By Emily Chesnic
At the Feb. 10 regular meeting of Council, Northfield officials paused, remembering a former fireman and supporter of the village, who passed away the night prior.
A moment of silence was held – at the request of Mayor Jesse Nehez – to think of the contributions to the community made by Frank Guffin and to pray for his family.
Fire Chief Jason Buss said the Northfield Village Fire Department was called to a medical emergency Feb. 9 and it was for Guffin, who served 30 years with the fire department, starting in 1976 when the organization was run by volunteers.
He said Guffin was instrumental in putting together the first hazmat vehicle in Summit County – transforming a 7-Up truck to use on calls involving potentially hazardous materials.
Guffin, serving with the department and the hazmat team, is a former lieutenant, chief and fire inspector for Northfield Village.
Buss said Guffin was highly involved with the new fire station, building counter tops, and installing cabinets.
“He has his hands all over the village,” he said.
When Buss started with the department in 1999, Guffin was one of the first individuals he interacted with. Buss immediately recognized Guffin’s desire to help others, with him not becoming the chief as a step in his career but to make a difference in the community.
“He put the community first and tried to make Northfield Village better. He helped anyone who would ask,” he said. “It was very sad to hear he passed last night.”
Buss said his department would put something together “formerly” to recognize Guffin’s service and contributions to the community.
“It is a very sad thing,” said Councilman Gary Vojtush, who was Guffin’s friend and served as fire chief for the department, as well. “He and his wife, Sue, were always there if someone needed help. He will be missed. His son, Kenny, was on the department for a while, also.”
In other meeting news, Nehez said he is hopeful Gov. Mike DeWine will be able to soon lift the curfew that is in place due to COVID-19 so more recreational activities can take place again in the community.
“It all depends how everything goes,” he said.
Rental Assistance Program
Law Director Brad Bryan announced at the meeting, Summit County will be receiving, through the state, millions of dollars to distribute by the end of the year to help renters struggling to make their payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said when information is available, it will be put up on the village’s website for renters who are facing financial hardships during this time.
Requirements will have to be met to be considered for the monetary assistance being offered, added Bryan.
Fire Report
Buss gave a fire report at the meeting, which included a reminder that COVID-19 still represents a significant concern to many residents, as Summit County is seeing a death rate from the disease of 1.2 percent.
He said vaccinations of paramedics has been completed, with both doses being received.
“All providers who wished to receive the vaccine had the opportunity. No one was forced to receive the vaccine. It is not mandatory,” said Buss.
Police Report
At the meeting, Police Chief John Zolgus reported the department’s call volume remains on the lower side so far this year.
He noted the 2021 budget for the department has been finalized.
Zolgus told Council the 800 mhz radios should be up and running by the end of this month or the beginning of March.