Amherst News-Times, 2004-01-28

              heart of the city dinner set - page 7 meet our first crew cuts pa i ' c "(- o v. co -i amherst nn rr new million dollar mixup; budget debate lingers by jason hawk news-times reporter criticized police officers last week after failure to pay a pager bill resulted in security breaches, auditor diane eswinc was on hot scat again monday night when one local resident asked her resign post. terra lane milt lorcns demanded resign, citing an announcement county mark stewart, who said eswinc's 2003 predic tions nearly $2 deficit were not only wrong but that had escaped year with $2,028,000 surplus instead. "i would advise law direc tor get state audit or feder al here and sec where books arc," lorens said. "if you can't handle this...thcn ask step down we appoint can situation." "this whole situation has been totally misrcprcscnlcdr' told lorcns, stating she will be prepared at night's council committee ing give thorough presenta tion explain amherst's finances. never there deficit, because cannot legally budg et one." claimed pre vious statements meant shortfall formulat 2004 budget, efforts fiscal responsibility department heads, bullet dodged. "we did lot things brought them city's attention so adjust ments could made. i'm tired being don't know what doing," said, fighting back tears. spent as much wc going spend if revenue pro jected we'd have, n't do anything about it, then have shortfall," news-times. "i'm say same thing this year." debunked idea those recent years one-time-only "shots arm" continue boost health moment. continues receive abnormal sources income, like sudden spikes business tax revenues, donations, estate benefits, unexpected bond sales. "unless use numbers from trend analysis, understand these fluctuations mean. shots arm. we've lucky," need work toward system normal revenues arc some expenditures. sooner later, luck run out...we reason able expectations events rcpcatable." estimates woes ranged throughout election season, $1.4 $1.9 deficits, which denounced then-mayor john higgins inaccurate. eswine also made $1.7 mil lion $1.8 dictions 2001 2002 respectively. for through 2003, enjoyed millipn, $1.3 million, carryovers. "the keep predicting is continued pago12 neal jenne works commissioned piece depicting home vermilion. jonne he no children his own, spreads legacy art creates. drawn many pen-and-ink pictures amherst, plans "retire" hobby. production "artist laureate' gifts officials, clients talent ncal children, prodigy grace walls. artist known primarily photorealistic sketches area historical buildings, has' developed pointillist stippling tech niques over past 10 since retiring ford motor company avon lake. "you loo carried away pen ink," "it's tedious control roads freezing rain slush caused crash intersection park forest avenues monday. details released yet, although preliminary information indicates passenger taken hospital treatment, harsh weather systems moved ancl tuesday, dispatchers few vehicle accidents occurred result, compared 3,000 plagued north carolina. everything .controlled planned out." jcnnc's others away, become fond addition walls mayor's office chambers, old post avenue, lcavitt road, office, scores businesses. decade, created estimated 500 works, donated worthy organizations, unofficial laureate, trying famous," news times, week. any kjds my, '""'going leave behind." most commis sioned, working project jcnnc draws inspiration music beethoven. listen. always wanted classical pianist, and. that's come my next life," "there's ener gy it tap into drawing." energy, jcnnc, prevents him watching tel evision more than min utes. "after a. while, help thinking, 'this total waste. drawing something productive,'" laughed. "before christmas, spending probably hours day way." point, churning out six seven com missioned pieces each -but still found time create v 3 top uop wants better proposal shut south three months likely resurface year, according village mayor chct arcaba. pitched chief obcr dec. 15, suggestion outlined plan suspend opera while policy proce dures manual drafted remove insurance liability con cerns shoulders ranking officers. counciol minutes, elected offi cials "mishmash records files" docs provide proper training rank officers, administra tive members held per sonally liable suit. "(chief obcr) didn't want limit everyday operation white policies procedures handbook up date," arcaba times. "he thought limited manpower focus all updating policies." maintained village's best interests, under existing poli cies wouldn't compromise legal position. "at behest myself director, think discard course action serv ice," putting community risk suspending protec continuing current codes." operations governed codes, "procedures manuals stantly change soon update just computer rules again," very robust document, supreme court's rulings even further every day." agreed director stephen gurchik, other personally they acting good faith. item tabled, expects die there. "it opinion go ahead without lim iting service," gurchik procedure universal "common thread," draft approximately eight based similar guides elyria, sheffield village, obcrlin. "of seek way document interacts lorain enforcement agen cies, especially comes dealings oberlin municipal court system," "but given direction accomplish. depart ment amount time, let alone number months." pertinent concern, begin relying too guidance instead proven experience, write today, date tomorrow," "that might open ourselves liabilities."