πŸ”¦ The school levy explained

Coming to your ballot May 2. Plus, flower sale, cleanup, Silver Lake energy costs and more

Today is April 28, 2023.

  • Rain, rain, go away ... but it's going to come back just about every day for the next week. Starting with today when it's going to be breezy with occasional rain, with a high of 59 and a low of 51. Then, except for Saturday, the forecast calls for rain all the way through at least next Thursday. April showers, indeed.

Latest news in brief

It's levy time again: Stow-Munroe Falls schools' Issue 3 renewal levy highlights May 2 ballot

Six months after passing a levy that awarded the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District $7.92 million over 10 years, voters will head to the polls Tuesday, May 2 facing another school levy on the ballot: Issue 3.

The primary difference: Unlike the passage of Issue 6 back on Nov. 8, which resulted in a tax increase for homeowners of about $50 per month per $250,000 of property value, the Issue 3 school levy will not increase taxes according to the school district.

Here's the deal:

  • Issue 3 is a 10-year renewal operational levy that will cover day-to-day operational costs of the district (teachers and staff, technology, books, utilities, equipment, supplies, maintenance, etc.). In other words, all the things that keep a school district running.

  • Since it's a renewal levy, passage of Issue 3 would come at zero additional cost to taxpayers. The levy was first passed in 2012 and has been in effect ever since.

  • If passed, the levy will generate $7.3 million per year for the district.

  • The levy that passed in November 2022 was a brand-new-money operational levy that covered the costs of rising inflation impacting the district. That levy was the first new-money levy passed since 2011.

"We appreciate our community members in Stow and Munroe Falls and their continued support of our school district," Superintendent Tom Bratten said. "While this levy does not create any new tax for taxpayers, it does have the ability to continue to maintain our current district operations, just as it has since 2012 when it first passed. We know that educating our students is the most important thing, and the passage of this renewal levy, Issue 3, will continue to allow us to provide the best education to the students in Stow and Munroe Falls."

Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. May 2.

More local news:

  • Silver Lake's Veterans Tribute Garden is almost complete. The centerpiece of the memorial, located adjacent to Village Hall at 2961 Kent Rd., was installed the morning of April 21. All that remains to be done now is some landscaping, laying new pavers, attaching identifying plaques and installing the benches. According to Mayor Bernie Hovey, all work should be completed no later than Friday, May 12. The formal dedication ceremony for the Veterans Tribute Garden will take place on Memorial Day at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29.

  • The City of Stow is inviting residents to volunteer for its Team Up 2 Clean Up program, where you can assist with trash pickup along major roads in the city. Collecting trash along the city's roadways will help prevent pollution from entering storm drains that lead to local lakes, rivers and streams. You will be working with a small group and assigned an area to pick up trash along the streets and sidewalks. If you helped last year, dig out your safety green T-shirt; if you're new to the group, advise your preferred T-shirt size when registering. There are three work dates to pick from: 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20; 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24; and 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Go here to register for the May 20 program (check the Parks & Rec website for June 24 and Aug. 26 registration information as it becomes available). Packet pickup for the May 20 program, which will include your T-shirt, supplies needed and the area you are assigned to work in, will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18 and from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 19. Trash bags, latex gloves and T-shirts will be provided; you may want to bring gardening or work gloves. Questions may be directed to Teresa at 330-689-2700.

  • The Stow-Munroe Falls Lions Club will hold its annual flower sale Saturday, May 13 in front of Eddy's Bike Shop at 3707 Darrow Rd. The sale goes from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and it will end earlier if all flowers are sold before 4:30. Hanging baskets with many varieties of flowers as well as large, mixed flower patio/porch pots will be for sale. Prices are the same as last year; cash, check and credit cards are accepted. Profits from the flower sale support the Lions' efforts to help the community, including four high school senior scholarships and eye-care projects. Get to the sale early for the best selection!

  • Saturday, May 6 is the Stow-Munroe Falls High School band's Tag Day, when members of the band will go door to door throughout the community for its 2023 Fund Drive. Donations from the public go toward helping the band with uniforms, music, instruments, scholarships and more. You can also donate online here. Then at 7 p.m. that same day, check out the band in action at its "American Celebration" concert, presented by the SMFHS wind ensemble and choirs. The performance will take place at the Stow-Munroe Falls High School auditorium, and admission is free. Go to smfband.org for more information.

  • We all know how expensive those prom outfits can get. Well, before you consider taking out that second mortgage to cover the cost, you might want to first check out Tyrannosaurus Flex Fitness' "Say Yes to the Prom Dress" free prom dress giveaway at its studio at 3073 Graham Rd. in Stow. The free giveaway will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. TODAY. Shoppers are invited to pick from previously worn dresses, and all sizes will be available. All are welcome from any city. For more information, call or text Kellie at 440-567-5087.

  • April means rain falling, flowers blooming ... and weeds sprouting just about everywhere. While having some weeds in your yard is a good thing, having them overtake your flower beds isn't. So here are some non-synthetic chemical approaches for removing weeds, courtesy of the Summit Soil & Water Conservation District: Apply corn gluten meal to prevent annual weed seeds from germinating; spot-treat existing weeds with an organic weed-control product that contains molasses or liquid iron; hand-pull weeds with the help of a tool like a Speedy Weedy; or, if you just can't keep up with the weeds, amend your soil if test results indicate the need (organic products are best). Happy weeding!

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Community calendar

🌳 Fri., April 28, 6-8 p.m.: Stow Tree Festival Drive-Thru Event. What: Celebrate Arbor Day by getting your own seedling from the City of Stow. Mayor John Pribonic and members of the Stow Urban Forestry Commission will hand out one 3-gallon seedling (4-5 feet tall) and a City of Stow Tree Festival Tote Bag full of additional Arbor Day goodies to each vehicle -- and it's all free! Participants may take only one seedling per family/address/vehicle. Where: Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). Go here to register (registration is required). For more information, call the urban forestry department at 330-689-5120.

🧢 Sat., April 29, 1-4 p.m.: Community Craft Supply Swap. What: Did your new hobby not work out? Well, your loss is someone else’s gain -- and vice versa. Bring your gently used craft supplies to exchange, pick up some new ones for your own collection, and mingle with other craft enthusiasts. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is not required for this program.

πŸƒ Sun., April 30, 8-10 a.m.: 11th Annual Fishcreek Raccoon Run. What: A 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run centered through the neighborhoods of Fishcreek Elementary School in Stow. Each registrant will receive a T-shirt and sponsor packet, while all 5K finishers will receive a finishers medal. Where: The event starts from the Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.). Cost is $30 for the 5K, and $25 for the 1-Mile Fun Run. Go here to register and for more information (including virtual options). The Raccoon Run supports the students of Fishcreek Elementary.

πŸ“š Wed., May 3, 10 a.m.-noon: Friends of the Library Book Sale: Patrons' Sale. What: Annual spring book sale at the library. There is an entrance donation to the Patrons' Sale of $10 per person. The Friends members donation is $5, with memberships available for purchase at the door. Membership cost is $10 per family or $5 per person. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

πŸ“š Wed., May 3, noon-2 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale: Friends' Presale. What: Annual spring book sale at the library. Entrance to the Friends' Presale is for Friends members only. Memberships will be available for purchase at the door and cost $10 per family or $5 per person. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

πŸ“š Wed., May 3, 2-8 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale. What: Annual spring book sale at the library. Free and open to the public. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

πŸ“š Thurs., May 4, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale. What: Annual spring book sale at the library. Free and open to the public. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

πŸ“š Fri., May 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale. What: Annual spring book sale at the library. Free and open to the public. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

🦸 Sat., May 6, all day: Free Comic Book Day. What: Stop by the library to pick up a free comic book to keep, courtesy of JC's Comics and Cards in Cuyahoga Falls. Comics for all ages available while supplies last. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

🎣 Sat., May 6, 9 a.m.-noon: Annual Stow Fishing Derby. What: Free fishing event for kids, presented by the Stow Parks and Recreation Department, Summit Sportsman Association and Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Check-in starts at 8 a.m., kids ages 1 to 8 start fishing at 9 a.m., and kids ages 9 to 15 start fishing at 10 a.m. Where: Heritage Lake (adjacent to the Heritage Barn) at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.). Accompanying adults are not permitted to fish. One fishing rod per child is permitted, and the event includes bait and tackle, T-shirt, and snack. Go here to register (each child must be registered).

πŸ“š Sat., May 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale. What: Annual spring book sale at the library. Free and open to the public. This is Bag Day, where you can fill up a bag for $5. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Following the sale, all books will be free to everyone from 2 to 3 p.m.

🎨 Sat., May 6, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Mini Masterpieces. What: Children ages 5 to 8 are invited to learn about a famous artist and then will use what they have learned to create their own mini masterpieces. May’s artist will be Jackson Pollock. Participants will express themselves with an outdoor mural (weather permitting). Although children will be using washable paints and markers, be aware that this is a messy activity, so dress accordingly. Where: Story Time Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register for this free program, go here, call 330-688-3295 ext. 5, or stop by the library. Register each age-appropriate child who wishes to attend the program.

🏠Mon., May 8, 6-7 p.m.: Saving Money for Your Home. What: If you have questions about loans, mortgages or refinancing your home, you are not alone. Finances in today's economy are important to understand, especially where our homes are concerned. Wendi Wilhelm from BFG Federal Credit Union returns to educate attendees on the best ways to save money for loans and mortgages and answer your questions. Where: Conference Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Go here to register for this free event or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🍿 Thurs., May 11, 6-8 p.m.: Star Wars: A New Hope. What: Come see the movie that started it all and turned Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo into iconic Hollywood figures. May the Force be with you! Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). No registration necessary.

🌳 Sat., May 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. What: Stop by the library's lobby to meet representatives from the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Find out about upcoming programs, ask questions, and learn about this natural treasure in our community's backyard. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). This program is free, and registration is not required.

πŸ“„ Sat., May 13, 10-11:30 a.m.: Estate Planning Basics. What: Attorney Jason M. Jordan will cover the basics of estate planning. Learn about the four foundational documents, wills and more. Jason is dedicated to ensuring that his clients understand these important documents and that their assets are protected. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register for this free program here or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

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Silver Lake

Inflation busting: Prior contracts mean big savings on electricity, natural gas for residents

It's the era we live in: On June 1, electricity rates are set to increase dramatically. On that day, Ohio Edison's rate per kilowatt hour will be 12.39 cents.

But if you live in Silver Lake, contracts signed by Mayor Bernie Hovey in the last couple of years have essentially inflation-proofed your village from rising energy costs.

  • The electricity rate in Silver Lake will not change for almost two full years. The aggregate rate for Silver Lake will stay at 4.89 cents per kilowatt hour and will remain so through the end of the contract ending March 31, 2025.

  • Also, despite the increased natural gas prices seen in many areas, the rate for Silver Lake will remain at $2.845 per MCF (1,000 cubic feet) through March 2024.

So Silver Lake will be insulated against inflation for at least the next year or two β€” by which time energy prices could be on their way back down. Hopefully.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE CHAMBER

Sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce

Face time: Upcoming events present a chance to meet the movers and shakers of area business

By Julie McLain, Executive Director

The Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber is wrapping up the first half of the year with several opportunities to be face to face with business leaders in our community.

In May, entrepreneurs and small-business owners alike still have time to register for Coffee, Business, Connect (CBC) on Wednesday, May 10 to learn about the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. This free event will give business owners and entrepreneurs an opportunity to learn how the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program can help accelerate business growth in 2023. This program is FREE, and you will hear from three fellow Chamber members who’ve completed the program and highly recommend it. Amy Mucha (owner of Daisy Pops), Michael Davis (owner of Michael C. Davis, CPA, Inc.) and Julie Stout (owner of Advan Design) will talk about their experience and the impact the program has had on their bottom line.

The next Lunch and Learn with Leaders Series features one of our largest employers in Stow – the Stow-Munroe Falls School District – on Tuesday, May 16. Tom Bratten, superintendent of the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District, as well as Scott Campbell, the district's director of operations, will give us the Bulldog Country Update and fill us in on the state of the schools as they wrap up the 2023 school year. This event is sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Schools Foundation and is always highly anticipated!

Business owners can also join us Wednesday, May 17 for Part 2 of our Small Business Workshop featuring Shon Christy of Shon Christy Social Media, who will continue discussing social media marketing and maximizing organic exposure for your business.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the upcoming 2nd Annual Elite Business Awards on Wednesday, May 24. Nominations close soon for Business of the Year, Emerging Leader of the Year, the Mayor(s) Awards and the Good Neighbor Award. Go to the Chamber website to nominate your favorite business for this opportunity to be in the spotlight!

All these programs and more can be found on the Chamber website and event page at www.smfcc.com.

And that's all for this week. Local events and programs are getting cranked up as summer approaches, so if your group has something going on, just let us know and we'll get it in The Spotlight ASAP. The more people that know, the more people that will go. Have a great week ahead, and we'll do this again next Friday!