Amherst news-times, 2007-01-03

              do too many kids have leps? - r amherst news-tim public library 221 spring strep amherst, ohio 44001 break-ins prompt police to warn neighborhoods boys get first win on the court page 6 grinch has been hard at work. city detectives arc following leads in three holiday since dec, 22, and meantime asking neighbors be alert tor suspicious activity. "we're trying determine who is doing what there, whether it's one person or a group of people," sgt. dan jasinski said yesterday. friday, dec. crooks took two bicycles worth $1 ,200 each from closcd-in back porch henry street. day, n cherry valley drive home was entered nintendo oamccubc, several games, leaf blower, leather coat were taken. it possible door house could left unlocked. the' third case, thursday, 27, blossom "we need residents stay alert, keep look-out, license plate numbers, " jasinski. while away during mid-afternoon. criminals looking for cash, jewelry, microsoft xbox said, made with items valued $5,000. officers increasing patrols area over past year as burglars repeatedly taf-gctcd homes that neighborhood. start 2006, there six reported february, may, july, august, november, december. flooded valley, blossom, wqodhill neighbor- boynton part plan fix funding schools by jason hawk news-times reporter school funding. years, those words wrought feelings anger helplessness hearts nnd wallets ohioans. now nil may poised change, league education activists stands ready launch campaign amend state constitution. "i think everybody's board about something it," superintendent robert boynton, boards association's "stronger schools: stronger ohio" campaign. traveled osba's conference columbus, where he expected committee lenders unveil next stage months planning communication, endorse signature continued 5 not quite one-horse open sleigh ind no snow moans these loy-rlders can trot their four-leqged friend right down pai warm weather joy-riders four-legged park avenue, adding mora than just tiny touch old-town christmas spirit amherst. hoods flyers last week, especially wary afternoon, report any "it's got somebody out place area. we numbers," said. pago 3 ' contract talks pass 31 deadline negotiations secure new stalled renewal deadline, but both sides are saying ill will continuing talks. "i'd like this wrapped up yesterday, going take long takes," brian brancatclli, head unit patrolmen's benevolent association. union wages comparable cities avon, avon lake, sheffield obcrlin, lorain, local pay simple isn't equitable market price. "right now, we're paid below average, all want average pay," brancatclli told predicting would stretch into 2007. mayor david taylor declined outline union's specific requests raises course three-year term. good employees fair them, also 8 council reconvene monday members tackle 40-acre starbuck rezoning, one-mill fire levy three-week leave absence, return session only members. municipal legislature swing action corly evening jan. 8, u hearing scheduled 6:30 p.m. discuss rezoning 40 acres north cooper foster road, adjacent prcrnicr toyota-scion. developer bill revealed his plans site, clerk olga sivinski. lust attempt rezone land commercial use when woo big-box retailer target fell through. subsequently signed deal mcgill property construct store quarter-mile away, lake street intersection. followed finance meeting 6:55 p.m., resolution five-year, before voters. delve regular proceedings 7 present, resignation at-large matt barrett, elected 58th district representatives november. democratic work reviewing resumes (there thursday) replacements complete remainder barrett's term, prominent party member former john jaworski. "there's problem filling seat well-qualified successor," meet tuesday, 9, formal discussion matter. sivinski law sets timeline replacement incomplete least its possibly second meetings "(jaworski) hopes someone end month because filing deadlines year's races," she president dietrich legislative body monday. preserving our keepers living time capsule women show visitors how lived 160 years ago kay clark elaine marian spent decade renovating, furnishing, sharing harris-dute house. editor's note: article four-week series people preserve amherst's heritage. german immigrants began settling wilderness known shortly war 1812. year. celebrate bicentennial, much remains rustic roots hundreds ago, artifacts exist protected historical society. 1996, preservationist even went so far acquire an entire effort history alive tangible generations come. guardians historians harlan clark, overseeing renovation, decoration, upkeep. "the really ruin," says describing building donated society for$l. originally constructed cobbler calvin harris oberlin road 1848, greek revival structure purchased dute family died 1860. sisters kathcryn lydia dute, inherited generation later, reside without indoor plumbing electricity until 1972. had access home, ruin. i saw it, pile stone there," tour month. "it shambles. abandoned time, windows broken out." period, volunteers helped rebuild authentic 1848 glory. wallpapered painted interior, interim refurbishing period furniture artifacts. inside main entrance functional common room, wood stove "casket door" accommodate funerals. opposite