The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 1997-12-24 |
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Letters to Santa on Pages 6-7 Shadylawn repairs are complete — Page 3 Amherst News-Time O i-» O o O U3 X X ■~ CO r-1 l-l C Ul O o 3 X 3> < X M 3 -1 I> o Wednesday, December 24, 1997 Former law director faces more $$ charges Former city law director Thomas Sanborn can't seem to stay out of the reach of the long arm of the law, especially the county prosecutor's office. Sanborn, who was sentenced on federal charges last year, was indicted by a Lorain County Grand Jury last week on five counts of ihclt, one count of forgery and one count of tampering with evidence. All seven charges stem from 1996 allegations that he allegedly defrauded his law clients out of more than $273,(XX). Sanborn pleaded guilty in federal court in late 1996 to stealing more than $230,000 from his clients between 1979 and 1996. Lorain County prosecutor Greg White said Sanborn escaped state prosecution by confessing to federal prosecutors without his office's knowledge. In doing so, Sanborn was charged with violating federal banking laws in connection with the case. "Basically, he and James Burge (his attorney) walked in their office and admitted to a federal crime, and (Burge) asked them to charge him (Sanborn)," White explained. "They did, but they didn't talk with us first and we didn't find out until after he was officially charged." Even though his law license was revoked by the state, Sanborn received a lesser sentence, or what White called "a slap on the wrist." Sanborn was sentenced to six months of alcoholism rehabilitation at a special Akron facility and six months of house arrest in his Amherst home. Nevertheless, White vowed to pursue the case because of what he called "sloppy investigation" by federal officials. He said they failed lo verify Sanborn's claims that only S23O.OO0 had been taken from his clients. No federal audit of Sanborn's records was done, he added. He was indicted by the grand, jury last week alter an audit of his financial records revealed about 542,500 in client funds were still missing. The additional information was presented to the grand jury earlier this month. The audit was done by White's office as part of a continuing investigation. "We never really closed this case despite what the federal prosecutors and the court did because it never should have gone lo them in the first place," he added. "This was an end run on his attorney's part." Sanborn pleaded not guilty lo the new charges after voluntarily surrendering lo the Lorain County Sheriff's Department last week. He is free on $20,000 bond pending a future court hearing in Lorain County Common Pleas Court. Neither Sanborn nor Burge could .be reached for comment. Amherst, Ohio Powers Elementary School second graders get help in baking cookies kie Caper from Marion L. Steele High School students during the second annual "Coo- Big kids, little kids learn in kitchen by GLEN MILLER News-Times reporter Powers Elementary School kids had a very busy two days last week preparing for tomorrow. On Dec. 16, about 27 second graders ventured across Washington Street to Marion L. Steele High School lo pull off what school teachers describe as a major "Cookie Caper." Twenty-two juniors and seniors taught them how to bake apple jack Christmas cookies. The following day, 30 Powers students enrolled in the extended first grade program found out what it was like to be Santa — or at least one of his elves. Each brought an old toy lo school that was donated to needy area children by the Salvation Army. The bakc-a-thon was a learning experience for both the second graders and students enrolled in Barbara ^picker's "Single Living" class. High school students take the class to learn how lo cook, sew and do anything and everything that's necessary to survive when a person is living the single life. It's especially helpful for college- bound students or those with plans to move away from the security and comfort of mom and dad after high school graduation. "But its also helpful in helping to learn to get along with and help people other than themselves or their friends," Spieker explained. Powers teacher Sue Naelitz had another motive, one that would help the younger students understand the importance and use of weights and measures in their daily Jives. The "Cookie Caper" is held in conjunction with a new math program started two years ago at Powers. It includes instruction in dry and liquid measures. "I just felt a good practical application would be to actually make something, especially something everybody would like to eat," Naelitz said. "Besides, they also learn about baking. It's a fun learning experience." The cookies were either eaten or taken home as a surprise for the second graders' mothers. They were CONTINUED on page 2 Financier wants probation over jail Chief assistant county prosecutor Jonathan Roscnbaum has filed a motion with the Lorain County Common Pleas Court opposing probation for convicted investment advisor Joseph Ncmchik. Ncmchik was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted in early October of defrauding more than a dozen- clients of more than $1.5 million in investment funds. He currently is being held in the Lorain Correctional Institution in Grafton pending the outcome of the probation request. In his motion, Roscnbaum argued Ncmchik does not deserve probation because he "fleeced" clients out of their investments for his own personal gain. Ncmchik is seeking probation so he can pay back the clients, an offer James Burge, his Lorain atlo/ncy, made at his sentencing hearing. Burge is seeking a hearing before judge Thomas Janas on the probation request. In his motion, however, Roscnbaum said the investment advisor is attempting to manipulate the justice system as he did his victims through offers of restitution. "There is no reason to prey- upon the minds and hopes of these (clients) by giving the. defendant a chance tq advance more hollow promises at a hearing," he wrote. Janas was expected to make a decision on the hearing this week. Ncmchik closed his investment office on S. Main Street in mid-fall. •. .'"'■• < o c o o x w Move force senio Golden Acres part of commissioner's study of land use by GLEN MILLER News-Times reporter A county official is studying the possibility of closing the Golden Acres nursing home and moving it to the old St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain. Lorain County Commissioner Michael Ross initiated the study as part of an effort to find multiple uses for the closed hospital. He said relocation of the residents of the old sandstone nursing home could have several benefiLs for the county. Not only does the hospital provide room for expansion, the county could benefit from the sale of the nursing home land at the corner of N. Leavitt and North Ridge roads. Ross noted the land is ripe for development because of its location and proximity to Rt. 2, and a new interchange planned by the Ohio Turnpike Commission on Rt. 58. Golden Acres administrator William Glowacki said he, his staff and the residents would prefer to remain in the building. "I'd hate lo leave this building because the residents are happy and we have such nice grounds here," Glowacki added. "If they decide to move, ihen we'll do it, like it or not." Ross said he expects the study to take at least 90 days, after which the proposal will have to be reviewed and discussed by fellow commissioners Belly Blair and Mary Jo Vasi. Neither could be reached lor comment by the News-Times, although Glowacki said ihcy have expressed reservations in conversations with him. The 82-bcd county-opcraicd nursing home has been located in Amherst for aboul 30 years. Prior to the late 1960s, the 70-year-old building was a tuberculosis treatment center. The South Shore Development Corp., a nonprofit development firm, has laken over the redevelopment of the old hospital. "This is nodiing more than an idea — a proposal to look at the feasibility. Nothing is going lo happen overnight or anytime soon," Ross said. One of the redevelopment ideas under consideration for the old hospital is what Ross called a "condo concept." Under it, the county would purchase space in the'building for the nursing home rather than lease it on a long-term basis. Ihe county should own the facility in which the nursing home residents live, he added. CONTINUED on page 2 Higher tax bills will be county's present to us by GLEN MILLER News-Times reporter The Lorain County auditor has an unwelcome but inevitable present for Amherst and South Amhersi residents: higher properly taxes. The increases come in two different packages for homeowners. The value of homes built within the last few years will increase 10 percent resulting in aboul a three percent higher tax bill. The owners of older homes will receive a bigger present, a 20 percent increase in valuation and tax bills thai are around five percent more. The difference in Valuation and lax bills is based on the auditor's knowledge of the value of homes, according to chief county real estate appraiser Sieve Birch. The appraised value of newly built homes is close to or the same as the current value. It usually is It's a sure thing: taxes and death by GLEN MILLER News-Times reporter Henry Kowal and Robert Becker live about five miles apart. The men don't know each other although they share a common fate: their property taxes arc going up more than they would like. Kowal, of 642 Greenlawn Avenue, and Becker, of 209 Artnis Road, South Amherst, will be paying between five and six per cent higher property taxes starting in 1998. The change is due to a state required revaluation of residences throughout Lorain County by the county auditor's office. Becker's increase will be higher than Kowal's because he lives in South Amherst, where home values will jump 25 percent. His taxes will increase close to six percent while Kowal's will go Up about five percent. That's because his home is among those in Amherst whose valuation has been increased 20 percent. People living in new homes built within the last few years will pay less, .only three percent more in taxes. That's because the value of their homes is closer to the actual cost of con- sttuction and market value. Their valuation will increase 10 percent, according to the auditor's office. The value of older homes is large! y unknown because the auditor's office does not know if they have been remodeled unless a county appraiser has walked ihrough them within the last Tew years. . Kowal, an air traffic controller in Oberlin, said an appraiser did inspect his home when he purchased it in 19%. Nevertheless, its current value of more than $192,000 increased ' by aboul 20 perceni because his home is not new, according to the auditor office. CONTINUED on page 5 within 10 percent of 'it, he explained. The value of older homes, especially thosethathavj eled and .sold, is not accurately known. 'These are the ones we arc off modeled and we're not aware of it," he added. "It's hard to keep up with the value because you can't gel.into Valuation updates for taxation purposes are a must under stale law. The last was done in 1991, he said. Based on com private appraisals, home valuations ih Amhersi and throughout most of Lorain County have increased due to the influx .of new residents and demand for homes. Valuations in South Amherst have increased 25 percent, the highest in northern Lorain County. It shares the distinction of having the biggest increase with Wellington, where property values also rose 25 percent. Tax rates in the two communities will increase an estimated five to six percent, Birch said. With the exception of Lorain and Elyria, where valuations rose 15 percent, most other communities in ' ihe county will receive a 20 percent valuation hike. Several factors have fueled the higher valuations, according to county.auditor Mark Stewart. They' include lower mortgage rates, the movement of people from Cuyahoga lo Lorain counties, and the I
Object Description
Title | The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 1997-12-24 |
Place |
Amherst (Ohio) Lorain County (Ohio) |
Date of Original | 24-DEC-1997 |
Searchable Date | 1997-12-24 |
Collection | Amherst News-Times |
Submitting Institution | Amherst Public Library |
Rights | Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information |
Type | Text |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn84028333 |
Description
Title | The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 1997-12-24 |
Place |
Amherst (Ohio) Lorain County (Ohio) |
Date of Original | 24-DEC-1997 |
Searchable Date | 1997-12-24 |
Submitting Institution | Amherst Public Library |
Rights | Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information |
Full Text | Letters to Santa on Pages 6-7 Shadylawn repairs are complete — Page 3 Amherst News-Time O i-» O o O U3 X X ■~ CO r-1 l-l C Ul O o 3 X 3> < X M 3 -1 I> o Wednesday, December 24, 1997 Former law director faces more $$ charges Former city law director Thomas Sanborn can't seem to stay out of the reach of the long arm of the law, especially the county prosecutor's office. Sanborn, who was sentenced on federal charges last year, was indicted by a Lorain County Grand Jury last week on five counts of ihclt, one count of forgery and one count of tampering with evidence. All seven charges stem from 1996 allegations that he allegedly defrauded his law clients out of more than $273,(XX). Sanborn pleaded guilty in federal court in late 1996 to stealing more than $230,000 from his clients between 1979 and 1996. Lorain County prosecutor Greg White said Sanborn escaped state prosecution by confessing to federal prosecutors without his office's knowledge. In doing so, Sanborn was charged with violating federal banking laws in connection with the case. "Basically, he and James Burge (his attorney) walked in their office and admitted to a federal crime, and (Burge) asked them to charge him (Sanborn)," White explained. "They did, but they didn't talk with us first and we didn't find out until after he was officially charged." Even though his law license was revoked by the state, Sanborn received a lesser sentence, or what White called "a slap on the wrist." Sanborn was sentenced to six months of alcoholism rehabilitation at a special Akron facility and six months of house arrest in his Amherst home. Nevertheless, White vowed to pursue the case because of what he called "sloppy investigation" by federal officials. He said they failed lo verify Sanborn's claims that only S23O.OO0 had been taken from his clients. No federal audit of Sanborn's records was done, he added. He was indicted by the grand, jury last week alter an audit of his financial records revealed about 542,500 in client funds were still missing. The additional information was presented to the grand jury earlier this month. The audit was done by White's office as part of a continuing investigation. "We never really closed this case despite what the federal prosecutors and the court did because it never should have gone lo them in the first place," he added. "This was an end run on his attorney's part." Sanborn pleaded not guilty lo the new charges after voluntarily surrendering lo the Lorain County Sheriff's Department last week. He is free on $20,000 bond pending a future court hearing in Lorain County Common Pleas Court. Neither Sanborn nor Burge could .be reached for comment. Amherst, Ohio Powers Elementary School second graders get help in baking cookies kie Caper from Marion L. Steele High School students during the second annual "Coo- Big kids, little kids learn in kitchen by GLEN MILLER News-Times reporter Powers Elementary School kids had a very busy two days last week preparing for tomorrow. On Dec. 16, about 27 second graders ventured across Washington Street to Marion L. Steele High School lo pull off what school teachers describe as a major "Cookie Caper." Twenty-two juniors and seniors taught them how to bake apple jack Christmas cookies. The following day, 30 Powers students enrolled in the extended first grade program found out what it was like to be Santa — or at least one of his elves. Each brought an old toy lo school that was donated to needy area children by the Salvation Army. The bakc-a-thon was a learning experience for both the second graders and students enrolled in Barbara ^picker's "Single Living" class. High school students take the class to learn how lo cook, sew and do anything and everything that's necessary to survive when a person is living the single life. It's especially helpful for college- bound students or those with plans to move away from the security and comfort of mom and dad after high school graduation. "But its also helpful in helping to learn to get along with and help people other than themselves or their friends," Spieker explained. Powers teacher Sue Naelitz had another motive, one that would help the younger students understand the importance and use of weights and measures in their daily Jives. The "Cookie Caper" is held in conjunction with a new math program started two years ago at Powers. It includes instruction in dry and liquid measures. "I just felt a good practical application would be to actually make something, especially something everybody would like to eat," Naelitz said. "Besides, they also learn about baking. It's a fun learning experience." The cookies were either eaten or taken home as a surprise for the second graders' mothers. They were CONTINUED on page 2 Financier wants probation over jail Chief assistant county prosecutor Jonathan Roscnbaum has filed a motion with the Lorain County Common Pleas Court opposing probation for convicted investment advisor Joseph Ncmchik. Ncmchik was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted in early October of defrauding more than a dozen- clients of more than $1.5 million in investment funds. He currently is being held in the Lorain Correctional Institution in Grafton pending the outcome of the probation request. In his motion, Roscnbaum argued Ncmchik does not deserve probation because he "fleeced" clients out of their investments for his own personal gain. Ncmchik is seeking probation so he can pay back the clients, an offer James Burge, his Lorain atlo/ncy, made at his sentencing hearing. Burge is seeking a hearing before judge Thomas Janas on the probation request. In his motion, however, Roscnbaum said the investment advisor is attempting to manipulate the justice system as he did his victims through offers of restitution. "There is no reason to prey- upon the minds and hopes of these (clients) by giving the. defendant a chance tq advance more hollow promises at a hearing," he wrote. Janas was expected to make a decision on the hearing this week. Ncmchik closed his investment office on S. Main Street in mid-fall. •. .'"'■• < o c o o x w Move force senio Golden Acres part of commissioner's study of land use by GLEN MILLER News-Times reporter A county official is studying the possibility of closing the Golden Acres nursing home and moving it to the old St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain. Lorain County Commissioner Michael Ross initiated the study as part of an effort to find multiple uses for the closed hospital. He said relocation of the residents of the old sandstone nursing home could have several benefiLs for the county. Not only does the hospital provide room for expansion, the county could benefit from the sale of the nursing home land at the corner of N. Leavitt and North Ridge roads. Ross noted the land is ripe for development because of its location and proximity to Rt. 2, and a new interchange planned by the Ohio Turnpike Commission on Rt. 58. Golden Acres administrator William Glowacki said he, his staff and the residents would prefer to remain in the building. "I'd hate lo leave this building because the residents are happy and we have such nice grounds here," Glowacki added. "If they decide to move, ihen we'll do it, like it or not." Ross said he expects the study to take at least 90 days, after which the proposal will have to be reviewed and discussed by fellow commissioners Belly Blair and Mary Jo Vasi. Neither could be reached lor comment by the News-Times, although Glowacki said ihcy have expressed reservations in conversations with him. The 82-bcd county-opcraicd nursing home has been located in Amherst for aboul 30 years. Prior to the late 1960s, the 70-year-old building was a tuberculosis treatment center. The South Shore Development Corp., a nonprofit development firm, has laken over the redevelopment of the old hospital. "This is nodiing more than an idea — a proposal to look at the feasibility. Nothing is going lo happen overnight or anytime soon," Ross said. One of the redevelopment ideas under consideration for the old hospital is what Ross called a "condo concept." Under it, the county would purchase space in the'building for the nursing home rather than lease it on a long-term basis. Ihe county should own the facility in which the nursing home residents live, he added. CONTINUED on page 2 Higher tax bills will be county's present to us by GLEN MILLER News-Times reporter The Lorain County auditor has an unwelcome but inevitable present for Amherst and South Amhersi residents: higher properly taxes. The increases come in two different packages for homeowners. The value of homes built within the last few years will increase 10 percent resulting in aboul a three percent higher tax bill. The owners of older homes will receive a bigger present, a 20 percent increase in valuation and tax bills thai are around five percent more. The difference in Valuation and lax bills is based on the auditor's knowledge of the value of homes, according to chief county real estate appraiser Sieve Birch. The appraised value of newly built homes is close to or the same as the current value. It usually is It's a sure thing: taxes and death by GLEN MILLER News-Times reporter Henry Kowal and Robert Becker live about five miles apart. The men don't know each other although they share a common fate: their property taxes arc going up more than they would like. Kowal, of 642 Greenlawn Avenue, and Becker, of 209 Artnis Road, South Amherst, will be paying between five and six per cent higher property taxes starting in 1998. The change is due to a state required revaluation of residences throughout Lorain County by the county auditor's office. Becker's increase will be higher than Kowal's because he lives in South Amherst, where home values will jump 25 percent. His taxes will increase close to six percent while Kowal's will go Up about five percent. That's because his home is among those in Amherst whose valuation has been increased 20 percent. People living in new homes built within the last few years will pay less, .only three percent more in taxes. That's because the value of their homes is closer to the actual cost of con- sttuction and market value. Their valuation will increase 10 percent, according to the auditor's office. The value of older homes is large! y unknown because the auditor's office does not know if they have been remodeled unless a county appraiser has walked ihrough them within the last Tew years. . Kowal, an air traffic controller in Oberlin, said an appraiser did inspect his home when he purchased it in 19%. Nevertheless, its current value of more than $192,000 increased ' by aboul 20 perceni because his home is not new, according to the auditor office. CONTINUED on page 5 within 10 percent of 'it, he explained. The value of older homes, especially thosethathavj eled and .sold, is not accurately known. 'These are the ones we arc off modeled and we're not aware of it," he added. "It's hard to keep up with the value because you can't gel.into Valuation updates for taxation purposes are a must under stale law. The last was done in 1991, he said. Based on com private appraisals, home valuations ih Amhersi and throughout most of Lorain County have increased due to the influx .of new residents and demand for homes. Valuations in South Amherst have increased 25 percent, the highest in northern Lorain County. It shares the distinction of having the biggest increase with Wellington, where property values also rose 25 percent. Tax rates in the two communities will increase an estimated five to six percent, Birch said. With the exception of Lorain and Elyria, where valuations rose 15 percent, most other communities in ' ihe county will receive a 20 percent valuation hike. Several factors have fueled the higher valuations, according to county.auditor Mark Stewart. They' include lower mortgage rates, the movement of people from Cuyahoga lo Lorain counties, and the I |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn84028333 |
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