July 3, 2011
Northridge
Board, teachers agree: No raises By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Community Newspapers The Northridge Local Board of Education met June 30 to approve a two-year teacher contract that includes no pay raises. The teachers have been operating for one year under an agreement that offered no increase in base pay but retained ordinary step pay increases, granted periodically for years of experience.
In the agreement approved Thursday, base pay continues to be frozen for two years and step increases also are frozen. Northridge Education Association member Jan Kelley said the union recognized the district’s struggling fiscal picture. “In light of the fiscal situation in the district, both steps and base had to be frozen,” Kelley said. “They (union members) recognize the severe financial situation. We agreed to zero on the base, and the board
proposed zero on the steps as well.” All teachers will receive lump sum payments of $250 each year under the contract. “I think it’s the least we can do in recognition of teachers’ hard work,” said board president Mark Dann. “I appreciate the teachers helping the district and their willingness to pitch in in hard times and help the district shore up its financial difficulties over the next two years. “This contract will help the district,” he said. “It’s
not a golden future by any means, but it certainly helps and we appreciate the willingness of the union to work with us.” Under the contract, teachers will continue to pay 30 percent of their health insurance expense. “A lot of people pay a lot less (under agreements in other districts),” Kelley said. Treasurer Jim Hudson said keeping salaries fixed See NORTHRIDGE, page A2
Safety improvement project
Driving through town will get tougher when work begins By JENNA GANT ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Photos by Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Makayla Fain (center) celebrates after winning the Little Miss Firecracker Pageant June 30. Jordan Ellis (right) was second runner-up. Also pictured is contestant Jorgia Musgrave. For a slideshow from the event, visit www.ThisWeekNews.com.
Fain wins 2011 ‘Firecracker’ honors By JENNA GANT
ner; and Emma McCombs, 6, daughter of They will also be in the 2011 Firemen’s Shawn and Stephanie McCombs. Festival parade on July 9 at noon. All Miss Firework contestants will perOn July 5, four contestants will vie for Five-year-old Makayla Fain won the Miss form their opening dance at the Johnstown the title of Miss Johnstown. They are: AlFirecracker Pageant June 30. pre-fireworks ceremony on July 3 at 8 p.m. lison Douglass, Courtney Eileen Rose, Blaire The daughter of Russ and Jennifer Fain, at the Johnstown High School football field. Warner and Kaitlyn Sapp. she wowed the crowd with a patriotic cheerleading routine that included back handsprings, jumps and the splits. The village’s other pageant, Miss Johnstown, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, also at the Performing Arts Center. Ten girls competed for the Miss Firecracker crown, trying to impress judges with their individual talent, modeling and interviews, said pageant director Joanne Schwab. The girls opened the night with patriotic flair as they performed to “Hip, Hip, Hooray for the U.S.A.” Schwab said judges were looking for a “very natural talent … “Just a sweet, innocent, cute little girl,” Schwab said. “One little girl to represent Johnstown as little Miss Firecracker.” Other winners included first runner-up Hanna Guseman, 6, daughter of Allison Guseman. She performed a “U.S.A. Cheer” that involved the audience for her talent. Jordan Ellis, 4, daughter of Jeff and Holli Ellis, was second runner-up. Ellis performed a baton routine while singing to “Grand Old Flag.” Sydney Smith, 4, daughter of Brian and Tiffany Smith, took home the Miss Congeniality award. She danced a ballet to “The Song” for her talent. Little Miss Firecracker Pageant contestants included, in addition to Ellis, Fain, Smith, and Guseman, Jorgia Musgrave, 6, daughter of Christy Musgrave and Cameron Durkee; Grace Almendinger, 6, daughter of Erich and Carrie Almendinger; Lillie Colley, 4, daughter of Amy Colley and Jeremy Homstad; Chaelyn Smith, 4, daughter of Rob and Lynn Smith; Lillyinn Daunne Skin- Chaelynn Smith performs during the talent portion of the Little Miss Firecracker ner, 5, daughter of Kevin and Tabitha Skin- competition. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
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Drivers should plan extra time for driving across Johnstown starting July 11, when the Ohio Department of Transportation begins its U.S. Route 62/state Route 37 safety improvement project. Village manager Jim Lenner said residents should expect one lane of traffic during the threemonth project. Flaggers will help direct drivers, and there may be temporary signals along U.S. 62. Lenner said the project would cause a headache for some motorists. “People who know the community will figure their way through the side streets, but if you’re not familiar, I’m assuming you’ll stick it out,” Lenner said. He said ODOT would repave Pratt Street to Maple Street on state Route 37 and Kasson Street to Oregon on U.S. 62. He said ODOT would also replace the brick road on Phalen Place with pavement. Residents can expect new crosswalks at the intersection of 37 and 62, as well as at the intersections of Phalen Place and
A closer look Residents can expect new crosswalks at the intersection of 37 and 62, as well as at the intersections of Phalen Place and 37, Pratt Street and 37, and Oregon Street and 62.
37, Pratt Street and 37, and Oregon Street and 62. ODOT also plans to put in leftturn lanes on state Route 37 and Oregon Street, where the roads intersect with U.S. 62, with a designated arrow. “If someone is trying to turn left (across the street) and you’re trying to turn left, you’ve got to pull your nose out to see if there’s anyone coming around and there’s quite a few accidents,” Lenner said. The Johnstown police department said there were 10 car crashes at the intersection of U.S. 62 and state Route 37 in 2010. So far, there have been seven crashes at the intersection since the beginning of 2011. See PROJECT, page A2
Church members getting ready for mission trip to Guatemala By JENNA GANT
church),” McLaughlin said,
ThisWeek Community Newspapers “Then we’ll be doing some work
Nearly a dozen members of Faith Fellowship in Johnstown will head to Guatemala on July 8 for an eight-day mission trip. The church group will help community members in a small village called Olintimpeque. Pastor Dan McLaughlin said his team would offer free medical and dental care as well as do some construction work on a local church. “We’re going to be working on replacement of an interior ceiling, building some block walls for some retaining of (the
with the village children with lots of activities, sports-related activities and things that enable us to build relationships with people and ultimately share a message of hope with them.” McLaughin said he teamed up with an organization that placed Faith Fellowship with the impoverished community. He said it would be a new experience for a handful of his congregants. “When you enter an area where there’s such big needs like this because of extreme poverSee MISSION, page A2
Local fireworks set for Sunday American Legion Post 254 will present the annual Independence Day fireworks display in Johnstown at sundown Sunday, July 3, at the Frank H. Chambers football stadium. Rain date is July 5. There will be a short program before dark, and the fireworks will begin shortly after dark.