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Police and Firefighter Retirees help playground

Mary Louise Ruehr
May 10, 2008

The Portage County Police and Firefighter Retirees Chapter No. 32 have purchased two small buildings for the Portage Community Built Playground. One building will be a replica of a police department, in memory of late Kent police officers Robert Lee Dess, William "Bill" Sutliff and Don Lemons. The other building will be a replica of a fire department, in memory of late Aurora firefighters Julius "Whitey" Fulop and Fred Barnoff. From left are Alberta Oostdyk, treasurer; Ray Dietz, Kent firefighter; Shelene Studzinsky of Aurora; Tony Filomena of the Kent Police Department; and Betsy Kovacic, vice president of the Friends of the Parks. Chapter No. 32 has about 50 members who meet at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Kentwood restaurant in Kent. They do not hold fund-raisers, but receive money through donations and dues.