May 22, 2007 - Volume 16, No. 21

a Winkler Company publication

Also featuring photos from our monthly supplement...

Colonial Revival on Oakwood Avenue

And They’re Off…

Photo by Leon Chuck

That Day in May began with a beautiful morning and a big crowd of participants in the 5K and 10K RACE which began and ended at the high school athletic field. The winner of the Men’s 5K race was Ben Forman; the Women’s 5K winner was Lauren Woessner. And the winner of the 10K Men’s race was David Larson and the 10K Women’s race was won by Melinda Leisure. Ann Williams and Frank Clemens each took first in the Fun Run. Hundreds of pictures of race participants and other TDIM activities can be viewed on our website at oakwoodregister.com and clicking on our Photo Gallery.

OJHS Walk For Darfur May 25

By Ellen Milligan

Attention Oakwood Citizens:

Do you want to help the relief effort for the genocide in Darfur? Did you know that in Darfur, Sudan there are more than 2.5 million displaced innocent men, women and children?

Our 8th grade classes have been learning about the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. We were inspired to do our part to support the relief efforts. Over 400,000 innocent people have already died. As humans, we can not allow this horror to continue.

Sadly, not nearly enough people are even aware of the situation. In connection with the service learning standards in our curriculum, our class has already raised over $700 just through an in-class silent auction. In addition we are hosting a Walk for Darfur.

Do your part by supporting the Walk For Darfur fundraiser:

What: Oakwood Junior High Walk for Darfur
Where: Oakwood Stadium (Track)
When: Friday May 25 from 1-1:30 p.m.
Why: To raise money for the relief efforts
Who: Oakwood Junior High students and any interested community members
Admission: Donations of at least $3 are being accepted at the door

Please come and help us with our fundraiser. Bring your friends, families and neighbors and walk around the track to make a difference.

If you have questions or concerns, please email Mrs. Fiore at
fiore.bridget@oakwood.k12.oh.us

For 10 ideas on how you could start your own relief idea, check out the following website:

http://www.genocideintervention.net/advocate/tenthings.php

For background on the situation in Darfur, check out this link:

http://www.genocideintervention.net/educate/darfurinfo/

Basic plan OK’d for Oakwood Avenue Project to undergo minor modifications

By Lance Winkler

The Oakwood City Council convened on Monday night with councilmember Roger Blumensheid absent but excused. The previous tabling of the Oakwood Avenue Improvement Project was the primary issue of discussion as well over two dozen residents attended the meeting to give their input and in most cases, opposition, and who live in the immediate area of Oakwood Avenue, Volusia Avenue, Schenck Avenue, Ridgewood Avenue, Rubicon Avenue, and East Schantz Avenue where the streetscaping project is to occur.

Oakwood Public Works Director Kevin Weaver gave a presentation to the city council and attending citizens illustrating the changes that are being proposed. The project is estimated to cost a baseline $475,000.

Among the more dramatic changes are the incorporation of traffic islands, “bumpouts” or circular curbing that act as barriers and allow one lane of traffic. Also proposed and strongly objected to by the residents are turn lanes at the intersection of Oakwood Avenue and East Schantz. On the other hand, residents approved the installation of paver bricks along the curbline for parking.

According to Weaver, the effect of these various modifications will result in a narrowing of the lanes by 11 feet and a reduction in speed of three to five miles per hour. Citizens were invited to come up and give their questions, comments and suggestions.

Harvey Lerner, the local organizer in charge of registering citizen objections and opposition to the proposed changes with council, came up and enumerated the basic plans as proposed by the city: less parking, more paint, bumpouts, pavers and a choice between islands or parking, “Are turn lanes necessary?” he asked.“I don’t see any justification for changing anything,” said Pat Schrader. She brought up a number of objections regarding turning into the alleyway off Oakwood Avenue where her garage is situated that she regarded as being more hazardous than before. In all, 14 residents got up to give voice to their concerns.

In the end, council decided to take the various suggestions, make modifications to the current plan, hold a work session and sign off on the project without a public reintroduction of the plan. But the understanding is, according to Mayor Cook, “to proceed with the basic plan in place.” At that point, a majority of the visitors walked out in dismay.

Vice Mayor Carlo McGinnis announced that a meeting of the Oakwood Planning Commission concerning upcoming plans for Hawthorn Hill will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at 4:30 p.m. in council chambers. The public is invited. The next formal meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 11, 2007.

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