Kudos to Willowick startup on receiving grant | Bouquets and Brickbats | Opinion

BOUQUETS>> To Willowick-based startup company NVeyeTech on receiving a $100,000 grant from Innovation Fund Northeast Ohio.

The grant will assist the company in bringing its night vision system for motorcycles to market in the spring of 2019, according to a news release.

Innovation Fund Northeast Ohio is a nonprofit organization partnering with community colleges to accelerate the growth of technology startups through early-stage funding and education. These funds provide entrepreneurs the capital, mentoring and education to launch and grow new companies while inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Robert Schindler, co-owner and founder of NVeyeTech, has been working with LakeStart mentor Kip Marlow for over a year to help bring his product to the marketplace.

NVeyeTech’s system will feature a camera monitor that will attach to a bike’s handlebars and enable the rider to see much more clearly at night. The idea for the product is credited to Schindler’s friend, Joe Krizmanich, the release stated.

LakeStart, based in Willoughby, is a nonprofit organization committed to mentoring and inspiring entrepreneurs to cultivate and commercialize concepts, ideas, and prototypes for startups, while also assisting businesses in various stages of development.

The incubator provides diverse industry guidance from experienced professionals and proven entrepreneurs. The ultimate goal is to accelerate economic growth and job creation in Lake County.

Marlow believes the idea behind LakeStart is to surround budding entrepreneurs with great mentors that will help them launch their new businesses.

“NVeyeTech is a true success story for us, and we look forward to helping other individuals,” he said.

Just what budding small businesses need — mentors to help guide them and capital to turn their vision into reality. 

BOUQUETS>> To those behind the passage of a bill banning child marriages in Ohio.

The Ohio Senate unanimously passed the House Bill Dec. 27 to send forward the bill that increases the age of marriage to 18 with some exceptions.

Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, called the passage of the bill “a step in the right direction.” In 2017, Yuko introduced a similar bill in the senate.

“Most people are shocked to learn that children as young as 14 are getting married in Ohio,” Yuko said. “This often leads to emotional trauma, fewer educational opportunities and increased risk of abuse. We have a duty to enact this law and protect our children.”

The version of the bill that is moving forward has an exception to allow 17-year-olds to marry if they obtain juvenile court consent, if their partner is no more than four years older and if they complete a 14-day waiting period. 

We’re glad to see this bill head to the governor’s desk.

BRICKBATS >> To those bringing fentanyl and fentanyl analogs into Northeast Ohio.

As recently as five years ago there wasn’t a single fentanyl case in the Lake County Crime Lab. Now it’s the most commonly seen opioid in the Painesville Township-based lab.

The powerful synthetic opioid now outpaces even heroin in the lab, which receives submissions for testing from law enforcement agencies throughout the county.

Through Oct. 19, the lab had 232 fentanyl cases compared to 167 heroin cases. 

The lab is seeing fewer fentanyl analog cases this year due to a significant decrease in carfentanil cases. The decline in is a welcome one. It’s one of the most powerful known opioids and is 100 times more potent than fentanyl.

The Lake County Narcotics Agency also noted last year they were seeing an increase in crystal meth known as “Ice” from Mexico. 

These drugs are killers. Stay away.

BRICKBATS>> To the minivan driver who struck and killed an Ohio mail carrier in Wadsworth Township. 

Fifty-nine-year-old Randy Irwin of Macedonia died at the scene of the afternoon crash on state Route 94 in Wadsworth Township, roughly 30 miles south of Cleveland.

Investigators don’t believe drugs or alcohol was a factor; the crash remains under investigation.

The woman driving the van suffered minor injuries.

Let this serve as a sobering reminder to all drivers: It only takes an instant for driving to turn tragic.