Grass-roots group
plans sewer forum
AKRON: The grass-roots group opposing the city of Akron selling or leasing its sewer or water systems is bringing two speakers to town on May 28.

The speakers will be Jon Keesecker, of the Take Back the Tap campaign at Food & Water Watch in Washington, D.C., and Michael McDonald, a former utility supervisor in Stockton, Calif., where city officials tried to privatize the city-owned system in 2003.

The program will be at 8 p.m. at the Laborers' International Union, 720 Wolf Ledges Parkway.

Mayor Don Plusquellic has proposed that Akron lease its city-owned sewer system to a private company and use the upfront money to fund scholarships for Akron high school students to the University of Akron or trade schools. The plan is being analyzed by city officials.

Call 330-408-5409 for more information about the forum.
Brunner launches
youth voter program
COLUMBUS: Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner launched a statewide program Friday that encourages young people to vote and serve as poll workers.

Voter registration packets will be distributed — along with high school diplomas — to 145,000 graduating seniors.

The program, called Grad Vote 2008, is part of Brunner's effort to improve youth voter participation. She started the effort as a pilot last year but has now expanded it across Ohio.

Brunner announced the program Friday at Whetstone High in Columbus, where 113 of the school's seniors already have worked at the polls.

State law allows one student to serve as a worker at each polling location. Brunner is supporting legislation expanding this to two students per polling spot.
Agency to provide
free paper shredding
MUNROE FALLS: The Summit-Akron Solid Waste Management Authority will shred personal and financial records May 31.

The free shredding will be available from 9 a.m. to noon at Guise Park, 43 Munroe Falls Ave.

The shredding is open to any Summit County resident or business. There is a limit of seven boxes or shopping bags per vehicle.

People are asked to remove binder clips, rubber bands, hanging file folders, binders, paper clips, report covers and plastic items. Staples are acceptable.

The shredded documents will be made into tissue paper and paperboard at Ohio paper mills.

For more information, call Jenny Markovich at 330-374-0383, Ext. 205.
Veteran will discuss
the Battle of Midway
HUDSON: Masonic Lodge No. 510 will hold a presentation on the Battle of Midway and salute veterans at 7 p.m. Friday at the lodge, 49 E. Streetsboro Road.

Gordon Simon, a World War II veteran and lodge member, will be the presenter.

He joined the Navy in July 1945 and served aboard the USS Clarendon and USS Algol.

He also has worked with the Military Aviation Preservation Society with a team to restore a Douglas Dauntless SBD Dive Bomber.

The voluntary donation is $5 for adults and $3 for children over 12.

Veterans are admitted for free.

For more details or to make a reservation, call Jim Amlung at 330-688-7061. Forum's May lunch
to feature speaker
AKRON: Donald Davies, executive director of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board, will be the speaker at the Community Welfare Forum's May luncheon.

The event will be at noon Wednesday at First Congressional Church, 292 E. Market St.

Davies will discuss the services the board has to offer and answer questions.

The buffet lunch is $6.50 and is payable at the door by cash or check. For reservations, contact Chris Donatelli at 330-864-1359 or Jamie Bricker at 330-535-2549. City suspends talks
on YMCA-run Steiner

WADSWORTH: Mayor Robin Laubaugh said the city has suspended talks with the Akron Area YMCA concerning operation of the Steiner Center.

Talks began with the YMCA before Laubaugh's administration to determine if recreational costs could be reduced and services increased.

Laubaugh noted discussions were suspended because the YMCA was seeking capital improvements and operational assistance the administration did not judge was in the best interests of the city.

Discussions are under way to determine if a combined effort of the city, school system, Wadsworth-Ritman Hospital Health System and Wadsworth Public Library can provide some of the services and possibly include new facilities.

Voters turned down a levy to provide funds for a community center last year.

Laubaugh left the door open for future discussions with the YMCA or other organizations.

Service Director Chris Easton said the city still needs to address budget shortfalls and actions may be considered to reduce those shortfalls.

— Beau Dusz
Part-time coverage
guidelines to change
CANTON: County commissioners have voted to increase the number of hours part-time employees must work to qualify for medical insurance.

New part-timers will get coverage if they work 32 hours; existing workers may continue to receive coverage under the prior threshold of 20 hours.

In some cases, the cost of part-time workers' medical coverage exceeds their pay, according to county Administrator Michael Hanke.
— Nancy Molnar
local
Veteran to speak
on Memorial Day
BATH TWP.: The community's annual Memorial Day observance will take place at noon May 26 at the Veterans War Memorial.

The memorial is at the corner of North Cleveland-Massillon and West Bath roads.

The observance will include a speech by 50-year Bath resident, World War II veteran and U.S. Navy PT boat gunner Jack Marshall.

Parking is available at nearby Bath Elementary School.
— Jody Miller
State representative
will hold meeting
EDINBURG: State Rep. Steve Dyer, D-Green, will hold a town hall meeting from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Edinburg Township Town Hall, 6856 Tallmadge Road.

Dyer will discuss legislative issues, including education funding and the state budget.
Volunteers sought
for cleanup on trail

CLINTON: Metro Parks, Serving Summit County is seeking volunteers on June 7 to help clean up trash along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in southern Summit County.

Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Clinton Trailhead off North Street and be prepared to work in muddy conditions.

Those under 18 must get approval forms signed by parents or guardians.

For reservations and additional information, contact Laura Franchetti at 330-864-3006. Cemetery walk set for Memorial Day
BATH TWP.: As has become a Memorial Day tradition, the fifth in the series of cemetery walks, a project sponsored by the Cemetery Tour Committee of the Bath Historical Society, will take place May 26 at 2 p.m.

This cemetery walk takes place at Stony Hill Cemetery, originally known as Miler Cemetery on Medina Road, between Hametown Road and Harmony Hills Drive. There are 50 markers — mostly the Hopkins and Miller family members — with the first burial having taken place in 1858.

The tour will feature residents portraying members of the Hopkins and Miller families and relating their stories of life in Bath in the 1800s.

Access to the cemetery is limited, and parking will be on Melody Drive in the Harmony Hills allotment off state Route 18.

For details, call the township at 330-666-4007.
— Jody Miller
All ABJ subscribers
to get holiday paper

Because of the Memorial Day holiday, the May 26 Akron Beacon Journal will be delivered to all regular subscribers as well as readers who normally get only the weekend papers.