by Brent Hovey, Reporter

Aurora — An exterior maintenance code the city has tried to pass in one form or another off-and-on for many years won’t happen at this time.

Council voted to remove the legislation from its agenda Aug. 11, meaning the code is dead for now. It was a 5 to 4 vote, with James Fisher, Robert Galaska Jr., George Horvat and Carl Rausch voting to keep the issue alive.

A public hearing had been set for Aug. 25, but that will no longer be on the calendar.

Mayor Lynn McGill introduced the code July 14, but Council had been torn over the effectiveness and execution of the code since then.

More of that was voiced Aug. 11, led by Councilman Joe Kastelic, who was concerned about how the code would be enforced.

“What’s the standard for this?” he asked. “Are we only going to enforce it on the residents who’s neighbors call? What about a house that has no paint compared to one where paint is chipping? (more…)

The business agreement, reached on July 30, will give naming rights to InkStop, scheduled to open its doors in Aurora in August. It will also enable the newly-formed Greenmen Pride organization to reach its “million dollar goal” in Phase #1 of the community’s stadium renovation project.

            “We are delighted to have InkStop step forward in support of our efforts to create a state-of-the-art stadium in Aurora,” said George Balog, who created the citizen-based Greenmen Pride organization this spring. The non-profit group of citizen volunteers began with a handful of community volunteers who stunned many, including Bennett, when they raised more than $800,000 in private donations in a little more than two months for their stadium project.

            “It’s not just impressive, but heart-warming to see such an outpouring of support in our school community by private citizens and local businesses,” said Bennett. “The field will not only benefit our schools in numerous ways, but will be a showpiece and an asset for the city of Aurora for years to come.

            Phase #1 of the renovation of the AHS field , which by a 10-year agreement will be known as “InkStop Field at Veterans Stadium,” includes installation of an artificial surface and a scoreboard with video capability.

            “Our goal is to create a first-class facility for the community of Aurora,” said Balog. “With the installation of the field and the purchase of a high-resolution video scoreboard, we will be the envy of other schools.”

            The installation of the high-tech scoreboard will provide opportunities, he said, for students to become involved in filming games and capturing crowd footage for fan enjoyment and instant replay. (more…)

And the employees of the city who spent the holiday weekend away from their families and friends deserve a big thank-you from all the residents of Aurora. People like Rec Director, Jim Kraus, Fire Cheif, Dave Barnes and the rest of the police and firemen, Bill Fellenstein and his Crews who got the parks ready and looking so good and Laura Holman who organized the parade party and more. I know that Rec department employees put in a lot of hours to make sure every event went smoothly. And everything was cleaned up so quickly, the streets and the parks looked great the next day.

What was your experience?  I attended the fireworks with a family from University Heights who were very impressed with the quality of the event, and especially impressed by the kids and teems who were there, much different behavior at public events than they see in the Heights.

Additionally, I do not want to engage in legal battles to operate this blog. And I don’t want to be personally blamed for what other people write.  I also saw some readers go after another reader,  anonymity allowed the freedom for some to turn into  A#1 jerks.  I think this blog could be useful and entertaining but I don’t know if it is worth it.

So feel free to comment on this or do it elsewhere. I don’t care.

The outlet of the lake is closed for about a week to allow the poison become inert before releasing the water downstream to the Chagrin River. The fish kill used a method approved by the EPA.

The lake will be restocked with sportfish.

Rotek Inc., which manufactures large diameter bearings for such things as radar systems, wind energy turbines, tunnel boring machines and rail vehicles, will begin construction at the end of this month with the plant expected to begin expanded production in the first quarter of 2010.

Rotek, a subsidiary of Dortmund, Germany-based Rothe Erde, announced the investment on Tuesday. Rothe Erde is part of the ThyssenKrupp Technologies Group of Dusseldorf, Germany.

The investment includes what is called a second ring mill at the Aurora facility to serve its own expanding large diameter ‘’slewing ring” production and help meet the growing demands in the United States for seamless rolled rings.

The manufacturing plant will increase by 116,000 square feet and add new machinery, tooling and production lines, said spokesman Matt Rhodes.

In a press release, Rotek President Leonard F. Osborne said, ”The planned expansion is an integral part of the company’s growth strategy. This significant investment represents our continued commitment to provide the highest quality products and customer service possible.”

ThyssenKrupp Rotek received funds from the State of Ohio Department of Development for job creation and training, as well as machinery and equipment purchases. In addition, the city of Aurora offered the company property tax abatement and funds for road infrastructure improvements.

In the news release, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland said, ”Rotek is developing and manufacturing components for several high growth industries, including wind energy, where Ohio has become a national leader with a strong competitive advantage. We welcome Rotek’s growth and the 150 new jobs in the City of Aurora.”

The company said it will create 150 new full-time jobs within three years and retain the 215 existing full-time jobs in Aurora at the plant and local headquarters. The hiring process will begin in the fall. (more…)

At City Council’s April 28 session, members passed two ordinances in an effort to convince Rotek to stay here and not move to Kentucky.

Rotek plans a $90 million expansion, but is also considering leaving for Florence, Ky., just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.

The first item passed will have the city and Rotek entering into a Community Reinvestment Area, in which Rotek will receive a 15-year, 100 percent tax abatement.

Finance Director Bob Paul said of the proposed $90 million expansion, $17 million is for real estate and $73 million for equipment. Only the real estate falls under the abatement.

Rotek would receive $3.4 million in tax abatement during the 15 years.

The other ordinance will allow the allocation of up to $450,000 of the budgeted 2008 road paving program to improve Route 43 in front of the plant. (more…)

It’s crumbling and in places is so pitted there is hardly room for two cars to pass. Potholes are damaging vehicles. Cochran is no longer the back road it was in former days.

The large number of homes and condos built now use it as their main connection to Route 82. Patches are no longer viable because of the heavy amount of traffic.

While it is nice to discuss clocktowers, flower gardens and sidewalks that go nowhere for the next 20 years, it seems our priorities should be to maintain what we already have.

While the city spends tax dollars working on private roads and paving some streets for a second or third time, Cochran gets pushed to the back of the to-do list year after year.

I know many taxpayers believed when the road levy passed several years ago Cochran would be one of the first roads done. But every year, we’re told it’s too expensive.

The job will not be less expensive next year or the year after. If it had been done when promised, it probably would’ve cost a fraction of what it will now.

We urge taxpayers with similar concerns to contact Council reps and the administration or attend the April 28 Council meeting at 7 p.m. to express concerns directly.

It’s not only a matter of looks, but a serious matter of safety.

Pete and Terry Gugliotta, Aurora

http://nortonauctioneers.com/upcoming.htm

Olive wanted the levy to pass, that should be no secret to readers. I had a horse in this race as they say. In most cases anti-levy comments were published as well as pro-levy comments. A two-sided conversation is always more interesting.
To the voters who said this will be a real hardship to seniors and that some will not have the money: I don’t think anyone who voted for this levy is happy about that. It would be great if the community could help those who are going to need the help.

Many hope this entire experience was significant to the school board and the administration. And that there will be more involvement from the community and openness from the board in the coming months and years.Our community, however divided right now ought to realize that that people in Aurora passed their levy and is looking toward the future. Most other school levies failed!

Congratulations to all the volunteers in Aurora who made this pass, it was a group effort. What do you think?

Here is a breakdown of the results. It failed only in Geauga Lake and 2-B. Support was way up everywhere since the last election. Click on it for a larger view.