< Obituaries

GENEVIEVE EDGELL
        Genevieve Edgell, 86, 490 West Marietta St., Woodsfield, died April 15, 2009, at Woodsfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Woodsfield. She was born Sept. 3, 1922 near Pine Grove, W.Va., a daughter of the late Walter and Martha Belle Anderson. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wattersfunralhome.com.
KAREN P. DUBOIS
        Karen P. DuBois, 53, 46 West Beechwold Blvd., Columbus, formerly of Woodsfield, died April 17, 2009, at Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus. She was born Feb. 17, 1956 in Detroit, Mich., a daughter of Laurence and Irene DuBois of Woodsfield. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wattersfuneralhome.com.

WILLIS YARNALL
Willis Yarnall, 79, Somerton, died April 14, 2009, at the Woodsfield Nursing & Rehab Center. He was born Aug. 22, 1929 near New Castle (Wayne Twp.), a son of the late Harold and Lillie Perkins Yarnall.
www.campbellplumlymilburnfuneralhome.com.
RUTH V. MALLETT
        Ruth V. Mallett, 93, Pickerington, formerly of Lewisville, died April 13, 2009, at Winchester Place, Canal Winchester. She was born April 15, 1915 in Monroe County, a daughter of the late Wilbur Ray Hartshorn and Anna Francis Smith Hartshorn.      Condolences can be expressed at www.bauerturner.com

<Our Readers Write:

Dear Editor,
        I wonder if it has a chance. In a way I hope not. I will be shocked if this levy passes due to the economics and the incomes of the citizens. I am sure that I am not alone in my opinions, especially from what I see on youtube.
        What has happened all over the state of Ohio is that school districts pass levies to build schools. As soon as they are built, they need to operate them. They then try to pass an operating levy and it is defeated because the people are tired of paying taxes and can’t afford them. I don’t see how long this levy is in effect, five years, 10, 30? This is a good time for building because costs are down and there is a lot of contractors that are very hungry.
        I am amazed and embarrassed that I came from that mess. It is a shame that the maintenance is that pathetic. Some is structural but more than anything it is a lack of management budgeting, planning and executing. My wife and I moved away from that mess and wouldn’t have our kids go through that. That is one of the reasons that we didn’t move back home. The sad part is that Beallsville and River will stay open under this plan. That is three buildings that will need to be maintained, heater/air conditioned, and staffed. Not very efficient. That doesn’t even consider what could be done with the primary schools. OK, if you have three individual schools, you can’t offer anything that would be considered “Special” like advanced math, advanced science, advanced multiple languages or extracurricular activities. What are the demographics of the future generations? How many younger families will there be with limited employment possibilities?

                What would happen if the county would go to the federal government, assuming that lumber prices would come back, and sell the timber from Wayne National Forest to pay for a consolidated school? How about drilling for oil and gas and using that income as well? I would bet that the Federal Government might go for it. If you could get a decent school system started, business might not be so afraid to move back to the valley.
        First, do not open the discussion to a committee because you will get what you have now. If you see a snake, just kill it. Don’t appoint a committee on snakes. H. Ross Perot.
        Second, if you are successful, be intelligent as to how the system is ran. Buildings must be built with the possibility of future expansion in mind. They must be built with efficiency in mind. They must be built with maintainability in mind. Too many schools around the state are built by architects that are instructed to build something “Unique”. With that comes buildings that are difficult to heat and cool, difficult to maintain and are not reasonably expandable. Hopefully that becomes a problem. All of the elementary schools need to be built the same. Minimize the engineering and architect costs and design it once. I can show you many examples.
        I wonder who the largest employer in the county is? My guess is that it is the school system. So ... where does the money ultimately come from? Who is bringing money into the county? The whole system is dependent upon the government. As the saying goes, you can’t tax yourself into prosperity. Compare the incomes of the other school districts and see where their money comes from.
        As I read the brochure, I am amazed. I am a 1978 graduate of Woodsfield High School. There was no cafeteria. Mom fixed a bag lunch for me almost every day. Also there was no air conditioning. Wait until you get that electric bill. If you don’t have air conditioning, it doesn’t cost anything to run it. A lot of students have passed through these schools without A/C. Even in Findlay City Schools only the new freshmen addition has air conditioning.
        As far as a science lab, my daughter went completely through high school biology without cutting on any dead animal. She did it all through the computer simulation. That doesn’t make it better, it does make it less expensive and more efficient. Here in Findlay, and in many parts of the state, teaching is becoming more computerized and done with “Digital Academies”. The day of the conventional school may soon be over. Consider how much has changed in the last few years with the Internet. In addition, bussing is minimized or eliminated altogether, saving energy, time, manpower and other costs. BTW, wireless Internet doesn’t require a massive investment in wiring.
        Don’t misunderstand me, new schools are needed. However, the cost is too high and difficult decisions need to be made.
Forrest Frank (Frostie Jr.)
Findlay

Dear Editor,
        The Switzerland of Ohio Local School District (SOLSD) is a community of less than 20,000 residents organized for the common goal of guaranteeing our succeeding generations an equal or better opportunity for success. In my opinion, the voters of the SOLSD have a crucial choice to make on May 5, 2009.
        I have already voted by absentee ballot for improved public school facilities for our community; but, before I ask the reader to do the same let me introduce myself to those who do not know me. I am a very fortunate person: educated by the public school system of Woodsfield; higher education at Ohio Northern University in NW Ohio; a tour of military duty at Anchorage, Alaska; employment in the State Capitol in Columbus; employment in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C.; and for the past thirty-five years I have owned The Sentinel Printing Co. in the SOLSD. In addition, between 1983 and 2001 I was elected for four terms, 14 years as a member of the 19 member State Board of Education of Ohio. In that service, I represented 25 counties with a population of over 1.3 million, over 90 school districts, over 400 public school buildings educating over 200,000 students. I believe I have first hand knowledge of the competition for SOLSD.
        It is from that perspective that I ask you to vote for capital improvement of our community infrastructure.
        This is a win-win opportunity. Any time big government comes knocking at your door offering over $50 million you better open the door, because they won’t knock twice.
        If for wins, for months and months our community will experience the biggest payroll in history. When pay checks are cashed everybody’s economy goes up.
        If for wins, for years and years our community will have a selling tool which will bring new growth and prosperity.
        Most importantly, if for wins, forever the educated of our community will have benefits.
        I welcome your comments. My mail is received at P.O. Box 470, Woodsfield, OH 43793-0470 and my phone number is 740-472-1631.
William E. Moore
Woodsfield

Dear Editor,
        Is anyone else from Monroe County, beside me, incensed over the fact that 88 million of our tax money is going to out-of- “Monroe County residents” to build the new Switzerland of Ohio school buildings?
        The state of Ohio and the local school board members are not.
        They collaborated on the mandate.
        Why are the Switzerland of Ohio School District Board members afraid to tell us just how many of Monroe County homeowners are going to be employed to construct the buildings? Yes, only 35 million will come from the new taxes we must pay, but make no mistake, the other 53 million is being supplied, in part, with taxes we are paying the state and federal government in the form of taxes already paid, and in the future.
        It is official! The contracts have already been awarded to the Parkersburg-Marietta Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Upper Ohio Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, along with the mandate that all union craftsmen will be used. I would guess, in effect, bids have already been given and received.
        Wish that the local school board would tell us just how many Monroe County union craftsmen will be used in this construction work.
        Do we not have the right to know the answer to that question?
        Oh, they tell us that it will come from other locations, some even may be from out-of-state, not alone from out-of-county.
        I am voting for the bond issue and the tax levy; however, I am strongly protesting the way our Monroe County taxes are being spent, with the full consent of the Switzerland of Ohio school board members.
Hilbert Ault
Woodsfield

Dear Editor,
        I want to address a few of the comments I have heard recently in opposition to the school bond issue.
        First, many people say that the quality of the facilities makes no difference - the teachers are all that matters. I agree that good teachers are vital to a good education. I don’t think a lot of people realize how hard a teacher’s job is or the kind of conditions they work under. Most of us wouldn’t choose to work in buildings with water damage, cracked foundations, leaky windows, doors that won’t shut properly, with unpredictable heat and usually no air conditioning. Have we considered that maybe we could attract and keep good teachers with modern facilities? If we had a choice between working in buildings like ours or newer buildings in another district, which would we choose?
        Next, I have heard some say that if we don’t pass this bond issue, the state will come up with a better offer or they will step in and foot the whole bill. Can we really be sure that there will be a better offer? If the state were to take over this situation, we will have no say in what facilities we get. We will get whatever option is the cheapest for the state, which I believe would be one consolidated school. As voters, we have never approved that idea in the past, so why would we want to accept that now?
        Another comment I have heard is that the schools aren’t really in such bad shape and maybe we should just renovate. I can only assume that anyone who makes such a statement hasn’t been in any of our schools recently. There comes a time when the cost of maintaining old buildings becomes impractical. I think we’ve all experienced this with a home or a vehicle at some point. When the repairs become too costly and too frequent, it’s time to trade up. For our school buildings, that time is now.
        If you haven’t seen it already, I urge you to watch a video clip put together by some students at Beallsville High School. If you doubt the poor condition of our schools, get on the internet and go to www.youtube.com and type “switzerland of ohio bond issue” in the search box. I think many people will be surprised at what they see.
        Of all the arguments against this bond issue, the most valid, in my opinion, is that it will raise our taxes. No one really wants to pay more taxes. Personally, I feel that the government uses a lot of my tax money to fund things that I don’t even support. For once, I want the chance to see my tax money working right in my own community and benefitting people I know. If we want our communities to grow and prosper, it’s going to take some investment on our part. We can’t get something for nothing.
        Right now we have a chance to get what so many of us have always wanted - to keep our schools in our own communities. We will have local laborers spending money in our stores and restaurants. Let’s breathe some life back into our communities and our county. Please vote for the school bond issue on May 5. We can’t afford to let this opportunity pass us by.
Cheryl Goodrich
Alledonia

Dear Editor,
        I’m not one to write many letters to the Editor, but with the recent letters to the Editor and the tremendously importance of this school levy, I am prompted to write. First of all, I would like to thank all of the members of the Time is Now committee, AFL/CIO and Project Best along with the many other volunteers for their sincere efforts in trying to get this levy passed.
        I have two children in school, a senior at Monroe Central and a fourth grader at Woodsfield Elementary. I am involved in various ways with those schools and coach high school soccer. I have first hand experience and can speak honestly about our schools. I feel that I shouldn't have to address much about the Monroe Central trailer park conditions (leaks, holes in walls where you can see the outside, etc.) Woodsfield Elementary is definitely not state of the art or modern to say the least. Just this past winter the entire student body was evacuated to the old Woodsfield High School because of a natural gas leak from the furnace. I can take anyone who wants to see for themselves the mold in the classrooms, the buckets to collect water leaks in the gymnasiums and cafeteria and I could go on and on. I also realize that all of the other schools in the district have similar problems, but I can’t speak from experience to them. Both of my children have severe
 asthma and allergies; neither of them had any symptoms until they started school. I might also add that both of them have been Principal’s List and Honor Roll students throughout school. We do have great teachers, and students accomplish much despite their facilities.
        I called the Auditor’s Office and my taxes will increase a little over $8 a week, which is a small price to pay for the children of our county. A small price to pay for the immediate economic impact for this county (1000+ jobs, along with the five year trickle down to the local businesses). But most of all the potential economic impact to the county for many years to come, with businesses locating to this area. I once again speak from experience in bringing jobs (businesses) to this county. If it’s not the first question, it’s the second from prospective companies wanting to locate here, “what kind of schools do you have?” The question is for their management personnel they will have to relocate to our area and the quality of education potential employees will have. I know for a fact that a local company who has contemplated expansion feels that they have exhausted the local employee pool with the education to fill the positions. I know for a
 fact that three families (parents 35-45 years old with 2-4 children each) have left this area because of our schools. These people were business and professional, college educated adults that know what it takes to complete in the job market and collegiate atmospheres. I also know of another professional family that is waiting to see if the levy passes before they make the decision to move to better their children’s education. These people were also very active in the communities in which they lived (coaches, politics and civic organizations). We can not continue to lose these types of individuals because of the condition of our schools.
        The passage of this levy could possibly create jobs that your child could acquire if they want to stay in Monroe County to live and work.
        I have not taken the time to ask students how they feel about their schools; I pretty much know from experience, my children and soccer players’ comments over the years. A few weeks ago when my fourth grader saw the vote yes sign in our yard he asked, “Dad, are you voting for the school levy?” I said yes and his response was, “I like my school.” We had a discussion about how a new school would benefit him and he still was content with his current school. A few days later I came home from work and I heard the “What About Now?” song playing back the hall. As I looked in my son’s room I saw my son, daughter and a friend sitting mesmerized watching the video (The Time Is Now) on “youtube”. They were watching so intently that I don’t think they even knew I was standing there. When the video ended my 10 year old son looked up at me and said, “Dad, we’re really getting cheated. I hope this levy passes.” The video shows all of the
 district’s schools deterioration and also new schools from all of the surrounding areas. It’s the first time that he has seen other modern schools and on his own decided he’s getting cheated on his education. At that moment I felt very inferior as an adult and parent (I have failed my children and yours for not providing modern schools for them).
        I realize that the Ormet situation is a real concern for many people, but is also all the more reason to pass this levy. No one in Monroe County would ever want to see that dreadful day if Ormet were to shut down, but the reality is it could. How could we ever attract a business of Ormet’s stature and importance or even one half of it with the current condition of our schools? Voting yes is not only a vote for new schools but also a vote for the viability of Monroe County for years to come; it’s an investment in our youth and ourselves.
        Finally, if you have not seen the tremendous video produced by the Beallsville students showing the conditions of our schools and surrounding schools, I strongly encourage you to do so. Get on the internet and go to www.youtube.com then in the search box type; Switzerland of Ohio, The Time is Now! You may also ask any building principal or The Time is Now members for a copy. After you watch that video and there’s not a lump in your throat or tear in your eye about how we have failed our children, then something is wrong.
        I could go on and on, but time won’t allow me to. I invite anyone who is undecided or wants answers to call me at 472-5552.
        I will end with this: $8 a week is nothing for our youth, our county or our future. This increase is for property owners only; those of you who rent will see no increase at all. And a reminder to all senior citizens (65 and older) you are entitled to a property owner’s discount of up to $260 depending on property value under the Homestead Act. They talk of the greatest generation being the one during WWII,;let’s be the greatest generation in Monroe County and do what’s right for our children and our county. Please vote yes May 5.
Jeff Woodell, Sr.
Woodsfield

Dear Taxpayers of Sardis,
        We are a small town along the Ohio River.
        For the most part everyone works together to keep us a nice little town.
        But we have got a few unhappy people who want everything to go their way.
        Sardis was laid out over 100 years ago and transportation and they got around by other means than we do today. Most of these alleys have been kept up to look nice.
        Mervin and I know we don’t own the ferry landing and street but we keep it mowed so it looks nice at no expense to anyone.
        Our town is run by trustees who say they have no money to maintain this extra property.
        To those who are so unhappy, remember we are all taxpayers and it always can’t go one way. If everyone tries to get along and work together it will make us a happy town.
Mervin and Shirley Trosch
Sardis

<Around the Burnside

If you don’t like the way life looks, change the way you look at life.
        You know you’re getting old when it takes you longer to rest than it takes to get tired.
        The Time is Now! Well, maybe not now but only a few days in the future. May 5 to be exact. As you know, voters in the Switzerland of Ohio School district will decide if new facilities will be constructed for the district.
        My personal feeling is the new facilities are needed for our students. A visit to nearby schools that have built new facilities will prove our need when compared to our facilities.
        The committee has done an excellent job of getting the correct information to the voters in the district. Even at this, misinformation has a way of floating around. The cost of the election, for example: The board cannot use school funds to pay for the election. It has to come from a different source.
        I’d almost bet a nickel to a doughnut hole, a large percentage of voters reading this have already decided how you are going to vote. If you haven’t decided I hope you will continue to study the facts and vote. If you have decided how you plan to vote I assume you’ve studied the plan to decide your vote.
        Some of you might wonder why I am so strongly in favor of new facilities. I have worked with youth, except for about a year and a half, for nearly 50 years. I have been fortunate as I have worked with youth I call the future of our country. I cannot take any specific contribution I’ve made to any of the youth. I can only hope I have influenced and helped them along the way.
        I will say, and I doubt if any one can convince me differently that the youth in our county are the most important thing we have in our county. It is up to us to provide them with the best possible educational opportunity. This cannot be provided unless we keep up with new technology and new teaching aids available such as a smart board.
        Yes, many of our graduates leave the county. This is the case for most of the counties in our area. There just isn’t the opportunity to “stick around.” This is nothing new. I graduated from Old Washington 66 years ago in a class of 32 students. I think only about a half dozen of us ended up in Guernsey County, we were told a few years back, by people who know, it would be unwise to remodel or bring the buildings up to date as it would be costly and more cost effective to build new.
        Yes, we’ve had some outstanding students over the years. This will continue regardless of the election outcome. Who knows how many we will have if we provide a top education? We have to think in the present and future not in the past.
        We have any number of outstanding youth in the county. There are many we never hear about. I have taken groups of students to many activities over the state. I never had to worry they would not be a good example representing Swiss Hills or Skyvue. I can remember when we took Swiss Hills students to a contest. Several of the schools started thinking maybe we can get second place. This is the kind of students we have in our schools. They just need the chance that new facilities will provide.
        If you haven’t had the chance to view the DVD that gives a first hand picture of what is and what could be, you should. To be truthful it really brought to light the need for improved facilities. To me the Master plan will meet the needed facilities.
        Jan. 29, 1985, was the first time “Around the Burnside” showed up in a newspaper. I think I’ve only missed a week or two and somewhere around here I have most of them in notebooks. It started in the Sentinel and when it was no longer published it started in the Beacon. There it has been ever since. I’m not sure how much longer as it’s kind of tough to think of something to write about every week.
        I would not try to guess or even go back and look for how many times I have written about schools. After all, it has been a part of my life for a long time.
        It seems to me the plan provides what each area of the county has wanted. It was developed by folks in each area, based on their suggestions. The state has agreed to pay nearly two thirds of the cost on a one time deal.
        Just remember, “The Time is Now”. We know what we will get, or “What Now?” No one knows.
        Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
        It was really good to see so many in church Easter.
        Bible Readings: (Mon.) Exodus 19:1-8; From Galatians (Tues.) 3:15-18; (Wed.) 3:23-29; (Thurs.) 4:1-7; (Fri.) Matthew 19:23-30; (Sat.) Galatians 5:1-25; (Sun.) Ephesians 1:3-14.