Local News
Pasquerilla foes start petition drive
Move is second try to oust board chief
BROOKFIELD — They’re not, by any stretch, theologian Martin Luther’s 95 Theses.
But Brookfield residents unhappy with the school district’s management hope 88 charges against board President Joseph Pasquerilla will be enough to spur a reformation.
“If he (Pasquerilla) would lose this suit, he would be removed immediately,” Save Our Schools member Gwen Martino said Wednesday afternoon.
Mrs. Martino and other members of the group stood by in an empty storefront in Brookfield Center as residents stopped in to sign a petition supporting Pasquerilla’s ouster.
The petition is the first step in the process for removing an elected official in Ohio.
The petition lists 88 instances where the group believes Pasquerilla has acted out of line since 2005 when he took the seat.
“It’s just things that are outside of his rule as a board member,” Mrs. Martino said.
The group wouldn’t let The Herald read the petition.
The group’s attorney said only Brookfield residents could read them before they become public record when the suit’s filed in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, Mrs. Martino said.
The instances are primarily from the past year and similar to those outlined in the group’s failed first attempt to unseat the board chief in 2007, she said.
Included are examples where Pasquerilla showed “conduct unbecoming of a board member” and vendettas against various people, Mrs. Martino said, but wouldn’t elaborate.
The charges are about ten typed pages and, according to a Brookfield resident who signed the petition, include itemized violations of Sunshine Law and board policy. Instances where Pasquerilla abused policy, conducted interviews and offered jobs without consulting with other school directors are also spelled out, the resident said.
Once filed in the court, within 30 days a hearing must take place in which a judge or jury would decide if the reasons for removal constitute misconduct.
Because the case involves board action, Pasquerilla would be permitted to use the school district’s attorney, the Ohio School Boards Association said.
He has declined to comment on the recall effort.
The petition will be available for signing again from 3 to 8 p.m. today and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the former Movie Zone store at 394 State Route 7 SE.
Save Our Schools hopes to file it later this month and, if they are successful, Mrs. Martino said a period of “healing” can begin in the community and financially stressed school district.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
Local political junkies, mark your calendars.
Third District Congressional rivals Kathy Dahlkemper and Mike Kelly will face off at a League of Woman Voters of Mercer County forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Sharon City Building.
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Are you going to Stoneboro Fair?
“I want some fries, straight off the bat,” a teen said as she strolled amid a seemingly endless stream of people running from the parking lot to the midway Saturday at the Stoneboro Fairgrounds.
The aroma of scrumptious fair food wafted through the fairgrounds on a cool afternoon that felt more like autumn than the waning days of summer.
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Court backs warrantless search that turned up gun
Superior Court issued a ruling recently that the Mercer County District Attorney believes will enhance the safety of policemen and women.
The court ruled Aug. 26 in a Mercer County Juvenile Court case that stemmed from an arrest made by Southwest Mercer County Regional police. -
Hood surfer back home, recovering
Natalie Huff, the 17-year-old girl critically hurt in a hood-surfing accident, made it home Friday for the first time since she was run over by a friend’s car last month.
David Huff, Natalie’s father, said she was in excellent spirits.
“She just wants to come home,” he said. “She wants out of the hospital. She’s doing really well.”
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Kelly: Jobs are the key to restoring economy
When businesses are healthy, they hire people, and everyone wins, according to Congressional candidate Mike Kelly
The Republican challenger announced his “Pathways to Prosperity” job plan Friday in time for Labor Day weekend at JFS Wealth Advisors in Hermitage. He also made stops in Butler, Crawford, and Erie counties.
Kelly, who faces U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie, D-3rd District in November, said he’s been up and down the county and hears about two concerns: jobs and the economy.
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Couple restoring a local landmark
The gardens were renowned and the house was a resting stop for future presidents.
Now, Dan Briceland and his wife Kristin are restoring the structure at 379 state Route 7 in Brookfield to its original glory.
Built in 1816 by Navy Capt. James Christy, the dilapidated house went up for sale this spring. The Bricelands, who have always wanted to restore an historic house, put in a bid and won.
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Cleanup planned for 2nd city neighborhood
The Irvine Avenue cleanup in Sharon was so successful that similar efforts are being planned for another part of the city.
The Sharon Beautification Commission is organizing a cleanup for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 for Meek Street and several surroundings streets, Sharon City Manager Tom Lavorini told council Thursday.
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Lock up vehicles, police urge
Residents should be alert for suspicious activity and keep their cars and homes locked in the wake of a recent rash of thefts from cars — some of which were left unlocked, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Chief Riley Smoot said.
The most recent thefts were reported Wednesday in the Dogwood Lane, Oak Hill Drive and Kiwanis Road area of West Middlesex.
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Blue Streak thrills again
“It was great. What else can I say?” Dave Hahner said Thursday, just moments after taking his second ride on the Blue Streak.
That’s right. For the first time since 2006, Conneaut Lake Park’s historic roller coaster is back up and running. Once again ready, as Jack Moyers, chairman of the board of trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, put it, “to bring thrills and chills to children of all ages.”
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3 Ohio men in county jail accused of Walmart theft ring
Three Ohio men are in Mercer County Jail for allegedly running a theft ring that stole video games and systems from Walmart stores and then sold them for cash.
Thomas “Tommy” Hamilton, 42, of Ashtabula; Alex Plitt, 34, of Jefferson; and Christopher Patton, 25, address unknown, were caught Aug. 25 after hitting up Walmart stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania for at least several months, Hempfield Township patrolman Daniel McCloskey said Wednesday.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
