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From Bexley News, 3/14/07: Residential component could fit into site plan Council is reviewing its options for the former site of city's tree nursery, while another element could be added. By DAVID J. CROSS A high-end residential development could still be built on the former site of Bexley's tree nursery. Mike Shannon, an attorney representing resident Jay Schottenstein, said Thursday there have been discussions about turning the about two-acre plot of land into a nature preserve with a possible "high-end residential component." City officials were expected to tackle the issue Tuesday during a Zoning and Development Committee meeting aimed at exploring the city's options for the site, located near Parkview and Caroline avenues. Read more at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS3-14/3-14_benursery.html

From the 3/16/07 Dispatch: WEB EXTRA See the full list of school district allocations in the new state budget (PDF) GOVERNOR’S NEW BUDGET School plan has districts a bit torn Friday, March 16, 2007 Jim Siegel and Jennifer Smith Richards THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Gregg Morris thinks Gov. Ted Strickland is making a sincere effort to address school-funding problems in Ohio, but the Gahanna-Jefferson superintendent isn’t too excited about it. The total state funding increase for Gahanna under the two-year plan: zero. Strickland’s proposed 3 percent annual increase in education funding is bigger than schools have seen in at least the past four years. But many districts wouldn’t see more money because the new Democratic governor is focusing the funding on poorer districts. "He’s getting at a piece of the state funding issue to help more disadvantaged districts," Morris said. "It stops short of helping us to any degree. He just doesn’t go far enough." MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/03/16/20070316-A1-00.html From the 3/16/07 Enquirer: Ohio to schools: No raise for you Amounts vary; for Cincinnati, zero BY CINDY KRANZ AND MICHAEL CLARK | [email protected] AND [email protected] More than half of local school districts, including Cincinnati Public Schools, would get no increases in state funding for the next two years under Gov. Ted Strickland's proposed budget. Richard Gardner, interim treasurer for Cincinnati Public Schools, summarized his reaction to the budget proposal: "Not good." "There is a tremendous amount of zeros on this worksheet, and it looks like most of those are in Southwest Ohio. It's disappointing that we're not looking at any increase to help with inflation. I would expect to see something for us that recognizes that costs are going to increase." MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070316/NEWS0102/703160395/ From the 3/16/07 ABJ: Budget no boon for 229 school districts Stark County's Plain Local among those not receiving additional state funding under Strickland proposal By Dennis J. Willard Beacon Journal staff writer COLUMBUS - Gov. Ted Strickland announced Wednesday he wants to increase the state share of school funding in the next two years to 54 percent, but that doesn't mean districts will be awash in new money. In fact, under the terms of the governor's State of the State address, 302 of the 613 school districts in Ohio will receive no increase in state dollars in the 2007-08 school year, which runs concurrently with the first year of the biennial budget. The financial news from Columbus doesn't get any better for another 242 school districts that will see no increase in state funding in the 2008-09 school year. And under the proposal, more than one in three, or 229, school districts in Ohio will not receive a penny more in the next two years from the state than they are receiving in the current school year. MORE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/education/16915805.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news From the 3/16/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Schools reviewing budget numbers By STEPHEN ORAVECZ Tribune Chronicle Public schools got their first inkling Thursday of how they would fare under funding changes the governor is proposing in his two-year budget. About half the districts in Trumbull and Mahoning counties would see increases over the biennium. Gov. Ted Strickland is proposing several changes in school funding: * Basic per pupil aid would go up 3 percent in each year; * Parity aid designed to bring lower-wealth districts more in line with richer districts would go up more than 70 percent, but will be targeted to fewer districts; * Poverty-based assistance would go up 22 percent. All three of those changes were factored into the funding formula to determine the amount of aid each district would receive. Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey said the increase in per-pupil aid is part of that formula and by itself does not mean each district would get more money. MORE: http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=15802

From the 3/15/07 DDN: Charter school moratorium divides Democrats stand behind Strickland's proposal, but Republicans make the case in favor of vouchers. By Laura A. Bischoff Staff Writer Thursday, March 15, 2007 COLUMBUS — When Gov. Ted Strickland announced plans to eliminate most school voucher programs and stop adding charter schools, Democrats jumped to their feet for a standing ovation. Republicans sat in stony silence. Afterward, they weren't so quiet. "My concern with education has always been about the children and the families that we serve. By virtue of eliminating some of these opportunities for children we, by nature, send them back to schools that are failing," said Speaker Jon Husted, a champion of school choice policies in Ohio. His advice to parents using state vouchers for private education: Call the governor and make the case in favor of vouchers. The teachers unions had a different take. "It is very bold of Gov. Strickland to eliminate vouchers and halt the expansion of Ohio's failed charter schools," said Sue Taylor, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/14/ddn031507stateinside.html

Photo update from March 10:

From the 3/13/07 Ashland Times-Gazette: Myers house coming down Judge denies preliminary injunction barring demolition of historic home March 13, 2007 By MEGAN EDWARDS T-G Staff Writer The walls of the A.N. Myers home soon will come tumbling down. The aluminum siding already was off Monday. Acting Wayne County Judge Mark Wiest denied a preliminary injunction Friday which barred the Ashland County Historical Society from tearing down the historic home at 408 Center St. The judge also dissolved a temporary restraining order against the society, which was granted in December when a portion of the aluminum siding was removed from the home. ... http://www.times-gazette.com/news/article/1715402

From the 1/17/07 Ashland Times-Gazette: Myers home injunction decision expected in Feb. Center Street Historical District Association seeks court ruling to prevent demolition of house January 17, 2007 By DARCIE LORENO T-G Staff Writer A decision should be made by early next month on a preliminary injunction that would prevent the demolition of the A.N. Myers home until the dispute between the Center Street Historical District Association and the Ashland County Historical Society is heard in court. After the testimony of four association members Tuesday, acting Wayne County Judge Mark Wiest said a previously issued temporary restraining order regarding the home would remain in effect. ... http://www.times-gazette.com/news/article/1488251

All from the 3/15/07 Middletown Journal: Steelworkers start transition to work Contract calls for all eligible members to be back in the mill by June 12. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 15, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Starting today, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 will begin the process of returning to Middletown Works after more than a year of being locked out by AK Steel Corp. Via mail or phone calls, the first group of eligible rank-and-file members should receive word to report to the local steel plant for physicals and training. It's not known how often, how many or in which departments union members will be returning to the mill. While Machinists officials said Wednesday the pace of recall could be 300 employees per phase, company officials were not specific. "It's going to occur in the safest and most efficient manner possible," said AK Steel spokesman Alan McCoy. "It's going to happen in a way that's going to accomplish our goal." Read more here: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/15/mj031507akreturn.html What people are saying about the Middletown Works deal Thursday, March 15, 2007 Here's what people are saying about the 54-month agreement between AK Steel Corp. and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943. Mark Sanders, locked-out worker: "I'm just so happy it's over. We've been waiting for this. We are ready to go back to work. It's been a long year." Shane Clayton, locked-out worker: "I'm happy, but disappointed at the same time because it's what we were forced to accept. I don't know what I'm going back to." Brian Daley, President of Machinists local lodge 1943: "This lockout left a wide path of destruction." Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/15/mj031507akquotes.html Commentary It's time to let the sun shine in By Rick McCrabb Columnist Thursday, March 15, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Three hundred and seventy-nine days ago — on a chilly night much different than Wednesday afternoon — AK Steel workers were locked out when their contract expired. From midnight Feb. 28, 2006, until 3:45 p.m. Wednesday when union president Brian Daley announced an agreement was ratified, may be remembered as the darkest period in this city's 216-year history. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/15/mj031507mccrabbak.html

Both from the 3/14/07 Middletown Journal: NEW: Lockout ends, steelworkers going back to work Machinists spokesman: "We have a deal!" By Dave Greber, Ed Richter Staff Writers Wednesday, March 14, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — After more than a year on the picket line, nearly 1,800 locked-out steelworkers at Middletown's AK Steel Corp. will be returning to work. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 overwhelmingly approved a 54-month deal with AK Steel by a vote of 1,275 to 226. Forty-four votes were excluded because they were deemed void or challenged by vote counters. The contract is en route from Cincinnati, where the vote counting took place, to Middletown where it will be signed this afternoon by union president Brian Daley and AK Steel officials. The contract, which goes into effect Thursday and runs through Sept. 15, 2011, will put all eligible union members back inside Middletown Works within 90 days. Recall letters will be going out to union members Thursday and workers could be called in for physicals and drug testing as early as Tuesday. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/14/mj031407akweb.html Will locked-out AK union return to work? By Dave Greber Staff Writer Wednesday, March 14, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — AK Steel Corp. and its union locked out from the Middletown Works should know today whether the yearlong labor dispute is over. Vote counting begins at 10 a.m. today for ballots mailed by the 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline in the third contract ratification vote after a tentative agreement was announced Feb. 28 — the eve of the lockout's one-year anniversary. Despite the mostly positive response from union voters — as heard from the picket lines and seen on membership Web sites during the past two weeks — both sides are not saying much — at least not until the vote results are in this afternoon. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/14/mj031407akfallout.html

From the 2/15/07 Blade: Lucas County to ask city to vacate arena site Part of Frogtown Alley, Superior Street sought By ERICA BLAKE BLADE STAFF WRITER Before Lucas County officials can build a multipurpose arena in downtown Toledo, they know they have to have the land. As part of the aggressive time- line to have an arena built and operating by the fall of 2009, county commissioners plan to submit an application to Toledo officials today asking for the city to vacate a portion of Superior Street and Frogtown Alley. Contact Erica Blake at: [email protected] or 419-724-6076. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070215/NEWS16/702150353/-1/RSS10

From the 2/14/07 Blade: Hiring consultant moves arena ahead Lucas County commissioners hired a consultant yesterday at a cost of up to $65,000 to negotiate contracts for the companies hired to design and construct a new multi-purpose arena. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070214/NEWS16/702140376/-1/RSS10

From the 1/26/07 Blade: Finkbeiner warns county about firm Mayor concerned about arena project By ERICA BLAKE BLADE STAFF WRITER Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, in a letter to the Lucas County commissioners, cautioned the county against entering into a contract with the lead architecture firm chosen to design the new multipurpose arena. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/NEWS16/701260361/-1/NEWS

From the 1/25/07 Blade: Demolition work for arena likely to begin in summer By ERICA BLAKE BLADE STAFF WRITER Demolition to make room for a new multipurpose arena in downtown Toledo could start as early as summer to ensure the facility is open by fall 2009, Lucas County officials said yesterday. Contact Erica Blake at: [email protected] or 419-724-6076. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/NEWS16/701250338/-1/NEWS

From the 1/18/07 Blade: LUCAS COUNTY Hotel-motel tax going up to 10% to fund arena By ERICA BLAKE BLADE SATFF WRITER Lucas County commissioners yesterday put in motion the funding necessary to build a multipurpose arena - leaving them with the responsibility of building it and then filling it. Commissioners voted unanimously to raise the county's hotel-motel tax by 2 percentage-points. The increase, which will take effect March 1, raises the tax from 8 percent to 10 percent and will help fund more than half of the approximately $80 million project. Contact Erica Blake at: [email protected] or 419-724-6076. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070118/NEWS33/701180349/-1/NEWS

From the 1/17/07 Toledo Blade: County to boost hotel tax today for arena project $80M facility planned downtown By ERICA BLAKE BLADE STAFF WRITER Lucas County commissioners said they will approve a 2 percentage-point increase in the local hotel-motel tax today, putting in place the funding mechanism necessary to build a new arena downtown. Contact Erica Blake at: [email protected] or 419-724-6076. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070117/NEWS33/701170381/-1/NEWS

From the AP, 3/14/07: Delta wants top jobs to stay separate Recruiting chairman for after bankruptcy By Harry R. Weber Associated Press ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc.'s chief executive officer and board chairman jobs are held by different people, and the nation's third-largest carrier wants to keep it that way when it emerges from bankruptcy. The Atlanta-based company's official committee of unsecured creditors asked for court permission Tuesday to pay a search firm to help recruit a non-executive chairman for the board of the reorganized Delta. SSI Inc. is a consultant to the committee and is helping it identify, interview and assess proposed candidates for the new board. Delta's existing directors also are being considered. Delta's current chief executive, Gerald Grinstein, is a member of Delta's board, but the chairman of the board is John F. Smith Jr., who is not employed as a Delta executive. Many major corporations give the CEO and board chairman jobs to one person, though some in recent years have opted to separate the positions. Grinstein has said he plans to step down as CEO when Delta emerges from Chapter 11 protection, which it could do as early as next month. A confirmation hearing on Delta's reorganization plan is scheduled for April 25 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York. Full story at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070314/BIZ/703140338/1001/RSS04

From the 3/13/07 Carrollton Free Press Standard: Commissioners pledge to keep an open mind regarding proposed deep mining By Carol McIntire Editor March 13, 2007 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials outlined potential risks to the village of Carrollton's water supply as it relates to proposed deep mining of coal in the area for Carroll County Commissioners last week. Cathy Metropulus who is with the EPA's Division of Drinking Water, outlined the two phases in the Drinking Water Source Protection Program, which aims to prevent future contamination of water supplies of more than 25 people. She said the EPA identifies possible contaminents to the water supply and the village or municipality should then take action and develop a protection plan. Specifically, she looked at the nine water wells owned by the village and identified possible sources of contamination in the future as well as how susceptible the wells would be to contamination. Her presentation showed the one and five-year travel zones for water and identified the area around the wells the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has identified as unsuitable for mining. MORE: http://www.freepressstandard.com/News/news04_031507.htm

From the 3/14/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Students and parents to receive introduction to new East High Students will get to tour the new building before the end of school in June. By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — The city school district intends to build a new school community with the opening of a new East High School this fall. That's a multistep process that will begin at 6 p.m. today when students assigned to the new building from the former Rayen and Wilson high school service areas and their parents are invited to an informational meeting at the P. Ross Berry Middle School on Bryn Mawr Avenue... [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/345208048549980.php Athletic director strongly urges repairs to Fitch High stadium Youngstown Vindicator, 3/13/07 The west side of Fitch High School's stadium is in such disrepair that it's downright dangerous, says the school district's athletic director...

From the 3/13/07 Blade: PHOTO: What has been the Wyndham is to have a $6 million makeover. The hotel was known as the Crowne Plaza from 1994 to 1998. ( THE BLADE ) Toledo hotel going after previous name The new owner of what has been the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Toledo plans a $6 million makeover and hopes to change the property to a Crowne Plaza hotel by year's end. The name change would be the sixth for the 14-story structure, which operated as a Crowne Plaza from 1994 to 1998. It is no longer a Wyndham and for now will be called the Toledo Riverview, with no chain hotel affiliation. Paradise Hospitality Inc., a San Diego hotel company owned by California businessman Andrew Kim, bought the 22-year-old hotel last Wednesday for $7.5 million. He hired Lane Hospitality Inc., of Chicago, to operate it. Bill Chambers, a spokesman for Lane Hospitality, said that before the 241-room hotel, at Two SeaGate, can become a Crowne Plaza it needs upgrades of up to $6 million. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070313/BUSINESS03/703130375/-1/RSS04

From the 3/15/07 Enquirer: Board may split planning for new school buildings BY DENISE SMITH AMOS | [email protected] Cincinnati's school board is expected to vote again on whether to allow nine architects to start planning the last part of the district's $1 billion construction program. The board may vote March 26, but may include a directive to split the remaining 22 projects into two groups. One group could begin immediately, while the other could be delayed, Ron Kull, one of the new project managers, told a board committee Wednesday. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070315/NEWS0102/703150370/1058/NEWS01

Yeah, I saw this on your blog (which I subscribe to, by the way). Thanks for taking the time to come over here and share.

From the 3/13/07 Enquirer: Short Vine on edge after recent crimes Businesses worry shootings will ruin neighborhood's reputation BY KIMBALL PERRY | [email protected] Inside his Vine Street business, Sam Lieu looks up, squints and rushes to his 10-foot-tall front window. Once there, he slowly touches the glass before sighing with relief. The blemish was a large piece of opaque tape on the window, something Lieu thought was a bullet hole - another bullet hole. Lieu, owner of Nail Depot in the 2600 block of Vine, is one of a growing number of people living and working in that part of Corryville who worry crime - or the perception of it - is ruining the neighborhood. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070313/NEWS01/703130421/

From the 2/8/07 West Side Leader: Plans for Portage Path CLC unveiled at meeting By Stephanie Kist HIGHLAND SQUARE — Amid controversy over the fate of the Highland Theater, a community meeting on future plans for the Portage Path Community Learning Center (CLC) took place Jan. 31. The number of people attending the meeting was well more than 100, and a great many city, school and school board officials also attended. While the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the CLC, which will be built on the footprint of the current Portage Path School of Technology, much discussion included the theater. After a permit was filed with the city to demolish the theater portion of the Highland Theater building, some residents of Highland Square feared there had been secret dealings among the city, school district and theater owner Ted Bare Enterprises Inc. (TBE) to prompt the razing of the theater to make more room for either parking for the square or a new playground for the CLC or simply to expand the CLC site. The school site is located directly behind the theater. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.akron.com/20070208/wsl5.asp

From the 2/1/07 ABJ: Portage Path divides crowd School ideas debated at heated forum By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer While the debate about the development of Highland Square continues, the Akron school district tried Wednesday night to advance discussion of what should happen with the neighboring Portage Path Elementary School. School and city leaders presented three possible site plans for a new school, including two proposals involving the Highland Theater property nearby. About 150 parents, teachers, students and residents attended the heated meeting in the nearly 100-year-old school at 55 S. Portage Path. Speculation on plans for the school have run rampant, especially since the recent news that the owner of the struggling Highland Theater had obtained a demolition permit. The Highland Square Neighborhood Association has been trying to save the theater and turn it into a community performing arts center. Portage Path Elementary is caught in the middle, with parents and staff wanting a new school to be built, not put on hold because of the area's development debate. City and school leaders who attended the meeting said there are no formal plans to buy the theater property. When the possibility of the theater space came to light, Mayor Don Plusquellic said, they decided this property had to be considered in the plans for the new Portage Path. "I live in the real world here and these kids need a quality school,'' Plusquellic said. "We also need to do what we can to protect this Highland Square neighborhood.'' MORE AT: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/education/16594881.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From the 1/31/07 ABJ: Group vows to save theater Highland Square panel organizing to buy landmark By Connie Bloom Beacon Journal staff writer She was a beauty in her day. It only cost 50 cents to see a shoot-'em-up. The construction workers who built her in post-Depression 1937 were mighty glad to earn $2.50 a day. They worked hard for their money and scaled the steel beams of the Highland Theater with their hands and feet, working without hard hats or safety wires. That's a legacy worth saving, a crowd agreed. About 90 fans of the theater, mostly residents of Highland Square, watched a digitally restored vintage film of the Wallace Construction company building the neighborhood jewel in 1937. Several members of the Wallace family, which made the film -- Nelson, Dick and Blaine -- sat in the front row of a meeting Tuesday at First Grace United Church of Christ, and talked about the theater like it was their first born. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16586383.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From the 1/23/07 ABJ: Council discusses theater Permit to tear down site upsets neighbors of Highland Square By John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writer Highland Square residents lobbied Akron City Council on Monday night for more time to save their neighborhood movie theater. The theater's owner, Ted Bare, recently took out a demolition permit to tear down the structure, which has led to speculation among the residents that the city might be considering a deal for the property. "We are asking for your support to get some time,'' said Lisa Bostwick, president of the Highland Square Neighborhood Association, who spoke for more than 15 residents in attendance. The association has worked feverishly to create a business plan since learning about the permit last week. Bostwick said the group has identified a serious potential buyer. They are proposing that the theater serve a variety of uses, including student performances, award ceremonies, community hall meetings, seminars, film screenings, concerts and theatrical performances. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16524050.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news