Local News
Turbine agencies may join forces
CONNEAUT — Two separate companies interested in acquiring land within the East Conneaut Industrial Park for a possible wind turbine farm may partner on the project, interim City Manager Edward Somppi said at Monday's City Council meeting.
SGR Site Associates of Willoughby and Property Investment Enterprises, based in Geneva, are talking about joining forces, Somppi said.
Both companies have submitted differing proposals seeking options on a large chunk of the city-owned industrial park land. PIE representatives spoke last year to ex-city manager Douglas Lewis and Ashtabula County commissioners about their plan, while SGR expressed its interest a few months ago.
An ordinance that would approve an option agreement with SGR for nearly 160 acres of park land was moved to a second reading, at Somppi's request.
Some council members said the proposed SGR pact needs a lot more discussion. Ward 3 Councilman Greg Mooney said the contract contains plenty of loopholes that need attention. Mooney said he was worried to see the matter surface in ordinance form before the questions could be answered.
“SGR is pushing us for an answer,” he said.
Ward 1 Councilman Dave Campbell said he believes the pending contract provides SGR more industrial park land — in excess of 200 acres — than council was led to believe. The contract has other shortcomings that need attention, he said.
“We could've been blindsided,” Campbell said. “We could have given away the entire park.”
Law Director Lori Lamer, who prepared the contract with the assistance of assistant Law Director Luke Gallagher, disagreed. The city's interests are protected, she said.
Last week, Campbell and Ward 2 Councilman Charles Lewis toured a wind farm near Bowling Green that contains four turbines. Lewis said Monday he is now convinced the city should erect its own turbines and use the power they produce to raise revenue and lower local electric bills.
Bowling Green's electric rates are half that charged Conneaut, thanks to the turbines, Lewis said. “That's the way we should go to benefit the community,” he said.
- Local News
-
-
'Bula teen drowns after leap from lighthouse
A trip to Lake Erie with friends turned tragic Tuesday night for a 19-year-old Ashtabula man.
-
Body found in Lampson Reservoir
The body of an adult male was found in the Lampson Reservoir on Wednesday evening, the Jefferson Emergency Rescue District reports.
-
Trash bin arsonists may have started house fire
Arsonists who have set nearly two dozen fires inside trash containers in the city of Ashtabula this month may be seeking bigger — and potentially more dangerous — prey, fire officials said.
-
Local charities, auxiliaries, unions on IRS warning list
From the Ashtabula Community Players to the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, scores of Ashtabula County nonprofit organizations are in danger of losing their favored status with the Internal Revenue Service.
-
Entrance to I-90 reopened
The west-bound entrance to Interstate 90 from Route 193 was re-opened Wednesday, but another closing is in the works for next week.
-
Proposed Geneva tax credit to create jobs
Geneva City Council will hold a special public meeting Friday to discuss the Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit Program for the joint economic development district with Harpersfield Township, a program introduced in April by former Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County executive director Joseph Mayernick.
-
PV board to place levy on November ballot
The Pymatuning Valley Local Board of Education recently passed a resolution to place an “emergency renewal levy” before voters in November.
-
Sheriff action against county set for November
Sheriff William Johnson will have his day in court, but he’ll have to wait another 3 1/2 months to get it.
-
Formal charges filed against men in domestic dispute
The father who allegedly took a shot at his daughter’s ex-boyfriend Saturday night after a domestic altercation was released from jail Tuesday, Municipal Court officials said.
Harvey Jones, 49, of Ashtabula, was charged with felonious assault and discharging a firearm within the city limits, court officials said. -
Man charged in Geauga crash
The Chagrin Falls man who slammed his truck into a car at a traffic light has been charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence and aggravated vehicular assault, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Chad Bass said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
'Bula teen drowns after leap from lighthouse
