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South Side News & Notes

2/21/2013 - South Side Leader
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By Staff Writer

Green fire chief retiring next month

Green Fire Department Chief Robert “Bob” Calderone
Photo courtesy of the city of Green
GREEN — Green Fire Department Chief Robert “Bob” Calderone is retiring from the department, after 40 years of service to the community.

The 59-year-old safety service professional said his retirement will be effective March 31.

Calderone joined the Green Township Fire Department as a part-time firefighter in 1973, according to city officials.

He became a full-time lieutenant and firemedic in 1981 and rose in rank through the years, according to city officials.

In 1996, Calderone succeeded his father, Mickele “Mike” Calderone, as fire chief, officials said.

“Under [Bob] Calderone’s leadership, Green Fire has evolved from its days as a fire department for the township to a division that provides top-quality service to our 25,000 residents,” said Mayor Dick Norton. “Bob’s leadership will be missed.”

A new chief will be selected by the mayor from the candidates who take the civil service test. The date of the civil service test has not been scheduled yet, city officials reported.

 

Annual Harvest for Hunger campaign has $1 million, 110,000-pound goal

Shown above, Dan Flowers, president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, motivates the audience to make this the most successful Harvest for Hunger campaign in history at the campaign kick-off event Feb. 13.
Photo courtesy of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
DOWNTOWN AKRON — Community members gathered Feb. 13 to kick off the 22nd Harvest for Hunger campaign at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, with agency officials encouraging community participation to help reach a local goal of $1 million for the 2013 campaign.

At the kick-off event, volunteers formed a clapping line and clapped for the more than 100 community members walking into the warehouse to celebrate the beginning of Harvest for Hunger.

“Let’s declare our hope and faith in the goodness that we can create,” said Dan Flowers, CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “Let’s create more light and drive back more darkness because that’s the kind of community we want to live in — a community where our love for humanity compels us to act with unrelenting goodness. That’s what this campaign is. That’s what you represent.”

According to Foodbank officials, 100 percent of all Harvest for Hunger donations will go directly toward feeding hungry men, women and children in the eight-county service area. The campaign is a collaborative effort of four food banks serving 21 counties in Northeast Ohio, also including the Cleveland Foodbank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley and the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.

The local 2013 Harvest for Hunger campaign is being led by William Considine, president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital, and Edward Roth III, president and CEO of Aultman Health Foundation. Roth also spoke at the campaign kick-off event.

There are two major components to the Harvest for Hunger campaign: food and funds drives and the Check out Hunger program. Nearly 300 businesses, schools, community organizations and families are holding food and funds drives throughout March and April. Food and funds drive coordinators can register and download a coordinator’s kit from www.akroncantonfoodbank.org.

Local supermarket chains are participating in Check out Hunger, which allows shoppers to scan coupons and make donations of $1, $5 or $10 at the checkout register. Check out Hunger is available at Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Dave’s Supermarkets, Fishers Foods, Giant Eagle and Heinen’s Fine Foods. This program will run through March 30 at all stores operated by the five supermarkets within the 21-county campaign region.

Every $1 donation provides four meals for people in need, according to Foodbank officials. Donations also are accepted at the Foodbank by phone, mail or online at www.akroncantonfoodbank.org.

Akron mayor to receive H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The Greater Akron Chamber has announced that Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic will be the ninth recipient of the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award.

Plusquellic will be honored March 19 at the Greater Akron Chamber’s 106th Annual Meeting at the John S. Knight Center.

The award was created in memory of H. Peter Burg by the chamber’s Executive Committee to recognize a local business leader who promotes economic development in the Greater Akron region. According to chamber officials, the award is being made in recognition of Plusquellic’s efforts over many years to help bring new companies to Akron, increase investment in local businesses and build relationships with leaders in education, research and other constituencies that contribute to the future of the city.

Chamber President Dan Colantone said in a press release that Plusquellic was chosen unanimously for the award because of his continued leadership and his contributions to the community.

“Mayor Plusquellic has placed Akron’s economic future front and center in all his work,” Colantone said. “We are very happy to recognize his efforts.”

Chamber officials say Plusquellic’s most important mission, along with improving education, has been securing and fortifying Akron’s economic future.

To register for the Annual Meeting, go to www.greater akronchamber.org (click on events calendar), email Tony Rinella at rinella@greaterakronchamber.org or call 330-237-1250. Reservations should be made by March 12.

Emily Chesnic and Stephanie Kist contributed to these reports.

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