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West Side News & Notes

11/26/2009 - West Side Leader
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By Kathleen Folkerth

Fitness pioneer Paige Palmer Ashbaugh remembered

Paige Palmer Ashbaugh is shown at the Sept. 6, 2008, American Cancer Society’s Akron-Canton Cattle Baron’s Ball. Palmer Ashbaugh, who was a longtime supporter of nonprofits, died Nov. 21.
Photo courtesy of J. Ryan Photography
BATH — Paige Palmer Ashbaugh — Akron native, Bath resident and the “First Lady of Fitness” — died Nov. 21 at the age of 93.

Among her many accomplishments, Palmer Ashbaugh was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. According to her biography on the hall’s Web site, Palmer was a favorite of Northeastern Ohio TV audiences for 25 years thanks to “The Paige Palmer Show,” which aired from 1947 to 1973 on WEWS Channel 5 in Cleveland. It was the first TV exercise program. She was considered a pioneer for introducing women to the importance of physical fitness on the show, which also aired in Canada and Pennsylvania.

Palmer was born in Akron and earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Akron in home economics and physical education. She also received a master’s of science degree in physical education from the University of California at Berkeley.

As a teenager, she opened her own dance studio in West Akron. She also was the director of physical education for Our Lady of the Elms when she was just 18.

After winning a “Perfect Figure Contest” in 1940, Palmer Ashbaugh was hired as director of fashion promotions for the textile company Cohn-Hall-Marx in New York City. She met and worked with well-known designers and others in the fashion industry.

Palmer Ashbaugh also was remembered as an entrepreneur for her fitness equipment. She also was an avid traveler who wrote more than 20 books.

In 1999, the Kent State University Museum presented Panache: Paige Palmer — A Salute to 50 Years of Fashion and Fitness, which recognized her work and how she had influenced the latter half of the 20th century. In January 2000, The Paige Palmer Gallery was dedicated at the museum in honor of the gift of her 130-piece Ohio pottery collection.

Palmer Ashbaugh also worked to support local nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she was honorary chairwoman of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s “Crescendo” fund-raiser in October.

Palmer Ashbaugh was preceded in death by her husband, Caryl Ashbaugh. She is survived by her three sons. At presstime, funeral services were pending.

Projects forwarded to state for funding

SUMMIT COUNTY — Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Riverview and Smith roads in West Akron was one of 13 Summit County projects approved for funding during the Nov. 17 District 8 Public Works Integrating Committee meeting.

The list of projects, totaling $14.3 million in grants and loans for infrastructure improvements, will be forwarded to the Ohio Public Works Commission, with funds disbursed beginning July 1, according to Summit County Executive Russ Pry’s office.

For the roundabout project, the city of Akron will receive a $446,000 loan through the Revolving Loan Program. The city also will receive a loan for $688,000 for Carroll Street improvements.

Other projects that will receive grants through the Local Transportation Improvement Program are:

• For the Summit County Engineer’s Office, the Medina Line Road bridge over Yellow Creek, a grant for $236,880;

• For Richfield Township, Boston Road and Highland Drive improvements, a grant for $585,000; and

• For the city of Akron, Little Cuyahoga River bridge improvements, a grant for $2.1 million.

Akron will also receive a $298,000 loan for work on Spicer and Kirn streets through the State Capital Improvement Program (formerly Issue 2).

For more information, contact Nick Lautzenheiser at (330) 643-7440.

Fuel Fund Grants assist 900-plus families

DOWNTOWN AKRON — County officials announced Nov. 23 that 958 households in Summit County received assistance through the Ohio Fuel Fund Grants program, helping them to avoid service shutoffs.

County Executive Russ Pry’s Department of Community and Economic Development distributed $218,901 in grants countywide in an average amount of $228.50. Those who were helped received the funding in the form of billing credits.

The program is a FirstEnergy initiative to provide financial assistance to low-income, electrical consumers residing in Central, Northeastern and Northwestern Ohio.

After being named one of two distributing agents in Summit County in August, county officials encouraged eligible citizens to take advantage of the opportunity.

“In less than three months, we were able to distribute every cent of the allotted 2009 grant funding,” Pry said. “The overwhelming response from citizens was yet another sign of the difficult economic times.”

Connie Krauss, director of the Department of Community and Economic Development, said 90 percent of the applicants were able to avoid service disconnection because of the grant.

Citizens who qualified for the grant were required to have an active residential service account with a FirstEnergy electrical utility company, have a pattern of “good faith” customer payments, had previously applied for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or Emergency-HEAP and have a total household income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline.

County officials said applications for 2010 are not being accepted at this time.

Reward offered regarding shooting of family pet

NORTHWEST AKRON — A resident is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for shooting and killing a family pet, a Greater Swiss Mountain dog named Ralphie, who died as a result of the 22-caliber bullet to his chest Nov. 10, she said.

Barbara Karadin, of Cuyahoga Street, is offering $300 for information regarding the person who shot Ralphie and is circulating fliers with her phone number, (330) 475-3526, for people to call if they have information.

She said Ralphie, who was 5 years old and a family pet since his birth, was a kind and gentle dog who loved children and often visited patients and staff members at a nursing home.

She also encourages residents to call their local police department if they hear shots fired, as discharging a firearm in the city of Akron is illegal.

ASCPL receives highest rating in national Service Index

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Akron-Summit County Public Library (ASCPL) again has been recognized with the highest possible rating — five stars — in the second round of the LJ Index of Public Library Service, a national rating of public libraries in the Library Journal.

“America’s Star Libraries” identifies 258 libraries nationwide that are delivering exceptional service. Overall, the LJ Index scores not just the Star Libraries but 7,268 public libraries with total expenditures of $10,000 or more that serve populations of at least 1,000 according to four per capita output measures that indicate public service — number of items borrowed, visits, program attendance and public Internet use.

“We are very pleased with and proud of this recognition,” said ASCPL Director David Jennings. “Out of 98 libraries in our expenditure category ($10 million to $30 million), we are one of only 10 to receive the five-star rating. This rating reflects the library’s increasing role as a center of community activity.”

To read more about the national ratings, visit www.libraryjournal.com.

    — By Stephanie Kist

Weather cooperates, leads to savings, more leaves

AKRON — City officials have been pleasantly surprised by the mild weather’s effect on this year’s leaf pickup, and on the city budget.

“We have saved $200,000 this year by going to one round of curbside leaf pickup rather than two,” said Public Works Manager Paul Barnett.

Barnett said his initial concerns over synchronizing the collection schedule with nature have turned out to be for naught.

“In all of our years of doing this, we have never seen the weather cooperate the way it has this season,” he said. “It’s nothing short of miraculous, really, that things have worked out this way this year.”

Added Street Cleaning Superintendent Dan Jones, “Not only have we been able to stay right on our schedule, but we are collecting 32 percent more leaves this year with only one round of pickups than we have in previous years using two collection dates for every home. ... We’re pretty close to finishing with this year’s leaf collection, and the weather forecast seems as if we’ll have continued cooperation from Mother Nature.”

Leaf pickup in the West Side Leader coverage area was scheduled to be completed yesterday, Nov. 25, with the last day of pickup in Ward 8. For updates, visit www.ci.akron.oh.us/calendar_leaf_removal.html.

For more information, call 3-1-1, or (330) 375-2311 from a cell phone or a landline outside of Akron.

    — By Stephanie Kist

Summit County Animal Control boards 100th dog on Rescue Waggin’

Pepper was the 100th dog boarding the PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’®
Photo courtesy of Summit County Executive’s Office
SUMMIT COUNTY — On Nov. 17, the Summit County Division of Animal Control boarded its 100th dog onto a PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’® vehicle. Sponsored by Pedigree, the Rescue Waggin’ program transports dogs and puppies from areas of high pet population to shelters in regions where adoptable dogs are more in demand.

The 15 dogs boarded onto the Rescue Waggin’ vehicle traveled to an animal shelter in Washington, D.C. The previous 85 canines were transported to animal shelters throughout New York.

According to PetSmart Charities, pet populations differ across the country for a variety of reasons. For example, pet overpopulation tends to be higher in areas that have warmer climates, are rural and/or have little to no access to low-cost spay and neuter clinics for animals.

“Before being boarded onto the Rescue Waggin’ vehicle, each dog is given a health exam and a thorough behavior evaluation,” said Christine Fatheree, manager of the Division of Animal Control. “Only healthy, well-tempered canines are selected for this program.”

All of the dogs boarded on to the Rescue Waggin’ vehicle ride in a temperature-controlled atmosphere while lullabies resonate from the sound system. A video monitor allows drivers, trained in pet first aid, to observe the animals along the way.

Upon arriving at their destination facility, the dogs are given 12 to 24 hours of downtime before receiving an additional medical exam and a spay or neuter operation. On average, dogs are commonly adopted within three days, according to county officials.

For more information, visit www.petsmartcharities.org/rescue-waggin.

    — By Stephanie Kist

Task force arrests 20,000th fugitive

NORTHERN OHIO — The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) has made its 20,000th arrest since its inception in 2003.

The NOVFTF was created in June 2003 by the U.S. Marshals Service in partnership with law enforcement agencies throughout the district.

The NOVFTF’s primary mission is apprehending violent fugitives wanted across the 40 counties in the northern half of Ohio. The NOVFTF consists of more than 250 law enforcement officers from more than 80 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. There are six organized divisions of the NOVFTF, including the Akron Division. The NOVFTF is funded and supported by Department of Justice “Project Safe Neighborhoods” grants and by the U.S. Marshals Service Asset Forfeiture Fund.

Arrest number 20,000 was Leonardo “Joker” Rodriguez, who was one of the NOVFTF Lorain County Division’s most wanted fugitives. Rodriguez was wanted for aggravated robbery by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, dangerous drugs by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office and for escape by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority. The case was referred to the NOVFTF, and leads were developed that indicated Rodriguez was in Puerto Rico. He was apprehended, arrested and will be extradited to Ohio to face charges.

“The dedicated men and women of the task force are our backbone; together they risk their lives daily as one unit and apprehend the worst of the worst in order to make our communities safe,” said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, who formed the Task Force. “I am proud of each of them.”

    — By Stephanie Kist

Considines donate $1 million to Akron Children’s Hospital for new research facility

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron Children’s Hospital has received a $1 million commitment from William H. and Rebecca D. Considine to establish the Rebecca D. Considine Clinical Research Institute.

Philip Maynard, chairman of Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation, announced the gift at the Holiday Tree Festival Preview Gala presented by volunteers at Akron Children’s Hospital Nov. 20. The evening honored Considine for his 30 years of service as chief executive officer and president of Akron Children’s Hospital. 

“The Considines are making a tremendous investment in the health of our community’s children,” explained Maynard. “I applaud Bill and Becky. Because of them, this institute will generate world-class research in the field of pediatric medicine.”

“Akron Children’s Hospital is the largest pediatric health care provider in Northeast Ohio,” said Bill Considine. “Children’s has a responsibility to be a research center. Research is a crucial part of the hospital’s strategic plan and our support will ensure that we will be able to fulfill our commitment to children today and of future generations.”

“Children’s is unparalleled in the number of children they serve,” added Becky Considine. “Our gift will touch numerous lives.”

The Considines gift will be used to create an endowment that will enable the Institute to conduct research into prevention and treatment of pediatric illnesses and provide support for the education and training of research staff.

“Bill and Becky Considine have always been committed to making a difference in the lives of children,” said Maynard. “This gift recognizes Bill’s service as CEO and president and Becky’s support and service to Akron Children’s Hospital these past 30 years. We hope that their commitment to the future of Children’s will inspire others to seize the opportunity to become part of something life changing for our community.”

    — By Maria Lindsay

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United Way of Summit County EJ Thomas