News-Journal from Mansfield, Ohio • 3

Ofoi (ten Keg torn For news items about Mansfield City Government, call Kimberly Lancaster at 522-3311, Ext. 217, or (800) 472-5547 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Councilman's study finds no favoritism By Kimberly Lancaster Newi Journal the $1,032 claim for damages incurred during that time. Also in the 2nd Ward, the Marion Avenue property owner received $232.66 when a sewer line dumped sewage into his basement.

The sanitary sewer line was known by the city to be problematic, and the city had prior notice about the problem. The other property owner on Scholl Road in the 7th Ward, was paid $260 for the same problem. The street department noted on this claim that several calls had been made in the past about rain-related backups with the line. Of the 29 claims filed against the city after council passage of the sewer assistance fund bill in 1989, 14 property owners received partial assistance for damages caused by city sewer backup. Eight properties south of Park Avenue and six properties north of Park Avenue were awarded partial payment.

logue on the floor of council was going beyond the bounds of propriety. There is a tendency to get into name calling, questioning integrity and questioning motives," Robinson said. "To have name calling and these kinds of unsubstantiated remarks go unchallenged, it was time for someone to stand up and say enough is enough." Knowing the work done by council members on the claims committee, it is offensive to the whole council to be accused of favoring those with influence or money, he said. The debate between Washington and Heuss began when a citizen approached council about a sewer backup and accused the group of favoring claims filed by south-end residents. Heuss denied any unfair treatment, but Washington said he has witnessed such bias in the past.

There is preferential treatment given to the south end of town," Washington stated at the council meeting. "Mark is entitled to his opinion and you know, when he takes offense at that, then he has a problem, because it is true." Robinson said anyone council members and citizens has a responsibility to back up such statements with facts and figures. He said his study has proven Washington's statements unfair and unsubstantiated by fact. "To question the integrity and the honesty of the council people, I felt that couldn't go on," Robinson said. "Those attacks were directed against the Republican members of council, and as the leader of the Republicans, I felt I had to take a stand.

"But it would be no more acceptable if the charges were made against the Democrats." Robinson's study found that the claim on Ohio Street in the 2nd Ward involved a residence not being hooked up to a new city-installed sanitary sewer line. The law director found the city negligent for this and paid cTo have name calling and these kinds of unsubstantiated remarks go unchallenged, it was time for someone to stand up and say enough is enough." C. David Robinson, 7th Ward coucilman considered independently of all other claims and independent of its location. Their locations are coincidence." He said he undertook, the task of completing the study because of comments made by 6th Ward Councilman Henry Washington and 2nd Ward Councilman Mark Heuss at an Aug. 4 council meeting.

"I was concerned that some of the dia MANSFIELD There is no pattern of favoritism shown by the city in awarding sewer claims, according to a city councilman's study of the past 10 years of such claims. Seventh Ward Councilman C. David Robinson said he found 65 sewer claims filed against the city between 1983 and the present, and only three of those claims were paid in full. All three properties were located south of Park Avenue, but Robinson the properties also lie in federally designated low- to moderate-income areas that receive community development block grant monies one on Marion Avenue at Vennum Avenue, one on Ohio Street and one on Scholl Road. "There is not systematic pattern tied to one area of the city or one ward," Robinson said.

"A citizen has a right to have a claim 'Company' cynical yet sentimental Sondheim musical Grestliner charged Optical official accused of theft By Peggy Welch Mershon Newi Journal Review lit MANSFIELD There's a theater company. There's a business company. There's company who comes to dinner. And there's company you keep. At Richland Academy of the Arts on Friday night there was a theater company you'd like to keep together for a long time.

Stephen Sondheim's cynical yet sentimental musical, "Company," is about five married couples, their Single best friend, Robert, and his lack of commitment especially to a trio of impossible dreamgirls. It's a New York parable, full of strong relationships and language. Marc Crumrine brings the necessary charisma to the central role of Robert. Real-life husband-and-wife Joe and Julie Janisch have a hilarious karate scene. Mike Peerenboom land Carol Allen puff pot convincingly to the utter delight of the audience.

Kent Zimmerman and Laurie Carto are the young lovers who finally wed, despite a manic panic of a patter song wonderfully done by jCarto. Amy Roach and John Hildebrand jare the couple who are just as com-Imitted after divorce as during marriage. And director Larry Evans steps into spotlight to play a doting husband to the caustic Kathy Grogg who shines with "The Ladies Who Lunch." Emily Dreher, Vicki Bates and Janette Hawley are delightfully dotty as Robert's reasons not to marry. James Lewis's black-and-white architectural set is full of crafty building blocks, and the lighting by Jeffrey M. Gress moves the moods very well.

Nothing's easy about Sondheim. You have to listen closely to catch all the wit, and you won't leave humming any of the tunes the best known is "Being Alive" but the effort is worth it for a memorable evening, an evening with challenging, but delightful company. "Company" will also be presented Saturday and Aug. 21-22 at 8 p.m. and Aug.

23 at 2 p.m. at the Richland Academy of the Arts, 75 N. Walnut St. Reserved-seat tickets for evening shows cost $12 and for the matinee, $10. Students and senior citizens pay $2 less.

Prices include snacks, and a cash bar is available. Tickets may be purchased at the academy or by calling calling 522-8224 with a VISA or Mastercard. -7 By Kimberly Lancaster Newi Journal COLUMBUS A Crestline woman who is the executive director of the Optical Licensing Board has been charged with theft in office, a third-degree felony. Gladys Burkhart, wife of Crestline Mayor Vernon Henderson, will appear before Judge Patrick McGrath on Aug. 31 for illegally incurring significant costs to the state, according to Rick Whitehouse, Franklin County assistant prosecutor for the white-collar criminal division.

Whitehouse said Franklin County Prosecutor Michael Miller's office filed a bill of information Friday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court as the result of a two-month investigation by the state inspector general's office. Burkhart faces a maximum 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine, Geier said. He added that Burkhart waived her right to a jury trial upon advice of counsel. Inspector General David Sturtz released the findings of his office's investigation last month in a 60-page report. Sturtz's report alleged Burkhart owes the state $13,718 for improper activities while in office.

She was placed on unpaid leave in May when the investigation began. Sturtz's report listed eight allegations backed up by evidence found during his office's investigation. Some of those allegations include making personal long-distance telephone calls at state expense, converting state property for personal use, submitting false time and travel expense reports and nepotism. A May 1 search warrant of her Crestline home and office turned up hundreds of dollars in state equipment illegally removed from Burkhart's office, including an answering machine, an adding machine and a telephone. Burkhart's Columbus attorney Tom Tyack did not return messages left at his office.

Burkhart, a 49-year-old Crestline lawyer, is paid $55,328 a year for her position as executive secretary, which she has held since 1979. A 1- WW fjx W. CACY wins award for drug prevention By Stephen Price News Journal Hammering home his point Tim Owens, 12, the son of Lynn and Jim Owens of Madison, winds up the mallet Friday at the High Striker game at the Richland County Fair. Dave Crawford, owner of the game, said the ring-the-bell challenge dates back to the 1850s. (Photo by Rick Hannon) Voinovich launches fight against state waste receive it.

When they applied for the award this year, Mayor Charles Scott, Superintendent of Richland County Schools David Cardwell, Mansfield Police Chief Lawrence Harper and Captain Phil Messer of METRICH, all wrote recommendations for CACY. In all, 10 communities and school and law prevention programs received awards for their work. Requirements for the award included having a clear "no use" message, a statement of detailed alcohol and other drug-related strategies and evidence of specific changes that have resulted from the program's efforts. The winners were selected by an external review committee made up of nine alcohol and other drug prevention specialists. Some of the programs that received awards will be recommended for national recognition later this year.

MANSFIELD Community Action for Capable Youth (CACY) recently received this year's Outstanding Community Prevention Award from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS). The agency edged out other state prevention programs vying for the recognition. "It makes us believe all the efforts have been in the right direction," said Karen Moody, CACY's director. "They certainly have not been in vain." She attributed the award not just to CACY, but to the support and prevention efforts of many other people and groups in Richland County, including schools and service clubs. Moody said CACY had applied for the award once before, but didn't agency heads more flexibility to carry out duties.

The bill includes provisions that require the advertising for bids for certain purchases in a monthly bulletin for providers, the establishment of minimum prices for surplus state property and the authority for the Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to contract with private and nonprofit corporations. Watts, who joined Voinovich at a news conference, said, "Taken individually, these do not look very significant, but as a package, they are very significant. They make government more businesslike." Voinovich said that nothing in the bill is controversial and that he worked with legislative leaders to separate its provisions from others that are sure to stir debate when he submits them to the Legislature. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Gov. George Voinovich on Friday signed a bill that he said marks the beginning of his efforts to streamline state government.

The new law implements 23 recommendations from the governor's Operations Improvements Task Force, which studied the state bureaucracy from top to bottom and came up with an estimated 1,600 proposals. "It's got to be made clear that this is just a beginning," the governor said, although he said 90 percent of the recommendations can be implemented without legislation and he is "moving aggressively" on those. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Eugene Watts, R-Columbus, addresses operations of departments and agencies such as purchasing, licensing and inter agency agreements. It also clarifies responsibilities and gives I are invited to a neighborhood workshop Wednesday at 6 p.m.

to discuss any complaints they may have about the city parks. The meeting, sponsored by the Mansfield City Parks Department, will be held at the North Lake Park pavilion, where a video tape of the parks and of crime prevention techniques will be shown. Residents in the neighborhoods of Maple Lake Park, South Park, Middle Park and North Lake Park are invited to attend. Make-up concert Wednesday BUCYRUS A special make-up concert will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Aumiller Park.

The John Kennedy Big Band will perform a concert that was rained out earlier. The band is known for performing the works of Glenn Miller, Harry James, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton and many others. The concert will serve as a warm-up for the annual appearance of the band at the Bratwurst Festival. importance of non-profit organizations. Registration for the workshop is limited to 50 persons.

The cost is $15, which includes lunch and materials. For additional information or to register, contact the Volunteer Center at 525-2816. Singles to cook out Tuesday MANSFIELD Singles Over Sixty (S.O.S.) will hold a cook-out with salad bar Tuesday at 6 p.m. at South Park on Brinkerhoff Avenue. Those attending should meet at the outside grill on theeft side of the pavilion and bring meat to grill and buns, table service and beverage, as well as one item for the salad bar and a favorite salad dressing.

Lettuce will be furnished. Westside parks topic of meeting MANSFIELD Residents of the city's west side The Marion County Guard detachment of 'Company of the 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, sponsored by the Marion County Historical Society, will have a display of Civil War material and perform a Civil War manual of arms and bayonet drill. The program will be held on the lawn at the church and the public is invited. Board workshop planned MANSFIELD A board training workshop titled "Essentials of Successful Boards" is scheduled for Aug. 26 from 9 a.m.

to 3 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Richland County, Leadership Unlimited Alumni and the Richland County Foundation. The facilitator will be Kenneth Kovach, manager of training and development at United Way Services of Cleveland. Participants of the workshop will gain an understanding of the significance of voluntarism and the TV6850 moving to new site MANSFIELD WMFD Television 6850 will be moving to a new transmitter site beginning Monday. Moving antennas, transmitters and technical equipment will require the station to go off the air on occasion for a matter of hours.

Station officials say they will try to keep interruptions to a minimum and during daytime hours. The move should be complete by Sept. 1. Historical society picnics today MOUNT GILEAD The annual picnic of the Morrow County Historical Society will be held today at the Pleasant Grove Church of Christ in the Fellowship Hall. Members are asked to'bring food for sharing and their own table service.

The museum will be open and the program will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:30..