Class 4 original columns rich muller by Barberton Herald

COMMENT

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Views Line is an opinion feature, designed to give everyone a voice. The opinions expressed to do not reflect the opinions of the Herald. The Herald does not verify statements made in this feature. Views Line is edited for spelling only but the Herald reserves the right to edit or omit any comment.

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• What can I say? I would like to thank the members of the Movement Church for being so kind and attentive when my daughter suddenly became sick during the team intense presentation. You all acted so quickly and I thank you!

Nobody ever told you I think it is only fair to let us know about the levy. “Sneaking” it in will only lead to bad feelings and people cannot afford it. Would you consider running a front page article, just so we know how much it is and what the money will be used for? I am a long time subscriber and I get a subscription for my daughter also. I know you always try to do what is best for the community and that is why I love my Barberton Herald!

Good in good bye Ok people, time to wake up. The theatre’s closed, East of Chicago’s moving out. We’ve got to stand up to Mayor Judge and tell him we’re not going to put up with him destroying downtown.

Thank God for hometowns Why do so many businesses pull out of Barberton? What’s wrong with Barberton? We’ve got B&W, but there’s probably just dozens of businesses that just moved out. Also, why are the roads so bad? They have the best school system in Ohio, probably in the United States. We have so many schools here, but you can’t get to them because the roads are so bad. What is going on and lack of interest to keep businesses?

Blown away Did you really think this trash thing out? I mean the people are saving $1 month and not having unlimited trash pick up? A city that’s full of trash and you’re limiting what they can put on the curb. You can’t put out anything that doesn’t fit in the barrel. Did you really think this out?

Wine after whiskey What is the backup plan for emptying the 96-pound trash cans when the truck breaks? Is this why it will take three smelly days? (Views Line continues, Page 6)

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Thursday, Januar y 31, 2013

EDITORIAL

Don’t wait, be ready

Much is being made, justifiably, about the heinous enforcement agencies. It needs to be more than calling killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. up a toll-free number. The questions raised by these and The waiting time can also be used other mass shootings are easy, such as for instruction of how to properly use how and why. The answers are not so a firearm. “Properly” doesn’t mean easy, especially the why part. pointing a gun and pulling the trigger, Something is very wrong with the like we all see in television and the movies. people who commit these crimes. That is The “bad guy” in those falls over and clear. More needs to be done to identify since he is the bad guy, or gal, it’s okay. and possibly treat them. Idealistic? Yes. Well, it’s not. If it was real, that person Realistic? No. How can one tell which would be dead. person will become the next mass Increasingly, people are using violence murderer? How can one tell what weapon in response to problems. Firearms are a prominent choice, but they are not the of destruction will be used? only one. Even if all firearms could be A response to the how part is to ban removed from the public, that will not assault weapons and large capacity eliminate all mass killings. For some, magazines. Good intention, but I don’t another weapon would be used. see that as eliminating the problem. Is turning schools into armed fortresses Too much is available, just go online or the answer? Maybe, but only partially. to any gun show. Name your caliber or Rich Muller A determined person or group could type of weapon and you can probably Herald Writer still take a lot of people with them in an find it somewhere. Like Prohibition, the problem doesn’t go away, it’s just illegal. news@barbertonherald.com assault. I think it would eliminate easy access for a killer. I have no problems with waiting School districts are taking steps to periods to purchase firearms, as long as something is done during that time other than just determine what the reaction should be if an incident waiting. Background checks need to be done and that happens. No longer can we think it will happen somewhere means effective and timely communications between law else. Prepare as if it could.

Notes and Thoughts

Letters

OSBA urges support to Coventry Schools The Ohio School Boards Association strongly encourages Coventry Local School District residents to vote yes on Issue 1 Feb. 5. The 5.99-mill bond/permanent improvements levy will enable the district to modernize its facilities to meet its students’ safety, security and academic needs in the 21st century. The state rated Coventry “Excellent With Distinction” for two of the last three years, and updated facilities and technology are badly needed to maintain this level of academic excellence. The levy will allow the district to receive $11 million from the Ohio School Facilities Commission to support construction of a new high school. It also will fund converting the current high school into a K-5 elementary building, renovating the middle school, and demolishing the obsolete Erwine Intermediate School building. This plan will take the district from four buildings to three, all within a half-mile of each other, greatly reducing busing and energy costs. The levy also will give Coventry Local Schools much needed permanent improvement monies to provide for properly maintaining the buildings and grounds. Passage of Issue 1 will protect and improve home values and better prepare our children for the jobs of the future. It will enable the Coventry Local School District to maintain its high quality of education and keep the schools and

community strong. OSBA strongly urges citizens to vote for their district’s bond/permanent improvements levy. Rob Delane, Deputy Executive Director Ohio School Boards Association

Purple Pride is city wide One of the things that draws people to the Magic City is the sense of community and pride. The way people support each other when they need it is one of the things I love about being a Barberton citizen. It’s one of the reasons why I chose to buy a home here and remain a part of this town. At the Jan. 23 school board meeting, Maggie Masson mentioned the same things that drew me to this community drew her. But that she has noticed the sense of Magic Pride is fading. I agree with her. With the negativity surrounding multiple community issues, repeated levy failure and its consequences, and general mistrust of one another, I completely resonate with her sentiments. Our community must continue supporting one another if we want to regain strength. We need to step up and reclaim the urgent sense of Magic Pride we once had. A portion of my faith in Magic Pride was restored when the board stood behind BHS football coach Jeff Sharkey. Several community members spoke positively on his behalf. I’ll admit it, I went in with a knot in my stomach. I wasn’t sure if Sharkey had their support. After hearing the favorable comments of Mr. Sharkey, Fr. Tarsis, Coach Rector, Ms. Masson, and Mr. Stefan and seeing the board endorse Coach Sharkey, a little faith has been restored. Thank you, Board of Education members and administration, for listening to your community. Thank you (Letters continues, Page 6)

Herald The Barberton

Publisher..........................Cheryl Vespoint Contributing Editor ...... Dave Richardson Photographer/ Assistant Editor......................Rich Muller Staff Writers .......................... Dan Strobel Brian Powell Carl Boon Sports Writer .............. Randy Broadwater Advertising Manager ......... Jim Colombo Advertising Reps..................Maria Prinzo Mike Lowden Graphic Design .............. Jonathan Nelson Circulation Manager ........Karen Descent Classifieds Manager ....... Emily Senderak Cartoonist ..............................Leo Michael Courier.................................. Vince Fowler Herald Hosting ............... Jimmy Vespoint Member Ohio Newspaper Assoc. Member National Newspaper Assoc.

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70 Fourth St. N.W. P.O. Box 830 Barberton, Ohio 44203 Phone: 330-753-1068 Fax: 330-753-1021 www.barbertonherald.com Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Volume 90 – Number 5

COMMENT

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• If you water it, it will grow Thanks to the Youth Soccer Board and volunteers who work so hard for our kids who love soccer. Not all of our kids are gifted, but you are helping to instill a love of the game that will grow. Our coaches are giving of their time and resources. Thank you for sacrificing time with your family to work with our kids. We are so glad to be members of the Barberton Youth Soccer family!

Port side tack My family was almost killed today. My husband took the girls out so I could have some “mommy alone time.” He had to make a left onto Wooster Road coming from State Street. A car almost crashed into him because they wanted to beat the yellow light my husband was trying to use to make the left turn. Why for the one millionth time is there no turn signal at this very dangerous intersection? Is it going to take a family dying before you wake up and put a turn signal up?

In violation of the vote The constituents of the 4th Ward defeated the incumbent sitting in the Council seat because in the six years of his tenure he did very little. Now our Council, without any consideration for the voters, appoints him to the office in which he was defeated in 2006. His first statement out of the box is, “I promise I will do what is in the best interest of the people of this city.” Was he appointed for the benefit of the 4th Ward or for the benefit of the city? Council is giving the retiring councilman an award for service, then stabbing him in the back by appointing the person he defeated in 2006.

Indistinguishable you For those of you that are so blindly following the mainstream media and Obama, the president has nothing but hurt the middle class and small businesses. He wants everyone to be the same and dependent upon government. He treats success as if it is shameful thing. You need to get your heads out of the sand and do your homework, find out the facts before it’s to late. The future of our children and country depend on it. (Views Line continues, Page 6)

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Page 5

There are times you just have to pull the plug Do we really have to be wired and online If you have a special, or even not-so-special every single second of our lives? Every day I interest, there’s a social site for you. I stopped see people who only have time for talking on checking the number of sites after reaching 100. their cellphones, texting or doing There were many more. There’s something on their smart phone. even one where users can create I enjoy my technological toys their own social networks. and use them often, but there are Is this bad? Not necessarily. limits. Some limits are a courtesy, Like anything else, it depends on mainly dealing with cellphones, how one uses it. The folks who such as having to immediately want to see how many “Friends” answer any call at any time and they can get on Facebook or any place, no matter what a person those who want to “Tweet” is doing. That’s what voice mail is every few minutes are extreme for. You do know how to set that examples of who need to get a up, right? life, as I see it. Another objection is the person The cellphone is with me when who carries on a conversation as if in the woods on the bicycle, they were the only person in the mostly as a safety measure. I’ll room. Really, we don’t need to answer, but it may take a few Rich Muller know all the details of your life. minutes until I stop and see Herald Writer A new limit, for me, is the vast who called, and then, it may number of social media sites news@barbertonherald.com take a while longer before I call clamoring for my participation. someone back. I go to a few sites, but not often. I prefer not to We do not need to be slaves to the “ping” of spend my life “online.” I wasn’t aware of how an incoming email or text. Sometimes a quick many there are until a few weeks ago. I was response is necessary, but not always. I prefer checking a website which gave me a listing of to use my technology as a tool, not as the only hundreds of social media outlets I could post way to live. Cheryl calls me the gadget guru, comments to. but sometimes they’re turned off.

Notes and Thoughts

Letters

Proud to provide hands on service The staff at West End Hardware, Phil Dent, Levon Wells, Mike Anderson, Frank Hurst, Derek Brown, Kenny Price, my wife Cindy and I would like to thank the South Summit Chamber of Commerce for selecting and recognizing us as the Small Business of Year. There was a time not so long ago when locally owned independent hardware stores, groceries, bakeries, pharmacies, butcher shops and so forth were in abundance and flourished. These businesses were the backbone of our country and the hub of our communities, providing hands-on service and value, as well as a medium for social interaction. Fortunately, the Barberton area is still blessed with a unique variety of survivors, and none should be taken for granted. We are proud to be among this group, and we continually strive to do our part in keeping this tradition alive. We believe that we speak both for our business and for all of our contemporaries when we say that it is oftentimes challenging, yet extremely rewarding to serve, interact and make a difference in our respective communities. Of course none of the accolades for us or any other small independent business would be possible without the support of the faithful generations of customers who afford us the opportunities to continue to prosper, contribute and grow. They are the main key to our partnership for success. To them, and to the Chamber, we offer our sincerest appreciation. Frank and Cindy Wrobel

Grateful for a education

Like many who live in my community, I come from a long line of Norton City School graduates. In fact, I have photographs of my grandmother standing in front of the building that is now known as Cornerstone Elementary, dating back to 1927. My family has always believed that Norton Schools provides a quality education. I am grateful for the educational experience I received while attending Grill Elementary, Norton Middle, and Norton High School. I continue to be grateful as I watch my daughters attending these very same schools. On Nov. 6, I plan to remember my wonderful experience, as well as those of my daughters and other relatives, and support Norton Schools by voting yes on issue 66. I hope that others will join me because Norton City Schools provides an excellence worth keeping for our entire community! Laura Wall-Stewart Norton City Schools Class of 1983

Slippery sends salutation Thank you to everyone who came out in support for the benefit for Richard “Slippery” Black. A special thanks goes out to VFW 1066, Barberton Civitan, Hopocan Gardens, Milich’s, Hodge’s Cafe, and to everyone that donated for the benefit. Richard “Slippery” Black’s Family (Letters continues, Page 6)

Herald The Barberton

Publisher..........................Cheryl Vespoint Contributing Editor ...... Dave Richardson Photographer/ Assistant Editor......................Rich Muller Staff Writers .........................Brian Powell Carl Boon Reporter/Video Editor .....Wallace E. Ball Sports Writer .............. Randy Broadwater Advertising Manager ......... Jim Colombo Advertising Rep ...................Maria Prinzo Graphic Design .............. Jonathan Nelson Kelly Andrus Circulation Manager ........Karen Descent Classifieds Manager ....... Emily Senderak Cartoonist ..............................Leo Michael Courier.................................. Vince Fowler Herald Hosting ............... Jimmy Vespoint Member Ohio Newspaper Assoc. Member National Newspaper Assoc.

The Herald 70 Fourth St. N.W. P.O. Box 830 Barberton, Ohio 44203 Phone: 330-753-1068 Fax: 330-753-1021

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Volume 89 – Number 39

COMMENT

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It’s cut and dried Having trouble passing school levies? Here’s an idea. Let’s make Ohio a right to work state. That way we can drive the corrupt unions out of our school system, cut costs for everybody, and not have to burden the taxpayers anymore.

Stick to your guns I went to Vietnam in 1963, and had to go back in ‘66. I don’t follow with what happened in Connecticut. I don’t think the gun laws need to be changed. I think these video games, what you see on TV and what these kids see, they don’t understand what’s right.

Too many cooks in the kitchen With the unfortunate disaster in the school of Connecticut, it’s understandable that the schools want to have better security to avoid tragic events. Although that can never be stopped, it could be slowed down. Many times the teachers protected those kids and saved their lives. I would be willing to bet that if you asked 10 students who the administrative staff was, they wouldn’t know. It’s because they don’t know them, they don’t see them and they’re not there for them. They need to start looking in other areas when they need to make cuts. Why do we need so many principals per building?

Lighten up They need to do more advertising for the lights around the lake. Nobody in the nursing home I’m at knows about them, except for the advertising I do. I’d like to see Barberton get into something like the New Year’s Eve First Night in Akron. They could do something without it being expensive or complicated. We’ve got all the beautiful lights, enlist volunteers to help.

The white stuff I just left West Side Elementary, and once again, the white pickup is still parking in the main entrance driveway around the curb. There are three parking spaces that are empty, it’s not that far to walk. That person needs to realize that if there’s an emergency that pick up is in the way.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Page 5

Getting the last laugh For those reading this Herald, it should be obvious Given enough time one can stretch a Nostradamus the “end of the world” foretold by many for Dec. 21 did prophecy to fit almost any situation. not happen. Chalk up another failure Back to the Mayan prophecy and to deliver an apocalypse as scheduled. its interpretation, or rather, misinI’m somewhat amused by many of terpretation. My guess is either one the various predictions of the world’s person or a group spent a lot of time end that have been made over the years. calculating certain astronomical Some have been made by people who events. They got to a certain point “discover” some sort of secret code only and stopped. They had done their job they seem to know how to decipher. Ask and it was up to whoever was alive for an explanation and the doomsday when the calendar was about to end, foreteller will proclaim “it’s obvious” to then begin again, to work out the which my reply is “no it isn’t.” details of the next cycle. They didn’t The prophecies of Nostradamus, imagine their civilization would be written in the 16th century, are nausecrushed. atingly and repeatedly touted as great I can imagine one Mayan priest examples of predicting the future. It asking another, “Wouldn’t you like must all be true since there are so many to be around to see how the people programs and books about him. The react to the calendar ending? I’ll bet way some people talk the “quatrains” a few of them start acting crazy as if Rich Muller of Nostradamus foretell specific events the world was going to end. What Herald Writer and should not be questioned. news@barbertonherald.com a laugh!” Rubbish, as I see it. The examples of Well, I’ve had my laugh, and a his supposedly accurate predictions are margarita to observe the occasion. vague and confusing ramblings that make the terms of It’s time to move on to the next prediction of world agreement for software look like a finely crafted novel. doom. Hope it will be as entertaining.

Notes and Thoughts

It stands to reason I would like to thank Council, the mayor and the city for passing the feeding ordinance. These cats, dogs and animals are just running around and people are leaving food out, not being responsible. So, my hat’s off to the mayor and Council. You guys are doing a good job, keep it up. Don’t let those people, that minority of cat lovers, stand in your way.

A penny saved I have an answer to the stray dogs and cats. Get rid of the mayor and City Council and hire a good dog and cat catcher. Problem solved, money saved.

Blown away On Dec.14 at 1:30 a.m., a train horn blew continuously for over five minutes. I was wondering if anybody else knew what was going on or why.

Children first I’m calling on behalf of the poor little kids that got shot over no gun law, but the GOP still is rejecting. I think the guns should be second and little kids should be first. Some of them don’t think that but, as a taxpayer, I think the little kids mean more than a gun.

Lay down the law This is to the views line caller who is obviously vindictive and frustrated because he was stopped at the master’s degree level. Obviously, he must have a problem with reasoning. If he actually read the feedings ordinance, he would understand that he can be prosecuted for putting a bowl of food down for his outside dog if it is dark when he goes to work. I hope that all four enforcement agencies go after him. (Views Line continues, Page 6)

Letters

We would like to sincerely thank the Barberton Herald for the fine story in last week’s Herald on our acquisition of the Erie Depot. With Barberton’s disappearing historical architecture, we felt that the preservation of this important historical landmark was necessary at this time. With federal dollars spent on the Erie Depot of $140,000 and a Barberton Community Foundation grant of $60,000 to relocate the building, over $200,000 has been spent on the Erie Depot to date. With a generous gift of $5,000 from Attorney Randal Harvey of Troy, Ohio, this means the Erie Depot is going to cost us only 7 ½ cents on the dollar compared to what has already been invested in the structure. We sincerely believe that the Erie Depot can become a viable structure again, but we want to hear from you. If you have any proposed uses for the structure, please call us at 330-753-3174 and leave us a message. Together we hope to see this important historic structure restored and the Fourth Street corridor into downtown Barberton enhanced. Steve Kelleher President of the Barberton Historical Society

We Welcome Your Letters

Letters are welcome on virtually any subject, but we do have some rules. Please keep them less than 250 words. Letters will be edited for length as well as grammar and spelling. All letters must be signed with full name -- not initials. An address and telephone number must be included. The phone number and address are not for publication, but must be provided. Due to the number of letters we receive, we are able to run only one letter per person per month. The Herald will no longer publish political letters one week prior to any election. Please send or bring correspondence to The Barberton Herald, 70 Fourth St. N.W., Barberton, OH, 44203, fax to 330-753-1021 or e-mail to publisher@barbertonherald.com

Herald The Barberton

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Publisher..........................Cheryl Vespoint Contributing Editor ...... Dave Richardson Photographer/ Assistant Editor......................Rich Muller Staff Writers .........................Brian Powell Carl Boon Sports Writer .............. Randy Broadwater Advertising Manager ......... Jim Colombo Advertising Reps..................Maria Prinzo Dan Strobel Graphic Design .............. Jonathan Nelson Circulation Manager ........Karen Descent Classifieds Manager ....... Emily Senderak Cartoonist ..............................Leo Michael Courier.................................. Vince Fowler Herald Hosting ............... Jimmy Vespoint Member Ohio Newspaper Assoc. Member National Newspaper Assoc.

The Herald

70 Fourth St. N.W. P.O. Box 830 Barberton, Ohio 44203 Phone: 330-753-1068 Fax: 330-753-1021 www.barbertonherald.com Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Volume 89 – Number 52