740-472-0734 < P.O. Box 70, Woodsfield,
OH 43793 <
monroecountybeacon@sbcglobal.net
Below are links to portions of this week's news
articles. For the full story, pick up a paper
at your local newsstand or send $1 with your name/address to P.O. Box 70,
Woodsfield, OH 43793.
April 16, 2009
<Woodsfield
VFD Accepts Bid For New $278,000 Fire Truck
by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
A new fire truck was the hot topic
reported at the April 7 meeting of Woodsfield Village Council, followed
closely by a request to set up a phone bank at the municipal building.
Fire Chief Mike Young told council
that the department had accepted the lowest bid of $278,372 through the
state from All American Fire Equipment for the purchase of a new truck. He
said the department has a down payment of $65,000. The remainder will
be paid with levy monies. The department will receive a $6,000 discount
because the chassis will be paid off before the truck is built on it.
In an unrelated matter, four
firefighters will attend continuing education classes through the Ohio Oil
and Gas Department. The course is $700 per firefighter with the state paying
$650 per firefighter and the VFD paying $50 per firefighter.
Concerning the phone number used to
call the fire department, 472-1616, it was noted that residents of Center
Township and Woodsfield should dial 9.1.1. The 472 number will be
disconnected effective April 17.
Greg Ogden of The Time is NOW
Committee asked and was granted the use of council chambers to set up a
phone bank. The bank will consist of four laptop computers with phone
lines. Ogden said the room will be used two or three times a week to contact
voters with information about the levy. He noted people are getting
misinformation which they hope to clear up and answer any other questions.
The phone bank is expected to be used
primarily between 5 and 9 p.m.
The phone bank is sponsored by the
AFL-CIO.
In his report, Village Administrator
Jeff Woodell reported the Appalachian Regional Commission is allowing the
village to move forward to obtain a $330,000 to $350,00 loan from OWDA. Of
that amount $250,000 will be repaid as soon as the village receives the
$250,000 grant from ARC. The money will allow work to start on the water
line from Rubel Lake to the village.
Council authorized a cooperative
agreement for construction of the Rubel’s Lake water line extension project
between the village and the Ohio Water Development Authority. It was passed
on an emergency basis.
Woodell noted a fence at Oaklawn is
leaning and should be fixed before it tears off the top row of block wall.
He noted also that one gate is falling off. On a motion by Councilman Vernon
Henthorn, Woodell was authorized to obtain bids for repairs.
Another item concerning the cemetery
involved a mower. Henthorn moved to purchase a 25 horse power mower with a
51-inch deck at state pricing, $7,760. The village will keep its old mower
as a backup.
Woodell reported on a law to place a
bubble drain in swimming pools. The price tag ranges from $4,000 to $5,200.
He was able to obtain one for $450.
Councilman Bill Moore told council
member he had attended the Miss Ohio Karissa Martin Sign Dedication held
April 4. He complimented the village and village administrator for the
cooperation given to Citizens National Bank, which sponsored the event. He
noted “An outstanding performance by Miss Ohio.”
|
<Labor
Agreement Signed for Proposed School Project
The Switzerland of Ohio School Board
recently signed a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with two building trades
organizations. Accord-ing to Larry Elliott, school district superintendent,
the agreement says the school board will use local, union craftsmen in the
construction of new schools proposed in the May 5 school bond issue.
In return, the two building trades
organizations, Parkers-burg-Marietta Building Con-struction Trades Council
and the Upper Ohio Valley Build-ing and Construction Trades Council, consent
to finish the proposed project on time and on budget without any work
stoppages.
“We are pleased to have a PLA because
we know the importance of having well-trained craftsmen working on our
schools’ building projects,” said Elliott. “It is our belief that investing
in quality craftsmen will give our students the best schools that we are
able to provide.”
Similar school projects with a PLA
agreement have been successful, such as in Marshall County, W.Va., resulting
in a multi-million dollar project being completed at budget and ahead of
schedule.
Bill Hutchinson, business manager for
the Parkersburg-Marietta Building Construct-ion Trades Council, supports the
PLA agreement.
“We look forward to having our
craftsmen build these schools for the 21st century,” said Hutchinson.
Leaders with the Upper Ohio Valley
Building and Construction Trades Council echo Hutchinson’s sentiments.
“Our membership is ready to go to
work and build the buildings that will help give our students the best place
to learn and grow,” said Tom Gray, president for the Upper Ohio Valley
Building and Construction Trades Council.
The Switzerland of Ohio Schools is
currently the largest public school district in the state of Ohio. It is
composed of 546 square miles in Monroe, Belmont and Noble counties.
The bond issue will be used to build
and replace Bealls-ville K-12, Woodsfield Ele-mentary, Skyvue Elementary,
Monroe Central High School, Powhatan Elementary, combine and replace Sardis
and Hannibal Elementary schools, and renovate River High School.
The district will have a total
building project costing more than $88 million.
The Ohio School Facilities Commission
will pay 63 percent of the total project cost, with the remaining 37 percent
being covered with the passage of the proposed May 5 bond issue.
|
<County
Commissioners, Council Endorse District School Project
Monroe County Commissioners as well
as Woodsfield Village Council have endorsed the school bond levy proposed on
the May 5 ballot.
Action was taken at the April 6
meeting of county commissioners to endorse the issue. Jason Yoss, member of
The time is NOW committee, at the request of commissioners, answered a
number of questions.
“It’s a turning point for Monroe
County to flourish ...” noted John Pyles, board president as he made the
motion to endorse the bond issue.
“We’re going to be able to get
[schools built] cheaper than at any other time,” said Commissioner Carl
Davis.
According to Yoss, the project will
create about 1,000 construction jobs in the area, and of those 1,000 at
least half will be local union members. He noted, too, that they expect
another 500 or so spin-off jobs in the local economy. “It’s like our own
private stimulus plan,” said Yoss.
“We have an opportunity to invest in
the future of Monroe County and the kids,” said Commissioner Tim Price. “I’m
for it 100 percent.”
In addition to county commissioners,
the Village of Woodsfield adopted a resolution at its April 7 meeting to
endorse the 8.19 mill bond levy for new and renovated schools. The motion
was made by Councilwoman Carol Hehr. The vote was unanimous.
|
<Commissioners
Open Bids for Emergency 911 Equipment
Bids were opened for E-911 equipment
during the April 13 meeting of Monroe County Commissioners, who also
approved a recommendation by the county engineer and authorized the dog
warden to inspect a mobile unit for office use by dog pound employees.
Matt Brake, 911 project coordinator,
Swiss Valley Associates, Sardis, opened seven bids for 911 equipment and
location-based response system (LBRS). Bids were received from Digital Data
Technology Inc. of Columbus, which bid $145,000 for LBRS; Cisco Public
Safety, Newport Ritchey, Florida bid $4,000 on ALI Fax; Swiss Valley
Associates of Sardis bid $34,000 for addressing, which will be done if funds
are available; WTH Technology Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, $15,050 for
mapping and $157,850 for LBRS; Staley Communica-tions, Wheeling, $233,524
for three areas: backup 911, mapping and ALI fax. They also bid on radios
for the sheriff’s office, $59,094.83 and the EMA office, $21,915.56. P.C.
Tek, Woodsfield, bid $5,170 for networking; Plant CML, Tenecula, California,
bid $40,490 for reverse 911.
Brake will review the bids and bring
recommendations to commissioners.
Lonnie Tustin, county engineer,
opened the sole bid for liquid asphalt for dust control. The bid was then
awarded to Asphalt Materials of Marietta. According to Tustin, materials
have increased about 40 cents per gallon over last year’s cost.
Ronda Piatt, dog warden, was
authorized to inspect a 12x60 mobile unit located in St. Clairsville and
place a bid on the seller’s web site.
Dave Kuhn, EMS coordinator, told
officials the EMS contract expired April 11. On a motion by Commissioner
Carl Davis, the contract was extended to June 11, 2009. The vote was 2-0.
Commissioner John Pyles was unable to attend the meeting.
|
<County
Officials Approached About Airport, Bed Tax and CPC
by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
Information concerning airport grants
and a proposal to re-create a County Planning Commission and to impose a bed
tax were brought to the April 6 meeting of Monroe County Commissioners.
Wayne Forshey, airport support network advocate for
the Airport Owners and Pilots Association, supplied officials with a guide
to airport compliance. He said the information outlines 36 grant assurances
to which the county agrees when it accepts grant money. The
information also speaks to leasing property and accommodations for
aeronautical enterprises that want to come onto the airport and do business.
He also provided a guide to hangar development.
Asked by Commissioner Carl Davis
about compliance of the airport and if Forshey felt commissioners are where
they ought to be, Forshey noted a business in the county has been trying to
negotiate since June of last year to rent the maintenance hangar. He said if
commissioners would talk to FAA officials they would know that if the county
has an aeronautical enterprise, they need to be accommodated first since the
money was awarded for aeronautics.
The business Forshey was referring to
is his own, Always Flying Aircraft Restoration.
“At this point we’re still trying to
negotiate with the airport authority to see what they’re willing to do,”
said Forshey. He noted he has offered to guarantee rent for a number of
years. “Not to mention another successful business in town paying taxes and
possibly employing more people in the future.”
Team Monroe Community Developer Tom
Scott approached officials on behalf of Team Monroe to ask that they
“initiate procedures that will serve to enhance the fiscal conditions of the
county ...” and contribute to the creation and achievement of county
projects.
“Specifically, we are here to urge
you to implement a county bed tax and recreation of a county planning
commission,” said Scott.
Commissioner John Pyles indicated the
planning commission hasn’t met for two years. According to Scott, Team
Monroe would look to the commission as augmenting their efforts. He noted
more input and ideas cannot be detrimental. He noted also that it would be
good for the planning commission to review the two-year vision plan which he
submitted recently.
Scott noted that a bed tax would not
be a tax on county residents. He suggested the board check with their peers
in other counties to see what it has done to enhance their counties.
Commissioners took no action.
No action was taken with regard to an
executive session requested by Sheriff Chuck Black. The session was called
at 4:10 p.m. to discuss personnel with regard to hiring.The meeting
adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
On a motion by Commissioner Carl
Davis, April was proclaimed Fair Housing month in Monroe County.
<Recovery
Funds at Work for Emergency Food and Shelter
Ohio will receive $4,297,456 in
American Recovery funds for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program provided
through a FEMA grant. Of that, Ohio’s Sixth Congressional District will
receive $308,019.
According to the U.S. De-partment of
Homeland Security, these funds can be used for a broad range of services,
including mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food
pantries and food banks, one-month assistance with rent, mortgage and
utility payments to prevent evictions, and transition assistance from
shelters to stable living conditions. The program’s objectives are to
allocate funds to the neediest areas; to ensure fast response; to foster
public/private sector partnerships; to ensure local decision-making; and to
maintain minimal but accountable reporting. “With families out of work,
putting food on the table is tough,” said Congressman Charlie Wilson. “Food
pantries and food banks are all seeing an increase in demand and this
Recovery money will help meet a lot of need in our community.”
The sixth district is made up of 12
counties. Monroe County will receive $5,410.
The remaining 11 counties will
receive the following portions of the Recovery Funds:
Athens, $21,119; Belmont, $22,349;
Columbiana County, $43,562; Gallia, $10,028; Jefferson, $25,758; Lawrence,
$17,700; Mahoning, $96,838; Meigs, $9,997; Noble, $5,525; Scioto, $29,625;
Washington, $20,108.
The program is governed by a national
board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic
Charities USA, United Jewish Communities, National Coun-cil of the Churches
of Christ in the USA, Salvation Army and Untied Way of America. The Board is
chaired by a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
|
< 2009
Know Show Winners
Businesses and their door prize
winners at the 2009 Know Show were: AYE Photography - Jeannie Hughes, Karen
Huffman, Amy Figel, L. Kenney; Bayer Heritage Fed-eral Credit Union - Norma
J. Antill; Belmont Dodge - Mary Ann Ollom, Karen Huffman, D. Paxton, Elmer
Azar, Bob Nichols, Vera Ullman, Theresa Piatt, Melinda Lyden; C&A Creations
- Jenn Randall; D&L Sales - Dean Briggs; Dennis Miller Garage Doors - Bernar-do
Male, Mary Stephen, Irene Hutchinson, Rebecca Milosa-vljevic, Patricia
Bobkovich, Don Ferguson, Ruth Cox, Bertha Hossman, Susan English, Pat
Gibson, Marvin Perkins; German Farmers - Judy Pittman, Jennifer Landefeld,
Thelma Zwick, Jane Robbins, Zella Butler; Mary Kay Cosmetics - Patty
Kirkbride; Modern Hardware - Dave Paulus, Jacqui Gillman; Monroe Country
Chamber 50/50 Drawing - Martha Ackerman; Chamber County Store - Betty
Kinney, Tammy Gordon, Tara Brookover, Bertha Saho, Susan Paulus, Belva
Blackstone, Barb Coe, June Robbin, Ashlyn Grose,
Charlotte Cline, Marshal Paulus, Tyler Alleman, Carey Bott, Jim McGuire,
Doris Miller; MCPT - Patti Mellott; Monroe County Republican Party -
Margaret Daugherty; Monroe Tire - Floyd Denbow, Eloise Lemmon, Norene Ewers,
Susan English, Jerrod LeMasters, Gary Lake; New Vision Video - Katrina
Paulus; OVCCU - Britney Gallagher, Gary Jones, Barb Coe; OSU Extension -
Bernard Saunders, Gary Jones; Pamida - Margaret Daugherty, Judy Biedenbach.
Monroe County Farm Bur-eau - Betty Kinney, Bernardo Male, Loretta Clymer,
Denise Dalrymple, Kathy Miller, Roger Claus, Jean Reed, Belva Blackstone,
Lisa Workman, Dan Stoffel, Tami Nichols, Ruthann Ridgeway, Martha Steven,
Alice Perkins, Sam and Dorothy Templeton, Bob Nichols, Laura Cline.
Monroe County Beacon - Amy Carpenter,
Lisa Workman.
Gift certificates ($25) from Monroe
County Chamber of Commerce - Martha Stephen, Janice Alleman, Susie Emery,
Paul Eddy, Doris Knowlton, Dale Blackstone, Mindy Smith, Barb Gatten, Jean
Kaplan, Kylie Knowlton, Mindy Gallagher, Mary Eddy.
Pampered Chef - Bill Snod-grass, Bev
Dick, Sandy Fontana, Jenny Abbott, Cindy Coss, Jerry Smith, Susan Paulus,
Steve King, Tara Brookover, Kerri Stollar, Wilma Burkhart.
Positive Balance - Brian Lyden, Tyler
Zimmer, Ruby Heft, Christian Crawford, Caryma Gallagher, Sydney Pasztor,
Molly Nelson.
Rada Cutlery - Denise Dal-rymple.
Randall L. Gallagher Mem-orials -
Mary Graham, Christy Hendershot; Relay For Life - Rich Dick, Fay Riggenbach,
Bonnie Peffer, Robert Kindelberger, Krista Starr, Bernard Sanders, Barbara
Coe, June Rollins, Georgia Rohal, Dean Briggs, Jane Robbins, Geneva
Hendershot, Darlene Lucas, Vonnie Hranko, Nada Keylor, Mary Lou Schilling,
Corrine Billman, P. Dick, Dennis Miller, Dave Robbins, Debbie Koehler,
Margaret Daugherty, Rhea Hupp, Barbara Ann Gatten, Trisha Piatt, Krystal
Brown; Riesbeck’s - Melinda Henthorn, Marjorie Josefczyk, Mandy Abregg,
Laura Brock.
Shadow Lake - Phyllis Claus, Eleanor
Williamson; Summit Acres - Gary Dunfee.
Swiss Hills Arts & Crafts - Angie
Hupp.
Team Monroe - Glenda Thomas, Amy
Carpenter, Mark Tonkery, Thelma Yingling, Alexis Thomas, N.J. Antill, Elmer
Azar, Judy Biedenbach, Margaret Daugherty.
The Career Center - Bernardo Male,
Tammy Jones.
Thompson Video Produc-tions - Lisa
Martin.
TLC Complete Home Care - Lisa
Workman.
Tupperware - Belva Black-stone, Nancy Tonkery.
United Country Realty Done Right -
Cindy Graham, Dan Stoffel.
Way Rad Candies - Kayley Dimmerling.
Weight Watchers - Debbie Eby, Janet
Stoffel; Westwood Landing - Ken Alleman.
Wetzel County Hospital - Millie Mozena, Tara Brookover.
Woodsfield Savings Bank - Bertha
Hossman, Rylee Steed; Zurvita - Ryan Cline.
|
<
|
< Obituaries
C. VIRGIL ROTH
C. Virgil Roth, 88, Doylestown, died
April 6, 2009, at his residence. He was born May 26, 1920 in Woodsfield, a
son of the late Ettson Guy and Arlie Drum 4256.
Online tributes may be made at
www.robertsfuneralhome.com.
SHIRLEY E. DELONG
Shirley E. Delong, 92, 32262 Harper
Rdg. Rd., Woodsfield, (Calais Com-munity) died April 7, 2009, at Summit
Acres Nursing Home, Caldwell. She was born Dec. 2, 1916 at Calais, a
daughter of the late Abel and Emma Dailey Hayes. Online condolences may be
expressed at www.wattersfuneralhome.com.
ZACHARY JAMES RUBLE
Zachary James Ruble, 19, Maysville,
Ky., died April 2, 2009, in Washington County, Utah, near Zion National
Park. He was born Oct. 25, 1989 in Paducah, Ky., a son of James and Paula
Ruble. Condolences may be expressed at
knoxbrothersfuneralhome.com.
JANET M. GORDON
Janet Gordon, 79, Colum-bus, formerly
of Woodsfield, died April 3, 2009. Condolences may be expressed at
www.ohiocremation.org.
NANCY L. LUCAS
Nancy L. Lucas, 57, Woods-field, died
April 1, 2009, at her home. She was born Oct. 20, 1951 in Beallsville, a
daughter of Marjorie Hutchison Foltz of Beallsville.
Condolences can be expressed at www.bauerturner.com.
|
<Our
Readers Write:
Dear Editor,
Based upon information/formula given
to me by the auditor’s office, the levy would increase my taxes by 29
percent. That is not insignificant.
I don’t think students should go to a
school that is deplorable but neither are they “entitled” to a state of the
art school. I think the current school can be rehabilitated for less than
$35 million; the courthouse was. The Board could have used the $50,000 it
will spend on this election to make repairs.
At a meeting years ago, I asked why
estimates were not sought for repairs. I never got an answer, but I know the
answer. The Board does not want decent or “okay” schools. The Board and
administration want state of the art schools. It will sit and do nothing
while the schools fall apart because it wants new schools.
Can students do well in “deplorable”
schools? Yes, every week the Beacon carries stories about Monroe graduates
who have earned awards, scholarships, and other achievements.
Upon every opportunity the last few
years I have asked students how they felt about their schools. The most
common answer was “it’s okay.”
Might the old high school be used
again? Well, actually it is, for everything except school. The Board (with
changing members over the years) has closed schools, bought trailers,
complained about the trailers it bought, watched the buildings deteriorate,
neglected repair and upkeep, and called for special elections to try and
force the voters to buy their new schools.
I think necessary repairs could be
made to existing schools for a lot less than the 35 million over 28 years
that this levy will cost.
The State is getting billions in
federal aid so a better deal is possible. If the voters once again say no
means no perhaps the next special levy will finally be for building repair.
David Zehnder
Clarington
Dear Editor,
The following is in regards to the
proposed school bond issue. It seems some people are failing to grasp the
big picture. This is not just about our schools; this is about our
communities.
These schools are cornerstones to
each and every community. Without these cornerstones, the community falters.
Invest a little now, and reap the
rewards in the future. To obtain the future jobs we need, and to retain the
ones we already have, this is a first step.
This is also a step in retaining the
residents or our communities that choose to go elsewhere due to the
condition of our schools.
This is a monumental crossroads for
our area. Either embrace the future and flourish or grasp on to the past and
languish.
This decision rests squarely on all
of our shoulders. At least think it over, get the facts, and make an
educated vote. As the cornerstone says on old WHS, “The Youth Our Hope”.
They knew it then; let’s show we still know it now.
Casey Bott
Woodsfield
Dear Editor,
As the temperatures warm, the fields
begin to green and new life springs around us, celebrating National Donate
Life Month seems fitting. There are currently 91,000 men, women and children
on the waiting list for a life-saving transplant. This year, four times as
many people are on the organ transplant waiting list than will be
transplanted. On average, 17 Americans die each day due to a lack of
available organs. Did you know that one donor can save the lives of seven
people and enhance the lives of 50 others?
Because of God’s grace and a very
generous decision from a loving family, who had just lost their 14-year old
daughter, I am alive today. Born with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease of
the lungs and digestive system that slowly, but surely, does its best to zap
every breath you take, I was told that my only hope of survival was to have
a double-lung transplant. Six years and eight months ago I was given the
gift of life and received new lungs. Since that time, I have lived a life
that I never dreamed I would even live to see, let alone live so fully. I
have gone from not being able to walk across the room without getting short
of breath to being able to complete the Ogden 20K in Wheeling in May of
2007. Daily activities that most people take for granted like taking a
shower, climbing stairs and carrying in groceries required so much energy
and oxygen that I would become fatigued. I felt like I was failing in every
aspect of my life, from being a good
wife, daughter, and sister to being a good aunt to my nieces and nephews
whom I loved dearly and wanted to spend as much time with as possible.
Praise God, since transplant, I have a new life. Oxygen tanks and three
times a day breathing treatments are a thing of the past. I have energy to
complete daily tasks, play, exercise and even run a business. I am thrilled
to share my story with others and appreciate every opportunity to encourage
others to make the most of the time they have been given through proper
nutrition and exercise. Transplants never come without some complications,
precautions, and medications, but the life I am enjoying now far outweighs
any negative consequences of transplant. I daily praise God for the lungs he
is allowing me to use and care for. Having a transplant makes one appreciate
the little things in life. We too often forget that good health is one of
the greatest blessings of all.
Being an organ and/or tissue donor is
one of the most generous things you can do. All major religious groups
support organ and tissue donation as a generous act of charity. People of
all ages and medical histories can donate life. I am proof that
transplantation works! The good news is that each year more than 27,000
lives are saved through the kindness of organ donors. It is worth noting
that in a world where we hear so much negativity and seem to have so many
problems, there are still many loving, kind people who are willing to help
others. Perhaps if we could all stop counting our troubles for just a
moment, we might realize the blessings we have. Receiving new lungs has been
a blessing beyond what I ever deserve, but one I cherish with every breath.
I hope you will consider saying “yes” to organ and tissue donation. You can
register your wishes at the BMV and sign up in the Ohio Donor Registry. Tell
your family of your wishes. Wearing or
displaying a green ribbon signifies support of organ and tissue donation.
For more information, contact www.lifeofohio.org or call 1-800-525-5667.
I would also like to take this
opportunity to welcome everyone to the Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis
Walk on Sat., May 16. The walk will begin at 2 p.m. and will be held at
Deerassic Park, just outside of Cambridge. Please help us find a cure for
Cystic Fibrosis. Of every dollar donated, .90 is used to fund the vital
programs of the CF Foundation. Recently, the CF Foundation received
recognition in Smart Money as the number one health related charity in the
country.
Thank you and God Bless.
Janet Reed
Woodsfield
Dear Editor,
In response to many of the past
letters to the editor about Economic Development, Job and Family Services,
the County Commissioners and Jeanette Harter:
Isn’t it sad that the truth is not
sought by those who write letters that accuse and attack the things that
others do? How many of you have been a Commissioner? How many of you were
previously a Director at Job and Family Services? How many even understand
County government?
There are those who have stepped up
and taken on great responsibilities for this County but not one of those
letters says thanks. Not one of those letters was written after a genuine
attempt to seek out the truth. They are merely lame accusations and hurtful
remarks. If the letter writers think that these people are doing such a poor
job, why don’t they do something positive or step up to the plate? Instead,
they hide behind their negativity and ignorance.
Jeanette Harter continually gets
attacked for having more than one job. Yet, no one acknowledges that she was
approached by all of the entities that she works (worked) for because of the
good work that she does.
The Monroe County Airport was facing
problems and poor record keeping. She pulled them out of this, leaving the
current secretary/treasurer with excellent records. Center Township suffered
the loss of a clerk and the resignation of another and she helped them
through a time that not too many would have been able to do. When she left
the Auditor’s office, she was asked by the Commissioners to continue working
with the budgets. She has educated and helped several new and many seasoned
Commissioners over the last 14 years, and as of Jan. 1, requested to
volunteer her time since the county was facing so many budget problems.
How many of the letter writers have
actually seen the amount of work that Jeanette has done? How many of them
would even want to spend the hours that she does? Look around at your
friends, family and co-workers. How many of them has an extra job or runs a
business besides working a full time job? How many of them have retired
and come back to work, possibly taking that job from a young college
graduate? Jeanette is not the only one in this County that holds more than
one job and yet she is the only one that gets letters written about it in
the paper.
In reference to the abolishment of
the Economic Development position, just what would you have done? Jeanette
Harter has an agency to run that is facing many tough times ahead and
budgets are being slashed. The Commissioners are only able to contribute a
small amount of money to Job and Family Services, yet are completely
responsible for bills that keep children in the County safe. Did anyone ask
other Job and Family Services in the state if they had an Economic
Development position within their agency and if they are paying a salary and
fringe benefits?
Obviously they did not because they
would be hard pressed to find even one. If you fell on hard times and needed
assistance or had an unfortunate situation arise with your child, would you
like to be told that you cannot be served because the agency had to pay an
Economic Developer and laid off two others who could have helped you?
Probably not.
Tom Scott has impressed a few of the
“friends of Team Monroe”. I for one will be glad when I see more than just
meetings and spreading goodwill. Perhaps a few jobs, filling the Black
Walnut Center, strengthening the businesses that are located here, grant
awards, and improved infrastructure will soon measure Tom Scott’s success
instead of putting together committees.
The citizens of this County are very
capable and can do anything with hard work and dedication. We did not need a
man that wasn’t from Monroe County to help us see that. If we would put our
energies into working together in tough times instead of seeing how quickly
we can cut each other down, we can succeed.
Regardless, if this County wants to
employ a Communi-ty/Economic Developer, then everyone needs to take a little
stock in it instead of hanging it on one entity.
There was a comment made about
Jeanette not working at Job and Family Services and spending all of her time
in executive session with the Commissioners. If you had ever spent any time
at all in the Commissioners’ office, matters of personnel are confidential.
A job abolishment isn’t exactly something that a professional takes lightly
out of respect for the employee. Imagine being one of the two new
Commissioners and having to face such a difficult decision so early in your
term.
I wonder what outsiders think when
they read our local newspaper? Do you suppose that we look enticing to a
business owner who may want to locate here? I think all of us need to ask
ourselves that question and remember that when you are pointing the finger
at someone, there are four more pointing back at you.
Some of you know me, and yes I am
Jeanette Harter’s mother-in-law. I have had the privilege of getting to know
her as a human being, a wife to my son and a mother to her children. How
many of you have seen her struggle with family gatherings, sports activities
and time that you take for granted, so that she can service this county,
calls interrupting dinner or time with friends. She has been accused,
verbally assaulted and had her name drug through the dirt, through it all
she holds her head high and still does the bet job she can do. Yes, she has
held many positions in this county, and yes she does a great job and Monroe
County should feel lucky to have her after the way she has been treated. I
am very glad she is a part of my community and my family.
Sue Wills
Woodsfield
|
<Around
the Burnside
Be prepared to spend an hour
with anyone who asks, “Got a minute?”
You have to do your own growing up no
matter how tall your grandpa was.
Wow! Smokers are really taking a hit,
fifty bucks plus for a carton of cigarettes. How time changes. I can
remember when overseas, paying fifty cents a carton. I’m sure glad I quit
smoking nearly 45 years ago. Did hear someone say, “No new taxes”?
I happened to be looking over some
information regarding the bond issue and discovered that if you owned
property worth $100,000 the extra cost would be a little over a pack of
cigarettes a week.
In spite of everything I’ve tried, we
are bound to have snow near Easter regardless of what time of year it comes
around. I remember one year I couldn’t get out of Lewisville to attend
Sunrise Service at Skyvue. On the other hand, by church time most of the
snow was gone and we were able to attend church. My kind of snow.
The planning group for the Monroe
County Retired Teachers Association met a few days ago to plan their meeting
coming up the 28th. They indicated their support of the bond levy.
I mentioned above how time changes
things. For example, I read in the Journal in their 70 years ago news the
following: “Caldwell council passes ordinance prohibiting the opening of a
pool room on Sunday or to stay open later than 11 p.m. in the evening. The
owner who permits a minor under the age of 18 to play is subject to a fine
of $40. Council took this action in order to curb petty thefts and the
loitering of school children in pool or billiard parlors.” Remind you of the
good old days? I remember a pool hall in Barnesville. I always wondered what
went on inside.
Pool halls are not the only thing
that has changed. Last week I mentioned attending a two room school house
and we worked on “Readin’, ’Ritin’ and ’Rithmetic” plus some other things.
That did us well at the time. Remember manual training?
With the development of technology
over the years it is kind of scary to an old man like me. I’ve said many
times, “I’m glad I retired before computers moved in.” We didn’t even know
what an adding machine was and now kids have cell phones that can do
anything except go to the restroom for the owner.
What I’m trying to say, I guess, the
educational needs of students these days cannot be compared to our needs
fifty or more years ago. Our facilities met our needs.
The truth is the facilities in the
Switzerland of Ohio School District do not meet the needs of the students in
our district.
To be honest, I haven’t been in many
of our schools in the last few years. I didn’t really know how bad some of
our facilities had become until I watched the DVD showing many of the
problems. Our students need better and they deserve the type of facilities
other nearby students enjoy.
It was kind of interesting at the
boys’ state high school basketball tournament this year regarding a final
four team. They made quite a thing about one of the teams in the final four
not having a gym. Their players needed to travel eight miles to a church gym
to practice and 11 miles to a grade school gym for home games. Does Monroe
Central High School have a gym? How far is it from Swiss Hills to Skyvue?
Bet their roads were better, too.
I spent 16 enjoyable years as a
teacher in the Switzerland of Ohio Schools. Eight at Skyvue and eight at the
Vocational School, now known as a Career Center. We had the tools
needed to provide the education the students required, for the most part.
I’ve been retired for nearly 25 years
and educational needs and technology development during this time has really
increased many fold. Fifty year old buildings and temporary buildings do not
provide the needs.
I have a bit of a challenge I’d like
to throw out. In last week’s Beacon there were several pages of information
regarding the Master Plan for facilities. This included what the new schools
and renovation will include, plus a picture of a possible room. If you can,
take this with you to a school of your choice and compare. Then honestly
answer this question, “I would prefer to attend this school (select your
choice) five days a week during the school year.” This is just building
preference and does not include the educational equipment and needs the new
building will contain.
As I said last week, find out the
correct information regarding the plan and then make up your mind and vote.
I’m not sure if you have followed the
NCAA trip to the final four college basketball teams take every spring.
Teams just want to be selected even if thy lose their first game like my
team did this year.
Monday evening, I settled in my easy
chair, a Mountain Dew, some popcorn and I was ready. I turned in a bit early
because I kind of enjoy the hype from the so-called experts.
Near tip off time, two of the experts
were put on the spot to predict the winner.
I will say I kind of wanted Michigan
State, even if I shiver every time I hear anyone say Michigan, win because
three players on the starting five were from Ohio. I really doubted if they
had a chance.
Both experts threw out their reasons
and picked Michigan State to win. North Carolina must not have heard them.
Now you know the rest of the story.
Remember: When you are asked for
help, an ounce of yes is worth a pound of maybe.
Bible readings: (Mon.) John 14:8-14;
(Tues.) Isaiah 57:14-21; From Psalm (Wed.) 6; (Thurs.) 41; (Fri.) Jeremiah
3:19-23; (Sat.) Psalm 30:1-5; (Sun.) Acts 9:32-43.
|
|