YOUR INFORMATION NEWSLETTER FROM NORTHFIELD CENTER TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE PAUL G. BUESCHER
~ KEEPING NCT RESIDENTS INFORMED SINCE 2005 ~
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#482 FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017
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LOCAL LAWS AND YOU
The following is a brief synopsis on the five issues that generate the most complaints in our Township and which generate the most frequently asked questions year after year. Please take a few moments to review these:
RECREATIONAL FIRES:
When it comes to “burning” there are both rules and common sense. Recreational fires ARE permitted provided that the fuel is clean wood and no more than 3 feet in diameter and no more than 2 feet tall. The fire must be contained in a safe area such as a fire pit and well away from any structures. You must also have either a shovel or a garden hose handy to control the fire and someone must be present at all times. Most problems are created when excessive smoke is generated and this is usually the result of green wood, wet wood or rubbish. This is where some common sense comes into play.
STREET PARKING:
Parking on Township streets is permitted but NOT on the fire hydrant side. This has been in effect since 2010, and was enacted to prevent parking on both sides of the street, which hindered our fire and rescue vehicles from passing through. It is strongly suggested that residents advise their guests about this because illegal parking could result in a $125 ticket!
BLOCKING SIDEWALKS:
Ohio Revised Code section 4511.68(A)(1) specifically prohibits the blocking of public sidewalks by any means. The Sheriff’s Office asked me to remind folks about this, particularly those living in the Rolling Brooke area. Complaints have been received concerning vehicles parked in driveways across sidewalks. This presents a danger to people walking. If you have company, advise your overflow guests to park in the street on the opposite side of the fire hydrants.
SPEEDING:
Speeding is the number one complaint throughout the Township. The residential speed limit on all Township streets is 25MPH (35MPH on County Roads). The Sheriff’s Office will continue enforcement efforts with the full backing of the Board of Trustees. It should be noted that many of the speeders stopped by the Sheriff’s Office are local residents!
NOISE:
Quiet hours in our Township are observed from 11PM to 7AM. Residents are encouraged to use some common sense by showing a little courtesy towards their neighbors. Those neighbors might not share the same enthusiasm for your late-night festivities due to their early morning work hours and other commitments. Our Sheriff’s Office enforces our Summit County noise ordinance. Remember that even excessive and constant noise during the day (barking dogs, radios, etc.) could also result in complaints answered by a deputy!
A REVIEW OF THE GUIDELINES FOR THIS NEWSLETTER
I have been keeping about 950 Northfield Center households informed on Township issues since I was first elected as a Trustee in 2005. Those issues include both the good and bad. They are discussed with facts and my commentary and I welcome both compliments and criticism through columns titled, “Questions & Answers” and “YOUR General Comments.” At least once a year or so I like to remind everyone of the guidelines I use in producing this newsletter. Please take a few moments to review the following to lessen the chances of any misunderstandings:
1. ALL comments and questions are subject to publication. I answer questions submitted not only by email but also asked via phone and through personal contacts. If one person has a question then it’s a good bet that others have the same question on their mind and therefore I feel it’s important to share the information with everyone.
2. ALL questions MUST include your name, address and phone number. This information is for me only and will NEVER be published unless it is clearly understood that you want me to. If this information is not provided I reserve the right to not respond. This is especially important when I am asked to take official action on a concern or issue. I’ve been duped in the past by a few unscrupulous individuals claiming to be someone that they are not.
3. When submitting comments, you are asked to keep them as short as possible and to be respectful. If you want your name published with your comments you need to type the word “Signed” next to your name. Otherwise your submission will be treated as anonymous.
4. There is no set publication schedule. I have published several in one week and sometimes none for a few weeks. Everything depends on the issues at hand.
5. Among the 950 or so readers are not only Northfield Center residents but some from surrounding communities, those who have moved from the area but still want to keep in touch and most of your area elected officials. Our local and regional newspapers, radio and TV stations are also included on my mailing list.
6. The newsletter is private and in no way, is associated officially with Northfield Center Township. I publish it at my own expense and time. The comments that I write are mine and do not necessarily reflect the feelings of my fellow Trustees. Likewise, the comments expressed by my readers under “YOUR general comments” are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect my feelings.
7. I send my newsletter in several batches under “Blind Copy.” In doing so, some Internet provider filters detect this as Spam. Please check to make sure you are able to receive my newsletter through these filters. If there is a problem, the newsletter might end up in your Spam folder!
8. I will never sell or otherwise divulge your personal information, including your email address, to anyone without your explicit permission. I can do this because this is a PRIVATE newsletter!
Again, I thank you for your interest and encourage you to chime in once in a while with your questions and comments. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
21 Things a Burglar Won’t Tell You
Is it a crime to spend money on a home security system these days?
A look inside the mind of convicted burglars will help you decide.
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.
12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: Loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
17. Your alarm only works if it’s on. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
20. Lock your windows. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
21. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, and Kentucky; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q >>> – I am still waiting for a response to this email from Feb. What is going on with the guard rails under the bridge on olde 8 near highland? ….I thought these were supposed to be installed in August?
A >>> – Please forgive me for not replying to your question. I remember it but cannot, for the life of me, remember what happened to it. No excuses, my fault. Anyway, what I found out is this ….. The County Engineer started the project and then found out that the area beneath the bridge is a STATE right-of-way and that it’s the State’s responsibility to do the work. Right now our Road Supervisor is trying to find out from the State as to what their intentions are. This has been going on for quite some time so we will be turning up the pressure to get this done. All I can say is, stay tuned!
Q >>> – Hi Paul, if I place a sign on my house or in my yard “No Solicitors” wouldn’t that place an umbrella over all people door to door? My kids are outside etc., with the utilities scam & ice cream criminals it concerns me even more to cut grass while they play or ride bikes.
A >>> – “No Solicitor” signs should cover most door to door ‘visitors’ but “No Trespassing” signs will. Something to remember about trespassing ….. Anyone who enters a property that is not their own or on public property is technically trespassing. When a sign is clearly posted “No Trespassing” and/or a person is told to leave and doesn’t, that person is criminally trespassing and could be subject to arrest.
YOUR GENERAL COMMENTS
NOTE – If you would like your name to appear under your
Comments, please type the word “Signed” next to your name
No submissions received
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Thank you,
Paul G. Buescher
Northfield Center Twp. Trustee – Chairman
330-467-9451
This newsletter was produced through my 5-kilowatt SOLAR power system!
