Thursday, April 25, 2024
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Volume 10, Issue YY
Peltz to lead Wellington schools Lauren Hoffman The Community Guide
WELLINGTON — Wellington Schools has named Andrew Peltz as its new superintendent, replacing the retiring Ed Weber. Peltz is a 1999 graduate of the University of Akron where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education. From there, Peltz went on to earn his master’s degree in school administration from Akron in 2011 and his
doctorate in school administration from Cleveland State University in 2021. His salary wasn’t disclosed. Wellington School Board President Ayers Ratliff said Peltz was chosen out of 28 applicants. Peltz and Weber will work together until May, with Peltz, who was given a three-year contract, taking over full time in August. Peltz taught at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High
School for four years where he became LeBron James’ favorite teacher,” Ratliff said. Peltz then spent eight years as a science teacher at North Royalton High School. Peltz also worked as an assistant principal at Revere Middle School in Summit County and as principal at New London Middle School. Peltz and his wife, Staci, are both educators. Staci has worked at Amherst Ju-
nior High School as an art teacher for the past seven years. “Staci and I love the Lorain County area and we as lifelong educators always wanted to find an area that met our educational philosophy and was a place where I grew up and plan to retire,” Peltz said. “This is a place that has so much incredible potential and I want to carry that torch that Mr. Weber started.”
Incoming superintendent Andrew Peltz, right, shakes hands with retiring superintendent Ed Weber.
Amherst reverses decision, OKs Quarry Creek 174 houses off North Dewey Lauren Hoffman The Community Guide
AMHERST — Amherst City Council voted 5-2 to approve an ordinance allowing the Quarry Creek residential development to move forward. The neighborhood, located off of North Dewey Road, has seen its fair share of controversy and was struck down during the council meeting on April 9. A clause in the city’s codified ordinances allows any member of the majority ruling to appeal their vote and reconsider, Mayor Mark Costilow, who supports the development, said. Councilman at large Martin Heberling put forward the appeal on the neighborhood, stating that it needed a second look. “I had three major issues when the neighborhood was first proposed,
the first and most major being the widening of the Dewey Road,” Heberling said. “The mayor has allowed my biggest concern to be addressed and that is tremendous. My other two were the emergency entrance and the need for a sidewalk, both of which were also addressed by the mayor.” Having his concerns addressed, Heberling voted to put the proposed neighborhood back before Council, stating that this could be good for the city. Costilow said the development is important to the city’s economic development. “We do not have any other developments being proposed in the city for the next three years and are relying on this neighborhood and the income it will bring to move our city forward,” Costilow has said.
IMAGE PROVIDED
A mock up of what the neighborhood will look like as provided by the city of Amherst is shown. In addition to the 174 units, it will also feature a playground and dog park. The Quarry Creek development is comprised of 174 residences to be located at the end of North Dewey Road. Developer Richard Sommers said the 174-unit neighborhood of duplexes and triplexes located on 22 acres would be built in
phases between three and four years. Costilow said a second traffic study will be completed on North Ridge and Dewey roads once the first phase is built. Developers said construction will start in the next 120 days, beginning
with roads. Greg Sommers, son and partner to Richard Sommers. “I think it’s going to (improve) the situation in the end and it’s going to be a huge economic factor for the city.” The development will
reportedly generate over $600,000 a year for the Amherst schools. Home prices will start at $285,000 and will include a homeowners association. Contact Lauren Hoffman at (440) 3286902 or lhoffman@chroniclet.com.
Wellington considers DORA — outdoor drinking area Lauren Hoffman The Community Guide
Under the Wellington DORA, retailers would have single-use DORA cups available for purchase. The cups can only be WELLINGTON — The village may be carried in the designated area at designated the latest to approve a DORA thanks to ideas and interest coming from Main Street times when the DORA is active. Retail shops will have window stickers Wellington. designating whether they allow DORA DORA, which stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, is an area des- beverages to be carried inside. Drinks cannot be taken from one bar to another and ignated exempt from certain alcohol open cannot be consumed inside the bar where container laws. In Lorain County, Vermilion and Amherst purchased but must be consumed off the premises. approved DORAs in the past year. The DORA area would encompass the Main Street Wellington Director Jenny downtown area and be active during comArtnz has brought the idea up to Wellingmunity events. ton Council a few times. Previous DORAs, such as Amherst, have “Jenny and I feel that it is time to keep pushing this idea forward and make it hap- run into problems hindering their passage, but Schneider assured that Wellington has pen,” Mayor Hans Schneider said.
been paying attention to them for guidance. “Council is asking the right questions and I think we are moving toward a point where we are likely to establish the DORA concept in an ordinance soon,” Schneider said. “Jenny has looked at Amherst and Sandusky as models for guidance. We have also been covering our bases on policing, bathrooms and even liability on a concept like this.” Arntz talked with Council on Monday, assuring them that bars in the area have insurance to cover if someone is hurt during the DORA. Similar to Amherst, DORA cup costs will also go back to establishments to cover the costs. “There is a cost to having a DORA including the cups, signage, additional
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INSIDE THIS WEEK Amherst
Military families celebrated. A3
Oberlin
Environmental panel formed. A4
trash receptacles, staff time and training, security, installing signage and cleaning,” Arntz said. “At this time the additional cost has not been determined by many DORA locations will likely charge an extra $1 per drink to cover these costs.” “President of Wellington Council Gene Hartman advises that we need to walk before we can run and I truly appreciate Council’s worry about our finances,” Artnz said. “I did not consider the higher cost of police coverage and Main Street Wellington needs to figure out plans to cover these costs first.” Schneider and Artnz said they both feel the idea would work best on an eventbased concept, rather than open during a weekend schedule.
Passover
Hamas war mars celebration. A4
SPORTS A6 • CROSSWORD A7 • SUDOKU A7 • KID SCOOP A8