Mantua Matters, December 2004

"THE MAYOR’S CORNER"

2004 has been a very busy year. We held a grand opening / dedication of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the completion of the Hike & Bike Path and bridge in October. Completion of the S.R. 44 project and Water Distribution project, which also supplies water to the two new elementary schools.

Main Street is more inviting now with the new turning lanes, new signalization and curbing through the downtown area.

We also honored the World Champion Soap Box Derby winner, the Crestwood Batbusters and Crestwood A’s ball teams with proclamations along with the County Commissioners, Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate for winning their State Titles.

The Planning Commission has developed a Exterior Maintenance Code which was passed by Council in November and presently the Clerk’s office along with the Village Administrator are working on Grants for Police Cruisers and storm sewers for various areas of the Village.

Mary Pallone is a new edition to the Clerk’s Office; she comes to us with much experience in government accounting. On a sad note, Diane Hura had decided to retire in June, although she will continue to be the editor of Mantua Matters. Part of Mary’s responsibilities will be the rental of the Village Hall and the Park Lodge, so please direct any questions or concerns to her.

We have signed an agreement with the Mantua Township Trustees to purchase the former Fire Station on W. High St. Our intentions are to move the Clerk’s Office, Police Department, Water/Sewer billing and Council Chambers to this location.

Jerry Carlton has purchased the Village School building and will be moving his offices from Bedford to this location in 2005. We welcome two new businesses to the Village, Appliances.com. in the former Chrome Depot building and The Jade Tree on Prospect Street which offers a variety of items for sale.

I would like to thank everyone who has worked on committees throughout the year, members of Council for their dedication and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

…….Claude E. Hopkins, Mayor

"WINTER JOYS AND WOES"

With winter upon us, we take out the portable heaters, fire up the wood burners, stack wood in the fireplace and whatever else is necessary to keep warm.

Unfortunately, all of these things come with certain dangers and risks. But, some basic maintenance and proper use can drastically lessen the dangers.

PORTABLE HEATERS:

WOOD BURNING STOVES:

FIREPLACES:

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS:

Caution, maintenance and proper use will help to keep you and your family safe.

"HOME FIRE ESCAPE TIPS"

"MANTUA-SHALERSVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE"

SECOND ANNUAL TOY DRIVE FOR 4-C’s

Families in our community will receive baskets of food for the Holidays from 4-C’s plus toys for their children. Please help us to make this a Happy Holiday for all!

Take an ornament from the tree and purchase a gift for either boy or girl as marked. The age is also indicated. Wrap the gift and return it to Bank One, 10691 Main St. in Mantua. Gifts due by December 10th.

Trees can be found at the following locations:

If you have any questions, please call Paulette Nichols at 330-274-2257.

The Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to a Christmas Party at Pastimes, 4680 E. Prospect St. in Mantua.

December 13th at 6:30 pm. Hors D’oeuvres and cash bar will be available.

If you are a Chamber member, paid for 2005, the night is free. If you have not paid yet for 2005, you may pay at the door. If you are not a member, you are still welcome - $10 at the door.

Please join us for a great start to the Holiday Season!

"ZONING REPORT"

As of the end of October, 2004, 25 zoning permits have been issued.

These were for fences, decks, storage sheds, garages, additions, and signs. It appears that many residents are working hard to spruce their homes.

I have also handled various inquires regarding zoning regulations and election signs.

If you have any questions concerning a zoning problem or to find out if you need a permit, please call me at 330-274-3199.

…………R. W. (Bill) Zoller Zoning Inspector

"VARIETY SHOW"

The Mantua Rotary Club will be presenting a Variety Show on January 29, 2005. It will be held at Hayden Auditorium in Hiram.

They are looking for local talent to participate in this event. All ages and all talents are encouraged to audition. Please contact any Rotary member for more information.

Dates, times and location for auditions will be announced later.

"FARMER"S MARKET"

Congratulations to the Mantua Rotary Club for a very successful Farmer’s Market held this year at the Village Park.

It was held on the 3rd Saturday of August, September and October. There were over a dozen vendors with locally grown fresh vegetables and produce, fruit, jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, pumpkins, gourds and of course, potatoes.

Look for this event next year, and support our local farmers.

"PARKS BOARD"

The Village Parks have undergone some recent changes. The "Mini-Park" has been trimmed up with new fencing added.

Buchert Park is recovering from the Potato Festival and is back in full use with the repair of the ‘Steam Shovel’.

The Park had a great deal of use this spring, summer and fall with the baseball games, football games, cheerleading practice along with the daily use by residents. The presence of the Lions concession stand has been a welcome addition.

The Service Department does an excellent job of keeping it trimmed and looking great. It is a park that our community can be proud of.

Soon, the ice skating rink will be set up for the second year, thanks to the Lions. We hope that more people get a chance to use it this winter.

The Park Lodge will be getting some needed paint and repairs in January and is available for rental year-round.

Future plans include new grandstands, and a boardwalk connecting the current Headwaters Trail with the Trail Bridge.

"SOUP SUPPER"

Please remember the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary Soup Supper held on the first Friday of each month at the Park Lodge.

Many varieties of soup, hot dog and sausage bar, salads and a huge selection of desserts are available. The cost is $5.00 per person, $2.50 for children, all you can eat or until the food is gone. Truly a bargain!!

Soup is served at 6:00 pm, come early to get a good seat and have time to visit with friends and neighbors. Some regulars feel that the visiting is the best part.

Also, if you bring a pot of soup, you get a free dinner ticket. Please join us for a great meal and a good time.

"CABLE CHANNEL 25"

Don’t forget to check the Village Cable Channel 25 regularly for news, information and notice of special events in and around the Village. Call Village Hall at 330-274-8776 if you have any announcements that you would like to have put on Channel 25.

"POLICE REPORT"

This report covers the months of August, September and October. There were a total of 153 cases, 111 traffic cites, 26 parking cites, 400 traffic & parking warnings, and 8 criminal arrests.

There were 2,074 calls to Dispatch, the vehicles were driven a total of 12,670 miles and there were 104 mutual aid calls.

Total Officer hours worked were 2,533 and total Dispatch hours worked were 2,303.

There were a total of 160 assists, 45 open doors/window, 35 suspicious persons or vehicles, 72 house checks, 141 bar checks, and the Water plant, Sewer plant, reservoir and lift stations were checked a total of 1,462 times.

An ordinance was brought before Council for the purchase of a 2005 Police Cruiser. The oldest of the 2 cruisers (1028) has in excess of 115,000 miles. At this mileage, the breakdowns and resulting repairs become very costly. The Ordinance has passed 2nd reading and will have a 3rd and final reading at the December Council meeting.

The Village will be applying for grants to help with the cost of the cruiser.

"HALLOWEEN 2004"

It was a perfect, cool, crisp fall evening. October 31st , Trick or Treat night in Mantua.

The streets were filled with ghosts, goblins, witches, and other assorted scary creatures. All hoping to take home the biggest bag of goodies.

It was nice to see so many parents dressed up to accompany their kids. Even a few dogs were in costume.

With the help of extra police officers and members of Neighborhood Watch, the kids were kept safe and there were no major problems.

We are so fortunate that our children are able to enjoy this yearly event, when so many cities and towns are discontinuing trick or treating because of the dangers present in today’s world.

"NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN"

The Village is pleased to welcome the opening of a satellite office of Skala Insurance Agency.

Located at 10763 Main Street, this office is operated by Christine Skala-Nero and Anna Smith. Christine is the daughter of Nationwide Hall of Fame Agent John R. Skala Sr., whose main office is in Bainbridge Twp.

When John was looking for a location for this satellite office, he looked to his daughter, Christine, an Associate Agent, who lived in Mantua, and the choice was obvious.

Christine and her associate Anna, both were licensed in 1986. The business is affiliated with Nationwide, but they offer insurance from a wide variety of companies depending on the customer’s needs.

The office is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary. Phone number is 330-274-2945.

Please stop in, say hello and see what they have to offer.

Again, we welcome them to our community and wish them the best of luck!

"A LESSON LEARNED"

According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington recently was faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.

Every night, the maintenance man would remove them and the next day, the girls would put them back.

Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man.  She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night.

To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the  maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.

Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror. There are teachers, and then there are educators.

"NEWS FROM THE MANTUA VILLAGE SERVICE DEPARTMENT"

Many of our projects have been completed in the recent months.

THE VILLAGE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT had its official ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 9th. This event was well-attended by our residents along with many Local, County and State Officials. A special thank you to Dean Stebbins for permitting the use of his property for parking.

THE RESERVOIR BOOSTER STATION has been working very well and final landscaping and security fencing is now in place.

THE MANTUA VILLAGE HEADWATERS TRAIL BRIDGE ribbon cutting was also held on Saturday, October 9th. The final link between the pedestrian bridge over the Cuyahoga River and Mill Street has now been completed. This now provides for a continuous open trail from Mennonite and Mantua Center Road to Garrettsville.

THE STATE ROUTE 44 PROJECT is now complete. The final portion was an ODOT project for total repaving.

We have received many complements on the appearance, but most especially on the safer pedestrian crossings and turning lanes that facilitate better traffic flows. 2005 PROJECTS will find us focusing on Storm water issues and neighborhood paving projects.

VILLAGE SNOW SAFETY - Snow…Snow…where are you? Although we have been fortunate to not have been buried in snow yet this winter, the likelihood that we will be burdened with heavy snow is still there. The heavy snow and your handling of it potentially threatens the safety of our pedestrians, especially our children.

The sidewalks must be kept clear of piles of snow. When snow is piled on the sidewalks, children are forced to walk in the street, which makes them vulnerable to motorists driving on slippery roads.

We must all work together to keep our sidewalks clear and snow piles low for safety. This is a community-wide problem. Together we can solve it. If assistance is needed or questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the Village Service or Police Department.

SNOW PARKING BAN -

Remember that with the bad weather of winter, come special considerations to allow our Service Department crews to keep ahead of Old Man Winter. An overnight parking ban is in effect from 3:00 am to 6:00 am on various streets in the downtown business district year-round, but is especially critical when the snow flies.

All residents, to allow the Service Department full access to pavement for thorough snow plowing and salting, must comply with Snow Parking Bans.

CHRISTMAS TREES - The Village Service crews will pick up your discarded Christmas trees. Place the tree at the curb or on the tree lawn. The trees are then chipped and recycled.

PEACE

As the holidays approach, the Village Service Department: Ed Trego, Donna Maynard, Tim Wojtas, Paul Brannon and Tom Bowersox wish for the Citizens of Mantua ----

Peace in our world
Peace in our Country
Peace in our State
Peace in our Community
Peace in our Hearts.

The Service Department would like to take this opportunity to thank the local companies and individuals who have made generous donations of their time and/or materials to the Village for use in the parks, trails, cemetery and all other Village properties.

It is the generosity of people like this that helps to make Mantua a great place to live, work and raise a family.

"LIONS CLUB NEWS"

The Crestwood Lions recently received the Governor’s Award of Distinction given by Past District Governor Bob Booher. This high recognition award is given to the Club in the District that has excelled in community projects and at District levels. The Crestwood Lions were quite busy during the 2003-04 year with many events taking place. Several in the community benefited from the hard work of the Crestwood Lions. Good Job!!

The Turkey Shoot is now over and many thanks to everyone who participated, and congrats to, Ralph LaRoche, the winner of the shotgun raffle. See you next year.

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Thanks to residents for donating your used eyeglasses on "Sight Night" which took place on trick or treat night in the Village. Many other pairs of glasses were dropped off in the drop-boxes located throughout town. These glasses will be recycled in third-world countries to those that cannot afford them.

"Twas the Night Before Christmas" giant coloring books are for sale. Each book is $6.00 and may be purchased from any Lions member or contact Lion Lynne McDermott at 330-274-0837.

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Pilot Dog raffle tickets will remain on sale until December 14th, when the drawing will be held. Prizes being donated by "Hunters 3, Inc." are: 1st - $1300.00 Earth Stove, 2nd - $700 Modern Home Products Grill, 3rd - $200 Patio Caddie Grill. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. See any Lions member for tickets and a chance to win these great prizes.

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The Lions will begin Christmas Tree sales at the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Station beginning Friday, November 26th. Trees are $30 each this year. Many different kinds of trees are available and will be for sale until they are all gone. Contact Lion Bob Sabo at 330-274-0346.

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A big thanks to all residents for supporting our efforts to help our communities and Happy Holidays from the Crestwood Lions!!

"HILLSIDE CEMETERY"

The Mantua Village Cemetery, Hillside, lies at the westerly end of the Village, off Prospect St.

There are six (6) East and West driveways with the Veterans Memorial and the Mausoleum being at the center.

Two special Veteran’s memorials have been established. One for Revolutionary War veterans and one for Civil War veterans. Veterans of other wars are honored with brass plaques on their individual graves.

Maintenance and beautification are ongoing and every effort is made to have our cemetery well-kept.

This would not be possible without the aid of our Service Department and the cooperative efforts of the Cemetery Board. Members of this Board are John Hall, Karen Mullins, Cookie Vanek and Carolyn Hummel. A job well-done by all.

……………….Carolyn Hummel, Chairman
Hillside Cemetery Board

"PARK LODGE UPDATE"

To date, the facilities at the Park Lodge have been quite busy. There have been a total of 27 Lodge rentals since January, 2004. Residents of Mantua Village total 21 of those rentals, with others in surrounding communities making up the difference.

The first two weeks in January, 2005 are being set aside by the Park Lodge Manager to paint and do general repairs to the Lodge. (NOTE: Soup Supper will be held on January 7th.)

There will be no renting of the Lodge for those first two weeks. Afterwards, with a fresh coat of paint, the Village Lodge will once again be available for birthday parties, anniversary parties, bridal and baby showers, etc.

Please call the Village Hall at 330-274-8776 to reserve a date.

………………….Mary Pallone,
Parks Manager

"TIPS FOR SAFE BANKING FROM NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH"

A bank or other financial institution is the safest place to keep your money. But you should always use caution when conducting your banking business.

Here are a few tips for safe banking: