Amherst News-Times, 2000-12-06

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Wednesday, December 6. 2000
Amherst, Ohio
New sewer rates mor
fair, despite increases
by JASON TOMASZEWSKI
News-Times reporter
Many Amherst residents have
been seeing a change in their sewer
bills recently and while there is a
contingency welcoming the
changes, there's also a group opposed to the new billing plan.
The city has eliminated a flat rate
that charged has everyone $21 per
month no matter how much water
they used in favor of a per usage
charge. The change was put into effect for the Nov. 1 billing period.
Tis the season to be merry
Getting a start on the holiday season, officially
— are plenty of youngsters, like this one, who
took to Santa's lap last Friday night on the steps
According to utilities superintendent Don Woodings this is a more
equitable way of charging people
for sewer usage.
"The old way of charging had
people who used less water paying
for those who used more,*' stated
Woodings. "A family of four who
might use 10-15 thousand gallons a
month were paying the same $21
that a single person using 4,000 gallons a month was paying. This way
people will only pay for what they
use."
The change comes thanks to the
Environmental Protection Agency.
Since the 1970s the EPA has been
hounding Amherst to upgrade the
wastewater treatment plant Time
and time again the city has made efforts to comply with EPA regulations. According to Woodings one
of the first projects the city undertook to upgrade the wastewater
treatment plant was lo install tm
eggcrate style filter called a trickling
filter to help meet EPA standards.
The cost of the filter was $250,000.
In the 1980s the city was fined by
Ohio's attorney general for noncompliance. The cost of the bill wa*
CONTINUED on page 3
of city hall where mayor John Higgins, below,
gets ready for the tree lighting ceremony.
High school students start
annual holiday food drive
The 15th Annual Christmas Food Collection for
the Needy will be held from Dec. 11-18.
This service project is sponsored by the Marion L.
Steele High School Art Club and the art department
with support from the members of the student
council.
Last year more than 3,773 items of food were collected, which filled four vans. In addition, $1,409.19
in cash was collected from the students and staff of
the high school.
This service project benefits the Amherst Food
Pantry, run by Nancy Burls, through Good Shepherd
Baptist Church, and provides for some of the needy
of the community.
Burls, along with her helpers, are expecting to
distribute more than 100 food baskets.
The students' generosity in the true spirit of the
holiday season has been evident over the past 14
years and will be appreciated by those who will benefit again this year.
For the past 14 years, art teacher Joe Dahman has
headed the food collection for the needy. Since
1985,71,553 items of food have been collected, or
about 35.25 tons.
The students and staff also have contributed money for the needy amounting to $6,886.57 since
1992.
Anyone wishing to donate to this worthwhile service project is asked to drop off items at the high
school's main office from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during
the drive.
Also, anyone who wants to donate food or cash
can contact Burls at the churn at 988-4506.
Local teacher given county
award for innovative work
by JASON TOMASZEWSKI
News-Times reporter
Every year the Leadership Lorain
County organization gives out a
Golden Apple award to a teacher
who conies up with new innovations
in leaching.
This year the award will be presented to Dave Cotton of Marion L.
Steele High School.
Cotton has taught in Amherst for
24 years, first at Nord Junior High,
then at the high school He has
taught several classes including English, drama, speech, and television.
"This is a complete surprise,"
staled Cotton. "I never thought I
would receive anything like this."
The fact is that this is not the first
time Cotton has received an award
of this type. In 1986 when the high
school opened the new television
studio Cotton was awarded the local
Apple Award. "It is basically the
same award only that one was
local," explained Cotton.
Steele principal Fred Holland
nominated Cotton for the award.
From there the nominations were
sifted by a panel from Leadership
Lorain County. When the sifting
ceased. Cotton's name was left.
Cotton, who received his degree
from Northwestern University, takes
pride in his work. "My career has
Dave
really been split." staled Cotton.
The first half I was really involved
in drama. A lot of my training was
in theater. But when they opened the
television studio my time was cut. I
couldn't do both, ao I decided to go
with the television."
Cotton tries to show Us students
Cotton
that communication is important for
bringing people together.
Through communication people
can be more accepting," explained
Cotton. This is something mat is
not just limited to journalism. This
stretches out into everyday life."
City to buy private property
to help with park parking
There has never been a big prob-
lem parking at Maude Neiding Pwfc
for people using the swimming
POOL
That is, there has sever been a big
iwkmg for the normal
traffic.
there are reveal bines
s year that the pool at Maude Neid-
ing plays host to swim meets. It Is
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parties becomes a
For years
of William
always beat gracious to
can lo park on his property for
events.
While Homing
plained about the perked
officials reft that if
purchase the
would have some type
meet for die usage.
They (the city) have bees eating
for yeers." staled Hem***. Tve sl*
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