Community News

GREEN — Construction of the roundabout at the intersection of Massillon and Steese Roads officially began this week, according to city of Green officials.

The intersection will remain open through May, but entrance to Steese Road from Massillon Road, and Massillon Road at Steese Road is scheduled to close June 6 through Aug. 23.

A detour will be set up through Town Park Boulevard, which reconnects to Steese Road. Massillon Road travelers can turn left onto Shriver Road, east on Greensburg Road and then back onto Massillon Road.

Entrance to the Green Plaza will remain open.

Construction is beginning with the excavation and construction of a new storm water pond across from Wise Road, where a duplex was recently demolished. In the next few weeks, informational message boards will be placed near the project to announce general and detour information, according to city officials.

For updates, visit www.cityofgreen.org.

Barberton clerk of courts stepping down

BARBERTON — Andrea Norris, clerk of the Barberton Municipal Court, stepped down from the office she has held for five years May 4.

Norris, a Democrat, said she was grateful for the opportunity to serve as clerk, and was proud of the accomplishments achieved under her leadership.

“I want to thank the people of the district for electing me clerk of courts,” she said. “Although I am stepping down from office to pursue other interests and spend time with my husband, I will be leaving the office in very capable hands. My chief deputy, Andrew Padrutt, has worked closely with me for the past year and is ideally positioned to continue the progress we’ve made.”

Padrutt is a former Green City Council member.

Also on May 4, the Summit County Board of Elections named Norris one of 12 district poll-worker coordinators, according to Deputy Director Bryan Williams. She replaces Democrat Alan Canfora, chair of the Barberton Democratic Party. Prior to her service as clerk, Norris served eight years as an at-large member of Summit County Council.

The Barberton Municipal Court District encompasses the cities of Green, New Franklin, Barberton and Norton; the village of Clinton; and Coventry and Copley townships.   

    — By Stephanie Kist

Vendors needed for Rock the Docks event

SPRINGFIELD/LAKEMORE — The Rock the Docks Festival will take place July 10-12 around Springfield Lake on both the Springfield Township and Village of Lakemore sides.

The festival committee is seeking craft vendors, nonprofit organizations and informational booths for participation. The cost for a 10-foot square booth space for the entire weekend is:

• for all nonprofit organizations: $25 plus a donation to a raffle if registration is postmarked by June 1 or $50 plus a raffle donation afterward; or
• craft and commercial organizations: $50 plus a donation to a raffle if registration is postmarked by June 1 or $90 plus a raffle donation afterward.

For more details, contact Debbie at (330) 645-9413 or via e-mail at drydjy@aol.com or call Penny Brown at (330) 699-2215.

PLCC to celebrate 60th anniversary

COVENTRY — The Portage Lakes Community Council (PLCC) will celebrate its 60th anniversary at its next meeting, which will take place May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coventry Senior Center, 335 Willowview Drive.

The organization was formed in 1949 to enhance the quality of life in the Portage Lakes area, according to its officials. The group is a nonprofit organization consisting of dues-paying member organizations with delegates attending meetings.

All delegates, former officers and members, and area residents are invited to attend the social event commemorating the anniversary.

For details, call (330) 644-2735 or (330) 644-4249.

Green Chamber hosting Business Lunch Forum

GREEN — The Green Chamber of Commerce will present a Business Lunch Forum May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prestwick Country Club, 2220 Raber Road.

At the meeting, keynote speaker Mike Wojno will present “Survival Tactics in a Down Economy: How to Stay Focused on Your Vision to Make It Through These Unpredictable Economic Conditions.” 

Wojno is the president and owner of Wojno Development LLC, founded in 2000. The company’s mission is to develop real estate within three distinct areas — health care, mixed use/lifestyle and residential — and it is involved in a number of landmark projects within Northeastern Ohio and beyond, including the development of a specialty hospital for use by two major competing health systems, according to Wojno.

Nonmembers are welcome to attend the event. The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for nonmembers.

To make a reservation, contact the Chamber office at (330) 896-3023 or via e-mail at info@greencoc.org.

Free boat safety inspections offered at Portage Lakes

PORTAGE LAKES — One way to ensure that recreational boating remains a safe and pleasurable experience is to get a free vessel safety inspection, which is offered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Watercraft and its boating partners.

ODNR officials are offering the inspections as a free public service at public launch ramps and other locations around the state through early June. Locally, inspections are planned for May 16-17 and May 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Portages Lakes “new” ramp.

These inspections typically examine the condition of fire extinguishers, horns, navigational lights and distress signals, as well as life jackets and vests, which need to be kept in good condition and readily accessible to all boat occupants, according to ODNR officials.

Information on required safety equipment, boating rules and other boating programs, as well as a full list of inspection sites, are available online at www.ohiodnr.com.

South Summit Chamber to host luncheon, speaker

NEW FRANKLIN — The South Summit Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon May 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prime at Anthe’s restaurant, 4315 Manchester Road.

The guest speaker will be Ron Hill, director of development for PAWSibilities, the Humane Society of Greater Akron and president and owner of C E Verifier Inc., a technology company in Stow specializing in distance learning.

To make a reservation, call the chamber office at (330) 745-3141 or e-mail www.southsummitcc@att.net.

The South Summit Chamber of Commerce serves Coventry, New Franklin, Barberton, Chippewa, Clinton, Doylestown and Norton.

Independent candidate files for Lakemore Village Council seat

LAKEMORE — May 4 was the Summit County Board of Elections (BOE) deadline for Independent candidates in some area communities for the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.

The only candidate to file in the South Side News Leader coverage area was Angie Weyrick Young for Lakemore Village Council.

The four-year terms of Lakemore Council members Marlene Hill, who said she is an Independent, Republicans Gary Bennett and John Skipper, and Democrat Tammie Coontz will expire at the end of December. No partisan candidates filed by the Feb. 19 BOE deadline that would have necessitated a May 5 Primary Election.

Since Lakemore is a partisan community and no partisan candidates filed, anyone wishing to run for Council in the November General Election must now file as a write-in candidate. The BOE’s write-in filing deadline for the November ballot is Sept. 2, according to Gary Hagen, of the BOE’s ballot layout department.

    — By Kathleen Collins

Akron Roundtable, UA collaborate for new location

Paul Helmke

Photo courtesy of Akron Roundtable

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron Roundtable is announcing a new relationship with The University of Akron (UA). Beginning May 21, with featured speaker Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Akron Roundtable luncheon programs will take place at the University of Akron’s Quaker Station at Quaker Square Inn, 135 S. Broadway.

This collaboration allows the two organizations to complement each other by offering a spectrum of renowned speakers for students and the Greater Akron community in a convenient downtown Akron location, according to Akron Roundtable officials.

With this alliance, UA joins founding Roundtable partners Akron Beacon Journal, Greater Akron Chamber and Kiwanis Club of Akron in the presentation of Roundtable programs.

Tickets to the May 21 Roundtable luncheon featuring Paul Helmke are $15 a person and include lunch. Tickets may be purchased online at www.akronroundtable.org or by calling (330) 571-4148.

Detailed directions, parking information and a map to the new Akron Roundtable location are also on the Akron Roundtable Web site.