Avon Lake Press

Avon Lake shop students earn life skills while saving the district money

Scott Dickson downplays his role at Avon Lake High School by referring to himself and fellow industrial arts teacher Justin Lestock as “just shop teachers.”

But with the full support of school administrators, they’ve worked to create a well-rounded class and program list Dickson is proud of, especially as traditional industrial arts programs fade away elsewhere.

“The skills we teach are life skills,” Dickson said. “They’re not directly related to OGTs (Ohio Graduation Tests), but they will have an effect on students the rest of their lives.”

Students, such as recent graduate Dan Reichlin, plan on utilizing skills learned in Avon Lake shop classes in their career. Reichlin will study construction management at the University of Cincinnati.

But Dickson said the practical skills students pick up in woodworking, cabinetmaking, graphic tech, computer hardware, home maintenance, engine maintenance and basic electricity classes could have some unexpected effects — on their home lives, for example.

“It could affect relationships between fathers and daughters,” Dickson said.

At a parent/teacher conference, Dickson recalled a man addressing the moment his daughter revealed her technical knowledge of power drills when he was using a drill improperly. The man said he saw his daughter in a new light and came to respect her more.

“It’s not just for boys anymore,” Dickson said. “We show them, yes you can.”

Another great advantage to acquiring industrial skills is potential savings in labor costs, an asset the district has tapped into for more than 10 years now.

Last week, work program participants, including Reichlin, were paid “a little over minimum wage” to wrap up work on the new stadium’s press box, which is one of several projects to which students are applying their skills this summer.

Goeff Meyer, for example, used the district’s computer-aided drawing program to design shelves for the marching band’s trailer, another project the work crew will soon tackle.

“If they can dream it up, we’ll do it,” Lestock said. “Wherever we can, we’ll make improvements.”

Dickson said the work program originated after students removed, refinished and replaced classrooms’ oak doors during the district’s remodeling in 2000. Since then, administrators have come up with new projects every year, resulting in savings to the district and giving students a sense of pride.

Former Avon Lake Mayor Urbin arrested for ... - 2 Press Papers

Former Avon Lake Mayor Vince Urbin pleaded no contest Friday to a solicitation charge following a sting operation by the Woods County Sheriff’s Department.

According to an incident report from the sheriff’s office, the department conducted an undercover prostitution investigation Thursday.

“An undercover officer posted an ad as a female escort on backpages.com,” the report stated. “Vincent Urbin responded to the ad requesting sexual intercourse for $100.”

The report shows the sting took place at a hotel on East Wooster Street in Bowling Green.

Detective Sgt. Terry James said two men, including Urbin, and three women were arrested in this operation. The department conducts these stings by placing ads on websites known for escort services, he said. An undercover officer speaks with the interested men over the phone and tells them where to meet. When the men show up and money is exchanged, they are arrested. Likewise, women showing up as escorts are arrested.

James said Urbin was arrested without incident.

“He admitted what he was there for and what he did,” James said.

Bowling Green Municipal Court records show Urbin, 52, of Avon Lake, pleaded no contest to the charge Friday. The judge ordered Urbin to pay $500 in fines, in addition to the $100 seized during the arrest. His vehicle will be released upon payment for its towing and storage. He must pay all of the fees by Aug. 3 or appear before the court again.

Urbin is currently the director of community services for the Lorain County Community Action Agency.

He served as mayor of Avon Lake from 1992 until 2001, when he left office following criminal allegations. Later that year he was found guilty of two counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of complicity with tampering with evidence. Urbin recently had his record sealed last summer.

Urbin’s voicemail at his job indicated he would be out of the office until July 12. A message was left on his voicemail at home.

Contact Bryan Wroten at bwroten@2presspapers.