Mantua Matters
December 2006

SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEWS

Snow….Snow…where are you? Although we have been fortunate to not have very much 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.

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 3am to 6am on various streets in the downtown business district year-round, but is especially critical when the snow flies.

In addition, if a SNOW EMERGENCY is called (usually after, but not limited to a snowfall of over 2-3 inches) there is to be no parking onany Business District or Village street during the designated period of time. Any vehicle parked in these areas may be towed.

During the regular snowy days, you would make life much easier for your Service crews if you would be a good neighbor and park off-street as much as possible. It helps them to do a better job of clearing the snow, which makes it safer for all of us.

The Village of Mantua will not be responsible for replacing any type of improvements made by residents within the road right-of-way, if damaged by snowplow operations. Examples include, railroad ties, decorative gravel, sprinkler heads and lines, lighting, shrubs and trees.

In order to help our employees continue to do an excellent job of keeping our streets clear, the Service Department would like you to be aware of certain procedures that apply to the removal of snow and the salting of streets throughout the Village.

Streets must be plowed from side to side as quickly as possible, to allow full width emergency equipment and to provide full driving lanes for motorists. Plowing will be performed on all primary streets first followed by secondary streets. Drainage basins must be kept clear of ice and snow to allow melt water to drain properly and to prevent ice dams and ice buildup that creates road hazards.

All residents must make every effort to comply with a snow parking ban to allow the Service Department full access to pavement for thorough snow plow and salting.

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 Departments.

Christmas Trees

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

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 these that help to make Mantua a great place to live, work and raise a family.

This is a story told to me by Dorothy Brady regarding a recent trip she had taken out West. When exiting the airport shuttle at her hotel, the driver asked where she was from. When she said Ohio, he asked her if she knew where Mantua was. To her surprise, he lived in Mantua also -- Mantua, Utah. I told her that this would make an interesting article for MM, but she wanted me to check it out and make sure the information was correct. I not only found a Mantua, Utah but a couple of others as well.

Mantua, Utah, 84234 is located about 60 miles north of Salt Lake City, near the Idaho border. Their web site states that it was named for Mantua, OH! I could not find a date when it was founded.

It has a population of 827, (smaller than us). It is in Box Elder County, with a land area of 4.9 square miles, with a median household income of $60,234, median house value of $144,000, and a median resident age of 29.8 years.

Mantua, Virginia, 22031, is located 15 miles from D.C. and describes itself as an old-fashioned hometown. Land area is 2.4 square miles with a population of 7,485. They have more than 1500 residential homes with a median home value of $329,200.

It is located in Fairfax County and is considered a ‘bedroom community’ with most working residents commuting. Median resident age is 43.7 years, median household income is $88,367

Mantua, New Jersey (pronounced Man-chew-ah) seems to be best known for the Mantua Oak. The oak is approximately 100 feet from the North bank of the Mantua Creek. It was one of the largest specimens of white oak in New Jersey, estimated to be about 600 years old. It stood 87 feet high and was 19 feet 9 inches in girth at 4 feet above the ground. The tree, sadly, collapsed in 1949, due to age.

Mantua (New Jersey) is a township governed by an elected body of 5, including a Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Population is 14, 217.

The Police Department consists of a Chief, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Detectives, 14 Patrolmen and 2 Clerks.

I also found a couple of companies using the name Mantua. One company started out in 1926 as Mantua Metal, changed the name to Tyco in 1957, and changed again to Mantua Industries in 1977.

Their primary business was the manufacture of model trains, and later kits for trains, planes and boats. On October 31, 2001, they announced that that would be terminating all business. The company spanned 75 years and was a trend setter in the early years of model railroading.

In a similar area, Mantua Model UK Ltd is part of the Mantua Model group of Italy, which is one of the largest model manufacturers in the world. They are well known for their plane models, period boat models and model car kits.

Lastly, a company called The Mantua-Maker. This company is a historical clothing sewing pattern company. All patterns are based on actual garments, pattern drawings or engravings and photographs made during the time the garment was worn.

Each pattern is carefully researched and tested, so as to be historically accurate and still allow for changes in women’s physical build between now and the time the garment was originally worn.

HOW TO GET THE FRESHEST BREAD

There is a simple way to tell whether the bread you are buying is the freshest available. Look at the tie or plastic tab that is holding the wrapper closed.

Bread is delivered 5 days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The bread maker puts a different colored tie on the package to designate which day of the week the bread was baked.

Monday is blue, Tuesday is green, Thursday is red, Friday is white and Saturday is yellow. A simple and easy way to always get the freshest bread - and it is better than squeezing!

NEW GROUP IN TOWN

A group of concerned citizens has recently formed the Crestwood Action Coalition Team (CACT). This group was formed to help those in need in the Crestwood School District.

The club is listed with the United Way 211 Portage, where residents of this area can call and request assistance.

Recently, a resident of the District received a wheelchair ramp and called the agency for help. Several members of CACT installed the ramp enabling the resident to move easier between his house and his vehicle.

Collecting school supplies is an on-going project. They are delivered to 4 C’s for distribution. Please contact Harry Hunter at 330-274-8956 to participate in this important outreach program in our community.

The CACT club will “Make A Difference" on Saturday, October 28 by collecting non-perishable food items at Christ Lutheran Church on Main St. in Mantua. Turkeys will be purchased and distributed by the club in association with 4 C’s in time for Christmas dinners this season.

For further information about Crestwood’s newest service organization, contact Harry Hunter at 330-274-8956.

CONSUMER BEWARE

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, warns Chief Buchert of the Mantua Police Department. Consumer fraud cost unsuspecting persons millions of hard-earned dollars per year and if you have been a victim of fraud and have not reported it, you are helping the criminal element. In fact, the criminal expects you to be too embarrassed to report that you’ve been “conned".

Con artists make their living by preying on good, hard-working people. The con artists use 5 or 6 basic scams with variations on each one. “Most people have a general knowledge about a lot of subjects, but do not know a “gizmo" from a “gadget" or what they do, so we can easily become a victim." One type of scam is the home-improvement fraud which includes persons that paint your home or pave your driveway for a few hundred dollars and after the first rain, the paint runs and the oil on the driveway floats away.

Here are some suggestions on how to avoid home-improvement and repair frauds by doing the following:

If you have been a victim of consumer fraud, you should contact the appropriate authorities as soon as you realize that you have been a victim. Consumer fraud should be reported to the Better Business Bureau, your local police or the consumer fraud division of the Attorney General’s office in Columbus.

Mantua Police Chief wants you to know that his department is interested in protecting you and other members of the community from these unscrupulous con artists. With your help, we can make a place where con artists are not welcome and they will avoid our community.

POLICE REPORT

This report covers the months of August, September & October, 2006

Total Cases:167
Traffic/Parking Cites: 115
Warnings:168
Criminal Arrests: 22
Calls to Dispatch: 1,728
Total Mileage: 6,832
Mutual Aid Calls: 105
Officer Hours Worked: 2,600
Dispatch Hours Worked: 2,272
Citizen/Motorist Assists: 121
Open Doors/Windows: 41
Suspicious Persons/Vehicles: 74
House Checks: 134
Bar Checks: 62
Water/Sewer Plant Checks: 205
Reservoir Checks: 193
Lift Station Checks: 924

CRESTWOOD LIONS CLUB NEWS

The annual Christmas Tree Sale is underway at the Mantua Shalersville Fire Station. Trees this year are scotch pine, blue spruce and Douglas firs. Height ranges are 4’ to 8’ tall and the price this year is $35 to $45 per tree.

When you purchase a tree, you are automatically entered into a drawing. Prizes include a ham, turkey and gift certificates from Giant Eagle and T & B Tools in Garrettsville. Stop by, take a look and support the Lions. If no one is there, please ask the Fire Dept or call Harold Ullman at 330-274-2516 or Larry Hurd at 3330-297-7905.

Lions Multiple District 13-D Fun Calendars are available for purchase. The calendars are good for one calendar year, January to December at a cost of $30.00 each.

Each participant picks an available 3-digit number for the whole year. Numbers that match the Ohio Lottery evening Pick 3 numbers win. Winning possibilities are $30, $50, $100, $200, and $500. Proceeds benefit the Lions Multiple District 13-D Eye Care Foundation. Call Harold Ullman for more details at 330-274-2516.

The Lions would like to thank the 4C’s for allowing us to do free eye screening at their Annual Craft Show on November 18th. The Lions Clubs are dedicated to sight preservation and preventable blindness. 80% of blindness can be prevented with correct and prompt diagnosis. We feel it is a privilege to be able to provide this service. For eyesight needs in the Crestwood School District call Doug McIntosh at 330-274-2384. All information is kept confidential and certain qualifications apply. Remember, old eyeglasses can be reused for someone in need. Drop boxes are provided in various local businesses throughout town.

Lions International is made up of Lions Clubs dedicated to serving their communities by volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about the Crestwood Lions Club, contact Lion Harold Ullman at 330-274-2516. You can also check us out on the Internet at crestwoodlionsoh.lionwap.org or email us at crestwoodlionsoh@yahoo.com.

The Crestwood Lions Club would like to wish everyone in the Community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

WINTER CAR SAFETY

“Ohio’s winters are known for their unpredictability," commented Chief Buchert. “I suggest you take the following precautions in order to stay safe on the road."

Chief Buchert mentioned that preparing an emergency kit for your car is also a good idea. Include such items as: blankets, extra clothing, dry rations (raisins, nuts, candy), a flashlight with extra batteries, flares, a steel shovel and sand in case you are stuck, and waterproof matches with candles.

The Chief said that the best protection from problems with winter driving is winterizing your car--get a tune up, consider snow tires or chains. Chief Buchert concluded that winter driving does not have to be a hazardous undertaking. A few simple precautions can prevent accidents from happening and keep you prepared just in case they do occur.

EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KIT

Mantua Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce News

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck on Friday, December 8th. Kids can visit them at the Mini Park from 6:00pm to 6:45pm. Haylett’s will donate candy canes. Paulette Nichols organizes this event and will provide hot chocolate and donuts. Usually, Santa sees between 30 and 50 kids.

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION:

The Chamber has organized a Downtown Revitalization Committee. A small group of members visited Kent to learn about their application for Main Street Program. Kent’s Main Street Manager gave us a CD with information that helped them to revitalize their downtown. We also visited Ravenna to learn about their streetscape.

Plans are underway for a window display next to K&K to publicize what commercial properties are available.

HOME SECURITY TIPS FROM NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

HOUSE NUMBERS: Numbers should be visible day and night from the street, either on the house or mailbox. This is important for the police when responding to a complaint.

SHRUBBERY: If shrubbery is blocking a clear view of doors and windows, thin it out, so that a burglar is denied the opportunity to work undetected.

RE-KEY LOCKS: This is an inexpensive procedure and should be done when moving into a home or apartment.

USE LOCKS: An unlocked lock is not a lock. Always lock your home, close and lock garage doors when away or at night.

HIDING KEYS: An extra key hidden in a secret location should be avoided. A burglar knows all the “hiding spots" and will look there for spare keys.

CLEAN-UP: Clean up your yard area. Do not leave small portable items, (lawn chairs, bikes, etc.) laying around. Keep them in a locked garage. All ladders should be stored inside. If you must leave one outside , lock it up securely.

YOUR ROUTINE: Alter your daily routine occasionally, to confuse any would-be burglar who may be watching your home.

LIGHTING: Using a timer to turn on interior lights is inexpensive. Also, a radio left playing when away will confuse a burglar. Report any broken street lights in your neighborhood.

ADMITTING STRANGERS: Always be careful about admitting strangers. Require identification before opening the door. Partially opening the door equipped with a door chain should be done with extreme caution.

VACATION PROCEDURES: Stop all mail and newspaper deliveries. Make arrangements to have lawn mowed or snow shoveled. Secure your home and leave lights on a timer. Leave a key to your home with a trusted neighbor in case of an emergency. Notify the police and request a vacation watch.

Here are some home remedies that you may not know about.

Some time ago, a suggestion was made to me that I offer subscriptions to Mantua Matters. A lot of people have told me that they were unable to get a copy, that the stores had run out, etc. I have spent a lot of time thinking about it and decided to offer this service and see what happens. So, here’s the deal:

For the bargain sum of $3.00 per year (4 issues beginning in March, ‘07) a full-size copy of Mantua Matters will be mailed to your home, 3 or 4 days before the free copies are in the stores and/or banks.

If you wish to take advantage of this service, please send your payment (checks made out to Mantua Village) of $3.00 with your name and mailing address to me at 4737 E. High St., Mantua or it can be dropped off at Village Hall during business hours.

Issues will be out in March, June, September & December 2007.

Thank you, Editor