesday at the Coast Guard’s Cleveland Moorings facility,” Coast Guard officials said.

The training equipment was brought up from Camp Lejeune, located in North Carolina.

“The simulator training was held in a specially-designed semi-trailer from the Coast Guard Special Missions Training Center at Camp Lejeune, N.C., that will be transported to nearly Master Chief Petty Officer Patrick O’Kelly, 9th Coast Guard District weapons and ordinance manager, explains to a dozen units throughout the Rear Adm. Michael Parks, 9th District commander, the different scenarios available for a weapons simulator in a 9th Coast Guard District,” portable trailer parked at the Coast Guard’s Cleveland Moorings facility. officials said.

The training not only fa- New York, Ohio, Michigan, miliarized crews with new Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illitechnology but refreshed nois and Indiana will be old skills as well. trained on the use of the “The Coast Guard con- M240 machine gun and tinues to conduct live-fire M16 rifle.” weapons training at DeThe new technology partment of Defense-certi- helps save the Coast fied training areas outside Guard money as well as of the Great Lakes region,” keep their troops trained. officials said.

“The guns have been The Coast Guard is us- modified to fire simulated ing the simulators across rounds that use laser techthe Great Lake Region. nology to detect hits on on“This simulated train- screen targets projected ing is being used to rein- onto the back wall of the SUBMITTED PHOTOS force, not replace, that re- trailer,” officials said.

The Coast Guard’s weapons simulator trailer is parked at the Coast Guard’s Sadie Portman, reporter quired live-fire training,” The simulation provides Cleveland Moorings Facility on Jan. 24. The portable trailer is being transported officials said. “An esti- a variety of target practice for the Gazette, may be throughout the Great Lakes region to provide weapons training and enhance crew mated 300 to 400 people for the troops. reached at sportman@gazette proficiency during the winter months. from Coast Guard units in “Besides traditional prac- news.com.

The Bookmobile comes to school

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers ASHTABULA - The Ashtabula County District Library’s Bookmobile came to the Ontario School’s parking lot last Tuesday.

The Bookmobile comes a few times a year and the students get to borrow their books until the bookmobile visits them again.

The Bookmobile provides students a chance to take out a wide range of books without leaving the school grounds.

Students from grades kindergarten to third grade had a chance to hop on the mobile library and take out book of their choice.

Megan Pallutch, Sydney Jenkins and Arrianna Derricoa went with their classmates in Camberlyn Hutchins’ third-grade class

Ashtabula Senior Center plans community events

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers

PHOTOS BY SADIE PORTMAN

(From left to right) Arrianna Derricoa, Sydney Jenkins and Megan Pallutch took a visit to the Bookmobile last Tuesday morning. All three girls admit they prefer stories with mystery. to the bookmobile.

“I took out ‘the Mommy and the Witch is at it Again,’” Derricoa said.

All three girls admitted they liked the mystery genre. Pallutch said she took a book entitled, Full House: Two in the Town, and Jenkins took out two books, The Cat in the Hat is Back and a book about the first day of school.

“We look forward to the Bookmobile,” Derricoa said.

The Bookmobile visited the Ontario School last Tuesday. The Bookmobile stays the whole day at the school and students take turns checking in and out books.

Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, can be reached at sportman@gazette news.com.

ASHTABULA - The Ashtabula Senior Center is preparing for two upcoming events.

A fundraiser is being held

by Bob Evans for the center on Friday, Feb. 17, starting at 1 p.m.

“Bob Evans will donate 15 percent of sales purchased on this day to the Ashtabula Senior Center when you present this flier (must have a flier with you at this time),” Judy Witt said.

The flier must be presented at Bob Evans.

“You can pick up a flier at the front desk at the senior center by Friday,” Witt said. “The flier must be presented at time of check out for the senior center to receive credit.”

The Ashtabula Senior Center provides aid to area seniors with such programs as healthcare information, creating friendships and providing answers to many questions that come with aging.

The center is looking to expanding its services by looking for a new center, which officials hope to obtain within the next few years.

The senior center will use the money raised to assist with further programing and the upkeep of the center.

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“Thank you for your support,” Witt said.

The senior center is also preparing for an information meeting on Medicare.

“You’re invited to join us for a Medicare informational meeting near you,” Witt said. “This is your chance to learn about Medicare options available to you and to ask questions.”

Ann Wiley, an insurance representative, will be presenting but not selling any insurance during the seminar.

Wiley will review Medicare plans and what benefits are available to seniors.

“With the right information, choosing a Medicare plan that may meet your needs can be easy,” Witt said.

With healthcare being a hot topic issue, the center sees Medicare as an important issue to discuss so seniors can make an educated decision and reap the best benefits.

“We can help make sure you have the right tools to make decision about your Medicare health care coverage,” Witt said.

The seminar will be tackling many regularly asked questions such as “Why isn’t Medicare enough? What is the difference between a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage plan and Prescription drug plan.

Are there deadlines to enroll?” Witt said are just some of the questions which will be answered.

The informational session is opened to all area senior citizens.

For more information on either the Bob Evans fundraiser or the Medicare informational session, contact the center at (440) 9996750.

Sadie Portman, reporter for the Gazette, may be reached at sportman@ gazettenews.com.

Feb. 11 Ashtabula:

Date Night Challenge Come out for the Challenge - the Date Night Challenge. Fun, laughter and entertainment via Webcast at 2710 State Rd. (Old Armory) in Ashtabula from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Cost at door: $10 per couple.

Dessert intermission!

The event is sponsored by married4life. For more info or to RSVP, please call Deana at (440) 812-0587.

COUNTY EDUCATION

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

Saints John and Paul sends SCIENCE student to the Ashtabula cation.

Geneva Schools State SciCounty Spelling Bee ence teams have won eight

Harold C. Shaw Outstanding School Awards. Only one Ohio school district has earned the coveted Shaw ASHTABULA - Saints Award as many as eight John and Paul School’s times. spelling bee has anGACS science teachers nounced the winner of its have won a succession of spelling as Maddie prestigious Ohio Governor’s DiSalvatore.

Awards in Youth Science “Maddie DiSalvatore Education and last year won Saints John and Paul Geneva High School was the Schoo’s spelling bee, which national winner in a national was held on Wednesday, cell phone recycling contest.

Feb. 1. Maddie is a sixthGeneva High School students grade student at Saints have won myriad district and John & Paul School,” state level awards and some Christy Kovacs, advancehave earned college scholarment director at the ships to prestigious schools school, said. worth as much as $60,000.

DiSalvatore is from One GHS student, now a Ashtabula and is proud to physician, made history in represent her school. the 1990s when he was “Her parents are Tom SUBMITTED PHOTO named a semi finalist in the and Sandi DiSalvatore of Maddie DiSalvatore won Westinghouse Science Talent Ashtabula,” Kovacs said. Saints John and Paul’s Search, now sponsored by “Maddie will compete in spelling bee and is now the Ashtabula County moving on to the county Spelling Bee on Wednes- spelling bee on Feb. 8. day, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Ashtabula County Educa- go on to compete in the retional Service Center (the gional spelling bee.

Sadie Portman, reporter former State Road Elfor the Gazette, may be ementary School).”

The student who wins reached at sportman@gazette the county spelling bee will news.com.

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers

Reminder: Ashtabula County Spelling Bee

From page 1A Intel, the nation’s most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. “Impressive as these accomplishments are, they are rendered even more significant by the fact that Geneva Schools achievements in science education have eclipsed districts with vast resources at their disposal,” said GHS Principal Douglas Wetherholt.

Volunteering judges for the GACS Science Fair included Evan Jahn, Jeremy Williams, Beth Schmucker, Scott Herman and Jerry Ross of Waste Management, Robert Wilhelm of Wilhelm Engineering, Phil and Cathie Schmidt of Schmidt Equipment, Bill Allison of the Perry Power Plant, Pharmacist Kelly Forman, Chad Edgar of Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District and photographer Pat Stoltz.

Illuminating Research. Seventh-grader Hunter Brashear’s illuminating research shed light on the subjects of the efficiency of lightbulbs and the heat energy they generate.

GHS juniors Spencer and Paige Huggins are pictured with Liam Ramsey’s illuminating research on the efficiency of their research project focusing on the efficiency of water lightbulbs and the heat energy they generate was on display at the Geneva Schools Science Fair last week. filtration methods.

ASHTABULA - The Ashtabula County Educational Service Center has scheduled the 29th Annual Ashtabula County Spelling Bee. It will be held at the Ashtabula County ESC’s new offices located in the former State Road Elementary School at 4200 State Road, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. It will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 8.

The following school districts are participating: • Assumption School • Ashtabula City Schools • Buckeye Area Local Schools • Geneva City Schools • Grand Valley Local Schools • Jefferson Area Local Schools • Pymatuning Valley Local Schools and • Saints John and Paul These participating school districts conduct school and district level spelling bee programs.

The champion of each district spelling bee goes on to compete at the Ashtabula County level.

The ACESC serves as a local Spelling Bee sponsor for what is a part of the largest and longest-running educational promotion, administered on a not-for-profit basis by the E.W. Scripps Company.

The purpose of the Spelling Bee program is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.

Black History Month at State-wide free Kent State Ashtabula financial aid event

The public is invited to attend “An Evening with Joshua Giddings” Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Kent State University at Ashtabula Auditorium. This event is being held as part of the Black History Month celebration on Campus.

Listen to Award-Winning actor Fred Robsel portray the famous abolitionist from Ashtabula County. Ashtabula Campus Assistant Professor of History Bradley Keefer will provide a character introduction as congressional seat-holder and fellow anti-slavery advocate Benjamin Franklin Wade.

The Ashtabula Campus Library will host a Black History Month Display during February. See artifacts from the Hubbard House and information on abolitionist movements throughout the county in the 1850s.

The display is on the main floor of the Library.

Black History Month Celebration on the Ashtabula Campus is free and open to the public. It is being sponsored by the Hubbard House and the KSU at Ashtabula Diversity Committee.

Lenox family loses home in fire LENOX TOWNSHIP - A fire in Lenox Township left five people homeless Monday afternoon, Feb. 6.

A fire destroyed a two-story home at 1861 Footville Richmond Road.

The Jefferson Fire Department responded to the fire after receiving the call around 2:11 p.m. from a neighbor. Firefighters from Dorset and Rome fire departments also provided water to fight the fire.

Ernie Sherman is listed as owner of the home. Five people lived in the home.

According to fire reports, no one was home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Fire department officials said the home was a total loss. Firefighters were able to protect two campers, a vehicle and a motorcyle from the flames, though, according to reports.

Students invited to apply for Volunteerism Awards from the Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area The Zonta Club of Ashtabula Area invites applications for our annual Volunteerism Awards.

A senior girl from each of the county high schools will be chosen based solely on volunteer activities. Applications will be accepted from Feb. 1 – March 16. For more information or to receive an application, students can contact their guidance counselor or Zonta at zonta5ashtabula @yahoo.com.

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to be held at A-Tech JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP - Ashtabula County Continued Education Support Services (ACCESS) will host the state-wide college financial aid event “College Goal Sunday” on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m.

The free event, presented by the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA) and endorsed by the Ohio Board of Regents, assists students and parents with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the federal application that is required to receive federal financial aid, including the Federal Pell Grant and student loans, as well as the need-based state grants.

Due to the great demand expected for assistance in completing the FAFSA, families are encouraged to register for the free event at www.ohiocollegegoalsunday.org or by calling 1-800233-6734. The FAFSA is the key to funding a college education and helping families to overcome financial barriers that otherwise prevent students from attending the institution they want to. Studies show that a student is 50 percent more likely to attend college when they complete the FAFSA. While walkins are welcome, registration is encouraged. Record numbers are expected to be in attendance.

OASFAA is a non-profit, professional organization for individuals actively engaged in the administration of financial aid within the State of Ohio for higher education. As an educational organization, OASFAA strives to offer resources to students, families and high school advisors to promote higher education and increase awareness of financial aid opportunities.

ACCESS is a college access, non-profit organization that has advisors at each of the high schools in Ashtabula County and at the main office in Jefferson to assist students, their families and adult learners with their educational pursuits beyond high school.

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LOCAL EDUCATION

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

Senior wrestlers strive for mental focus, physical discipline

BY CAROLYN BEHRJEROME Gazette Newspapers JEFFERSON - Walking the halls of Jefferson Area High School this time of year might evoke conversations of food and weight.

But it’s not because students are still recovering from overeating during Christmas break. It’s because it’s wrestling season and the Falcon wrestling squad is constantly monitoring their weight.

Senior Alex Cash explained that even one ounce over weight can keep you from wrestling. That pressure to “make weight” can be stressful. To make sure the wrestlers remain healthy the Ohio High School Athletic Association now performs an Alpha Test at the beginning of the season. The wrestlers must weigh in and have their body fat measured. The boys cannot have less than seven-percent body fat.

Varsity Coach Tom Avsec has been with the Falcons for seven years and assistant coach Abe Bartunek for five.

Both men keep a close eye

used to make fun of us for wrestling. Then they tried out for the team and couldn’t cut it,” Cash explained. “They don’t tease us anymore. In fact, they give us a lot of respect.”

Cash has been with the Falcons for two seasons. He moved to Jefferson from Indiana hoping the change in his surroundings would help him make a new start.

“I think it’s worked,” he smiled.

Neither Cash nor Severino liked wrestling when they first tried it.

Severino explained he started in eighth grade.

“I think I started liking it when I realized I could do some damage,” he said.

“Looking back, I wish I had started younger,” Severino explained. “Ricker (Maple) has been wrestling PHOTO BY CAROLYN BEHR-JEROME a long time and he is amazing.”

Gage Severino and Alex Cash are the only seniors with the Falcon Wrestlers.

Cash feels the same way. into focus on the mats. to take over or make up for When he first tried out for on the boys eating habits. wrestling as a youngster, he “We are very strict,” Severino explained that your mistakes.”

Severino and Cash quit.

Batrunek explained. “We wrestling is very mental.

“Now I love it, too,” he “You have to be physi- played on the Falcon Footwant them to be healthy.”

Cash and senior team- cally disciplined and men- ball team this year and the said.

The Falcon squad is mate Gage Severino believe tally focused,” he said. “It’s boys agree that wrestling is small but powerful with this dedication to maintain- only you on the mat. You a much tougher sport.

“We have friends that only 14 members, one for ing their weight translates don’t have any teammates

every weight class except the lightest (106 pounds).

“We have a mature team with several juniors and us,” Cash said.

Avsec said, “We’re going to miss these guys next year. Gage is a good person.

He works hard and is a good team leader and Alex has really done well these last two years.”

Bartunek was a highschool wrestler himself. He says he truly understands the dedication this sport demands.

“Gage and Alex are hard workers. Gage took over the heavyweight spot when Jed Miller graduated. He has wrestled very well. We have high hopes for him finishing strong this year,” Bartunek said.

Cash is also having a great season.

“Alex has natural talent and is ranked in the State for his weight class (152 pounds),” Bartunek explained.

Avsec said that the biggest part of the season is still ahead for the boys and he’s trying to balance rest with helping the boy’s peak at the right time.

From the Superintendent’s Desk: News From Our Schools

BY DOUG HLADEK Superintendent Jefferson Area Local Schools I hope everyone is enjoying our wonderful, temperate winter. It is certainly a contrast from the past several which resulted in lots of missed school for snow days.

Our school year is half over and grade cards were sent for the second nine-week period the week of January 23. Our students have worked hard at their academics with many earning honor roll status. Seniors at the high school are thinking about college and career choices.

Parents of students in grades 7-12 can access their children’s progress on the school website through a link called “Parent Assist”. A user name and password was provided to each parent. Information is available by calling the school office.

High school students have been busy with sports, music, and clubs. Last week our students in Model United Nations achieved 8th place out of more than 100 teams from around the country at the University of Chicago conference.

Our boys swim team earned the county championship last month at their home pool at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva. Several of our high school wrestlers have been very successful at recent invitational tournaments and are

expected to compete well in the state tournament.

Basketball games are available most nights in our Junior High or Senior High gyms as both girls and boys teams compete against Ashtabula county teams or opponents from our new AllAmerican League in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

Our elementary students enjoy a chance to compete in after school athletics in both basketball and wrestling. The long established Jefferson Youth Wrestling Club practices at the new field house and recently competed in a tournament where six wrestlers qualified to compete at the Ohio Youth Wrestling Association state tournament.

Grade 5/6 basketball players have enjoyed playing scrimmage games at halftime of varsity games.

High school thespians are hard at work learning their lines for the presentation of “The Trails of Robin Hood” to be performed at our beautiful

A-Tech Pharmaceutical Technology Now Taking Applications for The 2012 - 2013 School Year!

Halley Priddy, Health Care Academy student

Students enrolled in this program will learn both the basic and advanced level training necessary to become a Pharmaceutical Technician.

Statistics for the Pharmaceutical Technician Field: x

The median wage for the state of Ohio is $25,780 a year or $12.40 an hour.

x

Job outlook for Ohio—26% growth in the number of openings by 2018 with a 12% increase in the Cleveland area.

x

Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there will be 93,000 job openings by 2018.

*See your school counselor, or contact Miss Amanda Wight, A-Tech Career Pathways Specialist at 440-576-6015, Ext. 1115.

auditorium on February 24 and 25. Show times are at 7 p.m. each night and the public is invited to come and enjoy the event.

I am always pleased and proud when our students get involved in benevolent causes.

During the past Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, students from Rock Creek Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, and the Junior/Senior High School were very generous in their donations to help

The Ashtabula County Technical and Career Center Board of Education and staff are dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal employment opportunities without regard to sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, pregnancy, handicap, or disability.

Jefferson Area Local Schools.

It is a privilege to work in a great school district with such outstanding community backing.

Check our website calendar or watch for announcements about our activities and visit your schools. For more information about your schools contact me at the Board of Education office (576-9180) or visit the district website www.jefferson. k12.oh.us.

Jefferson Area Junior High School honor, merit roll 2011/2012 2nd Nine Weeks Grade 7 Honor Roll Brittny Ball Abigail Caskey Hollie Dalton Emily DeGeorge Justine Forman Chloe Forristal Samuel Hitchcock Kylie Koranda Gretchen Litwiler Alexis Meaney Lucas Meighen Cammella Musgrave Andrew Pickard Autumn Rosipko Abigail Russell Lauren Schrieber Austin Simmons Josey Snyder Zoey Spellman Nicole Squatrito Mason Swiney Naomi Vavpetic Brooke Wilks David Carrel Jared Gianantonio Chloe Carlton Nicole Hamski Hope Hughes Andrey Kamler William Miles Miranda Priestap Gabrielle Wagner Morgan Wetherholt Zoran Fogaras Aerick McCullough Wolfgang Joerns Geena Baldalamenti Molly Barber Ethan Bish Spring Burlingame Kyle Burns Joshua Butler Calyn Candela Dale Davis Tony Gattarello Margaret Johnson Jeremiah Knight Julian LaVallee Selena Newland Austin Norris Alexis Pacholke Christie Parker Mya Perry Susan Platt Gabriella Pridemore Kirsten Schwotzer Kirnyn Stewart Amanda Santana Abigail Cumberledge Victoria Hathy Amanda Rumbaugh Nicholas Draves Kori Campbell Paige Hayford Taylor Heathfield Samantha Kingston Trent Mathews Maximilian Mitchell

Merit Roll 1565 State Route 167, Jefferson, Ohio 44047 . 440-576-6015 . www.atech.edu

families in our community.

On March 6 voters will be asked to renew two Permanent Improvement Levies for the school district. One is a 1.5 mill levy and the other a 1.0 mill levy. The levies are used for buses, textbooks, technology, equipment, and facility maintenance.

Our staff is grateful to the parent and community support we receive and pledge to provide a quality education for the children of the

Mitchel Dobos Bryce Cox Trooper Meade

Brandon Zindash Samuel Chaney Jarrett Buell Andrew Wilson Jonathan Carpenter Joshua Goff Raffaele Giancola Jonathan David Jackson Tristen Scribben Krista Stranman Alissa Farmer Erin Butcher Mikayla Johnston Caitlin Morris Jerry Nichols Kiana Yoder David Sawdey

Grade 8 Honor Roll Arden Bishop Morgan E. Brown Shawna Dull Kasandra Misch Skylar Penrose Audra Puzio Brandon Reinke Emily Sukalac Shaelyn Collins Hailey Johnston Erika Skvarek Morgan Speakman Emily Stowers Tyler Mills Michael Nelson William Oeffner Kaycee Fusco Samantha Hamski Natalie Hamski

Lauren Buzzard Courtney Fularz Katelyn Cellitti Frank Fioritto Nathan Francis Evelyn Isenberg Sean Lynagh Ashely Occhionero Dominique Ridenour Noah Manweiler Nicholas Pawlowski Caddy Cicogna Alyssa Irons Alyssa Loomis Brandon Hagerdon Matthew Licate Leah Kingston Morgan Brown Leah Molenda Daniel-Jacob Noscal Deonna Shinkle Erik Simon Courtney Taylor

Merit Roll William Gant Samantha Reed Paul Bogdan Travis Bradley Michael Roberts Sage Cantini Matthew Cumberledge Carley Truckey Emily Smock Caleb Wright Mikenzie Benedict Megan English Cody Lowe Ashley Niciu Anthony Spang Tiffani Janson Michael Griffith Kegen Hoopes Ian Parkomaki Kaitlynne BaucumKrakauskas Kourtney Lane Victor Toth Meghan Yazwinski Samantha Mullikin Elizabeth Pellegrino

Falcon Menus Jefferson & Rock Creek Elementary School Lunch 2/8

Cheeseburger on Bun, Spiral Fries, Baked Beans, Apricot Slices 2/9 Beefy Cheese Sauce, Tortilla Chips, Baked Carrots, Breadstick, Mixed Fruit 2/10 Pizza Round, Tossed Salad, Boxed Raisins

Jefferson Area Junior/Senior High School Lunch 2/8 2/9

Taco Salad w/Lettuce, Meat, Cheese, & Chips, Refried Beans, Pineapple, Cinnamon Sticks Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Fresh Broccoli Bites, Goldfish Crackers, Orange Wedges

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

Ashtabula Baptist Church to hold dinner with national renowned Christian guest

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers

that,� Davis said.

Davis contributes his success in life to his strong faith and knowing God is a strong factor in his life. “[Being baptized] made me change from believing that there is a God far off in Heaven somewhere to realizing that He lives within my being! He sticks closer than a brother and He will never leave me,� Davis said.

ASHTABULA - The Ashtabula Baptist Church is sponsoring a Swiss steak dinner with a special guest speaker - four-time Dove Award nominee David Davis.

The dinner will be held on Friday, Feb. 17, starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets must be purchased in advanced and are priced at $10 a person.

Davis will be at the church for three days, starting with the steak dinner.

The weekend will continue on SUBMITTED PHOTO Saturday with David Davis is known throughout the Davis speaking United States for both his ministries and at the church his successful ranch where he trains from 7 until 9 horses and speaks of his divine faith. p.m. and Sunday, Davis said after being Feb. 19, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with an ending time yet baptized he went back home to his ranch where his new to be determined.

Davis trains horses and life fully began. “I flew home and, two owns a ranch where he preaches his ministry and weeks later, started a chapperfects his free-style rein- ter of Cowboys for Christ ing, cowboy dressage, tan- that met in my barn,� Davis dem and Roman riding. said.

Davis also does trick Davis said he felt God’s horse performances and power in a physical form holds clinics and seminars when he had the privilege of on horse training and rodeo experiencing the laying of riding. hands.

Davis speaks across the “I have walked in divine country about his strong health without taking an asfaith and how it has shaped pirin or needing a Band-Aid his life after being baptized for 20 years now! I firmly bein 1988. lieve that God will do the “I went to Nebraska to same for anyone because ‘God learn how to train reining is no respecter of persons’ horses better from Doug (Acts 10:34),� Davis said.

Davis combined his love Millholland. He had a prayer meeting in his tack room of rodeo life and God in way each morning for all the he never had imagined. ranch hands: I was invited “Invitations to come and to attend,� Davis said. hold cowboy church services Davis said at first he did at trail rides, horse shows not quite understand the and rodeos came immediway they prayed. ately, so I went and learned “That struck me as how to preach while I was strange at first, but after at- doing them,� Davis said. tending for a few mornings, Davis is also a singer and I realized that there is noth- performer. ing strange about believing “I began to incorporate in God and I did believe in music with these cowboy God. But there was some- church services and that has thing different about the developed into David Davis way that these guys prayed,� Ministries,� Davis said.

Davis said. “It was as if they Davis is happy to have really expected something to the ability to tour the counhappen.� try and spreading the word Davis said he finally of God. He is excited to do his asked the men if they ex- part in Ashtabula. pected something to happen “I have known that if God can touch a person in such a and they replied they did.

Davis stayed with them real physical way like that, and said three days later he then He can heal broken found a strong faith in God bones, drive out disease, and keep us completely healthy,� and the Christian faith. “Receiving the Holy Davis said.

For more information on Spirit was a profound personal experience with God. the dinner and the weekend I didn’t know that a human with Davis, contact the could experience God like Ashtabula Baptist Church.

RELIGION

GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • 11A

Scouts blessed at St. Joseph’s JEFFERSON - A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

On Sunday, Feb. 5, six Scouts from St. Joseph’s parish in Jefferson celebrated these values at Scout Sunday Mass.

With Fr. Charles Poore officiating, the Scouts were presented and blessed for their participation to Scouting as well as to the parish.

Two of the Scouts, Robert and Jonathan Eckart, were awarded their Parvuli Dei Religious Emblem. Parvuli Dei, meaning “Little Ones of God,� was a program the two brothers worked months on.

The program included good deeds, activities to deepen their faith as well as prayer and reflection.

Congratulations to all the boys who live the values of the Scout Oath each day.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Pictured, from left, are Fr. Charles Poore, Robert Eckart, Joe Kalas and Nathan Steadman (Boy Scouts from Troop 41); and Joe Burns, Jonathan Eckart and Matthew Dreis (Cub Scouts from Pack 41).

Even in times of suffering, there is hope

BY BILL MCMINN Pastor Eagleville Bible Church I am a positive guy and I believe that life is good even when it’s hard! However, I also realize that we live in a world that is hurting. Death, fallout from poor decisions, diseases, and injustices are just a few of the endless hallways leading to the hurt locker! We all know people who are dealing with tough issues that weigh heavily on their hearts. We walk it and we live it.

A recent question was posed, “Why do I suffer�? One could never give a particular reason as to why a particular person is hurting. The Bible does explain the tragedy that made pain and calamity part of a world that is forever darkened by the shadow of the valley of death. Adam and Eve began an avalanche of hurt when they disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden by snacking off the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil! God

said that choice would unleash death, but they had no clue as to what they were about to turn loose on all future generations. Death and all his friends got out of the cage that day and they’ve been wreaking havoc ever since!

Let’s face it, we all live in this reality of suffering together with no one being exempt. But too often we try to soothe the pain of suffering by saying things like, “God has a reason for everything�! It salves the wound because it seems to give purpose or explanation to the unexplainable pains of life. However, caution must be used before spouting that overused spiritual panacea to some poor hurting soul.

If you say that in the case of grave injustice or sudden calamity, then you are blaming God for everything from rape to abuse to murder to drunk drivers to accidents. Come on!

God isn’t responsible for the rotten things that rotten people do! Nor is He responsible for all of the mishaps.

He’s certainly not the cause for

every blotch on the face of the earth! Please don’t blame God because we need His help!

Despite the fallen nature of the world, we still have some hope upon which to hang our hats. We have the hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus (John 3:16).

We’re also blessed to have a God who works all things together for good, including rotten things (Romans 8:28). He didn’t bring it, Adam did! But He does walk with us and help us through the hard times (Psalm 23)! Knowing that God helps us and answers prayer is a major plus.

How should we personally handle it when we interact with the terrors of this world?

We should interact with great sympathy in similar fashion to how Christ handled it. Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with

confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

What we need when we encounter pain is not a mouthful of platitudes. We need some love and understanding.

Jesus sympathizes with our weakness! Sometimes people make mistakes and that’s why they suffer, but even then we should sympathize realizing we’re all weak!

I love how it says that Jesus dispenses mercy and grace in a person’s time of need. Isn’t this what the world needs when it’s hurting? A hurting world needs love, not a lecture!

A pained heart needs sympathy, not just a saying! Sympathize! Care! Support and encourage the hurting! Let’s be there for people when they’re in the hospital or when they’ve lost a loved one and do what we can. Let’s remember to check in with them from time to time.

Since we’re all in it together, let’s share the burdens of our fellow travelers on the road of life!

Religious Briefs Feb. 10 Kingsville: Soup lunch Soup lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kingsville Presbyterian Church, 3049 Route 84. Donation.

Feb. 17 Jefferson: Stuffed chicken breast dinner The H20 Mission Team at Jefferson United Methodist Church, located at 125 E. Jefferson Street, Jefferson, will host a stuffed chicken breast dinner on 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, in Wesley Hall.

Dinner includes stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and dessert. Cost: adults, $6.50, and children under 12, $4. All proceeds will benefit the mission team, as they travel to West Virginia in March for a work camp experience.

Quality Heart Care.

Right in your backyard.

Feb. 19 Jefferson: Community Outreach The American Baptist Youth of First Baptist Church, 85 W. Jefferson St., announce a Community Outreach. Join us on Sunday night, from 6 to 11 p.m. Youth and their parents are welcome. Featuring Crossroadz Band and various soloists, the event will also include refreshments. A Prayer Room will be set up for those who need prayer. The event is free. For more information, please contact Chuck Harton, Youth Leader, at the church 440-575-1631.

The Cleveland Clinic Catheterization Lab at ACMC has been providing exceptional diagnostic catheterization services in Ashtabula County for three years – and is growing to serve you better.

ACMC proudly announces the addition of Cleveland Clinic cardiologist John Stephens, MD, to the full-time medical staff at Ashtabula County Medical Center.

Feb. 21 Ashtabula: Pancake Supper Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1342 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula (corner of Samuel Ave. and W. Prospect). Dinner includes pancakes, sausage, fruit, and beverage. For questions, contact the church office at 9937111. Proceeds from free-will donations will benefit the family of Ayden Aponte, a young member of our church family who is battling a re-occurrence of acute myeloid leukemia.

Feb. 23 Saybrook Township: Free community dinner Our free community dinner will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 5-6 p.m. in our Church Social Hall. Come enjoy a free dinner, dessert and drink, served to you by members of Saybrook United Methodist Church, 7900 S. Depot Rd, Saybrook (across from Saybrook Elementary School). All are welcome!

Feb. 24 Geneva: Wild Game Dinner Men, are you hungry for some wild game? The Peoples Church of Geneva invites all men to participate in the Wild Game Dinner on Feb. 24. Tickets are $15 and will not be sold at the door.

Call the church office (440-466-2020) to buy your tickets. Everyone is invited to come and be fed by God’s Word on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. We are located at 300 South Ridge Rd. East, Geneva.

The dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Author and Hunter Gary Miller will be the speaker. The last day to buy the tickets is Feb. 21.

John Stephens, MD

Dr. Stephens earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo,

medicine. He completed his training at University of Michigan Medical Center and at William Beaumont Hospital. His clinical interests include acute coronary syndromes, structural heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, and preventive cardiology.

Dr. Stephens joins Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Perry Fleisher, MD, and ACMC cardiologist James Cho, MD, in providing patients in Ashtabula County with additional access to the latest technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease used

by Cleveland Clinic, home to the nation’s #1 heart program as reported by U.S.News & World Report.

So when it comes to cardiac catheterization, and care for your heart, the best care in the nation is also the closest.

To arrange a patient referral or consult with Dr. Stephens, please call 440.994.7622. www.acmchealth.org

Feb. 24, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Rock Creek: Fish/Shrimp Dinner The Sacred Heart Church located on Route 45, just north of Rock Creek, will hold its annual fish/shrimp dinners. Adults are $8, children ages 4-10 are $4, and children under three are free.

Carryouts available. Call for phone orders at 563-5255. Proceeds benefit our Adult Support Group.

Every life deserves world class care.ÂŽ

12A • GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2012

Isn’t It Time For You to Meet Your

Jefferson Merchants BP of Jefferson: serving the community with 28 years of experience

Custom Quality Collision Proudly Announces That We Are Now Ashtabula County’s Exclusive Dealer For

Spray On Bedliners This is multipurpose product ~ also ideal for trailers, boats, and many other applications. Call for ideas!

Robert Bealer, Owner

“Our Business is a Wreck”

Custom Quality Collision 1496 St. Rt. 46 North, Jefferson, OH

440-576-1900

vehiclestatus.com • customqualitycollision.com

BARRY'S AUTO REPAIR

PHOTO BY SADIE PORTMAN BP of Jefferson’s store front is a part of downtown Jefferson’s landscape and has been run and operated by Larry Bagley for 28 years.

5

ANY REGULAR $ FOOTLONG SUB

00

Through The End Of February!

135 N. Chestnut St., Jefferson

576-3004 Larry Bagley Owner

Your Full-Service Station

✔ Complete Auto Repair ✔ Tune-Ups ✔ Brakes ✔ Shocks ✔ Exhaust Repair or Replacement ✔ Cooper Tires and Deka Batteries ✔ Transmission Service

BP of Jefferson, Inc. 4 S. Chestnut St. • Jefferson, OH

576-1931

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sat. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Sun. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

$

1499 Limited-Time Offer

Large 2-Topping Pizza with Stuffed Cheesy Bread CARRYOUT OR DELIVERY Deep Dish Extra. Additional Toppings Extra.

CODE: #5129

16 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson, OH

576-3030 ©2011 Domino’s IP Holder LLC. Not valid with any other offer. Valid with coupon only at participating stores. Cash value 1/20¢.

Prices may vary. Tax may apply. Minimum purchase required. Delivery charge may apply. Limited delivery areas.

& PHARMACY 344 S. Chestnut Street, Jefferson Open 7am-9pm • 7 Days A Week

Store 576-9122 Pharmacy 576-6258 Video 576-7557

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS Dental Group of Jefferson

Dr. Christopher Phillips • Dr. Casey Hammond 78 North Chestnut Street, Jefferson, Ohio

(440) 576-7040

Other Locations To Serve You Painesville Dental Group

128 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, OH (440) 354-2183

Chardon Smile Center

301 Center Street, Chardon, OH (440) 286-2474

ACCEPTING MOST INSURANCES Contracted With Aetna PPO, Cigna PPO, Delta Dental Premier, And Guardian

General Auto Repair • Light Truck Repair Licensed Dealer

BY SADIE PORTMAN Gazette Newspapers

JEFFERSON - The BP of Jefferson station has been owned and operated by Larry Bagley for 28 years, becoming a well-known and trusted business of the area.

The BP of Jefferson provides pay-at-thepump options, as well as cash given to the cashier before you pump.

The BP of Jefferson is not just your regular gas station, as they also conduct auto repairs in their shop.

Bagley has the experience and reputation of auto repair behind him.

Services the station provides are minor engine repairs, tires, alignments, brakes, batteries, oil changes and filters and exhaust work, along with selling and installing Cooper Tires and other popular brands.

“We do just about everything from oil changes and brakes to mufflers and alternators. We have batteries, do air conditioning repairs, pretty much any and everything,” Bagley said.

Bagley has seen a variety of cars come through his doors, from your basic sedan to limousines.

“We’ve worked on some limos, Jaguars and BMWs,” Bagley said.

The BP of Jefferson values all their customers and see many people who come back to them time and time again.

Generations of families have come to know Jefferson of BP and trust them with all their repair needs.

“I would say we have a lot of repeat customers,” Bagley said.

In a time when money is an issue, the BP of Jefferson wants to help you maintain your car to the fullest extent.

The BP of Jefferson is ready to serve their customers with fair prices and will keep your car running strong on the road. They want to offer you the best rate without sacrificing the quality of work.

The key to success at the BP has been the personal customer service and fair prices that only a locally owned business can provide.

The BP of Jefferson will always be upfront and honest with their customers and value their community.

BP is thankful for the loyalty and support of the Jefferson community and are proud to be a part of the area’s small town environment.

The BP of Jefferson accepts all major credit cards, cash and checks.

BP of Jefferson is located at 4 South Chestnut Street and is opened for business 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

369 Footville-Richmond Rd., Jefferson

(440) 576-8852 WINDOWS - DOORS - SIDING • PATIO ENCLOSURES • FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED QUALITY AT • FULLY LICENSED & INSURED AFFORDABLE • GET THE BEST FOR LESS PRICES

Ice Cream

73 N. Chestnut Street ★ Jef ferson, Ohio

440-576-2255

32 Flavors of Hershey’s Ice Cream

5 Tuxies Junior $ 00 Sub/Shake Combo 5 Hot Dogs ★ Nachos ★ Snacks ALL Free 12” SUBS $ 00 Pinball with Sandwich

OPEN TUESDAY-SATURDAY 11:30AM-8:00PM

Lawrence (Larry) Bottoms

Advertise in Gazette Newspapers

Call Rick Briggs at 576-9125 for details.