ASHTABULA —
A Bridge Street restaurant owner was summoned into Municipal Court after an argument Saturday over parking, according to police and court records.
Marcia J. Ovak, co-owner of the Bridge Street Diner, 1463 Bridge St., pleaded not guilty Monday to one count of obstructing official business and one count of aggravated disorderly conduct, according to court records. Both crimes are punishable by jail time, said Ashtabula attorney Thomas Simon, who is representing Ovak.
Municipal Judge Albert Camplese set a $1,000 personal-recognizance bond at Ovak’s arraignment Monday afternoon.
Ovak’s trouble began when Jan David Aronson, owner of Vieux Carré, 457 Lake Ave., bought the parking lot adjacent to Ovak’s diner. He is using it for additional parking for his bar customers.
The Ovaks found out about it Saturday, when one of their patrons was told she would be towed away if she parked there.
Marcia Ovak confronted the parking lot attendant, and he confirmed what she had heard from the patron. The information upset Ovak, and eventually Patrolman Daniel Gillespie was called to the scene.
“(Marcia Ovak) was warned multiple times and ultimately cited,” Ashtabula Police Chief Robert Stell said.
According to the police report, Gillespie warned Ovak, but she continued to scream and use vulgarity. She also took off in her vehicle at a high rate of speed and then returned, police said.
Gillespie issued her citations for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice and then sent the report to the city solicitor’s office for review, the police report said.
Ovak said Wednesday that she has been advised by her attorney not to talk about it. Her husband, Gene Ovak, said his wife is not a criminal. She didn’t like the attitude of the parking lot attendant, he said.
“That man talked bad,” Gene Ovak said. “My wife is nice.”
His voice cracked with emotion.
“I’ve been in business all my life, and now my wife has to go to court,” he said.
The Ovaks haven’t had the heart to open the restaurant since Saturday’s incident. Gene Ovak put signs outside, trying to explain what happened. He said customers don’t like parking on the street because “big trucks with stones” go by and the stones sometimes hit the cars.
“So many people love our place,” he said. “It’s a shame.”
Simon said he can’t comment because it’s a pending criminal case.
At the Vieux Carré on Lake Avenue, an employee said Wednesday that Aronson bought the parking lot on Bridge Street for additional parking for his establishment. Aronson could not be reached for comment.
Local News
Police cite restaurant owner in parking lot dispute
- Local News
-
-
Famous circus owner was fixture in Geneva theater
It has been more than 60 years since Walter L. Main passed from the local scene, but several area residents still recall the great showman from Geneva.
-
Local manufacturing industry not dead
The demise of the manufacturing industry in northeast Ohio is more myth than reality, according to area businesses and educators.
-
’Bula man dies in crash
An early morning fatal crash was one of more than 15 incidents that kept the Ohio Highway Patrol busy for most of the day Saturday.
-
Conneaut’s development headquarters takes shape
A small building two blocks from Lake Erie could become Conneaut’s economic development headquarters before the start of summer.
-
Sheriff’s detectives net two active meth labs
Acting on a tip, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies uncovered an active methamphetamine lab Friday afternoon, according to Lt. Van Robison.
-
Former Ashtabula resident killed in car crash Tuesday
Ashley N. Penwell, 22, formerly of East Fourth St., Ashtabula, was pronounced dead at the scene of a Tuesday car crash on Charleston Pike Road in Chillicothe.
-
Ashtabula County is near top in 2011 bear sightings
Ashtabula County finished second in the number of black bear sightings reported in Ohio last year, according to a report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.
-
Break-in results in felony charges
A Conneaut man faces two felony charges stemming from a break-in at a vacant Cleveland Court house earlier this week, according to Conneaut Municipal Court records.
-
Conneaut Middle School’s Goodwill drive big success
Students and staff at Conneaut Middle School responded in a big way to a plea for donations issued late last month by Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula.
-
ACMC teams up with Goodwill on Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, area residents are encouraged to show their love by cleaning out their closets and heading over to Ashtabula County Medical Center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
