Fallsnewspress.com - School Board to place levy on ballot AURORA

School Board to place levy on ballot

AURORA -- The Board of Education intends to place the recently defeated 6-mill bond issue/operating levy back on the ballot in March. At a special meeting Nov. 15, options regarding raising additional revenue for the district were outlined and discussed. The Board voted on its intention to place the combined issue on the March 4 ballot at a second special meeting Nov. 17. The issue must be filed with the Board of Elections by Dec. 20. The division of the levy mileage would change slightly from the Nov. 6 election version. Treasurer Bill Volosin said the adjustment is because architects have estimated costs for expansion at three schools would rise about $620,000 (3 percent to 3.5 percent) because the project would be delayed for several months.

Council member plans run for state seat

HUDSON -- At-large Council member Mike Moran has taken out petitions to run for the Ohio House of Representative 42nd district seat, according to the Summit County Board of Elections. Moran said he plans to run for the state House of Representatives and is putting together a campaign team that will make a formal announcement in the near future. District 42 Rep. John Widowfield (R-Cuyahoga Falls) has served four terms with the Ohio House. Widowfield recently lost a bid for clerk of courts of Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court to Lisa Zeno Cerano. District 42 represents residents in Hudson, Silver Lake, Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls and Stow. Moran would seek the Democratic party nomination, according to the Board of Elections. The primary election will be March 4 to determine party candidates, and the election will be Nov. 4, according to the Board of Elections.

School district reports two infection cases

NORDONIA HILLS -- After two reported cases of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (staph infection) involving Nordonia High School students, school officials say they are doing what is needed to prevent the spread of disease. Neither student was hospitalized, and school officials said the district reported the cases to the Summit County Health Department and informed parents in a recorded phone message. School officials said district staff sanitize common areas and buses each week, adding the county health department has advised against more stringent methods. "Good handwashing and hygiene practices, along with education, are keys to the prevention and control of MRSA in the school and non-school setting," states an Oct. 24 memo from Dr. Ronald Hawes, medical director for the Summit County Health District, to county school officials.

Tree auction to
benefit library

STOW -- Those interested in taking home one of the many miniature Christmas trees around the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library should act soon -- a silent auction for the decorations closes Nov. 29. Bids will be accepted until Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. The highest bidders will be notified and they can pick up their trees Nov. 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. or Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. until noon in the Children's Department on the second floor of the library. All funds raised from the auction will benefit the Friends of the Library.

Planning director placed on paid leave

STREETSBORO -- Mayor Mark Pavlick placed planning director and recent mayoral ballot challenger Linda Kovacs on paid administrative leave Nov. 16. "I am placing you on leave because, in the wake of the election and your comments, I am concerned that your presence at City Hall will be disruptive and that you will not be amiable to or help facilitate a smooth transition to the new administration," Pavlick said in a letter to Kovacs dated Nov. 16. Kovacs said she's "not surprised" she was placed on leave. Pavlick said Kovacs' leave will last through Dec. 3, when his mayoral term ends. Mayor-elect Tom Wagner said he wouldn't be able to keep Kovacs as planning director because she'll be unqualified for the position under new charter rules. "I think the city would be better served if Linda Kovacs is no longer part of the administration," said Wagner, who ran against Kovacs for the mayor's post.

Pascarella named part-time director of administration

TALLMADGE -- Mayor Christopher Grimm told City Council Nov. 8 that Dr. Tom Pascarella will be appointed as part-time director of administration. Grimm said the position is similar to a deputy mayor's position. Pascarella will work on the city's budget, capital planning, human resource administration, contract negotiations, economic development and grant procurement. He'll also act as a governmental liaison. Pascarella has served in the role on an interim basis after former director Richard Osborne left in August. Between the money saved on benefits and making the position part-time, Grimm said the city will save about $50,000 annually.

Mayor's race draws most votes

TWINSBURG -- Less than half Twinsburg's registered voters took part in deciding the city's mayor, according to the Summit County Board of Elections' final but unofficial canvas results published Nov. 7. According to the Elections Board, of Twinsburg's 11,884 registered voters, 4,754, or 40 percent, participated in re-electing Katherine Procop over her challenger, Steve Murphy. In the Council-at-large race in which all city voters could participate, slightly fewer, 4,051 voters, or 34.1 percent, gave the nod to either incumbent winner William Furey or write-in David Post. In Twinsburg Township 1,896 residents were registered to vote, according to the Elections Board, and 634 did so in at least one candidate race or ballot issue, representing a 33.4 percent turnout. In Reminderville there were 1,935 registered voters and 539 filed a ballot for the village-wide street repair levy issue, representing a 27.4 percent turnout.