740-472-0734 < P.O. Box 70, Woodsfield, OH 43793 < monroecountybeacon@sbcglobal.net

Below are links to portions of this week's news articles. For the full story, pick up a paper at your local newss tand or send $1 with your name/address to P.O. Box 70, Woodsfield, OH 43793.

June 14, 2007 Edition
<Enhanced-911 on Nov. Ballot	Monroe County commissioners, at their June 5 meeting, adopted a resolution to place the Enhanced-911 issue on the November ballot. Voters will be asked to approve a monthly charge of 50-cents per telephone access line. The charge would be collected monthly by the telephone company as part of the phone bill. Monies generated would be used to pay for operating and maintaining 911 services in Monroe County. According to Matt Brake, 911 project coordinator, the 50-cents per access line fee would generate an estimated $49,000 per year. He told officials that maintenance on the 911 system may be $20,000 a year and maintaining accurate addresses, reporting phone numbers that do not match addresses to the phone company, and updating the county map for display of 911 calls, could cost about $10,000 a year. During discussion, Commissioner Bill Thompson noted the cost of E-911 would amount to $6 a year. “Less than a can of pop a day,” said Commissioner John Pyles. After Enhanced-911 is installed, the next step is to implement Wireless 911. The project involves testing cell phones from each antenna located in the county. Coordination and implementation of Wireless 911 is estimated at $20,000. Monroe is one of two or three of Ohio’s 81 counties which does not have E-911 service. In a related matter, house numbering was discussed. Numbers should be a minimum height, and should be placed as near the residence as possible and in view of emergency personnel as they travel the roadways. In an unrelated matter, commissioners entered into an executive session at the request of Ernie Ferguson and Cassandra Dyer, members of the Beallsville emergency squad. The session was called for personnel with regard to disciplinary action. After being in session for about an hour, Larry Paine, president, EMS association; and Dave Kuhn, county EMS coordinator, were asked to enter the meeting, which lasted an additional 30 minutes. No action was taken at its conclusion. Earlier in the day, a short executive session was called for personnel with regard to hiring. The session was requested by Janet Henthorn, WIA director. Following the session, Jim Lude was hired as supervisor for the Summer Cemetery Clean-Up Crew.
<Ormet Corp. Hires New CFO	Ormet Corp. has hired James Burns Riley to serve as the organization’s chief financial officer. Riley is a seasoned financial executive who has functioned as CGFO in a wide range of business environments. He worked for companies such as Marathon Oil Co., Elliott Co., Chiquita Brands International, Inc., Experianz, and most recently, CSK Auto, Inc., he holds the position of senior vice-president and chief financial officer. He also has extensive experience in the metals industry where he held several operating and financial positions over a period of 1 4 years with LTV Steel Company, Inc.; from a senior financial analyst treasury to assistant controller. For the 10 years following that engagement, he served as executive vice-president, CFO and member of the board of directors at Republic Engineered Steels, Inc. "Ormet is very fortunate to have landed someone of Jim’s caliber and expertise,” said Michael Tanchuk, Ormet president and CEO.
Day Returns County Flag from Iraq Wayne West, right, accepts county flag from Carl Day Sgt. First Class Carl Day returned one borrowed Monroe County Flag and was presented one of his own. Shown, from left, Ellen Day, Carl’s mother; Janet and Gary Holland, representing the Monroe County Veterans War Memorial Committee; Day and wife Cheryl and their children Casey and Alison; Cheryl’s brother and parents, Tom Marty and Vivian and Howard Eugene Marty.	by Martha Ackerman Staff Writer Although Sgt. First Class Carl Day is originally from Canton, he feels that Monroe County is his home. His father, the late Sheridan Day, was originally from the Stafford area. As a youth, he spent lots of time here visiting relatives. “The Days have had DNA in Monroe County for 200 years,” he said. When the First Sgt. was deployed to Iraq, he wanted to take the Monroe County flag with him. “He always says, ‘it’s down home, almost heaven,’” laughed Ellen Day, Carl’s mother. An alert went out and members of the Bethel Community Center responded. They lent him their flag which he carried in his pocket throughout Iraq during his six-month tour. Day returned the flag June 9 to Wayne West, Bethel Community Center president and fire chief. “I’m sure they’re glad to get it back without any holes,” Day quipped. While in Iraq, Day and his unit moved throughout the country. The last two months were spent in Baghdad. Everywhere he went, the flag was tucked into his pocket. Janet and Gary Holland, representing the Monroe County War Memorial Committee, presented Day with a flag of his own. “It will be displayed in our home,” said Cheryl Day. Day joined the U.S. Army in 1983 and will retire when he returns to Ft. Riley, Kansas. During his military career, he has been stationed in Berlin and Hanau, Germany; Korea, Hawaii, twice in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Georgia and most recently at Ft. Riley. His most memorable life experiences include, first and foremost, meeting his wife and having their daughters, Alison and Casey. As for the military career, he was at the Pentagon during 9-1-1 and he was stationed in Berlin during the Cold War. “Quite an experience,” he said. And in Iraq, he said the U.S. soldiers are always doing a good job. It’s hard work trying to get the Iraqis to keep pace with the U.S. soldiers. They are laid back and it’s hard to get them on the same tempo to show them what ‘right’ looks like - a democracy, civil rights and treating people fairly. He noted that in some regions in northeastern Iraq people are more friendly. “You don’t have to worry so much,” he said. “In the Shia and Sunni areas, they are fighting us with IEDs, RBGs and small arms fire. You can’t even feel safe in the ‘green zone’ because they are still able to attack with rocket mortar and suicide bombers.” He noted that this war is much different than Vietnam because the American people are supporting their soldiers. “It’s not the soldier’s fault he’s there.” His 10-man team received packages from everywhere. “It was tremendous,” Day said. “We received packages that held cookies, games, books.” He added that he tried to write to anyone who sent the gifts. “It helps a lot.” Attending the presentations at Bethel Community Center were Day’s wife Cheryl, their two children, Alison and Casey; Ellen Day and Cheryl’s parents, Howard and Vivian Marty, and her brother, Tom Marty.
Assisted Living Eyed for Monroe County Care Center	by Arlean Selvy Publisher “We can do some studies and decide later,” said Bob Reed, speaking to county commissioners June 5 about the possibility of adding an assisted living unit at Monroe County Care Center. Reed said Westwood Landing Assisted Living has impacted the care center. He believes the addition of at least 12 units for assisted living would help the operation, although, he said, “I think things are still going well ...” According to discussion, elderly individuals who cannot afford assisted living are entering care centers. He said assisted living units at Monroe County Care Center would offer a cost alternative and the rates can be kept lower. “People cannot live in a community without a spouse to care for them ...” said Reed. He said there are times when people are forced to leave their homes and live in nursing homes. Westwood Landing, a privately owned assisted living facility, filled up fast, he said. “Nobody wants to leave home. People just want to know somebody is looking out for their mom and dad,” said Reed. Reed indicated there is a possibility that Medicaid could help in assisted living costs. Commissioners appeared receptive to the proposal. “I think it would definitely benefit the seniors,” said County Commissioner Bill Thompson. Commissioners, following the meeting, walked the grounds at the care center and toured the building, located on CR27. An assisted living unit at Monroe County Care Center is not a new idea. It has been suggested to commissioners in the past but found its way to the back burner.
<Woodsfield Water Watch	by Arlean Selvy Publisher Cemetery funds, alumni weekend and the water supply were on the agenda last week for Woodsfield council. Supt. Terry Comstock, water and sewer department, reported the water supply in the upper dam is two to three feet down. He said he is making arrangements to obtain water from a former source. On a motion by Councilman Paul Byers, cemetery funds in the amount of $79,000 will be transferred to WesBanco at five percent interest per month for five months. In another matter concerning the cemetery, Mayor Bill Bolon mentioned pouring a concrete slab to be used during veterans services. Currently a removable platform is used. Byers, a member of council’s cemetery committee, will take the suggestion to the Cemetery Board for its consideration. The third reading of an ordinance which will result in reducing the cost of electric power to the village was passed 4-0. Absent were councilwomen Carol Hehr and Sheila Stollar. Supt. Floyd Longwell, Woodsfield Municipal Power, told council members he has been offered Christmas decorations, free of charge, that must be removed from a building which Longaberger is selling. The decorations had been purchased from the company and the new owner, John Stubbs, a representative of American Light, must remove them from the building. He has offered all or a portion of the decorations to Woodsfield. Longwell, who said the decorations were described as “very nice” said he plans to look at them and is making arrangement for a truck to haul them to Woodsfield. Cheryl Keylor and Donna Parr asked about traffic control and hanging of banners for the annual Woodsfield alumni weekend. According to Bolon, the village had already received permission from ODOT to close certain streets and arrangements were underway for preparation of, and cleanup after, the event. Parr announced the parade time and said a police escort would be appreciated. Parade line-up is at 7 p.m.
Not Typical Garden Variety Therapy George Pool and Ken Boitnott constructed this raised garden at Monroe County Care Center. It was filled with dirt and the planting began. George and Ken are shown planting as Rosemary Kaiser and Mike Perteroti, director of therapy, watch. Photo by Martha Ackerman	by Martha Ackerman Staff Writer “This is not your typical garden variety therapy,” said Mike Perteroti, Director of Therapy at the Monroe County Care Center. Residents of the care center will be gardening all summer. Ken Boitnott, formerly of Beallsville, and George Pool, formerly of Brownsville, are residents of Monroe County Care Center. Together, the two built a raised garden from treated wood. Neither men are strangers to working in a garden. Ken has always had a garden and George raised a garden on his beef cattle farm, which he worked for 56 years. The raised garden was chosen, noted Perteroti, because it is wheel chair accessible which enables more of the residents to get involved and enjoy working in the garden. The residents also have a small plot in which they will raise vegetables like corn, cucumbers, pumpkins and sunflowers, that take more room to grow. In their raised bed, they planted tomatoes, cabbage, green peppers, squash and broccoli. Some of the tomato plants were started from seed. According to Perteroti, the garden allows residents to cultivate new ideas with an integrative therapeutic team approach– They planned the garden and determined their needs. The garden incorporates occupational therapy with functional activity and strength; physical therapy helping with balance and gait; and speech therapy through cognitive planning. So, no, this is certainly not your typical garden variety of therapy.
< Obituaries (read the full obituary in the paper) denotes veteran	< Lola E. Cleveland, 74, Lewisville, died June 6, 2007. She was born Sept. 19, 1932, in Franklin Township, a daughter of the late William T. Hines and Mable Highman Hines. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bauerturner.com. <Charles A. Moore, 67, 515 Plum St., Summerfield, died June 8, 2007, at Marietta Memorial Hospital. He was born Nov. 6, 1939, at Summerfield, a son of the late Harry T. and Louella Barnes Moore. Online condolences expressed at www.wattersfuneralhome.com. <Harold R. Pittman, 87, Belmont, died June 7, 2007, at his home. He was born June 22, 1919, in Centerville, a son of the late William Henry Pittman and Amanda Palmer Pittman. <E. Beatrice Beck Bates, 98, 51133 Glady Rd., Summerfield, died June 7, 2007, at Brewster Parke Nursing Home, where she received excellent care from the staff. She was born Jan. 21, 1909, in Otsego, Ohio, a daughter of the late Maurice and Melinda Pryor Armstrong. Online condolences expressed at www.wattersfuneralhome.com. <Glen E. Hill, Jr., 45, 44925 Carlisle Rd., Caldwell, Carlisle Community, died June 10, 2007, following injuries received in a four-wheeler accident in Noble County. He was born Aug. 30, 1961, at Cambridge, a son of Laverna Robinson Hickenbottom of Summerfield, and the late Glen Hill, Sr. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.wattersfuneralhome.com. <Melissa Missy Leigh Riley, 26, Powhatan Point, was called home to be with the Lord on a bright and sunny morning, June 9, 2007. She was born June 12, 1980 in Bellaire. <Dink Brannon, 93, of Woods-field Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Woodsfield, died June 11, 2007 at the center. Arrangements are pending at Watters Funeral Home, Woodsfield. <Lincoln Matthew Hunt, infant son of Matthew and Nicole Hunt, passed on to his heavenly home, May 31,v2007, at Doctor’s Hospital, Columbus.
<Around the Burnside	By Denny Easterling As the man says, “Keep doing wrong and sooner or later you will get caught.” Its a sad henhouse when the hen crows louder than the rooster. Well, schools out and now what do you do? We were always turned out before Decoration Day which was the 30th of May until the powers that be decided we actually needed a long weekend for some reason or another, it was also changed to Memorial Day which is probably a better name to cover the celebrations and memories of the day. Then, every day we should say a prayer for those men and women serving in our armed forces allowing us to live under the freedom we do. As you have guessed we looked forward to Decoration Day when we were required to go to school nine months, and married ladies were not allowed to teach school. By the time school was out in the spring, several of my friends could walk on hay stubble, gravel road, etc. with no shoes. It is said they wore their first pair of shoes in the fall from the inside out, which really isnt so, their socks maybe. On kind of a dare, I carried a jug of water to my brother who was working in the hayfield. If you want something to make you want to wear shoes this is near the top of the list. My buddy, who made the dare, traveled along as you would on the smooth sidewalk, I prefer to wear my shoes from the outside in. This I learned at an early age. In government, the next step after planned economy is planned extravagance. Believe this? You do not see or hear much about the pork that was hooked on to the money voted to support our troops. I wonder why? We were promised a change in the way things were done. This is a change. Never miss a chance to slip in a little pork. If both sides made you laugh you are broadminded. Listen to the news very often? Kind of makes you wonder what this old world is coming to. Who in their right mind would want to be President of the USA? He (or she) gets blamed for everything that is wrong. Some dont want to take responsibility for anything. For example, shoot someone and blame the gun factory for making the gun. The manufacturer didnt point and pull the trigger. Tobacco companies are responsible for the problems caused by my smoking and they should pay. Now there is a push to have Health Care Policies pay for helping folks to stop smoking, I said, I quit. I did, and no one was hooked on cigarettes any worse than me. I also did the same with Mail Pouch. So it can be done. There also seems to be any number of things that can cause some of our youth do what they do today. I have been very fortunate. I feel the youth Ive been associated with over the years are what you would call top of the line. All have been a pleasure to be around and work with. As I observe some of them today- makes me certain I am right. Then I look back and wonder how we turned out so well. We didnt have video games but we played cops and robbers. We werent bashful about shooting a robber or a cop. Bang, bang youre dead, and you were expected to fall down dead. Sometimes it changed to cowboys and Indians. Actually, the game was about the same just the characters changed, both involved shooting and killing. At certain times cap guns made things more realistic, when caps were available. I wonder how many kids today know what a cap gun is. We had a six shooter and an automatic that used a roll of caps. We could really shoot it up then. When we got our BB guns, it was a different story. We didnt use them to play cops and robbers, however, a good buddy of mine has been carrying a BB around in his cheek for the last 65 years or so. Birds and cats became big targets then. I probably shouldnt tell this, but we lived in a big old brick house with a mess of vines growing up one side. In addition, there was a half dozen maple trees along the front. In the evening the vines were the roosting spot for just about all the sparrows in town. I got the bright idea to take my flashlight and BB gun out to the side of the house to see if I could spotlight me some sparrows. I could and I did. I didnt have to worry about picking up the sparrows as we always had plenty of cats around. I heard one of our recent high school graduates got a steady job - changing the price of gasoline of all the service stations in town. You are welcome at the church of your choice. Be there! Bible readings: (Mon.) Psalm 65:1-8; (Tues.) II Kings 15:32-36; from Isaiah (Wed.) 6:1-18; (Thurs.) 58:6-12; (Fri.) 40:1-5; (Sat.) 1:10-14; (Sun.) 1:15-20.