No action was taken following an executive session to discuss the potential purchase of an aerial ladder truck, but Jerome Township Trustee Chair Megan Sloat said she feels officials are now in a better position. “I think that went really, really well,” Sloat said following the nearly two-hour executive session. The board held a special meeting Monday at the fire department, during which the executive session was held to discuss the purchase of property for public purposes and the employment of a public employee. When the trustees adjourned for the executive session, the board left the room with Fiscal Officer…
Author: Kayleen Petrovia
Local health department officials are honing in on a handful of goals to help serve the county as efficiently as possible. During the most recent Board of Health meeting, Accreditation Coordinator Tim Kelley and Deputy Director of Health Promotion and Planning Elizabeth Fries shared a presentation surrounding the development of an updated strategic plan for the agency. Ultimately, Kelley said internal research and focus groups resulted in four major goals for the Union County Health Department. They include: addressing rapid growth in the area and its impact on services provided by UCHD, the changing relationship between the government and health…
The Jerome Township Board of Trustees adopted one new procedural policy, but chose not to act on another. The policy adopted will reduce the number of meetings at which department heads are in attendance, but the trustees did not vote on a policy that would outline how funds are spent on legal fees. Trustee Chair Megan Sloat said during the meeting Tuesday that she realized department heads often share only a short report but sit through “very long” trustees meetings. She proposed asking department heads, which include the office manager, roads superintendent, zoning inspector and fire chief, to submit a…
As hundreds of soldiers gathered to prepare to be deployed, the attention was not on them but the audience. “The most difficult sacrifice lies with those who care about the soldiers on this floor,” said Commander of the 1st Battalion of the 134th Field Artillery Regiment Lt. Col. Michael Bystry. The stands in the gymnasium of Marysville High School overflowed to the floor Wednesday evening as loved ones watched soldiers from the 37th Infantry Brigade gather for their Call to Duty ceremony. The soldiers are among 1,800 Ohio National Guard servicemembers who will deploy in support of Combined Joint Task…
After months of advocating for the purchase of an aerial ladder truck from Pierce Manufacturing, the Jerome Township Fire Chief told the trustees he would rather purchase the equipment from Sutphen than “allow this issue to destroy the image of the township and the fire division.” “I also know that this has created a lot of political turmoil not only for each of you, but for me personally and the members of the fire division,” Stewart wrote in an email sent to each trustee. “The position we have been placed in is unacceptable, but we cannot undo what has been…
Local families of soldiers belonging to the C Battery of the 1st Battalion of the 134th Field Artillery Regiment participated in a day of family fun hosted by the Union County Family Readiness Group. Above, a child meets “The Green Army Man” during Family Day. At left, a clown, who made balloon animals during the event, talks with a family. Soldiers were also able to enjoy lunch and ice cream with their families during the event Friday. (Journal-Tribune photos by Ally Lanasa) — A group of local soldiers is preparing for deployment. The 1st Battalion of the 134th Field Artillery…
Marysville Police Department officials are urging students to be mindful of the consequences of their words, after a student reportedly threatened to commit violence at the Homecoming Dance. “These aren’t things to joke about,” said Marysville Police Chief Tony Brooks. Brooks explained that a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Marysville High School was notified Friday afternoon of a threat made by a student. According to the police report, “a male student told two females he was going to bring a gun, a knife, bulletproof vest, and rape some girls (at) the Homecoming Dance.” Brooks said the witnesses and the student…
Triad officials are praising the partnership between their school resource officer and new private security guard. “I’ve loved it,” Superintendent Vickie Hoffman said during the district’s Board of Education meeting Thursday. School Resource Officer Bryan Dixon, a deputy with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, said he and Genric Security Guard Seth Stolly work well together. He said having a second set of eyes in the district is crucial to keeping the campus as safe as possible. Dixon explained that research shows the average “violent critical incident” lasts only five minutes, making those already on-site imperative to the most effective response.…
Following a picket by union members at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, prison officials have responded to statements and claims made by employees. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Spokesperson JoEllen Smith said ORW officials prioritize the safety and well-being of employees. “At the Ohio Reformatory for Women, the warden has an open-door policy and welcomes productive discussions on how management and our labor partners can work together to achieve our shared goal of operating safe and secure prisons,” Smith wrote in an email to the Journal-Tribune. Smith also refuted several “misleading statements” shared by the Ohio Civil Service Employees…
Plain City Council members assured residents of the necessity of the wastewater plant expansion project, even if the village does pursue a regional water and sewer district in the future. “It’s not like we’re improving something that will go to waste,” said Council President Michael Terry. However, Council member Frank Reed shared concerns surrounding the information provided by Finance Director Renee Sonnett and the village’s financial consultant, David Conley. The conversation originated with an ordinance that would amend the terms of the issuance and sale of notes for the purpose of the wastewater treatment plant expansion project from 20-year financing…
Union members from the Ohio Reformatory for Women and other correctional facilities throughout the state gathered at the prison Monday to picket working conditions stemming from alleged understaffing. Picketers are pictured holding signs and waving at drivers on Collins Avenue. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia) — Dozens of union members picketed outside of the Ohio Reformatory for Women Monday in hopes of addressing alleged understaffing at the prison. Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) Chapter President at ORW and Correction Officer Tom Holden said ORW employees are struggling with excessive emotional and physical stress due to understaffing at the prison.…
Plain City officials are focused on the future of Pastime Park, including how – or if – a reconfiguration could continue to support the annual Steam Threshers event. During a parks and recreation roundtable hosted as part of council’s work session Wednesday, council members agreed that changes should be made to Pastime Park but shared different perspectives as to what should be done. Parks and Recreation Assistant Denton Kitts said Pastime Park is the village’s largest, most central recreational amenity but it may be time to consider “maybe some things don’t belong in Pastime Park.” “It’s only so big,” he…
The Jerome Township Trustees are still undecided as to how to move forward after the Division of Fire Chief and a group of residents presented opposing recommendations for the purchase of an aerial ladder truck. Following months of denied or condensed presentations, the board on Tuesday allowed Fire Chief Douglas Stewart to publicly present his recommendation to purchase a truck from Pierce Manufacturing. A handful of community members, several of whom said they work for Sutphen, instead urged the trustees to purchase the truck from the company. They spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting, prior to Stewart’s…
Local agencies are teaming up to host an event that highlights a community goal of ending overdoses. On Wednesday, the Union County Health Department and Wings Support and Recovery will host an afternoon event to recognize Ohio Overdose Awareness Day. Community members are invited to join from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Memorial Health Pavilion. “Everyone knows someone that is struggling with addiction or will know someone that struggles with addiction,” said Lindsay Fetherolf, health educator at UCHD. The day’s events will continue in Richwood at the Bokes Pavilion within the fairgrounds from 5-7 p.m. At 6:30 p.m.…
Plain City is one step closer to a new branding plan and logo to accompany it. During council’s most recent meeting, members heard a presentation from Guide Studio regarding the consulting firm’s progress on the village’s branding initiative. Cathy Fromet, president of Guide Studio, said the objectives of the initiative include creating a fresh look, building a foundation for better signage throughout the village, expanding marketing and communication efforts and bolstering community pride. The consulting firm has worked closely with the newly formed Marketing and Communications Advisory Committee, on which Council member James Sintz also serves. Fromet said Guide Studios…