Latest news with #ToniScurpa
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Inclusive playground dedicated at Walnut Beach
ASHTABULA — Students from Happy Hearts School put the new inclusive playground at Walnut Beach to the test Friday morning before and after a dedication ceremony. The park was possible due to American Recovery Plan Act dollars, made available to the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities through the state of Ohio. Manda Jackson, director of Quality and Community Outreach for the board, said the project likely wouldn't have occurred without the funding. She was also appreciative to the city of Ashtabula for providing the land. 'It is even better than I dreamed it would be,' Board of DD Superintendent Toni Scurpa said.' It shows we as a community believe in providing inclusive [opportunities].' Lisa Ebersole, president of the board, read a proclamation officially announcing the park being turned over to the city of Ashtabula. 'I can remember 25 years ago visiting an inclusive playground and wondering if we could bring one here,' she said. Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere was happy to accept the gift of the park, and promised to maintain the facility. 'We still have work to do,' Timonere said before a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included students from Happy Hearts. Timonere credited Amy Coursen, Ashtabula project administrator, with coordinating all the details to make sure the park became a reality. The project had to be completed before the end of 2024 because of grant stipulations, and the collaborative project was successfully done by the end of November, just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm, which dropped five feet of snow on the area. The city recently finished detail work around the playground. Visitors have been seen using the project before the dedication took place Friday. 'We are going to take care of it, and add to it as we can,' Timonere said. He said a special parking lot for vehicles for the developmentally disabled is scheduled to be created, adjacent to the playground. Jackson said 40 students from Happy Hearts attended the ceremony, and had a chance to play on the new facility. Many of the students also participated in the ribbon cutting. Timonere credited Capp Steel for their assistance in the project.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Board of DD levy to be on the November ballot
JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities informed the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners on their intention for two levies set to expire after this year. The administrative team of the ACBDD had a work session with the commissioners, and said they plan to let a .5 mill levy expire, and attempt to pass a 2-mill renewal levy in November. ACBDD Superintendent Toni Scurpa said the board had decided to go for the 2 mill renewal but end the .5 mill levy after conducting a financial assessment. 'The board did pass a motion,' she said of the intent to go in that direction. ACBDD Director of Operations and Human Resources Matt Glidewell said there were some carryovers, and the board decided it was the best way to go for the taxpayers and still maintain services. 'What has changed?' Commissioner J.P. Ducro said. He also wondered why a recent board meeting involved discussion about not having the money to transport students. Manda Jackson, ACBDD director of quality and community outreach, said there are certain transportation expenses the board cannot handle because it is illegal due to the Ohio Revised Code, and others were families made service decisions that provided transportation challenges. The commissioners affirmed the levy decisions, and Commissioner Kathryn Whittington said she would be glad to discuss ways to improve the levy's chance of passing. 'I think the dropping of the half-mill levy is a good marketing decision,' Ducro said. Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said he is in favor of the renewal levy, with the expiration of the half-mill levy. Jackson said the Friends of the Developmentally Disabled have raised money to help pass the levy, since no board funds can be used for levy advertising. 'We have some funds that will allow us to run a substantial campaign,' she said. Jackson said the committee hopes to use social media, yard signs and other advertising options. The administrators provided a three-year priority plan for the commissioners that includes fiscal sustainability, ensuring no wait list for services and building stronger community relationships. Not renewing the half mill levy will leave the 2-mill levy on the books, and two 1.33 continuing levies, passed in 1997 and 2017. The board will begin the process to get on the ballot, and a resolution will eventually be provided by the commissioners, Kozlowski said about the process, which has many moving parts.
