After a closed executive session that lasted nearly 40 minutes, the regular meeting began starting with election of board officers.

Benjamin Fligner was re-elected board chairman and Don Ortner was re-elected to his spot as board vice chairman.

The board then ratified the recent hiring of five new faculty and staff members: Helen Tagliaferro as the professional practice clinician; Brenda Bergman as assistant professor of health and wellness sciences; Annalise Gatautis as coordinator for the University Partnership Ridge Campus Outreach Learning Center; Bradley Ball as director of the culinary program; and Ariel Powell as program developer for the Engineering Business and Information Technologies department.

The board then voted to approve a policy change regarding rank, tenure and promotion.

The update to the policy permits faculty to provide alternative qualifications when applying for promotion to the rank of assistant professor.

Tracy Green, vice president of Strategic and Institutional Development at LCCC, said this change specifically is for faculty in fields that are not common in the highest levels of education.

“Typically, to move up in rank, a faculty member has to have a doctorate or other academic credentials in their field,” Green said. “We have some fields where there is not advanced education in such as our EMT and paramedic program.”

Green said there are no specifics to what kind of alternative application materials faculty can provide, but they will have to prove how their education or work experience has provided them the necessary qualifications.

The board approved bank depository agreements for nine different banks for the next five years.

It also approved a resolution that will allow for the college’s finances to be received electronically.

The meeting finished with a report from LCCC President Marcia Ballinger.

One of the highlights of the report was a presentation on a program that LCCC has partnered with Midview High School.

The program gives Midview High students experience learning about micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), which is an area of study that has taken off at LCCC after receiving funding through a program by Intel.

Ballinger also highlighted U.S. Congressman Bob Latta’s visit to LCCC to learn about the MEMS program.

She also noted that the college’s practical nursing program was named as the No. 2 program in Ohio by Practicalnursing.org for 2024.

Ballinger concluded the meeting by announcing the creation of the LCCC Hall of Fame.

Nominations can be made until Feb. 28 for the June inauguration.

To be eligible for induction, a nominee must have a degree or certificate from LCCC, have completed one year at the school before earning a bachelor’s degree from another institution or completed 30 credit hours at the college.

“The other part of the application is about how have they have exemplified our mission and values in their community by making extraordinary contributions through their professional career or volunteer work,” Ballinger said.

Mark Adams, commissioner of Lorain County Public Health, told the commissioners during their meeting that the state’s plan to begin inspections of residential septic tank systems has been in the works for years.

The primary concern of not inspecting the septic tank systems can result in negative impacts on local watersheds with the addition of harmful bacteria and pollution, Adams said.

In fact, several counties adopted the new unfunded mandate in 2019 that was handed down by Ohio Department of Health in 2015, but Adams said he decided to hold off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The county has drafted a map of the residences with septic tanks, he said.

A significant number of properties contain the tanks which haven’t been registered with the county, and subsequently, officials have no knowledge of the condition of the septic systems, which is the goal of the new program, Adams said.

The health department has been tasked with verifying each septic tank system in the county, whether it’s contacting the homeowner personally, or via telephone, he said.

“We have to do that,” he said as part of the new mandate.

Homeowners now are required to purchase permits for their septic tank systems, which has brought criticism from several residents.

A handful of residents spoke at the county commission meeting Jan. 16 regarding their opposition and concerns about the new program.

Lorain County Public Health has received about 2,600 voicemails since residents began receiving notice of the new fees.

A one-year fee costs the homeowner $40 and a three-year permit can be obtained for $120, due by April 30.

Adams maintains that the new mandate is not a plan to force people to replace their septic tank systems.

However, if a problem is discovered, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to correct the problem, he said.

Those homeowners who have abandoned septic tank systems on their property are legally responsible to report them to the health department.

The health department’s goal is to have each system inspected and catalogued, Adams said.

Additionally, the health department will test waterways around the individual septic systems as part of another phase of the project, he said.

While financial assistance is available for those who qualify, the health department thus far only has $100,000 to work with, Adams said.

The health department estimates there are 20,000 home sewage treatment systems throughout the county.

The health board meets at 6 p.m., every second Wednesday of the month, at Lorain County Public Health, 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria.

Lorain County Public Health also can be contacted via email at EH@loraincountyhealth.com or by phone at 440-322-6367.

During the Jan. 18 meeting, the board voted 9-2 against a motion that would have removed the 2006 John Green novel “Looking for Alaska” from the JVS ninth grade curriculum.

Diane Kerecz, the mother of a 14-year-old JVS student, brought up the issue to the board at a meeting last fall after her daughter notified her about sexual content in the book.

Kerecz attended the Jan. 18 board meeting and reiterated her issue with the book for the age group assigned to read it.

“I implore you, please do not give it to our 14-year-olds,” the mother said. “I never said to ban the book. I don’t believe it’s for 14-year-olds.

“If it’s essential to your curriculum, I implore you to give it to the older kids.”

Also in attendance at the meeting was Dick Polen, who echoed similar sentiments to Kerecz.

Polen said his main concern with the book is that he believes it does not provide value to students.

“What we are really asking for, is a better one,” he said. “This book, ‘Looking for Alaska,’ I don’t see the value in it.

“This is the United States of America, and we don’t ban books here; we’re just asking for something better.”

Polen said his stance against the book also is due to his family’s religious background.

“We want something with morals in it,” he said. “Something that doesn’t talk about God in a bad way.”

Lorain County JVS superintendent Glenn Faircloth responded to those concerns by affirming his belief in the school to handle difficult topics in literature in a productive way.

“One of our educational goals at Lorain County JVS is to foster and promote critical thinking,” Faircloth said. “Our students are thoughtful readers who have the intellectual capacity to explore difficult issues.

“Our English and language arts teachers are well trained to foster these conversations in the classroom.”

Faircloth also noted that parents have the right to speak up if they do not want their child to consume assigned material.

In such situations, a student may be assigned alternative material without penalty, he said.

Wellington board representative Ayers Ratliff supported the public’s concerns and made a motion to remove the book from the ninth grade curriculum.

The motion would have allowed the book to stay in the school’s library and be taught in other grades.

“There’s nothing in the book that the kids don’t know, I will say that,” Ratliff said. “The thing of it is, we learn to act different in different situations.

“A 14-year-old child that goes to church may do things a certain way. They go to school and things are done a certain way in the classroom. In the hallways or at lunchtime, I’m sure things aren’t the same.”

Ratliff said the material in “Looking for Alaska” is not appropriate for a classroom.

“When you take a book and break it down and start discussing it, then you’re talking about great literature,” he said. “That book is not great literature.”

Other board members spoke up against removing the book.

Oberlin City Schools board member Anne Schaum said many other topics taught in school could be considered sensitive and that is not practical to remove them from curriculums.

“We’re on a huge slippery slope,” Schaum said. “It’s not just going to be books. There could be an article.

“Back when I was in high school, we read ‘Macbeth.’ You’re talking about murder and that could be a sensitive topic to somebody. When you look at literature and art, and all kinds of topics, this is a tough thing.”

Avon Lake City School District board member Gail Soinski-Opaskar said encountering difficult topics in educational material can contribute to the strengthening of a student’s morality.

“I believe it is our job as educators to expose our children to many different issues that they will be exposed to in society and they need to be prepared to confront and understand their morality from their families,” Soinski-Opaskar said. “I believe children need to be strong in their belief system because they are going to encounter many of the issues that are in this book.

“Let’s develop strong individuals in their morality.”

At 3:22 a.m., firefighters responded to the 300 block of Parmely Avenue, according to a news release from Elyria fire Chief Joseph Pronesti.

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed that all occupants were safe, uninjured and had evacuated the single-family residence, the release stated.

Moderate fire conditions were found on the exterior southeast corner of the residence, according to the release.

The fire was quickly extinguished, and crews checked the interior and attic for extension and none was found, the release stated.

Pronesti requested the state Fire Marshal office to take charge of the investigation.

“Subsequent findings revealed that the cause of the fire was attributed to an occupant smoking inside the residence and discarding the cigarette outside a window,” the release stated.

Damages to the residence are estimated at $3,000, the release stated.

The Elyria Fire Department emphasizes the critical importance of fire safety, particularly regarding smoking materials, the release noted.

Smoking remains the leading cause of fire deaths, making it imperative to share vital prevention measures.

Whether an individual smokes or hosts guests who smoke, the Fire Department recommends smoking outdoors because furniture, bedding and papers inside the home can catch fire from burning cigarettes.

Also, keep a sturdy ashtray or bucket of sand available for smokers, according to the release.

“Smoke only when you are alert; if you take medicine or get sleepy, don’t smoke,” the release noted.

And, finally, never smoke near anyone who uses medical oxygen, the release stated.

If a fire starts, the oxygen will cause it to burn hotter and faster, according to the release.

“There is no safe way to smoke when oxygen is in use,” the release noted.

At 9:09 p.m., troopers from the Elyria Post responded to a one-vehicle fatal crash on Lake Road, also known as U.S. Route 6, near Vineyard Road, according to the release.

Blayney was operating a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 west on Route 6 and went off the right side of the road, striking two utility poles, the release said.

Blayney was not wearing a seat belt, according to the release.

A news release from the Avon Lake Police Department stated officials determined that excessive speed led to the crash.

Route 6 was closed for three hours while troopers investigated the crash, the release said.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Avon Lake Police Department, Avon Lake Fire Department, Avon Lake EMS, L&M Towing and Ohio Edison.

The crash remains under investigation.

The church will be open at 4 p.m.. so members can begin the guild’s project of making quilts and pillowcases for the Snuggle of Hope program, according to a news release.

Members are encouraged to bring fabric, cutting supplies, and patterns that can be used to make these items for campers in the program. Also, a few people may want to bring sewing machines.

This project will continue in the March meeting.

The regular business meeting, complete with show and tell, will begin at 7 p.m.

For information on the quilt guild, contact Sandy Neiding at 440-967-4190.

Vilensky was selected following a nationwide search, led by the organization’s Board of Directors.

Most recently, he served as vice president of strategic market operations and category management for Medically Home, a growing start-up company offering high-acuity care at home across 18 states, according to the release.

Prior to that, Vilensky was president and CEO of the Montefiore Home.

As CEO for Montefiore, Vilensky had a key role in growing the organization and planning the merger, creating a partnership designed to grow and diversify the communities, the release said.

Earlier leadership experience includes guiding the Cleveland Clinic’s rehabilitation and post-acute care operations.

Vilensky said he looks forward to joining the Kendal community.

“I am honored to be chosen as the second CEO in Kendal at Oberlin’s long history,” he said in the release. “I am thrilled to join the great team, board and vibrant community at Kendal at Oberlin.

“The values of Kendal, particularly the sense of community, inclusiveness and service align perfectly with my experiences and passion for healthy and independent aging.”

The search for Kendal at Oberlin’s new chief executive officer began when long-time CEO Barbara Thomas announced her plans for retirement after 32 years of leading the organization.

The pantry’s hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. for shopping convenience, especially those who work, according to Anne Marie Wojton, coordinator.

The pantry item list includes products like toilet paper, multi-purpose cleaners, detergent, bar soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, deodorant, feminine hygiene and adult briefs, according to Wojton.

The most needed items include body wash, conditioner, deodorant, detergent, shampoo, toilet paper and toothpaste, she said.

Upon arrival, guests fill out a survey with information, including where they heard about the pantry from, Wojton said, which is a main part is word of mouth and Facebook.

“The word has gotten out,” she said. “Getting the word out has been a big thing for us this year.”

Donations can be made to the church, as well as cash gifts which go toward purchasing pantry items, according to Wojton.

Community engagement also has played a part in donations, especially with the holidays and the recent donation drive, she said.

“We recently had a drop-off drive over the holidays, and some of the stores in Vermilion had drop-off boxes,” Wojton said. “That was a big help.”

When the pantry is open, there will be a snack table, coffee and seating area with tables for guests to feel comfortable, she said, as well as a resource table for different programs and organizations in the area.

“We try to make them feel at home,” Wojton said. “We want to be friendly and like we’re inviting people into our own homes.”

The sense of community has been felt among the volunteers who work the pantry, Wojton said, but also among those who frequent and those who visit occasion.

“It’s kind of brought a sense of community,” she said. “Not everyone come every month; there’s some that come once or twice because they just needed a little help.”

Inspiration came to Wojton in January 2022 with the realization she said that there are little to no pantries in Northeast Ohio for essential and hygiene items, as compared to food pantries, which are more common.

“I’ve been taking these little steps of faith, and by August, we had our pantry open,” she said.

A main driving force was the fact that food stamps don’t cover items such as toothpaste or laundry detergent, Wojton said, which is something people might not know.

With visitors from places like Huron and Lorain, the Essentials Pantry has been striving to provide to those in need year-round, she said.

“People come in with tears in their eyes, and they thank us for doing this,” Wojton said. “It’s been a blessing to us (volunteers) as well.”

Information on the pantry can be found on the Essentials Pantry – Vermilion Facebook page or visit https://www.discoververmilion.org/news-and-events/news/params/post/4167670/essentials-pantry-offers-free-essentials.

Erin Fach, director of parks and recreation for the city of Avon Lake, has researched towns that hosted past eclipse events since he took the position 18 months ago.

Specifically, Fach cited Hopkinsville, Ky., as a major inspiration for the host of events this spring in Avon Lake.

“Hopkinsville, Ky., is a city of approximately the same size we are,” he said. “It’s one of the cities that we really researched.

“We went there in person and met a few of the folks down there that experienced it. We really did try to replicate some of the things they did, in regard to the way they utilized the parks (and) the way they set up their registrations.”

Fach explained that eclipses can be a truly deep experience for people standing in the line of totality.

In meeting with eclipse enthusiasts over the past 18 months, he said that something about the calm and quiet can create a “spiritual experience” for some people.

“I understand it’s a very spiritual experience,” he said. “Again, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so people really want to try to get to experience it.

“There are those who have chased them around the country.”

Fach said his workload obviously has been unusually high since he took the job in Avon Lake.

With the population set to triple in size, he said the city is doing everything it can to sufficiently prepare Avon Lake for its moment in the darkened sun.

“I’ve been with the city just over a year and a half, and it’s something that I stepped into and started researching right when I came on board,” Fach said. “It’s like hosting every special event that we might host throughout the year all at one time.”

The main event of the city’s eclipse jubilee will be the watch party at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium, 175 Avon Belden Road.

The stadium is located a stone’s throw away from the exact center line of the eclipse, which will past directly over Avon Lake City Hall.

“We’re hoping to get a really nice crowd there,” Fach said of the watch party.

The city will have food trucks, live music and a number of vendors at the stadium watch party to create a truly festival-esque atmosphere, he said.

NASA also is likely to send representatives to the city-wide celebration, Fach said.

“We have teamed up with NASA; we hope to have somebody here from NASA that day,” he said.

Fach welcomed the Lorain County community to celebrate with the city April 8.

The city will have nearly four minutes of total darkness, longer than nearly any other place in the United States, he said.

“We’re really trying to showcase Avon Lake,” Fach said. “You can’t get much closer to the center line of totality, so it really is totality’s best seat.”

Tickets for the city’s solar eclipse watch party are $15 each until mid-February.

The tickets are available at avonlakesolareclipse.com.

Parking is not permitted on any city street, avenue, boulevard, parkway or highway within city limits, with the exceptions of addresses that do not have a dedicated driveway, Carrion said in the release.

Violators may be ticketed or towed, according to the release.

As always, motorists are reminded to use extra caution when driving during winter weather conditions, and are encouraged to stay off the roads if possible, the release said.

For further information, contact the city’s Street Department at 440-204-2550.