Amherst news-times, 2007-12-12

              beautification efforts rewarded - page cold spell hits comets 9 amherst news-times public ligru, 221 spring street city, vwkers agree to three-year pact by john lasko reporter after working without a contract since december, the city's 26 service department employees and supervisors, along with officials from city of have finally settled on new contract. "we've been negotiating all this time," said mayor david taylor. "this was little more difficult in fact that there were different avenues issues particular contract." while taylor is disappointed it has taken them long reach such conclusion, terms are similar an agreement approved last month coun cil for cities law enforcement personnel. "all these contracts boiled down dollars cents," said. "it's what they want verses we can give them. get something you something." according details contract, workers will be making additional 3.75 percent top their current salaries 2007, 2008 2009 year's increase retroactive january. first time, now contributing 15 percent, not exceed $750 year, toward health care premiums. they've also agreed pay $2 generic prescriptions, $5 preferred medications, $7 non-preferred plan. "previously, (the employees) haven't paid penny hospitalization," continued 10 ' '" emm amy schon, 7, eric jacobs, 11, chosen princess prince annual miracle main event held friday. they, santa, pulled switch light holiday lights. at right below, local youth enjoy craft sessions. fii f31 draws large crowd weekend really miraculous, especially kids who turned out glimpse santa. following parade park avenue, residents gathered front hall where pastor dan reinke old stone avenue united methodist churches opened prayer. madrigals steele high school led-the community traditional. christmas carols holding candles. introduced court 40 princes princesses steps hall. 7. schon attends shupe elementary miss littleton's class. 11. jacobs nord middle mrs. giacobbe's both got tree rest center transformed into family fun center. boy girl scouts offered crafts, activities, refreshments bake sale small donation, which given r pl'jj y g p 5 o c i awn j h $ l sj w cobb, 87, hangs up her village council hat there's still sewers built, retirement community, too, but it's time retire serving 14 years south council, helenc officially retired spotlight. she appointed 1994 then chester arcaba. "1 didn't even know do when took job," cobb russia road home week. cobb's meeting monday, dec. 3 no fan fair, fellow members let adjourn meeting. 'there's void," ronald schmitz retirement. "she voice elderly always hard replace somebody work so long." presented final paycheck amount $1,080 monday's "while regrets throughout 47-year career as servant, one thing wanted anything during councilwoman. 'the really, sewers," .said. "and i'm waiting them." worries other senior citizens like won't able stay because homes within village. attributes problem lack sanitary community. "when told ready retire," "i people can't own hometown. would go oberlin, wellington, elyria, lorain, or amherst." instrumental obtaining brand tanker truck used village's fire department. only problems "we build station had place truck." currently being housed parking lot makruski's convenience store waitingvon station. chose 2