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Retired doctor earns Tiltonsville’s respect

RECOGNITION — Dr. Patrick Arakawa, left, and his wife, Yolanda, received a resolution from Tiltonsville Mayor Ty Lollini and Village Council honoring Arakawa for 51 years of service to the residents of Tiltonsville. Third Street will be renamed in Dr. Arakawa’s honor. - Craig Campbell

TILTONSVILLE — Dr. Patrick Arakawa came from his native state of Hawaii to Tiltonsville in 1966 to open his medical practice. He retired in February after 51 years of service, and on Tuesday night Mayor Ty Lollini and council honored Dr. Arakawa by passing a resolution renaming Third Street in his honor.

The 88-year-old physician plans to relax and spend time with his wife, Yolanda, in retirement, while occasionally stopping into the casinos throughout the region for some excitement. Arakawa’s office was located on Third Street until about five years ago, when he moved to East Ohio Regional Medical Center in Martins Ferry.

His response to the long standing ovation he received at the meeting was simply, “Thank you all. That’s all I have to say.”

Village Administrator Carl Sgalla reported Tiltonsville has been awarded a grant from Ohio in the amount of $95,339 to repair Buckeye Street. There is a local match stipulation in the amount of $10,388 that residents along Buckeye Street will have to pay. Lollini said he will talk to those who live along the road to see if they want to pay the amount up front or have it added to their taxes.

Sgalla added that once the repairs are completed, the drainage issue will not be eliminated.

Sgalla provided council with a list of delinquent accounts with the water department. He stressed property owners are responsible for the balance, even if it was a renter who ran up the charges.

Lollini said he is going to work with Village Solicitor Edward Littlejohn to craft an ordinance to deal with property owners who do not maintain their properties. Grass should be cut every two weeks from April 1 to Oct. 1, while junk cars are not permitted on the streets or in the yards of Tiltonsville properties.

Lollini said he has talked with a number of residents who were taken to court in 2016, and they have promised him they will do a better job this year.

Sgalla said Tiltonsville will have its annual community cleanup days on June 22-23. He said if any residents need assistance hauling what they want to get rid of to the pickup site, they should contact the utility office.

Paul Ciccarello, an energy consultant with Trebel LLC, said the village’s three-year electric aggregate program contract will be expiring at the end of September, and he will draft a new deal in the coming months. He said he will consult with Lollini and council once the rates are set.

Acting Buckeye Local School Superintendent Scott Celestine and Assistant Superintendent Angela Hicks answered questions from council and residents about the district’s 10-year, 4.8-mill emergency operating levy to be on the May 2 ballot. Lollini and council already passed a resolution supporting the measure.

Council passed a resolution honoring the centennial celebration of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Tiltonsville.

A council work session is set for 7 p.m. April 11, and a regular council meeting is planned at 7 p.m. April 25.

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