<2007 Honor Roll of Businesses

Honor Roll - Page 1
Honor Roll - Page 2
Honor Roll - Page 3
 

Review ads from nearly 80 local businesses!
Oldest: German Farmers Mutual of Sardis Insurance - 137 Years
Newest: Grace's Gift's & Crafts Tropical
Tanning Salon (8 Months - Opened May 1, 2006)
 

<Named One of Top 35 Nursing Homes in the State of Ohio

Monroe County Care Center has been named one of the
top 35 nursing homes in Ohio. This designation was
made as a result of the 2006 Nursing Home Family
Satisfaction Survey conducted by the Ohio Department
of Aging. Shown, from left, are sitting: residents,
Bobby Davis and Evelyn Ault; standing: Patty Haralson,
Social Services Director and Administrative
Coordinator, and Misty Blackstone, rehabilitation
aide.       
Photo by Martha Ackerman

 

Read more in the Jan. 11, 2007, edition...
by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
Monroe County Care Center has been named one of the top 35 nursing homes in Ohio, according to the Department of Aging's 2006 Nursing Home Family
Satisfaction Survey.
"Ohio is one of only a handful of states that conducts these surveys," said Merle Grace Kearns, Director, Ohio Department of Aging (ODA). "The results demonstrate our commitment to quality care for Ohio's seniors."
"Monroe County Care Center is a small, home-like facility," said Judy Howell, Director of Nursing at Monroe County Care Center. "It's a county facility in
a small town and there is a lot of longevity with the staff. They come to work and stay."

<County Flags Now Available
Also Monroe County War Memorial Cat's Meow

 

 

Connie Crowley, center, wife of Sergeant Bill Crowley, was presented with the first Monroe County
Flag given to a county soldier who has served in Iraq.
Bill Crowley was a member of the 458th Engineer
Battalion attached to the 1st Cavalry Division,
Baghdad, Iraq. As an Army Reservist, he spent a
15-month tour in war-torn Iraq and possibly faces a
second tour in the coming year. He is also a six-year
active duty Navy veteran of the Persian Gulf War.
Shown, with Connie are Carolyn and True Williams,
members of the Monroe County War Memorial Committee.
TheWar Memorial Cat's Meow shown below is now
available at Pat's Gift Shoppe in Woodsfield.     
   Photo by Martha Ackerman

 by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
Thanks to Monroe County's War Memorial Committee, the Monroe County Flag and a Monroe County War Memorial Cat's Meow are now available.
The first Monroe County Flag was commissioned  in early 1986 when the design of Dennis Sawyers was chosen in a Monroe County Beacon sponsored design-the-flag contest. A panel of three judges, Theresa Maienknecht, the late Judge George Burkhart and Joe Bates selected the design from the many entries.
Previous attempts at duplicating the Monroe County Flag went by the wayside because of the expense. The pennant shape and the number of colors in the design make the flags costly.
But when Carl Day, a soldier who has Monroe County ties, requested a Monroe County flag to take with him on his tour to Iraq, phone calls came in. Dick Sulsberger, president of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, contacted members of the War Memorial Committee.
According to True and Carolyn Williams, active
members of the committee, the organization decided to have the flag duplicated so Monroe County soldiers who would like to take a piece of the county with them into combat can do just that. They are also available to anyone who would like to purchase one for themselves.
"We felt what better way to honor our military," said Carolyn.
Residents may also purchase the flags at $60 each.
The cost to the committee for each flag is $40. The profit from the flags sold to individuals will be used to recover some of the cost of giving the flags to soldiers as they travel into harm's way.
The committee has also commissioned the "My World Cat's Meow" piece which commemorates the Monroe County War Memorial located in front of the courthouse. The Cat's Meows are available at Pat's Gift Shoppe. The profit from these pieces will also help defray the cost of the county flags. Bricks are still available for the Veterans Walkway to honor or in memory of military personnel, past or present, who have ties to Monroe County.

< MACO Student Left
on School Bus

Read more in the Jan. 11, 2007, edition...
A 20-year-old mentally and physically handicapped student was mistakenly left on her school bus Jan. 2 from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bus was parked at the driver's home.
The substitute bus driver, who found the girl when she left to return the children home, went to Monroe Achievement Center Supt. Helen Kay Ring immediately, and reported the incident. "[The driver] was very upset and emotionally distraught," said Ring, noting that she turned in her resignation at that time.
Ring called Paula Jo Prince, foster mother of the student, to inform her of the incident.
Ring said when she learned of the incident she had the student examined by a nurse.
 

< Gift Certificates for JFS Employees Raise Questions

 

Read more in the Jan. 11, 2007, edition...
In a matter concerning Job and Family Services dollars, commissioners were questioned about $14,025 used to purchase gift certificates (Chamber Bucks) from the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. 
Whether it was a Christmas Bonus or an Annual Stipend, the matter of $500 worth of gift certificates was brought to the attention of county commissioners
at their Jan. 2 meeting.
Identifying herself as a concerned citizen of the State, Laura Williams, former county grants writer , said that several employees of Job and Family
Services told her they had each received a $500 Christmas bonus. She noted this is not new, as bonuses were given in the past. "Since Job and Family Services
are funded solely with tax money, I decided to look further into this matter before taking my concerns to the State of Ohio," said Williams.

<Action Taken on County Budget

Read more in the Jan. 11, 2007, edition...
The approval of a temporary budget for the county's General Fund and a permanent budget for all other funds was approved  Jan. 2  by county commissioners, who also agreed to adopt a resolution of support for
the Monroe County Community Foundation.
On a motion by Commissioner Mark Forni, officials passed a temporary budget for the general fund totaling $927,085.07 for the first quarter of 2007.
All other budgets were approved for the entire year, total $18,523.313.81.
It was noted that $27, 169.20 will have to be borrowed later this month.

< Commissioners Elect Officers, Appoint Airport Board Members

Read more in the Jan. 11, 2007, edition...
by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
Two members were appointed to the Monroe County airport Authority Board this week by county commissioners, who also held their organizational meeting and adopted policy and parameters for meetings.
Appointed to the airport board were Edgar McVay and Gary Cook.
The commissioners' organizational meeting saw Francis 'Sonny' Block reappointed as board president and John Pyles appointed vice-president. Allison Cox was appointed Clerk.
Meeting dates were changed from Monday to Tuesday of each week beginning at 9 a.m. until the end of
business.
With regard to the change, the Beacon reminded commissioners that the Beacon is printed on Tuesday, and if the meeting is changed to Tuesday it means
countians will not read the commissioners news until 10 days later. Commissioner Mark Forni agreed, while Block and Pyles said nothing.
Voting against changing the meeting day was Forni. He also voted against the parameters proposed by  Block.

< Our Readers Write: Letters
to the Editor

Dear Editor,
How do you feel about public employees receiving Christmas Bonuses paid for with your tax dollars? Can one of the poorest counties in the state, with the highest unemployment rate in Ohio afford to spend money this way? The bigger question that needs to be
asked is it even legal to take tax money the County has received from the State of Ohio for providing public assistance to the poor and use it for anything
other than said purpose. I believe the answer is no!
Monroe County Job and Family Services is not a private company. Its sole source of financial support comes
from you, the taxpayers of Ohio. Would it surprise you to know that Monroe County Job and Family Services
gave out $14,000 in Christmas bonuses this year? Yes, each staff member of Monroe County job and Family
Services received a Christmas bonus from you this year. Did you know you provided Christmas bonus for
Monroe County Job and Family Services staff in 2004 and 2005 as well?
How dare the leadership of one of the poorest counties in the State of Ohio approve $14,000 in Christmas bonus for the staff at Monroe County Job and
Family Services? Have the County Commissioners simply been misled into believing the $14,000 worth of gift
certificates purchased from the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce were going to be given to the poor or did
they not even ask what this money was going to be used for?
Taxpayers should be appalled to find out Christmas Bonuses or any other types of gifts of monetary value
are being given to county employees. Do the County Commissioners not understand they have a fiduciary
responsibility to protect our tax dollars? With so many people in our community barely able to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, I have
to wonder if this money could have been put to better use. No one denies the staff of Job and Family Services work hard. However, they receive a pay check, health insurance and vacation pay, which is a lot more than many of our citizens are receiving.
I believe it is time for the good people of this county to stand up and put a stop to the way our county is being run. The first step we should take is to insist that the County Commissioners' search for the new Director of Job and Family Services not be limited to the Ohio Valley area. They need to expand
this search to include the Columbus, Cleveland, Pennsylvania areas in order to find a suitable candidate for this very important job. We need to insist they involve someone from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services or another state agency to help in the interviewing process for this position.
This will help ensure the person hired is not being hired based on whom they know. The hiring of this position should be based solely on the person's
experience and qualifications.
Whoever, the new Director of Job and Family Services will face pending legal problems brought on by the mismanagement of staff a state audit, and serious moral issues at the agency. The Commissioners need to avoid hiring one of the "good old boys" from this area. We need someone with management experience, a proven track record for being able to make difficult
staffing and policy decisions based on how it will benefit the county. Do not assume you cannot attract someone with experience from outside our county who would be willing to relocate to this area for the salary/benefit package you are offering. We need to
stop selling Monroe County short. It is time we open the gates to this county to people from the outside in order to help us find our way out of our current
strife.
William F. Carter
Beallsville

Dear Editor,
It's good to see that all things have come together at Ormet Reduction. First, a labor agreement then a power agreement. Unlike the now destroyed Rolling Mill, the Reduction Division has another chance to make a go of it. Congratulations and good luck to all
concerned. As a former Rolling Mill employee with first hand experience in the demise of a once very productive, very profitable plant, I felt the need to
offer a suggestion that I hope will be adopted. But first a little background.
I don't think it was hidden from any employee in the last few years, that the Rolling Mill was dying. To me, the strike was more of a desperate cry for change of direction than a labor contract or any part thereof. In the last days of Rolling Mill operation, when there seemed to be no peaceful resolution, I happened to remember that at one time they had a daily employee prayer meeting that involved both hourly and salary employees. I wondered if they still had it and asked an employee who had once been active in it. He said that they had not had it for quite a while. When I asked why, he said he did not know. That it had just
dwindled away. An employee from reduction said that pretty much the same thing had happened there.
Now to my suggestion: I ask interested employees of Reduction to consider resurrecting some sort of unified effort in asking God's  blessings on this
newly birthed opportunity. In today's economy, one would have to be a total fool to think that Ormet's future is going to be easy, that there will be no more challenges. I believe inviting and embracing the power of God is a very good and sure investment. I can still
remember the outright assault and rejection of the things of God by many at the Rolling Mill. Did that contribute to the fall? Will the same thing happen at Reduction?
Reduction employees, your future is in your hands.
You have another chance. Do you want to go it alone or will you invite the blessings of God and the peace of
Jesus? Pray for America!
Sincerely, Jim Barnhart
Sardis

Dear Editor,
God has presented us 2007, a priceless book of 365 blank days. Let us fill each day by living the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes.
No human stands taller than that one who can sincerely say, "I am sorry, please forgive me," "I forgive you," "I love you."
"By thy words, thou shall be justified, and by thy words, thou shall be condemned."
A person knowing the power of the word, becomes very careful of his conversation. Words, like chickens,
"come home to roost, they do not return void."
The Metaphysician will tell you that all disease has a mental correspondence. "To heal the body, one must heal the soul."  To heal the soul, one must extend sorrow for the hurt caused, and forgiveness must be returned.
Good will produces a great aura of protection about the one who sends it. Love and good will destroy the enemies within one's self. "There is peace on earth for him who sends good will to man."
Let us humbly pray for God's guidance for all our elected and unelected Monroe County officials, that they follow God's words in the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. Let us all be grateful for our lovely little spot in God's universe, Monroe County, and do all we can to be grateful for God's compassion, wherever we find it.
I place my Trust In You. Corinthians 12:4,8
Dear Mender of Hearts,
You are friend of all and foe of none. Your goodness is seeded in everyone, including those with whom I struggle.
Enter into my heart and soften its hardness.
Erase any ill will and anger abiding there.
Help me to reach out with openness, to speak when I prefer hiding in silence.
Teach me how to listen with loving ears and to not cling tenaciously to my opinions.
Instill hope of reconciliation in our hearts and help us to not give up on one another.
Be the Patience within us that resolves issues.
Be the Love among us that seeks forgiveness.
Be the Faith amid us that strengthens our bonds.
Be the Trust between us that brings us peace.
The bitterest tears shed over graves, are for words left unsaid, and deeds left undone.
A moment given now, may prevent a lifetime of regret.
The only guaranteed moment is this one - Now.
If you are patient in one moment of anger; you will escape many days of sorrow.
Author Unknown
Sent in by Bertha Burkhart
Woodsfield

Dear Editor,
As of recent there has been much talk about hate crimes legislation and those who are in control of the new congress have vowed to fast track such legislation
but who knows what it really is? Our national media has programmed us to think racial abuse when we hear the term but that is only a diversion to distract us from the real intent of such laws. These laws have been enacted in Canada and have proven to be true to
form.
A short description of such laws is to say they are the opposite of free speech. Hate crime laws are promoted by those who hate so venomously that they
will do anything to silence those with whom they disagree.
Some may wonder what it is that anyone could hate so much. That answer is very simple and has been around almost as long as humans ourselves. It is Truth. It is the same hatred that nailed Truth to the cross over 2000 years ago. It is the same hatred that tortured and killed people for speaking or reading Truth for
1000 years during that period of history called the Dark Ages. It is the same hatred from which our forefathers filed to begin this country.
Remembering their past our forefathers wrote laws to insure that Truth would always be a part of this country. However, people filled with hate have
perverted those laws and now use them to remove Truth from our culture.
For over 150 years the same books that taught our children to read taught our children Truth but those who hate Truth had it removed. Next because they didn't want people to know that the foundation of our country was Truth, they removed it from our history
books. Then they removed it from our science books.
For many years now Truth has not been taught in our schools thus greatly broadening the base for hatred.
Now they have filled enough people with their hate to start passing laws to prevent anyone from speaking Truth.
Remember, when Truth was crucified it was with civil law. The thing that bothers me most about this is all
the people that say they believe Truth but politically side with those that hate Truth.
Scott E. Fisher
Lower Salem

< Obituaries
(read the full obituary in the paper) 

denotes veteran

<Marjorie Irene Hines, 93, of Marietta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Marietta, formerly of Creighton Ridge Rd., Lewisville, Stafford Community, died Jan. 1, 2007, at the center. She was born April 15, 1913, near Stafford, a daughter of the late Wesley and Eliza McVay McConnell.

<Eugene E. "Gene" Harmon, 86, 321 Guilford Ave., Woodsfield, died from heart failure on Dec. 21, 2006, at Woodsfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Woodsfield. He was born Feb. 12, 1920, in Graysville, a son of the late Walter and Verbia Cline Harmon.

<Lawrence Coleman, 93, 42315 Hunter Hollow Rd., Woodsfield, died Jan. 5, 2007, at his home. He was born July 19, 1913, at Prater, Va., a son of the late Ullyses S. and Sara Ellen Cennedy Coleman.

<Martha Carpenter Workman, 82, Byesville, died Jan. 7, 2007, at her home. She was born April 8, 1924, in
Belmont, a daughter of the late Charles and Edna Walters Secrest.

<Jo Ellen Thorn, 64, formerly a resident of Goose Run
Rd., Marietta, and Wedgefield, S.C., died Jan. 7, 2007, at Marietta Memorial Hospital. She was born Oct. 17, 1942, in Harlem, Montana, a daughter of Clyde and Ruby Southwick Miller.

<Louise M. Schumacher, 93, 45568 Sugartree Rd., Woods-field, died Jan. 7, 2007, at her home. She was born July 10, 1913, near Woodsfield, a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Paulus Schumacher.