Local Archived News March 2007

Community Correctional Facility to open women's wing
Has been empty since construction was completed in 2006
By RYAN HORNS
State funding may finally allow the empty rooms of a women's wing at
West Central Community Correctional Facility (WCCCF) to be filled.
Executive Director David Ervin said Thursday that his facility recently
received $228,240 to help open the wing, which has been vacant since its
groundbreaking in April 2005. The construction wrapped up in 2006.
Despite a daunting political environment filled with state budget cuts,
West Central Community Correctional Facility constructed the new female
facility knowing that it would have to sit empty until funding could be
secured through the state.
Ervin said at the time that the decision to construct the new facility
was based largely on the limits of time and money. The state had already
set aside construction funds in the 2005 budget to build the female
wing, then state budget cuts reared up and dropped funding over the next
few years. If officials had not built the wing, inflation would have
eaten away at all the money appropriated for the project.
"The state budget is very tight," Ervin said. "Legislators are being
very careful to make sure the funding priorities are in the right order."
He said the main reason funding recently opened up is because of
recently appointed Director of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Terry
Collins, who has interest in expanding programs such as West Central
across Ohio. Collins went before the state legislature to ask for
funding and his request was granted in the amount of $5 million. This
will then be spread out among different programs around Ohio.
"We were very pleased to get that funding," Ervin said. "The director
really came through for us."
He also gave credit to state representative Tony Core, Ohio senator
Larry Mumper and Union County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Parrott
for their efforts to expand the community correctional facility.
Ervin said these programs are important because of the reality of prison
overcrowding and the concern over the number of female inmates housed by
the state of Ohio.
"The criminal justice system is overwhelmed," Ervin said.
He said the funding Collins was able to get for his facility will be
used to fill 16 of 50 beds in the female wing. Ervin said he will be
looking for ways to find more funding to open the entire wing.
Ervin said West Central will also use the funding to hire five resident
monitors and two counselors. The challenge has been finding the right
people for the job. The search started three or four months ago and
interviews are still being conducted.
Ervin said the public is welcome to attend two upcoming events at WCCCF.
On April 26 there will be a grand opening of the women's wing at 1:30
p.m. Then on April 29 a dedication ceremony will be held at 2

Meeting focuses on city debt load
By RYAN HORNS
How much debt can a city the size of Marysville really handle?
This question and more were raised at Marysville City Council's special
meeting on a water rate increase Thursday night. The agenda consisted of
discussion on funding, water needs and two public hearings for legislation.
Despite detailed information provided by financial experts and city
officials in support of the rate increase, issues such as debt
management and water conservation took the forefront.
The proposed legislation would raise water rates roughly 12 percent over
a two-year period. Based on home usage of 700 cubit feet per month,
bills for residents have gone from from $48.28 in 2005 and $50.69 in
2006 to $53.73 in 2007, and then $56.95 in 2008.
Resident Lloyd Baker pointed out that more than 31 percent of previously
passed wastewater rate hikes have yet to be added to resident's bills.
He said 20 percent of that increase will be implemented in 2008.
"It seems we are in too much debt," resident Esther Carmany said.
She said that if a $9 million water company purchase 16 years ago has
caused such financial problems for the city, how does it expect to pay
off the current debt? Resident Dick Noland, an engineer for some 45
years, said the city owes as much as $180 to $200 million. Other
residents placed that figure from $125 to $150 million.
City finance director John Morehart said that as of March 2007 the debt
is at $125,020,000.
Numerous residents voiced their approval of councilwoman Leah Sellers'
resolution for the city to create both a business and land use plan as
part of the water rate increases. She was called upon to defend her
resolution from comments raised by councilman John Marshall, Mayor Tom
Kruse and former Union County Commissioner Don Fraser who felt the
resolution and the 6 percent increase is irresponsible, in the face of
the 8 percent increase originally proposed.
"The 6 percent compromise doesn't satisfy everyone, but it does enable
us to move forward with water supply improvements," Sellers said.
With the two-year, 6 percent increase, she said the city can build its
reservoir and buy time to find alternative funding options to keep the
future wastewater treatment plant projects going.
Kruse said that business and land use plans are already in place. He
added that "wrong conclusions" have been made about the past
re-financing of the city's water company bonds. The extra money the city
gained through those maneuvers was not wasted. It was used on needed
capital items such as trucks and equipment.
He stressed that his administration could not have done any of that
without the approval of city council and the public, which neither
objected to at the time. He said by refinancing of the 30-year water
company bond, its debt will still be paid off in 30 years as originally planned.
Sellers said that Marysville's Water Master plan and overall Union
County plans are out of date. She reiterated that the city has not
pursued creative financing to help lift the burden from residents and
make growth pay for growth. She said that the main entity standing to
benefit from Marysville's reservoir and wastewater upgrades is Jerome
Village and developments slotted for that area. The city has not made
any effort to ask Jerome Village to pay for any part of the reservoir
and water treatment plant, and it was just assumed that the full price
is Marysville's problem and the responsibility of residents.
"I know who I represent. It is not developers or landowners outside city
limits or in the southern part of our county. I represent the people in
Marysville and in this room," Sellers said. "Now or in the future, I
won't ask residents to buy something if I can't tell them what they are
buying . we have no plan or understanding in place to tell residents
definitively what the growth in the southern part of the county will
look like and to protect them from costly residential development.
That's what a land-use plan does. It's a shield and a sword."
Sellers said that she is not looking for "a Pulitzer Prize winning
document" from the city - just something that describes how they are
going to manage and reduce debt and not repeat the same mistakes of the past.
She said that some have pointed out that her resolution "lacks teeth."
She said the mayor and administration may ultimately ignore her resolution.
"Unfortunately, there really is no good penalty that council can impose
for such bad behavior, we can't fine the mayor or coerce him or his
staff to do something. I would hope that if this passes, that the mayor
would make a good faith effort to comply, and do what's best for the
city. I think he will - if it survives a veto," Sellers said. "But as
you all know, the ultimate remedy for all elected officials, including
myself, if you don't think we are doing our jobs, or if you think
somebody else could do a better job, is to vote us out."
Kruse also spoke about numerous ramifications for passing the 6 percent
increase over the 8 percent recommended. It would force him to abandon
the wastewater treatment plant project and his plans to borrow $53
million needed for the Trunk Interceptor Project; it will stop growth,
abandon bids for wastewater projects making the eventual re-bids even
more costly, and stop all future annexations because of their inability
to provide services. He said the schools would have to pass levies to
pay their debt on three new building projects, and the city will lose
its $3.6 million Jobs Ready Site grant.
"These are not threats," Kruse said, which brought laughter from
residents in the audience.
All second readings held Thursday night were passed and will turn up
again at the next council meeting on April 12 for the final reading.
Councilman Mark Reams said that one way residents can defer the rate
increase is by conserving their water usage. It is an issue that should
have been addressed years ago.
He said in many homes 27 percent of water is used by the toilet, so buy
one that is low flow. In other areas, 22 percent is used in the clothes
washer, 17 percent in the shower 16 percent from faucets, and 14 percent
from leaks. He said upgrading to more modern and efficient appliances
could offset all of these and keep individuals water rates down.

Blankets to warm the body and soul
Group provides coverings for area children
By EMILY MASTERS
Just as Charles Schulz's Peanuts comic strip character, Linus, was
portrayed comforted by his blanket, some Marysville children will be
offered that same security thanks to a motivated group of "blanketeers."
Project Linus is an all-volunteer organization that provides comfort and
security to seriously ill and traumatized children through handmade blankets.
Kim Mathewson, of Marysville, is serving as chapter coordinator for the
Marysville area. She considers her work a personal mission.
In May of 2004, Mathewson lost her 16-year-old son Jason, in a car
accident. She said one of the hardest parts in dealing with his death
was that she was not able to be there to comfort him in his final moments.
"It's a mom's job to comfort a child, and I wasn't able to do that," she said tearfully.
She remembers the impact Jason's death had on the family and daughter, Krista.
"Krista lost her brother, she would have been a kid to give a blanket to," she said.
Since that time Mathewson has been looking for an organization that
works to make a difference in the lives of children. Now, both she and
Krista are active blanketeers.
"We have tried to turn something bad into a positive," she said. "For
Krista, this has been good therapy, and it's a way for us to honor Jason."
Mathewson has heard about the impact Project Linus can have on a community.
"My sister lives in Marion County, and they have a chapter there," she
said. "The police actually keep the blankets in their cruisers for
situations like domestic violence."
Mathewson said she hopes to work with local police and fire departments,
hospitals, shelters, and social service agencies in the distribution of
blankets to children.
"There are a lot of kids who can benefit from this," she said.
"And it's not only the kids who need the support, the parents need their
kids comforted, so this helps comfort the parents too," said Krista.
Both ladies are kicking-off the new chapter of Project Linus by having a
"Make a Blanket Day" on April 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Calvary
Baptist Church, 17376 Route 347.
Those interested in making a blanket are encouraged to bring 1 1/2 yards
of fleece fabric and a pair of sharp scissors. Mathewson said she will
share some blanket making ideas and information on becoming a volunteer.
According to Mathewson, since its inception, Project Linus has delivered
more than 1.5 million blankets to children through nearly 400 chapters
across the country, at least 20 of those in Ohio.
More information can be obtained by contacting Kim Mathewson at 642-5124
or cbcgems@yahoo.com

Parents warned of odd practices
J-T staff reports
Triad parents recently received a letter, sent home with students,
informing them of two dangerous practices the superintendent says have
occurred within the school district but not on school grounds.
The first practice Superintendent Daniel Kaffenbarger mentions in the
letter is branding.
"A piece of metal, usually a coat hanger is bent into a desired shape
and then that shape is heated, usually with a blowtorch or lighter and
the brand applied to the skin, Kaffenbarger wrote.
He said he believes the practice has been occurring since the first of the year.
"From what I understand, this comes on the heels of the release of the
new "Jackass" movie, which something similar occurred in that movie," he said.
The practice is considered unsafe because of the health risks associated
with it, he said.
According to Kaffenbarger, there have been cases documented across the
country where physical complications have occurred including,
hepatitis, HIV, staph infection, and in some extreme cases, gangrene.
Kaffenbarger said the practice started among high school students, but
some siblings later introduced it to middle school students.
Approximately 10 students have participated in the act and consider it
on the same level as tattooing, Kaffenbarger said, adding he heard the
branding is happening at the participants' homes.
A second practice mentioned in the letter is the spraying of Axe Body
Spray on the genital area of the body and then setting it on fire. This
activity is reportedly promoted on YouTube via the Internet.
Kaffenbarger states, "Although neither of these activities is occurring
at school there is the unavoidable peer pressure occurring during school time."
He also encouraged parents to talk with their children about the risks
associated with these acts.
Kaffenbarger writes, "After several concerned parents have spoken to me
about these activities, I felt it was my responsibility to share my
concern with you as an educator and a parent."
He also encouraged parents who have any additional information to contact him.

Holy Week services listed
From J-T staff reports:
The Marysville Area Ministerial Association (MAMA) will sponsor a
community Good Friday service April 6 from noon to 1 p.m.
The service will be held at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Ken
Daft, senior pastor at Marysville First United Methodist Church, will
deliver the sermon.
Special music will be presented by the Marysville Interdenominational
Children's Choir under the direction of Barbara Demming.
Those interested in participating in an introit choir may show up for a
short rehearsal in the church choir room at 11:15 a.m.
Other Holy Week activities and the churches hosting them follow:
Agape Community Fellowship will hold its first Sunday service in its new
location on Palm Sunday. The worship service will begin at 10 a.m. at
Mill Valley Elementary. A special celebration will be held on Easter Sunday.
Byhalia Friends Church, Route 31 in Byhalia, will present "The Second
Day Drama and Concert" on Palm Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The drama by Betsy
Carter will depict the day after the crucification of Jesus.
Caldwell Memorial United Methodist Church, Irwin, will hold a festival
worship on Palm Sunday at 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated on
Maundy Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m., and festival worship will be held
at 9:15 a.m. Easter Sunday.
Good Friday services at Calvary Baptist Church, 17376 Route 347, will be
held April 6 at 7 p.m. An Easter sunrise service will be held at 8:30
a.m., followed by breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and morning worship at 10:45 a.m.
The Easter Cantata, "Because He Lives" will be performed Easter Sunday
at Christian Assembly Church, 1003 N. Maple St., at 10:30 a.m. It will
be preceded by a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. On Good Friday, a
Communion service will be held at 7 p.m.
The adult ensemble of Emmanuel Baptist Church, 309 S. Oak St., will
present "Behold the Man: Exalting the Christ of Easter" on Easter Sunday
at 10:40 a.m. Nursery will be provided.
First Congregational United Church of Christ will hold an Easter egg
hunt and cookout at McCarthy Park at 11 a.m. March 31. The Easter Bunny
will be special guest. Those planning to attend should call 642-1611.
A processional will be held Palm Sunday at 10:30 a.m. It will be
preceded by Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. A Maundy Thursday worship service
will be held April 5 at 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday activities will include a sunrise service at Sean Doebert
Memorial Shelter at Legion Park, a 9:30 a.m., breakfast in the church
fellowship hall, and Easter worship at 10:30 a.m. The message will be
"The Last Enemy."
"The Seven Last Words of Christ" by Theodore Dubois, will be presented
Palm Sunday at 2 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church. The ministry in
song will be presented by the combined voices of local area church
choirs. Communion will be served during the 10:30 a.m. worship.
On Wednesday, April 4 at 6:15 p.m., a Seder meal will be served. A
Maundy Thursday service with Communion will be held April 5. Communion
also will be served Good Friday at 7 p.m. An Easter vigil will begin at
8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7.
First Presbyterian Church at Fifth and Court streets will present "The
Red Carpet," a musical story of the passion of Christ during 10 a.m.
worship on Palm Sunday. The story will include narration by the Rev. Dr.
Scott L. Strohm and soloists and ensembles directed by Scott Underwood
with accompaniment by Caroline Ohnsman.
On Maundy Thursday, April 5, the 7 p.m. worship will include receiving
the confirmation/commissioning class of seventh grade students into
church membership and the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The Easter Sunday worship service will be held at 10 a.m. April 8 and
will include traditional Resurrection Day hymns with instrumental
accompaniment and a piano and organ duet.
First United Methodist Church, 18 S. Fulton St., Richwood, will kick off
Holy Week activities with a children's music program during its 10:30
a.m. Palm Sunday worship service. It will be preceded by an 8:15 a.m.
early worship service and 9:30 a.m. Sunday school.
A Maundy Thursday service with a Seder meal will be held April 5 at 6:30
p.m. A Good Friday service will be held at noon April 6, with lunch to
follow. Holy Week activities will conclude Easter Sunday with a 7:30
a.m. sunrise service with breakfast to follow, 9:30 a.m. Sunday school
and a 10:30 a.m. worship service with the choir and hand bells.
Jerome United Methodist Church, 10531 Jerome Road, will begin Palm
Sunday with its 8:30 a.m. traditional worship and children's worship.
Following at 9:30 a.m. will be fellowship time and refreshments, 9:45
a.m. Christian education for all ages, and a 10:45 a.m. contemporary and
children's worship.
On Maundy Thursday at 7:30 p.m., "Communion at the Cross," an
experiential contemporary worship, will be held. The Good Friday service
will include "For Such A One As This," a music and drama telling the
passion of Christ and featuring a chamber orchestra with a string
ensemble from the Columbus Youth Symphony.
An Easter sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. April 8. It will be
followed by continental breakfasts at 7:45 and 9:45 a.m., traditional
Easter worship at 8:30 a.m., and contemporary Easter worship at 10:45 a.m.
"Faces Around the Cross - the Thief" will be the Palm Sunday message at
Marysville First United Methodist Church. It will be based on Luke 23:38-43.
A Maundy Thursday Communion service will be held April 5 at 7 p.m. in
the sanctuary. The message will be "Falling Away." A Good Friday service
will be held April 6 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.
An 11th Hour Service will be held April 7 at 6 p.m. in the Burnside
Family Life Center. An Easter Sunday sunrise service will be held at 7
p.m. Easter worship celebrations will be held at 8:25, 9:30 and 10:45
a.m. The message will be "Faces Around the Cross - Peter," based on Luke 2:54-62.
Marysville Grace Brethren Church will hold an Easter egg hunt April 7 at
Eljer Park at 11 a.m. An Easter Sunday family service will be held April
8 at 8:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10 a.m., with full childcare
available for children of all ages. The church meets at Navin Elementary School.
Palm Sunday worship will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Milford Center United
Methodist Church, 55 E. State St., Milford Center. Sunday school and a
coffee hour will be held at 9:30 a.m.
On Good Friday at 7 p.m., Stations of the Cross will be staged. An
Easter Sunday sunrise worship at Liberty Park will begin at 7:30 a.m. If
the weather is inclement, the event will be moved to the church. The
worship will be followed by breakfast at 8:15 a.m., Sunday school and
coffee hour at 9:15 a.m., and festival worship at 10:30 a.m.
New Dover United Methodist Church, 16637 Church St., New Dover, and
Unionville Center UMC, 127 W. Main St., Unionville Center, will hold a
combined Easter sunrise service at 8 a.m. at the New Dover church.
Breakfast will follow.
New Dover also will hold a Maundy Thursday service April 5 at 7 p.m.,
and an Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 7, at 1 p.m. Easter Sunday
worship will be held at 11 a.m. April 8, with Sunday school scheduled at 10 a.m.
Unionville Center will hold a Good Friday service April 6 at 7 p.m. It
also will hold an Easter egg hunt April 7 at 11 a.m.
Easter Sunday worship will begin with singing April 8 at 9:15 a.m. The
worship service will follow at 9:30 a.m.
Our Lady of Lourdes will begin Holy Week services with a Saturday Mass
at 4:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses on Palm Sunday. A Holy
Thursday Mass will be held April 5 at 7 p.m., and a Good Friday Mass at
noon on April 6.
An Easter Vigil is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on April 7. Easter Sunday
Masses will be held at 9 and 11:30 a.m. on April 8.
Raymond Church of Christ will observe Palm Sunday with Communion during
its 10:30 a.m. service. An Easter sunrise service will be held at 7:30
a.m., with breakfast to follow at 8:30 a.m. Sunday school will be held
at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by Easter Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m.
At 6 p.m., evening worship will be held.
Palm Sunday also is Confirmation Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church,
7960 Route 38. Sunday school and Bible study will be held at 9 a.m.
There will be no early worship service that day.
The church will hold a Maundy Thursday worship service with Communion at
7 p.m. April 5. A reception for the confirmation class will follow. A
Good Friday service will be held April 6 at 7 p.m.
On Easter Sunday, a sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. It will be
followed by breakfast and an egg hunt at 8 a.m., Sunday school and Bible
study at 9 a.m., and an Easter celebration and worship at 10 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church will hold a palm processional on Palm Sunday,
April 1. On Wednesday, April 4, a special healing service will be held
at 7 p.m. A Maundy Thursday service will be held April 5 at 7 p.m. and a
Good Friday service April 6 at 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday will include a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by a
pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. At 8 a.m., a traditional service will be
held. Contemporary services will follow at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

Abuse case dismissed locally
Charges will reportedly be pursued in Clark County
From J-T staff reports:
Some 63 charges against a Springfield couple accused of committing
disturbing child abuse crimes were dismissed in Union County this week.
Union County Prosecutor David Phillips announced Monday that the
dismissal of the charges is temporary, as new indictments will be sought
in Clark County.
"This case is expected to be presented to the Clark County Grand Jury in
the near future," Phillips said.
James Ferguson and his wife, Vonda, both of 1337 Northfield Court,
Springfield, pleaded innocent in August 2006 to 61 counts of felonious
assault, permitting child abuse and endangering children for allegedly
abusing five of their adopted children between 2000 and 2004. Vonda
Ferguson also was charged with two counts of rape. The allegations
against the couple include burning them with a clothing iron, severe
beatings and forcing them into scalding bath water.
Ferguson's attorney, Kerry Donahue, reported March 2 that such a
dismissal could be coming, due to the charges being related to another county.
"We considered our options in this matter," Phillips said, "and felt
this was the best way to proceed given the current status of the case.
The judge indicated that he would dismiss any crimes which occurred in
Clark County at the close of the state's case. Given that many of the
serious allegations of abuse were alleged to have occurred in
Springfield, this would place the case in peril."
Phillips said that keeping the cases in Union County could mean the
Fergusons would be unable to be prosecuted.
"While we could appeal the court's ruling, we could not retry the
defendants because of the double jeopardy clause of the United States
Constitution," Phillips said.
Re-filing the case in Clark County, he said, will eliminate this issue
and allow the jury to decide the case on its own merits.
"I'd hate to see the matter decided on a technicality," Phillips said.
"We want the jury to decide if the defendants are guilty of abuse,
without having the venue at issue."
The prosecutor explained that the Ferguson cases were initially filed in
Union County under the theory that the defendants were engaged in a
continuing course of criminal conduct. Based on this, he said any county
the crimes occurred in could feasibly indict the couple.
"We believe the law allowed us to charge all of the conduct in Union
County, under the statutes of Ohio," Phillips said. "However, the judge
disagreed with this theory at a recent hearing."
Phillips said that he has been in touch with the Clark County
prosecuting attorney, Steve Shoemaker, and the prosecution will be
conducted by the two prosecutor's offices. Phillips said Shoemaker has
plans to appoint him as a special prosecutor in Clark County, so that he
may continue to help try the case.

Richwood Council sets aside extra money for street repairs
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
With some village streets in desperate need of attention, Richwood
Council has set aside extra money in 2007 for repairs.
Council approved the final 2007 budget 5-0, with member Peg Wiley
absent, with total appropriations of $1,658,735. Total revenue for the
year is projected at $1,698,999.
Village council opted to place additional money in the funds for street
repairs. Village financial officer Don Jolliff said the village has set
aside $100,000 for repairs, $50,000 more than 2006 figures.
Jolliff explained some of the extra money comes from revenues from the
gasoline tax. Most of the tax money goes into a fund to repair village
streets, but a small portion is set aside for state highway improvements.
The highway money has built up over the years leaving the village with a
surplus which was allocated for use this year.
The village also opted to use more than $25,000 which the village
secured from the sale of land at the Richwood Industrial Park on street repairs.
Village administrator Larry Baxa said he would be meeting with street
committee chairman Scott Jerew to determine which roads most desperately
need repairs.
Total village appropriations for 2007 include: General fund, $556,724;
streets, $185,578; state highway, $50,000, parks, $41,196; sewer
construction, $96,371; building and other structures, $20,000;
industrial park development, $7,500; water operating, $265,643; sewer
operating, $308,164; water debt service, $73,422; and sewer debt
service, $54,133.
In other business council:
.Approved of the safety committee's recommendation to promote Becky
Frazier to the position of sergeant in the Richwood Village Police Department.
.Discussed additional parking issues, in a continuation of talks at recent meetings.
.Learned that the village will begin chipping brush on April 9. The
village will also begin picking up bags of leaves and clippings.
Richwood crews will not pick up bags if they contain even small amounts of garbage.
.Heard that a small portion of the storm sewer line work that was done
on North Clinton and Blagrove streets is being adjusted by the
contractors. Apparently drainage was not efficient after recent rains.
.Learned that a lightning strike caused a motor in a village well pump
to burn out. The motor will be replaced and the cost may be covered by insurance.
.Heard from mayor Bill Nibert that the North Union School District would
like to use some of the accumulated dirt from the Industrial Park
construction for use at future school construction sites. Baxa said
there was no reason for the village to hold onto the dirt.
.Set Spring Cleanup Day for May 12.
.Held an executive session to discuss personnel.

Board of Developmental Disabilities adopts new mission statement
From J-T staff reports:
The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities has adopted a new
mission statement, vision statement, and core values as the initial
components for a revised strategic plan. The approval of these plan
segments came after a presentation by Superintendent Kim Miller and the
management team who had worked several months on the project.
The new mission statement is: "The mission of the Union County Board of
Developmental Disabilities is to ensure services and supports are
available for eligible individuals."
The revised vision statement is: "It is the vision of the Union County
Board of Developmental Disabilities to be a primary community force that
ensures a consumer-driven system and that assists eligible individuals
to become full citizens within the community."
Board Vice President Steve Streng said, "We want to make sure that we
don't get away from our message that everyday we make a difference in
the lives of citizens with special needs in Union County."
Board member Jim Kouri commended the management team for "creating
functional mission and vision statements with core values that will
drive the strategic plan." Kouri added, "It's about all of us moving
forward together."
Work on the strategic plan will continue for the next several months.
Staff member Rachel Hayes presented the board with a staff petition
regarding converting the organization's logo to a five prong starfish to
align with the five core values which are: Excellence, customer-driven,
collaboration, integrity and stewardship.
The idea was generated at a recent all-staff in-service day. Hayes said
that this potential change has generated "a lot of passion and enthusiasm by staff."
"The timing for this is appropriate and logical," said board member the
Rev. Paul Whiteford.
Additional design follow-up will occur in the next month.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be April 16 at 4:30 p.m.
in the Amrine Room of the Harold Lewis Center.

MHUC receives new CT scanner
$3 million device is one of two in Ohio
By CORINNE BIX
Memorial Hospital of Union County entered an elite society Saturday when
it accepted delivery and installation of a state-of-the-art dual source
64-slice CT scanner.
The Siemens scanner is one of only two in the state and was manufactured
in Germany. The Cleveland Clinic also has one.
Memorial's new scanner is the cornerstone of the hospital's recent
renovation of the CT and MRI suite and comes with an impressive price
tag. The total cost, along with renovations to the suite, was $3.1 million dollars.
The CT scanner is being funded through community and business donations,
along with operating and capital funds.
CT stands for computed tomography, which was formerly referred to as a
computer-aided tomography scan or CAT scan.
Before the hospital only had one four-slice CT scanner. The four-slice
unit will be replaced with an industry standard 16-slice unit in the coming months.
The hospital will then have two CT's to meet the different needs of
patients, depending on the intricacy of their diagnosis.
Melanie Ziegler, director of development and communications, explained
that the original plan was to upgrade the four-slice with a standard
64-slice CT scanner.
However, with the dual source technology becoming available last fall
following FDA approval, the hospital saw it as an opportunity to step
out and demonstrate top-notch technology by bringing it closer to home.
Mareva Page, director of imaging services, said the advantage to the new
dual source scanner is that two as opposed to one x-ray tube is used to
create a crisper more detailed image.
"The idea behind the dual source CT is simple," Page said. "It is merely
using two x-ray sources and two detectors at the same time, hence giving
way to better resolution, double the speed and twice the power in less time."
A CT scan is used to view tissues throughout the entire body which can
help avoid exploratory surgery to find a problem.
Specifically, the advantage to the dual source is to cardiac patients
because it eliminates the need for beta-blockers. Page explained that
beta-blockers are often administered to cardiac patients before a single
source CT scan can be done. The beta-blockers are a medication used to
lower the heart rate.
"Anytime you are affecting the heart rate, you are at greater risk for a
cardiac event," Page explained, "In the case of the dual source, the
images can be acquired at a higher speed so beta-blockers are unnecessary."
Simply put, it captures the image more quickly, Page said.
Dr. Charles Muncrief, a radiologist on staff at MHUC, said the advantage
to the dual source 64-slice CT scanner is that it is able to do double the work.
"Above all, our top priority is the safety of our patients," Muncrief
said, "We feel that the dual source CT scanner is the best choice
because it is able to accomplish this mission - to produce images -
while protecting patients from unnecessary medication and radiation."
The new CT/MRI suite had been completely renovated to complement the
cutting edge technology.
Patients enter a new a reception area where they can check in for their procedures.
A bathroom has been added to ensure patient privacy. Earth tones are
used throughout the department.
"The aim is to make it feel very soothing for the patient," Ziegler said.
Page said patients are scheduled for a CT or MRI scan because their
physician is trying to either rule out or diagnose a life-threatening
disease or medical anomaly.
"This can be very stressful and we want to put the patient in as warm
and comfortable of an environment as we possibly can," Page said.
The actual CT scanner room will feature a decorative backlit Plexiglas
ceiling panel. The panel will provide an aesthetically pleasing view for
patients undergoing a scan.
The dual source 64-slice is designed to be faster and more efficient to
provide patients and their doctors with more immediate results.
The hospital will begin scanning patients with the new scanner on April
16. The plan is to offer cardiac scanning midsummer.
The hospital is currently working on plans to install a new MRI unit later this year.

Student admits making bomb threat at MHS
From J-T staff reports:
The Marysville High School student behind a recent bomb threat has been
identified.
Assistant Marysville Police Chief Glenn Nicol reported this morning that
charges are pending through the Union County Prosecutor's Office
against student Michael A. Tackett, 18, of 315 W. Fourth St. He said
Tackett will face charges related to the bomb threat written on a
bathroom wall at Marysville High School on Wednesday, March 21.
Nicol said that Tackett admitted to the message which stated, "There is
a bomb that's going to go off at 8 a.m. Can you find them all?"
The threat also made vague references to the bombs being placed at
"structure points" within the school building, Nicol said.
Immediately after the bomb threat was reported, both police and
Marysville school officials said they were not going to take it lightly.
"Following an extensive investigation, a student has admitted to the
bomb threat at Marysville High School," Marysville schools
superintendent Larry Zimmerman reported Saturday morning in an e-mail
message. "The Marysville Police assisted in the investigation and will
file charges against the Marysville High School student."
Details on what led investigators to Tackett were not available this
morning because charges are still pending.

Answered prayers
The Rev. Marty Sheckler is out of his coma, back at home and wants to
preach
By EMILY MASTERS
It has been one week today that the Rev. Marty Sheckler returned home
after spending eight months in hospitals and nursing homes due to a
motorcycle accident that critically injured him in July.
"It has been great, I get to see Julie and the kids more," Sheckler said with a smile.
The fact that the pastor can speak at all has been surprising, not only
to his family, but to the doctors, nurses and therapists who have been treating him.
"I've surprised them all," he said. "One doctor at OSU said I had the largest blood
clot he had ever seen.
"I must have hit the road hard."
All of the bones were shattered around his right eye, the right side of
his head was cut open, and that wasn't all.
"The doctor said my heart couldn't take all the damage," he said. "They
thought I was going to die."
Sheckler has no recollection of the accident but has been told that he
was just minutes from his Leeper Perkins Road home when a dog ran out in
front of him on County Home Road on July 14. His motorcycle rolled or
skidded into the ditch. Friends say, he was at the scene for about an
hour before some drivers found him.
Sheckler, minister of the Marysville Christian Church, had driven his
new motorcycle to church before taking a vanload of men to a Promise
Keepers event in Columbus. At 10:15 p.m. he called his family to let
them know he was on his way home. That was the night that would change
his life forever.
Sheckler presently is confined to a chair, needs help getting in and out
of bed, is deaf in his right ear, has a rash on his skin from the
pavement tearing it off, lost the use of four nerves, one of which
controls swallowing, and his right eye is temporarily stitched closed.
Regardless, he is upbeat and has set a goal.
"I want to walk pretty badly, and I really believe I will," he said.
Just as Sheckler had to learn to talk again, he will also have to learn to walk again.
"While I was in the coma, for four months, my muscles got so weak, so I
will have to build them up," he said.
That process has started with practice using parallel bars, a walker and
a tilt table which has multiple straps to help patients stand.
According to Sheckler his physical therapy can sometimes be painful.
Even so, he still keeps his sense of humor.
"My therapist had PT (for physical therapist) on her badge and I told
her it stood for pain and torture," he laughed.
Sheckler likes to laugh and even more so, he likes to make others laugh,
including wife, Julie.
"When he carries on, I just tell people it's the medication," his wife, Julie, said.
Sheckler said the laughing is what keeps him going.
"Julie says, 'I've got my Marty back,'" he said.
Not once has the pastor questioned the accident or been angry with the
God he serves.
"I'm not angry with God, I need his help to walk again," he said.
"According to scripture it says ?'he is our refuge and our strength.'"
Sheckler says it is the local church community that has been a true
support system for he and his family of five.
"I know at the rally they had for me $41,000 was raised," he said. "I
just couldn't believe it."
Julie said she learned that 80 percent of the people who attended the
Oct. 14 rally at the Union County Fairgrounds didn't even know her husband.
"The community has been good to me and my church has been good to me,"
Sheckler said. "I believe the people at church saved my life because
they prayed for me."
The pastor is now ready to give back to his church. He says he wants to
preach in a couple of weeks.
"I go to church, but I'm not preaching," he said. "I long for that day."
Although he hasn't been preaching in church, he was able to minister to
a lot of the friends he made while recovering in the hospitals and
nursing homes. Friends say Sheckler had a famous saying at the end of
his services: "Let's go out and be the church."
Regardless of his physical condition, some would say Marty Sheckler has
been doing just that.
For more information on Sheckler's progress, those interested may visit
www.xanga.com/martysheckler

Rail crossing upgrade delayed
By RYAN HORNS
Residents looking forward to the city opening up the East Fifth Street
railroad crossing may have to wait longer than they expected.
Councilman Dan Fogt said during Thursday night's Marysville City Council
meeting that he was not happy with recent news that plans for the East
Fifth Street railroad crossing upgrade were delayed.
City Administrator Kathy House told council she had recently received an
update on the status of the crossing in an e-mail from city engineer Phil Roush.
The subsequent upgrade work and opening have now been pushed back
several months. The process was originally set to begin in early 2007.
"I talked with Joe Reinhardt of the Ohio Rail Development Commission
(ORDC) this morning," Roush wrote Thursday afternoon. "He believes PUCO
will issue an order in early April for the lights and gates for the
crossing. The necessary agreement from CSX was received last week."
Roush said that ORDC funds for the order were received Thursday.
September 2006 was when councilman John Gore first announced that the
Ohio Rail Development Commission reported that Marysville was set to
receive 100 percent of the funding needed to keep traffic flowing
through East Fifth Street. This set in motion the process of
installation of crossing lights and arms, which Mayor Tom Kruse said
were essential before he would allow the opening the East Fifth Street crossing again.
At the time, manager of the ORDC Safety Programs Susan Kirkland said the
ORDC would fund the warning device installation at a 70 percent level
and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will cover 20 percent
along with assessing CSX a 10 percent share. She said Bonnie Johrendt at
the PUCO would initiate a contract outlining the scope and funding
scenario for the project.
"We are to receive a copy of the PUCO order when it is issued. The
railroad will have one year from the date of issuance to install the
lights and gates," Roush explained. "We have been advised by ORDC that
they recommend we not reopen the crossing to traffic until the lights
and gates are operational."
Kirkland said that by adding PUCO and CSX into the funding scheme, the
project timeline would take longer.
House told Fogt that paperwork issue with CSX seem to be the cause for the delay.
"I'm extremely disappointed," Fogt said.
He said he takes issue with the project taking one year from the money
being issued, instead of plans already being underway as he was led to
believe. He said he plans to look into the issue.

Kiwanis Club designates Random Acts of Kindness Week
Also plans Love Thy Neighbor awards
From J-T staff reports:
The Kiwanis Club of Marysville will once again sponsor Random Acts of
Kindness Week during the week of April 22-28.
The weeklong movement encourages kind deeds and friendly acts among the community.
"Our goal since the inception of this project and throughout the years
has always simply been to encourage the community to put some genuine
thought and effort into being kind." said Derric Brown, Kiwanis member
and RAOK chairman. "The 'feel- good' potential for this week is great
and if our efforts help brighten the day of one or a few then it will have been worth it."
The Kiwanis Club of Marysville has long encouraged residents to be
original in their gestures. Some frequent suggestions are allowing a
shopper to check out before you, opening doors for others, buying
desserts for the table next to you, calling an old friend, or saying
"hello" to a passerby on the street. Individuals could also make a more
concerted effort of making someone's day by writing a letter of thanks
to local firemen and police, visiting the elderly, or volunteering for
your city, school, or church. Brown urges participants be sincere, have
fun and enjoy making someone else feel fantastic.
The Kiwanis Club of Marysville will also award its annual "Love Thy
Neighbor" awards. These awards are presented to an adult and child who
have selflessly given of him or herself and in whom the qualities of
kindness and respect are best reflected.
Nominations must be submitted to the Kiwanis Club of Marysville, P.O.
Box 340, Marysville, or e-mailed to Derric Brown at
mannasmithfh@rrohio.com. Submitters should tell why the individual is
being nominated and include your name, address and phone number along
with the same information for the individual being nominated.
Nominations must be received by April 18. Sending in a nomination could
also be considered random act of kindness.
The "Love Thy Neighbor" awards will be presented at the April 23 Kiwanis
Club of Marysville meeting.
For more information about Random Acts of Kindness Week and the Kiwanis
Club of Marysville, those interested may call Derric Brown at 642-1751
or e-mail questions to the above mentioned address.

Humane Society plans kitten shower
From J-T staff reports:
In preparations for the upcoming kitten season, the Union County Humane
Society is hosting its first-ever kitten shower.
Similar to an ordinary baby shower, the event will take place on Sunday
at St. John's Church on Route 736 in Marysville and will include
refreshments and door prizes.
The UCHS is also registered at Wall-Mart and Target for items urgently
needed including kitten formula and small bottles for orphaned kittens,
blankets, litter boxes, heating pads, toys and more.
"Last year we took in 112 cats in May alone," UCHS executive director
Rachel Finney said.
In the coming months the humane society will receive phone calls and
requests to take in hundreds of cats.
"We get calls from concerned citizens trying to place cats every day,
but in the early spring months, we get requests for as many as 20 to 40 cats a day."
Despite increasing intake of cats by 25 percent in 2006, the society
isn't equipped to handle the volume of cats that need help in Union County.
"There just isn't enough space at the shelter," operations manager Al
Burnard said. "We need foster homes that are willing to provide care for
pregnant and nursing cats and orphaned kittens."
Foster families are provided with basic start-up supplies and keep the
kittens until they are able to be spayed or neutered for adoption. In
most kittens, the animals can be spayed or neutered at two pounds.
"Union County is such a supportive and nurturing community," Finney
said. "I hope we can count on that support for our feline neighbors and friends."
Cats available for adoption at the Union County Humane Society are
already spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped for permanent
identification, have tested negative for feline leukemia and FIV and
come with a free information DVD. Cost of adoption is $65.

Water rate hike clears first hurdle
Companion legislation would make city create spending, land use plans
By RYAN HORNS
Marysville residents will soon have one last chance to speak their minds
on water rate hikes and offer advice to city leaders.
Councilman Ed Pleasant said that the pubic is encouraged to attend a
special council meeting Thursday, March 29, at 7 p.m. in council
chambers at 125 E. Sixth St. in City Hall. The purpose of the meeting is
to allow residents one last chance to speak on water hikes before the
issue has its final reading in April.
City council met Thursday night and held the first reading on an
ordinance to increase water rates 6 percent each of the next two years.
Councilman John Marshall then proposed that council waive the third
reading on the water rate hikes. He said the discussion has been going
on for "months and months." If a special meeting is being held
specifically for a public hearing, he said, then it won't be necessary
to have the third reading.
Marshall said that it has been difficult to arrange his work schedule to
attend these past council meetings and he wants to be able to be there
for the final vote.
When put to vote, Marshall's proposal to waive third reading was voted
down by the rest of council.
"Here we are in the 11th hour," councilman Dave Burke said. "You don't
want to push."
Council member Leah Sellers pointed out that council will sometimes
allow public comment on the third reading if permission is requested.
"They've had since November, Leah," Marshall said about Marysville
residents. "Here we go again."
Some residents said recently that they were upset after council invited
and encouraged the public to speak at the last special council meeting,
only to be told they weren't allowed when they showed up.
Pleasant said that the March 29 meeting will have attorneys, bank
representatives, city administrators and fact sheets all available to
provide the public a chance to speak.
The first reading was also held on a resolution companion piece to the
water rate ordinance drafted by Sellers. She said she originally voted
against increasing water rates because of the city's lack of a business
plan and a land use plan. Both issues are addressed in the companion resolution.
The first section states that Marysville administration will complete a
land use plan for the city's growth and utility service areas within one
year of the passage of the resolution. A progress report on the land use
plan will also be presented to council within six months.
Sellers is also calling for an update to the 1999 Union County
Comprehensive Plan regarding land use as it pertains to Marysville. It
asks that administration work with Marysville Planning Commission to
determine appropriate land use for different growth and utility areas within the city.
The second section of the resolution deals with the city creating a
Water Utility Business Plan, Sellers said. It states that administration
will present a plan for Marysville's water utility within three months
after the passage of the legislation.
The legislation states that the goal of the business plan will be to
ensure that the water rates culled from Marysville will be managed
properly to ensure the well-being of residents. Specifically, any
profits and fees from the water utility will go toward the benefit of
the water utility itself, specifically toward debt repayment. By doing
this, city administration must ensure that any return on investments go
toward reducing the water utility debt "as fast as possible" and
implement cost saving measures within the utility.
In other business:
. The first reading was held on an ordinance to borrow $53 million
toward the future wastewater treatment plant. Bids that came in were
below what administration thought they would be. With the funding, the
city can begin the pump station and force water main projects.
. The local American Legion requested a donation of $1,750 or more from
city council to pay for the Fourth of July fireworks show.

Hospital to expand sleep lab
By CORINNE BIX
Memorial Hospital of Union County (MHUC) will begin expanding the sleep
lab within the next month.
Spence Fisher, vice president of physician relations and business
development, said the plans are complete and the project will go out to
bid within the next week.
The project is expected to take three months to complete.
The sleep lab will expand the current unit from two to four beds and
will be moved to the lower level of the Women's Health Center. The lab
is used to help diagnose sleep disorders.
The new lab will be constructed within an existing shell that was left
purposely unoccupied for the intent of expansion when the Women's Health
Center was completed in 2004.
The new location will be quiet and feature hotel-like amenities for
sleep lab patients.
The dual-source 64-slice CT (computed tomography) scanner will be
delivered and installed Saturday.
The scanner will be one of only two available statewide. The scanner is
part of the hospital's complete renovation of the MRI/CT department.
Gwen Janeczek, nurse director, presented to the board information on the
hospital's behavioral health unit.
The behavioral health unit is a 10-bed locked unit located off the
hospital's Morey Center.
The unit is one of a limited number in the central Ohio region. It pulls
a large number of patients from outside the county; however, even though
the unit accepts admissions statewide, priority is given to Union County residents.
The unit shares the same building as Consolidated Care Inc. but is not
affiliated with the outpatient counseling service.
It admits patients 18 and older who have been determined to have a
primary Axis 1 diagnosis; for example, major depression.
Janeczek explained that the unit is not an in-patient chemical dependency unit.
The unit has averaged 446 admissions per year over the last three years.
Janeczek said the average length of stay for patients is anywhere from
three to five days.
She said the unit staffs a registered nurse, a master prepared social
worker, a rehabilitation therapist and nursing support.
The expected outcomes of the unit include assisting patients to develop
coping skills and strategies. The staff also works to assist the
patient's family and make resources readily available for after the patient's release.
Fisher shared with board members an award presented to the hospital
naming MHUC a Public Health Partner of the Year by the Union County Health Department.
Fisher explained that this is the first time an organization has
received the award rather than an individual.
The board elected Dennis Stone as board president, Chad Hoffman as
vice-president and Bud Westlake as secretary.
The next regular board meeting will be April 26 at 8 p.m.
In other action, the board:
.Approved the following committee reports - operational team report,
finance committee and joint conference committee.
.Approved the initial appointment of Dr. Scott Albright, family medicine
- department of medicine - ER urgent care - provisional; Dr. Anna
Clem-Badhwar, family medicine - department of medicine - active
provisional; Dr. Eric Espinosa, urology - department of surgery -
courtesy provisional; Jeffrey Fisher, PA, physician assistant -
department of medicine - allied health provisional; Regina Massey, CNP,
nurse practitioner - department of medicine - allied health provisional;
and Dr. Karen Morrison, family medicine (adult only) - department of
medicine - consulting provisional.
.Approved the conclusion of provisional status for Kathy Prendergast,
PA, physician assistant - department of medicine - allied health; Laurie
Reiley, PA, physician assistant - department of medicine - allied
health; and Sara Shamsali, CRNA, nurse anesthetists - department of
surgery - allied health.
.Approved the credentials manual 1.2-1 and 3.1.
.Approved resolution 03.22.05.01 to extend a $5.5 million bond to
advance funds for outstanding bonds.
.Was reminded of annual board of trustee conflict of interest statements for 2007.
.Reviewed 2007 board of trustee committee appointments.

Bean there, done that
Plain City coffee shop owner goes around the world to get quality java
By EMILY MASTERS
Few who reach for a cup of joe in the morning realize the painstaking
labor that went into securing that jolting java.
Thanks to a man named Diego and a Mechanicsburg roaster, some in Union
County can sample a quality coffee made from specifically chosen beans.
Paul Kurtz and his wife Grace have been roasting coffee for four years.
They founded Hemisphere Coffee Roasters (HCR) with a vision of making a
difference in the coffee growing regions of the world.
"Hemisphere Coffees from the beginning had a desire to learn the
business inside and out and to do it in a way to help farmers in
different countries be more sustainable," said Paul Kurtz.
Kurtz, through his work with Rosedale Mennonite Missions, began
developing close relationships with many Christian leaders in the coffee
growing regions of Central America and Kenya, East Africa. With his
passion for coffee and the desire to help change lives as part of his
Christian faith, Kurtz decided the best strategy was to purchase coffee
beans directly from the farmers.
"By me going right to the farmer, he makes twice as much," said Kurtz.
The middle man is eliminated; therefore, both the farmer and roaster are
able to profit. Kurtz refers to this as "Relationship Coffee."
"It's based on an honest relationship between the grower and the
roaster," he said. "Farmers share their production cost, and we share
our costs, so a fair price is established and everyone benefits."
Kurtz said he will only purchase "specialty grade" coffee beans.
"Specialty grade coffee represents 6 percent of the coffee grown
world-wide," he said.
To produce this kind of coffee, altitude is key. According to Kurtz,
coffee grows best on volcanic soil above 3,500 feet altitude. In other
words, the higher up on the mountain the coffee grows, the better
quality it is. Farmers work around-the-clock pruning, picking (by hand),
and bagging.
"Coffee is everything to these people," said Kurtz.
Diego Chavarria of Nicaragua is a land-owner who houses nearly 100
families on his farm.
"It's important that he does well," said Kurtz. "If not, that's 100
families out of jobs."
Lucky for Chavarria, the fruits of his and his workers' labors paid off
this season. Kurtz purchased enough coffee beans to fill a shipping
container, which will arrive in the United States in mid-April. This
was the first time Kurtz made a purchase of such high volume. He said it
amounts to 250 bags of coffee beans, each 150 pounds.
"Diego wanted to make sure I was happy with the coffee," he said. "I was
extremely happy that the 40,000 pounds of coffee I took possession of
scored very high in the grading process."
Kurtz has big plans for his newly purchased commodity.
"We are going to brand the coffee 'Cafe Diego' since it came from
Diego's farm," he said.
Patrons can expect to see the new brand on shelves in April. Kurtz sells
to several local retail shops and coffee houses, including one he's part
owner of, Pioneer Coffee Company in Plain City. Other local sellers
include Beans In Cream in Mechanicsburg, Chet's IGA in Mechanicsburg,
and the Cheese House in Plain City.
Kurtz says he roasts to order.
"Freshness is our top priority," he said.
After the coffee is roasted, it produces a carbon dioxide gas. That's
why Kurtz said he packages the coffee in heavy bags equipped with
one-way valves and resealable zippers.
"The valve allows the gas to escape but does not allow oxygen to come
in, because oxygen is a killer of coffee," he said.
Kurtz also recommends, after opening, storing the coffee in the freezer
to stop the de-gassing.
A one-pound bag of coffee costs between $10 and $12, and an 8-ounce bag
runs between $6 and $7. The price is based on single origins, blends and
flavored coffees.
According to Kurtz, the second highest traded commodity in the world,
next to oil, is coffee.
"The demand is there," he said. "People all around the world love their coffee."
And with a lot of research and experimental batches, Kurtz has found a
way to put his own unique stamp on such a hot commodity.
A partnership, and more importantly a friendship, between a Nicaraguan
farmer and a local roaster has brewed up a product that truly is what
the brochure reads: Coffee with a Mission.
More information can be obtained by visiting www.hemispherecoffees.com

Triad treasurer resigns
J-T staff reports
Triad Local Schools Treasurer Maureen Scott will step down from her position.
Scott, who has been employed with the district since 2005, has been on
extended leave. Superintendent Dan Kaffenbarger said in November that
Scott's absence was for personal and family reasons.
Last week the board approved the employment of interim treasurer Jill
Smith. A special board meeting was held Tuesday night to accept the
resignation of Scott.
"It is unfortunate that Mrs. Scott resigned," Kaffenbarger said. "The
board felt it was acting in the best interest of the district and Mrs.
Scott brokering this separation agreement."
Smith was treasurer for the district from 1999 to 2005. She is currently
employed as treasurer for West Jefferson Local Schools.
Smith will be paid at a rate of $35 per hour plus travel expenses for up
to 20 hours per week, effective immediately and until further notice.
Kaffenbarger said the district will work with the Madison-Champaign
Education Service Center (ESC) to help develop the treasurer job posting
and to assist with the initial screening of candidates.
"We are looking for someone with a valid treasurer license, someone who
has worked previously in a school setting and someone with excellent
interpersonal skills and a strong financial background," Kaffenbarger said.
Triad's next regular board meeting will be April 19 at 7 p.m. in the
middle school library.

Masons to honor area residents
From J-T staff reports:
Rowland M. Seymour has been named recipient of the 2007 Community
Service Award by the 1,966 Masons in Union, Logan, Marion and Morrow
Counties of the 15th Masonic District.
Michael A. Himes, Ohio's top Masonic officer, will present Seymour the
award on Friday at a ceremony at Karen's Event Center in Marysville.
Seymour, a retired worker from Eljer Plumbing Plant in Marysville, has
been involved in many projects that have improved life in the community
of Marysville. He served as mayor of Marysville from 1964 to 1969.
After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Seymour was employed by the
Eljer Company, which at that time was one of the largest producers of
plumbing fixtures in the country. Soon after he retired in 1986, the
Eljer Company closed the Marysville plant. The empty building and
property reportedly became an environmental concern for the community.
The waste material from the manufacturing process was still deposited on
the property.
Seymour, although retired, continued to work for the Eljer Company as a
property consultant. During this time, he was instrumental in working
with the company to raze and return the property to a safe environmental
condition. The reclaimed property was then "token" leased to the city of
Marysville for use and development as a recreational park, dedicated in
1998 as Eljer Park, which continues to be utilized by the community.
Seymour has actively served not only as a civic leader but also as a
leader for all the veterans who reside in the community.
He also served the community as Past Commander of the Disabled Veterans
Organization and currently serves on the Union County Veterans Service
Committee. He is presently busy as the treasurer of the Union County
Veterans Memorial Committee. This memorial will be placed on the Union
County Courthouse lawn and will recognize all veterans from the county
who have served their country. The dedication ceremony is planned for May 19.
Himes will also honor Thomas Ray McKinniss of LaRue, and Toni Nicole
Strauch of Marysville, with the Excellence in Youth Award.
McKinniss, a senior at Elgin High School and Tri-Rivers Career Center,
is the son and co-operator of McKinniss Farms in LaRue. He is a member
of the National Honor Society and recipient of the Elgin Varsity E
academic award throughout his four years of high school. McKinniss also
is vice president of the Elgin FFA chapter and has won many FFA awards.
He is a member of the Marion County Junior Fair board and received the
Outstanding Market Beef Exhibitor and First Place Beef Skillathon in
2006 at the Marion County Fair. He is a member of LaRue United Methodist
Church and the church youth group. He plans to pursue a degree in
engineering and continue to operate the family cattle and grain operation.
Strauch, an eighth grader at North Union Middle School, is a member of
Marysville Assembly No. 145 Rainbow Girls, where she has held various
offices. Her special projects include the Ronald McDonald House and
placing flags at the cemetery for Memorial Day. She is a member of the
Pharisburg United Methodist Church Youth Group, Girl Scouts, 4-H,
marching band and volleyball. Strauch has been on the honor roll
throughout middle school. Through her 4-H membership, she showed the
Grand Champion Goat at the 2005 and 2006 Richwood County Fair.
Himes oversees Ohio's 116,000 Masons and more than 530 lodges. Known for
its charity, the Masonic fraternity provides approximately $15 million
in charitable giving annually.
This year in Ohio, Masons gave $94,000 in college scholarships,
contributed $125,000 to Ohio Summer Special Olympics and funded $70,000
in free training for hundreds of Ohio school teachers to recognize
students at non-academic risk. The Masons also provided $12 million in
elderly care and helped many needy Ohio families and individuals through
their charitable foundation.

Justin Kempfer earns rank of Eagle Scout
From J-T staff reports:
Justin Andrew Kempfer of Troop 158 recently acquired the rank of Eagle
Scout.
He was honored in a Court of Honor ceremony Feb. 24 at Shiloh Chapel
Evangelical Church, where he attends regularly, and after passing a
Board of Review for the Eagle rank on Nov. 16.
Justin's Eagle project was to build 10 park benches for the Logan County
Fairgrounds, a project which was coordinated through his grandfather,
Andrew Stoner, and Uncle Keith Stoner.
Justin also has earned 26 merit badges over the course of his scouting career.
He is a junior at Marysville High School and plans to study mechanical
engineering after graduating. Justin aspires to design automobiles. He
has worked for Simon Oh at the Marysville Golf Club the past two years
and plans to work there again this summer.
Justin enjoys reading the Bible, attending church and spending time with
friends and family. He is an avid golfer.
The son of Renae and Bob Sabins of Marysville, and Mark and Sharon
Kempfer of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Justin also is the grandson of Andrew and
Carolyn Stoner of Rushsylvania.

Marysville doesn't OK late start date
School district won't yield to pressure to begin after Labor Day
By KARLYN BYERS
The Marysville School District is not stepping on the bandwagon to begin
the school year after Labor Day.
By a vote of 3-0 school board members authorized the 2007-2008 school
calendar, which has a starting day of Aug. 22, at Monday night's board
meeting. Board members Thomas Brower and Bill Hayes were absent.
It was a calendar chosen by a vast majority of teachers in the school
district, said Superintendent Larry Zimmerman, and was one of four
options submitted to the staff.
In December, John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of
Cedar Point amusement park, and other amusement park operators,
encouraged Ohio legislators to delay the start of school until after
Labor Day to help businesses that rely on tourism.
FOXNEWS.COM quoted Hildebrandt as saying, "It makes sense
for families and tourism."
But Zimmerman said, "We would rather have our days in early. Our (goal)
is to get as many days in by March as we can before (proficiency) testing begins."
School districts in Michigan now begin classes after Labor Day after
changes in that state's law required the later start. The law has
fulfilled expectations by boosting the state's tourism industry,
according to a Labor Day and tourism Web article written by David Waddell.
Marysville's school calendar will feature a Dec. 20, through Jan. 2,
2008, winter break, March 28, 2008, through April 4, 2008, spring break
and Nov. 21 through 23 Thanksgiving break.
The last day of school will be June 4, 2008, with graduation set for June 8, 2008.
"(It's) pretty much our traditional calendar," Zimmerman said.
Board members also heard construction updates from Emily Wieringa of
Thomas & Marker Construction Company and Adam Drexel of Ruscilli Construction.
Drexel said construction at Northwood Elementary is "going well."
The project is mainly on schedule and there should be "some savings," he
said, adding "We are pretty happy with that."
Room 130 will become the new temporary entrance at Marysville High
School, Drexel said, as work progresses on the 100,000-square-foot
addition to the 16-year-old building.
Ruscilli is in the process of soliciting bids for $15.3 million worth of
work and bids will be accepted on April 3.
Wieringa said despite the weather, the new middle school/intermediate
school project along Route 4 is on schedule.
Footers are being poured and the last three contracts were signed Monday, she said.
In other business, the board:
.Honored Kelly McGraw, fiscal support and classified payroll personnel,
as February Employee of the Month. McGraw does "an incredible job for
us," according to Zimmerman. She is always available for questions and
is extremely professional and helpful when answering them, read a
resolution commending McGraw.
.Heard a presentation by Rich Holton and Will Kirby, high school math
teachers, about the high school Algebra and Geometry for Mastery
program. Since implementation of the University of Chicago textbook
series, achievement-oriented curriculums and a different approach by
teachers, math scores on the Ohio mandated proficiency tests have
increased from 62 percent in 2004 to 76.3 percent in 2005 and 84.2
percent in 2006, Holton said.
.Accepted the resignation of Matthew Chrispin, as assistant principal,
and Brian Crim as teacher, and the retirements of Karen Hanson, Nancy
Streng, Kandace Taylor and Charles Easton as teachers. Chrispin was
named high school principal at the Feb. 26 school board meeting.
.Granted three-year limited administrator contracts to Karen Wells,
assistant principal, Gregg Stubbs, administrative assistant, and Mary
Anne Dimitry, low incidence coordinator, all effective Aug. 1.
.Granted a two-year limited administrator contract to Steven Ader,
operations manager; and one-year limited contracts to Candace Sweeney on
an as-needed basis as school psychologist and Alicia Goodman as
executive director of food service, all effective Aug. 1. Board member
Jeff Mabee said he was approving Goodman's contract "with some reservation."
.Employed Sharon Berry and Ellen Crowley (certified), and Mary Draughon,
Carrie Moffat, Robert Popovich, Steve Vannata and Sharon Berry
(classified) as substitutes/home instructors during the 2006-2007 school
year on an as-needed basis.
.Awarded supplemental contracts to Eric Puffenberger, middle school baseball.
.Approved Jeff Gafford, weight room, as district volunteer; Heidi Cordle
and Karen Lyle as new Ohio Reads volunteers; George Boston, Trent Hobbs,
Steve Boyer, Trent Bishop, David Burge, Michael Butler, Joe Case, Joyce
Conner, Jeff Feucht, Brenda London, Eric Miller, Robert Miller, Paul
Nichols, Robert Occonners, Kelly Reed, Scott Reed, Jesse Severance,
Donald Snider, Phyllis Stevens, Christ Swanek, Chelsea Vanscyoc, Michael
Wolfe, Jonathon Woolard, Cody Young, Jason Young, Nathan Young, Brandon
Zell and Amy Zenquist as volunteers at East Elementary; Michelle McClish
as a volunteer at Raymond Elementary; and Scott Akins, Jill Shavley,
Joan Phillips, Dale Proshek, Becky Craig and Pam Allen as volunteer at
Marysville Middle School..Approved an April 20-22 trip for the high
school jazz ensemble to Chicago to rehearse with a Northwestern
University College of Music professor and to listen to live jazz at a
cafe on the Navy Pier.
.Approved overnight trips for the FFA ag science program to conduct
officer training at an Ohio park April 11 and 12; Ohio FFA Camp
Muskingum for leadership and conservation training June 18-22; sometime
in June for whitewater rafting in West Virginia; July 5-10 to attend the
National FFA Washington Leadership Program in Washington, D.C.; Oct. 12
and 14 for leadership training and community service at Ohio FFA Camp
Muskingum; Oct. 23-27 to attend the national FFA Convention in
Indianapolis; and Jan. 6-7, 2008, for 10 students to travel to the
Marriott North in Columbus and attend the Ohio FFA's Made for Excellence
program..Passed a resolution of "recognition and appreciation" for the
Marysville High School wrestling team for winning the Ohio Capital
Conference Central Division for the sixth consecutive year and
distinguishing itself throughout the 2006-2007 season, and the two MHS
Mock Trial teams for advancing to the state tournament and placing
seventh and 18th in the state out of more than 400 teams. The board also
extended appreciation to legal advisor John Eufinger, coaches Dick
Smith, Lurel LaFrance and Connie Strebe and volunteer Evan Smith.
.Adopted Literature: The Reader's Choice for ninth, 10th and 11th grade
English students, and Writer's Choice: Grammar and Composition for ninth
and 10th grade English students.
.Approved the DVD sale of upcoming spring activities at East Elementary
and approved the East Elementary Pizza Hut Coupon Night. The school will
receive 20 percent of the sales if parents bring in coupons today from 5 to 9 p.m.
.Approved Jump Rope for Heart at Edgewood Elementary in April and a
spring fund-raiser by the Raymond Elementary PTO.
.Accepted a $1,000 donation to Edgewood from Discover Financial Services
LLC; and a $1,296 donation from the Creekview Intermediate School PTO to
support the Creekview library/media center.

North Union officials discuss weighted grade system
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
In an effort to encourage students to take more challenging courses,
North Union High School is considering implementing a weighted grading system.
In reality the proposal wouldn't change grade point averages, but would
set up a secondary system which would rank students based not only on
grades but also on the difficulty of the courses they took.
At Monday night's school board meeting, high school principal Eric
Holman said he recently attended a conference with 15 to 20 other
principals in the area and found that North Union is one of the few
districts which does not employ some type of weighted system.
While many districts have shifted to a system whereby the old 4.0 grade
system is replaced by a 5.0 scale, North Union officials were not in
favor of the switch. A 5.0 scale allows additional grade points to be
earned by taking advanced level classes.
Holman said the model he liked best was one used by Upper Sandusky schools.
In that system each high school course is assigned a value from 1 point,
for basic courses, to 1.4 points for advanced courses. Those values when
multiplied by the grade the student receives in the course give the
student a quality point total.
The quality point total and the grade point average are separate scores.
Over the course of a high school career the quality points earned by a
student would be used to determine class rank and would determine
valedictorian and salutatorian for the class.
Superintendent Richard Smith said after the meeting that maintaining the
4.0 system would not put North Union students at a disadvantage when
applying for college. He said most colleges take grade point averages
and determine an appropriate score on a 4.0 system, even if the student
attended a school which uses a 5.0 system.
Holman said the goal of the project is to encourage students to attempt
more challenging courses, rather than take easier classes in an effort
to maintain a higher grade point average. He said there have been
instances in past years where students work very hard for their first
three years of high school, but then take easier classes during their
senior years in an effort to safeguard their GPAs.
Holman said he would like to iron out the details of implementing such a
plan before the next board meeting in April. He was unsure if such a
system should begin with a certain class of freshmen or if it could be
used for students already in the middle of their high school careers.
Holman said that once a phase-in plan is developed a parents meeting
would be set up to explain the details of the system.
"We believe this is the best plan to challenge our kids," Smith said.
In other business, the board:
.Heard a presentation about use of expanded expression tools that help
elementary students improve descriptive writing.
.Approved the financial report provided by the district treasurer.
.Approved the bid package for abatement at the existing North Union High School.
.Approved the emergency quick reference chart developed by the North
Union Safety Committee.
.Authorized an agreement with the Ohio School Boards Association for Web
based conversion service for board policy.
.Approved a list of additions and revisions to board policy.
.Voted to approve the course description handbook for North Union High
School for next year.
.Approved a contract with West Liberty-Salem schools for the education
of a North Union student residing in foster care in the district.
.Voted to approve N. Carol Insurance Company as the provider of student
accident insurance.
.Picked a school calendar for next year.
.Set fees and teacher compensation for summer school.
.Approved a request for an overnight trip by the high school band for
May 11-12 to Cedar Point for a band/music festival.
.Accepted the resignation of Tyler Tingley of his supplemental duties as
head golf coach and head boys basketball coach.
.Voted to re-employ middle school principal Diana Martin and Holman to
three-year administrative contracts.
.Voted to employ facilities manager Brian Nauman and transportation
supervisor Claude Tidd to two-year contracts.

Jerome trustees approve paving work
From J-T staff reports:
After much consideration and bid comparisons, the Jerome Township
Trustees decided Monday evening to use American Pavements, of Plain
City, to repair five streets in New California Hills and six streets in
New California Woods.
The work will be dependent on the weather, but trustee Andy Thomas said
it will likely begin in June or July.
"It will be routine maintenance, but the big factor we've taken into
consideration is letting residents know when the work will start," he said.
Thomas said there will be notification postings in the township hall,
and door hangers will be distributed to homes on the streets where the
road crews will work.
Thomas said the improvements are expected to give the roads another
eight- to 10-year lifespan.
The cost of the road work will be $68,072.
Thomas also recommended the trustees accept a bid of $11,553 from the
Union County Engineer's office to use a hot mix treatment on Sequoia
Court in Jerome Township. The trustees voted unanimously to accept the
bid for the improvement.
Planning and Zoning Coordinator Kathleen Crowley discussed the township
zoning map and expressed the desire for the trustees to approve it.
Trustee Ron Rhodes said he wouldn't approve the map the way it is,
because his property, along with a neighbor's, isn't zoned correctly.
Crowley said the trustees could still approve the map, and if Rhodes
submitted evidence that his Crottinger Road property isn't zoned
correctly, she would make the change on the map immediately.
"I don't want to have to hire an attorney to prove I'm right," said
Rhodes. "That's my problem with it."
The trustees decided to table approving the map until the next meeting.
The trustees also discussed recent leaks in the roof of the township
hall and garage, which are more than 20 years old, and decided to accept
a bid by Hochstetler Buildings Inc. to make the necessary repairs for $2,570.

MHS show choir places second in nationwide competition
Took stage at Grand Ol' Opry; member honored as best soloist
From J-T staff reports:
The Marysville High School Show Choir, Swingers Unlimited, is first
runner-up nationwide after winning top honors over the weekend in
Nashville, Tenn. MHS was the only show choir from Ohio chosen to perform
at the national competition.
The group performed at the Acuff Theatre on Friday and took Best Vocals,
Best Instrumental Combo and Best Female Soloist went to Aashley Morgan
during the preliminary competition.
The Swingers advanced to the finals on Saturday.
According to leaders Katie Paulson, Jeremy Alfera and Mike Robertson,
the Swingers fulfilled their dream of performing on the stage of the Grand Ol' Opry.
The Swingers Unlimited finals performance earned the show choir overall
Best Instrumental Combo and overall First Runner-up.
The Enterprise High School "Encores" from Enterprise, Ala., earned the
Grand Champion title which made the day extra special, according to Paulson.
According to local parents who attended the competition, three
Enterprise show choir students were killed in a tornado that hit
Enterprise High School March 1.
The Swingers Unlimited shared the spirit of the Encores and showed its
support with a fundraiser for the school.
The Marysville show choir season produced three grand championships and
one first runner-up which led it to the national competition.
Swingers Unlimited will perform its '07 show for the last time at the
spring choral concert May 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Traffic shift is next phase of Plain City bypass project
Storm sewer construction begins along Route 161
From J-T staff reports:
Beginning today, traffic on Route 161 through the village of Plain City
will be shifted toward the south half of the road, allowing room for
construction crews to install storm sewers on the north side.
Two 11-foot lanes of traffic - one each direction - will be maintained
between U.S. 42 on the village's west side and Park Street. This new
traffic configuration will remain in place for the duration of the storm
sewer installation and curb construction, tentatively scheduled until
mid-April. During this phase, construction and paving of Gray Street
also will be performed.
The Ohio Department of Transportation, Plain City administrators and
community leaders broke ground for the $4.1 million bypass project in
May. The project will relocate 1.5 miles of U.S. 42, which will turn
westward in the vicinity of Rickard Road on the village's north side,
and then south again to intersect with Route 161 at Jefferson Avenue on
the west side.
More information may be obtained by contacting Michael Stout at (740)
833-8260.
Serving the central Ohio area comprised of Delaware, Fayette, Franklin,
Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway and Union counties, the Ohio
Department of Transportation District 6 is responsible for construction,
maintenance, and snow and ice removal on 1,552 bridges and more than
4,300 state, U.S., and interstate highway lane miles.

It's not here yet, but virus is a cat killer
Veterinarian recommends vaccination for felines
By EMILY MASTERS
A local veterinarian is calling a mutated virus, found in indoor and
outdoor cats, "catastrophic" and is encouraging cat owners to get a
vaccine for their feline friends.
The virus has been termed "killer cilici virus", the official name is
Virulent Systemic Calicivirus. It is a mutated strain of the common
calici virus that causes mild to moderate respiratory problems.
According to Dr. Tad Sullivan of the Marysville Animal Care Center, this
new strain is much more severe and is fatal in 60 to 67 percent of cats
that contract the disease.
"It's also highly contagious," said Dr. Sullivan. "People can pet a cat
that has it and then take it home to their own cat."
The virus can also be carried into homes on clothing and shoes. Dr.
Sullivan said some veterinary offices that found the virus, had to close
3 to 4 months to make sure the strain wouldn't be passed on to other cats.
Symptoms in cats include sneezing, high fever, facial swelling, painful
ulcers in the mouth, skin sores, hair loss, and swollen, painful joints.
In some cases, Dr. Sullivan said, the cats will die with very little
obvious symptoms.
"It really is a hard way for cats to go," he said. "It causes a lot of
pain and suffering for them."
There is no specific treatment for the disease; however, according to
Dr. Sullivan, there is a vaccine available.
"The vaccine is effective in preventing the virus and is very safe," he said.
Dr. Sullivan said he encourages all of his clients, who own cats, to get the vaccine.
"It's just not worth the risk," he said. "The vaccine is relatively inexpensive."
The cost varies in price depending on the clinic where the cat is taken,
but it can usually be purchased for under $20.
Although there have been several documented outbreaks since the first in
1999, none have been recorded in Ohio. According to Dr. Sullivan, since
the strain is somewhat new, some veterinarians may not recognize it or
even be aware of it, therefore, it may go unreported or documented.
According to AnimalSheltering.org the noted cases have been in
Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Massachusetts, California, and Nevada.
"I think it's a definite threat although we don't have it here yet,"
said Dr. Sullivan. "The bottom line is, it's easy to prevent but is
devastating if they get it."

Armed robbery reported in Richwood
By RYAN HORNS
Richwood police are investigating a Wednesday night armed robbery.
Richwood Police Chief Monte Asher said that at 8:15 p.m. that night a
man walked into the Certified Oil gas station at 25 E. Blagrove St.
brandishing a silver handgun. He demanded money from the clerk, but did
not injure the employee or strike him in any way.
"He threw a plastic shopping bag at him, a tan bag," Asher said. "And
told him to put the money in the bag."
Within one minute, Asher said, the suspect had committed the robbery and
fled the store. He made off with an undetermined amount of cash.
"It was quick," Asher said about the robbery.
The suspect ordered the store clerk into a bathroom, then ran out of the
business, escaping on foot. Asher said based on store security video
footage, the man is seen running away from Certified Oil toward the east.
Delaware Sheriff's Office deputies soon arrived and used their canine
unit to track the suspect's location, Asher said. The dog was able to
trace a path down the alley behind Certified Oil. He could not elaborate
on where else the dog followed the trail.
"I don't want to say too much," Asher said. "We're still investigating."
He said the suspect they are looking for is a white male, between 5 feet
8 or 10 inches tall, with a thin build. The man came into the business
wearing a hooded dark blue shirt, with gray or white arched lettering
across the front. What is written on the man's shirt was not visible on
security footage.
"We are following leads right now," Asher said. "If anyone has
information they can contact me here."
The number for the Richwood Police Department is (740) 943-2422.
Asher said investigators immediately ruled out the store clerk's
involvement. He said seconds before the suspect walked into the store,
the clerk was busy depositing envelopes containing $100 each.
"If he was involved, he never would have made the drop," Asher said.
The reason, he said, is because once the envelopes are dropped into the
safe they cannot be retrieved.
Asher said it has been at least five years since the last armed robbery
occurred in Richwood. An employee of Richwood's Cardinal grocery store
was beaten with sticks by two men outside waiting for him. When the
employee refused to give them the money, the men became violent.
But Asher does have some advice for business owners and residents
regarding actions they can take to prevent armed robberies. He said if
an employee or resident has to leave a store with a large amount of
money or feels unsafe while handling money in different situations, he
or she can always contact the Richwood Police Department and request assistance.
"We'd be happy to give them a police escort," Asher said.
For now, he said, investigators are following numerous leads that have
been called into the department.
"People want to help," Asher said.

Replica Vietnam Wall coming to Marysville
By EMILY MASTERS
A traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington
D.C. will be on display at the Union County Fairgrounds in mid-September of 2008.
Exact dates will be announced closer to the event.
The Marysville Council of the Knights of Columbus is coordinating the
four-day event. Deputy Grand Knight Duane Lord is chairing the committee
that will oversee the activities.
"In 2002 I saw a traveling wall in Missouri and was so touched, that it
stuck in my mind," said Lord. "I finally decided it wasn't going away in
my mind, so I needed to do something about it."
Although Lord is not a veteran himself, his father was a veteran of
World War II, and Lord's cousin and two brother-in-laws served in the Vietnam War.
"Military Veterans have a special place in my heart," he said.
According to Fred LaFrance, Trustee for the Knights of Columbus, Lord
pursued bringing the wall to Union County as a personal mission.
"He spearheaded and asked for support of the organization (Knights of
Columbus), and we said 'sure, this looks like something we would like to
do for the community,'" LaFrance said.
According to Lord, this is a project designed to involve the entire community.
"It's a good way for the community to say 'thank you'," he said.
An evening ceremony, during which American, POW-MIA, and Ohio flags will
be raised, will open the event. The program will include brief speeches
by military and civilian dignitaries. Following the formal program, the
memorial will be open around the clock.
"The Washington Wall is a long over-due memorial to those soldiers who
gave their lives or are still missing in Vietnam," said LaFrance. "Since
some Americans don't have the ability or can't afford to travel to
Washington to see the wall, it can travel to them, and that's why we're
trying to make it available in the county."
The wall is a 3/5 scale of the memorial in Washington D.C. It stands six
feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from each end. It
includes more than 58,000 names which are inscribed in chronological
order, according to the date of casualty. For the missing, their name
and the date they were reported missing is inscribed.
Information regarding the location of specific names on the wall will be
available during the duration of the event.
The Knights will be contacting Veterans' civic, religious, and fraternal
organizations inviting their participation in this undertaking. Since at
least two adults must be in attendance at the wall at all times during
its display, groups will be encouraged to schedule an hour or two to
serve as hosts to the public.

Triad revises athletic eligibility policy
By CORINNE BIX
The Triad Local Schools Board of Education agreed to approve a revised
athletic policy for the 2007-2008 school year as presented by
Superintendent Dan Kaffenbarger and the Triad Athletic Council.
Specifically the policy alters an eligibility policy in light of Triad's
grading scale. For a student to be eligible, he or she must maintain a
GPA of 1.67 (which is a C- or 78 percent average) and not have more than
one "F" on his or her grade card.
The new policy also implements an academic probation for any student who
does not meet these requirements, which can be used once in a student's
career, and the student must still pass the equivalent of five credits to remain eligible.
The Athletic Council also repealed its stance that the interim grading
period be used as a period of ineligibility and agreed to drug, alcohol
and tobacco policies changes made to first, second and third offenses.
First-time offenders would be suspended for 30 percent of the sport
season with the number of games suspended for each season clarified. In
the event of a second offense, there would be a one calendar year
suspension and for a third offense the student would be denied
participation for the rest of his or her career.
Finally, a self or parent referral policy was added which states that if
a student or a parent turns the student in for drug, alcohol or tobacco
use and agrees to the terms listed, the student would not be punished
under the terms of the policy.
Kaffenbarger also reported that Ohiio Superintendent of Instruction
Susan Zelman will visit the school district Tuesday.
He formally invited all board members to attend an 8:15 a.m. breakfast with Zelman.
Zelman will tour all three district buildings, participate in a potluck
lunch provided by the elementary staff and conclude her visit by meeting
with district administrators and staff.
The board also approved the employment of interim treasurer, Jill Smith,
while current treasurer, Maureen Scott, is on extended leave until further notice.
Kaffenbarger said in November that Scott's absence was for personal and family reasons.
Smith was treasurer for the district from 1999-2005. She is currently
employed as treasurer for West Jefferson Local Schools.
Smith will be paid at a rate of $35 per hour plus travel expenses for up
to 20 hours per week, effective immediately until further notice.
Shirley and Dean Weaver requested that the board make an exception to
its policy prohibiting students from bringing dates over the age of 21
to the prom. The Weaver's daughter, Amy, is a senior and would like to
attend the prom with her longtime boyfriend.
Kaffenbarger explained that the policy was put into place about six
years ago after various incidents.
"The age was not selected arbitrarily but with a purpose in mind because
of the ability to purchase alcohol," Kaffenbarger said.
Kaffenbarger recommended that the board uphold the policy so as not to
open the door to requests for future exceptions.
Chris Millice, board president, told the family their request would be
taken under consideration.
Kyle Huffman, high school principal, said sophomores have recently
finished up the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT.)
The high school provided breakfast for the test-taking students to help
better prepare them for the state mandated tests.
"The kids are taking these tests seriously," Huffman said.
Results should be available at the end of May.
The board accepted resignations from Jack Stout, social studies teacher,
and Virginia Angus Hall, Spanish teacher. Both resignations will take
effect at the end of the 2006-2007 school year.
Stout has been with the district for 18 years and is resigning for the
purpose of retirement. Hall has been with the district for one year.
The board approved a motion to go into executive session to discuss the
consideration of employee discipline and employee compensation. No
action was taken.
The board has tentatively scheduled a meeting on March 20 to consider
the discipline/termination of an employee. They expect to take action on the matter.
The next regular board meeting will be held April 19 at 7 p.m. in the
middle school library.
In other action, the board:
.Presented awards to Kaylen Burchnell, Ashley Tilley, Molly Zeigler and
Tabitha VanHoose for receiving superior ratings at the OMEA Solo and
Ensemble Contest.
.Approved extended leave for Tina Wells through the end of the 2006-2007 school year.
.Approved extended leave for Maureen Scott from Feb. 27 until further notice.
.Approved classified supplemental positions for the 2006-2007 school
year - Cindy Alltop, track assistant; Matt Alexander, track middle
school; and John Sharritts, track middle school.
.Approved classified supplemental positions for the 2007-2008 school
year - Terry Donohoe, boys basketball assistant; Harry Alltop, eighth
grade boys basketball and football middle school; Chuck Adams, seventh
grade boys basketball; Joe Linscott and Andy Yoder, football volunteer
assistants; Matt Alexander, football and wrestling middle school; Bill
McKenzie, soccer head coach; and Nathan Bails, wrestling head coach.
.Approved certified supplemental positions for the 2007-2008 school year
- John Millice, boys basketball head coach and golf; Jason Malone,
football assistant and girls basketball head coach; Erick Grasley,
football assistant and girls basketball assistant; Doug Miller, cross
country head coach; Patrick Johnson, cross country assistant; Payton
Printz, football head coach; Mike Braun, football assistant; Tina
Campbell, volleyball head coach; and Liz Carder, volleyball assistant.
.Approved a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by
the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and
certifying them to the county auditor.
.Approved the transportation agreement with Kenneth Horn to transport
Samantha Horn to and from Triad Elementary for the remainder of the
2006-2007 school year at a rate of $10 per day as transportation by
school conveyance has been deemed impractical for this student.
.Approved the use of facilities for the following with both
organizations responsible for any overtime fees for custodial or
cafeteria staff: The middle school cafeteria on March 15 from 6 to 8
p.m. for the Triad Youth Wrestling banquet; the middle school gym
between 6 and 8 p.m. for the T-Bird Baseball team practice from March 13
to April 30.

Area resident Martha Asman to turn 100
From J-T staff reports:
Martha Asman of Marysville, will celebrate her 100th birthday Saturday
at an open house at First United Methodist Church's Burnside Family
Center. The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.
Mrs. Asman was born March 17, 1907, at home to Burl and Minnie Turner
Southard. She is the only survivor of five children, including herself,
John, Mary, Dorothy and Charles.
A retired school teacher, she still lives by herself, although she has
been spending the winter at the family cottage on Indian Lake.
Mrs. Asman married William Asman on Sept. 7, 1929, and he died April 23,
1969. They had six children, Barbara Brandt and Sally Swanson who are
deceased, Susan Easton of Worthington, Mary Ann Garcia of Marysvile,
Bill Asman of Indian Lake and Nancy Prudell of Oregon. They also have 19
grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and seven
great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. Asman operated the family drug store at 120 E. Fifth St., where the
Republican Headquarters is now housed.
The omission of gifts is requested. The family suggests cards and
greetings be sent to Mrs. Asman at 9351 Breezy Way, Belle Center, OH 43310.

Marysville eyes redistricting
BY KARLYN BYERS
One thing became clear as Marysville School District held community
meetings about proposed redistricting: There was a lot of support for
all day, every day kindergarten.
"The kindergarten design has dominated conversation," said Trent Bower,
principal at Navin Elementary.
Bower, Edgewood Principal Colene Thomas, Mill Valley Principal Greg
Casto, and Carla Steele, district curriculum coordinator, were among the
administrators present at a special board of education meeting Wednesday
night at the district administrative building.
Also present were several parents, including Heather Dukette and Carla Porschet.
Board member Scott Johnson said he has been approached several times
about all day, every day kindergarten.
"The feasibility of all day kindergarten needs to be looked at," he said.
With the opening of Northwood Elementary this fall, elementary
boundaries will be redefined. The redistricting also could help
facilitate changes in the school district that are going to take place
in fall 2008 when a second intermediate/middle school opens on the south
side of Marysville, said Superintendent Larry Zimmerman.
Two proposals were discussed at the special meeting. The first would
call for utilizing East, Edgewood, Mill Valley, Navin, Northwood and
Raymond as elementaries and continuing the fourth and fifth grade
populations at Creekview Intermediate School, seventh and eighth grade
pupils at the Middle School and the traditional ninth through 12th grade
population at the high school.
The second would utilize East Elementary to house all day, every day
kindergarten or as a district career center.
"Geographically, it probably makes as much sense as anything to put all
day kindergarten at East," Zimmerman said.
Using East as career center would save the school district about $2
million over a five-year period, according to calculations by district
treasurer Delores Cramer.
Marysville parents who decide to enroll their children in the all day,
every day option would be billed an estimated $250 a month.
Marysville School District is not eligible for any state funds to
finance that kindergarten option. Those funds are reserved for districts
which have a high poverty level or are located in urban districts, Zimmerman said.
Steele said the school district is looking into establishing
scholarships for families who cannot afford the expense but who feel
their children would benefit from all day, every day kindergarten.
Later, Zimmerman talked about the "huge need" for additional vocational
training at the high school level.
"It's very difficult to get kids to Hi-Point," he said. "We know that we
aren't reaching our potential of getting the number of kids to Hi-Point
that we should."
Both the five-elementary and six-elementary options came with several
different scenarios, with elementary numbers tweaked here and there to
best utilize each building. The different options were explained by
Zimmerman and Matt Cropper of GIS Software, who Zimmerman said was
"looking at the issues of redistricting" for the school district.
None of the options presented would affect Raymond Elementary.
"In all scenarios we are not recommending that we move any kids from
Raymond," Zimmerman said. "With Raymond being up there it's really not
practical to shove kids from (there) to (here)."
Operating all six elementaries would necessitate not only the hiring of
additional teaching and administrative staff at Northwood but also
specialized staff such as art, music and physical education teachers,
speech therapists, nurses and occupational therapy people, Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman, Cramer and school board members also discussed the
possibility of putting an operating levy on the August ballot.
Because of House Bill 66 and changes in school financing it brought with
it, as well as continued enrollment increases, the school district needs
additional money, Zimmerman and Cramer said.
Although the district's rate of growth has slowed from about 5 percent
per year to 3 percent, each pupil enrolled in the district costs
Marysville Schools roughly $9,000 a year to educate. According to
Cramer, state funds are definitely not keeping pace.
"I want to go back to the voters as little as possible," Scott said.
Wednesday's special meeting began at 6 p.m. About 9:20 p.m., board
members adjourned into executive session to discuss personnel issues. No
further action was planned.

WorkNet volunteer, sheriff's department receive statewide awards
From J-T staff reports:
Maria Bowen, WorkNet volunteer consumer advocate, and the Union County
Sheriff's Office received statewide honors at the Ohio Public Images
Disability Awareness luncheon held in Columbus recently.
Bowen reportedly won the "Advocate of the Year" category and the Union
County Sheriff's Office won a special Merit Award in the "Organization
of the Year" category for their six month special autism project last
spring. Both were nominated by the Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Bowen began her volunteer role as "Consumer Advocate" four years ago and
was looking to "give back to the program and the community after her son
had received support services. Since her involvement, she has
established a wide variety of social and recreational programs for more
than 30 adults with developmental disabilities in Union County.
Those programs include The Lunch Bunch and the WorkNet Crew. She also
has participated in Project Success, a summer job skills program. In
addition, she has involved consumers in volunteer community service projects.
"Maria is a very strong advocate for herself and those around her and
has a strong desire to improve the lives of others," Mike Heifner,
Employment Services Director of WorkNet said.
"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition and I am grateful to
the Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities for the
opportunities they have offered me," Bowen said.
Her future goals include expanding the membership in Lunch Bunch and the
WorkNet Crew and increasing opportunities for community involvement.
Union County Sheriff Rocky Nelson said he credits his staff, under the
leadership of Lt. Jeff Frisch, with resource assistance by Sgt. Chris
Skinner, Deputy Kim Zacharias, Sonya Shuler and Idella Feeley for making
a special autism awareness program occur.
He said after unsuccessfully attempting to get a grant from the Ohio
Criminal Justice System in Oct. 2006, a second application resulted in a
grant award that enabled the organization to bring in a national autism
expert for a series of training programs in the spring of 2006.
Originally, the program was targeted just for community "first
responders." But once the project began, the Sheriff's Office
discovered the importance of the community-at-large and other agencies
to increase their understanding of citizens with autism.
Subsequently, Nelson said, they spearheaded an effort that involved the
Marysville Exempted Village School District, the Union County Board of
Developmental Disabilities and the Autism Support Group of Union County.
"We were able to open people's eyes in Union County and make a
difference towards increasing awareness and acceptance of citizens in
Union County with autism," Nelson said.

Fire levels small barn, corn crib
From J-T staff reports:
A barn fire in Taylor Township resulted in a total loss of the structure.
Liberty Township Fire Chief Lloyd Segner reported that crews responded
to 24232 Ford Reed Road Wednesday at 5:12 p.m. after the homeown