Whitfield as chair of MOVE, a good move

BOUQUETS >> To MOVE (Mobility for a Vibrant Economy) Lorain County for announcing that Frank Whitfield will serve as the group’s new chairperson.

Whitfield, who also is president and CEO of the Lorain County Urban League, said, “It’s an honor to take on this role. In 2019, MOVE plans to document and promote existing transportation services in Lorain County.

“We will work with businesses, nonprofit organizations, government entities and health care systems to create a shared vision for transportation that leads to supporting a vibrant economy.”

MOVE’s mission is to advocate for mobility solutions that improve the economy and quality of life for all Lorain County residents.

The grassroots organization is fulfilling this mission through the recently approved Coordinated Transportation Plan adopted Nov. 28 which focuses on transportation for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

The Coordinated Transportation Plan encourages this collaborative effort through established goals created by a diverse group of people, organizations and businesses.

Whitfield is a solid choice to lead MOVE to the next level because of his experience of working with the community as leader of the Urban League.

BOUQUETS >> To Discount Drug Mart for declaring that all 10 of its pharmacy locations in Lorain County will offer patients who receive short-term opioid prescriptions a medication disposal pouch at no cost.

These pouches will help patients dispose of unused opioid prescriptions by deactivating the drug and rendering the drug irretrievable for misuse.

Discount Drug Mart, which is working with the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County, said this joint effort is to raise consumer awareness about the importance of safe medication disposal and help take unused opioid medications out of circulation.

Free pouches also are available upon request at the pharmacy counter at any Discount Drug Mart.

Also, a tamper evident locking medicine bag is available upon request at Discount Drug Mart locations.

Elaine Georgas, executive director of the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County, joined Joseph Muha, Discount Drug Mart’s corporate counsel and director of Pharmacy Compliance, in announcing the partnership.

Muha, who also is a pharmacist, said community pharmacies are a part of the solution to the opioid epidemic.

The drug disposal pouches were donated by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and the locking medicine bag was supported through a grant.

We applaud Discount Drug Mart for taking extra steps to get involved and be part of the solution.

BRICKBATS >> To Angeline A. Payne, the 24-year-old Lorain woman who avoided incarceration for setting an Elyria house on fire Oct. 15, 2016.

Instead, Payne was sentenced Jan. 4 to three years of community control for her aggravated arson.

Payne pleaded guilty. Payne and her accomplice, 26-year-old Savanna D. Rios, of Elyria, told police they set the Courtland Street home ablaze in revenge for an April 2016 sexual assault incident.

Police at the time said, the homeowner, her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend were inside the residence at the time of the fire.

Rios pleaded guilty to arson and is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 25.

At the time of Payne’s arrest, the act was in revenge for Joseph C. Barchanowicz III, 23, who admitted to sexually assaulting a 5-year-old relative of Payne.

Barchanowicz was found guilty of rape, two counts of sexual battery and two counts of gross sexual imposition Nov. 9, 2017, and is serving a 10year prison sentence.

Payne should be thankful no one died, or she certainly would have gone to prison, just like Barchanowicz.

BRICKBATS >> To Michael J. Mitchell, the 49-year-old former employee of the Lorain County Engineer’s Office who was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

The Lorain County Engineer’s Office said Mitchell, who lived in Elyria, resigned Dec. 31 from his position as a foreman in its sanitary department.

Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will said Mitchell was involved in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl.

Authorities had documented evidence and witness statements with which to convict Mitchell of the crimes against the child.

This was a clear case of Mitchell abusing his authority over a teenager.

Mitchell should have resisted his temptations because what he did was illegal: adults can’t have sexual relations with a minor. Period.

Mitchell got what he deserved.