1. education
2. school

The Neighborhood News
THE GARFIELD HEIGHTS TRIBUNE
DELIVERED IN SOUTHEAST CLEVELAND, GARFIELD HEIGHTS, NEWBURGH HEIGHTS,
CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS, INDEPENDENCE, VALLEY VIEW, MAPLE HEIGHTS AND BEDFORD
92nd YEAR NO. 16
CIRCULATION 15,000 COPIES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
PHONE: (216) 441-2141 • EMAIL: NNEWS1923@AOL.COM
FREE
Winners named in Chili Cook Off at St. Stan’s Drug Mart founder Parviz Boodjeh dies
at 87; was former Garfield Hts. resident
Shown above is a group of chefs, judges and organizers from the fifth annual St. Stan's Chili Cook Off
that was held Saturday, Jan. 24, in the church's Social Center in Slavic Village. Pictured in the back row,
from left, are: Emcee and meteorologist Jon Loufman, Ralph Tatulinski, John Fijalkovich, Phuzzie Haag,
judge's Golden Spoon winner Ann Armen, last year's winner Pam Cabral, second place winner Norm
Pieschalski, Ward 12 Councilman Anthony Brancatelli, Skip Wilson, Bob Sledz, Linda Golubski and Jim
Walkuski. In the front row, from left, are: Ingrid Sledz, People's Choice and judge's third place winner
Jen Dupont, Jeffrey, Ryan and Christy Hudek Bartley, Mary Vaughan and Robert Bartczak.
Although last Saturday may have
been chilly outside, St. Stanislaus
Social Center in Slavic Village was
hot with its 5th annual Chili Cook
Off, sponsored by the Alumni and
Friends Committee.
The crowd of 125 people gathered
to taste the creations of 15 chili
chefs. This year's Golden Spoon
winner was Ann Armen, second
place winner Norm Pieschalski, and
the People's Choice Silver Spoon Proceeds were to benefit the parish
winner, as well as judge's third place and school.
winner, was Jen Dupont.
Judges at the event were last year's
winner Pam Cabral, Ward 12 Councilman Anthony Brancatelli, and
Rev. Roger W. Gries. The emcee for
the evening was meteorologist Jon
Loufman, who encouraged attendees to participate in the record
breaking sales of nine side boards!
Clark gas station on Harvard
Avenue loses its liquor license
Parviz Boodjeh, a resident of InPitts said he helped deliver Jay
dependence and founder of the Drug flyers for Boodjeh and put
Discount Drug Mart chain of stores, shelving in when he expanded the
passed away Friday, Jan. 23, at the store.
age of 87.
"He proved that you could come
He was born in Persia, now called here from a foreign country and
Iran, and came to the United States still accomplish the American
when he was 20. He moved to the dream," Pitts said.
Toledo area to attend college and
Boodjeh opened his first Drug
became a pharmacist.
Mart store in Elyria in 1969.
After graduating in 1956, he
He was a visionary, according to
worked at Jay Drug in Garfield
his
obituary in The Plain Dealer,
Heights and lived on Andover
and
his concept to allow people to
Blvd., becoming a partner in the
buy everyday items in the same
Jay Drug operation.
place they got their medicine is now
Former Garfield Heights resident the prescription for a vibrant indusFrank Pitts, now of Valley View, used try.
to live across from Boodjeh near
There are now 72 Drug Marts
Marymount Hospital in the late 1950's
when Boodjeh ran the Jay Drug store stores, all in Ohio and about half in
the northeast. His three sons are
at 5064 Turney Rd.
By Judith Goldsworth
"This piece of legislation is disastrous and foolish," said Councilman Bill Brownlee at the Wednesday, Jan. 21 Maple Heights Council meeting, referring to a resolution censuring him for publicly
revealing information discussed in
an executive session earlier this
month.
Despite the confidential nature of
"This is the first step in getting the owners to clean up their act and run
their business appropriately or risk being shut down," said Ward 12 the discussion, after the meeting
adjourned Brownlee posted inforCouncilman Anthony Brancatelli.
mation from the executive session
Brancatelli also said residents in the area originally started a campaign on his Facebook page, stating that
supporting the business losing its liquor license, and thanks those that city officials didn't like him asking
wrote letters in support of these actions.
local churches if they wanted to
The Cleveland Division of Police cited a cashier at the gas station earlier adopt the food pantry.
last year for selling single cigarettes, selling alcohol to minors, unsanitary
He also stated in his Facebook
conditions, illegal possession of firearms on premises, allowing im- post that the executive session was a
proper conduct (agent or employer possessing stolen property), and not "blatant disregard of the law; this is
posting a permit.
the real problem in Maple Heights."
However, city officials stated that
Brownlee's public statement on social media of the discussion held in
executive session was itself a violation of council rules, resulting in
the censure resolution, which states,
"It is a well recognized rule... that
matters discussed in executive session are confidential and not subject to discussion outside the executive session."
Middle school
to host Family
Engagement
Night Thursday
As a way to help facilitate a stronger partnership between the school
district and home, Garfield Heights
Middle School, 12000 Maple Leaf
Dr., will host a Family Engagement
Night this Thursday, Jan. 29, from
6 to 8 p.m.
The engagement night is open to
all parents who have students at the
middle school, and comes as a
result of the positive turnout from a
similar event which was held this
past fall.
An ordinance was passed to adjust
permit fees under the Building and
Housing Code to get them in line
with other communities.
And a motion was accepted to
elect Barb Biro as the council member on the Income Tax Board of
Review for the 2015 term.
One lane of
Rockside closed
The city of Independence has
advised motorists of emergency
work being done by AT&T on
Rockside Road in the intersection
area of West Creek Road that has
necessitated the closure of one of
the three westbound lanes of
Rockside just east of I-77 and continuing west to about 400 feet west of
West Creek Road.
This forum will provide parents
the opportunity to ask questions,
receive information and obtain genBecause of the age and type of
eral information and building up- phone lines that need to be redates from staff at the middle school. placed and spliced, work was
The event will be highlighted by planned to begin last Sunday and
special guest speaker Michael Dou- continue 24 hours a day through
glas from Diversity Initiatives, who the end of business day this Friday,
will help to facilitate the conversa- Jan. 30. Traffic will be maintained
tion between parents and staff mem- during execution of the work but
bers.
delays can be expected.
Services were handled by Fortuna
Funeral Home on Brecksville Road
in Independence.
shine Laws here in Ohio."
ceive money for the food pantry to
Brownlee further stated that the help keep it open. The money goes
legislation was introduced by Albers, strictly to those sources and cannot
who he said as council president be transferred."
was not one of the seven members of "It's wonderful to ask for voluncouncil and therefore not allowed teers to help," Jones said, "although
to introduce legislation, according volunteers sometimes aren't always
to city council rules.
reliable, and I think, Mr. Brownlee,
"Until we can sit down and edu- you can probably speak to that point
cate ourselves on how business ought because you kind of stood up Mrs.
to be done, there will continue to be Vopat at one time when you were
embarrassment after embarrassment supposed to volunteer at the food
for our city, and beyond that there pantry. But this isn't to throw stones,
will be financial woe and social woe this is to make sure that we didn't
for Maple Heights," Brownlee said. have our funding in jeopardy."
"It is the desire of the majority of
the council... to formally censure
and admonish Councilman
Brownlee for violating the rules of
this council and Robert's Rules of
Order, for disclosing the confiden- Reason for session
tial discussions held by this body in explained
the executive session... to individuAnswering Brownlee's statements,
als outside of the council membership," according to the legislation. Councilwoman Toni Jones stated,
"The reason that council went into
Brownlee speaks out
executive session, if it was conDespite the resolution being ducted according to the rule book
placed on first reading, which un- or not, was to not publicly embarder normal council procedure does rass the councilperson by asking
not include public discussion, some pointed questions. And the
Brownlee asked several times to be questions came from a person that
recognized by Council President works at the food pantry that received something from one of the
Jackie Albers.
churches in Maple Heights."
After gaining the floor, Brownlee
Jones said that an item in a church
said, "I would like to point out that
bulletin
stated that the city was
this piece of legislation is disastrous
and foolish and it will only embar- looking for volunteers to help take
rass this body if it is passed, because over the food pantry and looking
it will soon be realized that the for a board of directors, "which
matters in question in this executive kind of concerned us because one
session, this private session, were in of the things is that the city applies
fact illegal, according to the Sun- to different funding sources to re-
Contipelli re-elected head M.H. Mustang wrestlers win championships
of Cuyahoga Hts. Council
Also approved was an agreement
with the Cuyahoga County Land
Reutilization Corporation to particiOkayed by council was a resolu- pate in the Demolition Bond Fund
tion authorizing the mayor to enter Program, and another piece of legislation transferred property at 7004
Grant Ave. to the land bank.
He was the husband of Mildred
(deceased), and is survived by sons
David, Donald and Douglas; daughters Debra Calevichj and Diana
Burke; 17 grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren.
Brownlee objects to legislation censuring him
During council's regular meeting
on January 7, the legislative body
went into executive session for the
purpose of discussing personnel
issues, specifically employment and
operations at the city's food pantry.
According to documents from the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, Under the state of Ohio's Sunshine
the Clark Gas Station located at 7910 Harvard Ave. in Slavic Village lost Laws (public record and open meetits liquor license in September. The owner may file an appeal, according ings laws), personnel issues cannot
be discussed in any public forum.
to the Commission.
into a memorandum of understanding with other communities to obtain a federal grant for equipment
for the fire department.
As Boodjeh was
a pharmacist by
trade, he continued to fill prescriptions at various Drug Mart locations, usually the one in Lakewood, until about 10 years ago.
Maple Heights Council meets
Brownlee stated that if the legislation, currently on first reading, is
passed at a later meeting it would
only "embarrass" council and the
city because of its content, part of
which he said was erroneous.
At the January 14 meeting of
Cuyahoga Heights Council, Renato
Contipelli was re-elected president
of council, and a memorial resolution was passed to honor former
village police chief George Gallitz,
who died recently at the age of 91.
involved in running the enterprise.
Jones said that regardless of whatever good intentions Brownlee had,
"That was the reason why we went
into that room, to question and to
talk."
She said that Human Services Director Linda Vopat, who oversees
the operations of the food pantry as
part of her department, had not
been present at the January 7 meeting to give her concerns. Jones
commented to Vopat, "I heard you
were very upset when you read this
because this could have jeopardized
the funding for the food pantry.
There are a lot of people in this city
that depend on it."
Rosa Parks resolution
sparks more discussion
A resolution to declare February
4, 2015 as "Rosa Parks Day of Courage" in the city was approved by
council, although it sparked more
discussion between Brownlee and
Councilman Ron Jackson, as well
as Councilman Richard Trojanski,
who introduced the resolution.
The resolution honors Parks on
what would have been her 102nd
birthday, for her courageous act of
civil disobedience in refusing to
give up her seat to a white passenger
on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama,
in 1955. Parks' arrest led to the
Montgomery bus boycott, which
continued until the bus segregation
laws were changed in 1956, and the
(Continued on Page 3)
Fashion show,
art event at S.V.
gallery this Sat.
Elevate Gallery, 3675 E. 65 St. in
Slavic Village, will present a Fashion Show and Art Event on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Attendees can view fashion designs by Fresh Essence, Mirenndo
Ivy and Elizabeth Floriano; vintage
The Maple Heights High School wrestling team raised its record to 12-0 on January 10 by winning the assemblage by Dick Russell of The
Maroon and White Duals held at the high school. On January 17, the team also won the Firelands Jim Gallery in Tremont, and La Tigre
Solomon Memorial Tournament. Congrats, Mustangs! The team is shown above with Coach Jamie Vintage by Brittan Brindier.
Milkovich.
Art will be on display by Vince
The Maple Heights High School named the Outstanding Upper- Duals. However, the victories were Zingale, John Saile, Jacci Hamwrestling team captured its 13th con- Weight Wrestler in the tournament. secondary to the lessons of sports- mer, Michael Watson, Ron Knerem,
secutive championship in the
Justin Primous, Michael Smith, manship and camaraderie shared Karen Leslie, Eric Ortiz, Diane
Firelands Jim Solomon Memorial
by the field of urban and inner-ring Collins, Christina Noetzel, Ed
Giovanni Rasheed and Arys Kenner
Tournament on January 17. The
schools in attendance, said school Raffel, Tim Heron, Kathy Strieter,
Mustangs tallied 160 points to out- all finished runners-up in their re- officials. Teams participating in- Jessie Rae and Laura Thompson.
distance runner-up Independence spective weight classes. Juwan Moss, cluded: Maple Heights, Euclid, Global fashions by Lion and Blue
(138 points), Brecksville (136 points), Justice Cain and Amir Perry placed Shaw, Glenville, Villa Angela/St. will also be on display.
Olmsted Falls (128.5 points), third with Trevon Atkinson and Joseph, Trinity and Akron Buchtel.
Models will be from Taxi Model
Firelands (117 points), Berea/ Martieno Johnson adding fourth
In February, Coach Jamie Management; music by Librarian.
Midpark (108.5 points), Elyria (87 place finishes.
Milkovich's Mustangs will be seekpoints) and Midview (5 points).
On January 10, the host Mustangs ing their eighth consecutive secThere is a $3 cover charge at the
Individual champions for Maple ran their dual meet record to 12-0 tional tournament championship door. For more information visit
were Andre Stowers and Larenz by claiming the championship of and fourth consecutive Lake Erie www.facebook.com/elevategallery or
email ElevateGallery@gmail.com.
Robertson. Robertson was also the fifth annual Maroon & White League crown.
PAGE 2
pus, 18230 Harvard Ave., Cleveland. Tickets cost $10 and can be
purchased at the door or reserved
Free Meal Offered
by calling Cyndie Gluntz, 216The Lutheran Church of the Cov- 991-9644.
enant and Hope United Methodist Church will offer free hot meals
Saturday, February 7
on the last Thursday of each
Indoor Garage Sale
month, beginning at 6 p.m., at
Lutheran Church's parish hall,
St. Therese Boy Scout Troop 361
19000 Libby Rd., Maple Heights. will hold its annual Indoor Garage
All are welcome; no restrictions. Sale on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 9
Handicapped accessible. The next a.m. to 3 p.m. in the St. Therese
meal will be served January 29.
Church Hall at E. 105 St. and
216-662-0370.
Granger Rd., Garfield Hts. Admission $1; children free. Tables
Saturday, January 31
available for rent for $25. Call Jeff
Free Lunch
Holler at 216-524-1923.
Free lunches will be served at
SVD Nite At The Races
Jones Road Chapel, 8000 Jones
Slavic Village Development's Nite
Rd., Cleveland, on Saturday, Jan.
31, beginning at noon. All are wel- at the Races will be held Saturday,
come. The church will then hand Feb. 7, at Bohemian National Hall,
out bagged meals from 5:30-6 p.m. 4939 Broadway Ave. Doors open
at 6 p.m.; races begin at 7 p.m.
while supplies last.
Tickets: $20, includes dinner,
Lyke School Fundraiser
beer and wine (and unlimited
Archbishop Lyke School will host betting on your favorite thorits third annual Night at the Races oughbreds). Name your horse for
on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 6:30- $20. Contact Elizabeth Grace,
11 p.m. at the Elementary Cam- elizabethg@slavicvillage.org.
Thursday, January 29
THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Tuesday, February 10
and flexibility. Light refreshments
will be served. Presentation is free
but registration is required by February 17; visit tinyurl.com/CVCC2-24-15 or email Marie Elias at
melias@cvccworks.edu.
Diabetes Wellness Talk
Saturday, February 28
Marymount Hospital diabetes
educator Laurel Burns, RN will
present a free talk, "Diabetes - What
You Need to Know," on Tuesday,
Feb. 10, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at
the Cleveland Public Library's Fleet
Branch, 7224 Broadway Ave.
Saturday, February 14
Valentine's Day Family Dinner
A benefit for Don Burket, longtime resident of Garfield Hts., will
be held Saturday, Feb. 28, from 59 p.m. at the Quaker Steak and
Lube in Sheffield Village, to help
his family with medical bills and
expenses for cancer treatment.
Cost in advance, $30; at the door,
$35; includes full buffet and two
bar drinks. Entertainment, "Rock
City Variety Show." For details or
tickets call 216-287-3021, email
j_burket@hotmail.com, visit
www.facebook.com/
BreathOfLifeBenefit.
Chopin concert
at St. Casimir's
Wellness Presentation
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center,
Cleveland Clinic Independence
Family Health Center and
Marymount Hospital will host a
Community Wellness Presentation
on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 1-2
p.m. at CVCC, 8001 Brecksville
Rd., Brecksville. Learn how to "Exercise to Keep Your Heart Healthy"
and improve endurance, strength
INDEPENDENCE
Don Burket Benefit
Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, 4750
Turney Rd., Garfield Hts., will host
a St. Valentine's Day Family Pork
Chop Dinner on Saturday, Feb.
14, in the Activity Center off Dorothy Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m.;
dinner served from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Two pork chops, $15; one chop,
$12; chicken tenders, $6; all dinners include dessert and coffee.
Also enjoy music, basket raffle,
side boards, cash bar. Advance sale The Cultural Committee of St.
only, including takeout, by Febru- Casimir Church and pastor Fr.
ary 8. Call 216-429-1515.
Eric Orzech invite all to a special
performance of the music of PolValentine Dinner Dance
ish composer Fryderyk Chopin this
The Brotherhood of Fifth Chris- Sunday, Feb. 1, at the parish hall,
tian Church will present a Valen- 8223 Sowinski Ave., Cleveland, at
tine Black Tie Dinner and Dance 1:15 p.m.
on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 6-11
p.m. at Manor Party Center, 24111 Konrad Binienda, an accomRockwell Dr., Euclid. Cocktail hour plished pianist and composer, will
6-7 p.m.; dinner 7-8:30 p.m. DJ, present the music of Chopin in a
live entertainment, fellowship. Tick- program that includes etudes,
ets: $50. Proceeds benefit the church polonaises, ballads, nocturnes and
roofing project. Call 216-374-1370; waltzes. Before the concert, Mass
will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m.,
216-752-9590; 216-332-0651.
then proceed to the hall where a
Wednesday, February 18 lunch will be available for purchase. The concert is free and all
GHCC Lunch Meeting
are invited to attend.
The Garfield Hts. Chamber of
Binienda, the U.S. born son of
Commerce Lunch Meeting will be Polish emigres, started playing the
held Wednesday, Feb. 18, from piano at the age of six and with
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Knights dedication and hard work has deof Columbus Hall, 10806 Granger veloped his skills. He has played in
Rd. Learn how behavioral market- major U.S. cities, Canada, Poland
ing can be useful to you and your and throughout Europe and in
business from Eugene Shatsman of late February will play in the Nathe Behavioral Marketing Institute. tional Chopin Competition in
RSVP by calling 216-475-7775.
Miami, Florida.
Tuesday, February 24
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
BEDFORD
The Independence Library, 6361
Selig Dr., will offer the following
The Southeast Branch of the programs. Call 216-447-0160 or
Cuyahoga County Public Library visit www.cuyahogalibrary.com for
is located in Bedford at 70 Colum- more details or to register.
bus Rd. To register or for more
information, call 440-439-4997 or •Creative Writing Club, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 3:30 p.m. Join other
visit cuyahogalibrary.org.
teen writers to stretch your imagi•African-Americans in Aviation nation with exercises to help you
and Space, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2 through the creative writing prop.m. The NASA Glenn Research cess. Use prompts and other techCenter and the Tuskegee Airmen, niques to get your creativity going.
Cleveland chapter will share the
glories of heroes from the past and •Sensory Story Time, Tuesday,
the stories of today's airline pilots, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. A program geared
NASA astronauts and fighter pilots. for children who are developmentally at the preschool level and spe•Afternoon Book Discussion, cifically designed for children with
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1:30 p.m. Feb- special needs and their families.
ruary title: "Life After Life," by Jill
•Women in History: Elizabeth
McCorkle.
Keckley, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.
•Pen 2 Page Writing Club, Sat- The life of Elizabeth Keckley, perurday, Feb. 7 and 21, 3-4:30 p.m. sonal maid, best friend and confiThis creative writing club will pro- dant to Mary Todd Lincoln, will be
vide writing activities and exer- portrayed by actress Madelyn Sandcises to help you improve your ers from Women in History.
skills and have fun sharing ideas.
MAPLE HEIGHTS
Registration required.
CLEVELAND
The Maple Heights Library is
located at 5225 Library Ln. To
The Cleveland Public Library's register for any of the following
Fleet Branch, 7224 Broadway Ave., programs, call 216-475-5000.
Slavic Village, will offer the following programs. To register or for •Fascinating Friday, January 30,
more information, call 216-623- 4-4:30 p.m. Students in grades 15 should get ready to get messy!
6962 or visit www.cpl.org.
Stop in on Fridays for fun art and
•Teens Scrapbooking, Thurs- science programs.
day, Jan. 29, 3:30 p.m. Decorate a
•Jazz for All Ages, Saturday, Jan.
yearbook scrapbook together!
31, 2:30-4:30 p.m. The Biasella
•Knitting Circle, Saturday, Jan. Trio will take attendees on a musi31, 1:30 p.m. Share knitting ideas cal journey through America's jazz
and patterns while having fun with history from swing to Latin to blues
other crafters.
and ballads.
GARFIELD HEIGHTS
The Garfield Heights Branch
Library is located at 5409 Turney
Rd. All programs require registration unless otherwise noted. To
register or for more information,
He currently is studying for his call 216-475-8178.
doctorate at the Cleveland Insti•Family Game Night: Disney
tute of Music and at the tender age
of 17, performed with the Akron Scene-It! Thursday, Jan. 29, 6:45Symphony Orchestra, a milestone 7:45 p.m. Families are invited to a
fun, family game night to play
in his musical career.
Disney Scene-It.
Throughout the years Binienda
•G2P Wii Bowling Tournament,
has been encouraged by his parSaturday,
Jan. 31, 2-4 p.m. Families
ents, Maria Szonert Binienda, an
attorney and national vice presi- are invited to a Wii Bowling Tourdent of the Polish American Con- nament pitting kids vs. adults. The
gress, and Wieslaw Binienda, chair- winning team will enjoy glory and
man of the Civil Engineering De- bragging rights! Space is limited.
partment and professor at the
•Evening Book Discussion, MonUniversity of Akron.
day, Feb. 2, 7:30-8:30 p.m. New
•Downloadable Help, Saturday,
Feb. 2, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Drop in for
one-on-one lessons on how to
download
digital
books,
audiobooks and magazines from
the library's collection.
•Teen Tuesdays, February 3,
3:30-4:30 p.m. Students in grades
6-12 can come to the library on the
first Tuesday of each month to
hang with friends, have a snack,
play games, do crafts, have fun!
•Weird Science Wednesdays,
February 4, 3:30-4 p.m., for students ages 11-18. Come to the
library for some strange science
experiments and tinkering with
technology.
•Snow Day, Wednesday, Feb. 4,
6:30-7:15 p.m. Children ages 4–6
with a caregiver will have fun and
Binienda is one of the two organ- members welcome! This month's celebrate the snow with a snowy
ists at St. Casimir, sharing the du- title: "The Returned," by Jason Mott. craft, game, snack, stories and
ties with Jan Bis.
No registration required.
songs. Registration required.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Judge Nicastro among those honored by American Nationalities
The 52nd annual Christmas Party
Luncheon sponsored by the American Nationalities Movement was
held at the Knights of Columbus
Hall on Granger Rd. in Garfield
Heights on December 13.
Alex Machaskee, former president and publisher of The Plain
Dealer, opened the program by
reminding all to stay together
working for freedom in every country and for all people throughout
the world.
The event honored three people
who contributed to their nationality and to the goals of the movement – freedom and self-determination for people of every country. It began over 50 years ago with
the goal to free the nations and
their people from the "Iron Curtain" put around their nations by
the Soviet Union.
Receiving the Freedom Award
for 2014 were Judge Stuart A.
Friedman of the Court of Common Pleas for his work and contributions to the law and his Jewish
and Polish heritage; Judge Robert
C. McClelland of the Court of
Common Pleas for his dedication
to the law and his rich Irish/Scottish ethnic heritage; and Judge
Deborah J. Nicastro of the Garfield
Heights Municipal Court for her
extensive service to the legal community, her Italian heritage, and
her work in various community
groups.
Judge Nicastro graduated from
Case Western Reserve Law School
and had an extensive private practice for 14 years before being
elected judge in the Garfield
Heights Municipal Court, which
serves
nine
jurisdictions:
Brecksville, Cuyahoga Heights,
Garfield Heights, Independence,
Maple Heights, Metro Parks,
Newburgh Heights, Valley View
and Walton Hills.
She has served at the court since
1994 to the present.
Past president Irene Morrow,
Alex Machaskee, president of the
management and consulting firm
Machaskee & Association, and current president of the Movement
Judge Ralph Perk, Jr. assisted in
Cleveland man
sentenced in
2012 murder
A drug dealer
who shot and
killed a man he
believed was intruding on his
turf was sentenced to 20
years to life in
prison, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty announced
last Wednesday.
Ronald Beckwith of Cleveland
was 34 on September 21, 2012
when he shot and killed Faurad
Curry, 37, outside Curry's home
on E. 93 St. in Cleveland. Witnesses testified that Beckwith was
unhappy that drug sales out of
Curry's home were causing
Beckwith to lose drug sales in the
neighborhood.
Last week a jury found Beckwith
guilty of two counts of murder and
one count each of felonious assault
and having weapons while under
disability. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret
Russo sentenced Beckwith to 20
years to life in prison.
"This case would not have been
tried without the assistance of the
FBI's Violent Crime Task Force,"
said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Blaise Thomas, who along with
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
John Colan represented the state
in this case. "The Task Force is to
be commended for its efforts in
locating key witnesses who would
not have voluntarily testified to
what they saw."
PAGE 3
city, adding, "I encourage anyone,
if you see something out of place
or something wrong around a
neighbor's house, something in the
neighborhood, please call us. We
will respond."
Bedford resident
Jack Wardley to
turn 103 on Feb. 10
Vopat stated that beginning February 2, AARP income tax appointments would begin at the Senior
Center for seniors and low income
residents. Interested individuals
can contact the Senior Center for
an appointment.
Lifelong Bedford resident Jack
Wardley will be marking another
milestone on Tuesday, Feb. 10, as
he will be celebrating his 103rd
birthday, with a proclamation from
Mayor Stan Koci on the occasion.
She also thanked donors for their
generosity in giving towards keeping the Senior Center open, with
about $220,000 collected.
Fundraising will continue until
January 31, although donations
will still be accepted after that date.
Shown in the photo above, from left, are: Judge Ralph Perk, Jr., president of the American Nationalities
Councilwoman Edwina Agee said
Movement; honoree Judge Stuart A. Friedman; Alex Machaskee; past president Irene Morrow; honoree
she will be having a roundtable
Judge Deborah J. Nicastro; and honoree Judge Robert C. McClelland.
discussion with Maple Heights
the presentation of each Freedom ing the committee headed by Mor- reminded all "that freedom is but High School seniors on Thursday,
Award, along with State Represen- row and all those who contributed one generation away without con- Feb. 19. Guest speaker will be a
Maple Heights police officer.
tative Marlene Anielski. Judge Perk and attended. Before ending with tinued vigilance."
concluded the program by thank- a seasonal sing-a-long, Judge Perk
District 7 Block Watch meetings
will resume in March, Agee also
noted.
Brownlee objects to legislation censuring him
(Continued from Page 1)
Melling warned Brownlee that he
fight for civil rights also reached a was out of order, even as the councilman continued calling for a
turning point.
point of order.
"These actions and the civil rights
movement led to the passage of Albers adjourns meeting
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which after remarks
removed the status of legal disIn his report, Brownlee recapped
crimination against African Americans and guaranteed equality un- what he had seen as the "lawlessder the law," the resolution states. ness" of city officials in the year
since he took office, adding, "An
Jackson, who spoke on the entire year has transpired and
legislation's remembrance of Parks members of this council are still
and her place in the history of the completely ignorant of the rules
civil rights movement, reacted with that govern this body, except when
disbelief when Brownlee voted no they want to quote them to try to
on suspending the rules to place stop somebody they don't like.
the legislation on third and final Then they want to act like they're
reading. "How could anyone vote experts."
no?" he asked.
Brownlee said that Mayor Jeffrey
Brownlee said declaring the day Lansky had "unlawfully" gained
in honor of Rosa Parks, "sounds Brownlee's income tax informalike a decent idea... what is pro- tion, then began discussing the
posed to be done on this day?"
federal lawsuit he filed earlier in
Trojanski replied, "It's to bring January against Lansky, Albers and
awareness to the public. It's a sym- other city officials, "for violating
bolic gesture; it doesn't necessar- not just my rights but the rights of
ily mean that we are going to have our community, even stooping to
a big educational program but to the level of breaking the law."
raise awareness."
Albers commented, "That is your
"I'd like to make a suggestion for private business, why are you disFebruary 4th, for Rosa Parks Day, cussing it here?"
on something we can do," Jackson Brownlee said that it was directly
said. "How about, let's all go to the related to the city, adding, "It'd be
library and read up on black his- simple to clear up a lot of these
tory?"
problems if we'd merely educate
Following Jackson's comment, ourselves."
Brownlee asked to be recognized, "This is not a report, put it on
but the discussion devolved into your website," Albers told Brownlee
an argument between himself and and moved to adjourn the meetother city officials when he kept ing.
interrupting in the middle of
Albers calling the roll on passing Other legislation
the legislation.
In the midst of all of this, council
Assistant Law Director Blair was able to consider other legisla-
Correction
tion on the agenda, including passing on third reading an ordinance
to repay the General Fund
In last week's "2014: Year in Re$575,000 in advances made to the view" section of The NeighborSolid Waste Collection Fund.
hood News, the jurisdiction of
Vote on the legislation was 4-3, police officer John Lyons was inwith council members Anthony correctly stated. Lyons is a CleveCefaratti, Jackson and Brownlee land Police officer who was saved
voting against it. It will become by his bulletproof vest in a shootout
effective in 30 days, Council Clerk on Ottawa Avenue in Slavic Villge
in October 2014.
Kathy Unger stated.
Also passed was an ordinance to
update municipal towing contracts
and rates in the city.
Placed on first reading was a resolution for the city to enter into a
demolition program agreement
with the Cuyahoga County Department of Development for participation in the county's demolition
program in the city in 2015.
Announcements
Fire Chief Vito Kavaliunis announced that the Fire Department
had promoted two lieutenants and
three captains, stating, "This will
replace the members that have
been serving as acting officers, further assisting the department in
stabilizing and going forward in
2015. I thank the mayor and council for their continuing support of
the department."
Police Chief John Popielarczyk
said that 13 burglaries had been
reported in recent weeks in the
Wardley was born in Bedford and
graduated from Bedford High
School in 1931. He served the
United States in World War II in
the U.S. Navy.
He has supported the Cleveland
Children's Museum, the Cleveland
Art Museum and the Bedford Historical Society, served as chairman
of the Bedford Building and
Grounds, and was instrumental in
the preservation of the 1832
Hezekiah Dunham House and the
1892 Old Church on the Square in
Bedford. He has delivered for
Meals on Wheels, plus, he has
rarely missed a Sunday at the
Bedford First Methodist Church.
"Jack has demonstrated in countless ways his dedication to the welfare of others and has earned the
respect of all with whom he has
come into contact, and the love
and affection of a host of friends
over his 103 year life," stated the
proclamation in his honor.
PAGE 4
THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
knife on his person and he was arrived and found the back door
arrested at the scene. He was held kicked in and heard a woman yelling that a man wearing a gray hooded
for court on no bond.
Police spoke to the younger sweatshirt just left the residence.
By Amber Weisbarth
RENT HOUSE
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modern paint, marble & ceramic, carpeting. $745-$895 plus deposit. No
pets. Non Section 8 approved. For
details call (216) 310-6161 or visit
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Garfield. 3 bedroom, 1 bath, large
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393-4270.
RENT HOUSE
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Houses for rent starting at $450
monthly in the Garfield Hts., Fleet,
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Garfield Hts. 2 bedrooms down. Very
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month + deposit. No pets. No Section 8. References. (440) 582-8421.
RENT APARTMENT
RENT APARTMENT
Newman, off E. 65th. 2 bedroom.
Front porch. Appliances. Washer/
dryer hookup. $450 + security. (216)
903-9207.
RENT EFFICIENCY
Efficiency for rent. $435 month. Heat
included. Slavic Village area. No pets.
(440) 263-5146.
OFFICE SPACE
FOR RENT
each other's hair in the middle of
GARFIELD HEIGHTS the road, blocking traffic. He
pulled up to the girls and ordered
them to stop but the girls continAssault
ued. A bystander helped separate
A girl in the 10th grade at Garfield the girls and both were placed in
Heights High School told police handcuffs.
she was assaulted by schoolmates
as she was walking on Turney Rd. One of the girls, 15, said she was
near the fire station on January only defending herself. The other
23, about 3 p.m. She said three teen, also 15, told police that she
females began punching her in heard the girl wanted to fight her
the head and dragged her through so she decided to confront her
the snow. Police reported that the first on the walk home from school.
girl had a scratch on her nose and Criminal charges were to be filed
was missing two fingernails, one by the Youth Bureau.
from each hand. The girl's mother Domestic Violence
was told to contact the high school
principal about the incident.
Police were called to the 4600
block of East 90th St. for a report
Burglary
of two adult brothers physically
A resident of the 4800 block of fighting outside the residence on
East 81st St. told police someone January 24, about 12:15 p.m. Pobroke into her home and stole her lice arrived and spoke to the older
Xbox gaming system and a video brother, 38, who said he saw his
game between 1:30 and 5 p.m. on brother talking to a man in a red
January 25. She reported that the vehicle, saw them exchange somewindow in the basement door had thing, then saw him put what he
been broken out and the suspect thought were drugs into his front
must have reached in to unlock pants pocket. The 38-year-old said
the door. She said there were other he confronted his brother and
valuables in the house that re- reached into his pants pocket to
mained untouched. Police noticed retrieve the suspected drugs but
footprints along the side of the his brother blocked him and behouse but they were covered up by gan walking away. The man said
he then punched his younger
recent light snowfall.
brother in the face and he chased
Disturbance/Fight
after him as he ran away towards
A police officer was travelling Grand Division.
southbound on Turney Rd. near The 38-year-old told police he
Langton Ave. transporting a sub- was carrying a gun in his pants
ject to City Jail on January 22, pocket and police confirmed he
about 2:40 p.m., and saw two girls has an active concealed carry perfist fighting, kicking and pulling mit. Police also found a pocket
brother, 34, who said he did not
buy anything from the man in the
car, that he did not want his brother
reaching at his pockets and that he
did not know why his brother assaulted him. Police observed a
small cut and swelling to his left
eye. He was not arrested.
Theft
•Police were called to the Speedway gas station on Turney Rd. on
January 19, about 7 p.m., and were
told that a man was seen concealing candy and snacks under his
jacket, then fled the store in a dark
pick up truck. Police saw the vehicle travelling on McCracken
Rd. from the Speedway, and the
driver pulled into a driveway in
the 10400 block.
Police conducted a traffic stop
and detained the male driver, 26,
of Cleveland, and a female passenger, 54, of Cleveland. Police saw a
jacket laying in the back seat with
candy and snacks coming out of
the pockets. An officer took the
items back to Speedway and an
employee identified them as merchandise from the store.
One of the victims, age 22, told
police that she and her friend were
sitting in the living room talking
when they heard the door burst
open. She said her friend, 21,
jumped off the couch and ran to
the closet to hide and she followed. The woman reported that
her friend yelled out, "Please don't
hurt me," as the man came to the
closet door. He then asked the 22year-old for her name and said she
was the one he was looking for and
said, "If I have to come back, we're
going to have problems." She told
police she was scared and did not
know the man or what he was going to do to her. The man then left
the residence. The 21-year-old was
also questioned by police but was
not cooperative, but said she did
not know who the suspect was.
Police searched the area for the
man with negative results.
•On January 21, about 1:05 p.m.,
police were called by a woman who
said two males had stolen a large
TV from a home on Goodman
Ave. and were carrying it while
walking down Force Ave. towards
Warner Rd. The caller gave police
a description of the males and
officers found them sitting on a
porch in the 8100 block of Force
Ave. Police ordered the men off
the porch at gunpoint, handcuffed
them and patted them down. In
the pocket of one of the male's
jeans, police found a Beretta BB
gun which looked like a replica of
a real gun and it was taken by
police officers. Police also saw a
large TV on the porch.
Police checked both individuals
through LEADS/NCIC and found
the female had an active warrant
through Olmsted Township Police Department and was placed
under arrest. The male was found
to have a suspended driver's license and an active warrant
through Brooklyn Police Department, and was arrested. He was
held on a $3500 bond, was
charged with theft, and was isOfficers brought the caller to the
sued a citation for DUS. Police
took the woman to meet with area and she positively identified
Olmsted Township PD to be them. Both males were then arrested for burglary/theft. Police
taken into custody.
later learned the BB gun had also
RENT APARTMENT RENT APARTMENT RENT APARTMENT
•The manager of the Speedway been stolen from the home on
gas station on Turney Rd. told Goodman Ave.
police a woman wearing a white
Fleet area. 2 bedrooms up. Parking. Slavic Village area. 1 bedroom down/ 3 bedroom up, $450. 1 bedroom coat had stolen candy bars and a
While awaiting transport to jail,
down,
$350.
Plus
security.
Parking
up. Appliances, new flooring, park$425 + deposit. (216) 262-3101.
ing. No pets. Credit check. 1 year for one car. References required. No can of Starbucks coffee on January one of the males, 20, said he was
income verification. $390 month, pets. (216) 641-9381.
20, about 11:50 a.m. and that he the one that "did everything" and
Warner-Connecticut. 3 room apart- $100 security deposit. 1-866-761had just seen her walk to the that his friend, 24, only helped
ments, up. 1 bedroom each. $365 & 8319.
SALE MISC.
$385. All are decorated. Parking, seDunkin Donuts next door. The him carry the TV. The 20-year-old
curity, pets extra security. (440) 476manager said he had seen the showed warrants for burglary in a
One bedroom apartment. New win5676 or (440) 582-3009.
woman steal from the store before different county. While at the jail,
dows, paint and carpeting. Applithe 24-year-old told police he had
ances. Near busline. Turney Rd. Pay Gypsy collection: Books, magazines, but was never able to stop her.
One bedroom apt., front. Nice, clean, own utilities. (440) 582-8421.
newspaper clippings, music and toys.
marijuana on his person, and povery quiet. No pets. No drugs. Pay
$200 for all. (216) 341-4880.
Police found the woman, 31, of lice confiscated three plastic
own utilities. (216) 341-8607.
Cleveland, at the Dunkin Donuts baggies of the drug.
WANT TO BUY
WANT TO BUY
Ottawa Ave. Large 1 bedroom up.
and spoke to her. She said she is
Heat and appliances included. $450
homeless, hungry and didn't have Theft
plus deposit. (216) 233-4611.
any money. She told police she is
A woman said that while she was
living at a shelter in Cleveland and at Your Place and Mine bar on
TAVERN FOR
her children live with her parents. East 55th St. on January 18, about
RENT
She was arrested, charged with 12:30 a.m., someone attempted to
petty theft and held on a $3500 steal her vehicle. She said while
surety bond. She has no criminal she was in the bar, the DJ made an
Former famous Orzech Tavern for
history. The stolen items were re- announcement that the doors of a
rent, corner of 71st and Lansing. Call
(216) 341-1418 or (216) 801-2526.
turned to Speedway.
Caravan in the parking lot were
open. She then went outside and
SLAVIC VILLAGE
OFFICE SPACE
saw the driver, passenger and left
FOR RENT
side doors of her van were open,
Burglary
the driver's side window was pried
•Police were called to the 4100 back, and the ignition was punched
block of East 74th St. on January and laying on the floor of the van.
19, about 1:25 a.m., for a report of She said her backpack containing
a male kicking in the door, enter- school work and her keys was also
SALE AUTO
ing the house, and two females stolen. The Detective Bureau was
inside hiding in a closet. Officers called to follow up.
2005 Ford Taurus SE, 4-door. 3.0, V6, automatic. Loaded. 124,000 miles.
Super clean! $3,900. (216) 7992951.
HELP WANTED
FOR SALE
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Plumbing, carpentry, painting, window ropes, locks and numerous home
repairs and improvements. References. Gary, (216) 441-4747.
RENT GARAGE
WANT TO BUY
RENT HALLS
RENT HALLS
CATERING
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SERVICES AND
REPAIRS
WANT TO BUY
Automotive technician/mechanic
with experience in general repairs.
Good attendance mandatory, M-F.
Must have own tools and at least 5
years of automotive experience. Must
be able and willing to work on all
makes and models, and multi-task
between vehicles, and demonstrate
good self-motivation to complete job
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TRANSPORTATION
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record and automotive repair skills.
No DUI or DUS. (216) 298-7156.
I am a driver for hire for all your
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shopping, some out of town trips.
Call for pricing, (216) 544-3024.
Person needed to run errands, do
light cleaning or hair cutting. $10 per
hour. Parmatown Mall area. (440)
499-4151, leave message.
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
Block watches
G.H. Ward 7
The Garfield Heights Ward 7
Block Watch will meet Thursday,
Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. in the St. Augustine Room of St. Benedict School,
13633 Rockside Rd. Special guest
speaker will be Garfield Heights
Animal Warden Bonnie Hackett.
Nonperishable items for the St.
Vincent DePaul food pantry would
be appreciated. Nikki Majka, 216310-6514.
G.H. Ward 4
The Garfield Heights Ward 4
Block Watch will meet Tuesday,
Feb. 3, at the Civic Center, 5407
Turney Rd. Guest speaker will be
Pernel Jones, new vice president
of County Council. Mayor Vic
Collova and Police Chief Robert
Sackett will also be in attendance.
Everyone welcome. Dan Baillie,
216-475-4810.
Obituaries
Christine L. Draganic
Christine "Curly" Draganic (nee
Zagorc), age 101 of Garfield Heights,
passed away on January 21.
She was the dearly beloved wife
of the late Peter; devoted mother
of Peter, Jr. (deceased), John, Ruth,
Mary Ann Rovinelli (Gerald), and
Christine Amino (William, deceased); cherished grandmother
of Peter (Lisa), John (Amy), Palma
Allen (Anthony), Nicole Telzrow,
Gerald Rovinelli (Claudia), Bruce
Rovinelli, and Christine Saltzman
(Steven); beloved great-grandmother of Edward, Brittany, Petey,
Paige, Bradley, Amber, Amanda,
Anthony, Travis, Alex, Kylie,
Ethan, Eli, and Anthony; greatgreat grandmother of Giovanni,
Clara, and Kylie; loving sister of
the following deceased, Frank,
Mary, Josephine, Anna, Joseph,
and John; dearest aunt, great-aunt,
cousin, and friend of many.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Genevieve Kozelka, Caitlin
Kozelka, Emma Kozelka, Austin
Kozelka, Maximus Kozelka, Grace
Henry, and Daniel Henry, Jr.; dear
great-grandfather of Madelyn
Spears. Brother of Rosemary Liga Morska
Kozelka, Theresa Goodrich (the
Liga Morska Golden Agers will
late Tom), Margaret Gibbons
(Dennis) and Patricia Haluska meet Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 11:30
(Lawrence); nephew of Jean a.m. at Cuyahoga Heights Village
Hall on East 71st St. A short meetKalnasy and Stanley Koral.
ing will be followed by a light lunch,
Arrangements were handled by raffle and games.
Ferfolia Funeral Home of
Sagamore Hills. Entombment in St. Stanislaus
All Saints Cemetery.
St. Stan's Golden Agers will meet
on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 1:30 p.m.
in the Social Center on Baxter
Leonard F. Preis, age 69 of Ave. A light lunch, raffle and games
Garfield Heights, passed away on will follow a short meeting.
Arrangements were handled by January 18.
Ferfolia Funeral Home of
He was the beloved son of the late
Sagamore Hills. Funeral services
Frank and Ethel, and the late
held at St. Monica Catholic Church
Henry Ptak; loving brother of
in Garfield Heights. Interment in
Genevieve Bogucki, Evelyn Greve
All Saints Cemetery.
(Gary) and Jim Ptak (Kathy); dear
uncle of Gary Greve, Justin Ptak, Italy and Lourdes
Charles J. Kozelka
Sharleen Greve and Connie
Join Fr. Joseph Callahan, spiritual
Charles J. Kozelka of Garfield
Bogucki;
great
uncle
of
Dylan
director
at Our Lady of Lourdes
Heights passed away on January
Greve, Karlie Guartafiero and Parish, in a pilgrimage to Italy and
17.
Cody Ochsebine; great-great uncle Lourdes from June 15 through June
He was the loving father of of Zachary Guartafiero.
26. Visit Rome, Tuscany, Assisi,
Danette Kozak (Robert), Brandon
Venice and Lourdes. The cost is
Mr.
Preis
was
a
U.S.
Army
vetKozelka, Joe Kozelka (Angel) and
$3999, includes airfare and all-ineran
of
the
Vietnam
War.
Jacquelyn Henry; dearest grandclusive trip. For more information
father of Gabrielle Fox (Matthew),
Arrangements were handled by visit www.proximotravel.com or call
Noah Kozak, Brandon Kozelka, Ferfolia Funeral Home in 855-842-8001.
Taylor Kozelka, Michael Kozelka, Sagamore Hills; burial in The
Samantha Spears, Quinton Beer, Ohio Western Reserve National
Angel Kozelka, Joey Kozelka, Cemetery.
Leonard F. Preis
PAGE 5
Marymount Green
Team seeking pet
supplies donations
Marymount Hospital's Green
Team is collecting new, clean and
used pet supplies to benefit local
animal shelters now through February 13.
Collection boxes will be located
at the hospital, 12300 McCracken
Rd., Garfield Heights, at entrances 4, 5, Main Lobby and
Trudell Center.
Items needed are dog and cat
food, cat litter, treats, toys, beds,
bowls, chains, leashes, collars, blankets, sheets and pillow cases. Those
with questions should call 216-5878097 or 216-587-8103.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Bedford officials discuss deer culling, snow issues
By Judith Goldsworth
register with the city, and they can Legislation passed
Deer culling in the Bedford be cited for that. So if you know After readings at previous meetMetroparks Reservation and the anybody that does that, please pass ings, council approved legislation
effects on the city and the North- that along," Zolata said.
to declare a property at 787 Areast Ohio area, as well as the need Pozar clarifies position
cher Rd. a nuisance because of its
for proper snow removal in what
At a previous council meeting, deteriorated condition and the lack
has become a very snowy month,
of maintenance.
were among the topics discussed Pozar had questioned the presCouncil passed a number of other
at the Bedford Council meeting ence of certain "distasteful" publications in the lobby of Bedford pieces of legislation on the agenda,
last week.
City Hall and a possible connec- including an ordinance that acIn the past few years, deer in tion with the National League of cording to Finance Director Frank
Northeast Ohio have been highly Cities because of its involvement Gambosi recognizes the pay rate
prolific, resulting in overpopula- of certain special interest groups. for the corrections officer in the
tion problems, as the animals seek
At last week's meeting, wishing to city.
out residential gardens and landscaping, and other local vegeta- clarify his position, he stated, "I "We're adding this to the ordition for food sources. There have alluded that the National League nance as he is a full-time employee
also been increased reports of car- of Cities had a practice that might and should be included," Gambosi
encourage this permissiveness and said.
deer collisions.
openness, and I didn't mean to
Also passed were ordinances
Councilwoman Sandy Spinks disparage the National League of
amending
the International Propcited a recent article in The Plain Cities in any way because they do
Dealer which stated that from Feb- wonderful work when it comes to erty Maintenance Code, the Resiruary 1 through March trained providing cities like ours with re- dential Code for One, Two and
Three Family Dwellings, and the
sharpshooters will be thinning the sources that we don't have."
National Electrical Codes.
herds of deer in nine of the ClevePozar said that he and other offiland Metroparks Reservations,
Motions approved
including Bedford Reservation, cials had attended NLC conferCouncil approved a motion to
part of which travels through the ences and recently the city had
spent $16,000 in sending officials accept the Planning Commission's
southern portion of the city.
to obtain information. He ques- recommendation for Audi of
Spinks said that the sharpshoot- tioned whether the expense was
Bedford to install a 6-foot high
ers would be targeting the deer necessary when educational matechain link fence with privacy slats
simultaneously in the designated rials could be made available online
on the old Pizza Hut property at
reservations and added that the or via DVD recordings.
19700 Rockside Rd. Audi bought
resulting venison would be dothe property and tore the restau"I
want
to
commend
Councilnated to local food banks.
woman Spinks for going to classes rant building down to use the land
Spinks said that City Manager in Austin, and also Mr. Saunders, for vehicle storage.
Mike Mallis had been receiving recently in Washington," Pozar
Also approved was a motion to
information on the planning pro- said, "but yet have we heard back
accept
the Planning Commission's
cess involving the deer culling and from reports as to what was obadded, "They're not just going to tained or what the city got from recommendation for Drive Time,
be out there shooting. It's all an these trips in the way of informa- 19950 Rockside Rd., Maple
organized thing."
tion or in the way of anything of
value? And I'd like to encourage
Dealing with snow
them both to provide that for the
Mallis said, "I just want to remind city at a subsequent meeting."
everybody with the snow that we've
Spinks responded that she got a
sent out notices to various busilot
out of being present at the
nesses and residents when the
conferences,
especially at
weather is bad to try to assist with
roundtable
conferences,
where
the walks and remember not to
information
and
ideas
were
prepark on the streets. It ultimately
sented
and
exchanged.
becomes a safety hazard and we
did remind our residents and busi"The National League of Cities is
nesses for those inquiring."
not just a bunch of things on vidCouncilman Donald Saunders eotape that you can learn from,"
Spinks said. "It's talking and poolalso spoke on how snow could
ing ideas from these other city
present a safety hazard, saying,
officials. It's a good thing."
"People need to remember the fire
hydrants that are on your tree Tyvus Powell visits city
lawns. Some people do clean their
Officials noted that Tyvus Powell,
sidewalks but you forget about the
hydrants. The hydrant is needed. an important member of the naYou need to shovel those out and tional champion Ohio State Buckeyes football team, had paid a regive some space around them."
cent visit to Bedford, having graduCouncilman Greg Pozar pointed ated from Bedford High School.
out that in downtown Bedford
Mallis congratulated Powell, a
"Frank the Barber" [Frank
third year sophomore at OSU and
Lombardi] goes the extra mile and the son of Robin Powellplows his side of the street.
Richardson, for his role in the
"I just would like that to go on
record because he just quietly goes
about his business and takes care
of that. I just wish the others would
do the same," Pozar said.
Councilwoman Marilyn Zolata,
who was presiding over the meeting in her capacity as vice mayor in
the absence of Mayor Stan Koci,
added, "My biggest gripe is people
with a commercial snow plow who
come in and plow the snow right
across the sidewalks and the businesses.
Buckeyes victory, adding, "The
defensive player of the game last
week for Ohio State was a Bedford
graduate.
“He's an outstanding young man,
he represented this community
well, and if you listened to his
interviews afterwards on the news
stations, he always acknowledges
Bedford and this community and
the schools."
Mallis added, "The schools and
the coach should be commended
as well and I just wanted to con"Actually a snowplower should gratulate him. It's a great story."
Heights, seeking to use a parcel it
owns in Bedford for parking and
display of used vehicles.
After a brief discussion the motion was amended to reflect that
the property will only be accessible as a left turn in/right turn out
only onto Rockside, due to safety
concerns because of the volume of
traffic on the street.
PAGE 6
Council approves 1.5% pay raise
for city workers in Garfield Hts.
By Ellen Psenicka
The only legislation passed Monday night by Garfield Heights
Council was an ordinance that gives city workers a percent and a half
pay raise for 2015, retroactive to the beginning of this year.
Two other ordinances, one changing parking penalties for commercial vehicles and the other relating to prohibited parking on private
property, will be on second reading at the next council meeting on
Monday, Feb. 9.
Zolata noted that the former BP
In his report to council, Mayor Vic Collova said that officials have a
gas station at Broadway and Forbes clearer idea of the cause of sewer problems on E. 102 St. and that a
Road was going to be torn down meeting with residents would be called around the beginning of March
and another station put up in the to address the flooding issues.
same location.
He also noted that he had visited the new regional dispatch center in
Two parcels formerly owned by Bedford Heights that will be taking calls for Garfield Heights, Maple
the old Taylor Chair company will Heights, Bedford and Bedford Heights and that "it is absolutely
now be owned by the city, Zolata amazing," with state-of-the-art equipment "beyond your wildest imagialso stated.
nation."
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Collova said the new facility should be open by the second or third
week of February.
He also said that at a recent meeting on juvenile problems in Garfield
Heights, it was agreed by all that getting a full-time Boys & Girls Club
in the city would be a major tool in solving the delinquency problem.
The mayor said the pricetag for the year-round club would be about
$250,000 annually and that, "We're working on that."