Amherst News-Times, 2003-01-01

              t what's your resolution? page 4 players stage january production pai h o uj a r" co c yi 00 x m r- w 2 i 35 ") ra 15 amherst news-time michael costcllo town hall .memories by jason hawk ; news-times roportor "never look back" isn't cxacdy one of martin sofia's favorite phrases. the local state farm agent-turned committee chain nan is spearheading 8 major project to restore histori cal second floor auditorium at am herst pity hall, widi hopes that it will bring back old spirit com munity residents felt 50 years ago. ;,rno matter how city progresses and moves on, should still have some face history got there started," said sofia, who wants see more atten man honored naws-timos it's bird! plane! it's... costcuo! on april 19, 2002, leaped' rescue in single bound, pulled his $7-yeir-old neighbor eleanor coe from her blazing trailer safety. y now 29-ycar-old be- ' ing recognized for ids hero ism pennsylvania-based carnegie fund commis sion; which dec. 19 named this year's 22 recipients thi mcdal. v tion activity shifted die downtown district. "in days; that's where focus always was. very important preserve that, because makes different fiom otter cities." once renovations are completed, area groups individuals access non-profit venue graduation ceremonies, recitals, or club meetings, he said. "it be available kinder garten classes, boy scouts, small recital groups, hundred other things nice historical public spot," sofia said, adding would also provide increased sea ting (200-300 people) event school board council meetings with large interest ll fc """ii ",costclio, works tiiird shift as worker cardboard-cutting plant cleveland, was awake late saw lights coe's wcstwood mobile home park trailer. "i realized st wasn't normal light, firelight," ex plained. jumped up told my mom phone call 911, then tan out door. triqd knocking, but didn't get any reply, so fi nally kicked door in. when in, smoke de tector going, off couldn't dark. tell if "we want try use like past, mod ern applications," indicating souml video installations made according pro ject's budget, after building's structure been made. first step process, ac cording removal dangerous asbestos insulation sonic existing wells dint were not part original upstairs layout. workers remove entire drop ceiling an open-beam structure. completion time depend funding, far, slated work around estimated what goes must come down getting hill behind golden acres easy lor sled ders enjoying holiday snow last week. another situation all together. saving not," asleep bed room home, rushed past firc-cngulfcd sunroom her, helped flames out," neither injured, destroyed. just did anyone else done," ho re ally feel much hero. hurt she's friend sought $900,000 budget donations philanthropic organizations, al though may eventu ask officials limited funds, current plans don't cost tax payers dime. auditorium's heritage key issue hall's stairs restoration, members hope addi tional memorabilia keepsakes half-century, including central chandelier personalized graffiti, signatures, messages written western wall above stage.' continued 10 shocked q files lawsuit $10 million injury nows-times reporter than five months passed since 20-ycar-old derek car ter coming into contact 7,200-volt electrical line, guardian asking damages. week received summons complaint lorain county court cor.mon pleas, naming defendant tcr attorneys carter's guardian, dcnisc l. si usher, 1026 east eric avenue, lorain, filed suit documents supervisor, philip richards, masonry, property owners raymond ruth half, equipment manufac turer genie industries, several unnamed entities. alleges fulfill their duty june 17, dc-cncrgize properly sleeve power line uiat rarjfwithin feet carter cutting mortar between bricks hafts building corner cleveland avenues. stick-boom hydraulic uftpr "cherry picker" holding tool apparcndy leaned backward wires. lift had placed posi 101 avenue ri chards, instructed boom danger move grout brick facade building, indi cate, chards failed warn .lines, inadequate safety warnings mom's mine, anything bad .happen her." waves talks time, even tour new she summer, bravery, courage, selflessness, commission award $3400 costcllo, pay christmas presents. carnegie's bronze medal has given 108 people bringing 8,665 eighth grade students st. joseph projects during trip museum natural recently posted manufacturer. slushcr's lawyers claim result, incurred "severe excruciating physical mental pain suffering," bila teral arm amputations, loss mo bility, paralysis, medical, surgical, paramedical care expense, enjoyment life, income. they amherst's alleged negligence, usher faces income, society, medical expenses, severe anguish. richards masonry charged working near 7300 volts improper equip ment, without proper training, lifting device, training within lines sleeved, grounded, dc-cncrgizcd, site-specific plan, notifying owner prior fact, witiiout inspecting supervision guidance, spotter helper, structing rccogni don avoidance ha zards overhead lines. industries accused reckless manufacturing fai lure post sufficient warning struction measures. declined ment week, citing need view legal counsel position, slush cr nor could reached comment. total number its inception 1904. persons risk lives extraordinary gree while attempt save others. three years' war decs died, performance heroic acts. established millionaire philanthropist andrew carnegie, througliout 98 distributed $262 'one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, conti nuing assistance. -i &sl