July 2015

TheA newsletter Auditor’s by Medina County Auditor, MikeLedger Kovack

A newsletter from Medina County Auditor, Mike Kovack January 2015

Srivastava and Tecco Named Students of the2015 Year Rohan SrivastavaSeals and Contest Nicole Tecco were recently namedRunners 2015's Medina Up County Kiwanis Students of the Year during an awards ceremony, which took place at Williams on the Lake.

Srivastava is not only ranked first in his class at Brunswick High School, (L-R) Rohan Srivastava and Nicole Tecco, Students of the Year, were recently but is also a member of Junior honored at the Medina County Kiwanis awards ceremony, coordinated Leadership Medina County, president by Mike Kovack, Medina County Auditor. Photo by Russ Huston of the Diversity2nd Place Winner:Club, 3rdKey Place Winner:Club, Ivy Ramey Mark Ziebro Spanish Club, and an AP Scholar. was a recipient of the of both the Student Council President’s Volunteer and National Honor He helped found the Professionals Service Award. He will be Society. Along with being of Tomorrow Club at his high attending the University senior class vice president, school and is active in "The Beat" of Cincinnati this fall for she is also yearbook video club. He is also a three- pre-med with the goal of editor, a peer leader and a year varsity soccer player and was going on to medical school. Hornet Mentor. She plans 6th Place Winner: captain of the team his seniorAlyssa Parsonsyear. to major in economics Srivastava was selected as Tecco attended Highland and international relations a Hugh O’Brien Leadership High School where she is and minor in Chinese. Scholar as a sophomore and a member, and president, Continue story on page 3.

Nine Students Recognized for Memorial Day Essays

Mike Kovack, Medina County Auditor, recently honored nine local sixth, seventh and eighth graders for their excellent Memorial Day essays at a ceremony in the Medina County Administration Building. (L-R) Mike Kovack, Rex Boyer, Josh Cogar, Laney Corell, Yuliza Grace, Shannon Boyle, Mary Watson, Nathan Gillin, Kotaro Kojima, Kei Kojima The Auditor’s Ledger Pg. 2 On Time. On Target. No Exceptions … with Panther Premium Logistics

Panther Premium Logistics, one of the times, and their on-time performance best-known providers of premium logistics surpasses 98.5%. Panther also has offices services, was founded in Medina County in Chicago, Atlanta,Kansas City, Miami and continues to operate in its newest and recently expanded to Loredo Texas. facility in Sharon Township at 84 Medina Road. A grand opening was held April 22. Honored in 2014 as one of the 99 Great Workplaces for Top Talent in Northeast Ohio, “It was important for us to stay in Medina Panther offers its employees an opportunity County where we’ve been since our founding to give back to the community through its in 1992,” said R. Louis Schneeberger, charitable activities with Red Cross blood president and chief executive officer. Panther drives, Salvation Army food drive and Angel had been operating out of two buildings in Tree program and the ALS Ice Bucket Seville, but now the 375 employees are under Challenge. The company is best known for one roof in their new 50,000 square foot hitting the road to raise funds for Toys for site. The building also has a 9,000 square Tots, bringing in over $75,000 in cash and foot service and installation bay to detail toy donations. Take a peek at the company’s and equip new trucks with satellite units. Facebook pictures and you’ll see Panther employees participating in Halloween Panther offers door-to-door expedited, less- costume contests, CEO Lou’s Luau and than-truckload and truckload services as well a 1990’s Dress Up Contest to celebrate as air and cargo services. Specializations the era in which Panther was founded. include time-sensitive, “white glove” and government secret-clearance deliveries. It’s nice to know that our corporate neighbor, Panther Premium Logistics, not The company, formerly known as Panther only provides benefits to its customers and Expedited Services, was bought in June Medina County, but also encourages an 2012 by the publicly traded ArcBest Corp. atmosphere of teamwork with its workers. With their roots based in expedited shipping, they remain obsessive about on-time delivery. In fact, they measure service within 15 minutes of promised pick-up and delivery Pg. 3 The Auditor’s Ledger Srivastava and Tecco named Students of the Year-Continued Black River High School − Logan Goff and Anna-Marie Stiver; She has been a scholar athlete for all Auditor Mike Kovack is the coordinator Brunswick High School − Rohan four years of high school. She plays of the program and all juniors and Srivastava and Megan Lear; softball and has been on the varsity seniors are eligible for the award. Buckeye High School − Keegan volleyball team for the past three years. Gallagher and Elizabeth Kisiday; Cloverleaf High School − Andrew Tecco qualified for the Student The Student of the Year Award is Jarrett and Janelle Jordan; of the Year by being named different from other awards in that Highland High School − Benjamin Highland High School's student the winners are picked by their peers Hauser and Nicole Tecco; of the month in December. instead of teachers, administrators, parents, or other judges. The two Medina County Career Center − The Kiwanis Student of the Month winners of the year are chosen Thomas Matheis and Program was started in 1973 and from the top students of the month. Deanna Drockton; recognizes students from the eight Medina High School − Thomas high schools in Medina County on The following are the students of Milam and Kira Palmer; a monthly basis. Medina County the year at their respective schools: Wadsworth High School − Robert Krueger and Sonia Potter.

Summer Activities with Children Sometimes it is hard to find something for kids There is a $50 charge for to do during summer break that doesn’t involve these classes which take place social media, video games or tv. Try something July 21-23 from 10 to noon. different this summer There are many local Classes are located at The attractions right here in Medina County that are Medina County District Library. bound to interest even the pickiest of children. The Lester Rail Trail provides train rides for both children and Take the kids to Buckin’ Ohio which is a adults around their miniature family-owned and operated bucking bull railroad and station house. All aboard on July 25 from 4-8 pm, and ranch. They have everything from pro bull again on September 19 from 12:30- 4:30 pm. For more details, visit www.medinacountyparks. The Medina County Arts Council is giving students an opportunity to explore hands-on craft working with mixed media and creating unique and creative projects.

Celebrate the Medina County Fair and Enter Auditor Kovack’s Coloring Contest

Calling all kids ages 10 and under! Auditor Mike Kovack is pleased to announce his first ever coloring contest for children, celebrating the Medina County Fair. Show your creativity and you may be a winner. Celebrate the Medina County Fair! Age Categories: Under 6 and 6 -10 years old riding to barrel racing to mutton bustin! Prizes: In both Age Categories They have wagon rides, a boot scramble 1st Place: $25, 2nd Place: $10, 3rd Place: $5 and live authentic cowboy entertainment. How to Enter: Download the coloring flyer/entry The next shows are July 18, August 22 form at www.medinacountyauditor.org. Or pick up the coloring flyer/entry form at the and September 19. Visit their website Medina County Auditor’s booth in the Community https://Buckingohio.com for more details. Center at the fairgrounds during the fair. Send your completed flyer/entry form to Mike Kovack, The Medina County Park District has some Medina County Auditor, 144 N. Broadway St., pretty amazing parks that you should visit. Room 306, Medina, OH 44256 Or drop off your entry at the Auditor’s booth at the fair. They have different park activities Deadline: Wed., August 5. Winners will be specific to each park, geocaching, contacted and presented with awards at the end

scout programs, photo clubs and more. Enter Auditor Kovack’s Coloring Contest of fair week. Age Categories: Under 6 and 6 to 10 Deadline: Wed., August 5 More Details on Back The Auditor’s Ledger Pg. 4 4-H Isn’t Just Cows and Cooking AARP 4-H isn’t just cows and cooking – it’s people, according to a saying on Tax Open House the wall of Morgan Domokos’ office. Domoko is Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development for the Medina County OSU Extension office.

“I believe that 4-H changes lives,” said Domoko, who came into the position in December. “The program can provide experiences to young people that they have not had in their everyday lives.” Domoko comes to her position from a long background of 4-H in her life. As a kid, she was a 4-H member in Portage County; she was in collegiate 4-H at her alma mater, The Ohio State University, and she worked at the state 4-H office. A 2003 graduate of OSU in Agricultural Education, Domoko says this job is what she has always wanted.

Left to Right: John Morris, District Coordinator, Leonard Timpone, Councilor and Dan Shumaker, Local Coordinator The AARP Tax Aide Program ended its season in April after assisting taxpayers with 550 tax returns. Volunteers worked out of the Medina County Auditor’s office and Balcony Room B in the Medina County Administration Building. Look for the program to start again in February 2016. Learn How to Become a Volunteer for the AARP Tax Aide Program at Open House

The Medina County AARP Tax Aide Program Simply Chemistry Program w/COSI on Wheels 2014 is hosting a volunteer recruitment open house at the Soprema Senior Center, 617 From camping experiences, to youth development, to leadership School Dr., Wadsworth, in the Media Room, training, 4-H is abundantly popular in Medina County. About 50 clubs Thursday, July 30, 10 to 11:30 a.m. For with creative names like Guilford Gophers, Sharon Live Wires and questions, please call (216) 789-2261. Homerville Highlighters are scattered throughout every part of the You’ll learn how you can help people in your own county. Many of them have specialized interests like the Medina community with a much-needed service that’s free, County Railroad Club and the Medina County Sharpshooters. individualized and has no strings attached. Also, you’ll receive information on various volunteer Working closely with Domoko is Christie Becker, 4-H Youth duties, from working directly with taxpayers, Development Program Assistant, who has been with the to managing data input, to greeting clients. Extension office for the past 13 years. “It was a nice thing that I had prior experience as a 4-H volunteer advisor with 7th Medina International Fest my daughter’s horse club,” said Becker. “I was able to come into this position, knowing how the clubs function.” International Fest is one of the largest one-day cultural events in Medina! Enjoy dancing to 10 With the Medina County Fair fast approaching in August, 4-H hours of ethnic music, treat your taste buds to members, the OSU Extension office, and the Junior Fair Board are world foods from 16+ food vendors, and shop all busy preparing their projects, booths, and activities. Junior Fair a 90+ vendor International Bazaar. Free kids Board is made up of 35 young people who help plan and coordinate activities and family fun for everyone. The the activities for children at the fair. Members of the board help International Fest is held on August 22 from 9 am with all the livestock shows and host activities for young fairgoers to 6 pm with free admission on Medina Square. such as the Ag Bot Challenge, Cookie Decorating Activity, Duck Race and Rooster Crow Contest and Calico Critters this year. Pg. 5 The Auditor’s Ledger 4-H-Continued

Most fairgoers enjoy looking at the clubs’ booths. This year, the clubs can choose one of three themes for their display: “4-H – That’s How We Grow!” 4-H – It’s ‘Faradise’ or “Reaching Beyond the Stars in 4-H.” Booths are judged and an Outstanding Ribbon will be awarded to the top three booths in each category. People’s Choice Awards voting will be Monday – Thursday of Fair Week with Rosettes awarded on Friday.

4-H projects run the gamut from Companion Animals and Rabbits to Aerospace Science. Young people can log on to Project Central at www. projectcentral.ohio4H.org, which is an easy way Erupting Volcanoes at 2014 Camp

like COSI on Wheels, songs, crafts and games. The Kelleys Island Camp offers fishing, swimming, archery and crafts.

While 4-H is only top of mind for many of us once a year at the county fair, Domoko and Becker explained that the office is involved in community outreach throughout the year at after-school programs, in- “Science on a Stick” activity with JR Fair Board Members school programs and collaborating on the Sister-to- during 4-H Awareness Day Sister Conference for girls, which just held its 15th session and has involved over 700 young women. for 4-H members and project helpers to preview Ohio 4-H project books and resources. No matter To learn more about 4-H, contact Domokos or Becker what program one selects, all 4-H programs focus at 330-725-4911 or log on to www.medina.osu.edu. on active involvement and quality experiences that stimulate lifelong learning of values and skills. The Medina County office also offers two camping programs every summer: Kelleys Island 4-H Camp for boys and girls in the third grade to age 13 and 4-H Cloverbud Day Camp for boys and girls ages 5 to 8. Unfortunately, both camps, which were held in June, are over, but there’s plenty of time to think of registering for one of these camps next year.

The Day Camp is held in the 4-H activities buildings at the fairgrounds and feature activities Dinosaur Dig 2014 Cloverbud Camp Make Sure Your Property Information is Correct Your home is typically the For example, did you recently website to obtain information most valuable investment you add central air conditioning on your property, and inaccurate make. Have you looked at or have you enlarged a half information may affect your sale your property’s information on bathroom to a full bath? price or their interest in the property. the Medina County Auditor’s website? You may be surprised! These are important Please take a moment and log on to considerations when putting www.medinacountyauditor.org and It’s important that you review the your property on the market do a property search. If you find any information we have on your property because they increase the inaccuracies, please let us know by to ensure there are no errors. value of your home. Anyone calling 330-725-9753 or by emailing can access the auditor’s us at [email protected]. The Auditor’s Ledger Pg. 6

Students Gain Work Experience in the Auditor’s Office

Hanging around the house all “Many of these kids are back with She hopes that working with summer may be a great way to relax, us from last summer and over the the public will later aid her in but it’s not for eight young people holidays,” said Kovack. “We want them working with people at a hospital. who are working at the Medina to stay with us. We want that longevity County Auditor’s Office this summer. and the longer we can get them to Evan Neidig, a sophomore Paralegal Studies major at the University of Evan Neidig, Kaitlyn Blake, Katie Cincinnati is hoping to practice his Zackery, Kendra Nichols, Nicholas people skills as well. He says that Baker, Sean Neidig, David Russ and working with managers of local Kevin Nist are interns this summer retail establishments has helped him at the Medina County Auditor's hone his customer relations skills. Office. Six of the interns are college students and two are in high school. Baker, a sophomore at John Carroll University with a major in Accounting Evan Neidig, Zackery, Nichols, and and a minor in Political Science Blake all work both in the office and out wants to go into politics. By working around the county. They help check at the Auditor's office he will discover the gas pumps, scales and scanners more about how a government office to ensure that consumers can be (L-R) Nicholas Baker, David Russ, functions. Already he has helped out confident that they receive what they Kevin Nist and Kendra Nichols with mapping farms for the CAUV pay for. They all agree that doing office coordinator, taking phone gas pumps is their favorite job except stay with us, the better it is for us.” calls, and checking the gas pumps. when it’s too cold or hot outside. Zackery, an English major who plans on adding Business Russ and Nist, who will be seniors Inside the office, the interns help out Administration as a second major, at the Medina County Career wherever they are needed and gain is getting the chance to assist with different work experience. They get a writing some articles, which will taste of every part of the office and all help her sharpen her writing skills. of its functions including accounting, real estate, internet technology and Blake and Zackery, who worked last community relations. Hopefully they summer and over the winter holidays, will be able to use this experience later. roomed together during their first year at Baldwin Wallace University. They are not the only two interns returning from last year. Evan Neidig, Nichols, and Baker worked last summer (L-R) Evan Neidig, Katie Zackery and Kaitlyn Blake as well and all are hoping to gain experience that will later help them. Center, hope to gain experience with what they've been learning this “I’m undecided right now, but I plan to year in the Software Engineering major in International Affairs,” Blake and Web Development program. Sean Neidig said. “I’m hoping working here will Russ, who got into working with later help me compare the lesser computers when he broke a Sean Neidig, a junior majoring in known functions of government computer and tried fixing it, is hoping journalism at Ohio University, is using on a more international scale.” to work with coding this summer. his talent and expertise in film editing to post the office’s public service Nichols, who has been working at the A summer job at the Medina announcements and programs on Auditor’s Office for three summers County Auditor's Office has been You Tube and other social media now, will be joining Blake and Zackery a great way for these young outlets. He is also working closely at Baldwin Wallace University this people to zero in on their likes and with Auditor Kovack to film some year with a major in Psychology. dislikes, evaluate their strengths interviews at local events this summer. and work on their weaknesses. Pg. 7 The Auditor’s Ledger Pet Adopt-A-Thon The 18th annual Medina County Pet Adopt-A-Thon on May 2 featured over 30 pet rescue groups and pet-related companies, coloring contest awards and the sale of dog Summer Concerts licenses by the Medina County Auditor’s staff. throughout Medina County Join your neighbors to listen to some of your favorite music. Go back in time, rock out, or listen to some classics as you enjoy this summer. Bring your friends and family as well. Brunswick: Outdoors at the Brunswick Recreation Center Stage 3637 Center Road, 6-8 pm Tuesdays, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, 16 www.brunswick.oh.us/Parks-and-Rec/Recreation/Recreation Mapleside Farms Concerts Over the Valley 294 Pearl Road, 7-10 pm, Admission - $2, 16 & under free www.mapleside.com Friday Evenings, 6 to 10 pm, July 3 – Aug. 28

Medina: Summer Series Gazebo Concerts Medina Public Square, 8:30 pm www.medinacommunityband.org July 4, 10, 17, 24, 31 Jazz Under the Stars Medina Public Square, 7-9 pm www.ormaco.org July 11, August 15, September 5 Rally in the Alley 17 Public Square, 5:30 pm www.themainstreetcafe.com Friday nights, July 10 – September 4, 5, 6 Sharon Township: Music in the Circle Sharon Center, 7 - 8:30 pm It was a heart-warming day of people finding their forever pets and pets finding their forever homes. www.sharontwp.org July 1, 15, & 29, August 12 Wadsworth: Thursday Nights Summer Breeze Concert Series Gazebo in East Park, 7 - 8:30 pm [email protected] Friday, July 3; Thursdays, July 9 – August 13 Wadsworth Community Band Central Intermediate School Lawn June 20 & July 3 at 7 pm

Westfield Center: Summer Concert & Ice Cream Social Park Circle, July 15, 6 -7:30 pm www.villageofwestfieldcenter.com The Auditor’s Ledger Mike Kovack PRSRT STD Medina County Auditor U.S. POSTAGE PAID 144 North Broadway St. CLEVELAND OH Medina, Ohio 44256 PERMIT #2015.

Published by the Medina County Auditor’s Office 144 North Broadway St. Medina, Ohio 44256 (330) 725-9754

Beth Kilchenman & Kimberly Fetty Newsletter Editors

Have you suffered storm damage this summer?

Make sure to fill out a Destroyed or Damaged property form with our office. This will take the destroyed value off next year's taxes. Download the form at: http://www.medinacountyauditor.org/forms.htm . Please note this form must be filed as soon as possible and no later than the end of the year to get credit, so don't delay!

Please note credit for damage only applies to real property, which is considered that on which you pay real property taxes. Trees, bushes, and cars are not valued for real property purposes. Please call with questions at 330-725-9754.