Community News

AKRON — Grandparents Against Sex Predators (GASP), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Akron, has officially changed its name to Guardians Against Sex Predators, according to Fran Doll, its founder and chief executive officer.

“The name change reflects the expanding volunteer base of our organization, as well as its ever-evolving mission in support of local law enforcement,” said Doll.

Originally started to be additional “eyes and ears” to assist in searching for children in case of local Amber Alert situations, GASP has developed into a unit trained and supervised by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office to assist in numerous predator-related projects and educational initiatives for the community.

“The name change should clear up a misconception we have faced from the very beginning,” said Doll, “that we are an organization whose membership is limited to grandparents exclusively. We have always welcomed volunteers from all age groups — this should help to clarify that very important point.”

H1N1 vaccination clinics taking place today

NORTHEAST OHIO — The Akron Health Department will host a free H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination clinic today, Oct. 29, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Judith A. Resnik Community Learning Center, 65 N. Meadowcroft Drive in West Akron.

Vaccines are limited, and no thimerosal-free doses for children ages 6 to 35 months will be available. The clinic is targeted to pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, people ages 6 months to 24 years, people ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions, and health care workers and emergency medical workers.

People who received a seasonal flu nasal spray vaccine must wait 28 days to receive an H1N1 flu nasal spray vaccine, but are permitted to receive an injectable vaccine.

The public is asked not to arrive prior to 3 p.m., as students will be leaving on buses. Akron police officers will be enforcing this request.

The Summit County Health District also is hosting a free H1N1 vaccination clinic today from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Chapel, 1800 Raber Road in Green.

Health officials plan to host more clinics throughout the county as more vaccine is received. The clinics will be posted at www.summitflu.org.

In Medina County, the Medina County Health Department will host a swine flu vaccination clinic Nov. 5 for specific groups.

Pregnant women can receive an H1N1 flu shot vaccine from 9 a.m. to noon at the Medina County Fairgrounds Community Center, 735 W. Lafayette Road in Medina. Their children ages 2 to 5 can receive the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine at the same time.

Other priority groups, including those listed previously (although this clinic will only take children 2 and older) can receive a vaccination from 2 to 7 p.m. at the same location. Because the department has a limited supply of H1N1 flu shots, priority will be given to those people who cannot receive the H1N1 flu nasal spray, according to Medina County Health Department officials.

For more information, visit www.medinahealth.org.

    — By Maria Lindsay

Peninsula police chief’s status remains unresolved

PENINSULA — After two nights of hearings Oct. 26-27 and deliberation by Peninsula Village Council, Kevin McCue’s future as police chief of the Peninsula Village remained in limbo at presstime.

McCue, who currently is on paid leave, has been accused of improper behavior by Mayor Richard Fisher.

The chief previously was exonerated of criminal charges by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, but the charges heard by Council Oct. 26 and 27 were civil charges brought forth by the mayor. The charges were regarding discrepancies between video recordings made in the police cruiser McCue was using and log sheets filled out by the chief, according to village officials.

Council — which heard approximately four-and-a-half hours worth of evidence from both sides in the matter over the two evenings — met in executive session for several hours Oct. 27 before voting to meet again in executive session Oct. 28. The results of that meeting were not available at presstime.

According to village officials, Council must reach a majority verdict (four out of six members) on one of the following three actions regarding McCue: termination, suspension or no disciplinary action.

We will post Council’s decision as soon as possible on www.akron.com, and a full story will appear in next week’s edition.   

— By Sean Patrick

Pry congratulates Making a Difference Award winners

Summit County Executive Russell Pry congratulates Fairlawn physician Dr. Douglas Lefton, at left, who was honored with the individual Making a Difference Award Oct. 16.

Photo courtesy of Summit County Executive’s Office

WEST AKRON — Summit County Executive Russell Pry and the Social Services Advisory Board (SSAB) presented the annual Making a Difference Awards at the Making a Difference ... Human Services Forum Oct. 16.

The awards recognize extraordinary achievements by an individual and organization that assist individuals in maintaining or achieving self-sufficiency.

Pry awarded the 2009 Making a Difference Award for an individual to Dr. Douglas Lefton. Lefton, a Fairlawn family practice physician, spearheaded an effort on the part of the Summit County Medical Society in identifying a growing number of patients with little or no health insurance who were unable to afford prescribed lab work. Months later, Lefton identified Pioneer Physicians Network to do the lab work at little or no cost. [For more information on that program, see “Summit County Medical Society offers affordable blood tests for uninsured,” which appeared in the Aug. 13, 2009, edition, accessible through our archives at www.akron.com.]

Rebuilding Together Summit County was this year’s organization winner. The nomination cited the organization for its work in home rehabilitation and repair for hundreds of Summit County senior and/or disabled homeowners allowing them to continue to live safely and independently.

The awards were presented during the luncheon portion of the program at Akron Urban League, 440 Vernon Odom Blvd. The Forum, now in its sixth year, gathers professionals from many disciplines to provide continuing education about programs and initiatives throughout Summit County.

Former Summit County sheriff dies

COVENTRY — Former Summit County Sheriff and U.S. Marshal David Troutman, of Coventry, died Oct. 26 after recently being hospitalized. He was 67 and had Legionnaire’s disease.

Troutman, a Democrat, was appointed sheriff in July 1980 when then-Sheriff Anthony Cardarelli resigned amid charges of obstruction and derelicton of duty. Troutman began working for the Sheriff’s Office in 1963 for 10 years and also was a chief probation officer for the Barberton Municipal Court for seven years.

Troutman retired as sheriff in 1994, when then-President Bill Clinton appointed him as a U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio. Troutman retired from that position in 2003.

Troutman also served as a Coventry Township trustee from January 1978 to July 1980, when he accepted the appointment as sheriff.

He also served on several organizations, including law enforcement commissions and committees, the Coventry Parks and Recreation Board and the Kiwanis. Most recently, he served as a Portage Lakes Boat Parade judge in June 2009.

Troutman, born in Wooster, was a graduate of Barberton High School. He is survived by his wife, Janet; son, Michael Troutman; daughter, DeAnna [Thomas] Donaldson; and two grandchildren.

Calling hours will take place Oct. 30 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at The Chapel, 1800 Raber Road in Green.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis DeSales Church, 4019 Manchester Road in Coventry. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family is requesting donations be made to the St. Francis DeSales Capital Fund in his memory in lieu of flowers.

Condolences may be left at the Bacher Funeral Home Web site at bacherfuneralhome.com/main.asp by clicking on “Obituaries” and Troutman’s name.

Mobile Meals Foundation names Dr. Dale Murphy Conference Room

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Mobile Meals Foundation has named the conference room at its 1063 S. Broadway St. location after Dr. Dale Murphy, recognizing Murphy for his outstanding service and efforts to do more than expected.

Murphy began his association with Mobile Meals in 1989 with his family. They folded, stuffed, stamped and mailed hundreds of letters, which Murphy wrote to members of the community soliciting donations on behalf of Mobile Meals, according to agency officials. Later, the entire family participated in a Thanksgiving Day home delivery, serving several homebound clients.

Murphy served as a board member on the Mobile Meals Foundation for six years. The Murphy campaigns have netted more than $400,000, with last year’s campaign raising $25,035.

For more information about Mobile Meals or to make a donation, call (330) 376-7717.

Copley chief hoping to catch residents ‘green handed’

Copley Police Chief Michael Mier is helping SASWMA catch recycling citizens “green handed.”

Photo courtesy of Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority

COPLEY — The Summit/ Akron Solid Waste Management Authority (SASWMA) Green Team is partnering with Copley Police Chief Michael Mier to be on the lookout for loaded (with the correct recyclables) recycling bins.

When a bin is spotted, a large sticker will be placed on the recycling bin. This means the homeowner will receive a gift card from one of SASWMA’s Green Handed Partners — Swenson’s, Akron Aeros, Gioninos, Judy’s Ice Cream, Shisler’s Cheese House or Chick-fil-A.

“If you are recycling, great job; if you are not, call J&J Refuse at (800) 201-0005 or your current waste hauler and request a recycling bin,” Mier said.

Residents can recycle the following items: plastic bottles Nos. 1 and 2 (check on the bottom of the bottle to determine the number), aluminum and steel cans, glass jars, newspaper and cardboard.

For more information, visit www.saswma.org or call (330) 374-0383.

Hospitals continue visitation restrictions

GREATER AKRON — The Akron Regional Hospital Association (ARHA) has issued a reminder to the public that certain hospitals are restricting visitation to provide additional protection to patients during flu season.

These hospitals include Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Edwin Shaw Hospital, Akron General Medical Center, Summa Akron City Hospital, Summa Barberton Hospital, Summa St. Thomas Hospital, Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital and Summa Western Reserve Hospital.

The Restricted Visitation Guidelines are as follows:

• Visitation is limited to healthy visitors. Do not visit patients if you are ill or are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, vomiting or diarrhea.

• No one younger than 18 will be permitted to visit.

• The standard visitation policy is two visitors per patient.

Individual hospitals/units may have additional restrictions due to the characteristics of their special patients.

Salvation Army seeking volunteers for holidays

GREATER AKRON — The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to donate their time to assist others in the Greater Akron community during the Christmas season.

Assistance is needed to ring bells and thank donors at red kettle collection sites, interview families in need of Christmas assistance, sponsoring children through the Angel Tree program, or escorting parents as they shop in the organization’s Toys for Tots center.

Individuals, families, clubs, organizations, youth groups, businesses and others are invited to participate.

Last year, The Salvation Army in Summit County served more than 3,000 families during the holidays. This year, due to the current economic conditions and high rate of unemployment, more families are expected to register to receive toys for their children and a holiday meal, according to Salvation Army officials.

To volunteer, call (330) 762-8481.   

— By Maria Lindsay

Heart Gallery exhibit at Portage Lakes Branch Library

NEW FRANKLIN — November is “National Adoption Awareness Month,” and to mark the occasion, Summit County Children Services’ (SCCS) Heart Gallery photography exhibit, which highlights agency children waiting for adoption, will be displayed through the end of November at the Portage Lakes Branch Library, 4261 Manchester Road.

The Heart Gallery is a project that raises awareness of the need for adoptive and foster parents by displaying photographic portraits of individual children and sibling groups who are in search of permanent homes.

The display features about 20 Summit County children who are waiting to be adopted, including boys and girls of all ages and some who are siblings who want and need to remain together.

A professional volunteered to capture the unique spirit of each child in each photograph, according to SCCS officials.

The project began approximately eight years ago in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and today is presented in more than 100 locations all over the United States. Since the first exhibit opened, the Heart Gallery has inspired and heightened interest for foster care and adoption and dramatically increased the placement of children into permanent adoptive homes nationwide, according to SCCS.

For more information on the project or becoming an adoptive or foster parent, call SCCS at (330) 379-1990 or visit www.summitkids.org.

    — By Maria Lindsay

Donations, volunteers needed for Summit County Children Services programs

AKRON — Summit County Children Services (SCCS) is once again calling upon the generosity of area residents to make the holiday season come alive for children in their care.

Donations and volunteers are needed for the following SCCS programs:

• The Holiday Toy Room: Set up similar to a retail store, the Holiday Toy Room is a place where foster parents, kinship caregivers and client families can “shop” for toys and gifts to give to their children. Everything is available at no cost to eligible families. Donations of toys and gifts for all ages of children, especially for teens, and/or financial contributions to purchase toys, are needed. Donations may be made seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at SCCS, 264 S. Arlington St., until Dec. 11.

• Adopt-a-Child: Donors may elect to “adopt” a child for the holidays and buy and wrap gifts on a child’s wish list, which will then be delivered to the family by agency staff by Christmas morning. Background information and a few wish list items for each child will be provided to donors. Donors may adopt more than one child. Gifts should be delivered by Dec. 11 to SCCS.

• Food Gift Card Program: Gift cards in increments of $25 are provided to families in need. This program ensures children and their families will have food during the holidays. Gift cards or money to purchase food will be accepted.

For more details on making a donation or to volunteer during the holidays, call Patricia Roy, of the SCCS Community Relations Department, at (330) 379-2055 or via e-mail to proy@summitkids.org.