Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Kids say they're not learning enough in school
About 20 students and parents lamented the ongoing teachers' strike at a Strongsville City Council meeting Monday night, saying they have nowhere else to take their concerns. "The last time I received a proper education was on March 1," said Mathangi Sridharan, a junior at Strongsville High School. Several parents said they wanted to address the school board, but the board canceled both of its regular meetings in March. The strike started March 4. A School Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4. The families spoke mostly about how students -- especially Advanced Placement students at Strongsville High School -- are falling behind on their studies and missing out on services they need. "We've gone from 'excellent with …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Mike Daymut will lead again in 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Last-minute amendment removes some elected officials from salary hike legislation
Many Strongsville employees, including department heads and workers in two unions, will get 2.25 percent pay raises this year. City Council voted Monday to accept collective bargaining agreements with the Teamsters, which represents the city's Service Department workers and building inspectors. The three-year deal calls for a 2.5 percent raise next year and a 2.25 percent hike in 2015. As is customary, council awarded the same increase this year to non-union city employees. But just before voting on the measure Monday night, council amended the legislation to remove raises for City Council members. "We're still not out of the woods financially," Council President Mike Daymut said. "We just thought it was the right thing to do." With …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Dave Gusman will seek an at-large seat in Strongsville
Dave Gusman, who did not seek re-election to the Strongsville School Board last year after serving two terms, said he will run for Strongsville City Council next year. Gusman will vie for one of the three at-large seats. "I feel I can add value to City Council," Gusman said. "I think I have a good understanding of the concerns of residents." The at-large seats are currently held by Joe DeMio, Ken Dooner and Duke Southworth. Candidates don't run for specific at-large seats in Strongsville. The top three vote-getters among all the candidates will ultimately win the posts. If more than six candidates file, there will be a primary election in May to narrow the field to six. Gusman said he brings 10 years of experience on the city's Board of …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Homeowners on one street return after complaining
A few months ago, a group of residents from Glenwood Lane went to a City Council meeting with a gripe: Their street was a mess, they said -- filled with ruts and holes. On Monday, the residents returned, in an unusual move that left city officials smiling. "We asked a few months ago for help with our street," Gayle Zevchik told council. "Lo and behold, a few days later, they were out on the street, measuring." Soon crews were out resurfacing the street. "We want to present you with a small thank-you gift because our street looks beautiful now," said Zevchik, who was there with her husband, Rick, and neighbors Terry Roberts and Walid Nasser. "There are no bumps, no holes. It's a pleasure to drive down the street." They presented city …
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Family members are now prohibited from holding any city job
City Council has expanded its law against nepotism, now barring elected and appointed officials from hiring family members for any city job. Previously, the city's ordinance precluded department heads and elected officials from hiring relatives for full-time posts. The new measure prohibits hiring to any position, including part-time, seasonal and temporary. "If we prohibit it for full-time, it should also be for part-time and seasonal employees, too," Assistant Law Director Dan Kolick said. Council President Mike Daymut said nothing in particular prompted the rewrite. "The state is always changing their criteria, so we go ahead and look at ours, too," Daymut said. Strongsville's nepotism law is now more restrictive than Ohio's. The …
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
At large Councilman Ken Dooner takes oath as council president pro tem
Ward 1 Councilman Mike Daymut was elected by his peers to again serve as City Council president in 2012. At council's organizational meeting Tuesday night, Councilman at large Ken Dooner was chosen council president pro tem. He will fill in when Daymut is unavailable. Daymut did not yet assign council members to committees, but did name Ward 4 Councilman Scott Maloney to serve as council's representative to the Planning Commission; Councilman at large Duke Southworth to represent Strongsville on the Southwest General Health Center board of trustees; and Ward 3 Councilman Jim Carbone as liaison to the Strongsville schools.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
2012 figures show reductions in most departments
The 2012 budget shows a leaner Strongsville, with reductions in most departments, but no cuts in city services. Downsizing was necessary, Finance Director Joe Dubovec said, because revenue will shrink next year by a projected $1.95 million. "The Municipal Income Tax estimate remains flat due to the threat of a double-dip recession," Dubovec said in his budget message. Another big chunk: estate taxes. The state is doing away with the so-called "death tax" on estates, which this year brought $924,000 into the city's coffers. "That's something we're going to have to deal with next year," Dubovec said. And the state will again cut Local Government Fund contributions to cities, meaning the loss of about $340,000 here. The general fund budget, …
Longtime Ward 2 rep looking forward to 'smelling the roses'
When Ray Haseley casts his last vote as Ward 2 councilman next month, it will be a bittersweet moment. Sure, he ran for another term this year. And sure, he'll miss the council job he's held for the last 14 years. "The best part was being involved," said Haseley, 78, who started his involvement in city government on the Planning Commission. "Then the more I got involved, the more I wanted to be." But shedding the responsibility and long hours won't be all bad, either. "It's kind of a relief," he said. "Now that it's over, I can admit to myself it's time to smell the roses." The Race Haseley didn't run an especially energetic campaign. His opponent, Matt Schonhut, 20, did. "He used social media and a lot of things I didn't," Haseley said. "…
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The increase won't affect Strongsville residents, though
City Council is looking at raising the charge for using a Strongsville ambulance. Legislation introduced Monday would increase the fee for basic life support and a ride to the hospital from $350 and $6 per mile to $450 and $10 per mile. Advanced life support would be $750. The new fees are "consistent with what the insurance companies are now paying," Law Director Ken Kraus said. The hike will not affect Strongsville residents, as well as people who work in Strongsville or own property in the city. In those cases, the city bills the person's health insurance company. If insurance does not cover the entire fee, the city forgives the rest. Non-residents would still be billed for any part of the fee not covered by insurance, although people …
Strongsville Logic
1:05 am on Saturday, April 20, 2013
You, my friend, are grammatically retarded. Fourth quarter counts, and you'll probably fail English. You should get off this site and go back to school, because your brain is obviously melting here. more ›