Mantua Matters - June 2005

NEWS FROM THE HALL

Business and happenings at the Hall and Council meetings since the first of the year include:

An architectural company has submitted a proposal for the first phase of renovation of the old fire station.

Notices will be going out from the Service Department, regarding trees and sidewalks that need repair.

With the resignation of Carolyn Hummel, former councilman Paul Jansen has been appointed to serve out her term on Council and on Service & Safety Committees.

POLICE REPORT

This report covers the months of February, March and April, 2005.

There were a total of 98 cases, 110 traffic and parking cites, 332 warnings, and 11 criminal arrests.

There were 1,815 calls to dispatch, the vehicles were driven a total of 12,524 miles and there were 99 mutual aid calls.

Total Officer hours worked was 2,404 and total Dispatch hours was 2,203.

A total of 145 citizen and motorist assists, 42 open doors/windows, 36 suspicious persons/vehicles, 507 house checks, 133 bar checks and the Water plant, Sewer plant, reservoir and lift stations were checked a total of 1,362 times.

CURBSIDE BRUSH PROGRAM/WOOD CHIPS

The monthly brush pick-up is under way and will continue on the second Monday of each month through October 11.

All brush is to be placed at the curb with the cut ends facing the street. Branches over 8 feet in length and/or 4 inches in diameter will not be picked up, nor will thorny bush trimmings or yard waste.

Chipping is intended for brush collection that has been trimmed by homeowners during routine maintenance. The Village crew will spend 20 minutes maximum at a property. The homeowner will be responsible for the disposal of brush/limbs from removal of tree(s), lot clearing, clearing along fence line or property boundaries and it is not to be placed at the curb.

If a contractor has been hired to perform the work, the contractor is responsible for brush/limb removal and it is not to be placed at the curb.

Wood chips, while they last, are available at no charge to Village residents at the Service Garage located at 4880 E. High St. or you can contact us for deliveries within the Village at 330-274-8188.

PROJECTS STATUS

The Village Water Line Loop, Reservoir booster station and Main Street Signalization and Turn Lanes projects are now completed. There are some areas of Main Street which need to be re-seeded.

Traffic is now flowing much better along Main Street and the large truck traffic has little trouble in negotiating turns at the traffic light.

The focus of the remainder of this year will be storm sewer and repaving projects.

We thank all of you for your patience and understanding during these various projects. Your cooperation has been greatly appreciated here at the Village Service Department.

………..Ed Trego, Village Administrator

FIRE DEPARTMENT YEARLY REPORT - 2004

Another busy year for the Fire Department.

The Fire District serves a response are of 54 square miles with a population of approximately 12,000.

Department personnel includes 1 Firefighter, 18 Firefighter/EMT’s and 19 Firefighter/Paramedics. The total operating budget for 2004 was $1,350,000.00.

There were 25 CO calls, 142 accidents, 271 fire calls and 761 EMS calls, for a total of 1,199. (208 calls for Mantua Village)

There were, unfortunately, 12 fatalities. 4 DOA, 6 cardiac arrest, 1 suicide and 1 accident fatality.

Other incidents included 6 motor vehicle accidents with trauma, 3 with major trauma, 2 extrications, 13 Air Ambulance, 6 Lifeflight, 7 State MedEvac, 1 multi-victim (at least 6 people treated), 1 animal rescue, 8 S.C.U.B.A. operations, 3 attempted suicide, 7 Hazmat and 11 incidents handled by the Fire Investigation Unit.

There were 11 working fires with a total structural loss of $187,750.00 with 3 Firefighter and 4 civilian injuries.

They had 45 Multiple Run Shifts (6 or more calls during a 24-hour shift) and 129 Multiple Run Incidents (2 or more calls in progress at the same time). 10 incidents where Automatic Aid was provided and 91 incidents of Mutual Aid.

A very busy year indeed!!

*My thanks to Brooke Byers for providing me with this report.

HAPPY RETIREMENT!

Many family members, friends & residents of the Village gathered at the Park Lodge on Saturday, April 30th, to mark the retirement of Councilwoman Carolyn Thompson Hummel.

Carolyn has served as Mayor of the Village, member of Village Council Chairman of the Hillside Cemetery Board, past President of the Village PTA, Mantua Beautification Committee and Crestwood Band Patrons. She was a past officer for the Village Garden Club, Center Garden Club and Past Master of the Mantua Grange.

She was presented with proclamations from Mayor Hopkins, the Ohio House of Representatives, the Ohio State Senate and a letter from Governor Taft.

Carolyn has made many contributions to life in the Village and she will be missed at Village Council meetings where she worked hard to keep everyone on their toes. We wish her a very happy retirement.

HELMET SMART CAMPAIGN

Letter to Parents:

Children aged 14 and under, are very vulnerable to head injury while riding their bikes. This remains true regardless of how responsible and careful your children are when riding. Helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of a life-long brain or head injury by 85%. Nationally, AAA reports only 15% of all kids wear bike helmets.

Our police department and community are proud to participate in the Helmet Smart Campaign. Through this campaign we are encouraging all parents to take an active role in their children’s safety by encouraging all children to wear bike helmets when riding. Did you know that helmets that meet ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) shatter-resistant impact standards can be purchased for as little as $10.00? A helmet can save your child’s life!

This year, officers from our department and other area police departments will issue a Safety Citation when they witness a bicyclist wearing a safety helmet. This citation can be redeemed for discounted tickets for a free treat from Domino’s Pizza. The bearer of the safety citation is also eligible for a drawing for bicycles from AAA and free tickets to Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom throughout the summer.

We also have available for you, information on how parents can encourage their children to make it a habit to wear a bicycle helmet every time they ride their bikes. These materials include the “Parent-Child Contract/Tips for Parents” and information on safety helmet use. Should you have any questions on the Helmet Smart campaign, or on bike helmets, please contact our department or AAA at 216-606-6122 or 800-845-0375.

Remember, your child’s bicycle is a vehicle, not a toy. Use of helmets can prevent a tragic life-long injury to your children. Only through your active involvement will your children form the helmet habit every time they ride their bikes. What better way to show your love for your children than to protect them from serious injury by having them wear a helmet every time they ride their bike?

Sincerely,

Chief H. W. Buchert

P.S..: Please be sure to sign the Parent Child Contract and discuss the contract with your son or daughter.

LIONS CLUB NEWS

The Crestwood Lions Club would like to invite everyone to the Portage County Soap Box Derby to be held on Saturday, June 18th in Mantua. The racers will begin racing around 9 am on E. High Street in front of the Village Hall. The race will continue most of the day.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the Crestwood Lions Food Trailer and the Concession Stand. The racers will be given complimentary food coupons by the Lions to be redeemed during the race.

The Lions would like to thank everyone who helped bring the Portage County Soap Box Derby back to Mantua again this year. The Derby has found a warm welcome and a new home in Mantua. Contact Lion Don Martin at 330-274-8458 with any questions. Good luck to the Racers!!

The Crestwood Lions Food Trailer will be at numerous events this year including, the Akron Soap Box Derby, Kent Fest and Streetsboro Days. Stop by and say “Hi.”

The Concession Stand is now open at Buchert Park during Little League games throughout the summer. Coaches should contact Lion Harold Ullman with scheduling changes. cancellations or questions at 330-274-2516.

Look for the Crestwood Lions at the many events around town and thank you for supporting our efforts to help those less fortunate in our community. For sight needs contact Lion Harold Ullman at 330-274-2516.

To learn more about the Crestwood Lions Club, contact Lion Tim McDermott at 330-274-0837.

ROTARY CLUB NEWS

MANTUA FARMERS MARKET

The Market will be opening this year on June 18th, and will continue each third Saturday through October.

Held at Buchert Park on E. High Street, it will be open from 9 am to 1 pm. There will be new vendors this year, so be sure to stop down.

If you are interested in being a vendor, please call Jim Rogers at 274- or Virginia Goodell at 330-274-2376.

Biennial Christmas Tour

Plans are well underway for Rotary’s Christmas Tour in November. This year there will be 2 homes in the Village and 2 homes in Shalersville.

Lunch will be provided by Portage Faith United Methodist Church.

Check the September issue of Mantua Matters for further details.

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

The Tomb has been patrolled continuously 24/7, since 1930.

The requirements for guard duty at the tomb are specific: he must be between 5’ 10” and 6’ 2” tall, waist size cannot exceed 30”. They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb and cannot drink any alcohol on or off-duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public and cannot disgrace the tomb in any way.

After 2 years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on the lapel. There are only 400 presently worn. They must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet, and have metal heel plates that make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There can be no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. Every guard spends 5 hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

The first 6 months of duty, a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off-duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, the US Senate/House took 2 days off in anticipation of the storm. The military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer.

Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.

The guard takes 21 stops during his walk across the tomb (alluding to the 21 gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary). His gloves are moistened to prevent losing his grip on the rifle.

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face, hesitates for 21 seconds, and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

The guards are changed every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

ONE REALLY COOL CAT

Julia Buonpane probably wouldn’t tell you this story, but I will.

Julia and Tony live across the street from me on West High St. She has a cat that she dearly loves. One day, she discovered to her dismay, that the cat was missing.

She became quite upset at the possible loss of her beloved pet and notified neighbors and the Police Dept.

Julia spent several days of worry and searching. Her son, John, came to visit and while down in the basement, heard a faint ‘meow’. He searched about, moving boxes and other items trying to track down that plaintive call. Finally, he opened the freezer door and out came one chilly kitty. Three days in the freezer and none the worse for wear.

The vet gave her a clean bill of health, but subtracted, at least, three of its nine lives. ………..N. Park

CYBERBULLYING

Young people are using the Internet more than ever and most have Internet access from home. For many children, the Internet isn't simply a convenient way to research or a fun after school activity-it's a big part of their social life. Emailing and chatting with friends are children's most common online activities after studying and playing games. But like many other social situations, some kids bully other kids online.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is similar to other types of bullying, except it takes place online and through text messages sent to cell phones. Cyberbullies can be classmates, online acquaintances, and even anonymous users, but most often they do know their victims.

Some examples of ways kids bully online are:

Sending someone mean or threatening emails, instant messages, or text messages.

Excluding someone from an instant messenger buddy list or blocking their email for no reason.

Tricking someone into revealing personal or embarrassing information and sending it to others.

Breaking into someone's email or instant message account to send cruel or untrue messages while posing as that person.

Creating websites to make fun of another person such as a classmate or teacher. Using websites to rate peers as prettiest, ugliest, etc.

Its Effects on Kids

Victims of cyberbullying may experience many of the same effects as children who are bullied in person, such as a drop in grades, low self-esteem, a change in interests, or depression. However cyberbullying can seem more extreme to its victims because of several factors:

Occurs in children's home. Being bullied at home can take away the place children feel most safe.

Can be harsher. Often kids say things online that they wouldn't say in person, mainly because they can't see the other person's reaction.

Far reaching. Kids can send emails making fun of someone to their entire class or school with a few clicks, or post them on a website for the whole world to see.

Anonymity. Cyberbullies often hide behind screen names and email addresses that don't identify who they are. Not knowing who is responsible for bullying messages can add to a victim's insecurity.

May seem inescapable. It may seem easy to get away from a cyberbully-just get offline-but for some kids not going online takes away one of the major places they socialize.

Cyberbullying can be prevented when kids know how to protect themselves and adults are available to help.

RIVERSCAPE 2005

Mantua Village will once again be participating in the annual events along the beautiful Cuyahoga River. We look forward to this Saturday every year, as we join with you and your families, in celebrating on and along our River.

This year, Mantua Village will host “Riverscape 2005” during the Potato Festival in September. This is a venue sponsored by the Upper Cuyahoga River Watershed Task Force, Mantua Village, Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department along with over 11 other State, County and area agencies who come together with activities that are fun, educational and interactive for all.

Look for the time and date in future Mantua Matters and in Potato Festival flyers.

SUCCESSFUL SALE!

The Neighborhood Watch Fourth annual Yard Sale was held on May 14th. With over 25 vendors, an added bake sale, and the Lions food concession open and available, we can consider this event a success in spite of some unpleasant weather.

Many shoppers picked up ‘treasures’, craft items, baked goods and enjoyed free coffee throughout the day.

SPECIAL NOTICE

For those of you who have not yet heard, Soup Suppers are going on vacation for the months of June, July and August.

The folks who do the cooking and baking deserve a rest and recharge, and have certainly earned it.

Suppers will reconvene on September 2nd, so during the summer, give your stove a break, check out some new recipes and scrub out your soup pot!!