FEBRUARY 2008 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 2
PENINSULA VILLAGE COUNCIL
January-February Peninsula Village Council Meeting Items of Note:
Welcome incoming Mayor, Dick Fisher. I’m looking forward to working with him, as well as the new council members, Jodi Padrutt and Dee Holody.
Council Liaisons are as follows for 2008:
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Three new members for the Board of Zoning Appeals were appointed: Bob Kaczmarski for the term ending 12/31/2012, Mary Booth for the term ending 12/31/2008 and Grover Miller for the term ending 12/31/2010. In addition, Patty Tesmer was appointed as citizen at large to the Cemetery Board for another term. A BIG THANK YOU to each of you for your commitment to our community.
Council met on February 6 to discuss the 2008 Budget Appropriations totaling $1,006,852, and passed the Ordinance putting it into effect at the February 11 council meeting. This amount includes road work grants from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Mayor Fisher has stated that nothing will be done with the Players Barn for six months, giving the citizens committee time to come up with a plan and look for funding.
Get well soon wishes to Chief McCue!
Meetings:
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| Pamela S. Burda, Clerk Treasurer |
BOSTON TOWNSHIP
ZONING NEWS: At their last meeting in December the trustees thanked Paul Kaczmarski for all of his work as zoning inspector. Larry Sulzer began his new duties in January. Wes Bergdorf announced his resignation on the zoning commission at December’s meeting. If you are interested in this position, please contact one of the trustees. Janice Kiser will chair the zoning commission and Dave Calaway continues to chair the appeals board. Both boards and the trustees are continuing to update our zoning manual.
ORGANIZATION: The following assignments were made in January:
Amy Anderson – chairperson and fire board
Randy Bergdorf – vice chairperson, cemetery board, buildings and grounds and zoning
Jerry Ritch – police liaison and JEDD liaison.
Patricia Tesmer was re-appointed as the at-large representative on the cemetery board. This is a three-year appointment.
ROAD GRANTS: The township received confirmation that the National Park Service granted their request for assistance in paving Oak Hill, Major, and Hines Hill Roads. A small portion of the project is paid for by the township. The street light removal project is almost completed. This grant received 100% funding from the Park.
The Township Trustees meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the old township garage next to the Town Hall.
Both zoning commissions meet the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:30PM (same location).
Contact numbers for the trustees: Amy Anderson: 330-657-2439, Randy Bergdorf: 330-655-5689, and Jerry Ritch: 330-657-2015.
VALLEY FIRE BOARD
Township representative Amy Anderson and at-large member John Puchalsky welcomed village representative Jodi Padrutt to the fire board. Anderson was named chairperson and Puchalsky vice chairperson. The new rescue vehicle is expected to be delivered in March. The fire board met with representatives from Boston Heights to discuss future options for both communities. Mayor Bill Goncey attended the session.
UNION CEMETERY
The annual report for the Union Cemetery Association of Boston Township may be obtained by writing P.O. Box 65 Peninsula, OH 44264.
REAL ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION REVISITED
In the last issue of YCN the editors published my piece asking if there was transparency from the Hunker Historical Foundation in exempting properties from real estate taxes. At once I had a phone call from a Foundation Board Member questioning the accuracy of my numbers. The Board member was concerned I was “misleading” people, so I turned over my work for the Board member to review. Soon I was informed that although I had used the properties listed on the Historical Foundation web site, only some of those properties belong to the Foundation. I did note in checking the tax bills that the twenty-seven properties I included are titled with variations on the Hunker name. I didn’t include obviously non-historical properties like the office building at Riverview and State Route 303.
I still want to know how properties can be exempted and what it will cost the community, so I asked the Board member for this information:
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It seems no plan of economic growth to sustain those properties has been made, and the cost of maintaining them is being reduced at the expense of the other citizens of the community. I hope the Board will be forthcoming with those costs, and explain why tax exemption is necessary and beneficial to the community.
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Joanne Noragon, Fiscal Officer, Boston Township; Clerk, Valley Fire District |
To the Editors:
As to Bob Hunkers Letter to The Community News – Sounds like He Stumbled Into our “Ghost Like” Village & saved us – The Country Bumpkins – with no Indoor Plumbing! He fails to give us credit for preserving our Village with Local Zoning – before He found us – which is why He loved It!
The Park has caused us to lose tax money for Roads, Police, Fire & Rescue & Schools – as all Federal Park land is Tax Free! He makes mention of buildings – Not People – what made Peninsula – were the Local Residents – No one cared who had plumbing and God knows the Cassidys didn’t – However there used to be a sign at the Train Depot for bums who rode the Train – that if they needed a free meal to go to the Cassidys! Thats’ The Essence of Peninsula!
I can remember at my Grandmothers – The family went to the Outhouse – Now I have strangers urinating In My Yard – I would hardly call that Progress!
Peninsula was always a Unique Population with rich & poor able to live side by side.
Many People have been displaced due to the use of Eminent Domain by the Park.
I might add – I wish we weren’t on the “Map”. I’d still be able to Sled ride down Main Street (like when I was a Kid) . . . I long for a “Ghost Town.” Empty Streets! Buildings Do Not make a Community – People do!
PS What Makes Bronson Church Is God – Not The Bell Tower!
| Theresa Cassidy Reinbolt |
NEW ARRIVAL
John and Heather (Dyer) Johnston are thrilled to announce the arrival of their third child, Rory Campbell Johnston. A New Year's Eve baby, Rory arrived at 4:44 p.m. on December 31, 2007 weighing 7 lbs. and 15 oz. and measuring 20 1/4 inches long. He is a wonderful baby and is very loved by his big brother, Jett, and big sister, Thalia. Rory is the youngest grandchild of Vic and Donna Schmidt of Canton, John and Pat Johnston of Boston Township and Ralph and Betty Reinhart of Peninsula.
PENINSULA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LENT
It’s not too late for delicious, hand-made pierogies and fish at PUMC! Choose either batter-fried or spiced-just-right baked fish, or potato, potato & cheddar, sauerkraut, apple, apricot or cottage cheese pierogies. Meals are available at PUMC on Main Street from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 5 - 7 p.m. every Friday through March 14, 2008. Call the church at 330-657-2567 for convenient take-out orders.
Please join us for these Holy Week observances:
Palm Sunday (March 16) worship service begins at 10:45 a.m. in the DMT Motors lot for the blessing of the palms with Mother of Sorrows parishioners.
Maundy Thursday (March 20) Service at 7:30 p.m. in the United Methodist Church on Main St.
Easter Egg Coloring on Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m.
Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, March 23 at 7:24 a.m. at Pine Hollow off Quick Road
Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30 a.m. at PUMC
Easter Morning Worship at 10:45 a.m.
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
On January 25th Tara Sulzer competed in the annual bridge competition at The University of Akron.
Joe Badger was featured in the Reserve Alumni Record Fall 2007 edition in an article titled “Can They Build It? Yes They Can!” In the article Joe credits several faculty members for inspiration with his home building business. Joe graduated from Western Reserve Academy in 1977.
Nice to see Barb Morehouse out and about after recent eye surgery. Also on the mend is Police Chief Jimmy McCue. In January Jimmy fell at work and has been on sick leave
| Amy Anderson |
ELECTION REMINDER
Tuesday March 4th Polls will open at 6:30 AM and close at 7:30 PM for Peninsula voters at the Village Hall and for Boston Township voters at Boston Township Hall.
In addition to the presidential and other primary races, a county-wide issue is on the ballot. A Non-affiliated voter can ask for an issue-only ballot if they do not wish to declare themselves for either party.
Please show “proper” identification before signing the registration book. This has been state law since 2004. Booth workers are not permitted to make exceptions—not even for members of our families.
Proper ID includes an Ohio driver’s license or state ID card provided the address matches the address in the registration book. Other documents, such as a current proof of auto liability insurance can be used provided the name and address match the registration book entries. A utility bill, bank statement, government check or other government document that shows your name and current address can be used provided it was issued since March 4, 2007. A card sent by the Board of Elections DOES NOT qualify as proper identification.
If you do not show ID you will be allowed to cast a Provisional ballot.
This is just a quick summary of some of the rules that we are required to follow on Election Day and appreciate your understanding that we do not make them. Please feel free to call the Board of Elections at 330-643-5200 if you have questions or concerns.
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Your neighbors, Ed Andros & Jean Wurzbacher, Presiding Judges |
PENINSULA MIX
Another python story has come in from Carl Pollitt who lived in Peninsula then (early forties). He was about four or five years old at the time, and saw the python near their chicken coop. He described it as ten to twelve inches around but could not estimate the length because the head end of it was off into high grass. He said it was not moving very fast. This took place at his then family home on Geoppert Road. He called his mother. But it was gone before she got to him.
He described it as spotted, grayish, brownish, and added, "I’ve been to Vietnam where I saw some big snakes, but I never before saw one that big." (Note) If the colors seem inconsistent, watch for later developments which indicate that there was a pair of pythons, a male and a female. In our next issue, Sig Wojtkowski tells what he remembers about the python reports. He thinks it was a publicity stunt.
Next month, Helen Conger's take on the peninsula python stories.
The late Jack Urbank, brother of the late Fred, and uncle of Aaron Urbank, the water deliverer, is featured in a new book at Peninsula Library. D-day + 60 years, by Jerome J. McLaughlin. It is subtitled "A Small Piece of History" The author came to Peninsula to interview Jack, and many passages are in his words. There are several photos of Jack, one with his bride Edna. Reading these accounts brings Jack to life as we recall how he liked to tell a good story.
| Lily Fleder |
CONDOLENCES
Our condolences to the Crossen family. Barbara Crossen passed away December 31st and Raymond Crossen, Sr. passed away February 4th. Mr. and Mrs. Crossen are survived by children Barbara (Terry) McMullen, Jean (Bob) Smith, Mary Jo (Jamie) Musarro, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Former Peninsula resident Donald Fox died February 7th.
Our condolences on the death of Elaine Marcelewski, wife to Leo and “Aunt” to the entire Bates family.
Norman Rodatt passed away January 2nd after a lengthy illness. Norm was a founding member of Valley Fire District serving as the Peninsula Village Council representative. Norm will be sadly missed by his wife, Judy, sons Fred and Adam (Suzy), three grandchildren, sister Shirley Schall, and an entire community of friends.
Our condolences to Catherine and Marty Timko on the Feb 3rd death of Catherine’s father, John M. Martoff
STORMWATER
Over the past five years I have been asked the question why our community news uses up space to print storm water articles. On June 22, 1969 a river fire captured national attention. Time magazine described the Cuyahoga River as the river that oozes rather than flows and in which a person does not drown but decays. This major event helped spur an avalanche of pollution control activities resulting in the Clean Water Act and the creation of the federal and state Environmental Protection Agencies. Boston Township along with every community in Summit County except Peninsula is required by law to implement a Storm Water Management Program. The program consists of six minimum control measures which are to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable, protect water quality and satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act. The first minimum control measure is Public Education and Outreach, distributing educational material and performing outreach to inform citizens about the impacts polluted storm water runoff discharges can have on water quality. This is why you will see articles four times per year in the community news. The second minimum control measure is Public Participation and Involvement providing opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation. This could be done as easy as a group going out and picking up litter or cleaning up a local stream. If there is any group that would like to participate in a storm water activity please call the township office at 330-657-2600. For other storm water information you can contact Summit Soil and Water Conservation District at summitswcd.org.
| Tim Tesmer |
THANK YOU
Thanks to the Boston Township Trustees for including me in their annual Share-A- Christmas program.
-- Lenore Ritch
The family of Norman Rodatt would like to thank everyone in Peninsula for making Norm's going away a fun one. Thanks to Nancy Tesmer, Leona Tesmer and Tim Tesmer for all their work they did to make the party wonderful. Thanks to Charlie Reidel and staff for their help and use of the fire station and to Pastor Cindy at the Methodist Church for the wonderful sermon she gave. Norm loved Peninsula and all of its people and would have been proud of all his family and friends that celebrated his life. Thank you to Dave Morehouse for taking Norm's grandson Andrew for a ride in the fire truck, he will always remember that. We love you all.
-- Judy, Fred, Adam, Suzy, Alison, Marisa & Andrew
GET WELL WISHES
Please remember to keep John Puchalsky, Anne Benedict, Bob Collins and granddaughter Tia Constola, Joan Flory, Gloria Ritch, Nancy Sue James Zvara, and Dave Mayer in your prayers.
WANT ADS
WANTED: Wood Shutters -- Looking for one set of interior wood shutters (the old-fashioned kind, natural wood with narrow slats), either 27" or 32" wide and 17" high. Call 330 467-6772.
FREE: Free for Pickup: wood paneling (knotty pine) free to any and all takers. Perfect for repair of your shed, barn, garage, etc. Call Orie or Susan at (216) 433-5185 or (330) 657-2177.
FOR SALE: Used Maple Syrup Evaporator. A real, handmade in Vermont, wood fired maple sap evaporator.
Made by the Leader Evaporator Company near St. Albins, Vermont. This company has been the maple sugaring industry's leader in quality, service, and customer satisfaction since 1888. This is their advanced hobbyist model. Pan is 2ft. x 6ft. Buckets, spiles, smoke stack, and misc. equipment. Asking $1,200.00. Brand new this would be about $5,500. Make your own maple syrup. Our family has had more pleasure and fantastic maple syrup from this equipment. Parting will be difficult. Call Tom Jones at 330-650-0289.
CAN YOU HELP??? I need a ride Monday – Friday from Peninsula to the Joanne Fabrics area (Route 91 Darrow Road). Can leave as early as 6:45 am or as late as 8:00 am. One way only. Will pay gas money. Please call Denise (330) 283-1534.
FOR SALE: Wild cherry tree log, felled, base diameter is 29" and length is 28-30 ft. Interested? Call 330-657-2284
FOR SALE: Hunting Trailer, 1981 28-foot length. NEW: refrigerator, 30-gallon hot water tank, 2 electric heaters and tires. $700 or best offer. Edna, (330) 657-2115
SERVICES
SNOWPLOWING: Reserve your spot on the route now. Seasonal or per push contract. Senior discount. Call for free estimate. Township resident, Paul Baker 330-573-7575.
SNOWPLOWING: Richfield resident Joe Kane of Ohio Trench and Excavating is available for your snowplowing and excavating needs. Call him at 216-407-2066.
NEED HELP? Do you have boxes upon boxes of pictures? If so I can HELP! I can organize your pictures into albums or scrapbooks. Prices are determined by what you desire. Feel free to contact Emily Holody with any questions at 330-256-6641.
HOUSE CLEANING: Would you like help keeping your house clean? I would be happy to help. I can clean on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Flat rate, not hourly. Call Emily Holody at 330-256-6641 with questions.
YARD SERVICES: Get on the list for a fall clean-up and get half-off on a mowing. Call Jeff 330-780-0745.
ODD JOBS: Local references, call Justin Krause at 330-657-2284.
PAINTING: Interior painting, light exterior touch-up work. Please call Mark 216-849-8758.
BEAUTY: I bring The Body Shop to you! All natural products. Great as gifts for family, friends, or yourself. Great specials! Call Renee Baker at 330-701-0981 for an appointment or a catalog.
THE NEEDLEWORKER: Creating tomorrow’s heirlooms with needle and thread. Reproduction and original samplers stitched from your pattern or mine. Over twenty years stitching experience. Private lessons also available, Call Susan Black at 330-922-0988.
TREE TRIMMING: No job too small. Call Tom Godlewski 330-650-9678.
LEGAL SERVICES: Local resident, Heather R. Dyer, is available to provide legal services. Call 330-657-2690.
CUSTOM RESTORATION: Custom wood trim, plaster and drywall repair, sash, door and hardware, century home restoration. Call Dan Torowski at 330-659-0055
LAWN CARE: Rob's lawn care, mowing, mulching, spring clean ups. Call Rob Blaha at 330-687-7293.
VILLAGE HANDY: Remodeling, carpentry, tile, general plumbing & electrical. Call Buddy Milhoan at 657-2699.
PERSONAL GIFT BUYING: Running in circles….trying to find the “perfect” gift, picking up supplies for a home project or organizing a dinner party? Call us today. We can help. Roberta Dusek with Tying Up Loose Ends Personal Gift Buying, Concierge and Errand Service 330-801-2187.
REALTOR: In the market to sell your home? Call Janet Shrader at Geneva Chervenic Realty office 330-686-1644. Cell 330-608-5341.
LICKITY-SPLIT: Tree cutting and wood splitting. Call Scott Ensign at 330-657-2462.
OUTDOOR STORAGE AND PARKING: Affordable, secure, and convenient for boats, recreational vehicles and automobiles. Now available at the Virginia Motel. Call today 330-342-0864.
WESTERN RESERVE RENOVATIONS: Home repairs, improvements and renovations. Peninsula local, insured and bonded. Call for free quote. Jason Klein 330-221-3461.
BIG FRANK’S STUMP GRINDING SERVICE: Prompt service, free onsite estimates, seven days a week. Portable unit fits through a 36” opening. Call Frank Grezlik at 330-281-1280.
SILHOUETTES: Children’s silhouettes from your photos or mine $15.00. Black paper cut on white background that fits an 8x10 frame. Samples available. Call Lois Unger at 657-2385.
FISHER FENCING AND DECKS: Add security and value to your property with wood or vinyl fences, gates, and decks. Local resident with years of experience. References. For a free estimate call Dale Fisher at 330-858-2026.
BABYSITTER: Responsible 14-year-old, with babysitter course training, good with kids. Please call Danielle 330-655-0734.
HOME CARE SERVICES: Providing trusted, reliable, affordable, courteous home care service for elderly. Bonded and insured. Richard Pivovar at 330-668-1051.
PLASTERING AND DRYWALL: Artistic Finish & Design Co. Plaster and drywall repair specialist with over thirty years experience. Free estimates, reasonable prices, bonded and insured. No job too small. Call Maxx at 330-626-1669.
HOMEBOUND? Haircuts, shampoo, and styles provided in your home by licensed cosmetologist. Call Peggy Buckshaw at 330-571-5282.
Peninsula Python Posse
This photo of a posse that was formed to hunt the Peninsula Python was taken on Main Street, across from what is now Century Cycles. (Then it was a food and drink establishment run by Scotty Ingerton, who played major league baseball with such greats as Ty Cobb, and retired to his hometown. He was born in a house which stood where the library now stands. He was nominated for Baseball Hall of Fame status, but not accepted.)
