Republican Judge expunges conviction of top developer

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1134466498254750.xml&coll=2

Kopf's record cleared of obstruction felony
Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Elyria

...

Kopf pleaded guilty in 2001 to obstructing justice after giving money to former Avon Lake Mayor Vince Urbin and then lying about it to police and a grand jury. He was sentenced to a year's probation and 80 hours' community service and was fined $2,500.

Former Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Rosenbaum once labeled Kopf "the Boss Hogg of Avon Lake." But much of the city and business community continued to support him. They forgave him what they called one misstep in a life of community service.

Kopf's crime occurred as former Mayor Urbin was defending himself against charges he stole from a charity and tampered with evidence. Urbin asked Kopf to attend a meeting on raising money for his legal defense. On Dec. 22, 2000, Kopf gave Urbin an envelope with $2,000 in cash, court records show...

The developer told investigators that he gave Urbin money out of compassion and not to buy influence. Kopf had projects pending before the Planning Commission, of which Urbin was a member...



(Republicans think they're entitled to own the beaches too-)

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1134308942158310.xml&storylist=cleveland

Republican Legislator, neighbors fight over control of beach

12/11/2005

AVON LAKE, Ohio (AP) — Residents in this Lake Erie community are upset with a state legislator — their neighbor — who wants to buy a small beach that they have all used for years.

If state Rep. Earl Martin buys the property, known as Sunset Beach, it would connect his lot to the water...

Martin's interest in the land troubles about 20 nearby homeowners, whose deeds show they have rights to use the beach. Their property values likely would drop, while Martin's would go up


Neighbors also argue that Martin, a Republican, has a conflict of interest. He's sponsored legislation that would give lakefront property owners control of the shoreline, which has long been open to the public and controlled by the state...



Lake Erie's lure spurs new homes replacing the old

Monday, December 12, 2005

http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1134379977297660.xml?nohio&coll=2

Why would anyone pay $1.7 million for a house that county appraisers figured was worth just $650,000?

"We like the view," said Roger Vail, a retired Toledo business owner who bought the lakefront home on Frazier Drive in Rocky River last week.

Another businessman paid $1 million for a 66-year-old Lake Road home that he tore down last year so he could build a bigger one.

The lure of Lake Erie keeps new homes popping up to replace old ones along the shoreline. In Greater Cleveland, big money and demolition are most visible along the waterfront from Rocky River through Sheffield Lake...