Everything Conneaut Ohio Welcomes DVR Systems

Despite facing some challenges in 2009 and 2010, Everything Conneaut Ohio has managed to overcome the adversity and gather momentum as 2011 quickly approaches.

The administration for Everything Conneaut Ohio is pleased to announce that DVR Systems has joined on as our latest partner and supporter of the Everything Conneaut Ohio website.

DVR Systems is a locally based company, that is nationally recognized for its superior services in providing DVR Systems, CCTV Cameras and Accesories, IP Cameras and more.

You can visit their website at www.dvrsystems.net or check out their ad here.

If you would like to advertise your business with Everything Conneaut Ohio in 2011, please contact Katie Schwartz via email or phone at 440-812-8790.

Thanks!

Conneaut Chamber Chooses Canton ?

After a long reprieve, I am back -and my question this month is... How can Conneaut grow if Conneaut's Chamber of Commerce is choosing to take their business to Canton, Ohio ?

While updating the calendar of events for the Everything Conneaut Ohio site, I noticed that the Conneaut Chamber of Commerce has updated their website. When I clicked on the designer credited at the bottom of the page (Conquest Creative), I noticed that the company is based out of Canton, Ohio not Conneaut, Ohio.

If you are a chamber member, I urge to take a minute and think about how your membership dollars are being spent -- It's time to invest in Conneaut, and keep our marketing dollars local.

WWOW Back on Air

Today's the day... WWOW is back on air! According to a statement issued by Gary Gersin of W-Wow, "We are in the process of working on keeping WWOW in Conneaut.
After 51 years on the air in Conneaut... it was decided that the studios and offices were going to be moved to help cut the financial burden and operating expenses and to allow WWOW to continue."

Starting today, WWOW will be back with an all new morning show that will air from 6AM to 10AM Monday –Friday. For now the morning show will be dedicated to local and national news, weather, sports, local announcements and other timely discussions along with a great mix of encouraging music. The new morning show will not be a call in show for the time being, as the owners are placing a focus on getting WWOW back on its feet. For more information, visit www.1360wwow.com. Welcome back W-WOW!!

City Manager's Future Still in Limbo...

"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here..." Like the famous verse, sang by the Oakridge Boys - A handful of Conneaut Citizens were hoping tonight would be the night that City Council and Conneaut alike would finally say goodbye to City Manager Robert Schaumleffel, Jr. Another handful of citizens were begging council to allow the city manager to make this his home.

After more than 2 hours in an executive session, City Council took to the floor to vote on a motion to revoke the three reading rule and vote on a resolution for Council President, Thomas Udell to ask for Schaumleffel's resignation...The motion failed 3-2 with Council-At-Large John Roach and Council President Thomas Udell voting no. Abstaining from the vote was Council-At-Large Candidate Robert Naylor.

The vote failed since 67% of the vote is needed to approve the motion. Interestingly enough, it was John Roach who changed his position. At the last Council Meeting Councilman Roach voted to alleive the city manager of his duties siting his reasoning as "the city manager was seeking other employment", and it is unclear at this time why he may have suddenly had a change of heart.

Currently the Ward 4 position is still open and Council President Thomas Udell is accepting resumes at this time. As for the rest of this story...Conneaut City Council will either need to call an emergency meeting or wait 2 weeks for the second reading.

To be determined...

Everything Conneaut Ohio Welcomes Lake Erie Automotive

Everything Conneaut Ohio is pleased to announce that Lake Erie Automotive is our latest partner on the site. Offering both routine automotive service and complex automotive solutions, Lake Erie Automotive was voted Conneaut's BEST Automotive Service Provider. We hope you will get behind the wheel and drive your business to Lake Erie Automotive. They are located at 398 Main Street in Conneaut, Ohio.

Ward 4 Councilman Dino Julio Resigns

Ward 4 Councilman, Tony "Dino" Julio resigned at Monday night's council meeting.
If you live in Ward 4 and would like to submit your resume to be considered for the position, contact Tom Udell - Conneaut's Council President.

2010 Advertising Options Update....

It is that time of year! Can you believe it, we are celebrating our 1 year anniversary... and with our anniversary is coming several exciting changes. We have introduced the Conneaut's BEST contest which runs until April 1st. The business that wins "The Best" in their category will have a seal featured on their ad on the Everything Conneaut Ohio website. Also, we are planning on introducing 2 new categories this year... Beauty Salons and Wineries! If you are looking for a cost effective form of reaching Conneaut Ohio residents, advertising on the Everything Conneaut Ohio site is your answer! Here are the available categories and number of ads available on a first-come, first-serve basis - remember, we limit our ads to a maximum of 3 ads per page!!!

About Us - 2
Attorneys - 3
Auto Dealers - 1
Auto Repair- 2
Auto Towing - 3
Banks - 3
Coins - 3
Dentists - 3
Heating and Air - 3
Hospitals - 3
Landscaping- 3
Pest Control - 2
Pet Grooming - 2
Roofing - 2
Snow Plowing - 2
Storage - 2
Restaurants - 2
News - 3
Boat and Fish Charters - 2
Fish Conneaut Creek - 1
Conneaut Churches - 3
Conneaut Coupons - Unlimited!
History - 3
Getting Here - 3
Beauty Salons - 3 (NEW!)
Wineries - 3 (NEW!)
Where to Stay - 1
Real Estate - 3
Where to Eat - 3
Pizza - 1
Construction - 1

Call or email katief@ptd.net to reserve your ads today!

Conneaut City Council Fires City Manager

Monday night was a work session, then a short break for executive session, then a work session again, as the members of Conneaut City Council took to their seats and the camera's came back on as a vote was taken. The motion to "alleviate the city manager of his duties and start looking for a new city manager" was made by Ward 2 Councilman Charlie Lewis, and seconded by Ward 1 Councilman, Dave Campbell. The motion was made after Conneaut City Manager, Robert Schaumleffel refused to answer a question posed by Lewis on whether or not he was seeking employment elsewhere.

The motion on the floor passed in a 4-2 vote , sending Schaumleffel packing asap. Opposed to alleviating Mr. Schaumleffel from his duties, was Ward 4 Councilman Julio and Council President, Tom Udell. Abstaining from the vote was At-Large-Councilman Robert Naylor.

The vote took place at the tail-end of the meeting, leaving some audience members in shock and visably upset including assistant law director, Luke Gallagher who boisterously proclaimed his diguist vocally after the meeting was adjurned but while the camera's were still rolling...

2010 Advertising Options- Everything Conneaut Ohio Website

It is that time of year! Can you believe it, we are celebrating our 1 year anniversary... and with our anniversary is coming several exciting changes. We have introduced the Conneaut's BEST contest which runs until April 1st. The business that wins "The Best" in their category will have a seal featured on their ad on the Everything Conneaut Ohio website. Also, we are planning on introducing 2 new categories this year... Beauty Salons and Wineries! If you are looking for a cost effective form of reaching Conneaut Ohio residents, advertising on the Everything Conneaut Ohio site is your answer! Here are the available categories and number of ads available on a first-come, first-serve basis - remember, we limit our ads to a maximum of 3 ads per page!!!

About Us - 2
Attorneys - 3
Auto Dealers - 1
Auto Repair- 2
Auto Towing - 1
Banks - 3
Coins - 3
Dentists - 3
Heating and Air - 3
Hospitals - 3
Landscaping- 3
Pest Control - 2
Pet Grooming - 2
Roofing - 2
Snow Plowing - 2
Storage - 2
Restaurants - 2
News - 3
Boat and Fish Charters - 2
Fish Conneaut Creek - 1
Conneaut Churches - 3
Conneaut Coupons - Unlimited!
History - 3
Getting Here - 3
Beauty Salons - 3 (NEW!)
Wineries - 3 (NEW!)

City of Conneaut Ohio Revokes Cease and Desist Letter

9 months after Conneaut City Manager, Robert Schaumleffel's comments at a May 2009 Conneaut City Council Meeting made national headlines, the
City of Conneaut Ohio has changed their position - effectively revoking the Cease and Desist Letter sent to Katie Schwartz,owner of http://www.everythingconneautohio.com.

In addition, the City of Conneaut Ohio issued a public statement in which an apology was given to Mrs. Schwartz the statement also referenced the cities recognition of freedom of speech. Acting Law Director, Luke Gallagher read a public statement at Monday night's meeting and also made several comments alluding to a monetary settlement. We caught up with Schwartz who confirmed that she settled with the City of Conneaut for a small sum of $2,500 and the promise of a public statement. Here is a copy of the letter sent to Schwartz and her attorney from the City of Conneaut's attorney - Tomino and Latchney...

TOMINO & LATCHNEY, LLC
A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
803 E.
Washington St. Suite 200
Medina, Ohio 44256

Telephone: (330) 723-4656
Facsimile: (330) 723-5445
E-mail: jlatchney@brightdsl.net
January 21, 2010

VIA FAX and E-MAIL:
brett@josephlawservices.com
Brett R. Joseph, Esq.
Joseph Law Services Co.,
LPA
256 Main Street
Conneaut, Ohio 44030

RE: Kathryn M. Schwartz v. The City of Conneaut, Ohio, et al.
U.S. District Court Case No. 1:09 CV 1222

Dear Brett:

Thank you for your thoughtful effort to resolve this
matter before the Mediation. Your efforts have resulted in a change of
position. Indeed, your client’s agreement to conditionally
accept the $2,500 offered in settlement engendered a willingness to issue a public statement by the Defendants. I have forwarded a copy of same and hope it meets your
approval.

While Mr. Schaumleffel remains unwilling to read it, Defendants are
willing to issue apress release to both the Star Beacon and the Courier,
i.e. taking the affirmative action of sending them the public statement.
Please advise whether this action is sufficient to satisfy
your client.
Given the time-sensitive nature of this matter, I look forward to
hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely yours,
TOMINO
& LATCHNEY, LLC, LPA
John D. Latchney

The public apology/statement will be sent to both The Star Beacon and The
Courier as confirmed by acting law director, Luke Gallagher at Monday Night's
Meeting. Here is a copy of the proposed statment slated to be sent to the above
media outlets via certified mail on Tuesday:

The City of Conneaut, by and through its representatives, Robert A. Schaumleffel, Jr. and Lori B. Lamer, withdraw the letter sent to Kathryn Schwartz dated May 15, 2009 relative to her website, www.everythingconneautohio.com.

The City of Conneaut and its administration unequivocally support the concepts of free speech and freedom of assembly as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. We further support entrepreneurship and appreciate Mrs. Schwartz’ efforts to contribute to the community in a meaningful way.

If any statement made at any public meeting was construed by Mrs. Schwartz as abridging her rights to free speech, we regret it. Certain comments made at a Council meeting were not intended to be directed to her personally, and the City and its administration apologize for its lack of clarity in making those comments. The intention was not to embarrass her or single her out for public ridicule and we regret if anything said was interpreted as anything more than a general criticism of others.

Certainly one lesson to be learned from this experience is that open dialogue and
communication is a key component to open government and governmental-citizen relations.

Conneaut Law Director Resigns

At Monday night's work session, Conneaut City Manager Robert Schaumleffel confirmed during his report that Conneaut Law Director, Lori Lamer has resigned from her position with the city.

Schaumleffel refused to elaborate on the issue since it directly relates with personnel. It is unclear at this time who will fill the position, however, Assistant Law Director, Luke Gallagher was present at Monday's meeting.

New Council OK with City Manager's Rental Arrangement

Conneaut City Council is OK with City Manager Robert Schaumleffel continuing to rent from his current landlord and newly elected council-at-large councilman, Robert Naylor.

During Monday night's work session, no objections were raised regarding what some may have thought could be a potential conflict of interest.

In other council news, Conneaut's budget is expected to be reviewed within the coming weeks.... according to talks at Monday night's meeting it is uncertain whether the budget will signify a bright financial future for Conneaut.