Today is Sept. 26, 2024.

• Happy fall! It’s almost like someone flipped a switch: Daily high temperatures have dropped a good 10 degrees since summer ended last weekend, and we’re in line for more of the same this weekend — starting today when it’s still going to be humid but the high will only hit 74. It’s going to be cloudy in the morning, with times of sun and clouds in the afternoon; tonight’s low will be 63. Temps will stay in the mid- to low 70s over the weekend before daytime highs start to drop into the 60s by Tuesday, with overnight lows sinking into the mid-40s. In other words, those patented crisp, autumn Northeast Ohio nights are just about here.
  

• SPEAKING OF AUTUMN: The leaves on some of our trees are already starting to change color, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says fall colors in Northeast Ohio should peak this year from about Oct. 7 to Oct. 14. The ODNR is tracking fall color throughout the state with weekly updates at fallcolor.ohiodnr.gov. Heading out of state? Then go to this page to track leaf color change across the country.
  

• SMF HOMECOMING PARADE ROAD CLOSURE: Due to the Stow-Munroe Falls Homecoming Parade, Graham Road will be closed to eastbound and westbound traffic in front of the high school from approximately 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Read more on the Homecoming Parade and Festival further down this newsletter.
  

• MUNROE FALLS JOB OPENINGS: The City of Munroe Falls has job openings in the police department, service department and for seasonal leaf pickup workers. Go here for information and applications.
  

• MUNROE FALLS LEAF PICKUP: The City of Munroe Falls’ 2024 Leaf Pickup Program will begin Monday, Oct. 28. Go to this page for details.
  

• SUMMIT COUNTY RESIDENTS WON’T GET TAX RELIEF FROM AUGUST STORMS: If you sustained damage to your property during those big storms back in August and were hoping to get some real estate tax relief to help offset costs … well, it’s not going to happen. On Sept. 19, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency informed the Summit County Department of Public Safety that Summit County did not meet the necessary thresholds to qualify for state or federal disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the U.S. Small Business Administration. Read the Summit County Preliminary Damage Assessment Letter here.
  

• VOTING SCHEDULE FOR THE 2024 NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION: Military & Overseas Absentee Voting: Began Sept. 20; Deadline to Register to Vote: Oct. 7 (boards open until 9 p.m.); Early In-Person Voting: Begins Oct. 8 (includes the two Saturdays and the two Sundays before Election Day); Absentee Voting By Mail: Begins Oct. 8; Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5 (polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5. For more information, go to this page.
  

• WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE SMF SCHOOLS BOND ISSUE? The Spotlight is taking the pulse of the Stow-Munroe Falls community on the upcoming $238 million, 35-year bond issue the school district is putting on the November ballot to build five new schools. If passed, the 8.89-mill bond issue would increase property taxes for owners of homes valued at $200,000 by nearly $622 annually. Send us your comments on the issue, and we will publish them as we get them in our “Reader Spotlight” feature (detailed below).
  

• “Reader Spotlight” is a forum where you can send us your comments, concerns and suggestions on anything going on in our communities of Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake. Send your email to [email protected], put “Reader Spotlight” in the subject line, and please include your name and town (recommended but not required for publication). We will publish comments as we receive them.
  

• If you just subscribed or missed something in an earlier newsletter, don’t fret: Subscribers have access to every edition of The Spotlight at www.stowmunroefalls.com. Check out back issues to catch up on everything that’s going on in our communities — you never know what you might have missed!

⭐ Several stories in this issue are only available to premium subscribers: Craft beer fest, Stow judge removed from office, homecoming, Halloween decoration tour and more local news. Full access is just $2.99/month.

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Election

Decision 2024: Candidates Night is coming to the Acker-Moore Post in Stow on Oct. 8

The Stow group Citizens for Nonpartisan Politics (CNP) is sponsoring its 14th annual Candidates Night for local, district, statewide and other races. Candidates Night will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Acker-Moore Memorial Post at 3733 Fishcreek Rd. in Stow. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Candidates Night is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be provided. Here’s what it will entail:

• Candidates will include those running for: Congress, Ohio Supreme Court justices, state senator, state representative, appeals court judges, common pleas court judges, county prosecutor, common pleas court clerk, sheriff, fiscal officer and Summit County Council (District 3).

• Each candidate will be allotted two minutes to present their background and qualifications, followed by a timed question-and-answer session where each candidate will answer two questions.

• If a candidate is unable to attend, they are permitted to send a representative who will have two minutes to present the candidate’s background and/or position but will not be part of the Q&A.

• Members of the CNP Governmental Affairs Committee developed the questions the moderator will ask. The candidates will not receive or have access to any questions prior to Candidates Night.

• There will be no debates.

CNP Secretary Tom Stephan will serve as both MC and moderator for the event. CNP member Ellen Coughlin, along with community representative Kem Cook, will serve as timekeepers.

Letter to the editor: SMF Chamber of Commerce supports the schools’ bond issue

“The Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce held its Lunch & Learn with Leaders Series on September 17th at the SMF High School Fieldhouse. Superintendent Dr. Felisha Gould, along with Treasurer Patrick Goclano, Assistant Superintendent Kristen Prough, and Director of Operations Mark Treen, discussed the upcoming November bond issue. They provided key insights into the district’s strategic plan, specifically addressing Goal #4, the outdated infrastructure of the schools, some of which are over 80 years old. It was noted that it cost the district $500,000 just to prepare the schools for this year due to failing building systems which are now more expensive to maintain or retrofit than to start fresh with something new.

“Dr. Gould emphasized and clarified that the operating levy, which our community has gratefully renewed or passed most recently, fund daily school expenses only, while the bond issue is reserved for capital improvements like new facilities or large equipment needs. This distinction is important for voters to understand. The last time Stow had a bond issue was when the new high school was built.

“As the Executive Director of the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce and a member of the facility planning committee, I’ve witnessed and have been a part of the discussions revolved around the school facilities since I came on board in 2021. This is an enormous undertaking. The consensus is that our schools need investment just like other vital community services, such as police, fire, and parks.

“The question is why? Well, from an economic development perspective, and beyond benefiting students, modern schools increase property values for all. They attract families and businesses, spurring economic growth. They also foster community pride and serve as hubs for local events. Strong schools build long-term community stability, making the community more desirable for families and businesses alike.

“Investing in schools is an investment in the entire community’s future. It’s time to make the investment, it’s not going to get any less expensive if we wait. Investing in educational infrastructure is not just about educating children — it’s about creating a stronger, more vibrant, and prosperous community for all.”

Julie McLain
Executive Director, Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce

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