Also, mayor addresses new clinic at Green City Council meeting

GREEN — Green City Council took time to recognize the efforts of the city’s long-running youth football organization.

At the start of the July 8 regular meeting, Council passed a resolution “congratulating Green Youth Football for 50 years of dedicated service to the youth of Green.”

Council President Christine Croce (Ward 4) presented Director Paul Kapper and President Jason Broz with a proclamation honoring the organization.

Speaking on behalf of the organization was Hank Wilmer, who has been involved with the organization since 1966.

Originally started in 1958 as part of an Akron-area league, Green Youth Football became an independent organization in 1973, said Wilmer. Wilmer credited the organization’s growth to its “many executive directors, past and present.”

Wilmer also noted the city’s involvement with the organization.

“Thanks to the parks department, we have fields that are second to none,” he said.

All in all, said Wilmer, the Green program is “close to perfect. In my humble opinion, there is none better.”

“I look forward to another 50 years where the people will be as well-blessed with the people running the program,” he said.

During his report, Mayor Dick Norton addressed the issue of G&H Healthcare, located at 1575 Corporate Woods Parkway (Suite 250), conducting business in Green. G&H, an abortion provider, recently has begun operating in Green.

According to Norton, feedback mostly has been rational, with “some not so.”

“As of this date, abortion is legal in the United States, the state of Ohio, county of Summit and city of Green,” said Norton. “They’re not in violation of any laws whatsoever. As mayor of Green, I have taken an oath to comply with the laws of the Constitution of the United States, the state of Ohio and the laws of the city of Green.”

In a statement handed out to the press, Norton stated, “I cannot ignore those laws with respect to this issue. Despite the fact that many citizens strongly oppose such a facility in the city, the city has no legal basis to prevent it from being located in the city as long as it is within the proper zoning classification and secures all of the proper permits. And as the city of Green, we cannot make legislation that restricts legal businesses from conducting business in our city.”

However, Norton reported that as of that morning, he received a call from the building’s landlords, CAM Inc., who informed him they intend to serve G&H with a three-day notice to evict. Norton said he was told by the landlords the eviction is a result of the business causing a “disturbance” to the other tenants in the building and “irregularities” with G&H’s application. No details regarding the latter were available.

Norton noted that this alone would not result in an immediate eviction, as G&H has several options it can pursue.

Protest marches have taken place at the location.

Attempts at contacting an official from CAM Inc. for comment regarding the eviction were not successful by presstime.

In a call to G&H for comment, the South Side News Leader was told the director was on vacation and not available for comment by presstime.

In other matters, the mayor reported that Green’s application for Ohio Job Ready Site grant money has been approved to go to Columbus for the next round of consideration.

In addition, as a result of a visit to New York, a presentation to Standard & Poor’s has resulted in an upgrade of the city’s bond rating. The mayor credited the efforts of Finance Director Larry Rush and Planning Director Wayne Wiethe in securing the upgrade.

In other business, Council waived third reading and passed a resolution to award contracts  for the construction of the shell of the city’s new Central Administration Building to: DiPietro Excavating Inc. for earthwork; Northstar Asphalt; BCS Contractors for concrete work; Ed Kintz Construction for masonry; Mull Iron for structural steel; EPI of Cleveland Inc. for metals; Stanley Miller Construction for exterior carpentry; Sommers Roofing; United Glass & Panel; and Western Reserve Interiors for exterior drywall.

“We need to get the shell up before the inclement weather hits,” said Councilman Jim Colopy (Ward 1).

Council also waived third reading and passed a resolution authorizing Service Director Randy Monteith to purchase a used 2004 GMC bucket truck for $81,000. The truck, which normally sells for $130,000 new, has 11,000 miles and comes with a one-year warranty.

In addition, Council waived third reading and passed a resolution to reallocate funds to begin the process of purchasing two new pumper trucks. One will be paid for with grant money and the other with funds allocated for the purchase. Council was asked to expedite the allocation to purchase both trucks and receive a discount.

Due to Council’s summer break, the next meeting will take place Aug. 12, beginning with committee meetings at 5 p.m. and followed by the regular meeting at 7 in the Legislative Offices, 1900 Steese Road.