February 3
STATE EXPANDS SMALL BUSINESS PROTECTIONS
February 1
Please be aware that the deadline for for disposal of Cash For Clunker vehicles has been extended 90 days, to allow crushing or shredding up to 270 days from the date the CFC vehicle was acquired.
May 15
This is not necessarily a legislative update, yet it is great news nonetheless.
Cleveland, OH—A groundbreaking ceremony occurred May 15 to install a 140-foot-high wind turbine at Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking, which will become the first business in Cleveland to capture the wind to generate electricity.
The wind turbine, which will sit atop a 140-foot tower, will be installed on a 4.7 acre auto recycling yard at Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking, a fourth generation family-owned business at 5000 Pearl Rd., along Interstate 480. Teaming up on the $295,000 wind project are Jon Kaplan, vice president of Pearl Road and sustainability advocate Stefanie Spear, the project manager and executive director of EcoWatch Ohio.
“Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking is an early adopter and leader in our region for on-site renewable energy generation,” Spear said. “This wind turbine project will help to generate other wind projects throughout the region by showing businesses the advantages and viability of investing in wind energy. The Pearl wind project sends a resounding message for the future—we can reduce Ohio’s coal-based energy production through the use of non-polluting, renewable energy.”
The Vestas V-20 remanufactured wind turbine, purchased from Halus Power Systems of Hayward, California, will generate nearly 100 percent of Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking’s electricity needs and will result in a net annual reduction of more than 100,000 kWh of electricity demand. This project will also help lower Northeast Ohio’s carbon footprint by reducing carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to global warming and climate change. With an estimated pay back of 6.3 years, the project represents a long-term business decision that is expected to help insure economic viability for Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking.
“This project will reduce demand for carbon-based energy production, increase regional renewable energy generation and create an economic model that proves the investment in wind energy makes good business sense,” Kaplan said.
Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking was approved for a grant from the Advanced Energy Fund Program through the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Energy Office. The wind turbine is scheduled to begin operating in July.
“This project is especially important because it will be seen by thousands of motorists daily on I-480. The turbine will serve as a vivid reminder that wind energy is playing an important role in the economic revitalization of the Cleveland area, while also indicating that wind energy can be viable for individual businesses or institutions to pursue at their own sites,” said Richard Stuebi, Cleveland Foundation’s BP Fellow for Energy and Environmental Advancement.
The Pearl Wind Project has been the catalyst for Cleveland City Council, City Planning Commission and Office of Sustainability, with the help of Spear, to write wind turbine legislation. “Upon the adoption of Chapter 354A - ‘Wind Energy Facilities’ the city of Cleveland will establish predictable guidelines for the installation of wind turbines in our municipality,” said Councilman Matt Zone, the primary sponsor of the legislation. “We want to be a leader in our region in renewable energy sources and make it easier for those who would like to erect wind turbines.”
“This City has a great need for renewable energy. I am pleased that the Old Brooklyn community will be the home of this cutting edge project,” said Ward 16 Councilman Kevin Kelley.
The project has contracted with Northeast Ohio businesses to work on this wind turbine project. Engineering plans were designed by Cleveland’s Alber & Rice, Inc. Great Lakes Construction in Hinckley has been hired to do the foundation and excavating. Donald L. Geitz Architect and Associates in Medina has played a key role in the planning for this project. Affiliated Metals in Cleveland has been hired to fabricate a 60-foot tower extension and foundation rings. Financing for the project was provided by National City, now a part of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
“Our commitment to supporting Northeast Ohio businesses plays an important role in the creation of Ohio’s green economy,” Spear said.
March 5
Welcome new OATRA Board of Directors members!
At our annual conference the Executive Director appointed, at the direction of your officers, two new Board members. Kevin Hellman, of Hellman's Auto in Sydney, was appointed to replace his late father, Dan Hellman. Additionally, Jim McKinney of GreenLeaf Auto in Massillon was appointed to replace Dick Wyen of Walt's Auto Parts in Springfield. Dick was a long serving Board member, as well as a past President, who wishes to spend more time with his family.
Thanks to all who have served and are still serving. Welcome aboard Kevin and Jim.
December 9
Please be aware that the Federal government, as part of the recently passed "bailout legislation package", has included an allowance for an accelerated depreciation schedule of up to 50% for purchases of recycling equipment. Recycling equipment can be a very inclusive arrangement. It is recommended you check with your accountant/tax planner to see if your capitol purchases qualify for this large benefit. This can save you a lot of money.
September 9
ODT Announces Start Dates for Mandatory Electronic Filing by Sales Tax Vendors
The Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) notified sales tax vendors and practicioners that the mandatory filing requirement under provisions in HB562 enacted in June will take effect in 2009.
For monthly filers, this requirement begins with returns for the period Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, 2009, due on Feb. 23, 2009. For semi-annual filers, it begins with returns for the period Jan. 1 through June 30, 2009, due on July 23, 2009.
ODT currently offers sales and tax vendors three ways to file electronically:
-The Ohio Business Gateway, a one-stop shop for common state government transactions, including sales returns
-eForms, which are Adobe Acrobat versions of key sales and use tax forms that generations of Ohioans have completed on paper
-TeleFile, the touch-tone telephone filing system for single-county taxpayers, which is available by calling 800-697-0440
More information on each of these filing options is available at http://tax.ohio.gov/online_services/business_taxes_sales_filing.stm
March 18
We have made tentative arrangements for our '09 conference the weekend the weekend of February 27, 28 and March 1, 2009 for our annual meeting at the Kalahari Resort & Nia Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio. Please note these dates on your schedule.
March 4
To the Association,
I would like to convey to all that the meeting last weekend was a huge success in many ways for myself. I especially enjoyed getting to know more of you and look forward to growing our relationships. I'm excited about the future of the association for many reasons, but most of all for realizing the resources we have, which are the people within our group. I welcome the challenge of being president and know we have many superlative people around to help accomplish great heights. We have to continue to enhance the value of organization for its current members, while at the same time look for creative ways to entice the "credible auto recycler" to join.
We would like to hear your concerns for the association to set some prioritized goals for 2008. With your concerns, please include a solution or a possible solution. Feel free to contact me at my email address astevensall4n@aol.com, or on my cell, 614-296-8525.
Peace, Love, and Junk.......Tony
February 4
ELECTRONIC FINGERPRINTING CUSTOMERS
On Saturday, February 9, 2008, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Regional Customer Service Centers will no longer provide electronic fingerprinting services. A list of Webcheck providers can be obtained through the Ohio Attorney General's website: www.webcheck.ag.state.oh.us. If you have any questions, please contact the Dealer Licensing Section at 614-752-7636 or 614-752-7637.
We have made tentative arrangements for our '10 conference the weekend the weekend of February 26-28, 2010 for our annual meeting at the Kalahari Resort & Nia Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio. Please note these dates on your schedule. To the Association, I would like to convey to all that the meeting last weekend was a huge success in many ways for myself. I especially enjoyed getting to know more of you and look forward to growing our relationships. I'm excited about the future of the association for many reasons, but most of all for realizing the resources we have, which are the people within our group. I welcome the challenge of being president and know we have many superlative people around to help accomplish great heights. We have to continue to enhance the value of organization for its current members, while at the same time look for creative ways to entice the "credible auto recycler" to join. We would like to hear your concerns for the association to set some prioritized goals for 2009. With your concerns, please include a solution or a possible solution. Feel free to contact me at my email address, rl@lobbyohio.com.
