The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 1988-11-02

              Remember don't forget to r 988-2801 by Jim Horvath It's down to the final week before Election '88, and members of the Amherst Police Department are making their final drive for the passage of Issue 3. Issue 3 calls for a .5 mill levy which would give the Amherst Police approximately $48,000 per year for equipment . The issue is similar to the city's fire equipment levy which has successfully upgraded the department's equipment to the best available. The police levy, according to Councilman Jim Gammons, is a necessity if the city safety forces are to keep up with the projected growth in the city in the near future. "As I've said before, it's getting to the point where the bad guys have better equipment than the good guys," said Gammons recently. "People say there aren't many problems here in Amherst . Well, three of the last major drug busts in Lorain County were here at the L&K. "The police here do a fine job and have one of the best response times in the county. But it would help them greatly if they had better equipment Income tax increase would affect fewest by Jim Horvath If City Council never put out a sign urging passage of Issue 2, the potholes and eaved-in streets ttiroughout the city could serve as a reminder of what is before Amherst voters on Nov. 8. Earlier this year, council unanimously approved placing Issue 2 on the November ballot. The issue calls for a .5 percent increase in city income tax which would generate approximately $350,000-8390,000 per year over a five-year period. The new funds would be used to initiate a street repaving program. Council settled on the income tax hike because it would affect the least amount of Amherst residents, pulling in more money from those people working here but living in other cities. It has been estimated that only 37 percent of the taxpayers here actually pay income tax to the city. According to the wording on the School Foundation will receive matching funds The Amherst Schools Educational Foundation received some good news that could give the fund a big boost for the rest of 1988. According to Trustee Roberta Aros, every donation made to the foundation during the November and December fund-raising campaign will be matched up to $10,000 by an anonymous benefactor. Donations to the foundation are invested through the Greater Lorain County Community Foundation, with only the interest generated by the donated funds to be distributed. Grants to teachers and scholar ships to students are available in five categories established in the founda tion: general, athletic, fine and performing arts, academics and scholarships. All donations are tax-de ductible. The Countv Foundation was by Kathleen Koshar Amherst School Board Treasurer Al Elhindy was appointed representative to a committee that will outline the details of teacher early retirement. The board met Monday night to hear a series of quick reports and clear some housekeeping items, ncluding the Elhindy appointment. School Superintendent Howard Dulmage told the board that a repre sentative from the Amherst Teacher Association, along with the board appointment and a neutral member would be meeting to discuss the early retirement clause passed during con Commift Serving a tee to get the job done," he added. The levy would cost the average home owner in Amherst $18-20 per year ($70-75,000 home) and could not be used for salaries because of the wording on the actual ballot. Monies would go for car replacement, updating the department's communications system, and replacing various pieces of equipment which are outdated. "A new car costs around $16,000 complete," said Gammons. "We need at least one new one each year. There is no equipment money allocated in the regular budget, so you can see why this levy is necessary." According to police records, one police cruiser, a 1985 Ford, has 151,811 miles, while the 1986 Ford has 88,239. The two 1987 Chevys already have 36,277 and 28,162 miles, respectively. The city's unmarked car, a 1982 Ford, has well over 100,000 miles. "The 1989 models are already on the streets, so that makes our most recent cars two years old," said Captain Barb Cowger. "It's our most expensive piece of equipment, and it actual ballot, the monies generated by the tax increase must be used for street and storm sewer improvement. It cannot be used for salary increases or equipment. "We, the people on council, are not deciding how the road repairs will be funded," said Councilman Mark" Kocak back in July. "We are putting it before the people of Amherst." Kocak headed a committee of city officials and citizens which hashed through the various ways of funding a street resurfacing program. The other ways of funding the project, which totals approximately $5 million and covers over 75 city streets, were a .25 percent reduction in the forgiveness clause; a levy, which would be a tax burden on the city's elderly population; and assessment of property owners for street, sidewalk and storm sewer improvements in their neighborhoods. formed in 1980 as a corporation to receive funds on a tax-exempt basis and to distribute those funds as determined by the Board of Trustees. Amherst joined the foundation nearly two years ago. Serving on the Amherst Foundation Board of Trustees are Aros, Dr. Roy Schaeffer, Ronald Yacobozzi, Donel Sprenger, Burton Vilagi, Dr. Joseph Sciarotta and Carolyn Thorley. The Amherst Foundation is a community trust for receipt and distribution of charitable funds which are given to the schools by individuals, families, small groups, organizations and businesses. It serves as a perpetual investment in the future of the schools, according to the trustees. Donations may be made by obtaining donation forms at the Treasurer's Office, Amherst Board of Education, 185 Forest St., Amherst. ee set to tract negotiations with teachers last August. Board members also discussed appointing a representative for a possible economic development committee that may be organized through a City Council resolution. Vice President Lucille Pierce said she, along with Dulmage, school media specialist Judy Alexander, administrator Tim Logar, and board member James Berthold, had already attended such a conference sponsored by Lorain County officials. Pierce said said several community leaders also attended the confer the Sandstone Capital of the World since 1874 Wednesday, November 2, 1988 also wears out the fastest because they are in use 24 hours a day. They serve as the officer's office, and they go through a lot during the course of a week." In addition, the police are in need of portable radio units to replace the existing six units. Two of the units are nine years old, with the other four being in service seven years. 3' "S N. tn '- . . 5- ! ft 1, -' ' minima Comet 0016 by Jim Horvath Lights, camera, action! It will be that and much more this Friday night right here in Amherst, Ohio, as the Amherst Comets host the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs at Memorial Field at 8 p.m. in what has to be the biggest game in recent Amherst football history. The Comets, co-leaders in the Quarterback Scott Wallace directs the last Friday night. if,,; f? I i " : .:, V . C study early teacher retireme ence in hopes of determining how a committee could be organized to provide leadership for the development of Amherst in the 21st century. City Council is expected to pass such a resolution by Nov. 30, she said, and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce will take over the committee as a neutral party. Superintendent Dulmage and board president Ron Yacobozzi said they would be willing to represent the board, should a resolution be passed. Pierce also reported results of a recent meeting of the athletic policy committee, which included high school and junior high principals, vote next "Ideally, we should have a portable for each patrolman, because now they share them from shift to shift," said Cowger. "That would cut down on our maintenance costs greatly. But the portables need to be replaced, no doubt about it." Cowger said the work load of the department has already seen an increase this year. In 1987, there were , o wingback Brian Dusho fights Southwestern Conference with Falls and North Olmsted, could clinch at least a tie for the league title with a win Friday night. Also on the line is the school's first-ever appearance in the state playoffs. A win would give the Comets a spot in the Sweet 16 of Division II and give them a chance for a shot at the state championship. Falls, too, is going for a playoff Comet offense against the Shoremen (photos by Jim Horvath) athletic directors and school administrators. She said the group decio?d there is a chance there will be a junior varsity girls tennis team next school year if as much interest in the sport continues. Pierce said the varsity team has 20 or more members this year and could possibly support a junior varsity team. A freshman basketball team could be organized next year if enough students show interest, she added. Pierce said committee members discussed the possibility of an all-sports program being developed. The program w ould include all the sports . I . . . t S t 'I ; f-'- Tuesday, 7,000 complaints registered. Already this year, there have been 5,000 complaints with the busy holiday season yet to come. Cowger feels there's a possibility for a total of 9,000 calls by the end of December. "Our work load has increased we can see it," she said. "Sure, we have a stable population, but even that is growing. Plus, the number of "V? s - vi , ' n his way for yardage against Avon spot. So big is this game that WVTZ TV-25 is making it the game of the week. The contest will be televised on a tape delay throughout the entire Cleveland viewing area at 10 p.m. Friday night. It marks the first time the Comets have appeared on the Cleveland station. According to Marion L. Steele Athletic Director Paul Srnis, advance sale tickets will be on sale at the high school office all day Friday during school hours. Tickets are $3 general admission, $3.50 for reserved seating and $2 for student presale. "We urge everyone to get their tickets as early as possible," said Srnis Monday morning. "That will help people avoid standing in lines. On Friday night, we're going to set up a second ticket booth in the gymnasium lobby to help people get into the game quicker." Here is what's on the line for the Comets, w ho are 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the SWC. Amherst, according to an estimation in the computer rankings, remains in the fourth and final playoff spot in Division II Region 6 with approximately 82 points. Nordo-nia is estimated at 87 points, while second place Fostoria has 95.5. Defending state champion Akron Buchtel tops the list with approximately 100 points. programs and teams and would be sold at all sporting events. In other reports, Dulmage said he had received several calls from local citizens asking for the football field to be renamed. Dulmage said the field is presently-called Memorial Field but cannot find records dating the name or dedication ceremony. Board members are looking for anyone in the community who has an idea when the name was dedicated to come forward with information. Dulmage said he is presently-undergoing an intensive asbestos 'a Now. 8! people who come through Amherst now has increased, and we have an obligation to serve them while they are here just as we serve our residents. "With more business coming in and more homes being built, we anticipate that work load to continue to rise. The equipment we use is (continued on page 7) "em t'4te . is V- v If - V" f ' "... ' Ml s . , ' - 4 i.e.. Lake. Behind the Comets and the main threats to a playoff spot arc Anthony Wayne and Bowling Greer., who have an estimated 78 and 72 points, respectively. They play each other this Friday night, so the winner stands to pick up a lot of computer points and have a chance to get in should Amherst. Fostoria or Nordonia fa!!. In the SWC race, Amherst needs a win over Falls and a Wesilake win over North Olmsted to get the nut-right league title. A North Olmsted win, ironically, is almost crucial for the Comets as tar as a playofl spot is concerned. By virttieof their win e t the Eagles earlier this season, the Comets rack up big points a nil e vr North Olmsted win. For first-year Hejd' Ouch Larry Shaw and his team, i' s ;.J cut :,(j dried as far as : .;. night is.-on-eerned...just win and le! tiling.- inKe care of themselves. "It's a must-win situation lor s " admitted Shaw. "We eai. t Soe and hope to back into tins thing ine, a. things are just too close Antbo.nv Wayne and Bowling diveii picked ne good points last week and could gei m ahead of us, and we could oh: c ahead of Fostoria because they ul.v. a winless team Friday nigh;.' So for Shaw and his ('en ( a- a s beat Falls and wait for a ri , Ji (continued on pn.je 5 J clinic at the Joint Vcc.n. ..! Sei He is earning a building inspector md management planner 'license to !r the system deai with he asiies crisis. He w arned ' lie bnai d ti.e; lac e'a has become overwhelming and tl they may wish to consider seeking alternative to having hut, spend much time on the problem. There v be more discussion a!! -a-the November board to eiia,: Dulmage said the Comets I 'nd night football game will he lealu! on WVIZ Channel 25. School mam nenee workers uili have n-(continued on puy; 1 IP ed te-