Akron Ohio News - South Side News & Notes

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South Side News & Notes

12/10/2009 - South Side Leader

By Stephanie Kist

Summit County Engineer’s Office launches new Web site

SUMMIT COUNTY — Summit County Engineer Alan Brubaker has rolled out a newly designed Web site.

The site still includes all of the functions of the previous edition with additional features meant to increase both public and private industry efficiency when utilizing the records and forms available online.

Content was reorganized in a streamlined fashion so citizens will need to spend minimal time and effort finding the information they need, according to Brubaker. The Web site also offers news and traffic alerts via RSS feed, allowing the public to get real-time updates about road closing and construction projects. In addition, the “projects” section now utilizes Google Maps to show the exact parameters of any construction project planned or in progress.

The Web site was created and designed within the county and is hosted using county servers, according to Brubaker. This move will save the engineer’s office $2,400 a year in hosting expenses, he added.

“It is a goal of this office to use new technologies to our advantage and to better serve the public,” said Brubaker. “Any way that we can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our communication with the citizens at a cheaper cost, we are going to implement it. I hope the public will find the new Web site helpful and easy to use.”

The Web site address is www.summitengineer.net. For more information, call (330) 643-2850.

Attorney general warns of jury duty scam again targeting Ohioans

OHIO — The Supreme Court of Ohio today joined Attorney General Richard Cordray in warning Ohioans that an old jury duty scam is again rearing its head. The identity-theft ploy targets unsuspecting individuals, tricking them into turning over personal information.

The con plays out as follows: A scammer calls a potential victim, claiming to work for the court system. The caller tells the victim a warrant has been issued for his or her arrest for failing to report for jury duty. To clear up the alleged issue, the victim is told he or she must provide their Social Security number, date of birth and, in some instances, a credit card number.

“This scam, like most, plays on fear,” Cordray said. “It puts the victim on the defensive, forcing them to react without necessarily thinking the situation through. The best rule of thumb is to never give out your personal information over the phone regardless of who is calling. Unless you initiate the call, you really don’t have verification of who is on the other end.”

The Supreme Court of Ohio advises Ohioans that officers of the court do not request personal information over the phone.

“Jury management is something that is administered by local courts, and citizens with questions about jury service should contact their local court directly,” said Steven Hollon, administrative director of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

The scam was heavily reported several years ago, and the Attorney General’s Office was notified last week the ploy is again making its rounds.

Cordray also urges Ohioans who have become victims of this scam or any other phishing scam to immediately report the incident to local police and contact his office via www.SpeakOutOhio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0515.

Goodwill opens new donation center in Green

GREEN — Goodwill Industries has opened an attended donation center in the parking lot of The Chapel, located at 1800 Raber Road.

“This new donation center will allow more people in southern Summit County to easily donate items to Goodwill,” said Phil Stauffer, vice president of Retail Operations. “Donations are sold in our retail stores to support Goodwill’s mission of helping individuals prepare for, find and retain employment.”

The donation center hours of operation are Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for all of us in the surrounding Green community to support the services of Goodwill,” said Colleen Koladzinski, director of mercy/benevolence at The Chapel.

All those who make a donation will receive a 20 percent off coupon good at any Goodwill store in Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland or Richland counties. Information about the tax benefits from donating to Goodwill and guidelines for donations are available at www.goodwillakron.org.

Goodwill requests that donors:

• ensure all items can be used for resale;

• leave items only when an attendant is on duty;

• wash or clean clothing;

• test electrical and mechanical equipment;

• box or bag items in easy-to-lift amounts;

• verify all donated items meet Consumer Product Safety Commission standards and have not been recalled or banned; and

• complete a donation receipt.

Items that Goodwill is most in need of include: clothing; shoes; accessories such as handbags, belts and scarves; small furniture; small electronics such as radios, clocks and lamps; domestics such as sheets and towels; and household items such as dishes, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, books, CDs, records, tapes, DVDs, computers, printers and monitors. Also cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles and motorcycles are accepted at the Goodwill Auto Outlet at 2381 Manchester Road.

Goodwill sites in the South Side News Leader area include: 570 E. Waterloo Road in South Akron, 3235 Manchester Road in Coventry, 2420 Wedgewood Drive in Ellet and 1500 Canton Road in Lakemore.

— By Maria Lindsay

Grant funding encourages development of recycling markets

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention 2010 grant application packages are now available.

This competitive grant funding targets Ohio’s local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations for projects to develop the infrastructure for material collection, material processing and product manufacturing. Grant project applications must result in the development of recycling markets.

“The grant funding helped our business increase recycling of stretch wrap and cardboard through the purchase of a baler,” stated Giovanni Donatelli and Guido DiIorio, of Neoshred, one of last year’s grant recipients, in a press release. “The economic impact of the grant will be shown for years to come.”

A 2010 grant informational meeting will take place Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Complex, in the Assembly Center East Room, Building E, First Floor, 2045 Morse Road.

Links for applications for the three types of grants — Community Development, Market Development and Scrap Tire — can be found at www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?alias=www.dnr.state.oh.us/recycling.

The Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority (SASWMA) is a possible sponsor for any interested and qualified applicants. The SASWMA can only sponsor a qualified applicant located in Summit County. All application narrative and necessary forms are to be completed by the applicant. All required match funds are to be provided by the applicant and must be a “cash match.” All first-draft applications are due to SASWMA by 3 p.m. Jan. 20.

For more information, call Marcie Kress at (330) 374-0383.

New ‘Transportation Outlook’ available

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) officials announced Dec. 4 that “Transportation Outlook,” the new 20-year regional transportation plan for the Greater Akron area, is available.

The plan utilizes a “fix-it first” approach for the area’s transportation system. Planning Coordinator Curtis Baker explained the plan emphasizes preservation of the existing system rather than expansion. He added this approach is necessary given emerging trends and funding realities for transportation.

Volatile fuel prices and construction costs, a renewed public interest in transit services and environmental concerns all have combined to place new demands on the transportation system, Baker said.

“These trends have appeared over the last few years; the question is whether they are permanent or temporary,” he said. “While many things are sure to change between now and 2030, ‘Transportation Outlook’ ensures that the region’s transportation system will continue to remain an efficient and reliable asset.”

The plan:

• establishes highway preservation as the area’s highest priority while continuing to address the issues of safety and congestion;

• urges preservation of the area’s existing transit systems and advocates for more federal and state operating funding for regional transit authorities;

• recommends that, as the Towpath Trail is completed in Summit County, investments be focused on completing other regional bikeways, especially in Portage County; and

• promotes land-use decisions that reduce vehicle miles traveled, promote transit, walking and biking and improve air quality.

“Transportation Outlook” is available at www.ci.akron.oh.us/AMATS. For more information, call (330) 375-2436.

Governor announces grant awards for energy program

OHIO — Gov. Ted Strickland announced 25 Ohio projects will receive more than $13 million in grant awards funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s State Energy Program.

Among the projects to receive funding is Akron’s METRO Regional Transit Authority, which will get $1 million to install a 488 kW solar photovoltaic rooftop system located on its central bus barn.

“It is projected that these solar panels could save up to 33 percent in energy costs,” said U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton (D-District 13).

The renewable energy awards are the first to be awarded from Ohio’s $96 million State Energy Program, which was accepted by the U.S. Department of Energy June 26. Public and private entities will use the funds to install wind electric, solar electric and solar thermal technologies at businesses, schools, parks and other public locations throughout Ohio.

— By Maria Lindsay

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