Amherst News-Times, 2003-01-15

              comets enjoy big win page o 4 amherst news-time c rr. i voter ward maps are reject tax redistribution fails 5 by jason hawk news-times reporter a yearlong controversy rclg nited last week when the lorain county board of elections re jected map denning amherst's new voting wards, and republi can city council members ac cused incumbent democratic ad ministrators attempting to fix upcoming elections. jan. 3 letter from election director marilyn jacobcik said that submitted district its bound aries didn't conform tual street addresses contained in map. it also indicated immedi ate action is necessary rectify situation, as will be feb. 20 organize precincts. reopens con troversy began january two republican councilmcmbcrs, nrk brusky jennifer wasilk, requested bipartisan cooperation draw ing up claim although they had appa rently resolved tlto issues aug. 22 meeting with admi nistrators, their input was never used map's creation. "there have been too many errors for these 'mere mistakes,'" brusky. "the administration using this redisricting tactic produce favorable result eliminating potential opposition candidates." because confusion surrounding map, didates cannot petition run fore primary deadline. "i no doubt mind rriyor his staff com petent at each step redis ricting, major flaw has uncovered. reason, lieve all actions arc po litically motivated," said. mayor john higgins peatedly denivu n any gerrymandering scheme, claiming he docs not resources disposal undertake such an attempt rig ging small-town but according jacobcik, enough access information create problems continued on junior high school opening delayed longtime scoa tour marge marshall (right) receives rosos plaquo commemorate her years ser vice. she seen here whh successor, tom flegge, ww work 2003 ho warms into position. paul morton associate editor long-awaited wait little longer. 6 organizational board, mazzc clark & post architects finish building would delay beyond 21 date anticipated. contracted completed temporary certificate? occupancy issued city, number "punch list" items mained completed. "tticro's lot tilings like touching upt paint, or uncurling' corner ceiling tile, there's really elements incomplete," "there's things could disruptive." originally scheduled open 6, students returned winter break. dec. 16, 2002, decision made until jan.- 21, day after martin luther king jr. holiday. next window opportunity move 18, fol lowing presidents day. windows 'of were determined availa bility three-day weekend, give workers one additional over weekends make nord "schooir superintendent robert boy nton rather than set spe cific time better finally "at point schools look say we're ready go, occurs, we'll weeks later," boynton full weekends, necessarily extra weekend. moving having domino effect delaying renovations current school. undergoing accommodate fifth- sixth ,. gradcstudentsjn the, "year. guide retires position news-timos putting together monthly trips am herst's senior citizens, hitting road herself. citizens (scoa) direc tor, noted organization overnight excursions across country, sent off roses applause scoa's retired "she's tfcc type woman who very independent," president harold llewel lyn. "everybody likes marge. you can't help her, cause goes out way do everything." announced tirement year, citing de sire travel spend more visiting family. so, gave posi tion she's held since 1980, where worked side husband warren, death 1992. 8 balks lct request $1 ,000 amid concerns tight budget, committee questioned quest $1,000 donation transit, which council-at-iargc david williams merely "token gesture." "how times get tlw taxpayers' pockets?" asked. acknowledged small amount money, wrong ask even money local governments already being funded dollars. "it almost seems told every other community doing it, so we should it," fellow mem bers. "well, somebody stand 'hold our dollars paying through government.'" cc: 'wal-mart isn't welcome' actually monday night wal-mart department store, officials exactly reception hoping approached council. led development sanford prudoit, delegation asked pitch between $250,000 $350,000 improve ments cooper foster park order corporate superstore, expenditure councilmcmbcrs greet kindly. "what see bringing jobs income both amherst," prudoff residents crammed chambers. problem area underdesigned kind growth experienced there now hurting extent leavingt border increase traffic therefore businesses fill about 11 vacancies either mad. poor condition causing drain commerce area, added. amlwrst way, including higgins, pointed interference existing parking areas sult widening three five lanes. council-at-large nick added die majority suffer direct competition undercut pricing located road. s oesterman earns eagle rank jonathan ryan ceived scout special court honor saturday, 8. son james sandy oesterman; member troop 448, sponsored sanctu ary church south amherst. belongs great frontiers heart ohio award highest honor. der achieve rank, must cam merit badges, active troop, hold leadership positions, plete service project. sanctuary invocation delivered pastor art wiegand .followed pledge allegiance sc oath given assistant se nior patrol leader luke bemer, along willi jeremy wahl dan rodriguez. master cere monies jim oesterman. advisor douglas lapp reviewed ocsterman's project challenges faced way. career cub pack received december.