Nov. 26, 2008

Several concerned residents converged upon school board members following the board’s Nov. 20 meeting. Board members seated are Ron Winkler and Scott Dierkes, president. About 200 residents attended the meeting to find out why Woodsfield High School was closed. The closing has forced activities held at the school to be shuffled to various areas in the county. From left, speaking to Dierkes, is Rusty Bondy, Richele Brown, Karen Harper and Nicole Jorris (in white shirt).

<Residents Seek Answers About Woodsfield High School Closing

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
        Suggestions about what could be done to allow the former Woodsfield High School to reopen appeared to fall on deaf ears as board members voted last week to uphold the decision of Supt. Larry Elliott to close the facility.
        The facility was closed following a Nov. 17 review of district schools by a representative of the state fire marshal’s office.
        It was after a two-hour meeting with residents and an executive session that the board voted to authorize the superintendent to hire an architect to bring the building up to code. The vote was 5-0.
        Elliott told the group of about 200 that the school is not up to fire code and is unsafe. He explained the liability became that of the school district because “now we know” about the violations. He noted also that since administration was given the violations in writing, there is no insurance coverage if someone gets hurt.
        Elliott said the school is closed for the short term, noting the space is needed for various activities until new facilities are constructed.
        He said the No.1 concern is safety of the children. Noting the facility provides a place for activities, he indicated alternate sites have  been located for activities which were held at the former high school.
        Elliott said the No. 2 priority is the building. He said it was his intent to ask the board to hire an architect so that repairs are done right.
        Residents were armed with questions about the closure as well as suggestions on action which might be taken to reopen it. The reaction of several was anger; most were confused about  what had happened to cause the closure. One resident told officials they had defeated their own levy, while another told officials they have caused people to distrust administration.
        Sherri Singleton addressed the board as a representative of Monroe Central wrestling parents. “It is inconsequential whether the neglect to maintain facilities was a result of an inability to do so or an unwillingness to do so, the outcome was the same - children were hurt by the closing of facilities,” she said.
        She told officials it’s time for a multi-purpose building. She also asked for a breakdown of expenses for fixing WHS and also asked if there is a budget to pay for the repairs.
        Singleton also asked, as did others, if they could volunteer their time to help fix the building.
        She asked why the five district schools which are over capacity were not closed.
        That question was asked by several individuals who noted that Beallsville’s school had 16 violations as opposed to 12 similar violations at the former Woodsfield High.
        Woodsfield resident Karen Harper indicated that in a telephone conversation the fire marshal told her his office was asked to review the school but that they did not close it. News articles, she said, implied that the fire marshal’s office ordered the closure.
        “I hope it wasn’t the board,” said Harper. “Our students have been deprived so many times.” She said closing the school has caused a hardship and inconvenience. “Why was Woodsfield High singled out and closed in one day?” she asked.
        “We were told it was a unsafe building,” answered Elliott.
        Resident and attorney Jason Yoss told the board they have to understand the concerns of the people. “Twelve violations versus 16 or 17 ... it’s confusing and illogical to close  Woodsfield and not Beallsville,” he said. High singled out and closed in one day?” she asked.
        “We were told it was a unsafe building,” answered Elliott.
        Resident and attorney Jason Yoss told the board they have to understand the concerns of the people. Twelve violations versus 16 or 17 ... it’s confusing and illogical to close  Woodsfield and not Beallsville.
        It was the consensus of those attending the meeting that their children were in less danger at WHS than they were in a school bus being transported over a slick county road. As for being a fire hazard, one parent said the school is no more of a fire hazard than the Monroe Central trailers. “If you’re talkin’ safety ... those trailers will go up faster than the school building,” said one audience member.
        In a call to the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Beacon was informed that Nov. 17 is the first time WHS has been inspected. According to Shane Cartmill, public information officer, the office did not know of the facility and had no identification number for it. He indicated an inspection of Monroe Central was being conducted and he was asked by Darren Cook, director of support services, to review the former high school. The review was to be made so the school district could use the building for events, education and classes. According to Cartmill, once the review began, numerous fire code violations were found. Based on the findings and codes the district chose to close the building.
        Cartmill said that if the school had not made the decision to close the facility, the fire marshal’s office would have monitored the building. If the fire marshall found it was being used, he would then do “a complete fire and life safety inspection and issue notices of violations.”
        Once an inspection is completed, the district would have a certain amount of time to become compliant with regulations.
        According to Cartmill, the inspector, Jeff Baucher, did not know the building was in use. As he toured the facility, he felt it was being used and this was confirmed. He then went to talk to the superintendent.
        “Our main purpose is to make sure people are safe,” said Cartmill.
        Violations at WHS included:
        • Repair exit lighting and add exit lights to all stairwells, hallways and places of assembly;
        • Remove all hasps from doors to any occupiable space. Repair or replace door knobs as needed;
        • Post occupancy load in gym;
        • Have manual fire alarm system tested;
        • Test all standing pipe hose;
        • Remove tape from electric panels and install breaker schedule. Place breaker lock on any that feed emergency lighting or alarm system;
        • Curtains at stage must be flame resistant;
        • Egress lighting for restrooms
        • Arched door: remove board that slides through handles and replace with panic hardware;
        • Remove all storage from all mechanical rooms;
        • Storage in hallways, stairwells and landings to be removed.

<All Decked Out for the Holiday

        The committee is hard at work making the third annual Woodsfield Christmas Festival bigger and better than in previous years. The new addition in front of the courthouse brings a family from the past, designed by Deb Bowen, to town. Shown, from left, seated: Margie Yoss, Father; standing: Ruth Workman, Mother, Deb Bowen and Little Girl. Absent was Sally Seidler.      Photo by Martha Ackerman


        Maybe you’ve noticed the new residents of Monroe County. They warm the bench in front of the Monroe County Courthouse awaiting the Christmas festivities which will be held in Woodsfield Dec. 6.
        The Victorian characters were handmade by Debbie Bowen of Bowen Construction. “Debbie has spent many hours and days working on these beautiful figures and we really appreciate all her hard work,” said Ruth Workman, a member of the Woodsfield Christmas Festival Committee. “Debbie got this idea after seeing the wonderful Victorian people they have in Cambridge during the holidays.
        “Also a big thanks to the Switzerland of Ohio Ministerial Association (SOMA) for donating clothing to dress the characters,” added Workman.
        There is a full day of events scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 beginning at 8 a.m. with Breakfast with Santa. Festivities continue throughout the day with vendors in the courthouse, store specials and refreshments, Santa’s Workshop, live radio broadcast, pictures with Santa, silent auction, barrel train rides and face painting, carriage rides, live Nativity, holiday pampering, Christmas caroling and concert and the parade. See the Dec. 4 Christmas in Monroe ad for a complete schedule.

<Health Plan Insurance Renewed, Increases at MCCC Discussed

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
        Renewal of The Health Plan insurance effective Jan. 1, 2009; EMS expenses; approval of payment for a 501(c)3 application for the CIC and rate increases at the Monroe County Care Center were all topics of discussion at the Nov. 18 meeting of Monroe County Commissioners.   The county is looking at a 21 percent increase in premiums for employees who opt to take The Health Plan’s HMO with $500/$1000 deductible and a $15/$30/$50 drug plan.
        A 23 percent increase is effective for employees who are on the Health Plan’s PPO benefit option.
        An employee switching from the HMO to the PPO in January, will see only a three percent increase from 2008 premiums.
        “The E-Squad is costing the taxpayer $114,000 from the levy, $99,000 for Workers’ Compensation, plus an additional $50,000, or more, over what they might bring in …” These figures were noted by County Commissioner Bill Thompson. He concluded it is costing taxpayers about $265,000 for EMS services. “And then,” he added, “their insurance gets billed.” According to Thompson, it costs Noble County only $159,000. He said services are bid out and the company pays its own Workers’ Comp and employees.
        Jeanette Harter, who works with the general fund budget, told commissioners the squads have $4,749.73 available to additionally appropriate. About $40,000 is expected to be received from insurances. Harter noted about $85,000 is needed.
        With the county face to face with dire money woes, Harter continues to monitor funds closely. EMS has found itself in a crunch in large part by the cost of Workers’ Compensation premiums. Emergency services now faces another year of extremely high premiums.
        Dean Gramlich, president, Community Improvement Committee, approached officials about the need for $750 to file with IRS in order to obtain a 501(c)3 application. Officials approved a motion to take the $750 from the CIC’s park fund.
        Obtaining a 501(c)3 status will bring the CIC to non-profit status. “I think we’re one of only a few CICs that are in a situation to be taxed,” said Thompson.
        Bob Reed and Ron White, representing Share LLC, the Columbus firm which manages Monroe County Care Center, discussed rate increases with officials. They recommended a $6 per day increase for current residents and a $9 per day increase for new residents after Jan. 1.
        Pyles noted concern about the increase, indicating new monies should go into the facility as opposed to salaries. According to Reed, the increase is set in the budget to reach a break-even point. He said costs have increased more each year than income and that gap is getting larger. Reed noted, too, that the number of residents has decreased.
        The current daily rate is $121. Reed said the projected cost for routine service in 2009 is $155 a day. Over the past 18 years, rates have increased by $53 per day.
        No action was taken as officials said they want to look more closely at the suggested increase.
        Reed announced that the Appalachian Regional Commis-sion has accepted their preliminary application and requested that a final application be submitted.
        Funding from ARC is being sought to help pay for assisted living quarters at Monroe County Care Center.
        Commissioners signed a letter to State Rep. Jennifer Garrison requesting support of the Wireless 911 fund bill known as House Bill 550. The bill is currently assigned to the House Finance and Appropriation Com-mittee.
        The Wireless 911 fund, a product of HB 361 enacted in 2005, has a sunset clause of December 2008.      
        HB 550 provides for an extension of the sunset through 2012, applies the 32 cent surcharge to calls, increases funds for the smallest counties from $25,000 to $90,000 annually and funds much needed public education.
        Monroe County has a fully implemented wireless 911. The wireless funding is needed to maintain the system, pay for service calls, and pay AT&T fees associated with wireless 911. Currently Monroe County is only able to employ one full-time dispatcher. The wireless funds would help cover the cost of the salary of another dispatcher so that two dispatchers could be on duty part of the time.
        In other matters:
        Allyson Cox, commission secretary, told officials that nobody wants to take over the Veteran’s Committee brick project which honors veterans. Commission President John Pyles indicated he will speak to other veterans’ organizations about the project.
        Bricks engraved with the names of veterans form a sidewalk to the prosecuting attorney’s office (formerly the board of elections office) at the courthouse and plans were to extend the brick memorials on the south side of the courthouse.
        Commissioner Francis ‘Sonny’ Block read a letter from Safe Auto into the record. According to the letter, a decision has been made not to pursue an expansion of the claims operation in Monroe County . According to the letter, written by Vic Johnson, senior vice-president of claims, projected growth over the next few years is much less than in past years. Johnson noted also that the company will not move into any new states at this time. “Therefore the need for adding new employees has greatly decreased and the need for additional facilities is not necessary.”

<Cable Ad Confuses Customers

        “It's misleading - it makes it look like [Suddenlink] is back in business [here in Woodsfield]," said Jeff Woodell, Woodsfield village administrator.
        Woodell had a barrage of telephone calls last week after residents received an offer, via mail, from Suddenlink to sign up for television cable. Calls and questions were also answered at the Beacon office.
        "Suddenlink is not coming in to compete," said Woodell. "It's an error by their marketing department." He indicated the address labels of
those who received the advertisement were apparently not pulled out of Suddenlink’s mailing system.
        After several months of negotiating with Suddenlink, Woodell was able to complete a deal enabling the village of Woodsfield to take ownership of the television cable system in July. The deal includes a non-compete clause which disallows Suddenlink to set up a cable system in competition with the village. Woodell noted, too, that it would cost $5 million to $6 million for another cable system to be installed in Woodsfield.
        "We're finally settled in and things are rollin' along good," said Woodell, "It's just a fly in the ointment.”
        With the advent of cold weather, Woodell said the Woodsfield Municipal Cable System has now picked up over 120 new customers. The system has also added several channels at no additional cost to customers.
        The Suddenlink advertisement offers cable at $40 per month for 12 months. What it does not say is that the $40 is for basic channels.
        Woodsfield Municipal Cable offers basic TV cable for under $30