Lots going on in Stow - Mike Rasor's blog

Last night, the committees of Stow City Council met, followed by a full council meeting. Here are my notes:

PETITTI GARDEN CENTER — Let’s start with some good news–both for gardeners and our economic development. Petitti Garden Center will be constructing a new facility at the location of the former Apple’s grocery store at the corner of 91 and Norton Road. Petitti will build 3 large greenhouse/growing areas and has targeted March 1 as a date to open. That shopping center certainly can use the extra traffic. … Nearby, the nursing home on Sowul Blvd. is going to soon begin construction. (We approved plans for the nursing home almost two years ago.)

SALT PRICES DROP — Service director Nick Wren delivered some good news: Salt prices are coming in at $6.64 per ton less than last year. That will mean savings of between $50,000 and $64,000 for the city this winter.

TRICK-OR-TREAT TIMES — Please note the new Trick-or-Treat date and time. It’s Saturday, October 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. That is a little earlier than usual. The city wanted to allow the younger Trick-or-Treaters to be able to go door-to-door in daylight (for part of the evening, at least).

POLICE AND FIRE OVERTIME — The fire and police chiefs discussed their overtime expenditures. Fire had $50,000 in additional overtime, but that amount was offset by $70,000 in reduced salary paid (two unexpected vacancies). Police requested $80,000 more overtime than originally budgeted. It will have maybe $10,000 to $20,000 in similar offsets because one officer left the force to join the Akron Police Department. … On a related note: This is one of my justifications for hiring more police. We get a discount, of sorts, on new hires because they will help us reduce overtime.

INSURANCE PREMIUMS — The city’s liability insurance premiums will be going up. Most notably, our coverage for law enforcement and public officials increased by $17,094 to an annual premium of $80,433. The cause is at least one substantial claim made in the past year. (You probably read about it in the paper.)

NONBARGAINING EMPLOYEES COLA INCREASES — If you remember, the mayor proposed legislation that would automatically give nonbargaining employees a cost of living adjustment (“COLA”) raise whenever the AFSCME bargaining team received one. For various reasons, I have coined this “the worst legislation of 2013.” Of course, that’s not always a guarantee it will fail. Fortunately, this legislation was going to lose. Brian D’Antonio astutely replaced it with a toothless measure that will “authorize” the mayor to propose the COLA increase to council. It will not impose anything on council. In fact, it won’t even impose anything on the mayor. That legislation passed 7-0. The prior proposal was withdrawn unanimously.

AKRON HALF-MARATHON — Last, but not least, some congratulations are in order. Linda Nahrstedt, our parks director, took third place in her age group in the Akron Half-Marathon. To finish that high with such an large field is truly an accomplishment. … I saw many other Stow people there, as I was there to run my second half-marathon. The event was particularly special to me, because my dad ran in the race with me. Fifteen years ago, my dad was on his death bed. Doctors told my mom there was a 1% chance he would survive the flesh-eating bacteria that shut down all of his major organs. But God brought Dad back. Miracles do happen. I included a post-picture race of us with this post.

CONNECT WITH ME — I recently launched a Facebook page that will help residents keep in touch with me and keep abreast of city news. Please click HERE and then “like” the page. Also, my yard signs are going up soon. Please click HERE and send me your name and address to have one displayed in your yard.