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Gun brandished during fight at park
Randy Broadwater, Herald Staff Writer 24.JUL.08
A call from a man who said there was a fight going on behind his camper sent Norton Police to Loyal Oak Lake Park on Hametown Road, July 13.
According to police, William J. Smith, 39, of Canton told them William A. Dorsey Jr., 38, of Copley, punched him in the mouth because Smith did not like the way Dorsey was disciplining his 15-year-old son. Smith was reportedly punishing the boy by hosing him down with water.
The 15-year-old said Dorsey confronted Smith, and pushed him into a fire, leading to Smith punching Dorsey in the mouth. [READ MORE]Petition initiated to recall portion of fire levy
Randy Broadwater, Herald Staff Writer 24.JUL.08
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the Norton political waters, it seems a small group of citizens have initiated a petition to recall one-half of the new 3-mill fire levy which was passed by a wide margin of voters in November.
In a release dated Monday, Norton Fire Chief Mike Schultz says, “in a conversation that I had with Elaine Tompkins, she stated that she would start a petition drive to reduce the levy millage in hopes of putting a stop to the building of a new fire station on the Community Center property. I informed Mrs. Tompkins at the time, that if she were successful, it would put the fire station in the red, again. Apparently she did not believe me, and is willing to gamble with the lives and property of the citizens of Norton. The department even offered to give them the Fire Station property to sell. Funds would then be available to build new community center”.
“It is my fear that this petition will be passed around under the guise of ‘sign this, and save your community center’,” said Schultz.
The new levy will generate roughly $846,000 per year, with 30 percent going to capital expenditures. A 1.5 reduction would reduce the income to approximately $423,000 per year, with $129,900 going into capital. That would leave the station with $296,100 for operating expenses. The department was $200,000 in the red at the end of 2007 so no additional money is left from previous levies.
“This would be demoralizing for the department, the men already work for $5 an hour less than other cities pay,” said Schultz adding, “We would be right back where we started.”
The chief also pointed out that a reduction in the levy would result in a reduction in staffing, last year, 28 shifts per week were not covered resulting in a reduction in response time.
In 2006, Norton ranked 26th out of 26 departments in Summit County with a response time average of over eight minutes. After implementing 24-hour staffing, the average response time is now ranked 12th on the list at under six minutes. Those two minutes can mean life or death when it comes to a heart attack or stroke, or may mean the difference between having a home left or a pile of ashes in the case of a fire.
“To have all of this destroyed by a few disgruntled individuals would not be fair to the residents of this community,” said Schultz.
New principal at Barberton High
Rich Muller, Herald Staff Writer 17.JUL.08
The Barberton Board of Education was briefed Monday on changes planned for athletic programs what will see each sport having one major fund raising effort a year and up to two minor fund raisers, according to Schools Treasurer Ryan Pendleton.
Pendleton described a major fund raiser as one that canvases the entire town.
Pendleton has been working on the program with coaches, including board member Joe Stefan.
The Barberton All Sports Boosters will make semi-annual or quarterly donations that would be disbursed by the board, Pendleton said, which is what’s been done in the past couple of years.
Among the personnel moves approved by the board of education were the resignations of Barberton High School assistant principal Timothy Thorn plus Portage and Woodford elementary school Assistant Principal Christina Ziga-Budd for personal reasons.
Jeffrey Ramnytz was confirmed as BHS principal with Pamela Hinton and Timothy Oden named assistant principals at BHS.
10.JUL.08 Norton woman arrested in prostitution sting
03.JUL.08 Death claims friend at plaza
26.JUN.08 BCDC goes after jobs
12.JUN.08 Barberton burning
05.JUN.08 Norton Police help nab Gumball Bandit
05.JUN.08 Hall introduced as next Barberton superintendent
29.MAY.08 Remembering those who died in the line of duty
29.MAY.08 Defenders of democracy honored
22.MAY.08 Foundation asked to help with new justice center
22.MAY.08 School board gets input on bus contracting issue
15.MAY.08 Norton police crack theft ring
15.MAY.08 Norton Council sends recall to voters
08.MAY.08 Home blaze spares people, dogs
08.MAY.08 Norton Council discusses Lake Dorothy and energy aggregation
01.MAY.08 Lawsuit filed against city of Norton and school system
01.MAY.08 Norton School Board accepts resignations
24.APR.08 Arson suspected in house fire
24.APR.08 Norton Council discusses rules of public participation
17.APR.08 Foundation waiver approved to allow Norton Homes purchase
17.APR.08 Babcock and Wilcox retirees picket over healthcare
10.APR.08 Strickland visits Barberton, B&W, to promote stimulus package
03.APR.08 Residents want action, not promises
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