Portage inks contract
with recycling workers
Union workers at the Portage County Solid Waste Management District voted last week to accept a contract offer, averting a strike that was due to start April 17.
Members of Teamsters Local 24 voted to accept the offer that gives workers 3 percent raises in each of the three contract years, and gives county commissioners the health care language they wanted.
The union represents 35 drivers, equipment operators, mechanics and material handlers at the recycling district facility on Mogadore Road in Brimfield Township.
"This will provide consistent health benefit language in all of the 10 contacts in the county, which has been an ongoing goal for the board" and allow commissions "to better manage the county's self-funded health care plan," said Commissioner Chris Smeiles.
The agreement makes Portage the first county in Ohio to have consistent health benefit language in all of its collective bargaining agreements, added Commissioner Maureen Frederick.
Library's hours noted
Hours at the Aurora branch of the Portage County District Library are: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays from noon to 5 p.m.
Bicentennial parade's
deadline now is May 1
Because of increased interest and requests to participate in the Portage County bicentennial parade, the deadline for applications has been extended to May 1.
Community groups, historical societies, youth groups, school bands, cities, villages and townships are invited to participate in the parade June 9 in downtown Ravenna.
Those interested should submit a parade application to the bicentennial committee. Applications can be downloaded on the committee's Web site at www.portageco.com.
The parade is part of the bicentennial birthday party, where there will be food, entertainment and presentations, including awards for parade units.
The party will start at 5 p.m., with lineup for the parade at 6. Fireworks will conclude the evening at 9:30. For details, call Judy Wilson at 330-569-7508 or Charlene Badger at 330-297-3603.
Tax breaks possible
for area homeowners
Portage County Auditor Janet Esposito reminds county homeowners to make sure they are receiving all their appropriate real estate tax reductions.
Property owners 65 years and older are entitled to the homestead credit for real estate or manufactured housing. If a resident turns 65 this year, he or she must apply before June 2.
Those under 65 who are permanently and totally disabled also are entitled to the homestead reduction.
Property owners also can qualify for the 2 1/2 percent owner occupied real property tax reduction. The home must be the resident's principal place of residence.
Property owners can check their tax reductions by looking at their tax bills. For assistance, call the auditor's office at 330-297-3569 or 330-297-3570.
Tinkers Creek waters
focus of a May 10 tour
Tinkers Creek chapter of Western Reserve Land Conservancy is conducting its annual tour of the Tinkers Creek watershed May 10.
The public is invited to see Tinkers Creek from its start in Streetsboro to its end in Valley View. Participants will meet in the parking lot of Dodge Intermediate School on Ravenna Road in Twinsburg at 9 a.m. and travel by van most of the day.
Some of the locations are Herrick Fen, Tinkers Creek Nature Preserve, the Great Falls and Tinkers Creek gorge in Bedford and the point where the creek empties into the Cuyahoga River.
Cost is $15 for WRLC members and $18 for non-members. The group will stop somewhere along the way for lunch. For reservations, call Marion Olson at 330-425-4159.