< Income Tax to Come Before
District Voters

Read more in the Aug. 10 edition...
by Arlean Selvy - Publisher
    
     Residents of the Switzerland of Ohio School District will be asked, on the Nov. 7 ballot, to approve a five-year income tax for day-to-day operations of the school district.
    The board of education had originally considered a continuing tax. However, two board members, Jeff Williamson and Ron Winkler, voiced a preference to limiting the number of years the tax is collected.
     Following discussion, and on a motion by board member Scott Dierkes, a resolution was adopted to ask for a five year tax. The vote was unanimous.
     The resolution will be reviewed by the Ohio
Department of Taxation, which will estimate the
percentage of tax needed to generate the revenue needed by the district.
     According to Kevin Robertson, the district wants to generate $1,870,000 a year. Board members agreed, however, they will not ask for an income tax over one-percent. If the department of taxation reports a 1.25 or 1.5 percent tax is needed, they will only ask voters for one-percent
     Once the board receives percentage information from the department of taxation, it will adopt a resolution to submit to the Board of Elections. That process must take place by Aug. 24.
     Robertson, who said the district is facing a deficit of $897,000 by May 2007, noted increases in the day-to-day expense for the district. He said there are increased costs for fuel, heating and electricity. In addition, he explained there are step-increases for teachers. "We can't say some of it won't be used for salaries," he said.

< BTC to Conduct Feasibilty Study
For Educational Opportunities
 

Sharing some good news with county commissioners Monday were, from left, Laura Williams, county grant
writer; Susan Pollock, member, BTC Board of Trustees and Dr. Joseph Bukowski, president, Belmont Technical College. A resolution was adopted July 27 by BTC for participation in a study of Monroe County higher education needs. According to the resolution, the colleges board of trustees supports the efforts to establish the higher education market in Monroe and encourages whatever action is necessary to participate in the study and support the cost of the study.      
-  Photo by Arlean Selvy 

Read more in the Aug. 3 edition...
by Arlean Selvy - Publisher
     Dr. Joseph Bukowski, president, Belmont Technical College, presented a resolution to county commissioners this week that will result in a feasibility study for higher education in Monroe County.
     There was more positive news when grant writer Laura Williams was given permission to submit a grant application for a CDBG Microenter-prise Grant in the amount of $60,000.
     "This week, many positive doors have opened for education and therefore long range economic development in Monroe County," said Susan Pollock, Woodsfield resident and member of Belmont Technical College's board of trustees.

< ODOT Begins Project to Reroute
SR 78 Near Lewisville
 

ODOT is moving a stretch of SR 78 west of  Lewisville over 12-18 feet and will landscape the terrain to prevent future slippage. Work by Beaver Excavating began in July.
- Photos by Gwynn Clifford

 Read more in the Aug. 3 edition...
by Gwynn Clifford Staff Writer
     For years the stretch of SR 78 West of Lewisville in Summit Township has been rough, bumpy at best, due to continual slippage on the hilly slopes there. The Ohio Department of Transportation is working to finally fix the strip of state road by re-routing the highway.
     In a $2.8 million project slated to run through early July 2007, the state will move that stretch of SR 78 over 12-18 feet and re-landscape the terrain to prevent future slippage.
     Shelly & Sands, Inc., of Zanesville earned the
project bid in what was described as a very
competitive bid process. They will incorporate several sub-contractors on the project.
     ODOT Project Supervisor Harold Scott, who is also a Woodsfield resident, indicates that in his 24 years with the state he has never had a job with this much excavation.
     "They will move over 300,000 cubic yards of earth on this project-that's about a third of the overall job," said Scott. To put that number in perspective, Dean Green the Superintendent for sub-contractor Beaver Excavat-ing of Canton, indicated they average about 8,000 -9,000 yards a day.

< Old Barn Landscaping Center Adds Beauty to Sardis Area
 

You'll find a huge variety of plants, ornamentals and trees at Old Barn Landscape Center. It is a pleasant
experience to just mill in and around the grounds. Shown with some of the beautiful plantings available, from left, are owners: Bill Price, Dianna Dally and
Jay Nice.                                            
- Photos by Martha Ackerman
 

 Read more in the Aug. 3 edition...
by Martha Ackerman - Staff Writer

     "When are you going to put a garden center down there?" asked Donna Day as her daughter, Dianna, Bill Price and Jay Nice were sitting on her patio. They were looking down on a cornfield at the time. The seed was planted.
     "I always enjoyed gardening and when this opportunity to invest arose, I decided to take it," said Dianna Dally. So with her Uncle Bill and family friend, Jay Nice, who is a certified master gardener and technician, the trio started planning.
     Price now has two jobs. He also works at Bayer Corporation. Dally brings computer and technical support to the venture. Nice, who was employed at Thompson's Landscaping for 11 years, lends his gardening and landscaping knowledge to the mix.
     The first thing on the agenda was a business and financial plan. Monroe County Economic Developer Lou Stein steered the three investors to the Small Business Development Center in Marietta where they attended classes. After months of planning and meetings, the business is now open and offers a selection equal to or better than most large garden centers and nurseries.
     You just have to visit Old Barn Landscape Center and you will know it has been a very good business venture for the investors and the community.  The cornfield has been transformed into a beautiful addition to SR 7 in Sardis.
     Employees at Old Barn Landscape Center are all local residents and bring that personal home-town touch to the business: Eveline Gulbranson, who is known for her lovely flowers and plantings; Fala Johnson, who formerly worked at Greenleaf in Marietta; Kim Bayes; Mike Price; Don Smith; and a two-man landscaping crew, Jim Scott and Ben Francis.
story is continued...

< Obituaries
(read the full obituary in the paper) 

       < Ellis D. Day, Canton, Ohio
            (formerly of Lewisville)
            (Jan. 28, 1931-July 26, 2006)
            www.reedfuneralhome.com        

< Around the Burnside

By Denny Easterling, Lewisville
It is foolish to belittle a neighbor, a person with
good sense remains silent.
A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
     I forgot something when I mentioned Jamboree in the Hills last week. I've mentioned it before but the opening brought it back when our National Anthem was sung. It seems to me with all that talent they could find someone to sing the anthem as it is written and not trying to show the range of their voice.
     I get a lump in my throat every time I hear our National Anthem until some singers get near the end and that does it.
     Do you know what it sounds like to me? I think someone has started punching them with a needle and when they reach the last note the needle hits home.
    Cell phones are another thing I've talked about. Some look like gasoline pumps walking around talking on their cell phone. Don't get me wrong, cell phones are great but just like everything else, things are over done. I saw a person driving by, smoking a cigarette
and talking on the phone. They were meant to be used this way?
     Esther's brother sent me something the other day I believe all of us should think about. I thought it so good I might share it. The title is "Cell Phone vs Bible."
I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency? What if we upgraded it to get the latest version? This is
something to make you go -- hmmm -- where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus has already paid the bill.
    People may not remember what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
   I hear this has been an extra good year for fruit
trees. Every apple tree I pass is loaded, in fact,
some of the tree limbs need to be propped up to keep them from breaking. I heard by the grapevine, one apple grower has apples the size of softballs. Think how much cider you could get from one apple. I don't think I want many apples this size.
     If you have an apple tree and did not spray or
anything, your tree is loaded, too. When this happens the apples drop to the ground and this delights the deer population. The other evening we were coming home from Woodsfield and when we were nearly to Lewisville we spotted four deer under a backyard apple tree. They were jumping around like a kid in a candy store.
A good neighbor dropped by a couple of times a while back. the first time he gave us a box of raspberries and later on he came by with a basket of peaches. His little orchard is really producing. You know you just can't beat ripe fruit from the vine or tree, actually fresh anything. Seems like when we were growing up we had about fresh everything. What would be better than eating a tree-ripened peach with the juice running down your chin and wiping it off with your sleeve? Maybe eating two.
I remember thinking a number of years back I decided we needed peach trees so we purchased three dwarf trees hoping we could raise peaches to can. The trees did well except the weather would never cooperate and the total production of our trees was one peach and wouldn't you know, it was all fuzzy all over the outside.
    Remember the common peach trees? The peaches were really small but they were really good tasting. Some of the ladies made preserves out of them and some even canned them. That was a lot of work because it took a lot to fill a can and if I remember correctly they stuck to the seed. Come to think of it, home canned peaches were good eating, too.
    There was a couple of orchards across the alley behind our barn that no one took any care of so we had a good supply, however a pear tree was one of my favorites. If you can eat a ripe pear without getting juice all over you, my cap is off to you. I never made it. Kids sure miss out on a lot now days.
    We were driving to Woodsfield the other day and saw two horses standing close together with their heads in the opposite direction. Esther wondered why the horses were standing this way. I told her they were keeping the flies away from each other's head. Wouldn't it be nice if more people in this world had more good old horse sense instead of being you know what?
    Most loudmouths have an echo chamber between their ears.
Did you go to Church Sunday? Why not?
Bible readings: (Mon.) John 3:16-21; (Tues.) Romans 8:31-35; (Wed.) John 13:31-35; (Thurs.) Romans 13:8-14; (Fri.) 1 John 3:11-18; (Sat.) I Corinthians 13:1-7; (Sun.) I Corinthians 13:8-13.

< JFS Denies Charges of Sex Discrimination by Agency Officials
 

by Arlean Selvy - Publisher
      An unsigned, undated letter written on letterhead indicating it came from the Columbus legal firm of Downes, Hurst & Fishel was submitted to the board of county commissioners at its July 17 meeting. It was
brought to the board's attention by Vaughn Smith, director, Job and Family Services. Mark Fishel is attorney for JFS.
     The letter refers to an article in the June 8 issue of the Beacon, Discrimination Charges Filed Against Job & Family Services. The letter denies the claims mentioned in the article as well as accusations about time-theft.
     The June 8 article named the charge, filed by three JFS employees, as "discrimination based on retaliation and sex."
     In the letter, JFS denies receiving "documents from the Ohio Civil Rights Commission on or about June 5."
According to the letter, "JFS management just received those documents from the Ohio Civil Rights commission --- for the first time ---on July 13, 2006"

<Discrepancies Concern at Airport
 

 Read more in the July 27 edition...
by Gwynn Clifford Staff Writer
     The Monroe County Airport Authority met July 18 in part to discuss a letter of service termination, from Air BP Aviation Services. BP is the company that provides the airport's fuel.
    The Airport Authority's newest member, Wayne Forshey, was present as well as the new airport manager, David Board, who began his official duties July 1.
     According to the letter, technicians from Air BP identified risks through annual on-site inspections dating back to 2002. Discrepancies were identified that do not meet industry standards established by the FAA, Fire Codes and the airline industry.

Pilots Impacted by Airport
Fuel Stoppage at County Facility

Wingett Run resident and licensed Mechanic Al Paul of J&S Flying Service works on a Mooney airplane flown in from Youngstown and valued at around $300,000 used and about half a million if purchased new.               
                    Photo by Gwynn Clifford
 

Read more in the July 27 edition...
     A few local pilots attended the recent Airport Authority meeting with an interest in finding out what will happen with the airport's fuel supply. As reported, service termination from Air BP Aviation Services, the company that provides the airport's fuel, is looming July 30.
     "I have been a pilot for nearly 25 years and have owned a plane for over 20," said local resident and pilot Gary Cook. "It's really a shame to see that the airport may lose its fuel supply. You would have to fly 30-40 miles to get fuel. It's expensive enough to own and maintain a plane and this is just not worth the hassle." Cook indicated that he has used his Cessna 182 plane for community service on many occasions including supporting emergency efforts during flooding, air investigations and for rides at the county fair and Black Walnut Festival.
     "There are eight or nine planes housed at the airport and it's been a great place to be until all of these recent issues," Cook added.

< Relay For Life Nets $51,000

The Dream Team turned "Platinum" at 2006 Monroe County Relay For Life, raising over $10,000 for the American Cancer Society. Team members worked all year to earn the top level. Shown from left, are: Roger Gilmore, Kathy Sulsberger, Charlene Goddard, Cheryl Gilmore, Eva Starkey, Jane Yonaley, Debbie Hohn, Linda Holliday, Pat McDougal, Charles Yonaley, Kelly Starkey, Sam Hammel, Connie Hammel, Paul Durig. Not shown, Dean McDougal.    
Photos by Martha Ackerman

Read more in the July 27 edition...
by Martha Ackerman - Staff Writer
     According to Julie Ellenwood of the American Cancer Society, it was another successful year for Monroe County's Relay for Life which netted $51,000 this year.
     Several hundred Monroe County residents were on hand for the opening ceremonies for Monroe County's 2006 Relay For Life. Hannibal resident Dennis Sawyers told of his six year journey through continuing bouts with the dreaded disease. In 2003, the worst year, he noted, Sawyers underwent surgery, 36 radiation treatments and chemotherapy for colon cancer; 2004 brought more treatments and medical retirement; 2005, the same; 2006 he continues his battle with faith and determination.
     "I'm thankful for the support of my wonderful wife, my family and The Almighty, who have walked with me through it all." said Sawyers.

< School District Income Tax Eyed
by Board of Education
 

By Arlean Selvy- Publisher
New lighting at Beallsville High School's athletic fields and an earned income tax to place before voters were on the  July 20 agenda for the Switzerland of Ohio school board. Although no action was taken, school board members acknowledged and will review a school district income tax, which would generate over $1.8 million a year. The tax could be placed on the November ballot if filed with the board of elections  by August 24. Collection would start in January.
     According to discussion, the board is looking at a one-percent tax on income earned by individuals residing in the Switzerland of Ohio School District.
     The tax would also apply to income earned on the estate of a deceased person who resided in the district. (Except for income taxes under the tax base created by H.B. 66.) The tax revenue would be used for operational expenses. Kevin Robertson, district treasurer, said  the district is facing a deficit of $897,000 by May 2007.

< Obituaries
(read the full obituary in the paper) 

       < Pauline Graybill, Brewster,Ohio
            (formerly of New Martinsville, WV)
            (June 28, 1956-July 19, 2006)

       < Evelyn Grace Emigh, Sardis
            (Jan. 19, 1926-July 21, 2006)
            www.grisellfuneralhomes.com

       < Nellie B. Keylor, Caldwell
            (Feb. 10, 1914-July 22, 2006)
             www.mcvay-perkins.com

       < William Saffell, Jr., Beallsville
             (June 29, 1972-July 22, 2006) 

By Denny Easterling, Lewisville
Riches won't help on the day of judgment, but right living is a safeguard against death. Upright citizens bless a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.
     I don't know why, but I enjoy reading the news of a hundred years ago. Maybe just because I think some things are interesting. At the Sallowville Market eggs were 15 cents and butter 12 cents. one ear of corn costs more than that today.
     You won't read something like this in many papers today. On the farm of Silas McLaughlin in Seneca Township is a Tetfsky apple tree 96 inches in circumference, bearing a crown of over 42 feet across.
     It is a prolific bearer, exceedingly early, hardy as a crab and the fruit is of great beauty and excellent quality. I never heard of this apple variety and didn't know crabs were hardy.
     Some of you may have been students in this building. The Board of Education contracted W.W. Patton for the erection of a new school house for Woods-field at a cost of $12,459. The contract for the heating and closet system was awarded to Bartlet Bros. of Cleveland for $1161.64 making the total cost of $1614.64.        The building is to be completed by Oct. 1.
     Finally, they had hot weather back then too. The hot days are now here. If you need anything in summer goods it will pay you to read Quick's ad this week. I'm not sure what apy means. Perhaps it is a misprint and should be apt which means: exactly suitable or appropriate.
     So much for 100 years old news. I picked up a flyer the other day of the Monroe County Fair to be held Aug. 21-26. I think we all should remember it is a county fair and we all should support it.
     In looking over the program, it seems they have planned something for just about everyone. there is plenty of activity in the entertainment tent for those who do not care for the grandstand shows. In fact, I counted six special groups in the entertainment tent in the late afternoon and evening plus Ricochet in front of the grandstand on the 21st. The big Junior Fair Parade is at 6 p.m. Monday evening with a rain date for Friday. I predict good weather the week of the fair although I'm not always correct in predicting weather. Neither are the meterologists.
     Senior Citizens day is on Wed., Aug. 23. All the senior citizens need to attend the fair on Senior Citizens Day - a big smile.
     There are a number of interesting things planned for Senior Citizens during the afternoon and evening starting at noon. All that is needed is more of you Senior Citizens to participate it's time to cut loose.
     A husband/wife calling contest starts at noon. Callers will be needed, if you can't take part, talk someone else into doing it; no age limit.
     A Story Telling contest at 1 p.m. would be very interesting if there were more story tellers. We have hundreds or even thousands of stories floating around the county that we would like to hear, so join us with a story. Here again, no age limit.
     The popular Euchre Tourna-ment at 1 p.m., Banjo and Fiddle contest at 2 p.m., Happy Heart Singers at 3 p.m., Good Ole Boys at 5  and 7 p.m. and the Long Reach Band at 6 and 8 p.m. A full day!
    In addition to all of this the bang, bang shows
featuring trucks, tractors, and the like in front of
the grandstand.
     Why not plan now to attend the fair? We haven't mentioned the displays, livestock and poultry judging and the work completed by our youth, they need our support. Plan to attend and find out I'm not kidding.
     Well, the big Jamboree in the Hills is over and all that was left was a mountain of trash and beer cans. A group from our MACO Workshop helped clean up the mess on some of the hottest days we've had this year. It's unbelievable what is left behind. Once again I had a ringside seat to watch the Jamboree. In front of the TV with the remote in my hand. Only one thing wrong. It seems like every year they run an advertisement that just about drives me up the wall. Doctor Z did it this year.
     After being shipwrecked for three years on an island, he was overjoyed to see a ship in the distance and a small boat coming ashore. The naval officer handed him some newspapers and said, "The captain suggested that you see what's going on in the world and see if you want to be rescued."
     Have you been down the hill out of Lewisville of late? Are they really changing the lay of the land? It's really starting to change things. It's tough to tell just what they are doing and how things will shape up but I'm sure they know and will hit SR 78 somewhere down the hill. I'll miss seeing those orange barrels against the guardrail. This was always a sign I was getting close to Lewisville.
    The only person who makes a success in running other people down is the elevator boy.
Why not try Church Sunday? There's nothing to lose.
Bible readings: (Mon.) I Corinthians 14:6-12; (Tues.) I Timothy 6:13-19; from I Corinthians (Wed.) 12:1-6; (Thurs.) 12:7-11; (Fri.) 12:12-30; (Sat.) 12:21-26; (Sun.) 12:27-31.

< Ormet, Steelworkers
Reach Tentative Agreement

< Appraiser, Attorney Hired to Litigate Ormet Taxes

< Woodsfield Child
'Forging New Paths' for
Treatment of Disorder
Medical World Keeping
Watchful Eye
on Baby Karley Sue

< Obituaries
(read the full obituary in this week's paper) 

< Local Reptiles Filmed for Attenborough Documentary

  Photo by Martha Ackerman

     A small area of Sunfish Creek will be featured in one
series of Life in Cold Blood, a five-part documentary
by David Attenborough for British Broadcasting Company (BBC).
     The queen snake (Regina septemvittata), native to this
area, will be highlighted in one of the segments.
Ohio University Eastern Associate Professor Dr. Mark
Waters brought researcher Nikkie Stew and cameraman
Alastair MacEwen to the property of Dick and Mary
Logston.
     Sunfish Creek courses through this property and,
according to Waters, the "river" is home to a large
population of crayfish (crawdads) which is sole sustenance for the queen snake, a semi-aquatic reptile.  Waters, who is originally from Lincoln, England, has been conducting research in the Sunfish Creek and Captina Creek areas since coming to OUE six years ago.