Sept. 11, 2008 Edition

< Summit Township, Lewisville Awarded $300,000 Grant

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
        There was a pause for applause as Monroe County commissioners waded through a stack of paperwork and received some good news at their Sept. 2 meeting.
        News came via Mary Jo West-fall, OSU Extension, that the Summit Township, Lewisville CDBG Distress Grant application has been approved by the Ohio Department of Development.
        The FY 2008 grant dollars will be used for:
        • Windows and gym floor replacement in the community center;
        • Repave basketball court and install playground equipment and picnic pavilion
        • New parking lot near community center;
        • New fire truck for Lewisville VFD;
        • Pave two Lewisville streets;
        • Sidewalks in Lewisville;
        • Culverts on township roads.
        In other business, commissioners met with Tom Scott, workforce, economic developer; Dean Gramlich, CIC president; and Larry Merry and Bill Morgan of the Belmont County Port Authority. Discussion concerned an income tax known as JEDD, Joint Economic Development District, and the possibility of initiating the tax in Monroe County.
        According to Merry, all revenue generated by the tax would be shared by the government entities, such as county, villages and townships, involved and only those entities willing to participate would do so. By the same token, only the taxpayers of the entities participating would pay the tax. The revenue, also shared by the entities, would help create an environment for new business, new jobs and business expansion.
        “Everyone must be in agreement and work together to make it work,” said Merry. He noted a contract, a document saying ‘we’re all on the same team now.’  would be signed.
        It was noted that residents of Woodsfield already paying a village income tax would not pay an additional tax.
        The  idea, used in Belmont County, was brought to commissioners by Tom Scott.
        In other matters, County Auditor Pandora Neuhart and Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Riethmiller asked commissioners for their vote on Ohio Township’s request for a larger share of Local Government Funds (LGF).
        Ohio Township has been receiving $500 in LGF for several years because of the tax revenue provided by Ormet. After Ormet’s reduction in taxes, the township continued to receive only $500. On a motion by Board President John Pyles, commissioners voted unanimously to accept the township and readjust their LGF amount to $2,500 a year.
        Lida Conn, mayor in Clarington, was appointed to the Workforce Investment Act board. The  WIA Board will hold meetings on Sept. 16 and 17 in Marietta.
        Officials also signed a revised Letter of Condition to be submitted for a $200,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant. If awarded to the county, monies will be used for an E-911 Location-Based Response System.
        Also attending the meeting was Cameron resident Mark Ady who asked commissioners about leasing property bordering his. He explained he did not accept the flood mitigation buyout and does not want his property “surrounded by weeds and snakes and rats”. Since the county will own the land purchased through the mitigation process, commissioners indicated they should be able to lease to him. Pyles said officials will do nothing with the land until the mitigation process is complete.      

< Sardis Area Gas Customers Lose Service Effective Oct. 1

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
        Knox Energy Cooperative Association, North Canton,  will terminate natural gas delivery to about 81 customers along SR7 and CR-11S (Joe Frobish Road) effective Oct. 1. “We have no choice” said David Eigel of Knox Energy.
        Five years ago, K.A. Brown purchased a gasline and leased it to Knox Energy to deliver natural gas from his wells. Brown could not deliver the gas because he is not a public utility.
        According to Eigel, “[Brown] decided he does not want to continue to provide gas service” and terminated the lease with Knox.
        “We had no choice but to end our services,” said Eigel, noting he went to the Public Utilities Commission and explained the situation. As a result, the PUCO contacted Dominion Gas and Columbia Gas to extend lines to the affected households.
        According to a fax transmission from Kelly Mabra, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, “The natural gas producer (Brown) that provides gas to Knox Energy Cooperative has decided to end his lease with Knox.”  According to the PUCO letter: “The good news is that Dominion is taking 47 of the customers on the south end and Columbia is taking 24 on the north end of the line along SR7.”
        “The bad news is that there are 10 customers that will not be served by either company,” she wrote. Those residents live on Joe Frobish Road. According to Mabra, it would cost too much for the gas companies to run gas to the 10 homes.
        Eigel, noting the distance and terrain involved with regard to running a gasline, said it would cost millions of dollars to run a line to the 10 households.
        As a result of the termination, owners of the 10 homes must convert to propane or another source of heat.
        Asked about the cost to convert to propane, Eigel said most furnaces can be converted fairly easily by changing the burner tip. He noted, however, the cost depends on the appliances used in the home.
        Although the conversion will be costly, CR-11S resident Ron Harman said he couldn’t blame Brown for terminating the contract with Knox.
        Harman and Joe Ritchie, representing residents of CR-11S, submitted a letter to county commissioners Sept. 2 about the gas service as well as issues concerning water and roads.        The letter, signed by 16 individuals, explains, “Our taxes, since 1980, include a paved road which obviously does not exist.” Residents feel the road should be maintained since they are paying the tax.
        According to Denise Stone-king of the county auditor’s office, tax value is based on the type of road, whether county, township or state, rather than if it is paved or unpaved.
        Stoneking said individuals with questions about their taxes are welcome to contact her at the courthouse.
        Concerning the issue of water, the letter contends that county water has been extended six miles from the last home in Monroe County to Washington County. Ron Harman told commissioners CR-11S is two miles long and water has not been extended to the 14 residents there. He suggested it could be feasible to run both water and gas lines at the same time. He said the Dominion  Gas line, the water line and the road all stop at the same location - two miles away. “You fall off the edge of the earth right there,” he laughed.
        Harman also noted a culvert, as well as chip and seal, are needed on the road.
        John Pyles, commission president, said he will make some telephone calls about the gasline.
        Concerning water, Pyles said he spoke with Jim Murray, Monroe Water System, about the matter. Pyles indicated the water lines were installed based on a feasibility study. He asked Harman if everyone on the road would purchase water if it became available. Harman said he could “... pretty much guarantee it.” He said some people have bad water and others have none.
        Pyles said he will go to Monroe Water System about “two or three areas we know about and see what their outlook is as far as extensions.” Accord-ing to Pyles, Murray told him the water board is looking at some small spurs off the main water line which is located on SR-800.
        Pyles will speak with Lonnie Tustin, county engineer, about the culvert and road conditions on CR-11S.
        Alao attending the meeting was Eugene Schmidt from near Brownsville. He inquired about getting water to nine residents who live about a mile-and-a-half away from the Monroe Water System’s waterline.

< Hyde For Your Ryde Opens

Chrystal Kosmos and J.R. Garrett have opened a new business in Monroe County. Hyde For Your Ryde, located on Lewisville Road, across from Dick’s Service Center, features quality leather apparel, motorcycle gear and collectible Zippo lighters at competitive prices. They also offer custom airbrushing, pinstriping and upholstering.                                                         Photo by Martha Ackerman


by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
        A new and different business has opened in Woodsfield. A small, locally owned company, Hyde For Your Ryde, offers quality leather apparel and motorcycle gear at competitive prices.           
        J.R. Garrett and Chrystal Kosmos own the business and also offer custom airbrushing and pin striping. “We can airbrush anything with a surface,” said Kosmos.
        They also carry collectible Zippo lighters at affordable prices. “They are a good investment,” said Garrett.
        According to the owners, the newly opened business, located at 741 Lewisville Road in Woodsfield, has already attracted customers from outside the area. “No one gets close to our prices,” said Garrett.
        With just setting up the new business, inventory is low, but over 1,000 items are available from catalogs. In addition to motorcycle gear, motocross equipment and helmets, safety goggles, sunglasses, racing gloves and boots in adult and kids’ sizes can be ordered. There are even a number of fashion jackets for men and women available for order.
        Another aspect of the business is custom upolstering. They can do motorcycle seats, tractor seats, ATV and car and truck seats.
        A 10 percent discount is being offered to police, fire and emergency personnel.
        For more information on Hyde For Your Ryde, call 740-509-3279 or log onto:
 www.HydeforyourRyde.com
        Hyde For Your Ryde is open Monday thru Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

<Woodsfield Eyes Funding

by  Arlean Selvy
Publisher
        A resolution to seek funding was adopted Sept. 2 by Woodsfield Council members, who also approved the transfer of a  liquor permit and change of property from residential to business.
        On a motion by Council-woman Carol Hehr, a resolution authorizing Mayor Bill Bolon to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works State Capital Improvement program was adopted on a   4-0 vote. Councilman Paul Byers was absent and Council President Vernon Henthorn was acting mayor in the absence of Mayor Bolon.
        According to the resolution, the village plans to make improvements to the Water Treatment Plant, which is considered a priority need for the community. The mayor was further authorized to enter into any agreements necessary for obtaining the financial assistance.
        Council agreed to allow the transfer of a carryout permit from Jackson’s News and Variety to the BP Station. No hearing will be scheduled for the transfer.
        A petition submitted at a prior meeting to rezone property at 342 South Main Street from residential to business was approved. The property includes a duplex structure and is owned by Tom Dick.
        Council hired Debbie Yontz to work in the utility office. She had been working as a temporary  part-time employee and is now a permanent part-time employee.
        Hehr reported “great comments” about the Big 10 channel and commended Jeff Woodell for getting the channel launched in time for the OSU game.
        A tree on Eastern Avenue that hinders the view of motorist at the Mor For Less store was reported by Councilwoman Pauline Delbrugge. “The trees need care,” she said, noting there are bag worms in one of them. Delbrugge asked who is supposed to care for the trees, the village or the Kiwanis Club, which had  them planted.
        Hehr, a member of Kiwanis, said she will inquire at the next Kiwanis meeting.
        Council meets the first and third Monday of each month.

<Christmas Festival Events Planned

by Arlean  Selvy
Publisher
        Parades, workshops, carriage rides, carolers and candy canes. If it’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas - you’re on the right page.
        The Woodsfield Christmas Festival Committee is lining up holiday activities for the county seat - for all countians to enjoy.
        Special activities planned by businesses should be reported to a Christmas Festival Committee member: Ruth Workman, 740-838-1047 or 472-5499 at work; Sally Seidler, 472-5256; or Margie Yoss, 472-5484. The committee hopes to place all activities in  its advertising information.
        The third annual event will kick-off Dec. 5 with a Christmas Dinner/Dance sponsored by the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge.                The Dec. 6 activities begin with Breakfast with Santa and conclude with a Christmas Concert featuring the Monroe Singers at the Woodsfield United Methodist Church.
        Many activities are already scheduled for the hours between breakfast and the concert. There will be a craft show at the courthouse, Santa’s workshop at the First  Baptist Church, carriage rides, barrel rides, Christmas Carolers, holiday characters handing out candy canes and, of course, the Christmas Parade.
        The parade will leave Woods-field Elementary at 6 p.m. and continue down Main Street to the City Park at about 6:45 p.m.
        Ruth Workman, festival committee, expressed her appreciation to Woodsfield Garden Club. who members plan to help decorate the village.
        According to Workman, plans are underway to place a Christ-mas display in City Park so citizens may drive the park circle to enjoy the decorations. She noted also that a live Nativity scene is slated to set up in front of the Monroe Theatre, located opposite the courthouse on the square.
        The committee is encouraging the business community to join the window decorating contest. A plaque for the best window will  be awarded prior to the parade.
        Businesses are also encouraged to take  part in festivities by offering cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, cider or other treat during the Woodsfield Christmas Festival.
        Deck the Halls, Walls, and Table silent auction fundraiser  will be held to raise funds for needy families. Items such as Christmas wreaths, table decorations and table top trees are donated by businesses and community members. The items will be on display at the chamber of commerce to bid on and also to vote for the best wreath, table decoration, or decorated tree. Awards are given in each category.
        Persons wishing to help with the festival or donate items, may contact Workman, Seidler or Yoss.