March 5, 2009
<Monroe County Economic Developer Job Abolished

Monroe County Commissioners, on a recommendation by
 Jeanette Harter, JFS director, voted unanimously this week
 to abolish the job of Workforce/Economic Developer. The
 position has been held for 14 months by Tom Scott, who
 successfully organized Team Monroe.                 

 Abolishment of the post came following an executive session requested by Harter
 for the purpose of personnel with regard to hiring and
 firing. The secret session started at 1:50 p.m. Scott and
 Attorney Jason Yoss entered the session at 3:35. and the
 session ended at 3:55 p.m.
       “I’m here to ask commissioners to consider abolishment
 of  the workforce development position,” said Harter as
 the open session began.
       “Before I begin to read the statement of rationale for
 why, I’d like to preface my remarks by saying first and
 foremost that it has been a pleasure to be able to serve
 Monroe County by having an economic developer on our staff
 to be able to try to help Monroe County create jobs ...”
       Harter went on to say there are budget issues and, “this
 is the first place we have to look.” Explaining deficits
 in the 2008 and 2009 budgets, she said the only option at
 this time is to lay-off or abolish. She said cost cutting
 measures were started with the reduction of mileage rates
 and indicated cell phones and many other items will be
 reviewed.
       “By abolishing this position that is so highly paid, we
 can save almost three jobs at the [JFS]agency,” said
 Harter. She said that includes children’s services
 workers, child support workers and income maintenance
 workers.
       The director then read her statement of rationale. In
 part, it said the position is being abolished for reasons of
 economy. It notes that JFS created the Economic Developer
 job in 2008 for the purpose of achieving economic growth and
 job creation in Monroe County. It goes on to say: “Given
 the current economic situation in the state and county, jobs
 are very difficult  to create. This position was created by
 the previous JFS director at the request of county officials
 when there was no funding available elsewhere to support the
 position. During FY’08 and so far in FY’09, funding has
 been cut significantly for MCJFS and allocations will be
 even less in FY’10 (projected at least 10 percent less).
 During calendar year 2008, this position was paid from the
 shared cost pool which affects every funding stream,
 including children services and child support. The position
 has temporarily been moved to the income maintenance cost
 pool to attempt to eliminate a deficit in FY’09. There is a projected
 deficit for FY’10 due to significant cuts that are nearing
 the final stages at the state level, and local agency costs
 need to be reduced rapidly. In addition, the state notified
 us on 2-24-09 that transfers from children’s services and
 child support cost pools are vital to prevent cash shortages
 in the public assistance fund. These transfers are behind
 from previous fiscal years and must be kept current. Without
 abolishment of this position, that will not be possible.”
       Harter’s rationale statement went on to say that
 economic development is not the focal point of JFS services.
 It was noted the total savings as a result of this
 abolishment is $83,492.68, including gross salary, OPERS,
 medicare tax, meals, travel and other reimbursement.
       On a motion by Commis-sioner Tim Price the position was
 abolished.
       “This has been the most difficult decision that I’ve
 had to make since sitting in this chair,” said Price.
 “It seems ironic that we’re faced with abolishing the
 position of workforce developer based on the economy.” He
 thanked Scott for all that he’s done.
       Commissioner John Pyles said he echoes Price’s
 sentiment, but noted commissioners are first and foremost to
 be fiscally responsible for the whole county. He noted the
 $255,591. which must be cut from the budget in April.
       (Editor’s note: JFS is primarily funded by the state,
 not the county. The $255,591 mentioned above is the amount
 to be cut from the county’s general fund, not JFS.)
       Pyles noted that Scott had brought people together through
 their involvement in Team Monroe.
       “It’s a regrettable situation,” said Commissioner
 Carl Davis. “I feel that you are to be commended for the
 work you did here in Monroe County. I feel you made a lot of
 progress - you’ve done a lot of good for Monroe County and
 impacted a lot of people, a lot of lives here.”
       Harter also thanked Scott for his service to the county.
       “I also want to make the public aware that, as director
 of JFS I’m cast with a number of different things and
 responsibility, and that is the safety and welfare of
 children in this community. I know from looking at the
 budget ... we have a significant amount of children to care
 for, a significant amount of bills ... in the first two
 quarters we’re in a desperate situation ...” She said
 the agency is taking major cuts. “With all that’s in
 front of me I have to decide what’s best for the county
 and for the safety and welfare of the children,” she said.
       “In all fairness to the agency and to myself, I think
 the people of the county need to understand that we funded
 this position for a full year. We took it on when nobody
 else wanted to and nobody else had the money to, and we did
 bring a year’s worth of work to this county,” said
 Harter. “I do want everyone in the public to be aware of
 that because, in fairness to us, we have shouldered that
 financial responsibility for a year.
       “It’s nothing against Tom or the salary he makes,”
 she said, “It’s just what’s economically possible for
 our agency at this time.”
       “I want Tom to know that I do appreciate the time that
 he’s invested in Monroe County because we’re definitely
 in a better-off place than we were before he was here.
       “If I could,” Scott began, “Having been in the
 business arena many years, I know what crunching numbers is
 all about. Had I had the opportunity to voluntarily reduce
 my wage, I would certainly have done that.” He
 acknowledged the “knock-down terrific people in the
 county” that he had the privilege to work with. “It’s
 been my pleasure to have had the opportunity,” he said.

Funeral Directors Appointed

  

Bryan E. Chandler

    

Chris Williams
Two local Funeral Professionals were recently appointed to positions with the Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA) located in Columbus.
        Chris Williams, a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for Watters Funeral Homes in Woodsfield and Summer-field, and Bryan E. Chandler, owner/Funeral Director and Embalmer of the Chandler Funeral Home in Caldwell, were appointed to OFDA positions. OFDA is the State Association for Funeral Homes in Ohio.
        The main purpose of the OFDA is to establish, cultivate and promote programs and policies that mark the passage of life with dignity and ceremony and that meet with sensitivity the special needs of those who survive.
        Williams was appointed as the Southeast Regional Director by the OFDA Board. He has previously served as District President. The Southeast Region includes Districts 10, 12, 13 and 14, encompassing  30 counties in the State of Ohio.
        Chandler was appointed as the District 12 President which includes Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Noble and Washington counties. This is his second term serving as such.
        Many topics were covered at the January meeting including Senate bill 196 Ohio Preneed Consumer Protection Act which was recently passed into law and will go into effect April 6. This law is in direct response to the recent situations regarding preneed theft that has been seen in Ohio and will better protect the consumers of preneed funerals in Ohio.
        Watters and Chandler are excited about their opportunities to serve the OFDA membership in their respective areas. If you have any questions concerning the OFDA or the new S.B. 196 Ohio Preneed Consumer Protection Act, feel free to contact Williams at 740-472-1440 or at: or Chandler at 740-732-1311

<Make-A-Wish Fulfills Dream

It was a wish come true for five-year-old Eddie Alan
Church when he met his idol John Cena, a WWE Super Star.
The meeting took place thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation
which took Eddie and his family to New Orleans, Louisiana. 
Photo Submitted

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
It’s been a long road to recovery for Eddie Alan Church
who will celebrate his sixth birthday March 14. Make-A-Wish
Foundation made this little boy’s dream come true in
January when he was awarded his wish -- a trip to New
Orleans, Louisiana, to meet WWE Super Star John Cena!

Eddie and his mother Tammy Surell were in a car accident
near Baker & Sons Equipment on SR145 on Oct. 7, 2007.
Eddie was four years old.

When the car went through a wooden fence, a piece of the
fence went through the window striking Eddie on the right
side of the head. Eddie was life-flighted to Children’s Hospital in
Morgantown, W. Va. where he underwent surgery to remove the
damaged pieces of his skull and brain tissue. According to
his mother, there was just skin slapped over the right side
of his little head.

After his recuperation in Morgantown, Eddie was
transferred to Children’s Hospital in Columbus for
in-house therapy to learn to walk and talk again. He also
had to learn to compensate for the weakness in his body. He
spent 34 days there until he was well enough to come home.

But recovery takes a long time. Eddie had to wear a helmet
to protect his head, walked with a three-legged cane, wore a
brace on his left leg and on his hand.
June 2008 brought a return to Morgantown where his skull
was repaired. He was there for three days ... but that was
not the end of this ordeal. An infection in the skull
necessitated a trip to Wheeling Hospital. Doctors had to go
back in, clean out the skull and replace it with all
titanium. “Since the last surgery, he has been doing
nicely,” said his mother.

After reading the article on Karley Williams in the Monroe
County Beacon, Eddie’s mother went on-line to the
Make-A-Wish website and asked that her son’s wish be
granted.

If you remember, Karley Sue Williams, the daughter of
 Jimmy and Becky Williams, was born Oct. 29, 2005 with
Carnitine Palmitoyl Trans-ferase Deficiency Type II, one of
32 genetic disorders. Her wish for a full-sized playhouse
was granted. Karley was also the 2008 poster child for the
Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Representatives from Make-A-Wish met with Eddie and his
family and told them Eddie’s wish would be granted! He was
going to meet his WWE idol John Cena!

Eddie and his mother and father, Eddie Church, were picked
up Jan. 4 at their Stafford home and taken to Akron-Canton
Airport where they boarded a plane to New Orleans. The plane
tickets, hotel, rental car and spending money were provided
by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Eddie and his family met with the wrestling star and
enjoyed a photo op with him. Eddie received an autographed
photo which is displayed in his room. Cena has also written
a couple of letters since their meeting checking on
Eddie’s progress.

While in New Orleans, the family had a chance to tour the
city, visit an aquarium, Bourbon Street and other points of
interest.Eddie and his family appreciate all the help they have
received since the accident. The cards, letters, money and
support during the tough times are deeply appreciated.
“I am so proud of Eddie for not giving up. He fought to
be a typical boy. We do believe in miracles,” said Tammy.
“Even though Eddie is a little weak on his left side, we
have him and enjoy every minute with him.”
Eddie is in pre-school and will enter kindergarten at
Skyvue Elementary this fall.

 <Dick's Expands Business

To better enhance their business Bernard and Linda Dick,
owners of Dick’s Service Center, have expanded to
Grab-N-Go to better serve their customers. Shown, from left,
 front, are: Jo Eddy and Tracey Craig of the Monroe County
 Chamber of Commerce; Bernard Dick; back: Jennifer Childress,
 employee; Steve Pell, Hunts Brothers representative; and
 Linda Dick.


 by Martha Ackerman
 Staff Writer
       There’s a new look and lots more inventory at Dick’s
 Service Center, located at 768 Lewisville Road (State Route
 78 west), Woodsfield. To better serve their customers,
 owners Bernard and Linda Dick have expanded their business,
 adding a Grab-N-Go.
       “We’ve been talking about this expansion for a few
 years,” said Bernard. “It gives our customers more
 options.”
        The new expansion includes Hunt Brothers Pizza. Customers
 can select a large 12 inch original or thin crust pizza with
 up to 10 toppings including pepperoni, Italian sausage,
 beef, bacon, bell peppers, black olives, banana peppers,
 jalapenos, mushrooms and onions, at no extra charge.
       Customers were standing in line for a sample of the new
 pizza Feb. 27 during an open house celebrating the new
 expansion.
       Adding to the Marathon gasoline and tire operation, in
 addition to the pizza, the new expansion also offers
 customers a one-stop for staples including sugar, cereal,
 condiments, daily care items, laundry detergent, soups, and
 pet food.  There is a nice selection of chips, cookies and
 candy to satisfy those sweet tooth cravings. The coolers are
 stocked with energy juices, soft drinks, orange juice, water
 and more.
       In addition to the food stuffs, Dick’s Service Center
 Grab-N-Go also has a line of automotive care products, along
 with wiper blades, additives, gas cans, work gloves and even
 a portable air tank.
       Dick’s Service Center Grab-N-Go is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 daily with extended hours coming soon.
       For more information or to order a pizza, call
 740-472-1318.

< Hannibal Students Place 2nd in Regional Mathcounts
 Competition

Hannibal Elementary students placed second in the regional
 Mathcounts which was held Feb. 21 at Belmont Technical
 College in St. Clairsville. Team members shown with Sheila
 Thomas, seventh and eighth grade math teacher and coach,
 are, from left: Jason Miller, Katie Plas, Alex Thomas and
 Eric Dierkes.

       Over 100 middle school students or “mathletes”
 converged on Belmont Technical College Feb. 21 for the
 annual Mathcounts competition.
       Hannibal Elementary snagged a second place spot in the
 regional Eastern Ohio Chapter of the Mathcounts competition.
 Team member are Eric Dierkes, son of Kelly and Tabi Dierkes,
 Woodsfield;  Jason Miller, son of Dr. Brad and Jodi Miller,
 Sardis;  Katie Plas, daughter of Greg and Twila Plas,
 Hannibal; and Alex Thomas, son of Bill and Sheila Thomas,
 Hannibal. Sheila Thomas, seventh and eighth grade math
 teach, coaches the team.
       Alex Thomas, an eighth grader, placed second and Jason
 Miller, a seventh grader, placed third in individuals. Alex
 and Jason will advance to Mathcounts state competition to be
 held in Columbus March 14 to compete as individual
 mathletes. Winners at the state level then advance to the
 national finals to be held in May at Walt Disney World.
       It is no coincidence that “mathlete” and “athlete”
 are very similar as the competition often resembles that of
 an athletic event when participants race to hit a buzzer
 with cheers of encouragement ringing throughout the hall.
       Mathcounts is a national math enrichment, coaching and
 competition program that promotes middle school mathematics
 achievement.