Sign, sign, everywhere a sign

NORWALK — Mayor Dave Light was like a kid on Christmas morning. Workers installed a new LED sign in front of the police station and municipal court Tuesday. "This is big. This is really big," Light said Tuesday morning. "The sign is going up right now." "We will be able to advertise all kinds of community events." The sign was one of many things Light is working on this week. "Right now we are regrouping after last year," he said. "We gave the oath of office to Josh Welfle on the board of zoning appeals." Welfle replaces Julie Eckloff and joins Ed Ciersezwski, Greg Myers, Mike Roth and Carol Wheeler on the board. "That's a very important board," Light said. "He brings experience to the table because he is an architect. He starts a new job with Janotta & Herner next week. We are lucky to have him. "Those are the kinds of people who give back to the community. Earlier this week Jeff Malcolm was a new addition to the tree board. He is a descendent of Johnny Appleseed." He will be on that board with Tom Root, Mary Hinckley, Judy Emmons and Stuart Downey. In other city business: Cline Street "We just had meetings this week with Kelly Luppus, Lisa Hivnor and myself and we have put together invitations for and informational meeting with the stakeholders," Light said about the new housing allotment on Cline Street for migrant workers from Green Circle Growers in Oberlin. "We are getting close. I know CJ (CJ vanWingerden, Green Circle Growers Co-Chief Executive Officer) told me they had to be inspected by the people who oversee the H2A and approve everything before they move in. They are sparing no expense and it is top shelf." Green Circle Growers sold five of its 30-acre plot in Norwalk to Corso's Flower & Garden Center of Sandusky. Corso's intends to use the land to build accommodations for the temporary, seasonal workers that Corso's uses in its local facilities. Announced last February, the 30-acre plot of land purchased by Green Circle Growers on Cline Street in Norwalk is an investment to provide safe, nearby accommodations for its H2A workers while they are in Ohio. As Corso's was seeking to build a similar housing community for its H2A workers in Norwalk, Light brokered a deal between the two companies to provide the best possible experience for both the H2A workers and the city. "Corso's won't even break ground to May or June," the mayor said. "They will be identical to the ones built by Green Circle." When finished, there will be more than 500 migrant workers living in the complex. Hurricane Car Wash Light earlier announced the former Hurricane Car Wash on Cline Street near Schild's IGA SuperCenter was purchased. He expects a store to go into that location. "No plans or anything yet," he said. "When you look at it, Green Circle coming into town has prompted people to buy old buildings and turn them in to businesses. It's a win, win. "I know the green house right next to the IGA was sold, so that will be interesting to see what they do with that," Light added. "It's been vacant for years. It butts up next to the car parts store. And Casa Bravos is doubling its size." Chipotle "They are going up quick," he said about the restaurant on Milan Avenue at the far north end of town near Stower Lane. "They got a couple of weeks of good weather. They were working over the weekend. I think they will probably try to open for Cedar Point season." Traffic light at Emerald Parkway The city is still waiting for traffic arms to complete the project. "I didn't think it would take that long," Light said. "But I didn't think it would take that long for the sign in front of the police station." Paul Brown statue, signs Reflector Sports Editor Mark Hazelwood is part of a committee with Light who are looking into a statue and signs to honor Paul Brown, a legend in football from the high school to the professional level. Brown — the namesake of the Cleveland Browns and a key founder of the Cincinnati Bengals — was born in Norwalk and called the Maple City home until his family moved to Massillon when he was 9 years old. Along with everything in the works to honor Brown, Light said the city also is looking at the welcome signs coming into the city. "What we are looking at is other communities," he said. "Milan has a welcome board and we are looking for something like that. "Communities are coming up with some pretty nice signs ... at least on the four main entrances," he added. "It lets people know what is available in the city. The way the federal government is throwing money around I am trying to get some of it. If we don't get it somebody else will."