May 8, 2007 - Volume 16, No. 19

a Winkler Company publication

Also featuring photos from our monthly supplement...

Colonial Revival on Oakwood Avenue

Houk Stream clean-up

Cub Scout Pack 101 recently came together in a volunteer effort to clean up Houk Stream in Oakwood. Fourteen boys collectively gathered numerous bags of trash and restored Houk Stream to its pristine condition.

Boys pictured above are: (l-r): Michael, Daniel, Stephen, Ben, Kaes, Aidan, Lukas, Samuel, Matthew, Harrison, Robbie, Rollie.

Weiskircher recognized for 25 years service
Schmidt assigned new post as community DARE/youth officer

By Lance Winkler

Deputy City Manager Jay Weiskircher was recognized by council for 25 years of service he has given to the Oakwood community. Described as a Jack of all trades by councilmembers, he was congratulated for his efforts and abilities in the many aspects of city government.

It was also announced at the May 7, Oakwood City Council meeting that Oakwood Officer Gail Schmidt has been given the assignment of being the new youth and D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer for the Oakwood community. She has assumed the duty from Lt. Keith Benson. A 17? year veteran of the Oakwood Safety Department, her role will be to help educate Oakwood students in both the fifth and eighth grades on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. As a youth officer, she has been assigned the task of helping out in the community and schools as needed.

The Hawthorn Hill application to have tours begin at the Wright Brothers’ estate was tabled last Tuesday due to opposition from the surrounding neighborhood and is due for further discussion by the Oakwood Planning Commission at their next meeting on Wednesday, June 6 at 4:30 p.m. in council chambers. The public is invited.

The Oakwood Avenue project north of Five Points and planned for the near future has run into some neighborhood opposition as well. Harvey Lerner presented a cogent argument in favor of more discussion and planning with more resident input.
“There are an awful lot of residents who are not in favor of this,” he said. The city council agreed and City Manager Norbert Klopsch announced that a formal meeting dealing with the issue will be held in two weeks, May 21, 7: 30 p.m. in council chambers. The public is invited.

The council meeting had some young visitors - four members of Cub Scout Troop 101: Rollie Fisk, Andrew Traynor, Stephen Gunzelman and Samuel Hale, accompanied by Scoutmaster John Fisk. They described their recent community service performed at Houk Stream where they picked up trash and litter and restored the park to a pristine state (See picture and story front page).

Oakwood Safety Department Chief Alexander Bebris gave his first departmental briefing to council in his nine months of being here. On a personal note, he announced he will be receiving his firefighter certification on May 15 and on June 13 will be taking his exams.

He cited three new officers - Glenn Evans, Greg May and Jack Harrison as being “top quality.”

He did not have the best of news regarding the proposed county dispatch system, pointing out that the system will not be online at all for the 2007 year and although nine separate communities have agreed to have a closer look at the proposed system, “it is difficult to know who the players will be.” Bebris pointed out that the systems adoption is being made a topic for referendum by a few communities. Whether the system is going to be dual-function, segmented or divided into entirely separate police and fire call lines is another aspect that is being discussed by the advisory committee of police and fire chiefs that are meeting once a month to discuss these issues.

Bebris also acknowledged a “seasonal increase” in underage drinking and car break-ins at night. He asked that citizens not leave valuables in cars at night – locked or unlocked. He also wants to get the volunteer program up an running. Those interested in volunteering can contact the Public Safety non-emergency number at 298-2122 for more information.

The next formal meeting of the city council is May 21, 2007.

Letters of Support sought for Andrews nominees

Four people have been nominated or renominated for the Sam Andrews Educational Hall of Honor. These nominees were teachers or other employees involved in the school system who have been retired from their service for at least three years. At this time, we are requesting members of the community to send letters of support for the nominee(s) of their choice. Please send letters to Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo, Superintendent, Oakwood Board of Education, 20 Rubicon Road, Dayton, Ohio 45409, by Friday, May 25, 2007.

The induction ceremony will be held on Friday, September 14, 2007. The public is invited to attend.

New Nominees This Year

Dolores Barnes Smith Elementary School Teacher (1951-1955), Oakwood Junior High School Tutor (1976-1980) Harman Elementary School Tutor/Teacher (1980-1988)

Lester Steinlage Oakwood High School Math Teacher (1972-1995)
Nominees (previously on nominee list and still eligible)

Ralph Furguson Oakwood Junior/ Senior High English Teacher (1968-1996)

Warner Simpson School Psychologist/Director of Special Services (1981-1995)

We look forward to your letters of support for your nominee. Please respond by May 25.

15 OHS art students winners in state contest

Allison Shane and Erin Miller, art students of Ms. Kaye Carlile at Oakwood High School, were among the three hundred state winning artists in The Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition. They were recently honored at an Awards Brunch at the Athenaeum in Columbus, sponsored by Governor Ted Strickland, the Ohio Department of Education, colleges, universities, and corporate sponsors. Allison’s winning entry was an ink and watercolor abstract drawing/painting and Erin’s piece was a watercolor painting from observation. The exhibition is open to all of Ohio’s 1,011 high schools, both public and private. Shane’s and Miller’s art was
selected from approximately 2,500 entries at the state level. OHS also did well at the regional level with twenty-six works of art being selected by the jurors.

The regional winners are: Jasmine Al-Masri - three charcoal drawings, Leah Berger – a watercolor, Kris Blazer – a watercolor/ink, Kevin Brennan – an ink drawing, Chloe Cherubin – a charcoal drawing, Anna Chifala - an oil pastel, Kelsey Cretcher – an acrylic painting and a pastel drawing, Kara Hamilton – two photographs, Viktoria Harlan - two pencil drawings, Micelle Lewis – two photographs, Murphy McSemek – a watercolor painting, an ink painting,and a pencil drawing, Erin Miller – a watercolor, Catherine Ordeman - a charcoal drawing, Allison Shane – an ink drawing and a watercolor, and Georgia Stathopoulos – a colored pencil drawing, a charcoal drawing, and an ink drawing. These works of art, along with others, will be on exhibit at the DAI in May along with other art in the upcoming Third Congressional Art Exhibition.

The Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition is on display at the James A. Rhodes State office Tower in Columbus through May 18 and the public is cordially invited to attend and join these outstanding and talented students to salute their creative expressions in the Visual Arts.

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