The Oberlin Review

Flat gravestones are sinking into the ground in Section S of Westwood Cemetery.

Let Us Lift Our Memorials Above Ground

September 11, 2020

On September 8, I delivered a second statement to the Oberlin City Council regarding a troubling situation at Westwood cemetery. I tried in May, during a previous City Council meeting, to politely broach the subject but was not taken seriously. The following recreates the essence of my recent statement: I am calling in again out of frustration and sadness regarding Section S of Westwood cemetery. Not only are the flat-only gravestones sinking into the swampy Oberlin earth, but they are also e...

The NEXUS pipeline’s route through Oberlin.

Eight Years In, NEXUS Fight Continues

April 22, 2020

For the better part of a decade, Oberlin residents, City officials, and College students have been involved in a battle against NEXUS Gas Transmission, a 256-mile pipeline extension that was ultimately built through Oberlin city limits and continues to be opposed in court. The pipeline, which begins in the eastern part of Ohio and travels through the state before connecting to a transfer point in Michigan, is designed to carry up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily. The project represents a ...

City Council members deliberate at a February 2018 meeting.

City Council Continues Environmental Emphasis

April 22, 2020

Following months of debate, Oberlin residents voted in 2017 to allocate $2.8 million to realize the goals outlined in the third iteration of the Oberlin Climate Action Plan, originally envisioned in 2011. Broadly, the plan’s current focus is to work toward carbon neutrality and to assist Oberlin residents who are interested in sustainable space heating and transportation opportunities. Efforts toward achieving these goals are currently underway. The most recent plan reaffirms the goal of the ...

On April 1, City Council held their first-ever Zoom meeting since their regular meeting on March 16 was canceled following social distancing recommendations.

City Council Transitions to Zoom, Funds COVID-19 Response Efforts

April 18, 2020

In response to the impacts of COVID-19, City Council recently committed funding to several programs that provide financial relief and resources to Oberlin community members. City Council expanded existing programs and established new initiatives that offer assistance to residents, business owners, students, and seniors. Many of these efforts were addressed following an interim period when City Council was unable to meet. On March 16, City Council’s regular meeting was canceled after the city...

The preliminary site plan for a new shopping center at the intersection of Ohio State Route 58 and U.S. Route 20 in Oberlin. City Council voted to rezone the land for commercial development at its last public hearing.

City Council Rezones Land for Potential Retail Center

December 13, 2019

Last week, Oberlin City Council voted 7–0 to rezone land at the intersection of Ohio State Route 58 and U.S. Route 20, opening up the plot to be developed into a shopping center by the Carnegie Management and Development Corporation. The vote followed a public hearing, which many community members who spoke against the possibility of a new commercial building. Residents’ concerns mirrored those raised at two previous meetings on the topic, and included how these plans might contradict the cit...

A newly-installed roundabout on Pyle South Amherst Road in Oberlin.

Residents Respond to Construction of Pyle South Amherst Road Roundabouts

November 8, 2019

After almost a year of planning and discussion between residents and city officials, four roundabouts on Pyle South Amherst Road were completed last Friday. The roundabouts were part of a larger repavement project that also included cement stabilization, resurfacing, the addition of pavement markings, new signage, a golf cart crossing. The project began after Public Works Director Jeff Bauman applied for and received an Ohio Public Works Commission grant to repave the 20-year-old pavement. This ...

Newly-Elected City Council Members Set Priorities for Term

Lila Michaels, Layout Editor

November 8, 2019

After a competitive race for Oberlin City Council, voters elected seven of twelve candidates into office on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Four incumbent councilors, Heather Adelman, Kristen Peterson, Kelley Singleton, and Linda Slocum were re-elected for another term. Ray English, Elizabeth J. Meadows, and Mary Price will replace three current councilors. Ronnie Rimbert was the only incumbent candidate who ran but was not re-elected. Bryan Burgess, who served as council president, did not run for re-election because he was term-limited. Councilmember Sharon Pearson also did not run for re-election. Following the election, Councilmembers English, Peterson, and Slocum each spoke of their commitment to environmental sustainability....

Carnegie Management and Development Corporation’s initial plans for the proposed shopping center located at the intersection of Ohio State Route 58 and U.S. Route 20

Shopping Center Plans Raise Concern at City Council Hearing

November 1, 2019

Plans are in motion to develop a 28-acre shopping center at the intersection of Ohio State Route 58 and U.S. Route 20 in Oberlin. The proposition was met with resistance from community members at a City Council hearing on Oct. 21. The property belongs to Oberlin Fire Chief Robert Hanmer, who intends to sell it to Carnegie Management and Development Corporation if the plans are approved. Carnegie Management expects to spend $10–15 million on construction, and predicts that the development could brin...

Oberlin Finds Great Candidates in English, Price

Kathleen Abromeit, Public Services Librarian

November 1, 2019

Today I have chosen to write in support of Ray English and Mary Price for Oberlin City Council. Oberlin has been fortunate for many years with a wonderful City Council, and I commend those who are currently serving. Ray and Mary are in the mold of leaders who in the past have unselfishly, and with vision, made important decisions to improve our community. Ray English is committed to social justice, environmental sustainability, and community development. He exhibits a remarkable balance of attention to detail and practicality as he navigates conflict resolution, mediation, and community dialogue. He is also a recognized leader in the Citizens’ Climate Lobby working diligently on issues of environmental issues at the n...

Steel Magnolia, a food truck and catering service serving Caribbean and Southern-style cuisine, is located at 408 E. Lorain Street.

Despite Zoning Challenges, Lorain Street Food Truck Opens

October 4, 2019

After over a year of searching, Steel Magnolia — the only food truck currently located in Oberlin — has found a home on 408 E. Lorain St., near IGA. The truck serves a mix of soul food and traditional Caribbean cuisine and was opened by Oberlin native Shontae Jackson who runs it with her mom, Sarah Jackson, and 17-year-old daughter, Tanzania. Sarah says that seeing her daughter succeed has been incredibly fulfilling. “Ever since she was a little girl, it’s been her dream,” Sarah said...

The Oberlin Municipal Light and Power plant generates and distributes electricity to Oberlin’s residents. The plant is part of the redistribution process that happens when the city sells Renewable Energy Credits back into the electric grid and funds the Sustainable Reserve Program.

City Council Prepares to Release Next Greenhouse Gas Inventory

September 27, 2019

The City of Oberlin’s Office of Sustainability has completed a 2019 iteration of a greenhouse gas inventory, which will be released on the city’s web page in the coming weeks. The inventory is the latest of four, dating back to 2007, and was performed in order to prioritize how to spend the city’s Sustainable Reserve Fund. “[The greenhouse gas inventory] is what we’re going to look at as a guide when we start looking at what initiatives are really going to be the most important and in...

Legion Community Garden Faces Uncertain Future

April 5, 2019

The future of Oberlin’s Legion Field Community Garden — which has been operating for nearly 10 years — is uncertain as it seeks to secure a new fiscal agent. The garden, which grows on city-owned land on South Professor Street, was previously backed by a 10-year contract between the City of Oberlin and the Zion Community Development Corporation. Zion CDC is now unable to provide the necessary funds to keep the garden open. However, the garden has found a new potential sponsor: a local organ...