The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2003-01-08

              i ffl h m c en o n r 2 j co x (tl mmjimj v r- in & -i , f s mayor makes city's resolutions page 7 comets win overtime amher news -tim - taking a look at 2002 through top 10 stories as wc wave our final farewells to 2002, the news-times would like take few inches of column space mention year's ups and downs, its rights wrongs, heroes villains. looking over last 52 issues, we've selected. those that consider have had most profound im pact on community citizens. here arc important yean 1 city is facing deficit officials told funds-shortage crisis amherst's general fund has been expected for several years, spent many past council meetings finding ways boost revenue, cut costs, circumvent monetary emergencies. mounting expenses failing revenues due bad economy dug large hole fund, leaving administrators ques tioning fiscal viability, putting crunch expenditures. although councilmcmbers considered gradual solutions budget problem, including reapportionment one-percent income tax, no definitive measures taken, forced adoption temporary march 2003. treasurer kathleen litkovitz am-. hcrst needs work harder draw new businesses their tax able revenues. she also described lower interest rates eliminated an additional estimated $650,000 available funds compared better years. yet, budgetary woes haven't into vital services such police fire personnel or operations, but officials, auditor diane eswinc, made it clear without prompt action, carryover next year will leave operations paralysis, if not crippled. ' bridge design dangerous? spanning railroad tracks near nordson depot mono lithic wreckage steele concrete angered jackson street residents nearly three what began optimistic reconstruction one used bridges turned nightmarish fiasco when local ci tizens alleged only was bridge's l shaped safety hazard adjacent houses children, project's engineers key mistakes planning stages left serious inconsistencies structure. resident self-appointed activist alvin miller others routine pleas review progress long-overdue completion, law director ken neth stumphauzcr ordered ah immediate halt work. december, released by independent firm integrity had, fact, compromised building procdss. now construction materials sit untouched, marring nearby skyline. set open jan. 15 . discuss proposals fixing orcmoving controver sial bridge. 3 main designation lcsia boytchuk-schncider finally back relax after two years con secutive attempts earn stale status amherst fi nally paid off. official com munity sought effort gain access training, funding, pctworking may help turn around downtown business productivity. her, dream one'day rcfocus attention historical district return commercial center once was. her ambitions include rehabilitation existing buildings pur suit businesses, fish market, men's clo thing retailer, bookstore, video rental shop, deli. bet terment association officers begin period intensive train ing state program. 4 williams returns to'council every decision profoundly impacted councilman david kukucka resigned commitments took his seat councilxnan-ai-large february. democrat, said he reasons: passion love politics former tle chairman task force investigating possibility full-time 1997-1998. served governor's senior policy advisor health disability congressional advisory committee empowerment people with disabili ties, member disabilities. wife are actively involved society, friends metroparks, church, sl joseph church. serves board national multiple sclerosis since february, voice swayed, made, stayed votes significantly. jwl t m. iwi. jik. -twtl instil qrvwir pari. a9r amheibi. oh-- darth vader, splderman, ride cub scouts hallo ween parade float october. hun dreds participated parade, which way down park avenue ended hall. members military honor guard salute present arms sept. 11. 2002. special ceremony hall grounds commemorate terrorist attacks world trade pentagon. swimmers maude neiding pool aftor scare involvlna slight "tingling" sensation during hot test weeks summer. workers quickly dotected fixed minor problem boosted electrical current water. continued pagt 6 governor bob taft pops amhorst first week november make last-minute campaign appearance before election day. spoke lorain county republican candidates phone calls encouraging mam vote. out below! heavy snow perfect downhill slalom billy collins, 13, who travelled from sheffield use sledding hill behind gol den acres nursing home week. him were exchange student cory chen china dago aldana mex ico (not pictured). wal-mart another pitch cash jason hawk nows-tlmas reporter they might rejected am herst location route 58, wal mart spokcspcople still search a, western site build. representatives carnegie management development corp. met thursday convince them side cooper foster road just place "it strengthen area because south more developable land," developer tho mas j. smith, experience "halo" effect increased traffic encourage locate area. included firm's prop osal widened roads support projected crease incentive schools, net $2,041,417 30 (or ab $68,047 per year). school district's education say agreement, organizational meeting monday, 6, did vote oppose lorain's tif proposal. payoff, smith asked inject between $239,000 $350,000 sorely needed revenue cover project shortfall. currently $700,0001.7 million proposed budget, asking assistance resources, di rector sanford prudoff he's seen cases offered up $600,000 industrial grants similar projects. deficit's margin dependent whether decide widen five lane 58 fogg dustrial drive, 600 feet east williamsburg opposite direction. so far, yet any committment cither proposal, neither john higgins president dietrich could see advantage spending money get lorain. "i really think this going hurt us, there's benefit amherst," news-times. right there jeopardize plaza, don't sec pockets we spend." plea didn't cost mov utilities, electric sewer lines along foster, well contingency costs. pledge assist $1.6-1.8 "if got about that," admit issue aside, need be repaired future. agree higgins's viewpoint. "this actually substantially," officials. representa tives chance case p.m., ho doesn't expect fa votabk) reception councilmcin ters, considering conservative approach under pressure i,