Keyser Barn Renovation Nearing Completion

Reconstruction is about 70 percent complete, but city leaders are still searching for fresh volunteers to get the job done.

After weeks of reconstruction, the Keyser Park barn is beginning to look like its old self. Three of the four walls have been re-sided with volunteers currently laboring to rebuild the fourth, fresh coats of paint have added new life to the aging structure, and within weeks, the barn will be completely restored. “We’re about 70 percent done overall,” said Cuyahoga Falls Law Director Paul Janis who’s leading the volunteer effort. After the final wall is rebuilt, city and volunteer members will get to work on the doors and windows. The Keyser barn bicentennial dedication ceremony will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 3:30 p.m., said Cuyahoga Falls Service Director Valerie Wax Carr. An ice cream social will run from 3 to 5 p.m. and The …

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City Settles Lawsuit With Beaver Excavating Over Dam Removal

The settlement will prevent Cuyahoga Falls from awarding a $1 million contract to RiverReach Construction for the removal of the LeFever and Sheraton Dams. City officials will have to re-bid the project.

Cuyahoga Falls officials settled with Beaver Excavating on Friday, just two days after the Canton-based construction company filed suit against the city.  Per the settlement, the city has agreed to "redo the procurement process," said Cuyahoga Falls Law Director, Paul Janis in a phone interview with Patch on Friday evening. Regarding the process, the "City of Cuyahoga Falls did not have the authority to release this as a design-build project, and the (Ohio Revised Code, Section 153.65) they're relying on does not go into effect until June, said Beaver Excavating contract administrator, Matt Sterling, in an interview last week.  Legally, they shouldn’t be selling a design-build and they should be rebidding it as a design-bid-build project…

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Natatorium Discounts For Gay Couples on Parks Board Agenda Today

Controversial issue to be decided during 5:30 p.m. meeting at Natatorium.

  The question of whether gay, married couples should be eligible for family memberships at the Natatorium will likely be answered today by the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board. Board president Tim Gorbach said the issue is on the agenda for the board's 5:30 p.m. meeting today at the Natatorium, and that a decision will be reached. The topic has been garnering headlines since Akron newlyweds Shane and Coty May were denied family membership status at the Nat in early January because the parks board – which sets the facility's rates – did not consider their marriage legal. On Feb. 8, Cuyahoga Falls Law Director Paul Janis released a 10-page legal opinion stating that City Council could override the board’s authority and establish …

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Falls City Council OKs Measure to Curb Utility Bill Delinquencies

The ordinance passed 11-0 at Monday night's regular City Council meeting at the Natatorium.

  The Cuyahoga Falls City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to pass an ordinance intended to create more accountability and curb delinquencies among utility customers. Prior to approval at Monday night’s regular meeting, Ward 3 city councilman Ken Barnhart asked to table the vote at the request of constituents, namely landlords, who wanted to discuss the issue further at next week’s committee meeting. The motion failed 6 to 5. The new ordinance will require utility customers to show proof of ownership or tenancy, so that accounts are established with the proper names, said law director Paul Janis. Originally, an account could be created in anyone’s name, which, city officials feel, contributed to a rise in delinquencies. “It’s …

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Gay Couple Seeking Family Natatorium Membership Considers Next Steps

The Akron couple was not surprised that their membership request was denied, and has not decided whether to make a formal request to city council or the recreation board to reconsider.

  A month ago, Shane and Coty May were newlyweds seeking a discounted Natatorium gym membership. Today, they’re at the center of a heated local debate over gay marriage and whether their home town should recognize it or not. In early January, the couple applied for a family membership at the Natatorium, they were turned down because the Parks and Recreation Board did not consider their marriage legal. Wednesday, Cuyahoga Falls Law Director Paul Janis released a 10-page legal opinion, stating that the City Council could override the board’s authority and establish new membership categories for the fitness center, but the council isn't required to since same-sex marriage isn't recognized in Ohio. The parks board also can create alternative …

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Natatorium Issue: City Not Required to Offer Same-Sex Discount Memberships

Law Director Paul Janis says the City's Parks and Recreation Board has the authority to make its own ruling on the matter.

Poll: Where Do You Stand on the Natatorium Issue?

Cuyahoga Falls Patch wants to hear from its readers as city officials decide whether or not same-sex, married couples should be entitled to family-rate memberships at the fitness center.

  The Natatorium’s rules currently don’t allow for same-sex married couples to obtain discounted, family-rate gym memberships. After reviewing the matter, lawyers at the ACLU say there’s no law stopping the city fitness center from recognizing gay married couples as families, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Mayor Don Robart, the Cuyahoga Falls City Council and Law Director Paul Janis are currently looking into the issue and are figuring out how it should be handled and who should handle it.

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Pastor Chris

1:35 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

This dialogue is very intriquing. Vickie if you read all the posts I answered all of your questions already. First, this is not discrimination nor a violation of rights. They can & actually do have a membership to the Nat. Second, please realize this is about beliefs. The gay marriage side says we are imposing our views upon them (which have been the traditional values of our nation and community…   more ›