ISSUES 7,8,13,16,20 ALCOHOL SALES

Voters to decide on a number of issues dealing with local Sunday alcohol sales

ISSUE 7

Only residents in Precinct C of Ward 1 can vote on this issue. The Circle K gas station and convenience store on North Mantua Street in Kent wants to sell beer on Sundays. If you vote “yes,” you approve the Circle K on North Mantua Street selling beer on Sundays. If you vote “no,” you do not approve the Circle K on North Mantua Street selling beer on Sundays.

ISSUE 8

Only residents in Precinct B of Ward 2 can vote on this issue. The Speedway SuperAmerica gas station and convenience store on state Route 59 in Kent wants to sell beer on Sundays. If you vote “yes,” you approve the Speedway SuperAmerica selling beer on Sundays. If you vote “no,” you do not approve the Speedway SuperAmerican selling beer on Sundays.

ISSUE 13

Only residents in Precinct C of Ward 2 in Streetsboro can vote on this issue. The American Legion Post 685 and Cocktail Lounge in Streetsboro wants to sell wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor on Sundays. If you vote “yes,” you approve the American Legion Post 685 and Cocktail Lounge selling wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor on Sundays. If you vote “no,” you do not approve the American Legion Post 685 and Cocktail Lounge selling wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor on Sundays.

ISSUE 16

Only residents in Precinct A of Windham Village can vote on this issue. The Hideaway in Windham Village wants to sell beer on Sundays.

If you vote “yes,” you approve the Hideaway selling beer on Sundays.

If you vote “no,” you do not approve the Hideaway selling beer on Sundays.

ISSUE 20

Only residents in Precinct E of Brimfield Township can vote on this issue. The Wal-Mart Supercenter in Brimfield Township wants to sell wine and mixed beverages on Sundays.

If you vote “yes,” you approve the Wal-Mart Supercenter selling wine and mixed beverages on Sundays.

If you vote “no,” you do not approve the Wal-Mart Supercenter selling wine and mixed beverages on Sundays.

– Jackie Valley

ISSUES 10,11 MRDD

Issues’ passage could save Streetsboro residents money but hurt small minority

WATCH a video about the Streetsboro tax issues.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:

Streetsboro residents will vote on two tax issues that could save a majority of residents’ money but at the same time would double the income tax for a small minority.

Issue 10 on the Nov. 4 ballot proposes to double the current income tax from 1 percent to 2 percent for anyone working in Streetsboro – including the 1,800 residents who live and work within city limits.

In conjunction with the tax increase is Issue 11, a proposed 2 percent tax credit for those residents who live in Streetsboro but work outside of the city.

This credit will only go into effect if both issues are approved. If the voters only pass Issue 11, then neither tax issue will go into effect.

Currently Streetsboro has a 1 percent income tax and no tax credit in place for those residents who live within city limits but work in another city. This means that a resident must pay two separate income taxes – one to the city they work in and 1 percent income tax to Streetsboro – without any relief.

By enacting a tax credit, those residents who work outside the city will no longer have to pay the extra income tax to Streetsboro. If both issues were to pass, the majority of residents would not experience a tax increase. They would experience a tax decrease because of the tax credit.

If both issues are approved, the city would receive an additional $2.9 million in income tax revenue. This money would go to essential services provided by the city, such as fire protection, road repairs and city improvement programs.

If both or only one of the issues were to pass, then neither the tax credit nor the tax increase would go into effect, and the city would not receive any additional revenue.

– Sarah McGrath

ISSUE 19 FIRE

Voter approval of fire levy could increase department’s budget by almost $225,000

WATCH a video about Issue 19.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:

Issue 19 calls for a one-mill fire protection tax to raise money for the Brimfield Fire Department. If it passes Nov. 4, the proposed levy would add an additional $224,600 in revenue to the fire department’s $930,000 budget. It will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $32. The fire department hasn’t had a new tax passed in four years.

In that time, Brimfield Fire Chief Rob Keller said the department has seen a 40 percent increase in the number of calls it has received, which is due to Brimfield Township’s rising population. The fire at the Puritan Plant, which happened Aug. 30, lasted almost five days and cost the department $43,000 in labor and equipment. The department has also doubled its fuel budget due to increased fuel costs, which is $19,500 this year.

IF YOU VOTE YES:

Keller said the fire department will replace a fire engine the department has that is from 1983. He also added the fire department will be able to have three firefighter-paramedics on duty at all times. It will also purchase new vehicle extraction equipment.

“We’ll use it to help offset increased costs,” Keller said.

IF YOU VOTE NO:

Keller said the fire department won’t replace the fire engine from 1983. He also added that the fire department will have to reduce the firefighter training to almost none.

“We’ll have to cut our staffing more than we already have,” Keller said.

– Kristen Kotz

ISSUE 22 BRIDGE/ROADS

Franklin Township levy would fund a continuing road maintenance plan

WATCH a video about Issue 22.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:

Franklin Township is proposing two mills on a replacement levy for the Nov. 4 election that, if passed, would provide about $162,500 for road re-paving.

The ballot tax levy is for five years and will fund a continuing road maintenance plan.

Target areas for this year’s ballot are mostly in the Twin Lakes area. The entire west Twin Lakes region, as well as the north side of east Twin Lakes, are leading candidates. Ken Penix, township administrator, said roads in the northwest quadrant of the township are being looked at as well.

The total amount of paving that would be done amounts to roughly 4 1/4 miles. Re-paving consists of crews milling down the existing road and then placing new asphalt on top.

Both Hiram and Paris townships are proposing the same thing but on a smaller scale. The two mills won’t provide as much money because property values in those townships are lower.

– Chris Gates

ISSUE 27 SCHOOLS

Garfield and Windham school districts seek voter approval on levies

WATCH a video about Issue 27.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:

James A. Garfield school district hopes voters will pass an emergency levy renewal on Nov. 4. The levy is for 5.42 mills which will cost owners of a $100,000 home $166.99. The levy would run from 2009-2013.

“It’s very important,” school treasurer Tracy Knauer said. “It’s 7 percent of the general fund. We’ve been doing a good job and are fiscally responsible. The district was rated excellent by the state. We have the lowest per-pupil expenditures seven of the last nine years.”

The Windham School District will also seek an emergency levy renewal on Election Day. This levy is for 3.46 mills and would also last until 2013 if approved. The levy would generate $200,000 for the school.

“We are looking to maintain a level of service without having to cut, which is probably what would happen if the levy fails,” Superintendent Carol Kropinak said.

– Tyler McIntosh

ISSUE 31 HEALTH DISTRICT

Failure of health department levy could lead to higher fees for its many services

WATCH a video about Issue 31.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:

Issue 31 calls for an additional .5 mill levy over the next five years to cover the Portage County Health Department’s operating expenses. The property tax levy, which has not been increased since the Eisenhower administration, has failed 24 times at the polls.

“The health department affects everybody, every day,” Health Commissioner Duwayne Porter said. “We’re in a financial crisis. We won’t even operate on a minimal level.”

The health department ensures safe drinking water, provides immunizations and inspects restaurants, along with public health and safety programs. Kent and Ravenna have their own health departments, so their residents will not vote on the issue.

IF YOU VOTE YES:

Voting “yes” would increase taxes less than $16 annually for a $100,000 home. Programs receiving stays of execution would include a mosquito larva extermination campaign to eradicate the needle-nosed disease carriers and the immunization of citizens countywide to prevent epidemics.

IF YOU VOTE NO:

Voting “no” would lead to the county handing off many programs it cannot sustain over to the state. Fees charged by the health department for its services would also increase, Porter said.

– John Hitch

ISSUE 32 PARKS DISTRICT

If approved, .5 mill levy would generate $1.7M a year for Portage Parks District

WATCH a video about Issue 32.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:

The Portage Parks District placed a .5 mill levy on the ballot to provide more funding for the parks district. Currently, the parks district is allotted $175,000 per year to operate its 10 parks.

This levy will cost the owner of a house assessed at $100,000 about $1.50 a month and will generate $1.7 million annually.

IF YOU VOTE YES:

Because of insufficient funds, only five of the 10 Portage County parks are open. With the additional money, eventually all 10 would be accessible to the public. The money would also allow the parks district to hire more maintenance and full-time workers. It would also make operation and maintenance of the parks and trails easier. The tax money would also provide a local match to accept capital grants. Voting “yes” would also improve the green space in Portage County, which would provide more opportunities to take part in recreational activities.

IF YOU VOTE NO:

If this levy doesn’t pass, the parks district would be forced to close more parks. It would also be forced to lay off three of its four part-time workers. The one full-time employee would be reduced to part-time help. Without the money, the parks district only has enough money to operate for the next two months.

– Megan Rozsa

ISSUE 35 MRDD

Renewal of MRDD levy would not mean new taxes for Portage county residents

WATCH a video about Issue 35.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:

Issue 35 is a 2-mill renewal levy for the Portage County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Because it is a renewal levy, no new taxes will be collected.

This levy, which was last passed in 2003, is the largest of six that provide 70 percent of MRDD’s funding. Medicaid and the state of Ohio provide the other 30 percent of the funding.

IF YOU VOTE YES:

When voting “yes” for Issue 35, you are voting to pass the levy. If it passes, it would provide $3.2 million – one-sixth of the revenue MRDD gets from property taxes within the county.

MRDD taxes fund, in part, programs and services such as those at Happy Day School in Ravenna. Revenues from the levy would be deposited into the general fund and provide services for 800 people within the county. About 70 percent of MRDD’s expenses relate to personnel, including wages for employees. The funds also pay for programs and transportation for those who attend Portage Industries in Ravenna or who use other residential care services.

If it passes, the average homeowner would pay $70 for every $100,000 of appraised value for the tax years 2009-2013.

IF YOU VOTE NO:

If you vote “no” for Issue 35, you are voting to not pass the levy. According to the Portage County Board of MRDD, consequences may mean cuts in staff and services.

– Holly Schoenstein

ISSUE 36 MENTAL HEALTH

Renewal of 10-year mental health levy would support several treatment agencies

WATCH a video about Issue 36.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:

Issue 36 renews a 20-year levy that generates about $581,000 each year to support agencies such as Townhall II, Coleman Professional Services, Children’s Advantage, Family & Community Services, Bair Foundation and Compass Recovery. They provide mental health treatment and counseling, 24-hour crisis intervention, sexual abuse education and substance abuse support.

IF YOU VOTE YES:

If you vote yes, individual home owners would pay $4.25 per year for a $100,000 home.

IF YOU VOTE NO:

The levy, first approved in 1978, would not be renewed.

– Theresa Bruskin