Main Menu
Main Menu

Victory for Amherst and Mayor Mark Costilow

Congratulations to the City of Amherst and Mayor Mark Costilow.

On July 3, 2025, Attorneys Scott Orille, Anthony Pecora, and Patrick Ward from the law firm of Gembala, McLaughlin & Pecora obtained a judgment from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in favor of the City of Amherst against the Ohio Department of Transportation enforcing a 1963 City of Amherst Ordinance which requires ODOT to maintain that portion of State Route 2 within the Amherst boundaries at ODOT’s cost, except for $2,000.00 annually contributed by Amherst.

The 1963 Ordinance is consent legislation that enabled the Department of Highways, which is the predecessor to ODOT, to construct State Route 2 through Amherst. In exchange for Amherst’s consent to the new state highway, the Department of Highways agreed to maintain and repair State Route 2 at its cost except for the $2,000.00 annually paid by Amherst. In December 2023, ODOT refused to continue maintaining and repairing State Route 2 in accordance with the ordinance, including performing snow and ice removal thus risking motorist safety, and the City of Amherst sued to enforce the ordinance. In November 2024, Amherst successfully obtained a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction requiring ODOT to continue maintaining State Route 2, including proper snow and ice control. Today, the Court found the Amherst ordinance to be constitutional, valid, and enforceable and issued a Permanent Injunction requiring ODOT to continue maintaining and repairing State Route 2 in accordance with the 1963 ordinance.

Mayor Costilow worked tirelessly to enforce the Amherst ordinance and to protect the safety of motorists on State Route 2, including working with the Ohio General Assembly to enact amended Ohio Revised Code Section 5521.01 that was signed into law by Governor DeWine as part of the Transportation Budget Bill, which makes agreements for highway maintenance and repairs entered into by the former Department of Highways binding on ODOT.  Job well done Mayor Costilow!

About the firm: Gembala, McLaughlin & Pecora Co., LPA was founded in Lorain County, Ohio in 1931, and while its attorney’s practice on matters throughout the State of Ohio and nationally, GMP remains headquartered in Lorain County. In addition to its Municipal Law Practice Group, the Firm also serves many other industries, including agriculture, public school law, nonprofit organizations, food and beverage, professional services, entertainment, commercial and corporate transactions, real estate, land use, and zoning, water and wastewater, construction, estate planning and probate, eldercare, business succession planning, and matrimonial controversies.

About the Author

Latest Posts

Judge gavel
Victory for Amherst and Mayor Mark Costilow
Ohio resident stressed about payment from employer
What Are The 5 Steps to File a Successful Wage Theft Claim in Sheffield Village?
Sheffield Village employs discussion merger concerns with attorneys
How Can Sheffield Village Employees Protect Their Rights During a Company Merger or Acquisition?
Ohio background check attorney going over wrongful employment law case
What Are The Top 5 Warning Signs Your Sheffield Village Employer Failed Their Background Check Requirements?
Ohio background check violation attorney doing research for client
How Can Job Applicants Recover Damages From Improper Background Checks in Sheffield Village?
Ohio employee in need of improper background check lawyer
Why Do 65% of Cleveland Employers Fail to Follow FCRA Background Check Requirements?
Ohio company wrongfully terminating emoployee
How Can Ohio Workers Protect Against Wrongful Termination During Company Restructuring?
Lorain woman in need of workplace law attorney from experiencing harassment
Why Do 80% of Lorain County Workers Miss Critical Employment Law Deadlines That Cost Them Thousands?
Cleveland employee wrongfully terminated and needs a employment law lawyer
What Are The 7 Critical Steps to Take After Wrongful Termination in Cleveland?
Man in glasses, wearing a denim shirt, sitting at a desk holding a sheet of paper in one hand and resting his forehead on his other hand, looking at a laptop.
What Are The 5 Most Common Background Check Violations That Could Lead To A Wrongful Termination Lawsuit in Cleveland
A woman and a man sit back-to-back on a white sofa, both with arms crossed and neutral expressions.
How Can High-Income Earners Protect Their Assets During a Sheffield Village Divorce?
A woman in a red coat holds a smiling child in a striped sweater outdoors with autumn leaves in the background.
What Documentation Do You Need to Petition for Alimony in Sheffield Village Successfully?
A family of four outdoors, with a man holding a baby, a boy hugging him, and a woman standing next to him, all smiling. Trees and a camper are in the background.
What Are The Top 5 Legal Risks To Avoid During The Sheffield Village Adoption Process?
A woman sits on a couch looking pensive, with a man blurred in the background.
What Are The Most Common Mistakes to Avoid During Your Sheffield Village Divorce Proceedings?
A smiling woman sits on a sofa while a child hugs her from behind, both appearing happy and relaxed.
How Can Parents Navigate Child Support Modifications During Economic Hardship in Sheffield Village?
A couple smiles at their baby inside a cozy, well-lit room.
How Does Ohio’s Interstate Adoption Law Affect Your Sheffield Village Adoption Case?
Three people in business attire stand in an office, appearing deep in thought.
What Are the Hidden Tax Implications of Your Ohio Divorce Settlement?
A woman in a pink shirt removes a ring from her finger while a person in a white shirt sits in the background.
Why Do 40% of Sheffield Village Divorces Involving Hidden Assets Lead to Extended Court Battles?
Snow-covered pine trees under a cloudy sky resemble the careful consideration involved in estate planning, with delicate snowflakes gently falling like thoughtful decisions.
Estate Planning Around the Holidays: A Gift for Your Loved Ones
A child sits between two adults on a sofa, appearing thoughtful. The adults' hands are visible, engaging in conversation.
What Are The Top 3 Factors That Determine Alimony Awards in Ohio?
A humanoid robot holding a briefcase stands in front of a seated group of people with one person checking their watch, another person using a phone, and two others looking ahead.
Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
The use of AI in employment settings raises several legal and ethical concerns that employers must consider to avoid legal ramifications.
Two gold rings, one with small diamonds, placed on red paper with torn edges.
Secure Your Future: Estate Planning After a Divorce
Ensure that your assets are managed and distributed accordingly.
Four people standing in front of a building entrance with glass doors and windows. They are smiling and dressed in business casual attire.
Meet Our Summer Associates!
Join us in extending a warm welcome to our 2024 Summer Associates.
A pair of black dress shoes with a shoelace tied together, worn with dark blue socks and dark trousers, standing on a carpeted floor.
FTC Bans Non-Compete Agreements
The Federal Trade Commission enacted a significant regulatory measure: the prohibition of non-compete agreements.
A person hangs a sign in a window that reads, "Welcome, we are open, please come in.
Do Business Owners Need an Estate Plan?
Yes! Without an estate plan, the impact could be far-reaching.
A pile of mixed green peas and diced carrots on a white background.
Yours, Mine, and Ours: Estate Planning for Blended Families
With blended families, it's essential to approach estate planning with careful consideration and sensitivity to the new family dynamics.
A man in a suit stands at a fork in a stone path, with green grass and a blue sky in the background, contemplating two divergent routes.
Confused About Medicaid Long-Term Care Planning?
Navigating the requirements of Medicaid eligibility can be daunting.
Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood with large homes, well-maintained lawns, a curved street, and a nearby golf course featuring a green and sand traps.
Do You Own Real Estate in Another State?
A revocable living trust may help you avoid probate of your real estate asset
A "Termination of Employment" document on a wooden desk next to a book, a pen, and a pair of glasses.
Terminating an Employee
Avoiding a lawsuit after terminating an employee requires careful planning, adherence to legal guidelines, and a commitment to fair and respectful practices.
A family of three walks hand in hand along a rural path at sunset, surrounded by chickens and fields.
Family Farms
Family farms have long been a cornerstone of the American economy and face a range of legal issues impacting sustainability and longevity.
Four colleagues in business attire sit around a conference table. Two men are shaking hands while a woman smiles, and another woman observes. Papers and a laptop are on the table.
Executive Employee Agreements
Executive employee agreements are legal documents that outline the terms and conditions of an executive's employment.
A conference room with a wooden table, leather chairs, an open notebook with a pen, and a glass of water. A plant is seen in the background.
Effective Board Governance
Corporate boards impart their vision and commitment to the organization's mission by building trust, transparency, and accountability.
A pen is positioned above a document titled "Request for Background Check," with text detailing certification and conditions visible below.
How Companies Use Background Checks
It is important that the background check process is consistent, legal, and fair.
Two people sit at a table with a divorce agreement, wedding rings, and a pen between them.
Separated vs. Divorced: Which is Best For You?
Changing your marital status is difficult, and it can be even harder to decide whether you want to become divorced or legally separated. Read along for everything you need to know about the difference between divorce and legal separation.
A person is signing a document on a clipboard while another hand gestures. A gavel is visible in the background on the wooden table.
Litigation vs. Arbitration: What is the Difference?
While litigation and arbitration are similar processes for resolving disputes, there are key differences to know.
Open-plan office with several people working at desks. Each person is using a computer or going through paperwork. Large windows allow natural light into the space.
Five Signs You’re Being Taking Advantage of at Work
If you aren't being treated fairly in the workplace, it's time to speak up. We've outlined five signs to help you recognize that it might be time to seek legal counsel.
A row of colorful historic buildings, including a red one with a clock tower, lines a street with parked cars and trees in the foreground under a clear blue sky.
Gembala, McLaughlin & Pecora Brings Legal Services to Medina, OH
Gembala, McLaughlin & Pecora has officially opened up a second location in Medina, Ohio. Our team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to providing the highest quality of legal services to our clients in Medina County and the surrounding area. If you are looking for a lawyer near you in Medina, we are here to help.
Three people sit at a table, smiling and holding hands. A clipboard and pen are on the table, and a plant is visible in the background.
What Is Elder Law?
Elder Law is the legal practice of counseling and representing older persons and persons with special needs, and their representatives, concerning the legal aspects of health and long-term care planning.