Local Archived News   3/04                                              Subscribe Now
                                                           
642-6397

Knowing weapons laws critical

City to borrow $1 million

Schools rocked by events
Crash claims life of eighth grader; high school teacher dies
suddenly

Off in a flash!
Teens expose themselves to numerous residents before being caught

Kiwanis' Random Acts  of Kindness Week slated

Since 1968, Frankes has seen a growth spurt

Stormwater fees to start in April
North Lewisburg on board with Big Darby restoration project
For Sally Parrott family is the spice of life
County Commissioners
Note some issues with which they are not comfortable
Linscotts serve patients from cradle to nursing home
Richwood OKs abatement
Marysville prepares for renewal levy
Historical markers a passion for Lynne Hall
Area gets ready for severe weather
Stolte updates status of roads
MR/DD puts cuts in place
WorkNet takes a big hit
Closing of store brings end to Carney-owned businesses
Triad makes cuts
Superintendent will serve as H.S. principal
M.C. trash program one step away from reality
NU may part ways with service center
Open enrollment approved at Fairbanks
Rider stops in Marysville on way to Pacific coast
Trinity turns 125
A North Lewisburg fire injures one
New treated lumber destroys traditional nails
City will also  put in $50,000 to defend against railyard
City ready to borrow money  to fix streets
Stench revealed
COTA's railyard meeting axed
Public Works outlines pressing city needs
FHS prepares for production
Seed Technology has deep roots in Marysville
Blaze guts Raymond Road home Sunday
COTA CEO wants open discussion
Kruse wants it to go elsewhere;
other entities not so harsh
County commissioners want questions answered
Madison County Hospital
makes bid to service jail
N.L. gets involved in mayors' group
Voters support library
It's Phillips over Boggs
Challenger wins prosecutor's race by nearly 400 votes
Hall wins a squeaker
Election roundup
Dead baby case set for trial
Parrott Law Office a breeding ground for legal minds
Zimmerman given statewide honor
Little info released about blaze that injured woman
United Way will give to scouts

Since 1968, Frankes has seen a growth spurt
Frankes Unlimited, Inc., founded by president and CEO Bill Franke, has
been serving local industry with packaging products and services for
more than 35 years.
In 1968, as a two-man operation in a 1,000-square-foot building, Franke
began supplying the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company with packaging
products for their conveyor belting. By 1996, Frankes had outgrown its
facility on North Main Street and purchased the former Siemens
manufacturing facility on Collins Avenue.
Today, Frankes Unlimited, Inc. has in excess of 145,000 square feet at
two locations and is comprised of four divisions, including a lumber
brokerage division that operates out of Macedonia. The company supplies
major industry throughout the greater Ohio area and markets its conveyor
belt packaging products worldwide.
Frankes offers a full line of industrial packaging products and
services, including pallets, skids, plywood export boxes and crates,
specialty wood packaging, packaging design services, HT stamped
certified lumber, conveyor belt packaging and warehousing services. The
company also buys and sells remnant conveyor belting and sheet rubber
goods.
Last year Frankes expanded its capabilities by purchasing equipment to
process its own hardwoods. This year the company has added a molding
system to its operation to produce light duty cores for the conveyor
belt industry, as well as custom molding from kiln-dried hardwoods.
For 35 years, Frankes has built its company and reputation on service.
Serving and meeting the needs of its associates, customers, suppliers
and community has been a conduit for building strong relationships.
These relationships have become the foundation of the business.
Bill Franke is joined in the business by his wife Judy, corporate
secretary; and their three children, Chris, operations and finance;
Kevin, manufacturing; and Michelle, human resources and computer
analyst.
Frankes currently employs 32 associates and also provides jobs for
individuals from WorkNet and the West Central Correctional Facility, all
of whom the Franke family considers family.

Stormwater fees to start in April
By RYAN HORNS
Marysville residents will soon see another section to their monthly
utility bill.
Fees are currently charged for water use, sewer and trash services but
starting the week of April 5, a stormwater fee will be added.
Year after year, area homes flood several inches deep in basements and
living rooms, costing homeowners thousands of dollars. Council meetings
are often filled with upset residents asking the city to do something.
In 2003, the city developed a plan to pay for solving stormwater issues,
creating the Stormwater Fund and Utility. The new fee came after a lot
of debate and discussions between the city and residents about how they
can end flooding problems in Marysville.
To some residents with flooding problems, the price to fix the flooding
is well worth the extra cost, however, to those free from finding sewer
waste in their homes, it may just be one more bill to pile on the
others.
This week the city has begun mailing out brochures to inform the public
about the new utility.
City administrator Kathy House said that there will be two different
brochures going out to property owners. The first is for single-family
residences and the second is for non single-family residences or
businesses.
House explained that the brochures will go into detail about the fees
which are based on Equivalent Runoff Units. Each unit is comparable to
2,700 square feet of runoff space. For every ERU a property will be
charged $2.75 a month.
In the case of non-single family residences, such as businesses,
corporations and large homes, property owners may apply for credits to
their billing by making attempts to reduce peak flow and runoff on their
lots.
House said in order to receive these credits, they must first apply and
meet credit guidelines. Ways in which credit can be granted can include
constructing retention or detention ponds, making a routing ditch and
underground water storage on their property. Other ways are outlined in
the city's stormwater credit manual, which is available on line at
www.marysvilleohio.org.
House said a property owner cannot apply for more than 50 percent of his
bill in credit.
Also available online are copies of the city's Town Run Ditch Capacity
Study, the Stormwater Rate Study and Ordinance #937 which establishes
the utility.
House said the $2.75 fee is expected to bring in around $.5 million over
2004 for the city. With the money raised this year, work will begin in
the problem areas of town.
The stormwater utility rate may change in time, she said. In 2005, the
city will look at the rate again and decide if it needs to go up or
down.
Over time, House said, the fund will continue to generate money to
repair the city's wastewater and stormwater problems and bit by bit
repairs will be completed.
At this point, she said, the list of areas to receive top priority in
repairs has not been decided upon, however, sections of town such as
Barhaven, Windsor Avenue and Carriage Court will need to be repaired
soon.
Another process set to make sure flood waters stay controlled, House
said, is that as new developments come to town the city will make sure
buildings do not contribute to the problem through illegal stormwater
tap ins or faulty underground pipes. The city will make efforts to force
developers to construct ways to divert stormwater off their properties.
"It's all about ways we can slow down the water volume by creating ways
to detain and release," House said.


North Lewisburg on board with Big Darby restoration project
By CORINNE BIX
North Lewisburg can't lose, thanks to an Ohio EPA program that will
grant the community a reduced interest payback on a wastewater treatment
loan in exchange for the village sponsorship of a stream restoration
project for the Big Darby Creek.
Late last year, village officials were informed that they had been
chosen to participate in the Ohio EPA's Water Resource Restoration
Sponsorship Program (WRRSP) which works hand in hand with the state's
Water Pollution Control Loan program.
Village administrator Barry First explained that in early 2003 the
village made a request to the state for a Water Pollution Control Loan
to help improve the village's wastewater treatment facility.
In the fall of last year, First was approached by Anthony Sasson with
the Nature Conservancy, a preservation group that works to protect
natural resources, in this case, the Big Darby Creek. North Lewisburg's
proximity to the Darby, combined with the request for a water pollution
control loan, made the village a prime candidate for the WRRSP.
Sasson explained to First and the North Lewisburg city council that if
their application for the WRRSP were chosen, they would receive an
interest rate reduced loan from the water pollution control loan in
exchange for sponsoring a stream restoration project.
"Naturally we talked about it and jumped right on the wagon because it
lowers our interest which is a direct benefit to our utility customers,"
First said.
Sasson asked that the village apply to sponsor a 166-acre parcel of
land, formally owned by Fifth Third Bank Trust, located in the Darby
Creek headwaters area southeast of the East Liberty Honda plant and
north of Route 287 in Zane Township, Logan County.
First explained that the only reservations the council had with becoming
involved was that the village's relationship with Zane Township not be
jeopardized, given the project's location.
Earlier this year, both communities passed similar resolutions in full
support of the property acquisition by the Nature Conservancy as
sponsored by the village of North Lewisburg.
Half of the 166 acres to be purchased by the Nature Conservancy as
sponsored by North Lewisburg is farmed and half is trees and small
wetlands.
The Nature Conservancy's immediate plans for the 166 acres include
agricultural use through 2008 or 2009, with some possible expansion of
the natural area along the Big Darby Creek, Sasson said. Under a
management plan yet to be developed, the area will gradually be allowed
to revert to its natural condition.
Sasson said long-term plans for the land include doing a small stream
corridor project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would allow
the Big Darby Creek to regain more of its natural condition.
The Big Darby has been designated a national and state scenic river by
The National Park Service and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The creek has more than 100 recorded fish species and 43 mussel species.
It is home to several fish species that are declining in numbers in the
state as well as 36 fish and mussels that are either endangered or
otherwise rare.
"That is very unusual for a watershed of its size," Sasson said, "It is
known as one of the outstanding natural features in the state of Ohio."
Considering the watershed's features, it is threatened by incompatible
development, agriculture, septic tanks, spills and other sources, said
Sasson. For these reasons the Nature Conservancy has been actively
involved over the last 20 years in preserving the watershed.
"A large part of the land in this area in the upper Big Darby Creek
watershed that was agricultural is now used for commercial automotive
manufacturing combined with some recent residential construction,"
Sasson explained, "Both of these land uses have often encroached on
stream corridors or caused damaging stormwater runoff due to the large
areas of hard surfaces."
Sasson said that through programs like the WRRSP and good planning, some
of the impact of development can be eased.
"North Lewisburg was among one of the smallest communities to compete
for this program, along with scoring better than many of the other
larger municipalities," Sasson explained. Cities like Toledo, Columbus,
Akron, Lorain, Kent and the Northeast Ohio Sewer District were in
competition for the funds.
First said the financial benefit to the village will be considerable,
considering the reduced interest rate on the loan for the wastewater
treatment plant.
"The savings, depending on the request to the water pollution control
loan, could be in the range of $30,000 by supporting this project,"
First explained.
The total purchase price for the 166 acres will be $500,000 and the
Conservancy plans to purchase the site in May. The preservation group
will own about 560 acres in the area near Honda.

For Sally Parrott family is the spice of life
  By CORINNE BIX
Sally Parrott has spent her life creating a happy home as a fulltime
mother, wife and grandmother to her ever-growing family.
At 67, Parrott has lived in Union County all her life and has called
Magnetic Springs home for almost 60 years. Parrott's commitment to her
family has been strengthened over the last year as her granddaughter,
Brittany, has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Parrott will celebrate her 48th wedding anniversary this fall with her
husband, Bill. The couple originally met in the fifth grade at
Pharisburg elementary.
"I didn't know him real well because I was the new girl on the block
coming into the new school," Parrott explained.
Parrott, who was born at White Cross Hospital in Columbus, was adopted
when she was three days old by Gwynn and Helen Sanders. She remembers
learning that she was adopted early on and not thinking much about it.
"It was fine with me, I had a mom and a dad and someone wanted me,"
Parrott said.
The Sanders family lived in Marysville until Parrott was 10 years old
and the family moved to the country near Pharisburg. Parrott was also
raised with an older adopted brother.
Within the last 10 years, Parrott tracked down some of her biological
relatives. She was able to meet her biological mother's first cousin.
Parrott was struck by the family resemblance.
"It felt like when I looked in the mirror and I saw my own face," she
said.
In high school, Parrott and her husband began to date and were married a
year after graduation. Both attended The Ohio State University and
Parrott spent one year taking home economics classes.
A few years later, the couple started their family which would include
their four children, Jean, Rita, Don and Anne.
Parrott said she would work odd jobs here and there but spent most of
her time at home with her children. Over the years, in addition to
raising her family, she was a longtime 4-H advisor along with being very
active at the Magnetic Springs United Methodist Church.
While her children were involved in school sports, she and some other
mothers started a light meal program at North Union before sporting
events. This allowed students who were in school all day to recharge
before the evening's big game.
"I enjoyed what my kids did and now what my grandkids do," she said.
Unfortunately, not all of what children and grandchildren do is fun.
Parrott's granddaughter, Brittany, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma
about a year ago.
Parrott explained that the cancer started as a mass on the 10-year-olds
tailbone.
Parrott is a regular at the hospital when Brittany is undergoing
treatments. She said she feels it is so important that some member of
the family be with the young girl during this difficult time.
Overall, Parrott is pleased that she has spent her life enjoying and
caring for her family.
"I don't require a lot and I'm happy with how I am," she said, "I'm
satisfied with what I've done."
Until recently, the Parrott clan would get together for Sunday dinner
each week but Parrott said that in recent years, as the family has
expanded and schedules have become busier, the dinners aren't as
regular. All of the Parrott children live close by so visits are
frequent.
Along with caring for her family, Parrott participates in the baby quilt
program at her church and makes a point to send cards to North Union
graduates who have gone on to college.

County Commissioners
Note some issues with which they are not comfortable
By CINDY BRAKE
"What can we do to get over this hurdle?"
That was the question posed by Bruce Davis, president of the Union
County Board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities, Monday
afternoon to Union County Commissioners Tom McCarthy and Gary Lee.
Commissioner Jim Mitchell was present via telephone.
The hurdle Davis was referring to is the two-time failure at the
election polls of a 2.4-mill six-year replacement levy for MR/DD. The
levy was defeated by 102 votes in November and by 555 votes in March.
The MR/DD board voted this month to implement cuts that are estimated to
save the agency $573,000. Other cuts are planned if the levy does not
pass by the end of the year. The MR/DD board can bring the levy before
voters two more times - in August and November. The current levy expires
at the end of this year and the agency will continue to collect
$1,893,500 through 2005, Davis said.
Davis told the commissioners that he was not looking for answers but was
seeking their opinion about when to go back to the voters.
McCarthy and Lee offered mixed advice.
Lee, a former member of the Union County Board of Elections, said he is
not a proponent of August special elections, explaining that the
legislature established this election for true emergencies and not as
tools - which has been the practice of some boards. Lee said MR/DD would
also be responsible for the cost of the special election and that cost
could be as much as $15,000. He added that some voters see emergency
levies as poor management.
McCarthy, on the other hand, said it is critical that the levy passes
this year or there could be a lapse in funding. Both commissioners said
they expect the Marysville schools to seek a levy in August.
Davis said his board must decide by May whether they will go to the
voters in August.
Referring to a statement issued by the board of commissioners before the
March election, Mitchell said the board could be more supportive of the
MR/DD levy request if the MR/DD did some "tweaking."
The tweaking issues include employee salaries and benefits, an
explanation of the agency's $2.6 million in carryover funds and reasons
why a waiting list for services exists as well as the high cost of
services per consumer in comparison to surrounding counties.
"It's really hard to publicly defend some of the things," McCarthy said.
"It appears you are doing things for staff that are nice but not
essential,"
McCarthy was referring to the employee sick leave policy passed last
year. The board expanded the policy beyond what the Ohio Revised Code
mandates. The MR/DD policy offers certain long-term employees a buyout
of 100 percent of their accrued/unused sick leave at retirement or
resignation. It also offers benefits sooner than the ORC standard.
The MR/DD proposed budget presented to the county commissioners also
included an across-the-board pay raise of 4 percent. A comparison of
other entities in the county reveals that county employees received an
average 3 percent pay raise this year and non-union city employees
received an average of 3 percent after going a year without any raise.
McCarthy also raised the question of replacement vs. renewal.
A replacement levy, which is what the board is seeking, would collect on
new property values and bring in about $700,000 more than the current
levy. A renewal would not increase taxes.
"I believe if you go back with the same program, you will have the same
outcome," McCarthy said.
Referring to the MR/DD carryover fund, McCarthy said that continuing to
build a carryover is "not healthy" while a waiting list for services
exits.
"High carryovers have not bled down as we were told it would several
years ago," McCarthy said.
A review of the MR/DD carryover fund shows that the end-of-year balance
over the past five years has dropped from 1999 through 2001, increased
in 2002 and stayed relatively level this year. According to the Union
County Auditor's office, fund totals are as follows: 1999, $3.2 million;
2000, $2.8 million; 2001, $2.4 million; 2002, $2.8 million; and 2003,
$2.8 million.
Concerning finances, Lee added MR/DD in fact had an additional
quarter-million dollars at the end of 2003 which did not show up until
February because of a misdistribution by the auditor's office.

Linscotts serve patients from cradle to nursing home
The family medical practice of John R. Linscott, M.D., Inc., has roots
in Marysville dating back to 1959.
Dr. Linscott joint the practice of Dr. Paul Zaugg in 1959. At the time,
Zaugg was practicing at an office at the corner of Fourth and Maple
Streets in the building that currently houses Sehnert Nuckles Insurance.
The name of business was Zaugg and Linscott M.D.s, Inc.
The current home of the practice at 225 Stocksdale Drive was built in
1965 and in 1982. Dr. Zaugg retired and Dr. Linscott continued the
practice alone under its current name.
In 1996 John Linscott's son, Dr. Joe Linscott, joined the practice and
in 2002 Dr. Debbie Wilson came on board.
The family's background is known to many in the area.
Dr. John Linscott is a veteran of World War II, serving as a member of
the 63rd Infantry Division in France and Germany. He attended medical
school at The Ohio State University and has been a medical staff member
at Memorial Hospital of Union County since 1959.
He has also been the medical director at The Gables/Union Manor for more
then 22 years.
Dr. Joe Linscott attended medical school at the University of Health
Sciences in Kansas City and completed his training at The Ohio State
University. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in agriculture
engineering.
Since 1997 he has been a medical staff member at Memorial Hospital of
Union County and has served as medical director of the Union County
Health Department.
The family practice focuses on caring for everyone from infants to
geriatrics. The doctors follow patients through their hospital stay and
care for them in nursing homes.
"Despite the intrusion of insurance companies and managed care, we are
attempting to maintain the practice of medicine where the patient and
family come first," Dr. John Linscott said.
The office is open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m.

Richwood OKs abatement
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
Richwood Council has never before had to consider enterprise zone
agreements. Now it has approved two in the early months of 2004.
After approving a tax abatement for the first commitment to the Richwood
Industrial Park, Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber, earlier this year, council was
asked to consider another Monday night.
Eric Phillips of the Union County Economic Development Department
approached council about an abatement for Marcy Industries, 200 W.
Ottawa St. While the company is already established in Richwood with 45
employees, it is looking to expand its services.
Phillips said the company plans to add 11 jobs, $150,000 in machinery,
$30,000 in inventory and $20,000 in building improvements. Dan Shew of
Marcy Industries said the company will add a stamping process to the
business to produce automotive parts.
"This is kind of an exceptional thing to us," Shew said.
He said that while the majority of the products the company currently
handles go to the Honda plants, the new line would service another
automaker, opening a door to future expansion.
Phillips said the company is seeking a five-year 75 percent abatement on
property taxes. He said the abatement would save the company $14,800
over the five years, but the company would still pay about $1,000 per
year. Beyond that, the 11 new employees would pay more than $18,000 into
village coffers in income tax over the five years.
Phillips added that he has contacted officials of the North Union school
district and they have voiced no opposition to the abatement.
Council approved the abatement 5-0 as an emergency, meaning the issue
will now go on for county and state approval.
While at the meeting, Phillips also took time to address some concerns
raised at a council meeting earlier this month about Acoust-A-Fiber.
Some residents in the area of the industrial park off Route 37 and Tawa
Road voiced concerns about noise, odor and traffic increases.
Phillips said odor and noise should not be an issue. He said the company
has never been cited by the EPA.
He also noted that a 55-foot-wide buffer of land will separate the
industrial park and the homes in the area. That buffer will consist of a
three-foot tall earth mound topped with trees.
While semi traffic will increase, it will result in no more than 10
trucks per day. He said there is a possibility that the plant could
double in size in the future, resulting in up to 20 semis visiting the
52,000-square-foot facility. Phillips said the company has committed to
keep nearly all of the truck traffic on the Route 37 entrance to the
park, avoiding Tawa Road where the concerned citizens are located.
The financial tradeoff from the company is substantial. Despite a
10-year 75 percent abatement, the company will still pay $130,000 in
property taxes and $76,000 in income taxes over the term of the
abatement. When the abatement expires the company will pay about $60,000
per year in property taxes.
In other business, council:
. Heard a complaint about speeding on Blagrove Street.
. Discussed a $46,000 windfall from inheritance tax that the village has
received. The money will be used for employee raises, as well as
building improvements at the village hall.
. Confirmed three new employees at the village police department.
. Heard an update on proposed building improvements at the village hall.

. Set the date for the dedication of the town hall historical marker for
May 15 at 1 p.m.
. Learned of a petition to annex a two-acre area on Beatty Avenue.

Marysville prepares for renewal levy
From J-T staff reports:
The Marysville Board of Education passed an initial resolution at Monday
night's regular meeting to place a renewal operating levy on the August
ballot.
The 5.6-mill operating levy, first passed in 1989, has been renewed
every five years since. It generates about $3.5 million a year and will
cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $105.35, the same amount that
is collected now.
In other business, the board:
 . Accepted donations of $1,700 from the Edgewood PTO for listening
tables at the school and a globe valued at $150 for the Navin library
from Mike and Laurie Heifner.
 . Approved a resolution of recognition and appreciation for the MHS
wrestling team and coach Len Andrews for their outstanding season.
In personnel issues, the board:
 . Accepted the resignations of Kim Wood, intervention specialist; Tami
Speicher, auxiliary teacher; and Diana Hoffman, physical education
teacher, effective at the end of the 2003-04 contract year.
 . Approved three-year limited administrator contracts for Gregg Stubbs,
administrative assistant; Mary Ann Dimitry, low incidence coordinator;
Karen Netto, assistant principal; and Gregory Hanson, principal.
 . Approved Brent Allen, Hollie Brown, Emily King, Erin Lemaster and
Aaron Lowe as substitute teachers; and Juliet Litzel, Kristi Payne and
Victoria Parker as home instructors.
 . Approved supplemental contracts for Carol Lentz as K-6 summer school
director; Connie Strebe as high school summer school director; Dustin
Jasinski and Jyl Secrest as class of 2007 co-advisors; and Lisa Coburn
and Tom Borawski as high school girls assistant co-coaches.

Historical markers a passion for Lynne Hall
By CORINNE BIX
Lynne Hall is turning out to be Union County's "Little Miss Marker" as
she has been the driving force behind three Ohio Bicentennial Historical
markers countywide over the past 18 months.
In 2002, Hall read about an initiative to place 250 historical markers
statewide for the 2003 Ohio Bicentennial. She saw it as a perfect
opportunity to put some of Union County's historical landmarks on the
map.
Hall and her husband, Denny, have lived in northern Union County since
1994. The Hall's previously lived in Columbus where they both attended
The Ohio State University. They decided after their daughter Hillary was
born that they wanted to raise her in a small rural community similar to
the way they grew up.
"We decided to move back to Denny's family farm to keep it in the family
for another generation," she explained. Hall was raised on a Defiance
County farm in northwest Ohio.
In 1998, a friend approached Hall to research the Underground Railroad
in Union and Delaware Counties. After spending time researching at the
Ohio Historical Society, Hall was able to gather information about her
husband's ancestors who owned several homes on the Underground Railroad
in Westerville.
Hall's applied for her first marker to commemorate one of the family
homes on Africa Road in Delaware County. Hall was successful and felt
encouraged to begin researching Union County's history.
"It struck me that it wasn't easy to find the history of the county or
any historic landmarks," Hall said, "I knew there had to be something
significant about our local history like all over the state."
Hall began by talking with local historians like Bob Parrott, which led
her to Magnetic Springs. At the turn of the century, Magnetic Springs
was a resort town famous for its fabled healing spring water. Visitors
would travel from all over to visit the Magnetic Springs bathhouses. The
resort also boasted an amusement park not to mention outdoor sports and
slot machines.
Hall worked with the Leesburg Township trustees and the Magnetic Springs
marker was officially placed during the Bicentennial wagon train in June
of 2003.
Next, Hall began to research the Richwood Opera House, which was built
in the late 1800's.
"It's a very distinctive building and I felt it needed to saved," she
said.
The building continued to present live shows through the 1950's and
1960's. It later became a movie theater. When Magnetic Springs was in
its prime, resort visitors would take an interurban rail system to the
opera house to attend performances.
Currently, the building houses the village police department. The marker
will be erected once the weather permits.
Hall's latest endeavor has been a marker commemorating the Amrine
Cemetery and Settlement off Raymond Road.
"Many of Marysville's early pioneers are buried there as the settlement
predated Marysville by two years," Hall said.
In total there are six Revolutionary war veterans, four veterans of the
War of 1812 and seven Civil War Veterans buried in the cemetery.
Interestingly enough, two of the Revolutionary war veterans, Abraham
Amrine and George Westlake, are in the Hall family lineage.
In addition, the first blockhouse in Union County stood in the Amrine
settlement. Hall said, the 1881 Union County history said the blockhouse
was used to serve as a defense against threatened Indian attacks form
the north for the settlers in the Darby Plains.
"I just felt there was a story to be told there," Hall said.
She also pursued the project due to vandalism in recent years along with
the debilitating gravestones.
The Paris Township trustees have agreed to a restoration project in the
cemetery and the marker is expected to be dedicated around Memorial Day.

A historical marker ranges in cost from $1500.00 to $1650.00 for
double-sided text. As part of the statewide bicentennial initiative, the
state agreed to cover 2/3 of the cost of every Bicentennial marker
placed. Hall worked with private donors to make up the rest of the
marker cost.
Hall is proud of her involvement in the marker program.
"I think to say within a year and a half's time for the county to have
three historical markers is pretty significant."
In addition to being a historical preservationist, Hall is a guidance
counselor and GRADS teacher at Ohio Hi-Point Career Center in
Bellefontaine along with teaching for The Ohio State University and
Ashland University. She has two masters' degrees in education and a
doctorate in educational policy and leadership.

Area gets ready for severe weather
From J-T staff reports:
The 2004 severe weather season has arrived and the Union County
Emergency Management Agency is making sure that county residents
understand the warning sirens.
The sirens will be tested March 24 at 9:50 a.m. as part of the statewide
tornado drill. All sirens in the county and Marysville area are tested
every Wednesday at noon.
In the event that Union County is placed under a tornado warning or a
tornado has been spotted and confirmed by local first responders or
storm spotters, the sirens will be activated.
They will sound for three minutes and then be silent for seven minutes.
The process will repeat until the tornado warning is lifted.
When the sirens are sounded, residents should seek shelter. The safest
place to be is underground. If there is no basement or cellar, go to a
small room (a bathroom or closet) on the lowest level of the structure
away from windows and as close to the center of the structure as
possible.
Those who are outside, in a car or in a mobile home, should go
immediately to the lowest level of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat
in a low spot, using their hands to protect their heads as debris is
blown at very high speeds. People will also need to be aware of possible
rising water and be careful of flooding if lying outside.
Warning sirens are an outdoor warning system and often cannot be heard
indoors. An NOAA Weather Alert is equipped with a special tone that can
sound an alert and give immediate information about life-threatening
weather. If severe weather is threatening the area, tune into local
radio and television for updates and more information.
A warning, when issued by the National Weather Service, indicates that a
particular weather hazard is either imminent or occurring and indicates
the need to take action to protect life and property.
A watch indicates that conditions are favorable for the development of a
particular severe weather event.
A watch is normally issued for several hours and indicates a need for
planning and preparation and an increased awareness of changing weather
conditions.
For more information on severe weather safety go to the Union County EMA
web site at www.co.union.oh.us/ema.

Stolte updates status of roads

From J-T staff reports:
Union County Engineer Steve Stolte reported the status and condition of
Union County's roads and bridges Thursday morning in his fourth annual
State of Our Roads report.
Stolte is responsible for 469 miles of county roads and 321 bridges.
Along those roads are 1,810 culverts, approximately 8,500 signs, nearly
22 miles of guardrail and about 1,100 acres of pavement.
He reports that 25 of the bridges have load limits posted and of those
25, five cannot carry a loaded school bus.
"By the end of 2005, those five bridges will be replaced," Stolte said.
"Over 300 of our bridges have a condition rating of fair or better. Only
19 of our bridges are rated poor. Non are rated serious or critical."
Of Union County's 321 bridges, 46 are over 60 years of age and 32 of the
46 have been rehabilitated since their original construction.
"Our bridge crew, historically, has done a great job keeping our aging
bridges well maintained," Stolte said.
Narrow roads continue to be the biggest challenge facing Union County
today, Stolte said. Approximately 298 miles of the county's roads are
too narrow by today's standards. He said studies indicate that accidents
can be reduced by 20 percent by lane or road widenings.
In 2003, the county widened 15 miles of roads and over the next seven
years there are plans to widen 92 miles. The state gas tax increases
will assist in the road widening projects.
"Because of those gas tax increases, we will see our annual gas tax
revenue increase from $1.4 million 2002 to an estimated $2.5 million by
2010," Stolte said. "We also estimate our annual revenue from license
plate fees will increase from $1.8 million to $2.15 million over that
same time period."
License place fee revenues increase based on the number of vehicle
registrations in the county.
The engineer used approximately $3 million in federal and state grants
in 2003.
"We think part of our job is to maximize dollars from outside our normal
revenue stream that we can focus on road and bridge projects," Stolte
said. "Over the last five years, we've averaged almost $2 million
annually in revenues from state and federal grants and from other
sources. The commissioners have also consistently given us $450,000
annually in general fund revenues to help us pay for road resurfacings.
That continues to be a big help."

MR/DD puts cuts in place
WorkNet takes a big hit
From J-T staff reports:
After facing a second failure at the polls, the Union County Board of
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities met Monday and
discussed cost cutting measures.
The board implemented cost containment measures estimated to save
$573,000. Other cuts are planned if the levy fails on Aug. 3 or Nov. 2.
The bulk of the recently approved cuts involve WorkNet, an adult
services program. Specifically, the board eliminated cell phones and
pagers for staff and reduced by 10 percent contracts for job coaches.
In addition, the board is reducing overtime, postponing the parking lot
sealing program, reducing equipment and supply purchases and not filling
five open positions.
Enrollment for all waivers and all emergencies will be placed on a
waiting list and supported living expenditures will be reduced. Staff
inservice and tuition reimbursement requests will be eliminated although
exceptions will be made and the sick leave conversion funds approved
last year will not be expended.
Other proposed cuts include closing the Harold Lewis food service
program at the end of this school year and not renewing supplemental
contracts in August for newsletter editor and three coordinators. Also
slated for non-renewal are counselor and behavior support contracts for
enrollees.
Family Resource Funding will be decreased by 50 percent to $250 annually
for each eligible child residing with the family. Emergency funding must
be accessed through Supported Living Carry-Over Funds.
The board tabled a resolution requesting the county board of
commissioners to place a 2.4-mill, six-year replacement ballot on the
Aug. 3 ballot. The vote was 4-2 with Bob Box and Beth Ayars voting no.
Voting in favor of the tabling were Dr. Helen Ahlborn, Bruce Davis,
Steve Streng and John Anson. The Rev. Paul Whiteford was absent.
In other business, the board learned that sheltered workshop U-CO
Industries Inc., 835 E. Fifth St., needs to be replaced. A facilities
review committee found that the current facility lacks adequate space. A
consultant reported that renovation is not cost effective. A review is
being conducted to locate an existing facility for possible renovation
or locate a parcel of land for construction.
The board recessed into executive session for almost two hours to
conduct the annual performance review of the superintendent. No action
was taken when the board returned to open session, except to adjourn the
meeting.
The next regular board meeting is April 19 at 4:30 p.m. in the Eugene M.
Amrine Room at the Harold Lewis Center.

Closing of store brings end to Carney-owned businesses
The History of Carney's
The history of Carney's retail store started in 1940 when George Carney
and his wife, Louise, of Rochelle, Ill., purchased the W.T. Carter 5¢ to
$1.00 store at 117 South Main Street.
Jim Carney worked in the store during high school then enlisted in the
U.S. Navy in 1943. After serving four years in the Navy and one year in
the U.S. Air Force, he reenlisted in the Navy Reserve for four more
years.
While in the Navy Reserve, he attended Kansas Wesleyan University and
married Rosemary on June 7, 1950. The same month he was called to active
duty in the Navy and was assigned to duty on the U.S.S. Essex CV9
Aircraft Carrier off the coast of Korea for two and a half years.
Upon returning to Marysville in 1953, he purchased the store from his
father who was retiring to Florida.
In 1963 the Carneys moved the store into a much larger location at the
corner of Sixth and Main streets. Tragically, that store was completely
lost in a fire in 1974. The family then built the present building on
that site but closed it in August of 1980 when the "big box chains"
started arriving.
Then in October of 1980, the family opened Rosemary's Hallmark in the
Kroger Shopping Center on West Fifth Street.
In March of 1995, Jim moved the store to a larger location in the same
shopping center. By then, Rosemary's had become a chain of four Hallmark
stores. The other three stores have been sold and the lease will not be
renewed at the present location. Jim Carney will retire after 50 years
in the retail business in Marysville.
He is currently having a going-out-of-business sale.
He attributes his success to his many loyal customers throughout the
area and said he appreciates the many well wishes as he closes his last
store.
Kathy James has been vice president and general manager for 16 years and
is coordinating the going-out-of-business sale.

Triad makes cuts
Superintendent will serve as H.S. principal
By CORINNE BIX
Triad School Board members approved district cuts on Monday night in
part due to the failed income tax levy put to the voters earlier this
month.
The board adjourned into executive session for 50 minutes and returned
to unanimously approve cuts to the district's budget. The cuts include
the layoff of 10 school aides which include, Cindy Alltop, Barb Boggs,
Sharon Hempy, Linda Hixson, Carmen Huffman, Kim Kerns, Karla Leiter,
Janice Millice, Peggy Thurman and Katie Williams.
Beginning next school year the district will not hire a principal to
take over for incoming superintendent Dan Kaffenbarger. Kaffenbarger
will continue on in his role as high school principal as well as taking
over the district's superintendent duties.
The district will create a new math position at the high school by
utilizing current staff. The district will not replace the math position
of retiring teacher Doug Hill.
Additional cuts include the restructuring of the elementary school staff
to allow for all-day everyday kindergarten and the increase of student
fees from $20 to $30.
Lastly, the district will use an alternative custodial staff schedule to
help cut costs.
Kaffenbarger announced a new athletic policy which primarily deals with
off-school-grounds activity by athletes during the sports season. An
automatic first offense suspension of 10 percent of the season games
will be imposed if a student is caught with alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
In the past, first-time offenders found with alcohol or drugs were
required only to see an alcohol dependency counselor. The board approved
the new athletic policy, which applies to all school sports.
In other business, the board:
 . Approved as summer school teachers Shari Dixon, Carol Nance, Lisa
Hawley and Karen VanHoose as summer school teacher and supervisor.
Compensation will be paid by the student intervention grant.
 . Approved Julie Maurice as substitute teacher for the 2003-2004 school
year.
 . Approved Rick Wilkins as junior varsity softball assistant and Bob
Davidson as softball volunteer.
 . Approved the resignations of Kevin Franke as football assistant for
the 2004-2005 school year and Tim Lacy as assistant track coach for
the2003-2004 school year.
 . Approved the 2004-2005 school calendar as presented by the Triad
Education Association.
 . Approved fund-to-fund transfers from 001(General) to 002(Bond) funds
in the amounts of $27,347.52 and $65,520 for last modular and OASBO
school payments respectfully. Approve fund-to-fund transfer from 300
(Athletic) to 001 (General) funds in the amount of $235.10 for cost of
bus driver and mileage for freshmen basketball 2003-2004 games.
 . Accepted the Token Economy Grant in the amount of $500 for Christy
Savill's class rewards and accepted a grant in the amount of $490 for
Shawna Cordoza's fifth grade from the Champaign County Public Schools
Foundation.
 . Accepted a $200 donation from Dr. Joseph and Michelle Linscott for
the second grade class spring field trip
 . Approved a proposed contract with Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
(PALS) to train kindergarten teachers in May. All consultant fees and
substitute costs will be paid by grant funds.
 . Recognized and presented a plaque to Shawn Tomlin for a superior
rating at the solo and ensemble contest for a tuba solo.
 . Approved Bruce Schlabach as assistant track coach.

M.C. trash program one step away from reality
From J-T staff reports:
The village of Milford Center moved one step closer to adopting a
recycling/trash program during Monday's regular meeting.
Council heard second reading for the Pay As You Throw program. Voting in
favor were Russell Clark, Chris Burger, Josh Combs and Ron Payne. Bob
Mitchell voted against and Jeff Parren was absent.
The resolution will be presented for a third and final reading at the
next regular council meeting. If approved, it could be enacted within 30
days from that vote.
Before council's vote, five village residents said they were happy with
the ability to hire trash removal from private haulers. One resident
stated several times that he would attempt a referendum to overturn the
PAYT program if council passes the ordinance.
The proposed program would cost each single family dwelling $8 a month
for weekly collection of solid waste and recyclables. In addition,
homeowners would be required to purchase either PAYT bags or a sticker
for their trash cans. Bulky item tags would also be available.
PAYT charges would be suspended automatically whenever water usage falls
below minimum-occupied levels for any billing period.
Council directed solicitor John Eufinger to amend the current ordinance
to provide a 10 percent discount for anyone over the age of 60.
Bids were opened for remote-read water meters and ranged from $64,715 to
$74,710. Engineer Gary Silcott is reviewing the bids and will present a
recommendation.
Mayor Cheryl DeMatteo appointed Kathy McCoy as clerk. Her term expires
March 31, 2008.

NU may part ways with service center
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
The North Union school district could be looking to sever ties with the
Delaware Union Educational Service Center.
Staff from the center, which provides professional support services to
the district, turned out in force at Monday's NU school board meeting to
convince the district officials to decide against the move.
The educational service center was formerly known as the Delaware Union
County Board of Education. The focus of the group has shifted away from
making decisions for the smaller school districts and now centers on
providing such services as training, curriculum assistance and
technology guidance.
The center also assists with staffing, providing substitutes and
supplying staff members in certain areas. Whereas smaller schools may
not have the need for a full-time physical therapist, two or three of
the smaller districts in the two counties have enough need to fill a
work week.
These situations are especially prevalent when dealing with special
needs students.
But NU superintendent Carol Young said the issue is not the quality of
the services provided by the Delaware Union ESC, but rather the cost.
Last year North Union paid $363,000 to the service center. That figure
is based on a per pupil charge of about $172,000 for basic services of
the center.
Beyond that, another $191,000 is paid in contracted services by the
district for such things as a psychologist, special education director,
physical therapist and occupational therapist.
After spending hundreds of thousands of dollars with the center, another
bill came in.
At Monday's meeting, board president Jon Hall brought up a $26,000
invoice that was received above and beyond the other charges. He asked
for a breakdown of the additional charges.
Delaware Union ESC Superintendent James Crawford said he would have the
charges itemized and pass the list on to the board. Young said after the
meeting the only reason North Union has been given for the charge is
"cost overruns."
Crawford and his staff stressed at the meeting that they are a service
organization and anything the district is charged comes directly from a
service it requested. During the lengthy presentation to the board,
various staff members of the center outlined the services which could be
provided to North Union.
But the issue could boil down to focus. Young said North Union might
need a service center that focuses on the needs of smaller districts.
Delaware Union ESC services not only such districts as North Union and
Fairbanks, but also Marysville, Delaware and Olentangy.
Because of a law change, school districts can now look to adjacent
counties to provide educational services. North Union officials will be
hearing a presentation from the Marion County ESC Monday.

Open enrollment approved at Fairbanks
By JUDY BOEHLER
Members of the Fairbanks Board of Education approved a board policy
change to allow statewide open enrollment beginning with the 2004-05
school year.
The board has been discussing this issue for several months in view of
the fact that the new Dublin-Jerome and Jonathan Alder high schools will
have open enrollment. Superintendent Jim Craycraft encouraged the the
board to adopt the policy because Fairbanks will probably lose students
to those schools and open enrollment will allow Fairbanks to accept
students from outside the district.
The board also approved the adoption of an early retirement incentive
for the 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years. Allowing longtime
employees to retire early saves the school district money because they
can be replaced with lower-salaried teachers. Craycraft he does not know
if any teachers will take advantage of the policy because, for one
thing, health benefits from the State Teachers Retirement System have
decreased greatly in the last few years.
The board also reviewed band director Ben Keller's requests which were
presented at the February board meeting and agreed to provide him with
funds in the amount of $17,699 to purchase uniforms and instruments with
the hope that the band boosters will organize to raise funds for other
items requested.
In other business, the board:
. Heard from Craycraft that a mailing to 62 district families whose
children do not attend Fairbanks school resulted in 18 responses. The
letter outlined services which can be found in the Fairbanks schools and
asked for the families' interest in those services.
. Approved tuition reimbursements for Joetta Shellabarger, Jane
Riedmiller, Marion Boggs and Ben Keller.
 . Accepted the donation of a Hewlett Packard laser jet printer, valued
at $350, from Honda.
 . Approved the 2004-05 school calendar.
 . Waived tuition of the sixth-grade daughter of Stephanie Mitchell for
the 2003-04 school year.
 . Heard that the All County Board meeting will be held April 28.
.
 . Approved a French textbook and a Spanish textbook.
In personnel matters, the board:
 . Approved a three-year administrative contract for middle school
principal Patricia Lucas.
 . Adjourned into executive session to approve the termination for cause
of bus driver George Petznick.
 . Reviewed a proposal from athletic director Carleton Cotner outlining
personnel needs in the athletic department.
 . Approved Joseph Cellar and Tatiana Powell as substitute teachers for
the current school year.
 . Approved supplemental contracts for Stephanie Fairchild, middle
school girls track coach; and Dave Reinhardt, spring weight room
coordinator.
The board adjourned into executive session at the end of the meeting to
discuss personnel. No action was taken.

Rider stops in Marysville on way to Pacific coast
By RYAN HORNS
Riding a bicycle across the United States gives a person a different
perspective on traveling, Daniel Forant said.
The 39-year-old New Yorker left home on March 1 at 11 a.m. as part of a
goal to ride his bike "from sea to shining sea." He said driving a car
40 to 50 mph leaves a person little opportunity to experience what they
can traveling at 8 to 20 mph.
"You get to see all the little nuances, things moving in the woods and
stuff," Forant said.
The reason for the ride is to raise awareness and money to send care
packages to troops overseas. Forant will ride 70 miles a day with two
friends following until he ends up in Sacramento, Calif., April 20.
After his own 20-year-old son was sent somewhere west of Baghdad, he
felt that too many troops may feel like they are a million miles away
from home if it weren't for the letters and packages that arrive from
America to keep them in touch.
His friends Jim Cross, 50, and England-native Simon Patterson, 33, trade
off navigating and driving a vehicle which follows Forant.
Forant was met at the Marysville border by a police escort which led him
into town to meet with city administrator Kathy House, economic
development director Eric Phillips, city clerk Chris Moder and council
clerk Connie Patterson.
Phillips commented to Forant that the collective American attention span
can be short when it comes to remembering troops overseas. This is why
awareness is great for morale.
Forant said that while his goal of raising $50,000 has proven difficult,
he has received support of schools, Cub Scouts and other organizations
who have donated items like sunscreen, eye drops and other needed goods
for American soldiers. The combined value of what has been donated, he
said, is significant.
"Raising money is hard," he admitted.
So far only two slip-ups have put a monkeywrench in their travels, one
of which happened as they headed to Sunbury, ended up taking a wrong
turn and found themselves in Columbus.
"I thought there were too many people for it to be the town we were
looking for," Cross laughed.
All three soon made it back on their trail and arrived in Marysville at
around 3:30 p.m. with a police car leading them through red lights. The
New Yorkers spent some time speaking with city employees and learning
the history of Marysville from Phillips.
At the end of the day, Forant and his crew enter in information about
their stops at the web site www.freedombicycleride.com to document their
journey.
"So far we're right on schedule," Forant said as he stretched his legs
in city hall.
The three stayed at the Amerihost Inn Friday night and Forant got back
on his bike this morning on his way toward Indiana and ultimately the
Pacific coast.

Trinity turns 125
By JUDY BOEHLER
Trinity Lutheran Church has been celebrating its 125th year during the
year, culminating with special events this weekend.
The Rev. Chris Boerger, bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a former resident of
Marysville, is the guest speaker Sunday. The church middle school group
will host a spaghetti dinner at 5 p.m. today at the school, followed by
music by the Praise Band and Hickory Grove bluegrass band in the atrium
of the church. A dinner will be held at the school Sunday after the
10:30 a.m. service and the public is invited to attend.
The church traces its roots to the infusion of German immigrants in the
1830s and 1840s into the southern part of Union County. Two small
congregations were formed south of Marysville, one near the present site
of St. John's Lutheran Church and one near what is now Trinity Lutheran
Cemetery. One was affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and
one with the Joint Synod of Ohio. The area became known as "The German
Settlement."
In the 1860s, some of the children of the settlers began to move into
Marysville. The Missouri Synod congregation established a mission
church, St. Paul's, in town at the corner of Sixth and Walnut streets in
1864. The Ohio Synod established its mission church, St. John's, in 1868
at the corner of Sixth and Main streets. Both missions were served by
the pastors of the country churches.
In 1878, the two country churches, taking the name of St. John's,
merged and remained with the Missouri Synod and the two mission churches
merged under the Ohio Synod and became Trinity Lutheran Church. Worship
services were held at the Main Street location and the Walnut Street
building became the first Christian Day School.
The cornerstone of the present Trinity Lutheran Church was laid in 1882
and the building was dedicated on July 16, 1883. The bell, weighing
1,400 pounds, was paid for by pledges of 25 cents from members of the
congregation.
By 1890, the Christian Day School had grown to 120 students who were all
taught in one room, so the house across the street was used as a second
school building. A new school was built on Walnut Street in 1904 and a
pipe organ run by water power was installed in the church. The pipes of
the original organ remain in the church to this day. In 1909, stained
glass windows were installed as memorial gifts.
The men of the church excavated a basement in 1947 to allow for Sunday
School space and, as the school continued to grow, a new building was
constructed in 1972. The most recent project, which connected the school
to the church, was dedicated in 1998.
The Rev. Jay Decker is interim pastor at Trinity. Worship services are
held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8, 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The church
phone number is 642-1616 and the school can be reached at 642-1726.

A North Lewisburg fire injures one
From J-T staff reports:
An early morning fire in North Lewisburg injured one man and kept
firefighters up all night trying to save a home.
Captain Chad Spain of the Northeast Champaign County Fire Department
reported this morning that they received a call about a fire at 100 W.
Townsend St. today at 1:02 a.m.
He said a male resident of the home was injured and transported to
Memorial Hospital of Union County but would not release the name of the
injured man.
He said when firefighters arrived at the scene the house was heavily
involved in flames. The male resident was reportedly trying to get out
of the home from a second story window. People were allegedly trying to
get the man out by placing a ladder to the window.
Spain said the man somehow ended up falling from the second floor
window. He said it is unknown if the man was injured from the fire and
smoke or from the fall.
"The fire appeared to have started in the first floor rear of the home,"
Spain said.
The state fire marshall's office is reportedly at the scene today to
investigate how the fire started. Fire crews had the fire extinguished
at around 8:30 a.m. Spain said mutual aid was provided by the Allen
Township, Urbana and Mechanicsburg fire departments as well as Honda
emergency crews.


New treated lumber destroys traditional nails
By CINDY BRAKE
Let the builder beware - all treated lumber is not the same.
Building official Sonny Montgomery with the Union County Building
Department is trying to get the word out on a new type of treated lumber
that will literally destroy regular steel nails.
This and other topics will be covered in the March 23 Annual Builders
Meeting which is open to all at the Union County Veterans Memorial
Auditorium beginning at 4 p.m.
One of the biggest changes in the building industry this year is in
treated lumber.
Until the first of the year the most popular type of weather-resistant
wood was treated with an arsenic-based preservative to prevent decay and
resist termites, Montgomery said. As of Jan. 1, manufacturers
voluntarily withdrew the wood known as CCA from the market because of
the arsenic content.
As the saying goes, the cure may be worse than the disease.
The new lumber, known as ACQ, is very corrosive and will disintegrate
standard steel nails, so decks and other building structures could
literally fall apart in a matter of six months if the wrong type of nail
is used. Montgomery warns individuals who are planning a building
project with treated lumber or planning to hire someone to know exactly
what type of lumber and nails are being used.
Adding to the dilemma is the fact that the ACQ wood looks identical to
the CCA lumber and there is no differentiating between nails. The only
way to tell the difference between lumber is to look at a paper tag or
stamp on the wood.
If the lumber is marked ACQ then stainless steel fasteners, screws or
nails are recommended. Montgomery said stainless steel  is the one type
of product that is guaranteed to withstand the new lumber.
He warns novices that the stainless steel products cost about 10 times
more than a standard steel nail but in this case it does not pay to cut
corners. Corrosion appears on standard steel nails within 1,000 hours,
Montgomery said.
Kevin Dill of Simpson Strong-Tie said the wood treatment industry
recommends the use of hot-dip galvanized and stainless steel fasteners
and connectors with pressure-treated wood. Detailed produce and
corrosion information is available on Simpson Strong-Tie's web site,
www.strongtie.com/info and click on corrosion information.
For more information about treated lumber or the upcoming builders
meeting call 642-3018.

City will also  put in $50,000 to defend against railyard
From J-T staff reports:
The Union County Farm Bureau board of trustees and Marysville City
Council both have joined in opposition against the location of a
railyard in Marysville.
Glenn Irwin said a Thursday resolution is intended to invoke the
assistance of the statewide Ohio Farm Bureau Federation to deal with the
Central Ohio Transit Authority and the CSX railroad company in finding a
more rational location for an intermodal transfer station.
The board reasoned that the proposed project location, south of
Marysville near Industrial Parkway between the Union County Airport and
Scottslawn Road, was not beneficial to either the city or the county.
Truck traffic would be tremendously increased on U.S. 33 which is
already near its safe capacity several hours a day, stated the board.
Also cited was anticipated damage to city streets such as Scottslawn
Road from the movement of container freight from rail to highway
transportation.
Some board members likened the railyard to the wildlife refuge proposal
of a few years ago which was being pushed by outside interests and held
virtually no benefits for the area of Union, Madison and Champaign
counties where it was to be located.
The Union County Farm Bureau represents nearly 1,600 dues-paying members
who are committed to forging a partnership between farmers and
consumers, said Dan Erwin, vice president and policy development
chairman of the organization.
Erwin said the rail proposal is not in the best interests of either
Union County farmers or consumers.
On Thursday Marysville City Council had its chance to officially join
the opposition to the railyard. The first reading on a resolution
declaring the city's stance was held, however, there were not enough
council members to pass the first hearing.
"We will definitely defend and support the community and their fight,"
council president Nevin Taylor said.
The next reading of the resolution will be held at the March 25 council
meeting which might be held at the Union County Services Building on
London Avenue. Taylor said the city is taking a "unified stance" with
the Union County Commissioners in keeping the railyard out.
The resolution language states that "such a facility would likely cause
a dramatic increase in rail and truck traffic in and around Marysville
and its surrounding areas, creating traffic dangers and congestion, road
surface degradation, blocked railroad crossings, difficult access to
local business and a hindrance of emergency services, affecting the
health and safety of area residents."
Traffic, air and noise pollution, light pollution at night, hazardous
chemicals being stored in one location and the reduction of property
values near the facility were also listed.
Council also recommended to government agencies in the county and state
of Ohio, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the
Logan-Union-Champaign Regional Planning Commission and COTA, CSX and any
other parties involved . that no such facility should be located in
Marysville.
Council plans to match the commissioners in appropriating an additional
$50,000 to "effectively defend our community from adverse rail
development."
"I think that most people had an open mind, initially (about the
railyard)," council member David Burke said. "But this development
leaves us no choice because of the negativity it brings to this town. I
fail to see what good will come of it."

City ready to borrow money  to fix streets
By RYAN HORNS
Starting this summer, Marysville streets will begin receiving a series
of much-needed facelifts.
Mayor Tom Kruse said the ball has started rolling on cleaning up
dilapidated streets with the first reading on a ordinance held Thursday
night during city council's meeting.
The ordinance requests issuing $1 million in notes for bonds set for
constructing, resurfacing and improving streets.
The first reading was passed by council president Nevin Taylor and
members Dan Fogt, John Gore, Ed Pleasant and David Burke who were in
attendance. Members Mark Reams and John Marshall were not present.
"I think the mayor wants to implement this program in the summer," city
finance director John Morehart explained.
He said the city will pay back the money over the next five years with
increases in the state gas tax. The gas tax has increased 2 cents
already and is scheduled to go up 2 more cents in the summer and another
2 cents in July of 2005.
Morehart said an estimated revenue of $250,00 to $275,000 a year is
expected to be generated by the tax and will be used specifically to
fund the payback.
During the city Public Works Committee meeting Tuesday night it was
mentioned that $1 million would not fix a lot but the money is the
beginning of a process to start the needed repairs.
City streets are currently being placed on a priority list, city
administrator Kathy House reported Tuesday. Details of that list have
not been announced yet.
Morehart said the city may try to put in another half million dollars
toward streets but that needs more discussion.
In other business, council congratulated Kruse after he announced that a
highly-requested traffic light residents wanted to go up on Mill Road in
Mill Valley has been funded. He reported that many city entities came
together to make it happen.
Kruse said the Honda Credit Union and McDonalds chipped in $15,000 each,
Dominion Homes chipped in $30,000 and the city added another $5,000.
Taylor said he wasn't sure how the mayor was able to save the city
$30,000 but is glad he did. He said the cost of the hospital traffic
light at London Avenue had a much higher price tag and was purchased
from the same company.
Other topics mentioned during the council meeting:
. Economic development director Eric Phillips read a resolution
requesting an incentive and employment agreement between the city and
the incoming business Univenture Inc. The business plans to use about
one third of the space at the empty former Rockwell building located at
13311 Industrial Parkway.
Phillips recommended that the city present an aggressive tax incentive
plan and municipal income tax credit for the business "similar to the
deal in 2001 with Scotts Co."
He said Univenture plans to relocated $3 million in equipment, $2
million in inventory and $3.9 million in jobs to Marysville. Kruse said
he is glad the business is coming to town and added that it is a very
"clean operation, with virtually no pollution."

Stench revealed
From J-T staff reports:
Odors at the Marysville Wastewater Treatment Plant have been wafting
about more than usual, as city residents have no doubt noticed.
A press release was issued this morning by Marysville City Administrator
Kathy House explaining why the smell has been so bad.
"The Marysville wastewater treatment plant has experienced a malfunction
in the operation of the aerobic digester. This caused some unexpected
and unusual odors to be present in the area surrounding the wastewater
plant and downtown. The plant staff is working to correct the problem,"
the release states.
Over the past three weeks the wastewater plant reportedly experienced a
disturbance caused by an identified chemical that was discharged into
the sewer system and ultimately made its way to the plant.
Plant superintendent Tom Gault said today that this chemical may or may
not have been the cause of the digester malfunction. He added that the
city is still investigating the situation and does not want to release
the name of the chemical until it is proven it is the cause.
The release states that material containing this chemical was pumped to
the digester and it may have caused the biological process and bacteria
at the plant to become upset.
"(Our) staff is working hard to get the digester back into proper
operating conditions as quickly as possible," the release states. "We
apologize for the inconvenience that this situation has caused our
citizens."
For questions or comments, residents can call the wastewater plant at
642-1036.

COTA's railyard meeting axed
Organization makes late decision to   call off first official session on
facility
Canceled or postponed - whatever COTA is saying, they will not be
showing up for their own meeting tonight in Union County.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority had scheduled its first meeting in
Union County for tonight to offer information about a proposed
intermodal railyard. COTA announced in January plans to build a 200-acre
railyard along the rail line that runs parallel to Industrial Parkway
south of Marysville from the Union County Airport to Scottslawn Road.
Since then, a citizen's group has challenged the project and public
officials have opposed the plan.
Marysville Mayor Tom Kruse on March 5 told COTA officials they should
rethink any plans to locate such a facility in Union County. On Monday
the Union County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution stating that
they strongly oppose the relocation of a railyard to any location
between Marysville and its present Franklin County site on Roberts Road.
The county also announced they had set aside $50,000 in this year's
budget to defend the county from any adverse rail development.
COTA has been slow to inform the public of their change in plans,
although it appears that the decision to cancel the meeting was made
within an hour of the commissioners passing their resolution.
The commissioners' resolution was passed at 4 p.m. Monday. COTA sent an
email at 4:57 p.m. to one city employee stating that the Union County
open house was canceled. No reason was given for the change in plans.
COTA Director of Rail Development Mike Bradley has yet to return a
telephone call made Tuesday morning by the Marysville Journal-Tribune
about the rumored cancellation. COTA officials canceled use of the
building this morning after a county employee contacted them.
A news release late Tuesday from COTA states that the meeting has been
postponed but the message fails to state why or when it will be
rescheduled.
The cancellation - or postponement - comes after COTA president/CEO  Ron
Barnes stated, "We welcome the opportunity to share the information
available with the community and intend to continue the dialogue with
all interested parties. To that end, we encourage you to join us on
Wednesday ... for an open house. I am committed to making sure that the
processes undertaken with regard to the ... proposed Intermodal Center
are open, productive and informative."
Bradley's press release states that federal requirements for public
involvement guide their efforts. COTA, however, did not conduct any of
these meetings in Union County.
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement, expected to be released in late
2004 or early 2005, will include alternative sites for a proposed
intermodal center in central Ohio.
The DEIS will also address environmental issues.

Public Works outlines pressing city needs
By RYAN HORNS
The Marysville Public Works committee provided insight Tuesday night
about projects that will start this year to fix the city's wastewater,
stormwater and street needs.
The largest factor effecting wastewater plant operations is the
tremendous influx of stormwater invading the plant during rains. With
Spring weather on its way, this could bring back more flooding for
residents.
The committee reported that with the creation of the city stormwater
fund, billing will begin in April for citizens. The stormwater fund
proposes to collect a monthly $2.75 fee per Equivalent Runoff Unit on a
lot.
One ERU is the same as a single family residential lot. Any fees for
homes, businesses and industry over one ERU will be determined by square
footage. This information will be explained in further detail in an city
brochure on the subject.
Because many residents will have questions about the new bills,
Marysville Director of Administration Kathy House said the city will
mail out brochures to all residents who will be billed, as well as put
out information in newspapers, radio, the city web site and the cable
channel.
The committee reported that it plans to focus on a list of more than 14
projects that contribute to overflows at the treatment plant. These
areas will include clogged pipes and drains and may include finding
illegal tap ins from Mill Valley homes to storm sewers.
Committee member Dan Fogt said Dublin has healthy fines for illegal tap
ins. He suggested Marysville should look into similar fines.
"The more we slow down the (stormwater), the better for the wastewater
treatment plant," Fogt said.
House said she expects full reports from the Malcolm Pirnie engineering
firm and the Ohio EPA on Aug. 1 so they can move forward.
House reported that the city met three times with representatives from
Malcolm Pirnie. The company is conducting the master plan for the
wastewater treatment plant and is studying waste collection, capacity
limits and hydraulics. Their study will provide short-term
recommendations on projects the city can do to help the plant run more
efficiently until a new one is built.
House said some of these recommendations include maintenance such as
hand rails for safety, fixing stairs, reapplying concrete and fixing
mechanical problems in areas that are maxed out and not running
efficiently. She said no price tag has been set at this time for either
a relocation project or keeping the plant at its current site.
The city will meet again with Malcolm Pirnie on March 29 at 3 p.m. in
Council Chambers to further discuss wastewater issues and city engineer
Phil Roush and plant superintendent Tom Gault will meet weekly with the
company.
Regarding city street repairs, Marysville Mayor Tom Kruse has set aside
$1 million to fix as much as possible this year.
"A million dollars will not go very far," committee member Mark Reams
said.
Roush reported that 10 or 11 streets have been picked for repairs, at a
cost of $2.6 million over the next five years. Road repair will not
include curbs, ramps or sidewalks. Legislation for these repairs is
expected to come before one of the next four council meetings, House
said.

FHS prepares for production
Fairbanks High School will present "Robin the Hood," at 2 p.m. March 20
and 21 at the high school auditorium and as a dinner theater at 7 p.m.
March 20.
The comedy tries to answer the questions: Who's really in charge of the
royal household? Just how merry are Robin's Merry Men? Will anything
save the Snottingham Fair from total ruin at the hand of William Tell?
Who will succumb to the love potion's magic.
Dan Hutson is cast as Robin the Hood, Jenny Fite plays Little John,
Julie Whittenberg is the sheriff and Jenn Dautartas plays the part of
Friar Tuck. Alex Bisker, Julie Vandre, Emilie Noland, Fite, Whitney
Walls, Levi Smith and Dautartas are the Merry Men. Will Scarlet is
portrayed by Levi Smith, Trey Locke is King John and Noland is his
queen. Hannah Ryan is Maid Marian and Elisha Beachy portrays King
Richard.
Other parts are played by Amanda Schrader, Savanna Moats, Jenni Munson,
Kayla Moats, Rachel Adkins, Emily Garrett, Mandy Crosser, Helene Skoog,
Savanna Moats, Christine Medland, Kelly Alfrey Brent Barton and Melody
Stauffer.
The crew is made up of Christine Medland, Sarah Cantrell, Whitney
Gordon, Derek Nicol, Jenni Munson, Sarah Munson, Kelly Alfrey and Leanne
Holtshulte. Gail Crosser is the director.


Seed Technology has deep roots in Marysville
 Technology Incorporated, has been a seed testing laboratory in
Marysville for 50 years. Founded in 1954 by Dale Kern, Seed Tech
specializes in turfgrass testing but also tests many other crops such as
soybeans, wheat, vegetables and flower seeds. Seed Tech customers
include local farmers, state departments of agriculture, large seed
companies, sod growers and golf course superintendents throughout the
country.
Kern moved his family from Toledo in 1954 to work more closely with The
Scotts Company. Together they developed quality standards that helped
turf professionals better obtain weed-free seed. For example, Kern
developed equipment that could identify a single bentgrass seed in one
million Kentucky bluegrass seeds. He wrote numerous articles for trade
publications, spoke before professional groups and was regarded as one
of the leaders in the field of seed testing.
Seed Tech has always been a family business says current president,
Matthew Levy.
"My grandmother, Bernie (Kern) Stewart, worked in germination, planting
and reading off samples. My mother, Cheryl (Kern) Levy, remembers going
to the field to find weed seed samples for grain elevators to use in
identification. My uncle, Kevin Kern, worked in the seed lab and
developed a portable seed cleaning unit for farmers that is still being
used today. My summer jobs as a teenager included plowing test plots,
mowing, pulling weeds and painting signs in and around the lab."
Seed Tech has not always been at its current location on Columbus
Avenue. At first it was at 106 South Plum Street. When he built his
house on West Fifth Street, the lab was located in an old farm house
next door where the Truitt and Truitt offices stand today. The business
has been at its current location since 1976.
"The bulk of our business consists of purity analysis, where we examine
the seeds for contaminants, and germination where we grow the seed under
ideal conditions," said Levy, a registered seed technologist since 1996.
"We also perform some vigor testing on a few crops like cold tests and
accelerated aging and we are starting to do some genetic testing on corn
and soybeans."
"We are in an exciting time for seed testing. In the last 10 years there
have been tremendous changes in agriculture with genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) entering the market. Round-up Ready soybeans now
account for over 80 percent of the beans being planted in Ohio. This new
technology places new demands on seed analysts for more precise
testing."
Seed Technology Inc., is located at 1383 Columbus Avenue and is open
from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Blaze guts Raymond Road home Sunday
An early Saturday morning fire has left a Raymond Road family without a
home.
Liberty Township fire chief Dave Thomas reported that a resident placed
a cell phone call reporting a working fire at 20351 Raymond Road at
12:20 a.m.
"As we drove to the scene we saw the glow in the sky," Thomas said. "It
was really going."
The homeowners were reportedly out of town when the fire began and are
now living with relatives, Thomas said.
Along with Liberty Township, Marysville, Leesburg, Northern Union
County,  and Allen Township fire crews and Union County Sheriff's
deputies assisted with putting out the blaze.
Crews stayed at the scene until. until the fire was contained around
1:30 a.m.
Thomas said strong winds did not make their job any easier. He said the
state fire marshall started investigating the cause for the fire
Saturday and they are still trying to determine how it started

COTA CEO wants open discussion
Editor's note: Ron Barnes, president/CEO of the Central Ohio Transit
Authority, released the following press release concerning a proposed
railyard in Union County. As this is the first time Barnes has spoken on
the issue, the newspaper decided to print the release in its entirety.
"Recently, a great deal of attention has been focused on a proposed
Intermodal Center in the Marysville area. As President & CEO of the
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), I'd like to take this opportunity
to provide some information to the community about the proposal and the
related project that makes the proposal necessary.
"COTA has begun preliminary planning for an Intermodal rail center in
Union County. An Intermodal Center is a facility where freight
containers are transferred from rail to trucks and vice versa.
Intermodal freight is used to bring in a significant amount of the
consumer products used in the home every day. Intermodal freight is also
used to ship products that are manufactured in the central Ohio area for
distribution outside the region.
"The Intermodal Center is a component to the proposed North Corridor
Light Rail (NCLRT) Project. COTA created a comprehensive regional
transportation plan to make transit service a convenient and competitive
option for employment, shopping and entertainment destinations in
Columbus and central Ohio as the region grows. A total of eight rail
lines are planned to be built in central Ohio over the next 20 years.
The plan also includes increased bus service, 24-hour bus service on
some major routes, constructing transit centers in urban and suburban
locations and implementing new bus service for suburban communities. The
entire system is envisioned to conveniently link buses and trains for
seamless travel throughout central Ohio.
"The North Corridor was chosen as the first rail line because it has the
highest population density, one-third of the region's jobs and is
projected for significant future growth and development.
"The Intermodal Center is being proposed as an in-kind contribution to
the CSX Corporation from COTA for exclusive rights to 10 miles of the
railroad right-of-way owned by CSX that COTA would utilize for the NCLRT
Project. In exchange for their corridor, COTA would design and construct
a new Intermodal Center for CSX.
"Planners are currently developing configurations for the Intermodal
Center, and will work with CSX Intermodal and other community
stakeholders to design a center that meets the goal of the center, and
fits the character of the existing zoned industrial area in which the
center is proposed to be located.
"It is important to note that the NCLRT Project is in the preliminary
engineering and environmental study phase. Plans for the proposed
Intermodal Center are being developed in conjunction with ongoing
engineering and environmental studies for the NCLRT Project. Planners
are analyzing the benefits and impacts of the proposed center, including
the environmental, social, transportation, economic, and financial
aspects for all of the alternatives being considered for the project and
will be released later this fall as part of the Draft Environmental
Impact Study (DEIS). Some of the key issues being studied for the
proposed Intermodal Center include: local traffic impacts, water
quality, economic impacts, noise and aesthetics.
"Preliminary engineering drawings for the proposed Intermodal Center
will be published with the DEIS, which is due to be completed later this
year. The DEIS will be available to the public and subject to public
input and comment.
"COTA is central Ohio's public mobility service provider and is
accountable to the people we serve, the region's employers and
businesses and the community's government and public agencies. As such,
COTA is extremely sensitive to the communities impacted by our
activities and we will continue to take every opportunity available to
share information, openly conduct our planning and engage in productive
dialogue as we perform our mission.
"We welcome the opportunity to share the information available with the
community and intend to continue the dialogue with all interested
parties. To that end, we encourage you to join us on Wednesday from 6:30
to 8:30 p.m. at the Union County Services Center, Conference Rooms A &
B, 940 London Avenue for an open house.
"I'm committed to making sure that the processes undertaken with regard
to the NCLRT and the proposed Intermodal Center are open, productive and
informative."

Kruse wants it to go elsewhere;
other entities not so harsh
From J-T staff reports:
Marysville Mayor Thomas L. Kruse believes that his city doesn't need or
want a railyard. The county's commissioners and a Scotts Company
representative believe they need more facts before forming an opinion on
the project's merits.
"After listening and reading all of the information that has been
presented to me concerning this issue, I have determined that this is
not in the best interest of our community," Kruse stated in a press
release today.
"Contrary to rumors circulating in the community, neither I nor anyone
in my administration are supportive of the COTA plan to locate an
intermodel rail yard in Union County. Further, I have contacted Mike
Bradley at COTA and expressed to him my desire that they rethink any
plans they have to locate such a facility in Union County."
Meanwhile, the three members of the Union County Board of Commissioners
have issued the following position about the proposed intermodal rail
yard:
"The position of the Board of Commissioners in Union County is that at
this time there is far too little factual information for any of us to
make an informed decision as to the viability of the proposed intermodal
facility, let alone the advantages and disadvantages of its potential
location in Union County. We encourage the public to gather facts...."
The commissioners have submitted a list of questions to COTA and are
awaiting answers.
Chris Schmenk, director of environmental stewardship for The Scotts
Company, said, "Scotts will continue to gather information about this
issue and how it will impact Union County and our home community. We try
our best to be a good neighbor and we want what's best for Marysville
and Union County. We want to understand the benefits the project might
bring, as well as the negatives. Once we fully understand the
implications, we will develop a point of view and work with the
community."
COTA is promoting a $501 million project that would extend light rail
north from downtown Columbus. The key to the plan is acquiring an
existing CSX rail line in the Buckeye Yard near Roberts and Trabue
roads. In exchange for that line, COTA plans to build CSX a new $30
million intermodal yard. Union County is the only site currently being
discussed for the railyard. COTA is considering a site on the south side
of Marysville along Industrial Parkway between Scottslawn Road and the
Union County Airport.
COTA officials say the yard could be built as soon as 2006.

County commissioners want questions answered
From J-T staff reports:
A proposed intermodal railyard has generated lots of questions and few
answers.
The Central Ohio Transit Authority, which is proposing the relocation of
the Roberts Road CXS railyard to Union County, is planning an open house
Wednesday at the county services building.
Mike Bradley, director of rail development, said individuals will have
the opportunity to ask one-on-one questions at stations, but is
uncertain whether a list of questions submitted by the Union County
Commissioners will be addressed during a power point presentation and
project video. This meeting is not a scoping meeting that goes on the
public record.
Bradley said there has been a lot of "bad information" disseminated and
COTA hopes to give the "true facts."
The Union County Commissioners want to know:
. Given the apparent negatives associated with such a facility, why
should residents support the facility in Union County?
. What are the current number of trains that traverse through Union
County and the projected number if the railyard opens and the number in
10 years?
. What is the legal maximum length of trains? What is the penalty if
that length is violated? What effect will length of train have on
blocking crossings in Marysville?
. What is the average speed of trains coming through Marysville today
and the speed at which they would approach and come through Marysville
if the rail yard locates here?
. We have had a problem with the railroad on Liberty West Road for many
years. The trains that service Honda block Liberty West Road for hours
at a time and the railroad is basically taking the attitude that it is
less expensive to pay a fine than it is to correct the problem. How
would the railroad mitigate clocked crossings in Marysville at critical
access points along Delaware Avenue, Cherry Street, Main Street, Maple
Street and Raymond Road?
. How many trains approach the Buckeye Yard through Delaware County that
would now be diverted to the rail line in Union County?
. Please provide a detailed map of all the CSX rail lines serving
central Ohio and Ohio. Include any lines that are/or could be shared
with other rail companies.
. How many trucks per day does a Buckeye Yard currently serve at the
intermodal yard? How many trucks per day does The Scotts Co. have at its
distribution center during its peak shipping months? How many trucks per
day serve Honda during its peak shipping period? What is projected in
terms of the growth of the Buckeye Yard?
. How many units in the intermodal facility were shipped each of the
past five years and is there a growth trend? In addition, nationally,
what has been the growth in intermodal traffic over the past five years
providing individual years of traffic?
. What specific physical improvements would CSX be willing to make to
mitigate the following issues: light from the facility; odors, dust and
airbourne pollutants; noise; and truck traffic?
. We have been told that CSX and COTA enjoy eminent domain authority.
Does that authority also exempt them from zoning?
. How would CSX and COTA propose to mitigate the impact on the
communities' infrastructures, specifically access roads to the rail
site, limiting access to that site and not allowing the county roads to
become second access roads, mitigating the impact to Scottslawn Road,
Industrial Parkway, Watkins Road and Weaver Road?
. What is the potential economic impact to Union County, specifically
job creation, the types of jobs, payroll and the five- to 10-year
planning periods?
. How many trucks per day access Midwest Express in Logan County NEX for
Honda? How many additional tax dollars have those two warehouse
facilities brought to the county and the different taxing entities in
Logan County: What are their payrolls? What are the income tax
implications?
. What kinds of new businesses might locate in Union County because of
the intermodal facility?
. How large an area will this facility serve? Is it reasonable to think
that warehouses 90 miles away will access it? 60 miles? 30 miles? 120
miles?
. It has been stated that the proposed intermodal yard will be a
windfall for Columbus-area businesses, saving tens of millions of
dollars each year in shipping costs. How does COTA propose to share the
economic windfall with the Union County/Marysville community? How much
of that windfall is fair to be shared with the local community?
. Is it possible for the local community to impose and impact fees to
offset what seem to be large community impacts on the proposed
development?
. Is CSX going to own the intermodal yard or would COTA? As such, does
COTA pay taxes on real property and personal property? Does CXS pay
taxes on real and personal property? Are there any special exemptions,
abatements or offsets to that tax rate or do they pay the full tax rate
based on their asset value? How is that asset value determined? Would
CSX enter into an agreement that would not contest the formula that
would be used to value the property if we all agreed to it? In other
words, it is a very special use property that can't be accessed or used
by anyone else. To that extent, one might argue that the facility has
little or no real value even though we all realize it does. So what
formula or methodology would CSX propose? What taxes or benefits does
CSX currently provide to the Hilliard School District, the city of
Hilliard or Franklin County?
. Could CXS access through its current rail system an intermodal
facility if it was located at Rickenbacker or Bolton Air Fields?
. Assuming that the Buckeye Yard would still be accessed and that the
north corridor had been dedicated for the use of COTA, how many total
additional trains should be expected to come through Union County even
if there is no intermodal facility in Union County?
. Are there opportunities to partner with Honda and the
development/expansion of their intermodal facility, thus moving the
traffic and keeping the rail traffic north of Marysville in an existing
industrial zone that is shielded from much of the concerns that we have
about locating the city of Marysville?
. Would COTA and CSX agree to a Joint Economic Development District in
Allen or Liberty townships?
. If the north trunk into Delaware county is converted to light
passenger, from what directions could the Buckeye Yard be accessed?
. Assuming an intermodal facility located in Union County, are there
plans to relocate the Buckeye Yard in the future?
. What are the hours of operation of the existing intermodal yard? What
are the expected hours of new yards? Can those hours be restricted by
local ordinance?
. Please provide us with a list and a map showing all intermodal rail
yards in the midwestern United States.

Madison County Hospital
makes bid to service jail
By RYAN HORNS
With Memorial Hospital of Union County waiting for its new CEO to get in
place, the Tri-County Regional Jail has begun looking at other hospitals
to help with their growing medical expenses.
At the Thursday jail meeting, representatives from Madison County
Hospital offered their services to the jail commissioners.
Hospital CEO Fred Kolb and financial director Eric Young discussed ways
to keep costs down when dealing with prisoners in need of emergency aid.
They presented commissioners with an agreement to look over.
Kolb explained that Madison County Hospital is in a position to handle
the jail's business. Their agreement offers a two-year contract very
similar to agreements the hospital already has with two other area
prisons. The contract could also be extended.
He said his staff is used to treating inmates and prides itself with
treating any patient with respect. He said prisoners have treated
hospital staff with equal respect.
"There is no reluctance to deal with prisoners," Kolb said. "If there
ever was one, that was dealt with years ago."
Jail board chairman Steve Saltsman stressed that the jail would not send
any prisoners who would need to be guarded.
Young said their agreement would make things simple for the jail and
that they would offer discounts. For example, if a prisoner had a heart
attack and needed expensive treatment, the hospital would cap costs.
Another cost-saving measure, he said, is that the hospital's medical
director would work with the jail's medical director so no unnecessary
treatments would take place.
"It's a very fair agreement for us to consider," Dhume said.
Champaign County commissioner Bob Corbett said the agreement was worth
looking into. He also asked if Memorial Hospital in Marysville is still
in the running for offering medical services to the jail.
Jail director Dan Bratka said Marysville is still interested but that
the interim administration is waiting until the hospital's new CEO
starts Monday. He said at that time the hospital will revisit the issue.

Union County Commissioner Jim Mitchell said he heard the same thing from
his fellow county commissioner Gary Lee.
The jail is now trying to decide between Madison and Marysville
hospitals, along with a Champaign County hospital.
In other discussions:
. Jail commissioners discussed meeting bimonthly instead of monthly.
Since the jail is been running smoothly, members commented that
sometimes meetings are not needed. They will look into this option.
. Corbett said he had talked to the state auditor who told him that the
jail does not have to have audits annually. He said they are allowed to
have them once every two years if they change the wording in their
contracts. This option will be considered.

N.L. gets involved in mayors' group
By CORINNE BIX
Mayor Richard Willis and village administrator Barry First reported to
the North Lewisburg council on Wednesday night regarding last month's
first Champaign County Mayor's Association Meeting.
The meeting, hosted by North Lewisburg, brought together mayors and
representatives from Mechanicsburg, Mutual, St. Paris, Urbana,
Christiansburg and Woodstock
Willis said, "We were happy with the turnout, every county had their
mayor or representative there and we got off to a good start."
First sees the mayor's association as an overall positive move for the
region. "We believe it's important for Union County that Logan County
and now Champaign County work hard to help implement a mayor's
association in Union County so we can regionalize much like the
three-county regional planning committee."
Council moved to approve the employment of attorney Ray Cox of Cox and
Ginger from Dayton to represent the village in a lawsuit to be filed
against RLI Surety Bonding.
During phase three of the Route 245 project, the village contracted Gene
Hazen and Sons from Zanesville. Hazen and Sons walked out on the job
which was to have been insured by RLI Surety Bonding. The bonding
company agreed to pay for the cost of construction but did not pay other
fees including engineering costs.
The village is looking to recoup attorney fees, engineering costs and
public works fees through the lawsuit.
First asked council to pass a resolution to move forward on the removal
of a condemned home at 133 Audas St. and certify collection to the
county auditor. He said he would like to see the matter handled
cordially and resolved in a fair and equitable manner. The property,
which is part of an unsettled estate, is in severe violation of health
and safety regulations but the taxes are current. The village has
received a quote of $4,100 from Seymour Excavating to clear the
property.
Council passed a resolution to authorized the mayor, administrator
and/or fiscal officer to apply for, accept and enter into an agreement
with the ODOT transportation enhancement program to complete the
village's multi-path at an estimate of $300,000.
The multi-path will be eight feet wide and extend for three miles. Donna
Slagle, ODOT district seven, is scheduled to walk the path with First
later this month. The funding if granted would more than likely
available for use in the next two years.
The monies would fund the path's granular base, paving, clearing and
grubbing as well as drainage. All but $60,000 would be contributed by
the state. The rest of the money would need to be generated locally,
however, $12,000 has already been budgeted for sewage. The village plans
to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the additional
funds.
In other business, council:
 . Approved Ordinance No. 68H and Ordinance No. 47G increasing sanitary
sewer utility rates and water utility rates 3 percent and passing by
emergency.
 . Voted to proceed with HVAC in the municipal hall at $14,980
as recommended by the village building committee.
 . Asked for volunteers to travel to Georgia later this month to view a
new technology in wastewater treatment plants. Trip expenses to be paid
by the hosting wastewater treatment company.
 . Approved a request by Amy Cooksey to post no parking signs in the
alley alongside her property at 54 W. Maple Street.
 . Heard the February report from officer Kemp of the Champaign County
Sheriff's department. Activities included 13 traffic citations, 15
warnings issued for traffic violations, six incident reports, 24
assistance given to citizens, five arrests made, two civil and criminal
papers served, 20 follow-up investigations completed, two open doors,
two instances of juvenile contacts and zero auto accidents.

Voters support library
Officials excited to restore services which were cut
From J-T staff reports:
The Marysville Public Library levy passed Tuesday on the second try by a
vote of 2,680 to 2,506. Voters affirmed the levy in 16 of 27 precincts.
The 1-mill levy will generate about $633,000 per year for five years,
beginning in 2005. Proponents of the levy say the money is needed
because of cutbacks in state funds, expanded programming, an increase in
patrons and inflation.
Bob Whitman, head of the levy committee, said he is "much relieved, very
happy, very pleased."
He said the committee's strategy was to analyze the precincts and
conduct a phone campaign which resulted in 2,500 calls to urge people to
vote for the levy. The committee also sent out 6,000 newsletters in an
effort to see that people understood the need for extra funds.
Whitman said the change in ballot language from the November election
probably helped because the verbiage clearly stated that the levy was
for the library. The November language used the words "Marysville
Exempted Village School District" because the school district is the
library's taxing authority.
"It's a happy day at the library," director Sue Banks said.
"We can't restore everything right away," she said but staff, hours and
the purchase of materials will be increased.
Banks said the board of trustees has talked about transferring money
from the building fund to restore some services and the finance
committee has suggested that the amount could be around $50,000.
"We have to take pressure off the staff," Banks said. "They are worn to
a nub."
"The people of the community have said they want this library," she
said, adding that priorities will be set and spending will be done
carefully.
"We have to look to the future," she said.

It's Phillips over Boggs
Challenger wins prosecutor's race by nearly 400 votes
By CINDY BRAKE
Attorney David Phillips won the Republican nomination for prosecuting
attorney during Tuesday's primary contest, unseating incumbent Alison
Boggs.
Unofficial results show that Phillips took 53.09 percent or 3,283 of the
Republican votes cast, as compared to Boggs' 2,901 votes. A look at
precincts shows that Phillips received a majority of votes in 31 out of
the 46 county precincts. Phillips will run unopposed in the November
general election because there are no Democratic or write-in candidates
As results began coming in Tuesday night, Phillips was the top vote
getter with the gap increasing after each set of results was released.
At 8:44 p.m. when the first 10 precincts were released, Phillips led by
92 votes. At 9:13 p.m., Phillips' lead jumped to 244 and grew to 302
when the third set of results were released at 9:51 p.m. The final tally
at 10:28 p.m. put Phillips ahead of Boggs by 382 votes.
Phillips credits his victory to the tremendous support of his family,
law enforcement, commissioners and other officials. He also thanked the
voters for putting their confidence in him for what he called an
important job.
Boggs stated in a written press release, "I'm certainly disappointed in
the results, but I served Union County the best I could. I wish Dave the
best of luck."
Other than several confused voters, Rose Davenport of the Union County
Board of Elections said the election went smoothly. Poll workers said
there was some confusion because several Democratic voters apparently
wanted to cast a vote for Boggs.
One poll worker said she had at least 24 individuals who took a
Democratic ballot and came back to ask why they didn't see the
prosecutor's race. Limited in what they can say, poll workers advised
voters that this was a party nomination election. Confused voters were
allowed to look at both ballots to determine what party they wanted to
declare. Ballots could not be changed after they were in the box.
Davenport said the number of "soiled and defaced" ballots has yet to be
determined. Soiled and defaced ballots are those of individuals who
changed their mind and declared a different party affiliation after
receiving a ballot, but had not yet voted.
Election results will be official when the Board of Elections meets
March 24 at 9 a.m.
To be added to the current count are a couple of absentee ballots of
individuals who are overseas and 88 provisional ballots of individuals
who have moved from county to county or between precincts. Davenport
said the provisional ballots total eight issues only, 55 Republican and
25 Democrats.
Overseas provisional votes need to be postmarked no later than yesterday
and arrive within 20 days of the election.

Hall wins a squeaker
Election roundup
From J-T staff reports:
Charles Hall of Marysville won a game of musical chairs Tuesday night
for the Republican nomination to the Board of Union County
Commissioners.
The unofficial tally shows that Hall won the nomination with 1,958
votes. Candidate Steve Westlake captured 1,908 votes and Jack Rausch
received 1,874 votes.
As the election returns began arriving, Rausch started the night in the
lead with 394 votes while Hall had 377 and Westlake had 365. Westlake
took the lead when the second set of results jumped on the screen.
Westlake had 927 votes. Hall had 882 and Rausch had 830 votes. Hall
gained the lead when the third set of results was released and
maintained that lead through the end.
The Union County Board of Elections will declare the count official when
they meet on March 24 at 9 a.m.
The number of uncounted votes does not appear to be enough to change the
results. Only 55 provisional Republican votes and a couple of overseas
absentee ballots have yet to be added to the unofficial count. All other
absentee ballots have been included in the unofficial count.
Hall said today that he is ready to begin gaining knowledge about county
issues and is planning to attend upcoming meetings about a proposed CSX
railyard.
"I will be listening ... and want to represent the county as best I
can," Hall said.
Around the county
The Union County MR/DD's 2.4 mill, 5 year replacement levy went down
Tuesday night 4,849 to 4,294.
Voters in the north end of the county opted to keep funding at current
levels for the village of Richwood and the North Union School District
Tuesday night.
The village passed two renewals - a 3.2-mill five year operating levy
was approved 242-208 while a 1-mill, five year measure passed 246-199.
North Union's 1.9-mill, five year renewal passed 992 to 813.
A Sunday sales liquor license option for the Buck Ridge Golf Course,
17483 Robinson Road, passed 71-51.
While there were few contested races in the county, several Republican
officials ran unopposed.
Union County Sheriff Rocky Nelson pulled in the most votes with 5,366,
but several other candidates topped the 5,000 mark also. Coroner David
Applegate II received 5,327 votes while treasurer Tamara Lowe got 5,315.
County engineer Steve Stolte received 5,178.
Teresa Markham received 4,892 votes for county recorder and Paula Pyers
Warner got 4,854 for clerk of courts. Running unopposed for the
commissioners seat he currently holds was Tom McCarthy who received
4,317 votes.
Union County's Democratic presidential votes
John F. Kerry - 1,283 - 49.08 percent
John Edwards - 1,144 - 43.76 percent
Howard Dean - 68 - 2.60 percent
Dennis J. Kucinich - 53 - 2.03 percent
Joseph I. Lieberman -  32 - 1.22
Wesley K. Clark - 29 - 1.11 percent
Lyndon H. Larouche, Jr. - 5 - .19 percent


Dead baby case set for trial
From J-T staff reports:
The case involving a young Milford Center woman who allegedly left her
newborn child to die on the banks of Treacle Creek will go to trial.
Amy Detlor, 19, was present for her scheduling conference at the Union
County Court of Common Pleas today at 9:15 a.m. The trial has been set
for May 24 at 9 a.m.
Detlor's attorney, Michael Streng, said the list of witnesses in this
trial will be lengthy. He was able to settle on the date with common
pleas court judge Richard Parrott to ensure that all his witnesses could
attend.
To date, Detlor has not been arrested for allegedly giving birth to a
baby boy on July 1 and then leaving the child to die by the creek later
that same day.
She has been charged with one first-degree felony count of involuntary
manslaughter, one third-degree felony count of endangering children, one
third-degree felony count of reckless homicide and one fifth-degree
felony count of abuse of a corpse.

Parrott Law Office a breeding ground for legal minds
Parrott Law Office of Marysville was established in 1960 by current
Union County Common Pleas Judge Richard Parrott.
Over the years, the firm has had several attorneys as members, including
current Marysville Municipal Judge Michael J. Grigsby and former
Delaware Probate and Juvenile Judge Thomas E. Louden. Today, it is the
office of attorney Robert W. Parrott.
Richard Parrott opened the business after graduating from Ohio Northern
College of Law in 1960. He did his undergraduate studies at Ohio
Northern as well and was a 1955 graduate of Magnetic Springs High
School.
Bob Parrott is a 1978 graduate of Marysville High School. He attended
Ohio Northern University and received a bachelor of science and bachelor
of arts degree in political science, public administration and history.
He obtained his juris doctorate from the Ohio Northern College of Law.
Parrott was admitted to the practice of law in 1985 and joined his
father in the firm. The office handles a general practice in several
areas of law. In addition to his law business, Parrott also serves as
president of the Union County Historical Society, chairman of the Union
County Board of Elections and secretary of the Marysville Alumni
Association.
Parrott Law Office has been located at 127 W. Sixth St. since 1968. The
1907 building was originally constructed as a doctor's office by Dr.
J.Q. Southard and his son, Dr. H.G. Southard.
For 44 years, Parrott Law Office has served the legal needs of Union
County. The office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon. The office can be
reached at 642-2950.

Zimmerman given statewide honor
From J-T staff reports:
Larry Zimmerman,  Marysville superintendent of schools, was named an
Ohio Technology Leader Administrator of the Year Tuesday at the Ohio
SchoolNet State Technology Conference.
Zimmerman is one of 10 superintendents throughout the state who received
the honor.
Zimmerman said it is a tremendous honor to be one of the recipients but
the honor truly belongs to the Marysville staff, students and community.

"Vision and teamwork from everyone have been critical to all of our
technology advancements," he said. "This cooperative effort has made
technology a critical part of our K-12 educational program ... and it
will become even more so in the future."
Buckeye Association of School Administrators Executive Director Richard
Maxwell said the awards are given for demonstrated success in developing
and fostering a technology-rich teaching and learning environment.
The criteria for the 2004 nomination included:
 . A description of how the nominee provides a technology-enriched
learning environment that encourages innovation;
 . A description of how the nominee uses technology to facilitate change
for organizational development;
 . A description of how the nominee fosters an environment where
learning is greatly enhanced using technology.


Little info released about blaze that injured woman
From J-T staff reports:
A female was injured during a fire in Richwood Monday night.
According to Northern Union County Fire District Lt. Walt Hamilton,
crews responded to a report of smoke at 295 S. Franklin St. at 8:49 p.m.

He said a female resident was injured as a result of the smoke and fire
and that she was transported by MedFlight for hospital care.
Hamilton would not disclose the name of the injured woman or which
hospital she was taken to. He also could not report how serious the fire
was, where it started in the home or how it may have started.

United Way will give to scouts
Local agency will not follow lead of Central Ohio chapter
Editor's note: The following article is submitted by Dave Bezusko,
Campaign and Public Relations Director for the United Way of Union
County.

The United Way of Union County and the Boy Scouts Simon Kenton Council
share a rich history of serving the youth of Union County, dating back
to 1958.
Boy Scouts is an original member agency of our organization and has
received United Way funding on a yearly basis.
On Wednesday, a Columbus newspaper published an article titled "Policy
on gays could cost Scouts big money." Portions of the same article were
reprinted via the Associated Press in the Marysville Journal-Tribune the
same day and stories about the issue also aired on local television
stations.
The article centered around a new nondiscrimination policy adopted by
the United Way of Central Ohio that may or may not result in funding
cuts by that organization to the Boy Scouts Simon Kenton Council.
It should be noted that the United Way of Central Ohio serves only
Franklin County. The United Way of Union County is an independent,
autonomous, locally run organization serving this community. The United
Way of Union County has its own policies and funding decisions are made
based on this community's needs.
The Scouting program helps to shape the lives of young men and women in
our community, infusing them with necessary life skills that will stay
with them well beyond their days in scouting. Nearly 700 Union County
youth participate in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts or the Exploring and
Venturing Program, learning the values of the Scout Oath and Law. They
receive character building and leadership skills through these
activities. The Boy Scouts Simon Kenton Council continues to be a valued
partner of the United Way of Union County and an organization that is
vital to our community.
The United Way of Union County has had its own nondiscrimination policy
in place for several years. Included in the Statement of Understanding
between the United Way of Union County Inc. and its Member Agencies, it
reads as follows:
"The agency must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex
(gender), age, or national origin in its staffing policies, use of
volunteers, or provision of services."
The Boy Scouts Simon Kenton Council has met and continues to meet all
requirements necessary to be a member agency. It has been a valued
partner for 46 years and does much to improve the lives of people in our
community, fitting right in with our mission of improving the lives of
people in our community by raising, collecting and distributing funds.
The volunteer board of the United Way of Union County has not considered
and is not intending to cut its own financial support for Boy Scouts
programming in Union County. It regrets any confusion or ill feelings
the newspaper reports, Associated Press and local television stories may
have caused among the Boy Scouts, their supporters and the investors and
contributors of the United Way of Union County.
Anyone who has additional questions or concerns about this issue is
encouraged to call the United Way of Union County at 644-8381 or toll
free at (877) 644-8381.