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 newsstand or send $1 with your name/address to P.O.
Box 70, Woodsfield, OH 43793.
<Karissa
Martin Named Miss Scioto Valley

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Karissa Martin Named Miss Scioto
Valley Monroe County's Karissa Renee Martin is on her way to
competing for the title of Miss Ohio.
Martin was crowned Miss Scioto Valley 2006 on Nov. 18 in
Portsmouth. She will go to Mansfield in June to
complete for the Miss Ohio title.
The winner of the Miss Ohio competition will advance to
compete for the title of Miss America in January of 2008.
The Miss America Scholarship program is the largest provider
of young women's scholarships worldwide.
Young women ages 17-24 are eligible to compete with the
phases of competition being a private panel
interview, talent, evening wear, swimsuit, and onstage question. The
program also promotes community service by requiring each young woman
to represent a platform
issue that enables her to reach out to the community.
Martin's platform is "Skin Cancer Awareness for a
Second Generation" with which she promotes proper
prevention techniques.
She has a soon to be released CD for which the proceeds
will benefit Monroe County Relay for Life.
Persons wishing to obtain a copy of the CD or who would like to have
Martin speak at any function, should contact her at 740-472-0561 or by
email at
primadonna88@sbcglobal.net.
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<County
Departments Commit Dollars to Mapping Project
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by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
Updating the county's policy handbook was discussed
last week by Monroe County commissioners, who also reported
commitments by three county departments to help fund the Enhanced-911
Mapping project.
"It isn't a question of if we need mapping, but how
soon we can get this project started," said Pandora Neuhart, county
auditor. Neuhart has committed $5,000 of her real estate fund to the
E-911 Location Based
Response System Mapping project. In addition, Sheriff Tim Price has
committed $17,000 from the Law Enforcement Fund and Lonnie Tustin,
county engineer, has committed $25,000.
"I appreciate their willingness to help us," said
Commissioner Mark Forni.
Neuhart met with officials about IRS regulations which she said should
be addressed in the county's policy handbook.
Neuhart submitted a list of
five items.
. Driving a County vehicle back and forth to work, even if the
employee is on call, must be reported as taxable income on the
by-weekly payroll.
. Meal reimbursement for one day travel will be considered a taxable
event, unless the meal is included in the meeting or seminar.
. Use of County owned cell phones for personal use must be reimbursed
by the employee or reported as employee income.
. Gifts, bonuses, stipends, turkeys, gift certificates, etc. must be
reported as taxable income.
. Shirts, jackets, etc. issued by an elected official or department
head must be reported as taxable income if it can be worn when not
working. (Sheriff Dept. uniforms are not included because they are not
to be worn when off duty).
With regard to payroll taxes, Neuhart said all
reporting is the responsibility of the Elected
Official or Department Head.
She told commissioners the $500 gift certificates given
to 28 employees of JFS must be reported for 2006. According to the
IRS, since they were given in December, the auditor must redo reports
and, in addition, pay a penalty because the certificates weren't
reported.
"This will take time and money," said Neuhart.
JFS wrote a check in the amount of $14,025 to the
Chamber of Commerce for [Christmas] gift certificates. Neuhart said
there was no communication to her office as to what the certificates
were for.
"We need to work diligently in updating our handbooks,"
said Francis 'Sonny' Block, board
president.
Neuhart said she attended an IRS training seminar in
April and learned the county was not in compliance with IRS
regulations. She also learned IRS does not
give warnings. She explained that fines and penalties are assessed if
a county is found to be out of compliance.
Kristi Paolina, field representative for Congressman
Charlie Wilson, spoke with commissioners about problems and
priorities. Officials quickly filled her notebook with a variety of
issues. One of the first conveyed was the need for roads, including
construction of a roadway to link SR800 with Monroe County Commerce
Park. Also discussed were the addition of passing lanes on hills and
the straightening of curves, such as those on SR78 East between
Clarington and Cameron.
At the top of the list were economic development and
education. Tourism, timber, forestry land and the flood plain are
among the many subjects she will take back to Wilson.
During discussion about timber, gas and oil,
Commissioner Mark Forni suggested she speak with
individuals working in those fields in order to be more familiar with
what the county has to offer. Paolina agreed and plans to revisit.
Commissioners entered into an executive session with Bill Frank,
interim assistant director, Job and Family Services, to discuss
contracts. No action was taken after the hour-long session.
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Board of Public Affairs Authorized To Adjust Electric
Power Rates |
by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
Woodsfield Village Council last week authorized its
Board of Public Affairs to adjust power costs in an effort to help solve
financial problems facing the
Municipal Power Plant.
"There's a lot of things we need to do to get our house
in order," said Floyd Longwell, superintendent of the power plant.
Councilman Dale English asked Longwell to review street
lights to see if some of them can be removed without causing a safety concern.
He asked that a
recommendation be brought to council.
A number of other avenues are also being explored.
The ordinance, which passed on an emergency basis,
proposed a rate scale be established and made effective for bills rendered
after the effective date of the ordinance. According to the ordinance, the BPA
may not increase rates more than six percent within the rate scale without
council's approval.
During discussion, Longwell commented that some senior
citizens will probably see a reduction in their bills.
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<Sunfish Creek carries its
burden of ice eastward toward the Ohio River Friday, Feb. 23, as the morning sun
seems determined to melt the huge chunks before it reaches its destination. The
ice spilled over Salem TR-4 over the weekend. This was the county's only creek
related ice problem. A. Selvy Photo
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< Judge Peters Accepts Award

Judge James Peters, center, accepts an award from
Jared Abele, left, Ohio Division of Wildlife Officer
and Jay Abele, Wildlife Officer Supervisor
Photo by Martha Ackerman
Monroe County's County Court Judge James Peters was
recognized with the presentation of an award by the
Ohio Division of Wildlife "for distinguished service
in conservation of Ohio's Wildlife."
Jay Abele, Wildlife Officer Supervisor, presented the
award on Feb. 22. The award was signed by the Chief of
the Division of Wildlife, Steve Gray.
"Judge Peters is always helpful and fair with the
cases that come before him," said Jay Abele. "He is
very consistent and has a good understanding of what
the Division of Wildlife does. It's rare nowadays."
He went on to say that, "People don't usually
understand our mission. Judge Peters is an avid hunter
and fisherman and he promotes youth hunting."
"It's not often judges are recognized so this award
is appreciated very much," said Peters.
On hand for the presentation was Jared Abele, Ohio
Division of Wildlife Officer assigned to Monroe
County.
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<Ormet
Tax Settled
Ormet Corporation's personal property tax due Monroe
County has been settled and should be paid within the next 60 days.
Auditor Pandora Neuhart reported to county
commissioners last week that Ormet will pay an additional $710,611.06 for
tax years 2002 through 2005. The figure includes $50,506.04 in interest.
The plant has already paid $7,241,903 for that period.
Of the $710,611.06, a total of $77,353.05 is due from
the Rolling Mill (lower plant) and $633,258.01 from
the Reduction plant.
Neuhart said MACO and Swit-zerland of Ohio School
District will receive approximately 80 percent of the tax payment; the
county will receive about seven percent; and the remainder will be shared
among entities which have voted tax levies.
Ormet had appealed its 2002 and 2003 personal
property tax to the Board of Taxation. Talks between
Ormet's legal counsel and the Board of Taxation resulted in an agreement
to not reduce the taxes for those two years - the appeal was dropped.
A compromise was met for the 2004 and 2005 taxes.
"I'm glad this is settled and we can move on," said
Neuhart.
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<Around
the Burnside
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A glad heart makes a happy
face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
A wise person is hungry for the truth, while the fool
feeds on trash.
What do you do when it's snowing? That's easy. You let
it snow. OK, I know it's easier when you are retired and do not have a
doctor's appointment,
although that can be cancelled, most of the time. Meat in the freezer,
bread baking in the oven, several leftovers or must eats in the
fridge, electric and gas working, canned goods in the cupboard, TV and
radio working, all of your necessary medicine in stock and your
children out on their own, you can manage to wait out the snow. Now if
you get 100 inches or more in a couple of days or so, as they did in
places in Upper
New York, I'd move! Then a good neighbor comes over
and shovels your walk and deck for you, you now appreciate living in a
small community.
One thing you don't do is rob a house when an officer
is close by and can follow your tracks.
I've wondered sometimes why I'm so interested in reading news of 100
years ago. I guess maybe some of it strikes my funny bone and then
it's interesting to read they had some of the problems we have, even
with all our technology and modern conveniences.
Then I think my oldest brother was born 101 years ago.
I realize our family actually started over 103 years ago which
indicates my roots go along way back. I just hope I don't bore you
with 100 year old news even if some of our young folks do not believe
it.
Amusing: On an icy morning some few days ago, Doc
Trenner started for Ava with 10 dozen eggs and in crossing a footlog
north of that village, the log
broke and he and the basket went into the creek with such a jar that
only two eggs were saved out of the 120 that he had for market. With
eggs at 25 cents a dozen, this was no small loss. Nothing was said if
he was hurt in the fall, just the eggs worth two dollars and fifty
cents.
Applies today? Pauper Hill - there is general
dissatisfaction in this school district in regard to
the new school books, which are pronounced entirely worthless and yet
we are compelled to use them five years longer.
Good statement applies today: A big snow, but it is far
ahead of mud.
I get my 100 year old news in the Journal-Leader,
Caldwell.
What about the gasoline price? They seem to be bouncing
around like one of those little balls you get that seem to pick up
speed after the first bounce. You
never know where the next bounce is going. Sometimes
the gasoline price ball bounces between trips to town.
The other day I purchased a couple of winter tires,
with the idea that if I purchased the winter tires, we would get no
more snow, as it normally happens when I do something like this. Boy
was I wrong! Now they tell me not to use them because of the weather.
I listen to their advice. You can always put off till tomorrow what
you can't do today.
I'll bet I know something many of you will remember,
Burma Shave signs along the roadway to remind us of little things we
should remember and words of wisdom such as "Don't stick your elbow
out so far, it may go home, in another car. Burma Shave."
I wonder if Burma Shave is still around. I can't
remember seeing it in the stores anymore. Maybe it's gone where good
shaving cream goes but has left a
bushel of good advice. Just one more thing our youth are missing out
on today.
It was kind of fun tooling down the road before
interstates, freeways and toll roads and spot the signs coming up:
"Speed was high - weather was not - tires were then - X marks the spot
- Burma Shave."
If you happened to spot signs on the other side of the
road it made it a bit tougher to read the signs. However, you were
able to get them straightened out.
I think the signs were about 100 feet apart in order
for you to read them with ease. If they were along the roadways today,
the signs would need to be much
farther apart because of the speed some folks travel they would not be
able to read them.
Don't lose your head - to gain a minute - you need your
head - your brains are in it - Burma Shave.
The one who drives - when he's been drinking - depends
on you - to do his thinking - Burma Shave.
I wrote earlier about staying inside during the snow
and bad weather. Well, after going out only once per day to get our
daily newspaper that wasn't there, staying cooped up is not the
greatest thing. It soon gets boring.
It is wonderful to have a good neighbor who shoveled
your snow, brought our mail and would have done anything we needed.
This was great, but it was great to be able to get out again even if
the car was covered with snow and the car door frozen shut. The sun
felt great.
In some cities they tear down buildings to save taxes.
They might try tearing down taxes to save buildings.
Did you miss church last Sunday? Why?
Bible verses: (Mon.) II Peter 1:5-11; (Tues.) Romans
12:9-21; (Wed.) Romans 13:8-14; (Thurs.) Galations 5:13-26; (Fri.) I
Peter 4:1-11; (Sat.) I John 2:7-11; (Sun.) I John 2:12-17.
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<
Our Readers Write: Letters
to the Editor |
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<Obituaries
(read the full obituary in the paper)
denotes
veteran |
<Thelma J. Danver, 77, 47681 SR 7, Beavertown, died
Feb. 20, 2007, at Marietta Memorial Hospital. She was born Jan. 21,
1930, at Hannibal, a daughter of the late Erman Henthorn and Georgiana
Baker Henthorn.
<Paul
Eugene Rowley, 73, 45295 Ludolph Rdg., New
Matamoras, died Feb. 21, 2007, at Marietta Memorial
Hospital. He was born April 30, 1938, in Fly, Monroe
County, a son of the late Joseph Edgar Rowley and
Viola Clutter Rowley.
<Rosalie B. McDermott, 84, of Evensville, Tenn., and
formerly of Woodsfield, passed away Feb. 19, 2007 in
the Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Fla. She was born
July 31, 1922, in Wetzel County, W. Va. to Albert and
Retta Smith Berisford.
<Charles
"Floyd" Griffith, 81, of Warren Township,
Marietta, died Feb. 21, 2007, at the Arbors. He was
born April 27, 1925, at Jackson Ridge, Monroe County,
a son of the late John and Ella Craig Griffith.
<Bernice Book, 87, Beallsville, died Feb. 25, 2007 in
the Woodsfield Nursing and Rehab Center. She was born
Jan. 19, 1920 near Beallsville, a daughter of the late
William and Blanche Pugh Biles. She was a member of
the Church of Christ at Mellott Ridge.
<Dempsey H. Farnsworth, 77, of Summerfield, died Feb.
27, 2007 at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical
Center, Cambridge. Arrangements are incomplete at
Brubach-Watters Funeral Home.
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