“MAYOR’S CORNER”
Presently, we are working on moving the Administrative office, Police Department and Council Chambers to a new location. The present building has served its purpose for many years, but is badly in need of extensive repairs. I am working with Mantua Township Trustees to secure the old Fire Station on West High Street.
Our objective is to save a historical building and move our employees into a safe working environment. We have been researching a new building for a number of years, but found that it is not economically feasible at this time.
Recently, Jerry Carlton purchased the Village elementary school to move his main offices from Bedford Heights. Jerry is a Crestwood graduate and would like to give back to the community. This will generate revenue for the Village in the form of water/sewer and tax dollars.
I would like to thank the Service Department for the timely snow removal this winter. There were days and nights that the workers were out for 12 to 14 hours. This shows exemplary dedication to keep our streets safe and clean.
I would also like to welcome two new businesses to the Village. Corner Antiques and Music Emporium on the corner of Main and E. Prospect and The Nanny Salon for Dogs on Main Street across from the bank parking lot.
……….Mayor Claude E. Hopkins
“TAX TIME”
It’s that time of year again! According to Ordinance 1976-13, “any person of the age of 18 or over who resides, works, or operates a business in whole or in part, for any part of a tax year, within the Village of Mantua, shall, whether or not a tax is due and regardless of whether such person is subject to income tax withholding, make and file a return on or before April 15.
These tax dollars are used for the general Municipal operations, maintenance, new equipment, extension and enlargement of municipal services and facilities and capital improvements of the Village of Mantua. This includes, Police operations, maintenance of the Hillside Cemetery and Buchert Park, Spring/Fall cleanup, curbside brush pickup and street lighting.
New businesses in the Village, need to register at the Village Government Center at 4736 E. High St. If you need forms or have any questions, please call 330-274-8776.
…..…….Betsy Woolf, Clerk-Treasurer & Tax Administrator
“SPRING CLEAN-UP”
We will be having a spring clean-up day for Village residents on Saturday, May 8. Your throw-aways will be picked up at the curb of your residence. The pickup will start at 6 am and will only make one pass through your neighborhood and are usually out of the Village by 9 am.
Place your items out earlier in the week to give recyclers and salvage folks a chance to take what can be reused, which in turn saves tax money.
No batteries, tires, chemicals, or hazardous materials will be accepted. No pain or yard waste is acceptable either.
Any refrigeration appliance must have freon removed and a vendors certificate attached.
“BRUSH PICK-UP”
The Brush Collection Program for 2004 will commence in May and continue monthly until and including October. Pick-up will be on the SECOND MONDAY OF THE MONTH except Village holidays. If a holiday, the pick-up will be on the next day, Tuesday.
Residents may place brush at the curbside for collection, taking care to not block sidewalk areas. Only brush and branches shall be place with the cut ends at the curb with length not to exceed ten (10) feet and diameter not to exceed three (3) inches. Chipping crews will spend a maximum of 20 minutes chopping at each residence.
Chipping is intended for brush collection that has been trimmed by homeowners during routine maintenance. 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 be placed at the curb. If a contractor has been hired to perform the work, the contractor is responsible for brush/limb removal.
If anyone has any questions regarding the brush pickup or will like to obtain free wood chips, please call the Service Department at 330-274-8188.
“FOUR WORDS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR CHILD’S LIFE”
It’s not hard to stay safe. It doesn’t cost a lot of money. What it does take is common sense, the ability to pay attention and awareness of the right thing to do.
Imagine you are in the mall. A woman walks to the door of a store juggling a screaming four-year-old. The kid’s in the middle of a tantrum, as the red-faced mom tries to make her way to the car. Or is she??
Is it possible that the woman isn’t related to the child at all, and that she is abducting him instead?
What if your own child wandered away from you and someone grabbed him? Believe it or not there is something you can teach a child as young as three or four to help him avoid abduction. Something he can remember and execute in the space of the minute or so that it takes for a stranger to pick him up and walk out the door. Something so simple and straightforward that you’ve most likely overlooked it.
Teach your child to say four simple words; “I don’t know her.”
Practice yelling those four words with your child. “I don’t know her!” Talk about the right times to do this and that it is okay for them to fight, bite and scratch while they are screaming.
Would you stop that woman if you saw her leaving with a child who was screaming, “I don’t know her!” You’d better believe you would. And so would others.
“ICE RINK”
Thanks to the generosity of the Crestwood Lions Club, the Village of Mantua enjoyed the use of a skating rink at Buchert Park this winter.
With the help of Village officials, Mayor Claude Hopkins, Council President Marty Hura, residents Don Buchert and Norm Erickson, Harold Ullman and many members of the Lions, the rink was set up on the site of the volleyball court. They will all agree that it was a festive and memorable experience.
A few weeks later, a ribbon-cutting and grand opening was held at the Park Lodge. Residents have enjoyed the use of the rink throughout the winter.
It has now been taken down and stored for the summer and will be ready for next winter.
Thanks also, to the Service Department for help in maintaining and disassembling the rink.
Any comments or suggestions should be sent to the Parks Board Commission in care of Village Hall.
MANTUA POLICE DEPARTMENT
YEARLY REPORT FOR 2003
The MPD handled a total of 227 cases last year. This was a slight increase over 2002. A few of these cases are still under investigation, but most have been cleared.
The Department has dealt with assaults, burglaries, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, drug and alcohol related problems, fights, phone harassment, theft and vandalism, just to name a few.
During the year, there were 394 arrests, resulting in fines paid of $22,407.00. There were 48 accidents involving 73 vehicles, with 5 injuries and no deaths.
There were 335 traffic citations and 1,645 warnings and the cruisers were driven a total of 47,316 miles.
Total phone calls handled by the MPD Dispatchers, including 911 calls, was 8,870. There were also 436 mutual aid calls for other departments, plus a number of meetings, training and seminars attended by various officers.
Some of the activities of the Department that you may not be aware of include, Safety Town, security for parades, races and the Potato Festival, plus Safety Belt Classes given at the schools.
Other regular duties include bar checks, house checks, patrol at school zones, public and motorist assists, lockouts, plus checking lift stations, reservoir and the water and sewer plants.
Total officer hours worked was 11,451 and total dispatch hours worked was 9,862.
Presently the Mantua Police Department consists of 4 full-time and 7 part-time officers and 3 full-time and 5 part-time dispatchers. Each is dedicated to keeping us, our homes and our community safe from harm.
“I WISH I HADN’T SAID THAT!”
“Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff. ______Mariah Carey.
“Smoking kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life.”____Brooke Shields.
“I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix.”_______Dan Quayle
“We don’t necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people.” _____ROTC instructor
“Outside of the muders, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.” _____Marion Berry, Mayor of Washington DC
“It’s not exaggeration to say that the undecided could go one way or the other.” ____George W. Bush
“We’ve got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?” _____Lee Iacocca
“The word ‘genius’ isn’t applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” _____Joe Theisman
"FROM YOUR EDITOR”
In clearing out my Mantua Matters files, I came across the last issue put out by Katie Baird in September of 1997. The following article caught my eye and I thought it was worth repeating - in part.
“If I were to choose a most exciting story, a most inspiring tale, that occurred during the four years I have served [on Council], it would be the story of the renewal of the Park Lodge.”
“It all started with the refurbishing (no, the rebuilding from the bare joists) of the building that we now call the Park Lodge. It was a musty, dirty, neglected old building that had housed the streets equipment before we bought the Buckeye-Rose building on the other side of the river.”
“Then American Legion Post 193 came along. Using second-hand materials donated by Aurora Farms Outlets, this group took that building like they took the beaches at Donkeywork. Pounding and building and painting, they began the amazing transformation. They were joined by several other hearty citizens, and every time a need came up, the willing hands to do the work were found. And always supporting this labor of love were the members of the Service Department. When the task was finished, the Village, for cumulative expenditures of about $7,000, had a building worth four times that amount.”
“This is a moral tale, because it demonstrates the kind of support Mantua draws from its citizens and its workers. It shows the tremendous benefits of cooperation around a shared goal.”
“This kind of municipal cooperation is rare and fragile. It behooves all of us to work to preserve this special asset of our town. And the next time someone belittles our town, remember that in a world of ME, Mantua still understands the miracle of US.”
Words that are as true today as they were 6½ years ago. The Park Lodge remains as one of the bright spots in our Community. It has been rented several hundred times during those years, used by many organizations, businesses and individuals. It is pretty much self-supporting, again making use of volunteers for renovations, supplies, etc.
As a bit of a commercial, the calendar is already filling up for summer, May and June are especially busy for graduations, showers and receptions.
To book an event or for additional information on the Lodge, please call Village Hall at 330-274-8776.
“SOME EASTER TRIVIA”
“DIRT BIKES, 4-WHEELERS AND 3-WHEELERS”
It sounds like fun and the good weather is coming. But, did you know that you are not allowed to ride them on the roadways. The Village of Mantua does not permit them on our streets. This has changed from the past, where you were allowed to take them out of town and come directly back.
The Police Department has received numerous complaints of these vehicles running up and down our streets, going to McDonalds or the gas station and in some cases, just to go over to a friend’s house on the other side of town.
The Ohio Revised Code allows them to be operated only if your meet ALL of the following requirements: you must be 16 years of age or older, have a license to operate them, license plates or Recreational Sticker, proper safety equipment and written permission from the jurisdiction you are riding in. This must be carried with on when riding. Since the Village does not give permission to anyone, it is simple; you cannot ride them on our streets.
Also, remember that you need the permission of any private property landowner where you do ride. Places in the Village where they are prohibited include any school property, the park, the Hike and Bike Trail and any Village owned property.
The Chief of Police asks for your co-operation in being courteous to your neighbors and others in the community. We hope that you will find alternatives to enjoy your recreational vehicle within the scope of the law.
“CEMETERY CLEAN-UP”
Please have all Christmas and other winter decorations removed from Hillside Cemetery by April 15, 2004. All remaining Christmas decorations will be discarded as we begin to clean up the cemetery for Spring and Memorial Day.
“CORNER ANTIQUES AND MUSIC EMPORIUM”
Located at 4664 Prospect St., owned and operated by Dave and Mary Haylett and their son Rick.
Open Mon - Fri, 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, from 11 am to 3 pm.
They offer music lessons, musical instrument repair and clock repair. They buy and sell antiques and musical instruments.
Please stop in, say hello and see what they have to offer.
For information call, 330-274-9095.
“THE NANNIE’S SALON FOR DOGS”
Is your puppy looking scruffy? Needing a spring clean-up? Take him/her to the Nanny Salon for a beauty treatment. Owner Denise Pasquerella and Groomer Melissa Posey will provide y our pooch with a full-body shampoo, brush-out and trim. They will also claim and paint their nails and clean out their ears. Soon they will be set up to do dental work also.
Call and talk to Chris Montgomery at 330-274-8980. They are located on Main St. across from Bank One parking lot. Grand Opening is in progress now through the end of March.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am till 5 pm. Saturdays from 10 am till 7 pm. You can make an evening appointment on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Sundays are for emergency only.
Stop in and chat with these three terrific ladies and soon we will have the best looking canines in the County.
We are delighted to welcome them to our community and wish them the best of luck.
“COMMUNITY FLEA MARKET/YARD SALE”
Neighborhood Watch has scheduled this event for May 22, 2004, at the Village Park and Lodge. Hours will be from 9 am to 4 pm.
Tables are $10.00 if you use one of ours and $5.00 if you supply your own. To reserve a table, please call Diane at 330-274-8737, after 4:00 pm
“ZONING REPORT"
With Spring just around the corner, and thoughts of all those building projects, please do not forget compliance with the Zoning Code of Mantua Village.
Projects such as: Fences, Decks, Pools, Garages, Storage Sheds and Home Additions are some of the most common home-owner projects which require a zoning permit from Mantua Village.
You need to plan ahead in order to allow enough time for the Zoning Review Process and the additional time required to obtain a Portage County Building Department Permit, if required.
Projects such as: roof replacement, window and door replacement do not require a zoning permit as long as the structure is not being changed. But these projects may require a Building Permit from Portage County. You need to check with them prior to the project.
As a reminder - all contractors doing work in Mantua Village must register at the Village Hall prior to performing any work. You as a resident, should check to ensure they have done so prior to allowing them to start on your project.
Zoning applications are available at the Mantua Village Hall from 9 am to 4 pm weekdays. 330-274-8776.
“ARTICLES WANTED”
As I remind everyone, in each issue, this is YOUR paper. It is about Mantua, its people, places and events.
If you have anything you would like to hear about, any ideas or suggestions, please let me know. Write to me c/o Village Hall, 4736 E. High St., Mantua, OH 44255. Or you may call at 330-274-8776.
If you belong to an organization or club, I would be happy to print any information on your meetings or upcoming events.
Bye for now, see you in June!
……………Diane Hura, Editor