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Both from the 6/5/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Five new patrol officers sworn in The city has a new $230,000 anti-gang grant. YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams swore in five new officers to what he called the finest police department in Ohio. The ceremony took place Monday in city council chambers with family and friends looking on. The new officers are: Ryan Laatsch, 23, of Akron; Shawna-Cie Ott, 26, of New Castle; Shakir Perkins, 26, of Youngstown; George Anderson, 37, of Boardman; and Bridget Quinn, 25, of Struthers. Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said the new officers will have some in-service training to learn how the department operates before getting their patrol assignments. He said all except Perkins have previous law enforcement experience. Hughes shook hands with the new officers and posed for photos with them. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/289049752986445.php

From the 6/5/07 Dispatch: When is homicide not homicide? In crime statistics for Columbus Tuesday, June 5, 2007 3:33 AM By John Futty THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Violent crime fell by 4.4 percent in Columbus from 2005 to 2006, the FBI reported yesterday. Columbus police, however, reported a slight increase in violent crime in the city during the same period. Three years ago, Columbus police officials began compiling crime statistics through the National Incident-Based Reporting System, which is more complicated but more accurate than the FBI's Uniform Crime Report system, Deputy Chief John Rockwell said. "There's no perfect system, but this is much more detailed," he said. "If you're doing research on crime, it gives you a lot more information." Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/06/05/crimrate.ART_ART_06-05-07_A1_TB6U1E6.html?type=rss&cat=21

From the 6/5/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Officials table master plan Family members will select a developer to help make the new residential plan a reality. By Eric Schwartzberg Staff Writer Tuesday, June 05, 2007 LIBERTY TWP. — The fate of the largest privately owned plot of land in this burgeoning Butler County township will need to wait at least two weeks. That's because township trustees Tuesday evening tabled a decision regarding the property's rezoning until after a June 12 board of zoning appeals meeting. That's welcome news to Gerry Stoker, who said he supports Marc Terry's site master plan for nearly 331 acres along Ohio 747 just north of Princeton Road, but expressed concerns about several variances Terry is requesting. Those proposed variances include: • A 33 percent reduction of open space. • An increase from 2.125 dwelling units per acre to 2.457 dwelling units per acre. • A 70 percent reduction of side yard setback. "The owner/developer has already been granted a substantial, 25 percent density-increase bonus," Stoker said. "To approve additional variances which deviate from the spirit and intent of the local law and the comprehensive master plan is a disservice to your constituents and degrades the integrity and welfare of the surrounding properties." Terry, 50, said he and several other family members who are now living on the farm are working to select a developer who will ensure the type and quality of development that they are seeking. That led the family to develop a conceptual design that divides the property into varying levels of residential use, including empty-nester homes, single-family attached or detached units, estate lots, family lots and manor-sized lots. The plan also includes 90 acres of mixed use that would include a combination of retail, residential, office and community facilities. "The family's desire is not, per se, in quantity, but in quality," Terry said. "We are not developers. My interest is to see that this farm is developed in a very natural, beautiful environment ... because all the family members are going to remain living on the farm at this time and we want a very nice place. " The township's zoning commission voted last month to recommend that trustees approve rezoning 98 acres of the site to business planned unit development and the remaining 233 acres to residential planned unit development. Trustees voted unanimously to suspend a decision on the matter until their June 18 meeting. For more information, call (513) 759-7500. Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5126 or [email protected]. http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/06/05/hjn060507libmeet.html

From the 6/5/07 Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune: Courthouse survey says … By Zachary Petit, [email protected] Bringing an end to months of study — and resurrecting a restoration option that largely appeared to be off the table — the company hired to investigate plans for the Seneca County courthouse’s future presented its findings Monday. Representatives of Mansfield engineering firm MKC Associates provided cost projections and other details for four courthouse options to the Seneca County commissioners and a packed house of about 30 people. http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/articles.asp?articleID=8548

From the AP, 6/5/07: Investors to grill GM executives Shareholders will demand to know when U.S. unit will make money By Tom Krisher Associated Press DETROIT - When General Motors Corp. shareholders gather for their annual meeting today, they're likely to be happy that the company has returned to black ink. But the big question could be whether the automaker can ever make money again in North America. GM has cut more than $7 billion in annual costs, shed more than 34,000 hourly workers and rolled out more than 20 new models since November 2005 in an effort to regain sales lost to Asian competitors. Although it made a $62 million net profit in the first quarter, the company still lost an adjusted $85 million on its North American operations. Last year, it lost $2 billion, a vast improvement over a restated loss of $10.4 billion in 2005. ... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/17325419.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

From the 5/17/07 Garfield-Maple Sun: Developer gets permit for Bridgeview culverts Thursday, May 17, 2007 By Ken Baka Garfield-Maple Sun GARFIELD HEIGHTS Developers of Bridgeview Crossing on Tuesday received a federal permit that OKs their building of culverts through which water from storms and snow thaws can move. The permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, however, requires co-developer Sam Cannata also to receive a separate permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. As of Friday, Ohio EPA hadn't issued that permit, Joseph Kassler, a biologist in the regulatory branch of the corps, based in Buffalo, N.Y., said.... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/garfieldmaplesun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1179419954313200.xml&coll=3

From the 3/29/07 Garfield-Maple Sun: Bridgeview hits snag Thursday, March 29, 2007 By Ken Baka Garfield-Maple Sun GARFIELD HEIGHTS The city shut down dirt-moving work at Bridgeview Crossing shopping center because developers had no written plan to manage the runoff of rainwater. Developers Snider-Cannata Interests, of Garfield Heights, had to stop work March 19 following a visit to the site at Granger Road and Transportation Boulevard on March 16. The visit included officials from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District and by city engineer Ken Fertal of the firm Wade-Trim/Ohio Inc.... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/garfieldmaplesun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1175188587129820.xml&coll=3

From the 3/22/07 Garfield-Maple Sun: Century home razed Developers moving ahead with Bridgeview plans Thursday, March 22, 2007 By Ken Baka Garfield-Maple Sun GARFIELD HEIGHTS One of this city's oldest houses was razed last week by shopping center developers. The Stark House, built in 1864, came down in part on March 13 and was finished off on March 14. It stood at 9324 S. Granger Road and was part of a working farm until 1967, according to the Garfield Heights Historical Society. The society installed an aluminum plaque on the house, declaring it a century home, in 1987. The city has about 50 century homes. The designation did not rise to the level of its being a historic house that might be protected. Before the Stark House was demolished, owner Janet M. Novak returned the plaque to the historical society on Turney Road.... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/garfieldmaplesun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1174585351218680.xml&coll=3

From the 3/1/07 Garfield-Maple Sun: The battle over blight Attorneys, officials, developers and residents debate Thursday, March 01, 2007 By Ken Baka Garfield-Maple Sun GARFIELD HEIGHTS How can woods be a blight? On that question, lawyers representing a handful of holdout property owners challenged the city's effort to take their houses and land by eminent domain for a "big box" shopping center. Thanks to the clear-cutting of trees and the demolition of nearby houses, you can see the holdouts' houses plainly from Granger Road and Transportation Boulevard.... http://www.cleveland.com/sun/garfieldmaplesun/index.ssf?/base/news-0/11727706763390.xml&coll=3

From the 5/24/07 Youngstown Vindicator: $200K Weed/Seed grant will fight N. Side crime More than 250 of these programs exist in the U.S. YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University will receive a $200,000 grant for continuing support of the Youngstown Weed and Seed program, designed to fight crime and restore community infrastructure on the North Side. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Regina B. Schofield recently announced the grant. Weed and Seed is a strategy designed to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods and to bring in services that promote crime prevention and neighborhood revitalization. The funding is administered by the Community Capacity Development Office, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs. "This funding helps rebuild and restructure communities that have suffered because of criminal activity and social decay," Schofield said. "These strategies encourage residents to work with law enforcement agencies to deter crime, identify resources and restore community cohesiveness." More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/311143778926739.php

From the 5/17/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Talks are moving, union president says The union has worked without a contract since Nov. 30, 2006. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — The head of the Youngstown police patrolmen's union said negotiations with the city on a new contract are progressing. Representatives of the city and the Youngstown Police Association, which represents 117 patrol officers, met Wednesday in an effort to get closer to a contract agreement. "Hopefully we can settle this," said Edward Colon, YPA president, who added that he was pleased with the progress made during Wednesday's negotiation session. The city and the union met briefly May 7 with Michael Paolucci of Cincinnati, the fact-finder assigned to listen to both sides and render a nonbinding decision. But Paolucci recommended the parties resume negotiations and both sides agreed to do so. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/307868209264066.php

From the 5/9/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Two arraigned in shooting death of child YOUNGSTOWN — Two men charged in a weekend drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 3-year-old Cherish Moreland, of Hilton Avenue, were arraigned Tuesday in municipal court on upgraded charges of aggravated murder. They had been charged with felonious assault pending Cherish's condition. She suffered a gunshot wound to the head and died Monday. Bond remains at $1 million each for Damon K. Clark Jr., 22, of Dogwood Lane, and Stoney Williams, 18, of Dorothy Avenue. A preliminary hearing is set for May 18, but Detective Sgt. John Kelty said he expects the case to be presented directly to a Mahoning County grand jury. Kelty said because the victim was under 13, the men could face the death penalty. Cherish was shot on Stewart Avenue on the city's East Side as she walked with her aunt. One of the bullets hit the girl on the right side of her head. Police have identified Williams as the shooter. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/304134970168909.php

From the 4/25/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Sgt. Alli officially quits YPD The former cop said he'll buy his police department gun for $1. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — Rick Alli's resignation letter to the city police department arrived nearly four months too late. Had Alli resigned in early January, he'd still be Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann's chief of law enforcement operations in Columbus making $118,000 annually. Alli accepted the "top cop" job but stayed on the YPD payroll to string out his vacation and accumulated time. Having Alli on the YPD payroll as a detective sergeant after he left to work for Dann ended badly for all involved late last week. Dann, once he confirmed Alli was drawing two checks, fired him and asked the Ohio Ethics Commission to investigate. Jennifer Labatte, civil service commission administrator, said Alli's resignation letter arrived in her office midafternoon Tuesday. The letter will be put in Alli's personnel file and copies sent to the finance and risk departments, she said. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/288735975075614.php

Both from the 4/24/07 Youngstown Vindicator: State panel: Probe is high priority The ethics commission investigation should take about three to four months. By DAVID SKOLNICK VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — An investigation into whether Rick Alli may have improperly received two public-sector salaries is among "the highest of our priorities," the executive director of the Ohio Ethics Commission said. A violation of the state's ethics law is considered a first-degree misdemeanor and, if convicted, the person faces punishment of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, said David E. Freel, the ethics commission's executive director. In some cases, those found guilty also could be forbidden from holding a public-sector job for seven years. Attorney General Marc Dann fired Alli on Friday, about 3 1/2 months after hiring the former Youngstown police detective sergeant as his chief of law enforcement operations. While Alli stopped working for the city police department after 31 years in early January, no one can find a resignation letter from him. Dann fired Alli for what the attorney general said is double dipping. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/305528877711068.php Alli still has department gear, cell phone line Police are going through records to see who else left and stayed on the payroll. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — As of Monday, Rick Alli still had most of his Youngstown Police Department equipment and his voice-mail message was still on his YPD cell phone. It's been nearly four months since Attorney General Marc Dann hired Alli as chief of law enforcement operations, based in Columbus, with an annual salary of $118,000, more than double his salary as a detective sergeant. Dann fired Alli last week after confirming the former YPD public information officer had been double dipping — drawing checks from YPD for unused vacation and accumulated time and paychecks from the AG's office. The Ohio Ethics Commission is investigating the matter at Dann's request. A call to Alli's YPD cell phone Monday showed the service was still active and carried this message: "This is Rick Alli, public information officer for Youngstown Police Department. I am away from my phone or on the other line. If I don't get back to you within the next hour, please try again." Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/297128597104262.php

From the 4/11/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Vacant Youngstown houses harbor dog fights The deputy dog warden said police have several suspects. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — Vacant houses on the East Side are luring dog-fight promoters who then dump carcasses of ravaged dogs in the streets like trash. "Dog fights are very secretive; [promoters] will go to vacant houses like these," Deputy Dog Warden Dave Nelson said Tuesday as he stood outside a ramshackle house at 2545 Wardle Ave. "It's big business, a lot of money bet. They usually set up a pit in the basement and let the dogs battle to death then throw them out on the side of the road." Nelson said evidence of dog fights was found at 2545, 2606 and 2633 Wardle. All three vacant houses are wide open, filled with trash, broken glass and animal feces. The front yard at 2606 is also littered with old tires. "It's a dumping ground out here for dogs," he said of the sparsely populated street dotted with woods. "Sad, very sad." More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/291068343785670.php

From the 4/4/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Cops cracking down on lawless South Side area The ward's councilman says 'The police officer who responds to complaints is a godsend.' By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — Denae Allen and her two boys no longer take barefoot walks in her West Florida Avenue neighborhood of Youngstown. Broken window glass from abandoned houses and smashed beer, wine and whiskey bottles litter the sidewalks and yards near Allen's attractive gray stucco house. There are also beer bottle caps, shards of glass from car break-ins and pieces of sharp metal or plastic strewn all around. Three years ago, Allen and her sons — 11 and 5 — moved to the South Side from a rural section of the East Side known as the Sharon Line. In their old neighborhood, barefoot walks were safe. Now, while sidestepping broken glass, "My kids find wallets and purses in the street," Allen said. Explaining the children's finds, she said: "People get robbed, and cars parked on the street get broken into." Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/288575340919789.php

From the 3/24/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Police zero in on South Side dumping grounds Police say lawlessness pervades the neighborhood. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — South Side properties that become dumping grounds for trash and hangouts for criminals are being targeted by police. Patrolman Bill Ward, in response to complaints by residents and Councilman Paul Pancoe, D-6th, visited two vacant structures Thursday. He also spoke to a homeowner about cleaning up property. Ward's findings were passed on to the city's housing and litter departments. At 72-74 W. Florida Ave., Ward found an abandoned Buick in the rear yard of the brick duplex and red-tagged it for towing. He also found garbage and debris someone dumped in the yard. The officer said the garage is unsound and appears near collapse. Ward said in his report "a general spirit of lawlessness" exists in the neighborhood, noting many stolen vehicles have been found there and a recent homicide was just two blocks south. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/321498357880722.php

From the 3/22/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Youngstown residents learn to spot gangs Some children join gangs as young as 6, a BCI speaker said. By SEAN BARRON VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT YOUNGSTOWN — George Duval knows that most of the 20 to 40 kids who congregate at certain houses in his Judson Avenue neighborhood are likely doing more than merely hanging out. Many cause problems by swearing at some residents and playing music too loud, for example; recently, a few jumped on and assaulted his 5-year-old son. For Lynne Holloway of Hilton Avenue, part of the problem in her neighborhood has been kids who fight and threaten others their age. She also has noticed graffiti on some vacant homes in her area — a sign of possible gang activity. Vandalism and occasional gunshots are a fact of life for Ralph Smith of Judson Avenue. Part of the problem he also sees is parents who don't properly supervise their youngsters, Smith said. Duval, Holloway and Smith were among about 100 area residents who attended Wednesday's Southern Boulevard Block Watch meeting at St. Dominic School, 3403 Southern Blvd. Most of those who came wanted to learn more about gangs and what they can do to address various problems they see in their communities. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/4321169182979.php

From the 3/18/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Speaker emphases time spent with kids The support group formed last month partly to address violence in the city. By SEAN BARRON VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT YOUNGSTOWN — Lynn Parker was tired of seeing the effects poverty, drug-addicted parents and crime had on many kids who live near her home on the city's South Side, so in August 2005, she and her husband, Joseph, became proactive. Instead of just hoping someone else would make the problems go away, they opened a community center on Glenwood Avenue to provide youngsters with encouragement and a sense of safety. The center also has people dedicated to listening to the kids — something Lynn Parker is convinced will put youngsters on a path to overcoming difficulties and making positive choices. "We see the need and devastation. We can't see the devastation and not try to do something about it," she said, adding that many inner-city kids have various talents but need someone who believes in them. Lynn Parker was one of about 20 people who attended a Supporting Parents meeting Saturday at Heart Reach Ministries, 211 Redondo Ave., on the city's North Side. The two-hour support group session was set up mainly to empower parents and grandparents to face in positive ways various challenges related to parenting. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/379116757234281.php

From the 2/22/07 Youngstown Vindicator: High crime rate makes renewal necessary, official says The tax won't be hard to sell to voters, an official said. By PETER H. MILLIKEN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Moments after the Mahoning County commissioners unanimously placed a permanent half-percent sales tax renewal on the May 8 ballot, Anthony T. Traficanti, chairman of the county commissioners, said failure of the tax would likely put the county in fiscal emergency. "The jail would be closed," he said Wednesday. If the commissioners were facing closing of the jail, Traficanti said he believes they would impose the tax. "We would have no choice,'' he said. About 70 percent of the county's general fund goes to judicial and law enforcement spending. Commissioners acted on the tax a day before today's 4 p.m. filing deadline at the county board of elections for getting issues on the May ballot. The campaign for the tax begins immediately. Sales tax renewal supporters, who have formed a "Committee for Our Future" to promote the tax, announced they'll meet at 7 p.m. today at the Structural Iron Workers Local 207 hall at 694 Bev Road in Boardman. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/326747439376644.php

Both from the 2/18/07 Youngstown Vindicator: 20 stops made as crackdown continues YOUNGSTOWN — City police made 20 stops as part of the mayor's zero-tolerance Saturation Interdiction Patrol crackdown on illegal activity Friday and Saturday. Of the 18 motorists stopped, 11 were cited for driving under license suspension and two adults were cited for no operators license. The stops included two pedestrians, a woman walking down the middle of Oakhill Avenue around 8 p.m. Saturday who admitted to police that she was carrying a crack pipe, and a woman walking on Hillman Avenue around 9 a.m. Saturday who was charged with loitering for purposes of prostitution after police saw her try to get into a car that had circled the block several times. The other 18 were all traffic stops, most for failure to have a front license plate on the vehicles, but there were some stop sign violations and drivers operating at night with only their parking lights on. One stop was a 15-year-old Lucius Avenue boy who got nervous when he saw a police car following him, stopped the car he was driving, jumped out and ran into a nearby house. He was cited for driving without a license. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/305611425684851.php

More than a drop in the bucket Ohio's maple-syrup industry ranks No. 5 in nation Saturday, February 24, 2007 Monique Curet THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Dan Brown is the fourth generation of his family to head into the woods in mid-February, take maple sap from their 2,800 trees and turn it into a sweet profit. The Brown family owns a maple-syrup-making business in Fredericktown, an hour northeast of Columbus in Knox County. It?s an informal operation, with most of the syrup sold from the Browns? home and in farm markets. It?s not a full-time business, although it does make money. In those ways, the Brown business is characteristic of most maple-syrup producers in Ohio. The state was No. 5 in the nation last year for the amount of maple syrup produced, but the enterprise remains a cottage industry. Still, it rakes in about $5 million a year. more at:http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/02/24/20070224-C1-00.html

From the 2/24/07 Dispatch: South Side plant could be revived Former Techneglas building center of redevelopment plan Saturday, February 24, 2007 Debbie Gebolys THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A South Side neighborhood that?s taken its share of hard knocks could be poised to return to better economic days. City officials say they?re willing to do whatever it takes to help the former Techneglas plant, empty since 2004, become home to hundreds of workers. It?s the latest of three sizable developments announced for the Parsons Avenue corridor between Children?s Hospital and Rt. 104. Last year, Columbus officials said they planned to buy the former Schottenstein?s store and use it as the foundation for a retail redevelopment. Children?s Hospital is expanding its campus. And Mayor Michael B. Coleman on Thursday announced city support for renovating centuryold Techneglas quarters to become home to a group of businesses. Westerville developer Marvin Katz, who grew up on the South Side, wants to convert the 1 million-square-foot, former television picture-tube plant into a combination of offices, lightindustrial space and retail outlets that could employ hundreds. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/02/24/20070224-C1-03.html

From Xavier University News, 3/26/07: Home City Ice family donates $3 million to benefit Center for Entrepreneurship The center will be one of the features of a new facility for the Williams College of Business 03/26/07 Even when he was earning his general business degree from Xavier in the 1950s, Tom Sedler worked in the family business. “It’s just what we did back then," he says. "I went to class then zipped off to work." Sedler graduated from Xavier in 1958, but began his career in 1951 at Home City Ice, the Cincinnati company started by his father in 1924. Now, Tom and his wife, Genny, are giving back to the University in a way that will help others fulfill their entrepreneurial spirit. The Sedlers have made a $3 million gift to the Williams College of Business Center for Entrepreneurship. Currently ranked among the top 25 entrepreneurial programs by U.S. News & World Report and 11th by The Princeton Review, Xavier’s program provides students knowledge and resources for identifying and acting upon business opportunities. “This tremendous gift from the Sedlers will allow us to create a physical space that is much more interactive and dynamic for our students,” says Ali Malekzadeh, dean of the Williams College of Business. “It will also directly impact the program and the types of outreach opportunities that are so critical to enriching the academic experiences. The Sedlers are literally helping these students’ entrepreneurial dreams come true.” The Center for Entrepreneurship will be one of the features of a new facility for the Williams College of Business. In addition to the Center for Entrepreneurship, the new high-tech facility will include: * Center for Investment Research: This state-of-the-art “trading room” will allow for analysis of stocks and securities as well as portfolio management. * Institute for Business Ethics: In keeping with its Jesuit tradition, the institute guides students in recognizing and incorporating ethical and values-related issues in the workplace. * Institute in Healthcare Informatics: Designed to advance the development and use of information technologies and digital information resources in the delivery of health care. “I’m so impressed with the people and the programs at Xavier,” says Sedler. “Our four sons went to school there and Xavier is just a part of our lives. We’re entrepreneurs who have grown a business and we want to help Xavier students realize their potential.” For more information go to www.xavier.edu/greatwonders. http://www.xavier.edu/news/news.cfm?news_id=4866&archive=no

From the 2/21/07 Xavier Newswire: PHOTO: Contrary to rumors, student houses on Ledgewood will not be demolished this summer. Brian Bowsher Ledgewood housing to remain available to students Darren LaCour Senior News Editor The final round of Xavier’s plan for campus expansion calls for the demolition of many of the houses on Ledgewood Avenue and the potential displacement of many students and organizations. Many students were under the impression that these changes would take place during the summer of 2007, but these rumors are incorrect. Senior Billy Reinstatler, who lives at the Men4Others house on Ledgewood, said that word got out in October that their house would not be available the following academic year. “I’m a senior, so I’m not really affected, but two of the guys that live with us are sophomores so they found different housing,” Reinstatler said. Bob Sheeran, Associate Vice President for Facility Management, confirmed that initially the plan was to tear down some of the houses during the summer of 2007, but that plan was altered around Christmas. “The funding is not in place,” he said. “We want to make it a seamless process, so when we tear the houses down we’re ready to begin construction.” Reinstatler explained that in January, he and his housemates met with Angie Kneflin, the Apartments Director for Residence Life, who informed them that their house would still be available for the 2007-08 academic year. By then, however, the two sophomore students had already found new houses. “They don’t know if it’s going to be a themed house next year,” said Reinstatler. “They’ll have to find eight guys, but they might open it up to anyone.” As far as the capital campaign goes, Sheeran hopes to start construction during the summer of 2008, but that still depends on the successful raising of funds. “We have to think one academic year at a time,” he said. “We can’t make students move out in the middle of the year to tear down the houses; we have to make sure that the houses are available for the entire school year.” All of the Ledgewood houses will still be available for the 2007-08 year. He also added that the order in which the buildings are constructed will impact which houses get taken down and when. “It’s too early to say when they’ll come down, and some houses will even be able to stay until after the buildings are built and we begin working on the surrounding grounds.” Students living in Ledgewood houses can breathe a sigh of relief, unless they had already made accommodating plans to live elsewhere. For the 2007-08 school year, Ledgewood will maintain the status quo. Physical Plant does not plan to demolish any of the houses until they are ready to begin construction, but they are eager for that day to come. Sheeran explains, “Our intent is to leave the houses up as long as possible, but at the same time, we want to get them down as soon as we can.” http://www.xavier.edu/newswire/editions/070221/front.htm#art2