City off to a good start
financially in new year
Finance Director Bob Paul told City Council on Feb. 25 that the city is off to a good start financially after the first month of 2013.
He reported that 11 percent of the budgeted revenue from income tax was received in January. "This is a good start, remembering that income taxes represent such a significant part of general fund revenues," Paul said.
"The appropriations also reflect similar good news in that all departments except for service are under budget. Service typically runs high in the winter because of snow removal and overtime."
Paul said water / sewer billings went out at the end of January for the last quarter of 2012, and they were in line with the prior year.
However, he noted the balances show in water capital are minimal and will not be sufficient to undertake the capital projects which are scheduled for this year.
A $20 per quarter fee enacted by Council will begin with the next billing. Tie-in fees were higher in January, "and if we have a good housing year it will alleviate some of the problems in capital improvements," Paul said.
Scout cookies to be sold
Several area locations will have Girl Scout cookie booths set up for sales of cookies from March 1-17.
Residents can purchase cookie March 10 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Big Lots in the Marketplace at Four Corners.
Heinen's at Barrington Town Square and Walmart at the Marketplace at Four Corners also will have booths set up several days between those dates.
For the days and hours of sales at the latter two locations, visit http://cookielocator.littlebrownie.com/council_sales/find and enter Aurora's ZIP code 44202.
Library's scavenger hunt
is extended until March 2
Because of the high level of interest, the Aurora Library has extended until March 2 its scavenger hunt featuring Underground Railroad quilt codes and Civil War era clues.
The drop-in program is offered in partnership with the Aurora Historical Society. It gives children and adults an opportunity to learn about the secret codes believed to be sewn into quilts during the Civil War era to guide escaping slaves north to freedom.
Prizes will be awarded to those who complete the scavenger hunt, plus children can design their own Freedom Quilt Square in the children's area of the library. Quilt squares will be displayed through March 15, when artists may pick up their designs.
Anyone who turns in their completed scavenger hunt form to the Aurora Historical Society's "Lincoln: the Constitution and the Civil War" exhibit will receive an additional prize. The exhibit, made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, continues through April 5.
Expenditures considered
City Council is considering spending about $32,500 for equipment for police cruisers and a traffic management plan. The projects were outlined at the committee of the whole meeting Feb. 25.
The police department hopes to purchase three L3 Mobile Vision in-car camera systems, one wireless access point antenna and one dedicated server to protect and archive police cruiser videos at a cost of $27,526.
Service Director John Trew is requesting $5,000 for the traffic management plan which would focus on the intersections of Route 82 and Aurora Commons, Route 43 and Moneta Avenue, Route 43 in front of Fire Station 2, Route 43 and Greenbriar Drive, Route 43 and Lena Drive and Route 43 and Squires Road.
Library activity planned
A special activity is coming up March 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Aurora Library.
Children in grades 4 to 8 will participate in a lantern craft and book talk about local author Shelley Pearsall's book "Trouble Don't Last" and watch a short film with light refreshments.
Students also will have an opportunity to tour the Lincoln exhibit in the historical society museum.
Registration is requested, and signups are possible by calling 330-562-6502 or visiting www.portagelibrary.org.
Mental illness education
class to begin March 16
Area residents who are close to someone with a mental illness can attend a free program that has helped many Ohioans.
The Portage County family to family education program will run Saturdays starting March 16 for 12 weeks from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Church in Aurora. It is sponsored by the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County and NAMI Portage County, with a gift from the Women's Guild at the Church in Aurora.
The course is open to anyone who has a family member or friend with a brain disease, including schizophrenia, manic depression, clinical depression, an anxiety disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder.
It is taught by local residents who have a family member dealing with mental illness issues. Register by March 14 at 330-673-1756 ext. 201 or at laurab@mental-health-recovery.org.
Sloe wins a high gold
Jaclyn Sloe from Aurora Rose Dance Academy recently competed in "Cleveland's Best" talent competition, performing a lyrical dance to "Drop in the Ocean" in the senior solo category. She received a high gold award. She's danced at Aurora Rose for 10 years since she was 6 years old.
The studio's performing dance company will travel to Pittsburgh and Youngstown this spring, with 13 entries competing in jazz, tap, lyrical and musical theater. The students also will perform for friends and family on June 1 at 7 p.m. at Twinsburg High School.
Dr. Zoot at swing dance
Dr. Zoot, a band from Pittsburgh, will play March 1 at the Bainbridge swing dance at Bainbridge Town Hall. The evening is sponsored by Kenston Community Education. A dance lesson begins at 8 p.m. and the dance and music runs from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for students and $25 for a family.
Hours at library are listed
Hours at the Aurora LIbrary are as follows: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. MOndays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
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