Local Archived News   5/04                                              Subscribe Now                                            
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New group looks out for Union County land

Hospital honors returning veterans

City lists streets slated for repair
Fifth Street will be fixed first

CEO updates board on Memorial Physicians

Detlor guilty on three counts
Union County supports its sons and daughters
Hundreds turn out for troop rally
Mother tells court her side
County will celebrate dedication of WWII Memorial
Robinson Family Farm has seen more
than 100 years of agriculture
Trial of Amy Detlor opens
Darby 20-acre limit on hold
Marysville board approves city's TIF program
Local library is excellent source for post-secondary education
Speakers set for local Memorial Day ceremony
Storm damage minimal in U.C.
Developers find a zoning loophole
Darby plans bold zoning move
Coroner honored for 9/11 efforts
Trial starts Monday
Fairbanks High School announces award winners
Marysville High School announces award winners
MR/DD levy given the go ahead
Homeowner has had enough
Family pays for own repair work to keep sewage from flooding basement
Lightning strike causes power outage
FHS announces 2004 valedictorian, salutatorian
United Way announces new campaign chair
NU third graders turn it around
Harold Lewis staffers voice concerns
Vandal slashes tires on cop cars
After short foot pursuit he is apprehended
Herschel's, the home of some big, beefy burgers
Railyard plan may crumble
MR/DD axes pricey buyout plan
Fairbanks appoints high school principal
Triad says goodbye to superintendent Dr. Steve Johnson
Monument fund gets a boost
Tax plan set for development
Policy read for Coleman's Crossing
Firefighters, city agree  on contract
First concealed carry permit issued
Davis family finds luck in the horseshoe business
Not all classes end in June
Local teens indicted for Georgia shoot-out
Triad High School names top scholarship winners
Sentencing set in PTO scandal
Second troop support rally takes shape
Honda plans new paint line
Jackson Township Trustees opt to restore cemetery
Marysville announces valedictorian, salutatorian
Myths dispelled about cicada emergence
Medicare drug card enrollment can be confusing; may not be for everyone
County Commissioners waiting to take action on proposed MR/DD measure
Local cat's size draws national acclaim on afternoon TV show
City police report vehicle break-ins on rise
Historical site or eyesore?
Mock attack planned at Nestle
N. L. taking back its rights-of-way
Creative Travel has rolled with the punches of a changing industry
Teen dies in horrific crash
Car hits parked dump truck on Raymond Road
Harmony absent from Jerome Township meeting
Veterans are targets of scam
Sines steps down after long career at Ohio Reformatory

New group looks out for Union County land
By CINDY BRAKE
A new organization, the Union County Land Heritage Trust, is being
organized to encourage land use decisions that will have a long-term
positive affect on Union County.
Incorporated as a non-profit organization, the Trust is planning an
introductory meeting and membership kick-off for this summer.
Organizers include farmers, conservationists, public officials and
representatives from government agencies. Other interested residents,
business people and industry representatives are encouraged to bring
their perspectives to the organization.
 "The group's mission is to protect and conserve the farmland,
countryside, rural character, traditions and historically important
features in the area through promotion, cooperation and education. As
Union County continues to change, the Trust plans to work with
residents, public officials and businesses to maintain a balance of land
uses and help minimize the negative impacts of land use changes," said
acting chairman Peggy Kirk Hall, who is an attorney and legal educator
for Ohio State University Extension. Her family farms in northern Union
County.
"For longtime Union County residents, as well as newcomers, the county's
land resources are a valuable heritage. Just as the land use decisions
made by previous generations helped shape the county's development, the
decisions being made today will affect the county's future economic
viability, environmental health, agricultural productivity and quality
of life," Kirk Hall said.
"Today, Union County has a mix of land uses that combine to create
vibrant communities - industries provide the economic strength of stable
jobs; commercial businesses provide jobs while giving residents
convenient access to goods and services; roads and highways make the
county accessible to neighboring population centers; and residential
developments let families enjoy a high quality of life," she said.
Even so, shortsighted planning and rapid changes have caused some
growing pains for the county.
Kirk Hall points specifically to drainage back-ups, sewage disposal
problems, traffic bottlenecks and conflicts between landowners. At the
same time, the conversion of farm fields and natural areas to other uses
reduces the county's agricultural land base, decreases habitat for
wildlife and undermines the rural character that enhances quality of
life in the county.
Organizing members include Terri Gravatt, Union Soil and Water
conservation District administrator; Steve Stolte, Union County
Engineer; Harold Watters, OSU extension ag agent in Miami County and a
Union County farmer; and Gail Keck, Union County farmer.
For more information, e-mail the organization at
union_landtrust@earthlink.net.

Hospital honors returning veterans
From J-T staff reports:
Two employees returning from the Middle East were honored with a welcome
home barbecue Friday at Memorial Hospital of Union County.
Melody Cooper, a nuclear medicine technician who joined the hospital in
January 2000, served in Kuwait for a year. A sergeant in the Army
Reserve, she oversaw product development such as ad bills, posters and
radio announcements.
When the new currency without Saddam Hussein's picture on it came out,
her group was responsible for communicating to the people of Kuwait when
and where they could exchange the old currency for the new. They also
developed posters to assist the Iraqis with the recruitment of police
officers and wanted posters for regime members.
Jeff Ward, R.N., began at the hospital in August 2000. He has worked in
ICU, LifeWorks and the emergency department and also worked as nurse
supervisor.
Ward, a captain in the Air Force Reserve, spent 5 1/2 months in Qatar,
where he served as a flight nurse, flying into Baghdad to pick up
patients and take them to Kuwait or Qatar. He has been in the military
for approximately 18 years, including four years of active duty in the
Army.

City lists streets slated for repair
Fifth Street will be fixed first
By RYAN HORNS
Potholes may become a thing of the past in certain areas of Marysville.
The final list of streets chosen by city administrators to receive
needed repairs was released during Marysville city council's meeting
Thursday night.
Roads scheduled for work include:
1. Fifth Street from Grove Street to Court Street and from Plum Street
to Cherry Street, including the Five Points intersection.
2. Collins Avenue from Route 4 to Maple Street.
3. Main Street from Elwood venue to the Route 4 off-ramp.
4. Scottslawn Road at the U.S. 33 overpass.
5. 10th Street from Chestnut Street to east end.
6. Mill Wood Boulevard from Route 31 to west end.
7. Hickory Drive from Collins Avenue to Edgewood Street.
8. Edgewood Drive from Hickory Drive to Grove Street.
9. Greenwood Boulevard from Clover Knoll Court to east end.
City administrator Kathy House said the contract for the work should be
signed by July 1. She said repairs should be completed by October or
November.
"We have been developing a pavement maintenance program for this year
based on the expected million dollars that was recently authorized
legislatively," House said.
Talks with paving contractors have shown a "definite interest" to
complete the repairs this year, she said.
"All streets are ready except Fifth Street from Grove to Maple," she
said, "which has water line replacement work scheduled to be done this
summer."
House reported that additional work might be possible, depending on
contract prices and how much work is completed. She said city streets
and sanitation superintendent Joe Tracey has put a lot of time and
effort into coordinating the identification of appropriate streets.
She said $1 million doesn't go a long way for one year of work but the
city will continue doing these kind of repairs each year until the
streets are in good shape. The city also purchased a crack sealer and
will continue to spot repair roads as needed.
In other discussions, recent attention to Keith and Sue Nason's yard
sign on Hickory Drive proclaiming they weren't receiving financial help
from the city to fix flooding in their home was addressed by House.
The family recently spent an additional $4,000 to add a Flood-Gate
device to divert flood water from their home. The purchase adds to the
$50,000 they already spent on flooding repairs, which they feel has been
caused by poorly-organized city growth.
"Since there has been some recent press on the needs and effectiveness
of our sanity and stormwater collections systems, I'd like to pass along
some information recently gathered in-house regarding work since 2001 on
those systems," House said.
She reported that the city has spent $84,000 in the past three years on
projects to assess and correct problems within the sanitary system. They
have increased preventative maintenance of sanitary lines, clearing
possible blockages and killing root growth inside lines on a routine
basis.
In the past two years and even with a very wet spring in 2003, she
reported, there have been no reports of widespread flooding during storm
events. She said approximately $4,000 worth of materials were used on
minor flooding remedy projects with labor and expertise provided by the
streets department.
"As we continue to eliminate excess stormwater from the sanitary system
more capacity will be freed, meaning even fewer flooding events," she
said. "All of this work has been completed in an effort to serve as many
residents as possible with each project. Our efforts continue daily and
will be focused on impacting the larger populace. This does not mean we
will be unresponsive to individual residents."
House said that any residents who experience sewer issues on their
property are encouraged to contact the city for an immediate assessment
by the staff and if the problem is a result of public infrastructure
inadequacies, a remedy will be made as quickly as time and funds allow.
Sue Nason has said she hopes that all residents who have flooding will
directly contact the city so that city officials are aware the problem
still exists in many Marysville homes.
In other news:
. A new wastewater superintendent was picked to replace Tom Gault who
has resigned. Council approved the selection of Rick Varner who is
currently working at Delaware County facilities and helping Marysville
on a contractual basis. He is expected to start Sept. 1.
Fogt said that Gault will be missed because he has done an excellent job
for the city. He said Gault was able to keep talks productive and open
with the Ohio EPA, which saved the city from hefty fines.
The twist is that to bring Varner to Marysville, the city had to raise
the salary for the wastewater superintendent position from $54,075 to
$60,000. By doing this administrators feel they must now raise the
salary of the director of public service, Tracie Davies from $59,860 to
$61,650, because Davies, as the supervisor for the wastewater
superintendent, would be making less than her employee.
.  Council approved the Walker Meadows PUD application, set for the land
off Route 38 at Boerger Road. In addition, the TIF real property tax
exemption was passed for the Coleman's Crossing development

CEO updates board on Memorial Physicians
From J-T staff reports:
Memorial Hospital of Union County CEO Chip Hubbs gave the board of
trustees a brief update on the situation pertaining to Memorial
Physicians Inc. at Thursday's regular board meeting.
Hubbs said he is meeting weekly with MPI director Carl Swart and is
attending MPI board meetings to assess the situation. He said an
independent audit of client satisfaction will be done soon and it should
give a good indication of the future of the contract physicians group is
doing. Hubbs added that several doctors have left the practice.
The board approved changes to the hospital's vacation and attendance
incentive (sick leave) program, allowing employees to designate the date
of cashing in accrued sick leave or vacation pay. In the past, the
hospital established the date of payout.
Employees are being asked to consider the way they use sick leave.
A statement regarding the attendance incentive program reads: "The sick
leave benefit has been seen by some employees as an entitlement; they
are using the benefit as soon as it is accrued, rather than accumulating
the hours for further catastrophic needs as a bridge to their long-term
disability benefit. This type of sick leave utilization results in
unforeseen labor shortages and an increase in employee overtime or
contract/gemporary employee utilization."
Hubbs told the board that as a community involvement program, he has
offered employment to a man who has served his sentence the West Central
Community Correctional Facility and to an MR/DD client. The new
employees will be given appropriate jobs in a sort of test program to
see if those two agencies could be a source of labor.
The board adjourned into executive session to discuss a recently
resolved matter required to be kept confidential by state law; the
continued employment of an employee; and a trade secret of a county
hospital organized under ORC Chapter 339. No action was taken.

Detlor guilty on three counts
Jury does not convict her on most serious charge
By RYAN HORNS
The trial of Amy Detlor ended Wednesday with a rush of tears and
questions.
After almost four hours of deliberation, the 12-member jury panel ruled
that Detlor, 20, was guilty on all but one of the charges she faced. Yet
their results raised many questions, especially by members of Detlor's
family who were visibly upset.
Detlor was found guilty on the third-degree felony charge of endangering
children; on the third-degree felony reckless homicide charge; and on
the fifth-degree felony charge of gross abuse of a corpse. She was found
not guilty for the more serious first-degree felony charge of
involuntary manslaughter.
Detlor could face a maximum of more than six years in prison for the
charges, not to mention thousands of dollars in court fines.
The twist, however, is that Union County Common Pleas Judge Richard
Parrott decided to issue a pre-sentencing investigation before making up
his mind on Detlor's sentence. These investigations typically can last
anywhere from 21 to 28 days and the sentencing will be scheduled after
that.
Parrott told the court that it is normally his pattern to conduct the
sentence hearing right after the jury makes its decision and is still in
the courtroom.
"I think the jury has every right to know," he said.
Parrott said the ruling the jury presented shows mixed results. He
pointed out that their findings stated that Detlor endangered her child,
yet she had not caused the baby any serious physical harm. Because of
this stipulation, the endangering children charge must be reduced to a
misdemeanor. He said the inconsistency needed to be looked into further.

"The jury essentially removed the ability to find her guilty on
involuntary manslaughter," Union County Prosecutor Alison Boggs
explained this morning.
Because the jury reduced the endangering children charge, she said, it
made the involuntary manslaughter charge ineffective because it must be
based on a separate felony offense.
Regarding the jury's decision, Assistant Union County Prosecutor John
Heinkel said he was glad that the jury found Detlor accountable for her
actions. He also added that Detlor should have received a guilty verdict
on all counts.
"She has shown a total lack of remorse throughout this trial," he said.
"There will definitely be prison time for her."
After court had let out Wednesday afternoon, Detlor's attorney Michael
Streng said that he believed the jury would rule not guilty on all
charges once they heard both sides of the story.
"The judge gave us a fair trial," he said. "There is no doubt about
that."
Streng said that because this was Detlor's first run-in with the law it
would probably weigh on the length of any prison sentence imposed on
her. He also explained that Detlor may receive probation instead of
prison time.
Union County Sheriff's Detective Jon Kleiber, who was in charge of the
investigation, said he was glad the case has been resolved.
"We spent an exhaustive amount of time on the investigation," Kleiber
said. "I think that everyone did their job very well and that the
evidence in the case was presented accurately. The jury also did an
outstanding job in order to decide such a difficult case. I feel justice
has been served."
Kleiber added that Detlor's trial and all the media attention will
hopefully send a message to other young mothers facing similar tough
choices with an unexpected pregnancy.
He said he hopes young women will realize that they have options. They
can take advantage of the Safe Haven laws that allow mothers to leave
their children in the care of hospitals with no questions asked. It is
considered the best way to give a child the care it needs to ensure both
its safety and the safety of the mother.
Streng said Detlor's family is withholding comments on both the case and
the trial until after the sentencing hearing. No date has been set for
the hearing.
Streng added that the family would like to thank the community for the
support and prayers they have given them throughout the investigation
and trial.
"It was a tough case for everyone involved," Streng said, "a tough case
for the lawyers, the judge and the jury."


Union County supports its sons and daughters
Hundreds turn out for troop rally
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
For the second year in a row Union County put its best foot forward
without the cat calls of protesters.
The Union County Troop Support Rally on the downtown Marysville square
drew a crowd of a few hundred people. Although protesters have plagued
such rallies in other areas, the Union County version produced only
those who wished to support the troops fighting to war on terrorism.
Perhaps the most moving portion of the ceremony came from Army reserve
Sgt. Jason Heard who read letters of appreciation from local soldiers
written to the Union County Military Family Support Group. Heard read
several letters but one from Army Maj. Salvatore Petrovia was most
memorable.
Petrovia's letter detailed how a 21-year-old soldier under his command
had recently been killed during the conflict in Iraq, the first such
casualty in his brigade.
"It will always hurt to know we lost someone so young," the letter read.

Petrovia's letter said that the care package from the local support
group arrived the day of the fallen soldier's memorial service and
served to ease his pain.
"Thank you for making this terrible day bearable," he said.
Petrovia detailed the atrocities he has seen in Iraq and noted that even
he had his doubts about the U.S. involvement at first. Once he saw the
conditions of the country and the treatment of its citizens he changed
his mind.
That sentiment was also touched on by the featured speaker, Lt. Col.
Richard Genzman of the Ohio National Guard, who is also pastor at First
English Lutheran Church. Genzman said that debate over such a conflict
is normal but that doubt cannot trickle down to the troops.
"Don't let that debate deter your support for our soldiers," Genzman
said.
Genzman, who served as chaplain at Camp Virginia in Kuwait, ministered
to many soldiers heading into and coming from Iraq. He said support from
home had a visible effect on those soldiers.
He noted that cards, letters and packages from friends, family and
community members often lifted the spirits of the troops. Those without
such support had a tougher time dealing with the conditions, Genzman
reported.
He said the care package for the local support staff gave him strength
and he also praised the group for being there for the families of
deployed servicemen.
"Soldier and citizen alike can make a difference in this war on
terrorism," he said.

Mother tells court her side
By RYAN HORNS
Amy Detlor took the stand Tuesday afternoon to finally tell her side of
why she left her dead infant son on the banks of Treacle Creek in July.
Now it is up to a 12-member jury to decide if they believe her story.
After closing arguments Wednesday morning, the panel began deliberations
on the four counts against Detlor.
The 20-year-old Milford Center woman choked back tears as she spoke of
walking down the dirt road in the prairie reserve on July 1 with her
deceased child inside a dark green trash bag. She said she had always
enjoyed the flowers and the scenery there.
"I think at the time that was where I wanted to put him to rest," Detlor
said. "I wanted to put him in the flowers."
"You know that people can bury babies in the cemetery," Union County
Assistant Prosecutor John Heinkel said. "You know that people can bring
flowers to the cemetery . You didn't want this baby found, did you?"
Defense attorney Michael Streng used testimonies of several witnesses to
show that Detlor did not intend for the child to die. She had wanted to
give him up for adoption but did not know what to do when she suddenly
found herself giving birth.
Streng brought in Detlor's mother, grandmother and even her best friend
who described Detlor as a caring person and an excellent student who was
trying to work and pay her way through the pre-nursing program at
Columbus State Community College. Her mother said Detlor was always the
type of person who preferred handling problems on her own because she
refused to burden anyone.
Streng also brought in a physician who said he knew of other woman who
confused pregnancy with constipation and ended up giving birth in a
bathroom.
Detlor said at first she didn't even know she was pregnant.
"But I could slowly feel a knot develop in my stomach," Detlor
explained.
Heinkel asked why she never told anyone about the pregnancy and never
called 911 until her own life was in danger.
"The squad got there pretty fast for you," Heinkel said. "You don't
think it would get there just as fast for your baby?"
Detlor said she had to keep the pregnancy a secret, but the birth did
not go as she thought it would. She said she figured it would happen as
it does on television: Her water would break. She would take a taxi to
the hospital and would give birth and give the child up for adoption.
"I thought that I would know what to do," she said.
Detlor said that day she felt constipated and went into the bathroom at
around 7:30 a.m. While on the toilet she realized she was giving birth
and she lifted the infant out of the water and cleaned him off.
She said she believed the child was healthy and would be fine. She
thought he was breathing and his skin color appeared normal. But she
knew that she was bleeding profusely and was not doing well.
"He looked OK to me so I decided I needed to take care of myself," she
said.
Detlor began the drive from her grandmother's home in Columbus to
Milford Center. Once there, she could have some privacy and decide what
to do next. She began to feel light-headed from the loss of blood and
remembered that nurses often give orange juice to people after they give
blood, so she stopped at McDonald's in Plain City.
At this point the questions begin for prosecutors. Detlor claimed she
pulled a corner of the towel over the child's head to hide him in the
drive-thru and left him covered all the way to her mother's home at 16
Pleasant St. in Milford Center.
"I thought he was asleep," she said.
But when she pulled into her mother's driveway and uncovered the child,
she realized his skin color had changed.
"He had a blue cast to his skin," she said. "He didn't look like he had
before. I put my ear on his chest and I couldn't hear anything. He
wasn't moving."
She claimed that she doesn't remember leaving the child in the car and
going inside her parents' home and passing out for an unknown amount of
time. The next thing she remembers is arriving at the prairie reserve,
where she dropped the child underneath the railroad trestle near Treacle
Creek.
She then drove back to her parents' home.
"I just knew that if I didn't get help I was going to die," she said.
Detlor said that when she tried to commit suicide at the age of 15, her
mother was the one who was hurt the most. She knew her mother would be
heartbroken to find her daughter dead in her home, so she called 911.
Union County Coroner Dr. David Applegate gave the strongest testimony
for the prosecution when he said he felt Detlor's actions after giving
birth were suspicious.
"There was evidence leading us in the direction that she did not want
anyone to find the baby," he said.
Detlor did not seek help in delivering her baby, did not seek help when
it was born and chose to hide the baby in a place where it would not
easily be found.
"Those actions ruled out a SIDS death for me," Applegate said.
He also explained that Detlor's story of what happened fits 11 out of
the 14 behavior aspects of a homicide. He believes the baby died from
either asphyxiation or exposure but admitted that the autopsy evidence
does not show one way or another how the child died.
Applegate said he consulted three forensic pathologists before he came
to the decision that it was the mother's failure to take proper care of
the baby that caused the death.
"I had to be darned sure of what I was going to write," he said. "I owed
it to the baby and the mother to make sure I had all the facts.


County will celebrate dedication of WWII Memorial
From J-T staff reports:
Union County is planning its own recognition of the World War II
Memorial Saturday with a prayer breakfast, park dedication, jazz concert
and viewing of a live broadcast from Washington, D.C.
The activities are sponsored by American Legion Union Post 79, the
Hometown Heroes committee chaired by Claudia Bartow and the Union County
Veterans Memorial Auditorium fund of the Union County Foundation.
The official dedication of the national memorial will take place in
Washington, D.C., at 2 p.m. Saturday at the reflecting pool between the
Washington and Lincoln memorials.
The ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m. with a prayer breakfast at the First
United Methodist Church Burnside Family Life Center. The breakfast,
prepared by the women of the church, is free to all World War II
veterans. Rolly Rausch, commander of the American Legion Post 79 will
serve as emcee and the featured speakers are the Rev. Richard Genzman,
who as a chaplain with the Ohio National Guard, recently returned from
military duty in Kuwait, and Charlotte Coleman Eufinger, Union County
Probate and Juvenile Judge.
Music will be provided by Caroline Ohnsman and a brass ensemble under
the direction of Robert Sements.
Following the breakfast, a ceremony to dedicate Generals' Park will be
held at 10:30 a.m. in the courtyard adjacent to the auditorium on West
Sixth Street. The park will be established in memory of Maj. General
Robert S. Beighter and in honor of retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Oscar C.
Decker Jr. Highlighting the dedication will be the raising of a
specially designed generals' flag and military honors will be conducted
by the Union County Military Honor Guard.
The Union County Commissioners will present a proclamation and Bo
Johnstone and the military reenactment group will be on hand in
authentic uniform and with battle equipment.
A dedication day jazz concert will be held at the auditorium beginning
at 1 p.m. The free concert by The Fountainaires from Bellefontaine will
feature big band and patriotic favorites.
At 2 p.m., a live broadcast of the national WWII monument dedication
will be shown at the auditorium.
Tickets for the prayer breakfast are $5 and can be purchased from Rolly
Rausch American Family Insurance or the Plaza Barbershop near Community
Market.
The public is invited to take part in the activities.

Robinson Family Farm has seen more
than 100 years of agriculture
Max and Jeff Robinson are the third and fourth generations to farm the
family's land of Route 4 north of Marysville.
Max was raised with his two brothers, Merle and Don, on the homestead
farm purchased by the Robinson family in 1900. In 1947, Max and Patty
bought their 106-acre farm just north of the homestead soon after they
were married.
They raised two children, Beth and Jeff. Jeff, born in 1952, has been
farming with his father since he was old enough to see over the steering
wheel of a tractor. Over the years, the farming operation has grown from
250 acres to more than 2,000 acres of owned and rented farm land.
In the early 1960s, Max built a 4,000-layer chicken house and Beth and
Jeff were responsible for gathering eggs every day.
In the late 1960s, they went out of the chicken business and sold feeder
pigs from a 120-brood sow herd which they sold in the 1970s. Jeff has
bed between 10 and 150 head of feeder cattle every year since.
In 1982, Jeff and his wife Julie moved into the homestead house and have
raised four daughters there.
Max was elected a Union County Commissioner in 1971 and began handing
many of the farming responsibilities to Jeff, encouraging him to make
important decisions regarding all aspects of the farm, including
marketing.
Both Max and Jeff have been civic-minded. In addition to 20 years as a
county commissioner, Max has served on four school boards, served 12
years as a trustee of Memorial Hospital of Union County and currently
serves on the Union County Board of Elections. Jeff is a Leesburg
Township Trustee and a Leesburg Township volunteer fireman. He served 15
years on the Richwood Independent Fair Board and has volunteered as a
coach for the North Union summer league softball program for 17 years.
Patty retired as Municipal Clerk of Courts after 32 years.
Although Max has six granddaughters and a grandson, the future of
Robinson Farms is far from secure. Although Jeff and Julie's daughters
have helped with farming, they have no desire to receive the baton from
their father.
It takes a lifetime to learn the occupation of farming and usually a
father or grandfather is the teacher.
A farmer must be passionate about the job to withstand the obstacles of
weather, market, long hours and hard physical labor.
Fewer than 2 percent of people employed in the United States are farmers
and only 1 percent of those rely on it as their sole income.
These people feed more than 90 percent of the people in the world.
Max and Jeff agree that farming has changed and grown dramatically over
their lifetime and they say that one lesson that never changes is "You
reap what you sow."

Trial of Amy Detlor opens
Defense contends baby died as result of accidental suffocation
By RYAN HORNS
A pile of used tissues grew larger on the table in front of defendant
Amy Detlor as the first day of her trial progressed Monday.
Union County assistant prosecuting attorney John Heinkel called several
witnesses to establish the evidence indicating why Detlor, 19, has been
charged for the death of the infant boy she gave birth to on July 1,
2003.
Detlor faces one first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter;
one third-degree felony endangering children charge; one third-degree
felony reckless homicide charge; and one fifth-degree felony charge of
abuse of a corpse.
Heinkel called Union County Sheriff's dispatcher Anne Barr, detectives
Mike Justice, Jon Kleiber and Eric Yoakam, Union Township Fire
Department EMT Alice Clark and BCI&I special agent Gary Wilgus to
testify.
The witnesses went over the facts of their investigations, beginning
with Detlor's 911 call to the Union County Sheriff's dispatching center
and ending with finding the baby near the banks of Treacle Creek. They
testified that Detlor admitted to giving birth that morning. They also
described how Detlor first claimed to have given birth with the help of
a friend named Tiffany in an abandoned house on Indianola Avenue in
Columbus.
Witnesses testified that Detlor later admitted that the birth actually
took place in a bathroom at her grandmother's home on Wythe Street in
Columbus and that Tiffany did not exist. They reported that Detlor said
she wrapped the baby in a small blue towel and drove to her parents home
at 16 Pleasant St. in Milford Center. It was at this location that she
made the call to dispatchers.
At one point Heinkel showed pictures of Detlor's deceased baby on large
cards he held up for witnesses. Detlor wept as the pictures were shown.
Heinkel raised questions such as why Detlor did not call 911 concerning
her baby or why she stopped at McDonald's to eat with her baby beside
her in the car. Clark testified that Detlor told her she was scared and
bleeding profusely after giving birth.
Several witnesses said Detlor told them she did not realize the baby was
dead until after she arrived at the Pleasant Street house. She said she
had stopped at the drive-thru because she was feeling light-headed and
needed orange juice.
In her defense, attorney Michael Streng raised several points. Through
questioning of the witnesses, he indicated that authorities do not have
much evidence of what actually happened on July 1, 2003, apart from
Detlor's statements. He also noted that perhaps Detlor allegedly lied
about the Tiffany scenario because her family has such high expectations
of her and she did not want to disappoint anyone.
Streng asked Justice if there was any evidence that showed Detlor had
suffocated the baby. Justice said there was not.
After the first day of the trial was over, Heinkel reported that he has
several more witnesses for today's session. He will bring Union County
Coroner Dr. David Applegate, former Franklin County Coroner and forensic
pathologist Dr. Robert Belding, representatives involved with Detlor's
classes from Columbus State Community College and Detlor's mother.
Streng said that for his defense, Detlor will take the stand today or
Wednesday.
Streng said he has been purposely tight-lipped about Detlor's defense.
"Her side will open up when she takes the stand to testify," Streng
said.
The day she testifies, he said, will be the first time many people have
heard her side of the story.


Darby 20-acre limit on hold
By CINDY BRAKE
The farms of LeRoy Holt and Marge Bailey along Rausch Road are less than
a mile apart, yet the neighbors are miles apart on what it best for the
Darby Township.
Bailey, a member of a steering committee that came up with the idea of
creating minimum lots of 20 acres, said the plan reflects the desires of
a majority of township residents. Holt said he has petitions signed by
149 people living in the proposed area and they disagree.
Holt, who is the zoning inspector for Milford Center, said he is in
favor of "good sensible zoning" but sees "selected red lining" or
favoritism on the proposed map. He asked for a reason. The board gave
none.
On a personal note, Holt said he and his wife bought their place in 1970
and he has no plans to sell, yet the proposed change could cost his
family between $200,000 and $400,000.
"Your potential action is no less than theft," Holt said during a Darby
Township Board of Zoning meeting Monday in Unionville Center with 75
people attending. "The minute you sign that paper, you've stolen from me
and my family."
Darby Township officials are talking about creating a new zoning
classification called A-1 that would change minimum lot splits to 20
acres with an easement option for smaller lots. No other townships in
Union County or the state of Ohio have tried this type of plan.
"This whole plan discriminates from the farmer," said Bob Beck, who
suggested that the board contact each landowner and ask them how they
want their land zoned.
"Why make the A-1 make all the sacrifices?," asked George Nichols.
"It's not right. If you want my land for green space, then come buy it,"
said Richard Grener.
Two of the five board of zoning members also voiced concern about the
plan.
"I don't like this," said Tom Zimmerman. "There's got to be a better
way."
Ron Scheiderer agreed, "There is no sense in it."
Calling for common sense, Scheiderer recommended that the board consider
comments that Union County Engineer Steve Stolte had submitted.
"I am concerned about the 20-acre minimum acreage in A-1. That seems
contrary to preserving agricultural land .... the model regulation
provides for a maximum lot size of five acres in A-1. Twenty acres can
be a number to use for determining the maximum allowable density. For
example, if someone owns 200 acres, they would be allowed to split off a
maximum of 10 lots (200 divided by 20), but the maximum lot size ought
to be five acres or less. The smaller you keep the maximum lot size, the
more agricultural land you preserve. The BZA would then grant variances
for anything greater than the maximum."
The only individuals in support of the proposed plan were steering
committee members. Harley Bodenbender, chairman of the steering
committee, admitted that the committee was composed of a majority of
small-lot property owners but he believes it reflects the majority of
township residents.
Board chairman David Gruenbaum said he is personally struggling with the
issue. Gruenbaum and board member Don Bailey assured the group that they
do not want to take away the rights of property owners. Gruenbaum said
the goal is to slow development and give development guidance.
The board of zoning decided to continue their discussion by inviting
Stolte to the next meeting. No date was set.

Agenda for Troop Rally
On Wednesday the second Union County Rally for the Troops event will be
held in Marysville.
The day's events will include:
6:15 to 6:45 p.m.
Residents are asked to gather for a parade at the Veterans Memorial
Auditorium and registration for local military families will be
conducted.
6:30 to 7 p.m.
Residents gather at Fifth and Main streets.
7 to 8 p.m.
The program will be held at the Town Square with guest speaker Col. Rich
Genzman, chaplain
7:45 p.m.
A group photo will be taken of crowd to send to the troops.
In addition to the festivities, T-shirts will be sold to benefit the
Military Family Support Group will be held. There will also be a message
board for residents to sign that will be sent to those serving. Free
flags and ribbons will be available.


Marysville board approves city's TIF program
 JUDY BOEHLER
The Marysville Board of Education approved participation in a Tax
Increment Financing program with the city of Marysville at Monday's
regular meeting. The program would exempt the TIF project area known as
the Coleman Crossing development from real property tax.
Superintendent Larry Zimmerman said the property tax on the $40 million
worth of property to be constructed in the TIF area will be waived for
30 years but comparable payments will be made to the school district in
lieu of taxes. He said the city of Marysville will lend the developers
$8 million to be sold in bonds so the roads and other improvements can
be put in, enabling the developer to sell land to businesses. Zimmerman
said payments to the schools will begin in 2006 and will average
$400,000 per year.
The board also approved an adjustment to the Mill Valley Elementary
School attendance area due to the growth of the area. Superintendent
Larry Zimmerman said the school has reached its capacity and children
from the new homes north and east of Creekview Intermediate School will
be bused to Navin Elementary School for the next few school years until
a new elementary school is built in Mill Valley.
The board also accepted the donation of a new baseball facility valued
at $150,000 from the Diamond Club. Located beside the varsity baseball
field, the facility includes batting cages and storage areas that can be
used year-round. Zimmerman said the project was funded by four years of
fundraising by parents.
The board heard presentations from Raymond Elementary School staff and
students about programs at the school and from the high school student
council.
In other business, the board:
 . Approved student fees for the high school and middle schools.
 . Approved membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for
the 2004-05 school year.
 . Approved the elementary and intermediate schools handbook.
 . Approved a resolution to amend graduation requirements in the
Community School Sponsorship Contract for the Marysville Digital
Academy.
 . Approved the purchase of a piano for a cost of $1 from the Union
County Concert Association for the purpose of insurance. The piano was
purchased for the Community Concert Series and has been housed at the
high school for many years.
 . Approved a supplement to the Master Agreement with the Marysville
Education Association concerning tutors.
 . Approved a resolution to purchase the goods and services necessary to
replace sections of the roofs at Marysville Middle School and Edgewood
Elementary School from Duro-Last Roofing Inc.
 . Approved a Sept. 13-17 sixth grade overnight camp at Camp Templed
Hills in Belleville.
 . Approved donations from the Raymond PTO to Raymond Elementary School
of $1,190 for four lapel and headset microphones and $1,300 for books
for the bookroom; a donation of $7,500 from the Edgewood PTO to purchase
technology equipment.
In personnel matters, the board:
 . Accepted the resignation of teacher Tara Scott.
 . Approved one-year certified contracts for Karen Collins,
interpreter/aide on an as-need basis, Deborah Amsler-Danals, Aric Tucker
as middle school ISS teacher; teachers Leslie Boey, Elizabeth Chaffin,
Brent Johnson, William Kirby, Mary Scheiderer, Jeremy lfera, Melissa
Henn, Jennifer Palmer, Kelli Vasill and Shelly Wagner; intervention
specialists Kendra Clementz, Brock Walden and Lindsay Williamson;
substitute teacher Brenda Zimmerman; and Linda Murdock and Jyl Secrest
as home instructors.
 . Approved Cindy Gordon and Adam Brown as summer autism teachers and
Katie Hritz as on-call teacher.
 . Approved a supplemental contract for Aric Tucker as high school head
girls basketball coach.

Local library is excellent source for post-secondary education
By CORINNE BIX
Local residents are finding that they need not go any further than the
Marysville Public library for the information and resources they need
when pursuing a post-secondary degree.
As more and more people are taking advantage of on-line courses and/or
distance learning programs, they are finding that the local library can
support their studies just as well as an academic library.
Kellie Clark is a reference librarian at the Marysville Public Library.
She has been with the local branch since January of this year and
previously worked at the Otterbein College library in Westerville. Her
varied background can offer a lot to library patrons who are working on
post-secondary degrees.
"Since I've worked in both academic and public libraries, I am very
familiar with OhioLINK which is a database comprised of over 85 academic
institutions, consolidated into one central catalog," Clark explained.
"I am comfortable with navigating through the site and helping students
get the most from their home school."
In addition to OhioLINK, the MPL has access to several other academic
databases, which allows users to access academic journals, magazines and
newspapers. A majority of the items are available in full text, giving a
commuter student the advantage of not having to travel to the home
school for research.
Kathy Cassell, 51, has been working on her associate's degree since
2003. She is a distance learning student at Sinclair Community College
in Dayton.
"I started with Sinclair because I found I could get almost my entire
degree on?line," Cassell said.
Cassell has worked at Honda for the past 14 years. She said the
reasoning behind pursuing a degree in web development and user support
is a way to give her body a break after many years working the
physically intense assembly line.
She chose the Sinclair program because of the convenience. "After being
at Honda for eight hours and then to have to get back in the car.I just
didn't know if I could do it," Cassell said.
Cassell works on her course work from home but she uses the library to
take her tests. She explained that her course instructors send the
testing material to her proctor at the library and she makes
arrangements to take her exams in the comfort of her hometown.
"It saves me an hour and a half drive," she said. Since beginning her
course work at Sinclair she has had to travel to the campus only once to
deliver financial aid forms.
Gloria Findley, 37, and her husband moved to Marysville from Alabama
last year. Findley was working as a graduate assistant at Auburn
University before the move. She is currently finishing up her Ph.D. in
nutrition and food science.
"I was what they called ABD (all but dissertation), which means I
completed all my course work and some but not all of my dissertation
research," Findley said.
Findley approached the library about conducting a consumer-related
research project to gather data to complete her dissertation. She
presented her project to the library board of trustees to gain
permission to survey willing patrons for her study.
"As a result of my request, the board authorized surveys for academic
and educational purposes on library premises," Findley said, "I was very
pleased by the community participation in my survey."
Findley and her husband, who are currently building a house, didn't have
easy access to a computer. She used the library to access Auburn
University's scientific databases.
Clark said many people will be surprised to find that the library staff
can be more accessible than people at their home school or institution.
"We truly want to help them find what they need because we can be a very
active participant in the research project," Clark explained. "In a
society where we encounter a lot of information overload, it's nice to
have someone guide you through what is and isn't a credible resource on
the Internet, which is critical when putting together a research
project."
She said the most important thing to remember when using the library for
time-sensitive projects is to allow ample time to prepare and research
ro insure that, together with the guidance of the library staff, a
student can produce the best possible result.
Clark wants local patrons to know that the library staff is eager to
meet their needs because patron questions take a front seat to whatever
else a librarian might be working on.
More information on library hours and services may be obtained by
calling 642-1876 or visiting www.marysville.lib.oh.us.

Speakers set for local Memorial Day ceremony
Memorial Day celebrations on Monday will honor veterans who have
protected our country and the rest of the free world in many wars and
through peacetime.
Unionville Center
The Fairbanks Marching Band will honor veterans with a performance in
the Unionville Center Memorial Day parade and ceremony. The parade
begins at 9:45 a.m. with services in the cemetery at approximately 10:30
a.m.
North Lewisburg/Woodstock
American Legion Post 258 will hold parades and services in Woodstock and
North Lewisburg with the Triad High School band playing and the Rev.
Clarence Heis, who served as a U.S. Air Force chaplain in the Persian
Gulf, serving as the speaker.
The Woodstock parade will form at 8:30 a.m. on Burnwell Street beside
the Woodstock Community Church and will begin at 9 a.m., proceeding west
down West Bennett Street to the cemetery for a 9:30 a.m. service.
The North Lewisburg parade will form at 10 a.m. on West Townsend Street
in front of Carter's Garage and begin at 10:30, proceeding east on Route
245 through the business section to South Gregory Street. The service at
Maple Grove Cemetery will begin at 11 a.m.
Marysville
Memorial Day services in Marysville will begin at 9 a.m. at the North
Main Street bridge to honor the dead lost at sea. Lt. Col. Richard
Genzman, pastor of First English Lutheran Church, who recently returned
from Kuwait, will be the chaplain. Elizabeth Ward will play the Navy
hymn and those attending will be asked to join the singing.
The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. from Fifth and Plum streets and will
proceed on Fifth Street to Oakdale Cemetery with the Marysville High
School band furnishing parade music. Maj. Shaun Bailey, recently
returned from Iraq, will be the parade marshal. He will be accompanied
by his wife, Maj. Jennifer K.S. Bailey, who is on active duty at West
Point.
Scouts will hand out flags to the children, courtesy of American Legion
Post 79. Children should be encouraged to stand proudly when the flag
goes by and place their right hand over their heart.
In the case of rain, the parade will go to the Union County Veterans
Memorial Auditorium for the ceremonies. WUCO will announce the altered
route and location if necessary.
Ceremonies will begin at Oakdale Cemetery at 10 a.m. The Marysville
Middle School band will play at the cemetery at 9:30 a.m. and join the
high school band to provide music. Honored guests will be former
Prisoners of War, World War II veterans and anti-terrorism war veterans.

Bailey, the son of retired Col. Don and Marge Bailey, will be the guest
speaker. Bailey has served 12 years as an aero-medical evacuation
officer in Korea, Albania, Bosnia, Africa, Central America, Afghanistan,
Kuwait and Iraq and is currently on orders to assume command of the
542nd Medical Company (air ambulance) in Chunchon, Korea. His
decorations and awards include the Senior Aviator's Badge, the Bronze
Star and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He is a Marysville native and a
graduate of Fairbanks High School and Ohio State University.
Grant Underwood, son of Scott and Holly Underwood and one of the
American Legion Americanism winners this year, will read an article by
Sen. John McCain and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Underwood is a
junior at Marysville High School where he is Student Council treasurer,
junior class vice president and member of the National Honor Society,
Mock Trial team, choir and varsity swimming team. He is organist at
First English Lutheran Church.
Gen. John Logan's 1868 Order establishing Decoration Day, the forerunner
of Memorial Day, will be read by Danielle Irvine, a senior at Fairbanks
High School. She is the daughter of Doug and Jan Irvine of Plain City
and is a member of the New California Presbyterian Church where she is
active in the youth group. She has been involved in FFA, FCCLA,
yearbook, Drama Club and National Honor Society and in nursing home
visits. She will attend Muskingum College to study middle childhood
education.
Marcus Geer, son of Mark and Linda Geer of Milford Center, will present
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Geer was the national winner of the
American Legion Americanism and Government test, winning a trip to
Washington, D.C., and has toured the Gettysburg battle site. He is a
sophomore at Fairbanks High School and is active in National Honor
Society, FFA and varsity swimming. He is also active in 4-H.
Short services will be conducted by the VFW and American Legion at the
Amrine and Catholic cemeteries after the Oakdale ceremonies.
The Marysville Memorial Day committee is composed of representatives of
American Legion Post 79, American Veterans Post 28, Blue Star Mothers
Chapter 41, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 55, Hannah Emerson Dustin
Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 3320

Storm damage minimal in U.C.
From J-T staff reports:
"Lucky" was the word Brad Gilbert, deputy director of the Union County
Emergency Management Agency used to describe the area's brush with a
strong line of thunderstorms Friday night.
While some areas of central Ohio were drilled with several inches of
rain, damaging wind, lightning and hail, Gilbert reported the Union
County area was fortunate.
According to National Weather Service rainfall records Pharisburg
residents received the heavies rainfall in the county at 2.19 inches.
Other recorded amounts were: Allen Center, .79 inches; Byhalia .60
inches and New California .24 inches.
Gilbert reported that the most serious incident was a lightning strike
on a garage off Raymond Road. The structure did catch fire but was
reportedly brought under control within 20 minutes by fire crews from
Liberty Township, Marysville, Leesburg Township and the Northern Union
County Fire District.
Gilbert also reported that one home in Marysville was also struck by
lightning but he did not know the extent of the damage.
Minor roadway flooding was also reported on Route 739 near Essex and on
Huber Hazen Road. He said the waters subsided quickly.
The EMA had only one report of a downed power line, that being on Elm
Street in Broadway. Five homes were reportedly without power from the
downed line, according to Gilbert.
Other damage reported to the EMA included a downed phone line in
Marysville and a fallen tree on Route 739 in Essex.
Gilbert reported that a few resident reported seeing clouds that
resembled funnel clouds, but trained weather spotters could not confirm
the reports.
Gilbert also said Union County avoided the hail that damaged homes and
vehicles in other parts of the state.


Developers find a zoning loophole
From J-T staff report:
Several Union County township officials received a wake-up call recently
when they learned that they have no authority over subdivisions.
Until now when large tracts of township land, zoned U-1, have been
subdivided, the property would be rezoned to R-1. Rezonings can be
overturned by referendums and that has stopped numerous development
plans in Jerome Township and one in Allen Township.
One developer in Darby Township, however, plans to subdivide his 310
acres into 81 lots and not rezone because each lot meets the U-1 zoning
requirements.
Darby Township zoning inspector Jim Butler asked Union County
Prosecuting Attorney Alison Boggs if he needed to rezone. Boggs said no.

"Specifically in the area of zoning and subdivision regulations and
plats, the legislature granted authority over subdivision plats to
county commissioners in ORC Chapter 711 .... ," states Union County
Prosecuting Attorney Alison Boggs in a March 1 letter. "A township's
general authority ... cannot be interpreted and/or expanded to give
townships control over subdivisions or plats. The board of trustees must
stay within the expressed authority of the statute."
Union County Engineer Steve Stolte agrees.
"If a developer can meet U-1 standards then they can develop a
subdivision with no zoning changes," Stolte said. "Townships only have
authority over the use of land. The county has authority over
subdivision regulations."
The news is a bit alarming to at least two Allen Township officials.
"This could be a lawsuit in our township," said Judy Walk, a member of
the Allen Township Zoning Commission, recently when meeting with the
Union County Commissioners. "This just really opens the door."
Allen Township officials are concerned specifically about one property
owner who was required to seek a rezoning, did and then was denied the
rezoning because of a referendum by the voters.
This question never really became an issue until now because most
subdivisions did not meet U-1 standards which vary from township to
township. Townships have authority only to set minimum lot sizes, use,
set backs and minimum building size, said Stolte.

Darby plans bold zoning move
By CINDY BRAKE
Darby Township officials are attempting to boldly go where no townships
have gone before in the world of zoning.
In the name of farmland preservation and while updating their zoning,
the township's board of zoning is talking about creating new zoning
classifications that include an A-1 district which will change minimum
lot splits to 20 acres in selected areas.
There's a catch, though.
A-1 landowners can sell lots that are smaller than 20 acres - if they
get a conditional use merit - but the balance of the land must be put
into a 30-year easement with no compensation. What that means is that an
A-1 landowner could sell a two-acre lot and set aside 18 acres to be
used only for agricultural purposes.
No other township in Union County, or even the nation, it appears, has
tried this type of plan.
Planner Stacey Boumis of Burns, Bertsch & Harris Inc. in Columbus was
hired by the township to help with the planning process.
She is unaware of any township that has a program similar to the one
Darby is considering. Preble County has created 40-acre minimum lot
zoning with no easement option and Madison County has a 20-acre minimum
lot rule - but both have county, not township, zoning.
Tom McQuiston of Preble County said his county had a 20-acre minimum lot
rule for years but increased it to 40 acres in 1997. The increased
acreage was in response to people dividing farms into 20-acre parcels.
McQuiston said what they found was that 20-acre lots are not a good use
of land. Since switching to 40 acres, McQuiston said growth has slowed
but not stopped.
Union County Engineer Steve Stolte said he disagrees with Darby
Township's approach.
"It's backwards," he said recently while meeting with the Union County
Board of Commissioners. He explained that if townships want to slow
development, they should consider maximum lot sizes, not minimum.
Stolte added that he questions whether 20-acre minimum lot splits would
hold up under a legal challenge.
Even Darby Township Zoning Board chairman David Gruenbaum, who farms in
Darby, and another younger farmer said that they do not believe this
proposed 20-acre rule will save farms. Boumis agrees that "20 acres is
not meant to be a viable farm."
So while everyone is talking about saving farmland, what they really
seem to mean is slowing down development.
Boumis said she recommended the set-aside idea as a way to preserve
farmland, a priority identified in the township's 2003 comprehensive
plan. She, however, recommended the easements be permanent. She said a
steering committee was uncomfortable with a permanent easement and
debated between10-, 20- and 30-year easements, finally settling with 30.
Boumis said the steering committee considered 30 years to be
generational and similar to the life of some federal conservation
programs such as the Wetlands Reserve Program or Grassland Reserve
Program.
"This is not a penalty. It is a way to help farmers from carving their
farms into 20-acre lots," Boumis said. She added that if the measure is
approved, township officials still have options such as waiving rezoning
fees for conditional use permits to allow people more flexibility.
"Darby Township is in a unique position," Boumis said.
Some farmers in the area don't see the plan in the same light as Boumis.

At a recent public hearing, one land owner said her family "has paid for
their land with blood, sweat and tears." She said she would be 85 years
old before her land would come out of an easement. "I don't think that's
right," she said.
Another land owner, George Nichols, told the board it appears that his
land is in the wrong place because it would fall into an A-1 area.
"I guess I'm on the wrong side of the track. Who drew these up?" he
asked about a proposed map that specifies what properties fall into A-1
districts. "My right to do something with it is gone."
The American Farmland Trust, which Boumis referred to, states that
easements were first seriously considered 25 years ago and have been
used by suburban and semi-rural parts of major metropolitan areas with
county populations of more than 100,000 and rapid population growth. The
trust notes that there is a potential to use easements to compliment
local planning and land use policies but few easement programs work this
way. Currently 1.8 million agricultural acres are under easements
nationwide.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture has overseen a statewide easement
donation program since 2000. The new law allows land owners to donate
development rights to the state or local government for protecting
productive farmland from non-agricultural uses. The state has paid an
average of $1,467 per acre to purchase easements on 37 farms and
preserve 7,447 acres since the program began.
Melanie Wilt, a spokesman with the Ohio Department of Agriculture,
explains that without paid easement options it just doesn't make sense
financially to keep land in agriculture when developers pay much more
per acre than farmers.
Darby Township isn't planning to pay for the easements.
The Darby Township Board of Zoning will meet Monday at 7 p.m. in the
township house at Unionville Center to discuss the plan and possibly
vote. If the board of zoning approves the plan it will be forwarded to
the township's board of trustees.

Coroner honored for 9/11 efforts
By RYAN HORNS
In the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks the American skies
were devoid of planes, except for a few flying emergency supplies to New
York in the middle of the night.
A Union County doctor was recently awarded for flying one of those
planes.
Union County Coroner and primary care physician Dr. David Applegate was
presented the 2003 Public Benefit Flying Award by the National
Aeronautic Association on April 26 for actions he took the night of
Sept. 11, 2001, to help the Red Cross get blood and supplies to victims
of the attacks with the use of his plane and piloting skills.
Applegate said he took part in the volunteer emergency flight because of
a call he received that day from fellow Volunteer Pilots Association
member Kevin Sell from Pennsylvania. Sell knew Applegate had no problem
flying in bad weather or at night, so he gave him a call.
Hours later Applegate was flying his plane in the middle of the night to
Oklahoma. He said it was perfect weather that night.
After landing in Oklahoma, his plane was loaded with 800 pounds of blood
and blood products.
"I was worried we wouldn't be able to get off the ground," he said.
The next leg of his journey was to Lexington, Ky, where he dropped off
the emergency blood supplies for the next volunteer pilots to take the
rest of the way to New York.
Flying alone in the sky that night was a completely new experience,
Applegate said.
"It was eerie. There was nothing out there," he said. "Even all the
radios were quiet."
In the immediate wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, the federal government initiated emergency plans that until
then were being reserved for an all-out nuclear war. This included the
decision by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the
Federal Aviation Administration to ground all non-military aircraft in
U.S. airspace.
Applegate said a series of clearance and background checks was how he
spent the hours before taking off for Oklahoma.
"There was no fooling around," he said.
He said he answered any questions they had for him and everything went
smoothly. It wasn't until the clearance was all over that he discovered
the people he had been talking to were government officials working deep
within NORAD bunkers located in the Colorado mountains.
Applegate said he and Sells were chosen for the award because of the way
the Volunteer Pilots Association coordinated their volunteers to help
the victims. The awards ceremony was held April 26 at the Steven F.
Udvar Hazy Center, a newly-constructed National Air and Space Museum
branch of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.
Applegate said he and Sells were given a front row seat for the
ceremony.
"There were some pretty neat people there," he said.
Among those in attendance were Dick Rutan, the first man to fly around
the world in nine days without refueling; two groups of astronaut crews
who conducted work on the International Space Station; Troy Bradley, who
flew a hot air balloon a distance of 1,017 miles; and three men who
piloted the first radio-controlled model air plane to cross the Atlantic
Ocean.
Applegate has been flying planes for the past 12 years and said he still
offers his services as a pilot several times a year to assist seriously
injured people or those suffering from rare diseases who are looking for
special care in other states. The patients often don't even know he's a
doctor.
He said he has plans to make another one of these flights in June.

Trial starts Monday
By RYAN HORNS
The trial concerning a young Milford Center woman who allegedly left her
newborn daughter on the banks of Treacle Creek in July will begin
Monday.
The trial of Amy Detlor, 19, starts Monday at 9 a.m. and is expected to
last four days. She is charged with one first-degree felony charge of
involuntary manslaughter; one third-degree felony endangering children
charge; one third-degree felony reckless homicide charge; and one
fifth-degree felony abuse of a corpse charge.
To date, the details concerning Detlor's defense have not been revealed
by her attorney Michael Streng.
What is known about the case is that on July 1, 2003, the Union County
Sheriff's Office received a call from Detlor at 16 Pleasant St. in
Milford Center. She was reportedly bleeding profusely after giving birth
earlier in the day.
According to court files, Detlor told authorities she no longer had
possession of the baby. Sheriff's deputies checked the home and found
blood, bloody towels and clothing strewn throughout the house. They did
not find the baby.
At Memorial Hospital of Union County, Detlor was questioned about the
birth, which she claimed occurred at 8 a.m. in Columbus. Sheriff's
reports state that Detlor fabricated a story about how she had been
assisted in the birth by a friend named "Tiffany" and had left the
newborn in her care in Columbus. Court files indicate that as the day
progressed, Detlor reportedly continued telling officer false
information regarding where she put the baby.
She later admitted she had given birth in a bathroom at 1904 Wythe
Street in Columbus. This was the home of her grandmother who Detlor said
was not aware the birth had occurred.
Detlor explained to deputies that after she gave birth she wrapped the
baby in a blue towel, placed it on the front passenger seat of her car
and drove away. She first stopped at McDonalds in Plain City and went
through the drive-thru. While doing this she covered the baby up so it
could not be seen.
Detlor claimed she then went to Milford Center to the Pleasant Street
address. At that time she removed the towel from the infant and realized
the child had died. Then she drove to the Milford Center Prairie Reserve
on Connor Road.
Detlor said she put the baby in a plastic trash bag she had in the car
and carried the child to an abandoned railroad trestle where she left it
in some high weeds. The sheriff's office later discovered the baby at
this location.
Streng said the list of witnesses will be lengthy.
Detlor also reportedly told Assistant Union County Coroner Dr. Zachary
Place that the baby had cried when it was born, reaffirming what Union
County Coroner Dr. David Applegate had reported when he said that the
child was born healthy.
Court files indicate that numerous people associated with the
investigation of the case and also Detlor's family will testify.
Subpoenaed for the trial are Gary Wilgus, a special agent with BCI&I;
Applegate, Union County Coroner; Regina Peal of Columbus State Community
College; Dr. Robert C. Belding, Former Franklin County Coroner as a
forensic pathologist; dispatcher Ann Barr; Jon Kleiber, Mike Justice and
Eric Yoakam of the Union County Sheriff's Office; and Brad Long of the
Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Fairbanks High School announces award winners
From J-T staff reports:
Fairbanks High School held its awards ceremony Friday morning in the
high school gymnasium.
Valedictorian John Williams received an honor diploma and an Award of
Merit, the Union County Bar Association Scholarship, John Philip Sousa
Award and National Honor Society Award. He was a Law Day Participant and
was named an Ohio High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete. He
received an Americanism test award and was named an Elks Student of the
Year.
Salutatorian Nancy Taylor received an honor diploma, Award of Merit and
National Honor Society Award. She was offered a $14,300 University of
Chicago Grant.
Other awards include:
Voice of Democracy ? Danielle Irvine, Hannah Ryan and Amanda Meddles
Americanism Test ? Marcus Geer, Dawn Skedell, Ryan Conklin, Alex Bisker,
Brittany Lambert and Koriann Reed
Law Day Participants ? Austin Hill, Meghann Swartz, Dan Hutson, Trey
Locke, Mallory Koehn, Whitney Gorton, Greg Lawrenz, Nolan George,
Johnathan Rankin, Jim Vandre, Kori Weese, Ross Skoog, Danielle Irvine
and Hannah Ryan
Rotary A+ for Effort Award ? Trey Locke and Will Smith
Brian Nicol Scholarship ? Erin Burns
R. Kenneth Koltenbah Scholarship ? Austin Hill and Greg Lawrenz
DAR Citizenship Award ? Laura Scheiderer
American History Medal ? Emilie Noland
Senior Good Citizenship Award ? Kelly Alfrey and Dan Hutson
Phillip Ferryman Scholarship ? Amanda Meddles and Rachel Harbold
Art Box Scholarship ? Hannah Ryan
Ohio Board of Regents Award ? Dan Hutson, Erin Burns, Laura Scheiderer,
Stephanie Wright and Nathan Reed
Retired Teachers Association Scholarship ? Erin Burns
Fairbanks High School Faculty Scholarship ? Amanda Meddles
Milford Center Lions Club Scholarship ? Erin Burns, Nathan Reed, Troy
Toops, Whitney Gorton and Amanda Meddles
Ninth Bomber Veteran Bomber Association Scholarship ? Amanda Meddles
HOBY Leadership Winner ? Julie Vandre
Elks Scholarship ? Jim Vandre
Elks Student of the Year ? Hannah Ryan and John Williams
Gault Scholarship ? Ashley Jordan and Amanda Meddles
ATP Scholarship ? Whitney Gorton
Thrivent Financial Scholarship ? Laura Scheiderer
Sargent V. Chamberlain Scholarship ? Kori Weese
Music Awards ? all high school band and chorus members
Board of Education Scholarship ? Austin Hill
Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award ? Kelly Alfrey and Nathan Reed
OHSAA State Award for Service ? Steve Garrabrant
OHSSA Scholar Athlete Award ? Erin Burns
Award of Merit ? Erin Burns, Laura Scheiderer, Dan Hutson, Danielle
Irvine, Whitney Gorton, Nathan Reed, Amanda Meddles, Christy Doss,
Stephanie Wright, Mallory Koehn, Heather Hamilton, Amy Ciminello, Jenna
Logan, Rachel Harbold, Margaret Mullen, Ashley Jordan, Greg Lawrenz,
Hannah Ryan, Troy Toops, Luke Sutton, Abby Huber, Kelly Alfrey, William
Harms and Bailey Burns.
Honor Diplomas ? Erin Burns, Laura Scheiderer, Dan Hutson, Danielle
Irvine, Whitney Gorton, Nathan Reed, Amanda Meddles, Christy Doss,
Stephanie Wright, Mallory Koehn, Heather Hamilton, Amy Ciminello and
Jenny Logan.
National Honor Society Awards ? Seniors: Kelly Alfrey, Erin Burns, Amy
Ciminello, Christy Doss, Justin George, Whitney Gorton, Heather
Hamilton, Rachel Harbold, Daniel Hutson, Danielle Irvine, Killian
Johnson, Ashley Jordan, Mallory Koehn, Greg Lawrenz, Jenna Logan, Amanda
Meddles, Margaret Mullen, Nathan Reed, Hannah Ryan, Laura Scheiderer,
Troy Toops and Stephanie Wright; Juniors: David Abfall, Alex Bisker,
Brent Chandler, Ryan Conklin, Katie Greiner, Chris Grunert, Hannah
Hackett, Brittany Lambert, Amanda Lotycz, Adam Masters, Andrew Nicol,
Amanda Schrader, Christina Shoemaker, Kendra Supplee, Amanda Vollrath
and Julie Whittenburg; Sophomores: Rachel Adkins, Josh Clarridge, Mandy
Crosser, Sarah Dillon, Marcus Geer, Letitia George, Jenny Hlterman,
Alicia McCarty, Emilie Noland, Koriann Reed, Melody Stauffer, Megan
Swaney, Julie Vandre and Michelle Watkins.
Year-long Distinction Honor Roll ? Seniors: Erin Burns, Amy Ciminello,
Whitney Gorton, Heather Hamilton, Rachel Harbold, Daniel Hutson,
Danielle Irvine, Jenna Logan, Amanda Meddles, Laura Scheiderer, Nancy
Taylor, John Williams and Stephanie Wright; Juniors: Alex Bisker, Hannah
Hackett, Darin Hurst, Brittany Lambert, Derek Nicol, Amanda Lotycz,
Amanda Schrader, Kendra Supplee, Amanda Vollrath and Whitney Walls;
Sophomores: Rachel Adkins, Josh Clarridge, Mandy Crosser, Jennifer
Dautartas, Seth Eickhoff, Marcus Geer, Letitia George, Jennifer
Halterman, Alicia McCarty, Emilie Noland, Koriann Reed, Collen Shephard,
Megan Swaney, Julie Vandre, Christine Warneke, Michelle Watkins and Cory
Whitaker; Freshmen: Rachel Bisker, Ben Johnson, Zach Koehn, David
Lambert, Jason Link, Lauren Murray, Tristin Pankhurst and Rachel
Rinehart.
Year-long Merit Honor Roll  Seniors: Christy Doss, Mallory Koehn,
Margaret Mullen, Beth Rausch, Nathan Reed, Alvaro Rodriguez Sandoval,
Hannah Ryan, Dawn Skedell, Meghann Swartz and Troy Toops; Juniors: David
Abfall, Brent Barton, Zach Carder, Ryan Conklin, Jenny Fite, Katie
Greiner, Chris Grunert, Lee Ann Holtschulte, Jacob Kilfian, Amber
Morrison, Adam Masters, Lindsey Rooney, Christina Shoemaker, Levi Smith
and Julie Whittenburg; Sophomores: Tiffany Atwell, Zane Barker, Sarah
Dillon, Rachel Hatfield, Sherri Hoffman, Sarah Kelly, Deric King,
Courtney Koehn, Cassie Locke, Amanda Mapes, Brianne Nicol, Ryan
Picklesimer, Jessica Pittman, Jenny Schammel, Kaylee Shaw and Ashley
Short; Freshmen: Stacy Alderman, Morgan Burns, Sarah Cantrell, Kyle
Daniels, Elisabeth Haywood, Jeff Lucas, Ali meddles and Michael
Williamson.
Scholarships accepted:
Erin Burns ? Capital Trustee Scholarship, $7,000; Luther Heritage Grant,
Collegiate Fellowship, Batelle Scholar Achievement and Ohio Choice
Grant, $1,000 each.
Amy Ciminello  Point Park Academic Scholarship and Cinema and Digital
Arts, $3,000 each.
William Harms ? Ohio Choice Grant, $1,002; Ohio Instructional Grant,
$2,178; ONU Dean's Scholarship, $5,000; ONU Achievement Award, $3,500;
and ONU General Grant, $4,700.
Heather Hamilton ? Otterbein Dean's Award, $2,000; Ohio Choice Grant,
$1,000; and Otterbein Scholar Award, $4,500.
Daniel Hutson ? University Scholarship, $1,800; Ohio Board of Regents,
$2,205; and Scarlet and Gray Scholarship, $750.
Killian Johnson ? CCAD Dean's Award, $28,000.
Amanda Meddles ? OSU Dean's Scholarship, $1,000; and Buckeye Community
Award, $600.
Deanna Nicol  Imagine America, $1,000.
Nathan Reed  OSU Trustee Scholarship, $750; and Scarlet and Gray
Scholarship, $1,050.
Hannah Ryan Otterbein Scholar Award, $4,500; Ohio Choice Grant,
$1,002; Otterbein Endowed Scholarship, $1,200; Otterbein Art Portfolio
Scholarship, $1,000; and Otterbein Community Service Scholarship,
$1,500.
Laura Scheiderer ? Otterbein Dean's Award, $6,000; Otterbein President's
Award, $3,000; Otterbein Choice Grant, $1,000; and Premier Department
Scholar, $1,000.
Troy Toops Columbus State Partnership, $1,500.
Jim Vandre  The High School Select, $1,000; and Lincoln Tech
Scholarship, $1,500.
Stephanie Wright  ONU Trustee Merit Award, $17,000.

Marysville High School announces award winners
Marysville High School held its award ceremonies Thursday morning and
evening in the high school auditorium.
This year's valedictorian is Natasha Schimmoeller. Awards she received
are Third Year Academic, Academic Champion of the Classroom, Dispatch
Scholar Athlete, George Allemang, In The Halls and Marine Corps
Scholastic Excellence. She received the Malcolm and Barbara MacIvor
Scholarship, Nestle R&D Scholarship, National Honor Society Award,
NASSP/Herff Jone Principal's Leadership Award, Ohio Academic
Scholarship, Year Book Editor's Award, Outstanding English Student
Award, President's Education Award, State Board of Education Award of
Merit and Student Council Leadership Award.
Salutatorian Drew Kouri Received the Third Year Academic Honors Award,
MHS Alumni Scholarship, President's Education Award, State Board of
Education Award of Merit, Thelma Carey Mathematics Award, and Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans Scholarship. He was named an Academic Champion
of the Classroom.
The next two top-ranking students of the class of 2004 are Andy Thompson
and Danielle Tompkins.
Thompson earned Third Year Academic Honors, the DeKalb Award, FFA Alumni
Scholarship, Jin and Gum Hyun Scholarship, Nestle R&D Scholarship,
President's Education Award and State Board of Education Award of Merit.

Tompkins earned Third Year Academic Honors, State Board of Education
Award of Merit, President's Education Award, National Honor Society
Award, Academic Champion of the Classroom Award, Margaret M. Schultz
Latin Award, Memorial Hospital of Union County Medical Staff Scholarship
and MHS Alumni Scholarship.
Other awards made were:
Ohio Academic Scholarship ? Christopher Earl
National Merit Commended Scholar ? Dan Vetanovetz
Prudential Spirit of Community Service ? Michelle Tsai
Outstanding Business Student ? Emily Nicol
FFA Outstanding Leadership ? Melissa Hockensmith
DAR Good Citizenship ? Amanda Daniels and Jacob Froehlich
DAR American History ? Dexter Meyers
OHSSA Scholar Athlete ? Beth Mannasmith and Jordan Prozialeck
All Sports ? Lucas Engle and Erin Irish
Polly Widner Award ? Amanda Daniels
Barney Galloway Award ? Cory Maier
Dispatch Scholar Athlete ? Shawn Kibler
Wendy's High School Heisman ? Beth Mannasmith and Ian Rodenberger
Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete ? Ryan Butler
Year Book Editor ? Jordan Prozialeck
Elks Students of the Year ? Nate Kesee and Jessica Murdock
Simper Fidelis Award ? Audrey Rhodebeck
Outstanding Government Student ? Larsa Ramsini
Marguerite Williams Latin Award ? Christopher Earl
Nestle R&D Science ? Shawn Kibler
Jobs for Ohio Graduates ? Teri Spurlock, Heather Matson, Matt Newhart,
Will Smith and Jonathan Lanier
John A. Strickler Art Award ? Michael Chorey
Lions LEO Club Scholarship ? Tracy Rutherford, Emily Nicol and Aaron
Rausch
Rotary A+ for Effort ? Danielle Smith
Michael Padavano Scholarship ? Tracy Rutherford
Cramer Professionalism Scholarship ? Josh Eastman
Ingram Scholarship ? Carmen Ford
Jim Harmon MEA Scholarship ? Chelsea Eggleston
Jobs for Ohio Graduates Scholarship ? Jason Boysel, Jessica Potter, Joey
Shreve, Terri Spurlock and Shannon Wyatt
Kiwanis Scholarship ? Katherine Snider
Malcolm and Barbara MacIvor Scholarship ? Aaron Rausch, Emily Nicol and
Ryan Butler
Memorial Hospital of Union County Medical Staff Scholarship ? Jennifer
Lamb and Jacob Froehlich
MHS Alumni Scholarship ? Katelynn Pastor
Monarch Athletic Scholarship ? Erin Irish and Ian Rodenberger
Mount Carmel Lodge 303 F&M Scholarship ? Katherine Snider
Nel and Gene Hoopes Scholarship ? Jacob Froehlich
Pat Conlon Memorial Scholarship ? Jacob Froehlich
Striffler Edwards Journalism Scholarship ? Courtney Cooper
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Scholarship ? Josh Demidovich
Union County Retired Teachers Scholarship ? Emily Nicol
Union County Women's Bowling Association Scholarship ? Michael Page
United Methodist Men and Women Scholarship ? Aaron Rausch
Vocal Music Awards ? Maui Michel, Felisha Foster, Kara Stevens, Mark
Neville, Natalie Bowsher, Tanner Chapman, Kelsey Baird, Jordan Longest,
Kimberly Leininger, Josh Alleman, Lori Distelhorst, Lucas McCarty,
Jeremy McCarty, Sarah Eubanks, Luke Ahern, Valerie Soller and Katey
Rowland
Business Certification Awards ? Nick Bushong, Carmin Ford, Kacie Snider,
Lucas Engle, Audrey Rhodebeck, Carmin Ford, Josh Eastman an Josh Woolum
National Honor Society Senior Awards ? Sarah Bond, Lori Bridge, Leslie
Buckley, Nick Bushong, Ryan Butler, Stacey Compton, Courtney Cooper,
Megan Daum, Josh Demidovich, Grant Dennis, Emily Dietsch, Christopher
Earl, Josh Eastman, Chelsea Eggleston, Charissa Flint, Megan Freshwater,
Jacob Froehlich, Marina Gorokhovskaya, Melinda Himler, Amanda Hoehn,
Jessica Hunter, Erin Irish, Sarah Jordan, Natalie Joseph, Nathan Keesee,
Shawn Kibler, Amanda Kinsley, Jennifer Lamb, Kelsey Lester, Corinna
Merrill, Kyle Miller, Jessica Murdock, Emily Nicol, Matthew Owen,
Katelynn Pastor, Doug Pelanda, Ryan Plymale, Jordan Prozialeck, Aaron
Rausch, Amy Rees, Audrey Rhodebeck, Ian Rodenberger, Eric Rohrs, Katey
Rowland, John Rushmore, Ross Rutherford, Tracy Rutherford, Angela Simon,
Valerie Soller, Kirsten Spain, Jamie Spencer, Lauren Thrush, Katie
Tracy, Michelle Tsai, Kshiti Vaghela, Nicholas Wantz and Andrew
Zacharias
Student Council Leadership Awards ? Amanda Daniels, Courtney Cooper,
Grant Underwood, Sarah Bond, Amanda Hoehn, Natalie Joseph, Jessica
Murdock and Katie Tracy
Elks Students of the Month ? Charissa Flint, Amanda Hoehn, Nate Kesee,
Jeremy McCarty, Wade McComas, Kyle Miller, Jessica Murdock, Emily Nicol,
Angela Parkinson, Ryan Plymale, Jordan Prozialeck and Casey Snyder
Family and Consumer Science Awards ? Amanda Daniels, Amanda Moon,
Danielle Brentlinger, Amber Church, Jenny Lamb, Sarah Jordan, Tiffany
Giles, Arielle Harmon, Amanda Hoehn, Ian Rodenberger and Tracey
Rutherford
In the Halls Awards ? Lori Bridge, Rachel Haake, Luci Howard, Amanda
Kinsley, Emily Nicol, Angie Parkison, Aaron Rausch, Meg Tracey and Jenna
Yoder
Mock Trial Awards ? Sarah Bond, Lauren Brake, Allison Bruner, Sarah
Burns, Kathy Connolly, Courtney Cooper, Alasun Cunningham, Jacob Decot,
Ally Diaz, Lori Distelhorst, Andrea Elliott, Heather Ellis, Aaron
Fancey, Rachel Haake, Kayleigh Izzard, Kelley Hannah, Teresa Kim,
Frederic Labadie, Meagan Laird, Katelin Mantey, Megan McLurg, Danielle
Nichols, Amanda Owen, Larsa Ramsini, Amy Randall, Aaron Rausch, Virginia
Rogers, Eric Rohrs, Lyndsay Rush, Jan Shanklin, Jamie Shanklin, Caleb
Speicher, Zach Stillings, Ashley Taylor, Grant Underwood, Dan
Vetanovetz, Angela White, Greg White, Katie Williams and Erin Young
---
Editor's Note: Lists of other awards will appear in the newspaper as
space allows.

MR/DD levy given the go ahead
From J-T staff reports:
The Union County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted today to place
a 2.4-mill MR/DD replacement levy before voters during the August
special election.
"I think the Union County MR/DD Board has taken positive financial steps
to be more inline with other Union County agencies, making their levy
request more acceptable for the Union County voters," said commissioner
Jim Mitchell in a written statement.
Commissioner Gary Lee said, "The Union County MR/DD Board's actions have
said they are sensitive to the feelings of the people in Union County.
These kinds of decisions are difficult. Their board's actions will
ensure that necessary programs continue to be provided."
Commissioner Tom McCarthy added that "the board has made a good faith
effort to address our concerns."
Voters have turned down similar levy requests in March and November,
while the three commissioners have questioned the board's generous
compensation policies for staff and large carryover fund balance.
The current levy, due to expire at the end of this year, generates $1.9
million or 29 percent of this year's budget. A replacement levy is based
on new property values and would bring in an additional $700,000.
Since the two levy failures, the seven-member MR/DD board has scaled
back proposed employee raises and voted to close the Harold Lewis
Center's cafeteria which has lost more than $30,000 annually for several
years.
The board also implemented cost containment measures estimated to save
$573,000.
The board has stated that the Harold Lewis preschool program will close
at the end of the 2005 school year if a levy is not approved.
The Union County MR/DD provides services and support to 404 county
residents who have mental retardation or developmental disabilities.
Eligible people of all ages can receive services through the Harold
Lewis Center, U-Co-Industries, WorkNet and/or supported services.
The board's mission is to "increase opportunities for a quality of life,
community membership and personal developmental disabilities."


Homeowner has had enough
Family pays for own repair work to keep sewage from flooding basement
By RYAN HORNS
Marysville resident Sue Nason has seen more traffic by her house on
Hickory Drive lately since she put up a big sign in her front yard.
Standing on her lawn Wednesday, Nason said she hopes the sign sheds
light on a problem in Marysville.
The sign states "Funded by owner.  No city help. Ever. With 3 sewage
floods."
Her family has finally reached the breaking point in their efforts to
make city administrators admit that poorly-organized residential
development over the years has caused raw sewage to flood many
Marysville homes.
After flash flood warnings swept across Central Ohio Tuesday, Nason said
a familiar feeling returned: Worrying about the next flood.
Since 1993, the Nasons have spent more than $50,000 of their own money
repairing damages caused by three raw sewage floods in their basement
living room. They were dropped by their insurance provider and now can
be reimbursed only for a total loss.
Nason said her last hope is to spend another $4,000 on a product called
a Flood-Gate that is expected to solve their problem. The Flood-Gate was
invented by a retired plumber from Springfield who was trying to solve
sewage flooding in homes.
Nason said the reason the protest sign went up in her yard this week was
because the Flood-Gate materials arrived and she started receiving phone
calls from neighbors and friends telling her how glad they were that the
city had finally decided to fix her flooding problem. But she said
everyone assumed wrong.
"We decided to go all out," Nason said. "We wanted to let people know
that the city has done nothing to prevent flooding and has done nothing
to help us out."
What she can't understand is why Marysville would annex her neighborhood
and then deny any responsibility in maintaining it.
"We really feel badly treated," she said.
What she also can't understand is how differently other communities have
been responding to sewage flooding homes.
Nason never thought she'd become an unofficial expert on sewage flooding
but she has been cutting out newspaper articles on the topic from across
Ohio for years. Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman reportedly announced in
late April that he plans to set aside $1 million a year for three years
to provide grants to residents with sewage backups in their homes. In
Springfield, city officials have reimbursed about 30 residents up to
$4,500 to put the devices in their basements or yards.
Nason said her only response from Marysville officials has been that
residents must pay for the Flood-Gate themselves. She wonders why other
cities can claim responsibility for their poorly-organized development
in the past and yet Marysville will not.
In an Aug. 14, 2003, letter from city engineer Phil Roush, she was told
that "the installation of such system rests with the homeowner."
Kruse said this morning that Nason has every right to place the sign in
her yard as a protest.
"It's just our policy that we aren't going to fund these sort of
improvements to people's property," he said.
Kruse said it is not a policy Marysville is going to adapt, despite what
has been done in Columbus and Springfield.
"I really don't know why Columbus did that, or any other city," he said.

He said for the city to fund repairs such as this would be very
expensive, because many more residents would come forward asking the
same thing. The city is more focused on repairing the stormwater and
sewer lines in general in order to benefit the whole city. But he said
it will take time.
Numerous residents have approached the Nason family to organize a group
of Marysville residents to go after the city to pay for fixing their
flooding homes.
"We've been asked before to spearhead something," she said. "Keith and I
discussed it, but we came to the decision that we just want to deal with
the city on our own behalf . We agreed we didn't have the time."
She is also worried that many sewage flood victims are not cleaning
their homes professionally. The cost can run up to $2,500 but if it is
not performed their home could turn into a breeding ground for Hepatitis
B. She said many cleaning companies even turned the job down because of
the health risk to their workers.
But as work crews tore up her lawn for the third time this morning,
Nason called to say that other residents on Hickory Drive have been
talking to the work crews to learn more about the Flood-Gate. Looking at
the backhoes in her grass, she said it is ironic that at one time her
lawn was part of the Union County garden tour.
 She also feels bad for what will happen after their Flood-Gate is
installed. She said the sewage that used to flood her home will have to
go somewhere. Now some other home down the line may have a new problem
they didn't have before.
"It really shouldn't happen to people," she said. "We cannot walk away
from this house with no dime to show for it. We are in pure survival
mode."
With only one year of payments left on the home and with the Flood-Gate
installation already begun, she said they may finally be able to sell
their home and move to Logan County where they have already bought
property.
"It's sad to say this, after all the years we've lived in Marysville,"
Nason said. "But we would not recommend anyone move here."


Lightning strike causes power outage
Union Rural Electric reports that 300 members were without power
Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. because of a lightning strike on the
West Marysville Substation.
The lightning strike destroyed a switching device but URE crews were
able to restore electric service to affected members by feeding power
from the new Watkins Substation.
Crews expect to make repairs to the damaged equipment today. There were
other scattered outages as a result of the storm, reports Rick Shortell,
vice president of business development.


FHS announces 2004 valedictorian, salutatorian
 J-T staff reports:
John Williams, the son of Bob and Nancy Williams of Marysville, is the
valedictorian of the Fairbanks High School class of 2004.
Williams participated in four years of marching band, concert band and
basketball band and has been a squad leader the last three years. He is
a member of the National Honor Society, Mock Trial and Science Club.
Williams was selected as a National Merit Finalist this spring and has
been the highest male scorer in his grade on the Americana Legion
Americanism test for the past two years. He attended the American Legion
Buckeye Boys State last summer.
In sports, Williams played four years of varsity soccer an was a
co-captain the past two years. He has been involved in the wrestling
program for two years and helped coach the youth program and he
participated in one year of track.
Williams will attend the University of Notre Dame to major in aerospace
engineering.
Salutatorian Nancy Taylor is the daughter of Tim and Connie Taylor of
Watkins.
She has been an active member of band for eight years, has been first
chair clarinet for the past three years and took part in marching band
for a year. She is a three-year member of National Honor Society and
Mock Trial and a one-year member of Science Club. She volunteers for
Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Taylor will attend the pre-veterinary program at the University of
Chicago and plans to earn her degree in veterinary medicine from the
Ohio State University.


United Way announces new campaign chair
Coinciding with the unveiling of a new nationwide corporate logo, the
United Way of Union County is introducing the volunteer campaign chair
for 2004 and presenting a new theme for the upcoming campaign.
Michele Mercer of Marysville will assume the lead role on the campaign
committee that is responsible for raising funds for our community.
Mercer, with Sell4Free Box Realty and Box Custom Homes, has made
Marysville her home for eight years. She has been a United Way volunteer
since 2000 and has served as the publicity committee chair for the last
three years. During that time, she's seen firsthand the way United Way
makes an impact in our community.
"Daily we hear about or find different areas of need," Mercer said. "I
would really like us to be able to reach out and impact the community
more and more each year by finding and creating the solutions that
additional funding would allow us to do."
Mercer lives in Marysville with her husband, Jim.
Beginning today, United Way's across the country have a new look for the
first time in more than 30 years. The new logo modernizes the familiar
"helping hand" trademark. The new logo maintains the principal aspects
that make it one of the most recognizable symbols in corporate America:
 . A helping hand to symbolize United Way's support of services and
programs that in turn support people in our community.
 . The symbol of humankind cradled by the helping hand to indicate that
United Way cares about all people everywhere.
 . The rainbow emerging from the hand to shelter the human figure,
representing hope for a better tomorrow.
The 2004 campaign theme "Bringing neighbors together, improving lives"
feeds off the most critical portion of the United Way of Union County's
mission statement, which is "to improve the lives of people within our
community by raising, collecting and distributing funds." Last year, the
United Way campaign raised more than $681,000 for its 24 member agencies
and other funded partners in Union County.
But the United Way is more than just a fundraiser, working year round to
make an impact in our community by bringing to the same table people who
can help solve some of the critical social service issues facing Union
County today.

NU third graders turn it around
Scores soar on recent reading test after a terrible showing in the fall
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
In the fall the North Union School District got slapped in the face
twice.
When the results of the Third Grade Reading Achievement Test were
released, nearly 70 percent of NU third graders did not score at an
acceptable level. In fact, the largest percentage of students were
deemed to read at a "limited" level, the lowest level the results are
grouped into.
Then a Columbus newspaper found North Union's statistics and printed
them in a story for all of Central Ohio to see. NU students looked
unprepared, the teachers looked unqualified and the district was shamed.

"It was definitely a wake up call," North Union Superintendent Carol
Young said.
Young was convinced the scores did not reflect the intelligence of the
students or the dedication of the staff - and she was right.
Third graders across the state are tested twice each year and when NU's
spring results came in the students had turned it all around.
More than 75 percent of the students scored at a level of "proficient,"
"accelerated," or "advanced."
Third grade teachers received a standing ovation after the test results
were revealed at Monday's North Union Board of Education meeting.
Young said the original test results showed a lack of strategy rather
than a lack of knowledge.
"Our students are not test savvy," Young said.
She said there may have been some level of panic as students took the
test, their first such standardized proving ground.
She explained that many of the low scores were also the result of test
language being slightly different from the wording used in class. Others
simply answered questions with a "yes" or "no" when a longer answer was
required.
With test results being tied into new federal and state guidelines, the
staff members at North Union set out to ensure that their students
gained the confidence and knowhow to master the test.
Claibourne-Richwood Elementary principal Lisa Wolfe said the
administration and staff first sought to help "bubble students," those
who were on the fringe of reaching an acceptable score on the test.
Wolfe challenged each administrator and staff member to take on a
"bubble student" and work with him for 30 minutes per week.
The response was outstanding, Wolfe said, with some participants taking
on more than one student.
Young said the staff also had to embrace the four dirty words - teach to
the test.
While districts enjoy maintaining their individuality in lesson plans,
when a standardized test is the measuring stick, you have to conform,
Young said.
"I think all the Ohio schools are going that direction," she said.
She said teachers began to use wording and language from the test
questions in their lessons. Staffers also pushed students to explain
answers with more than a "yes" or "no."
Despite the student success of the spring test, administrators know that
the cycle could repeat itself again next year. Young noted that the late
start date of the first day of school in the district means the teachers
have less time to get students ready for the fall test.
She said that fact makes it mandatory that teachers look at standardized
test preparation as a year round process that begins the year before the
test is administered.

Harold Lewis staffers voice concerns
By CINDY BRAKE
Will the Harold Lewis Center remain open through June 2005, even if a
levy fails in November?
Will the HLC kitchen reopen if the levy passes?
Will there be a reduction in staff if the levy fails?
Three staff members came with their questions and concerns to the Union
County MR/DD board meeting Monday about their future and the future of
the Harold Lewis Center.
"We are all a little nervous," said Sheri Baker, a preschool instructor.

Voters turned down a 2.4-mill replacement levy request in November and
March. The current levy generates $1.9 million or 29 percent of this
year's budget and expires at the end of the year. A replacement levy is
based on new property values and would bring in an additional $700,000.
The MR/DD board wants to go to the voters again in August with an
identical request as March, however, the Union County Board of
Commissioners must first give the go ahead. The filing deadline for the
August election is Thursday. The commissioners are expected to act on
the MR/DD levy request on Thursday during their regular meeting.
The board has said the HLC will close if voters do not approve a levy
this year.
Kristin Raiter, a language development therapist, said the staff feels
as if they are caught in a political battle. "All we want is to keep our
jobs and keep the center open," she said.
MR/DD board president Bruce Davis responded by saying that the MR/DD
board and Union County Board of Commissioners have disagreed recently,
but that disagreements are not always bad.
Union County's three commissioners, who appoint the MR/DD board members,
have questioned the board's generous compensation policies for staff and
large carryover fund balance while citizens with disabilities and their
families are waiting for services.
Davis assured the staff that the HLC will remain open through June 2005,
even if the levy fails in November and staff will be maintained through
the school year.
If the center closes, children with disabilities would receive services
from their school districts, Davis said.
Concerning the kitchen reopening, Davis said the subject "may be
revisited" but offered no guarantees. The board voted to closed the HLC
cafeteria, which has lost more than $30,000 annually for several years,
at the end of this school year. MR/DD was the only preschool in the
county that provided meals. Even with the cafeteria closing, the
preschool will continue to provide nutritious snacks.
Calling it a "huge expense," Davis said the cafeteria has been a "point
of contention for a couple of years."
When asked what the board is doing to get a levy passed, board member
Bob Box said he is committed to making five telephone calls a day. One
staff member said she has moved to the county so she can vote on future
levies. The board also encouraged staff to talk with families that
receive services.
Also during the regular meeting, the board voted to join a taxpayer
lawsuit in Delaware County. The lawsuit questions the legality of an
emergency rule adopted by the Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services. The rule increases rates unreasonably, explained
superintendent Jerry Buerger. As an example, he said autistic services
would increase from $45,000 a year to $328,000 and nursing rates would
go from $55 an hour to $140.60.
Action to finalize the superintendent's contract was tabled with no
reason given. The board was to finalize the 2004-2005 contract for
Buerger who is in the second year of a three-year contract.
The board adjourned into executive session earlier in the meeting for
approximately an hour to consider the employment and compensation of
public employees and the investigation of complaints against public
employees or officials.
In other business, the board:
. Observed a moment of silence in memory of Alexis Coover who died May
6.
. Approved April operating expenses totaling $466,011.07.
. Appointed Wils VanDamm to the U-CO Industries Inc. board of directors.

. Passed a resolution to notify employees of its intent to employ for
the upcoming year. All employees have had an evaluation in the past year
and two will not be receiving any merit pay increased based upon the
results.
. Approved position descriptions.
. Approved contracts with Professional Speech Services Inc. at U-CO
Industries at a cost of $50 an hour for up to 160 hours annually and at
a cost of $38.50 an hour for 35 hours per week for 44 weeks at Harold
Lewis Center; Union County Health Department for intermittent nursing
services at a cost of $33 an hour; Occupational Therapy and Assistive
Technology Services at a rate of $47 an hour; ABC Therapies Inc. for
physical therapy services at a rate of $65 an hour; U-Co Industries Inc.
board of trustees for leasing 510 W. Fourth St. for adult daycare
services; and Medicaid Consulting Group Inc. of Reynoldsburg for
assistance in the implementation of self-determination/individual
budgeting services required by the state. A contract with the Delaware
Creative Housing Board to provide management and maintenance of
properties owned by Union County Housing Board was tabled as attorneys
work on the agreement.
. Authorized a payment of up $3,699 for fleet insurance and payment of
$7,895 for property insurance. The county realized a savings of more
than $7,000 from the 2003-2004 rates.
. Authorized payment of an employee health care contract. Rates are
$382.30 per month for single coverage and $1,032.28 for dependent
coverage. This is a 15.16 percent rate increase. MR/DD contributes
$774.22 per month for dependent health care coverage or 75 percent of
the cost. Staff asked for the board consider paying 80 percent but the
request was declined in light of budget constraints.
. Heard a special presentation about individual plans. Laura Zuriech
provided the board with an example of a 41-page plan that is required to
be developed at least annually to enable the agency to provide services
and to comply with local, state and federal regulations.
. Learned that the fifth annual levy open golf tournament is July 23 at
Timberview Golf Club.
Board members present were Bob Box, the Rev. Paul Whiteford, Bruce
Davis, John Anson, Dr. Helen Ahlborn, Beth Ayars and Steve Streng.
The next board meeting is June 21 at 4:30 p.m. The ethics council meets
at 4:20 p.m. and the annual board inservice training is June 7 from 5 to
9 p.m.


Vandal slashes tires on cop cars
After short foot pursuit he is apprehended
From J-T staff reports:
An unlucky vandal was arrested this morning after slashing tires on
police cruisers parked right behind the Marysville Police Department.
Police charged Ricky Organ, 58, of Mechanicsburg on two counts of
vandalism and one count of resisting arrest at 3:12 a.m.
"It was a foolish move," Marysville assistant police chief Glenn Nicol
said. "They found him out there while he was doing it."
There is even a surveillance camera pointed on the back of the
department, he said.
Organ ended up slashing 10 tires on three cruisers parked behind the
station at 125 E. Sixth St.
Police officers were reportedly processing another individual who had
been arrested at the time Organ was slashing the tires. When one of the
officers finished with the arrest he went out the back door to go on
patrol again and caught him in the act.
Nicol said a short foot chase ensued and Organ struggled with officers
as he was apprehended.
The crime did not hold up police patrols, Nicol said. Other vehicles
were available and the early morning hours were not particularly busy.
Several hours later police had the three disabled cruisers repaired and
ready for the road.
"The city mechanic did an excellent job," Nicol said. "He had them back
in service by 8 a.m."
The tires were replaced with used ones for now until new ones can be
purchased and installed, he said. The cost of the vandalism will
reportedly cost $66 per tire, or $660.



Herschel's, the home of some big, beefy burgers
David and Nora Grooms have owned and operated Herschel's since March
1997 and their children have been a part of the business.
The restaurant was built in 1973 and operated by the Borden Company as
one of its Borden Burger locations. The Grooms family bought it from
Borden in January 1977.
A daughter, Michelle, and son, Duane, worked at the business through
high school. Today, Michelle Wasserbeck and Duane Grooms are married and
running their own businesses.
Another Grooms son, Cody, a sophomore at Marysville High School, is now
working at Herschel's. Joe Kaing, a 20-year employee, is assistant
manager.
The business was named for David's father, Herschel, and that is also
David's middle name.
Grooms said his most-ordered breakfast item is probably the western
omelet. Other favorites are the shredded chicken sandwich and Coney
dogs. Then there are the burgers: The single is 1/3 pound, the double is
2/3 pound and the triple is a full pound of beef.
Grooms said customers are told that if they can eat two triples, the
third is free. No one has ever eaten more than two, he said.
Grooms said the business hires high school students mostly to work after
school until the 8 p.m. closing time. He said it gives the young people
a job that doesn't keep them out until 11 p.m. or later. Herschel's
closes for two weeks each July and the whole staff is on vacation at the
same time.
Herschel's is located at 465 N. Main St. and is open from 6 a.m. to 8
p.m. Monday through Saturday. The phone number is 644-0777.

Railyard plan may crumble
By CINDY BRAKE
"We've got the yard shut off. I think," said Bill Habig of the MidOhio
Regional Planning Commission Monday to the Union County Board of
Commissioners.
Habig was referring to a proposed intermodal railyard. In January, the
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) announced 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.
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 a new $30 million
intermodal yard.
Since the announcement, a local group calling itself CAIR - Citizens
Against Intermodal Railyard -  challenged the project, voicing concern
about health and safety standards. Public officials have officially
opposed the railyard's location south of Marysville.
In response to Habig's comments, Union County Commissioner Tom McCarthy
asked how the county can know for sure that the railyard is definitely
not coming to Union County.
Habig suggested that the commissioners contact COTA and CXS officials
directly.
The commissioners say that they have.
McCarthy said he talked for an hour recently on the telephone with two
top COTA officials and asked them for an official statement that Union
County is no longer under consideration. McCarthy said they would not
officially commit to withdrawing from Union County. Commissioner Gary
Lee accused CSX of not answering telephone inquiries.
"CSX has hidden behind the skirt of COTA this whole dance. We've been
trying to use the appropriate channels," Lee said.
Habig added that two other upcoming events will be good indicators about
the rail's future.
He said a COTA Community Advisory Committee will meet May 25 and is
expected to vote on whether to proceed with a levy request to Franklin
County voters in November. He predicted that the rail project is dead if
the advisory committee votes against going to the voters.
A rail system study is also expected to be completed soon, Habig said.
This study will determine the best location for a railyard, said  CAIR
spokesman Phil Shandle. He adds that alternate locations must be
considered by the National Environmental Policy Act, something that had
not been done this until CAIR voiced concerns.
In March, Union County was the only site being considered by COTA. That
apparently has changed, according to Habig and commissioner Jim
Mitchell.
Habig said COTA is now looking at Marion. Mitchell said "Bellefontaine
is really cooking on it," pointing out that it has a switching yard.
"This thing isn't over," Shandle said.
CAIR continues to hold weekly volunteer meetings at the Union County
Services Center on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and has passed out thousands of
flyers.
"The goal is to keep the people of Marysville informed," Shandle said.

MR/DD axes pricey buyout plan
By CINDY BRAKE
A generous board policy, blamed as one reason for the failure of two
recent levies, was changed Monday by the Union County Board of MR/DD.
Board member Paul Whiteford called the move "a prudent decision to
make," while board member Bob Box said he feared the loss of employees.
"If we don't do it (change the policy) we will lose a whole lot of
employees," Whiteford said, referring to the possible closing of the
Harold Lewis Center in 2005 if a levy is not passed by November.
Whiteford called the decision a "less painful cut."
"The community has spoken," said board member Steve Streng. "We've got
to do something different."
Last year the board expanded its employee sick leave conversion policy
beyond what the Ohio Revised Code mandates. The 2003 MR/DD policy
offered certain long-term employees a buyout of 100 percent of their
accrued/unused sick leave at retirement or resignation. It also offered
benefits sooner than the ORC standard.
Streng said that last year's expanded policy was "originally based with
the best of intentions."
Board president Bruce Davis stated previously that the expanded policy
was an enticement to retain employees. He said a consultant presented
the idea about a year ago when the board was reviewing the whole salary
package.
Monday's action came under the watchful eye of the Union County Board of
Commissioners, who must approve MR/DD's request to go to the polls for a
third levy request in August. All three commissioners were at Monday
afternoon's meeting. The commissioners also appoint the MR/DD board
members. The MR/DD board oversees services for citizens for Union County
with disabilities and their families.
The MR/DD board is seeking to place a 2.4-mill replacement levy on the
ballot. The request is identical to two other levies that voters turned
down in March and November. The November levy failed by 102 votes and
the March levy failed by 564 votes.
The current levy generates $1,893,500 or 29 percent of this year's
budget. The replacement will be based on new property values and bring
in about $700,000 more than the current levy.
On May 6 the county commissioners said they were supportive but stopped
short of approving the request until this week's meeting. May 20 is the
filing deadline for the Aug. 3 special election. The commissioners are
expected to take action on the matter during their regular Thursday
meeting.
"It's a tough, tough decision," McCarthy said previously. "We want to
present something that is acceptable."
McCarthy and commissioner Jim Mitchell referred to the 2003 policy as
"generous" and an "excessive benefit package."
In a media release today, superintendent Jerry Buerger states the 2004
policy reverts back to the former policy in accordance with the Ohio
Revised Code for County Employees. The ORC provides a cash buy-out of 25
percent or a maximum of 30 days of a person's sick leave after at least
10 years of service. The board's revised policy does not place a cap on
the number of days.
The board voted six to one to scale the policy back. Box was the lone
dissenter.
This is one of a series of recent belt-tightening decisions made by the
MR/DD board since the second failure at the polls.
At the April meeting, the board held the line on salaries, even though
the budget had included a 4 percent increase. The board approved a 2.6
percent merit raise for staff who qualified and no cost of living
increase. Buerger said the raises will basically cover the increased
cost of insurance for employees who take part in the family program. The
board pays 100 percent of insurance costs for single coverage.
In March, the board voted to close the cafeteria in the Harold Lewis
Center which has lost more than $30,000 annually for several years.
MR/DD was the only preschool in the county that provided meals. MR/DD
will continue to serve a nutritious snack to all school children. The
board also implemented cost containment measures estimated to save
$573,000


Fairbanks appoints high school principal
By JUDY BOEHLER
Thomas Goodney will take over the reins at Fairbanks High School as
principal this summer. He replaces Larry Bettler who has been interim
principal this year.
Goodney has been principal at Preble Shawnee Local High School for the
past three years and was assistant principal for two years before that.
He taught and coached basketball at Preble from 1994 to 1997 and taught
English at Marquette Senior High School in Michigan from 1997 to 1999.
He  is a native of Spring Lake, Mich., and earned his undergraduate
degree at Northern Michigan University in Marquette and his master of
education degree at Miami of Ohio. His principalship licensure is from
the University of Dayton and he is working on a Ph.D. in educational
leadership at Miami.
Goodney said he is really impressed with Fairbanks and superintendent
Craycraft's vision for the district. He said he will be doing a lot of
learning and listening to find out where the board is headed and where
he will best fit it. He feels a high school is a service to families and
must help students find out what they are best suited to do.
Goodney chose to come to Fairbanks because it was a good "fit," he said.
The proximity of Columbus was also a factor. He and his wife, Diane, a
teacher, and their two young daughters will move to a home north of
Plain City in Darby Township.
The board heard from Craycraft that an emergency operation plan is being
developed on a model provided by the Union County Emergency Management
Agency; that a new housing development, the Reserve at New California,
will eventually contain 165 homes, 157 of them in the Fairbanks
district; and that Business Technical Services will evaluate the
district's telecommunications system with an aim of reducing costs.
The board approved summer trips for the middle school boys basketball
team to Capital University June 19 and 20; boys golf team to Soda Fork
State Park July 11 and 12; high school girls basketball team to Purdue
University June 25 to 27, Wilmington College July 15 and 16 and
Wilmington College (JV) July 12 and 13; high school boys basketball team
to Denison University June 11 and 12 and Bowling Green June 18 and 19;
and high school football team to Ohio Northern University July 21-24.
In other business, the board:
  . Approved open enrollment capacities as presented by Craycraft.
Fifteen enrollment applications have been received and more are
expected.
 . Approved continuing membership in the Ohio High School Athletic
Association for the 2004-05 school year.
 . Approved the Phelps Special Needs Fund in memory of Virginia F.
Phelps.
 . Approved a list of books for the media center.
 . Approved $150 stipends from the OhioReads grant for Michelle Burns
and Kathryn Phillippo to hold a June Preschool Story Hour at Fairbanks
Elementary School.
In personnel matters, the board:
 . Accepted the resignation of Jason McClelland.
 . Approved a one-year contract for Matthew Humphrey.
 . Approved Sarah Miller and Erica Pinney as substitute teachers for the
2003-04 school year.
 . Approved a one-year contract for Ed Rebmann as media specialist for
the 2004-05 school year.
 . Approved Michelle Burns, Amy Sines, Ruth Nicol, Kathryn Phillippo,
Angela Luke, Jason McClelland and coordinator Heidi Peirson as summer
school staff.
 . Approved Nevin Taylor as assistant softball coach and Steve Kolcun as
reserve baseball coach for 2003-04.
 . Approved athletic contracts for the 2004-05 school year for Amy
Sines, head volleyball; Mary Beth Gore, reserve volleyball; Jennifer
Waddle, freshman volleyball; Larry Morris, head golf; John Finney, head
cross country and head girls track; Carleton Cotner, head football; Tom
Williams, assistant football; Dave Reinhardt, summer weightlifting;
Chris Instine and Rick Conley, middle school football; Rob Riddle, Head
girls basketball; Bob Williams, head wrestling; Dave Clinger, head boys
basketball; Barry Keith, head baseball; Dan Stillings, head softball;
Trevor Burns, head boys track; and Andy Pinkerton, head soccer.


Triad says goodbye to superintendent Dr. Steve Johnson
By CORINNE BIX
The Triad School Board took time on Monday night to say goodbye to
outgoing superintendent Dr. Steve Johnson.
Johnson's last day with the district will be at the end of this month.
Dr. Dan Kaffenbarger will become the new superintendent of the school
district. He will also continue on as high school principal due to large
cuts to the district's budget.
School board president Rick Smith expressed to Johnson on behalf of the
board their appreciation for his service to the district over the last
10 years.
"I have appreciated working with this district, this administration and
this board," Johnson said.
His last words of advice to the board were a recommendation that,
despite the budget cuts which have eliminated the school aide positions,
the board should seriously look to fill the positions of special
education aide, a full-time librarian for the elementary and middle
school and a minimum five-hour nurse aide position.
"Just remember the kids are first and they are what counts," he said.
Pam Gibson from the West Central Ohio Special Education Regional
Resource Center (SERRC) presented awards to elementary school principal
Craig Meredith along with teachers Shari Dixon, Lisa Hawley, Karen
VanHoose and Amy Yoder who participated in learning and implementing the
S.T.E.P.S. program, which stands for Students Using Tools to Evaluate
Progress of Success.
"The teachers trained on how to use progress monitoring to allow them to
make effective instructional decisions in a timely manner," Meredith
explained. "They were able to use real time to make changes in their
instructional strategies in short cycles rather than waiting on
proficiency tests, etc."
Meredith reported to the board that the S.T.E.P.S. program, which was
specifically implemented on the second and third grade level, has helped
to shrink the gap with third grade reading achievement. He said more
than three quarters of the third graders are at an advanced or
accelerated reading level.
Treasurer Jill Williams shared with the board a contract with H2O
technologies which will conduct water testing for the district in order
to continually meet Ohio EPA goals.
Williams has also been in talks with the Ohio Department of Taxation in
regard to the district's proposed income tax levy to be on the ballot
this fall. The district must file with the department of taxation by
Aug. 9 and the board of elections by Aug. 19.
The Senior Academic Awards will be held at 6:30 p.m. today.
The Teacher Appreciation Dinner will be held at the Der Dutchman on
Wednesday evening. The next board meeting will be on June 21 at 7 p.m.
In other business, the board:
 . Recognized the following students for achievement: Michelle Issacs
and Elizabeth Rabe as 3-star winners for interpersonal communications
star event; Tony Eagle ? first place and fourth place best in show for
the congressional art show; Kellen Durand ? second place best of show
for the congressional art show; Aaron Gall ? third place best of show
for the congressional art show; Triad Chapter of the FCCLA for a first
place finish in state competition for students taking action for
literacy project
 . Approved Doug Kitchen and Jennifer Reminder for contracts for the
2004-2005 school year
 . Approved the following personnel as summer school teachers for the
2003-2004 school year with a $16.50 per hour stipend: Stacia Mayo, Lisa
Hay, and Deb Hayslip.
 . Approved the following supplemental personnel: Mark Smith, assistant
boys basketball; Harry Alltop, eighth grade boys basketball; Jason
Malonem, eighth grade girls basketball; Paula Hill, cheerleading advisor
(basketball); Matt Alexander, seventh grade boys basketball; Kim
Herron,  J.V. cheerleading advisor (basketball); Brian House, eighth
grade volleyball; Tracie House, seventh grade volleyball; Tim Deady,
middle school wrestling; Rich Kraemer, eighth grade tour advisor; Lois
King, CPR instructor; Linda Cook, middle school National Honor Society;
Deb Alltop, safety patrol; Lisa Hay, middle school student council;
Karen VanHoose, Title 1 coordinator; Erica Boone, elementary yearbook;
Roxie Nauman, middle school yearbook; John Millice, assistant girls
basketball coach; Shawn Graves, seventh grade girls basketball coach
 . Approved the following supplemental certified personnel as M.S. PAC
staff: Shawn Cardoza, Linda Cook, Jan Ferryman, Roxie Nauman and Doug
Miller.
 . Approved both the high school faculty handbook and the high school
student handbook for the 2004-2005 school year
 . Approved the Triad high school fee list for the 2004-2005 school year

 . Approved membership in the West Central Ohio Assistive Technology
Center Consortium for the 2004-2005 school year
 . Approved membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for
the 2004-2005 school year

Monument fund gets a boost
By RYAN HORNS
A long time goal for the Union County Sheriff's Department may finally
become a reality.
Union County was among 17 communities in 16 states that received a
federal grant to complete a permanent memorial to honor local public
safety officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.
A total of $648,708 was provided to the 17 communities chosen through
the Law Enforcement Tribute Act and Union County will receive $43,400 to
complete its project. The Union County Sheriff's Office was the only
department chosen in the state of Ohio. The news was released by the
United States Justice Department Thursday afternoon.
Grants were made on a competitive basis that involved a review by a
panel of experts who specialize in development and management of public
safety memorials. A point system was used to score proposals under topic
areas that included community involvement, tribute design and the
demonstrated capacity of the community to complete the project under
budget and time requirements.
Idella Feeley, the Union County Sheriff's Office grant writer and fiscal
administrator, said she was excited Friday morning after hearing that
the grant came through. Deputies were busy setting up for a cookout to
raise more money for the memorial when they heard the news.
Feeley said the committee formed to raise money for the memorial statue
project has worked more than three years toward its goal. The plan
started during former sheriff John Overly's administration. When the new
Justice Building addition was opened in 2001, a display in the lobby
showed the vision they had for the memorial in front of the building.
Feeley said that without large corporate sponsors, memorial projects
like this can take a long time to complete. Without the federal grant it
could have taken the department up to 10 years to reach its monetary
goals. To date, the committee has raised $38,000 for the project.
Combined with the $43,400 federal grant, Feeley said, they are around
$5,000 short.
"There are a lot of people that need to be thanked for this," said Union
County Sheriff Rocky Nelson. He specifically noted Feeley for all of her
hard work.
Union County plans to erect a monument to honor and acknowledge Union
County men and women who dedicate their lives to public safety. A
life-size bronze figure of a kneeling uniformed officer will be placed
on a hexagon base of blue granite panels. The names of law enforcement
officers killed in the line of duty will be engraved on the base below
the names of their departments.
Feeley said the original design for the memorial has changed slightly.
Instead of being made of sandstone, it will be constructed of blue
granite. She said it will definitely be located on the justice center
property facing West Fifth Street, but it is unknown if it will be near
the flag pole as originally proposed or in the center of the circle
surrounded by benches.
Feeley said it will be a tribute to officers fallen in the line of duty
from all branches of law enforcement in the county.

Tax plan set for development
Policy read for Coleman's Crossing
By RYAN HORNS
Marysville City Council held the first reading on an ordinance Thursday
night which would make Coleman's Crossing exempt from real property
taxation for 30 years through a Tax Incentive Financing policy (TIF).
While not paying property taxes, the developers will instead pay
semi-annual service payments to the city to make up the TIF. A portion
of this will go to the school district. The payments will go into a tax
increment fund.
Coleman's Crossing will be a 130-acre business development that will
include the first Honda dealership in the county, big box retailers, a
retail shopping center with six to seven stores, four to six
restaurants, banks and other businesses.
Economic Development Director Eric Phillips said today that negotiations
and drafts are still ongoing for the development. He added that after
council goes through all three readings on the TIF, by law, developers
will have to wait another 30 days before anything can happen. He said
the developers would like to begin construction in the next couple of
months if everything works out with city officials.
Mayor Tom Kruse said the $8 million business development would benefit
both the city and the Marysville school district.
Based on rough estimates, the total development should generate $10 to
$13 million in payroll or $100,000-$130,000 tax dollars annually to the
city of Marysville. If the developers are able to secure big box
retailers, sales could amount to $120 to $140 million annually for the
entire development. Out of this, a 1 percent sales tax generated would
produce $1.2-$1.4 million. Regarding personal property taxes, the
development could produce in the range of $400,000 annually to the
county and the city. Tap fees from the completed development would
generate approximately another $1 million to the city.
Phillips stressed that these are only rough estimates.
The project is also waiting on Marysville school board approval, which
members are expected to give during their meeting on May 24.
Phillips said during a May 5 special council meeting that Coleman's
Crossing would benefit the city by creating jobs, enlarging the property
tax base and enhancing income tax revenues.
He said developers will put in the money needed to pay for improvements
on roadways, water, sanitary sewer and other related issues for
Coleman's Crossing Boulevard between Delaware Avenue and Industrial
Parkway, East Fifth Street and Charles Lane, the intersection of
Delaware Avenue and Coleman's Crossing Boulevard and Industrial Parkway.
The city will then pay that money back over a 30-year period with the
TIF.
Some improvements that go with this development, he said, are Coleman
Crossing Boulevard, a new roadway from Delaware Avenue to Industrial
Parkway, which will ease the traffic situation at Five Points. Delaware
Avenue will be widened, a new traffic signal will be added and by 2014,
improvements will be made to the exit ramps.
The improvements would open up 120 to 130 acres of land for development,
along with an area to the south which is zoned industrial/manufacturing
and  would provide a roadway to connect to that area. A roadway between
Delaware Avenue and East Fifth Street, as promised to the Ohio National
Guard Armory, would also be developed. This new intersection will open
up the 25 to 40 acres of land to the north, because it provides a new
intersection.
Phillips noted that the 400 to 600 jobs estimated for this development
will also benefit other businesses.

Firefighters, city agree  on contract
By RYAN HORNS
The union contract between the city of Marysville and the International
Association of Firefighters Local 3032 has finally come to a conclusion.
Marysville Fire Department employees will now start a new four-year
contract.
At the Thursday city council meeting mayor Tom Kruse announced that the
union approved the contract Tuesday night. He also introduced
legislation for council to implement the contract for administration.
Council members, voting on the emergency and waiving second and third
readings, passed the needed legislation.
Kruse said the main topic of union talks concerned pay scales for
firefighters. Firefighters will receive a 2 percent raise the first
year, a 3 percent raise the second year, a 3 1/2 percent raise the third
year and in the fourth year will receive a 2 percent raise.
Kruse said the means to do this all fell within the city's budget.
"While it has been a painfully slow experience over the last four
months," he said, "it has also been a good experience for everyone
involved."
Negotiations started on Jan. 1 with 39 contested articles, Kruse said.
"There's a lot of disagreement in a contract like that," Kruse said, but
he said both sides were able to work with understanding and mutual
respect to resolve each article.
The second reading was held on the Walker Meadows PUD development set
for construction on 45.111 acres on Route 38 at Boerger Road. Approval
of the development is expected to pass council during the May 27
meeting. Council member John Gore initially proposed waiving the third
reading to give developers an extra two weeks but withdrew that motion
because of a question about the developer's bond.
The process leading up to the final design for Walker Meadows has taken
many months of negotiations between developers, the city planning
commission and the residents around the site. In the end, no residents
were at council to voice their disapproval and both the commission and
council feel the project will benefit the city.
S/B Marysville Limited representative Debbie Lutz said the project
features 56 single-family lots that are 100 feet wide and of varying
depths. The development will also have four small lakes that more than
exceed the city's requirement for storm water collection.
To date, she said,26 lots have been approved for condos ranging from
$250,000 to $350,000 in price.
In a written note read by council president Nevin Taylor, absent
councilman Dan Fogt asked whether sidewalks would be included in Walker
Meadows. Lutz said they are not included because the development is
intended to have a rural atmosphere and sidewalks do not fit that style.
She said a walking trail is planned.
"No sidewalks fits what's already there," council member John Marshall
said. "Sidewalks are out of character."
Concerning resolutions to sell city-owned land, certain sites will not
be sold. Council voted to table indefinitely the resolution concerning
the sale of Barrhaven Park and to table the sale of the property at
Raymond Road and West Fifth Street until the June 24 meeting. Council
decided to move forward on approving the sale of lots at 410 S. Main St.
and 441 S. Plum St.
In other discussions:
. Another meeting between the city and Malcolm Pirnie will be held May
26 at the city public service center to discuss the wastewater treatment
plant expansion.
. Paving will begin on some city parking lots such as those at Mill
Creek and Schwartzkopf parks and Mill Valley South. It has been paid for
through parkland funds provided by Paris Township trustees.
. Kruse said a list of streets set for repair this year would be put
together in June


First concealed carry permit issued
By RYAN HORNS
The first license to carry a concealed weapon was issued Thursday
morning at the Union County Sheriff's Office.
The man given the new license has been in law enforcement and has
carried a weapon for the past 30 years. He has even helped process
applications for other Ohioans.
Deputy Jerry Zuspan joined the Union County Sheriff's Department as an
auxiliary officer in 1974. Since then he has been legally allowed to
carry a gun in Ohio. But after retiring in 1994, that privilege was no
longer available.
Union County Sheriff Rocky Nelson said an officer has to be on full-time
pay schedule to legally carry a concealed weapon. Zuspan said this was
the main reason he applied for the permit when Ohio legislators passed
the bill on April 8.
He currently works three days a week for the sheriff's office since
retiring and many might recognize him. He's often one of the deputies
checking people for illegal weapons with the metal detector as people
enter the department.
"He has more history here than I do," Nelson said, "so I wanted to make
sure he was the first one (to get the permit)."
"I'm not going to be here all the time," Zuspan said about being an
officer. Now when he is off-duty he will now be able to carry his
weapon.
Zuspan said he first underwent weapon training on Labor Day when he
joined the force in 1974. Since then, he said, the training has changed
significantly. The time spent on training has gone up as well as the
testing.
Deputy Betsy Spain, who helps run background checks on applicants, took
Zuspan through the process of getting his I.D. card Thursday morning.
The machinery to do this has cost Union County Commissioners and the
sheriff's office a total of $820. Only a portion of the $45 fees the
sheriff's department and county receive from applications will go
towards paying this money back.
Spain said another reason officers may be applying for the concealed
carry license is for reciprocity. From state to state laws can differ.
Some states may accept Ohioans with concealed carry licenses and some do
not. But with a license Ohioans may ultimately travel to more states and
keep their weapon.
Nelson said to date there have been 213 applicants come through the
Union County office. On Wednesday night he said he signed 33 more
applications.
"Most are from other counties," he said. "Most are from Franklin and
Delaware."
Some Franklin County departments referred their lines of applicants to
go to counties outside of Franklin, specifically naming Union County as
a good spot. Spain said this has given Union County more applicants than
surrounding counties.
Nelson said deputies Spain, Zuspan, Melanie Peterson, Shelley Young, Roy
Osterman and Ray Young who have been in charge of processing the
applications have done an excellent job.
So far, he said, they have found no one who is not eligible for a
license. But the applicants expected to come through the department in
the next few weeks are different.
"The easy ones got through first," Nelson said. Applicants who required
a more extensive background check will take longer.

Davis family finds luck in the horseshoe business
Ken Davis & Sons Inc. is celebrating its 50th year as a blacksmith and
farrier supplies business.
Founder David Kenneth Davis owned the Davis-Hughes Hardware Store in
Richwood and when he began selling horseshoe supplies in the store, he
realized that there was a market for horseshoes in the Midwestern
states.
In 1968, the store outgrew the downtown space and a new building was
built at 367 E. Blagrove St. and Ken brought his sons, Don and Jon
Davis, into the business. Since then, warehouse space has been added to
accommodate the inventory and trucks.
An all-day open house is held each March to allow blacksmiths to take
advantage of educational opportunities as well as to purchase supplies.
A meal is provided by the family and a clinic is held to educate
customers on the latest shoeing technology. The open house this year was
attended by 350 people from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and
Indiana.
Representatives of the company attend and sell supplies at the Ohio
Quarter Horse Congress held in Columbus each fall. The company is known
throughout Amish country, especially in Holmes County.
Ken Davis & Sons take pride in supporting community projects. They have
donated to the Softball for Girls program and the 4-H horse arena at the
Richwood Fairgrounds and have been a day sponsor of the fair. The third
generation of Davises are now providing farrier supplies to race tracks
such as Hoosier Park and Scioto Downs.
Employees are Scott Davis, Dean Davis and Gina Davis. Don Davis, Scott
and Dean's father, retired in 1993. Jon Davis, Gina's father, retired in
February. Scott has been an employee for 32 years and is in charge of
shipping and in-house operations. Dean, a 30-year employee, runs routes
in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Gina, who has been with the
company 18 years, is office manager and is in charge of all bookkeeping
duties with the assistance of part-time bookkeeper Lou Ann Davis. Other
employees are Logan Rife and Eric Shields.
The grandchildren of Ken Davis hope to maintain for generations to come
the fine reputation he established by providing fast courteous service
in the farrier supply industry. The employees enjoy raising their
families in the Richwood community and are thankful for the small town
they call home.

Not all classes end in June
Marysville gearing up for summer school
By JUDY BOEHLER
The last day of school in Marysville is June 2 but some students will be
back hitting the books June 14.
The Marysville schools are offering summer school for students who need
help or, in the case of the high school offerings, a chance to work
ahead.
Summer school director Connie Strebe said that this year, teachers in
the high school program will be those who are certified in the subject
they teach. Teachers sign on to summer school on a supplemental contract
and the cost pays only the expenses of the sessions.
Strebe said the courses are divided between remedial, for students who
did not pass a class or had to drop it, and enrichment, for incoming
freshmen and busy upperclassmen who can get a credit in summer school to
allow them to take more courses during the school year.
Remedial classes will be graded as pass/fail. To pass, a student must
score 70 percent. One-credit courses are English 9, 10, 11 and 12; math
2; government; unified science, pre-algebra; American history; and world
studies.
Enrichment classes can be taken to fulfill requirements of classes not
previously taken. Physical education will carry 1/4 credit and health is
worth 1/2 credit. Two computer courses, computer applications with
keyboarding and web design are worth 1/2 credit.
Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. June 14 through July 2.
Registration concludes June 11. Classes with insufficient enrollment by
June 9 will be canceled and tuition will be refunded.
A second session of English might be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., based
on student interest, and another session of physical education could be
offered from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. July 12-29 if there is sufficient
enrollment.
Full payment of $125 per course must be made at time of enrollment and
withdrawals will be accepted until June 11. The absence of one day
during summer school is equal to a week during the regular school year.
Any student absent more than four hours could be withdrawn with no fees
refunded.
Summer school is an extension of the school year and all school rules
apply. Textbooks will be supplied and additional workbook or
participation fees might be required. Students and parents will be
responsible for transportation to and from the school and students must
bring paper and writing utensils to class every day.
Registration forms are available in the school library or online at
www.marysville.k12.oh.us.
The middle school program will include remedial math and language arts
courses. Classes will run from June 8 to July 2 from 8 a.m. to noon. The
cost is $100 for one course and $175 for two courses. Registration forms
are available at the school office and questions may be directed to
school guidance counselors.
Assistant superintendent Neal Handler said elementary students who could
benefit from summer school are identified by teachers and staff and
their families are notified.


Local teens indicted for Georgia shoot-out
By RYAN HORNS
Marysville and Lakeview teens who were involved in a shoot-out with
police in Georgia were all indicted Tuesday and could spend the rest of
their lives in jail.
District Attorney Kelly Burke of Houston, Ga., said that who fired is
not as important as the fact that all suspects are equally accountable
for firing the guns. He said the case could go to trial by this summer.
The Houston County grand jury returned 20-count indictments Tuesday
against the four suspects from Union and Logan counties in April's
high-speed chase that ended in a shoot-out with police. Those
indictments could lead to sentences of almost 100 years in jail for each
suspect.
Indicted were Charles Brutus Wright, 19, and his sister Jennifer Jones,
21, both of 527 Buckeye St. in Marysville; and Heather Elizabeth
Michael, 18, of 14076 Lindenwood Road and Zachary James Potter, 19, of
11027 Mohawk Path of Lakeview.
Burke reported that because all four suspects were participants in the
incident, they were all indicted on the 20 counts. They were reportedly
charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of a
firearm, theft and traffic offenses.
Specifically, the defendants face three counts of aggravated assault on
a police officer, one count of aggravated battery on a police officer,
two counts of criminal damage to property for damage done to two police
cars in the shoot-out, and two counts of theft by bringing stolen
property into the state, concerning the Logan County pickup truck and
their weapon.
They also were indicted on six counts of possession of a firearm during
a crime, one count of theft by taking the officer's gun, one count of
possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, two counts of fleeing or
attempting to elude, one count of reckless driving and one count of
exceeding maximum speed limits because the chase reached speeds of more
than 100 mph.
The four have allegedly been romantically linked as two couples leaving
Ohio as Wright and Jones may have been trying to escape future court
hearings in Logan County. The two were accused of robbing a convenience
store earlier this year.
Burke said authorities are still investigating whether the four
committed any crimes on the way down.
On April 26, the suspects were reportedly headed for Florida in a stolen
pickup truck from Lakeview when a Houston County sheriff's deputy
attempted to pull the driver over for speeding. After a chase in Perry,
Ga., the driver crashed the truck into a utility pole. Three law
enforcement officers got out of their cruisers and approached the
vehicle and Perry police officer Sgt. Chris Sutcliff was shot in the
arm. After the shot, a shoot-out began and by the time it ended, three
suspects were injured.
Gary Rothwell, special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of
Investigation  in Perry, was called in to investigate. He has been
unavailable for comment on the case and has not returned numerous calls.
All four suspects are being held in the Houston County jail in Perry
without bond.
Burke said this morning that a bond hearing for Michael was denied last
week. Another bond hearing, scheduled for Potter this morning was
continued to May 20.
He said because the indictments came so quickly from his office that the
prosecution ended up with a judge less familiar with the case and he
will wait for the right judge to become available next week.
Burke said bond hearings come at the request of the suspects and Wright
and Jones have yet to ask for one.
Regarding Sutcliff's condition, Burke said the Perry officer has
undergone four surgeries for the gunshot wound that shattered his bone.
"Sutcliff is at home and starting therapy," Burke said. "It's just going
to be a question of whether he will ever have full function of that arm
again."

Triad High School names top scholarship winners
From J-T staff reports:
Triad High School will hold its annual commencement exercise at 2 p.m.
May 29 in the high school gymnasium.
Student speakers will include valedictorian Lauren Poling, salutatorian
Allison Goff and two other seniors. Alicia Daugherty will deliver the
faculty address and music will be performed by the Triad High school
band and choir. The Rev. Kathy Reiff of the North Lewisburg United
Methodist Church will deliver the invocation and the benediction.
Recognition will be given to students graduating in the top 10 percent
of the class and those who have maintained a 3.0 or higher GPA
throughout their high school career.
Scholarship recipients will also be honored.
Matt Bailey, son of Lisa McInturff and Greg Bailey, has been awarded an
Ohio Dominican Football Athletic Grant for $4,500 per year, a renewable
Oho Dominican Award for $6,500 per year, an Ohio Choice Grant for $1,002
per year and the Men of the Moose Lodge Scholarship for $500. Bailey
plans to major in criminal justice.
Catherine Edge will attend Shawnee State University to study radiology.
She is the daughter of Karen Edge and Clifford Edge of North Lewisburg
and the recipient of a $1,200 Simon Youth Foundation Community
Scholarship.
Stacy Hempy has received a $12,000 per year Heidelberg merit Scholarship
and a $1,000 Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship. The daughter of Bill and
Sharon Hempy of North Lewisburg, she will study childhood
education/intervention specialist at Heidelberg.
Jaimee Herron, daughter of Brett and Susan Herron of Woodstock, has been
awarded a renewable $8,000 per year Muskingum Presidential Scholarship.
She will study middle childhood education.
Brittney Maxhimer, daughter of Tim and Diana Maxhimer of North
Lewisburg, received the Otterbein Premier Departmental Scholar Award for
$1,000 per year, a Dean's Award for $1,000 per year and the Otterbein
Endowed Scholarship for $1,500 per year. She will study education.
Jacob McKee has been awarded the Clark and contiguous counties award for
$7,500 per year, the Board of Directors Grant for $6,600 per year and
the Ohio Choice Grant for $1,002 from Wittenberg University where he
will study law/criminal justice. He is the son of Barb and Rick McKee of
Urbana.
Jesse McKee has been awarded the Clark and contiguous counties award for
$7,500 per year, the Board of Directors Grant for $6,600 per year and
the Ohio Choice Grant for $1,002 from Wittenberg University where he
will study physical therapy. He is the son of Barb and Rick McKee of
Urbana.
Erin Ober will major in dental hygiene/pre-dentistry at Capital
University. The daughter of Mark and Brenda Ober of Cable, she received
a $5,000 per year Trustees Scholarship from Capital.
Valedictorian Lauren Poling, daughter of Brook and Joan Poling of North
Lewisburg, will attend Urbana University where she received a $7,110
renewable Academic Scholarship Competition Award. She is undecided about
her major.
James Kenton Pullins will attend the Ohio State University to major in
agricultural engineering with a $750 Trustees Scholar award for his
freshman year. He is the son of Mike and Cathy Pullins of Cable.
Elizabeth Rabe, daughter of William and Geraldine Rabe of Cable, has
been awarded a Dean's Scholarship for $7,000 per year from Wilmington
College. She will major in early childhood education.
Amanda Straley, daughter of Craig and Terri Straley of North Lewisburg,
will attend Wittenberg University to study computer technology. She
received a Clark and contiguous counties award for $7,500 per year, a
Board of Directors Grant for $6,000 per year and an Ohio Choice Grant
for $1,002 per year.
Erica Wilkins will major in business management at Otterbein College.
The daughter of Rodney and Diana Wilkins of Cable, she received an Ohio
Student Choice Grant for $1,002 per year, an Otterbein Scholar ward for
$4,500 per year and an Otterbein Endowed Scholarship for $1,500 per
year.
Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Andrew and Peggy Williams of Cable, will
major in broadcast journalism at Otterbein College. She received the
Otterbein President Scholar Award for $9,000 per year, the Communication
Talent Award for $1,000 and the Ohio Choice Grant for $1,002 per year.

Sentencing set in PTO scandal
By RYAN HORNS
The sentencing of a former East Elementary Parent Teacher Association
vice president will finally bring closure to parents and school district
officials.
On June 7 the Union County Common Pleas Court will sentence former PTO
treasurer Lori Showalter, 28, of 228 Vine St. for grand theft. The
former treasurer admitted to stealing thousands of dollars of PTO funds.

Marysville Exempted School Superintendent Larry Zimmerman said today
that the theft was a shock to the school system.
"The impact on the PTO will be a time issue and a rebuilding issue," he
said. "It's something they are making sure they can get through and
still have that trust intact. Because that trust has been violated .
when somebody is taking dollars meant for kids. It's going to be very
upsetting."
Showalter was originally charged with grand theft and pleaded not guilty
on March 24. But while Union County Prosecuting Attorney Alison Boggs
and defense attorney Michael Streng were preparing for trial, Showalter
changed her mind.
Streng reported Monday that his client switched her not guilty plea to
guilty on May 5 to one fourth-degree felony count of grand theft. She
could have faced 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine but prosecution
and defense got together and agreed on a reduced sentence.
She is now expected to served 60 days jail time in the Tri-County Jail
in Mechanicsburg and three years of probation on release, perform 200
hours of community service and will the full restitution of $13,083 to
the East Elementary PTO.
Zimmerman said that when Showalter changed her plea to guilty it was a
good sign for the school district. East Elementary School officials are
reportedly happy with the outcome.
"Jail time was not an issue," Zimmerman said. "The main issue was
restitution."
The PTO is an organization in which volunteers get together and help
raise money for class parties, activities and educational trips for
children. Zimmerman said it was important that the school district
pursue charges.
Court reports state that between Oct. 1, 2001, and Aug. 20, 2003,
Showalter was the treasurer for the East Elementary PTO. As treasurer
she accepted receipts from various PTO fundraisers and deposited them
into the PTO checking account. She was in charge of paying bills owed by
the PTO.
Somewhere along the way she stole thousands of dollars.
County victims advocate Jacki Mills filed a restitution report of
$13,083 that East Elementary School is asking to be paid back at
Showalter's sentencing in June. The missing money was discovered only
after Showalter stepped down as treasurer on Aug. 20, 2003, to become
PTO vice president.
When new treasurer Julie Duvall came on board she began comparing the
checking account book she was now in charge of and began to notice
discrepancies in the account and within bank statements.
Court files show the organization later decided to have the books
audited by an independent auditor who determined that approximately
$12,000 was missing from the PTO funds. Another $1,000 was later found
missing.
Zimmerman said he is proud of the way East Elementary PTO officers
handled the theft. They put hundreds of volunteer hours into rebuilding
and recreating the PTO financial records after Showalter left the
accounts in shambles.
"They have been incredible," Zimmerman said.
At the time the money was noticed missing, Marysville police began
looking for Showalter but she was allegedly out of town.
Assistant police chief Glenn Nicol reported that Showalter did not make
it easy on police to investigate the report. He said it is still unknown
why she stole the money, although police suspect it may have to do with
her allegedly living outside of her means after a divorce.
Comments from Showalter or her attorney in her defense were not
available before press time.


Second troop support rally takes shape
By RYAN HORNS
Last year Marysville held what was considered to be the only rally for
military troops in Central Ohio that saw no protesters.
City and Union County representatives who met at the Union County
Chamber of Commerce Tuesday afternoon are hoping for similar results
this year.
The date for the 2004 Support Our Troops March and Rally is set for May
26 and will start at 6:15 p.m. and end at around 8 p.m.
According to committee members, a lot is resting on this year's rally.
"I think it's more important than ever before," Eric Phillips said.
Committee member Kerry Donahue said that they consider the event
important for raising troop morale.
Committee members are Julie Whipple, Donahue, Cindy Shay, retired Maj.
Gen. Oscar Decker, Rev. John Groat, Phillips, Michelle Bonne, Don
Bergwall.
The rally will start with a march from Veterans Memorial Auditorium to
the town square.
Patriotic songs will be played by a local marching band and an Army band
and commemorative T-shirts will be sold. Volunteers will accept
donations and promote support for groups funding troop causes.
Groat will lead the crowd in a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and a
song. Decker will read stories from soldiers and Groat will present a
message board for loved ones to sign at the front stage.
A group photo of the entire downtown square will be taken from atop a
downtown building.
Whipple reported that local high school bands are very busy planning for
Memorial Day shows and finding a local band has been tough. She said the
Marysville High School band may be able to supply a small group for the
rally and they are also waiting to hearwhether the Army band can play
the event.
Groat said that he will again ask the "big time" speakers to come but
admitted that they never seem to show up.
"But I do know that if I don't ask them, they definitely won't show up,"
he laughed.

Honda plans new paint line
From J-T staff reports:
Honda announced plans today for a $123 million investment in the
Marysville Auto Plant.
Construction begins this month for a new paint facility which will
replace one of the plant's original paint lines. Housed in a
234,000-square-foot building expansion, the new facility will go into
full operation by mid-2006. The space where the existing paint line is
located will be used to streamline existing operations in the future.
Senior vice president John Adams said this is the single largest
investment among a series of renovations and expansions at Honda's two
auto plants since they were constructed.
"The investment we are announcing today represents a commitment to our
associates, business partners and the communities in which we all live,"
Adams said at a 9:30 a.m. press conference. "At Honda of America, as our
operations have matured, we've continued to refresh and enhance our
facilities as an investment in the future."
The new paint line will be the largest project since completion of the
Ohio manufacturing plant.
In addition to increasing production flexibility and efficiency and
improving quality, the new line will reduce emissions by 41 percent and
cut energy usage by 34 percent.
"These initiatives represent a larger commitment, here and at other
Honda facilities around the world, to preserve and enhance the
environment. In Ohio, we pioneered the use of returnable containers. And
every day, we recycle steel scrap from our plants, as well as paper,
cardboard and plastics throughout our operations," Adams said.
Another environmentally friendly project that is separate from the new
paint facility is the construction of a seven-acre pond that will hold
20 million gallons of water. Rather than pumping water from the ground
for a cooling system, Honda will recycle rainwater collected in this
pond to cool the Marysville plant in warm-weather months.
The Cooling Water Pond Project will be $2 million and is scheduled for
completion later this year.
"This is a major construction project and it will have an impact on the
local economy. Upwards of 500 contractors will be working on the site
during peak construction periods and about 300 truckloads of steel will
be delivered to the site," Adams said.
To date, Honda has invested more than $6 billion in its manufacturing
and vehicle development operations in Ohio. Today's announcement comes
as Honda celebrates its 25th anniversary of manufacturing in America.
It started on Sept. 10, 1979, with a small motorcycle plant located next
door to the auto plant. This was followed with construction of the first
Japanese auto plant in the U.S., the Anna Engine Plant, the East Liberty
Auto Plant and Honda Transmissions Mfg.
Honda now builds 10 models of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles,
seven automobiles and a light truck in Ohio, as well as engines and
transmissions that go into Honda products.
A major milestone was achieved in April with the production of Honda's
10 millionth automobile in Ohio.

Jackson Township Trustees opt to restore cemetery
By CINDY BRAKE
Citizen vote at meeting leads to decision
By CINDY BRAKE
Jackson Township residents voted Monday to restore historic cemetery
markers at Cheney Cemetery.
True to their word, the township's three trustees, who had originally
disagreed about what to do with the displaced and broken stones,
followed the mandate of their voters after the special meeting where a
majority wrote "restore" on slips of paper. The vote was 16 to restore
and nine to bury.
Trustees David Ehret, Larry Anderson and Steve Patton then unanimously
voted for restoration.
"They certainly get an A+ for fairness and good government," said
Marysville attorney and local historian Bob Parrott in a faxed message
today. "I have to say that the trustees were very fair in the way they
handled this matter. They allowed open discussion at several meetings
and did not try and prevent opposing positions from being presented.
Even though two of three trustees wanted to remove the old tombstones,
they elected to restore them as they said they would if the vote was for
restoration."
Trustees Ehret and Anderson originally thought the old stones should be
buried and that a new monument would better memorialize the township's
earliest residents. Their concerns centered on cost and vandalism.
Patton was in favor of restoration, saying he wanted to preserve
history. After members of the historical and genealogical societies
attended a recent meeting to voice concern about burying the old
markers, the trustees agreed to seek their voters' opinion.
Ehret said today that Monday's meeting was good and he was thankful that
the people came.
"We're going to do what the people want us to do," he said.
Patton called the vote "a step in the right direction."
Funds are now being sought to restore the cemetery. Donations to the
project may be sent to the Union County Historical Society at 642-2950.
Restoration estimates range from $3,000 to $5,000.
Jackson Township's trustees have been discussing how to improve the
historic cemetery since 1999. In 2001 a monument was ordered that lists
the names of all those known to be buried in this little patch of green
along Rush Creek. That monument was on display Monday night at the
township house.
Parrott said that while the historical and genealogy societies did not
oppose the new monument, it was no substitute for the original grave
markers, which are one-of-a-kind.
Since the last burial in 1893, the Cheney Cemetery, located down a
gravel lane, has fallen into disrepair. Rumor has it that cattle were
allowed in the graveyard at one time. Ehret and Anderson said that
approximately 20 to 30 years ago some well-intentioned individuals
picked up the fallen stones and placed them around the base of a large
tree. The tree was struck by lightning and fallen branches caused more
damage to the monuments. The tree has since been removed and all that
remains is a circle of broken and weathered stones.
The exact number of pioneers buried in Cheney Cemetery is not known,
however, Parrott said Jackson Township's earliest residents, including
the township's first settler Benjamin Carterm were laid to rest in
there, as well as four veterans of the War of 1812 and a number of
soldiers from the Civil War. Approximately 60 tombstones spanning a
period of 175 years remain today.
The cemetery was originally part of a farm owned by Ebenezer Cheney, an
early pioneer, Parrott said. Following an Indian trail, the Cheney
family came to Jackson Township in 1827 in a covered wagon pulled by a
team of oxen, stopping often to cut down trees in order to get the wagon
through. In 1828, Cheney's wife, Elizabeth, died and he gave land from
his farm for a public cemetery.


Marysville announces valedictorian, salutatorian
Graduation ceremonies for the Marysville High School class of 2004 will
be held at 2:30 p.m. June 6. The annual awards ceremonies will be held
at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 20.
Natasha Rita Schimmoeller, daughter of Nick and Ellen Schimmoeller, is
valedictorian of the Marysville High School class of 2004.
Schimmoeller has been active in a multitude of extracurricular
activities, including co-editor of the yearbook and vice president of
scholarship in the National Honor Society. She is senior class president
and student council president and has readily addressed needs and
concerns of the student body.
She is a varsity midfielder and co-captain of the girls soccer team and
a junior volunteer in the emergency room of Memorial Hospital of Union
County. She is employed at Seed Technology Inc.
Schimmoeller will attend Case Western Reserve University as a biology
major. As Pre-Professional Scholar, she is guaranteed a seat in the Case
Western School of Medicine after successful completion of her
undergraduate studies. She plans to become a surgeon or emergency room
physician.
Salutatorian Drew Philip Kouri is the son of James and Denise Kouri.
Kouri swam for the Marysville High School Swim Team all four years of
high school and received four varsity letters. He was team captain his
senior year and placed at both district and conference meets each year,
receiving all OCC and All-District honors.
He played bass guitar in the high school jazz band his sophomore year
and joined the marching and concert bands his junior year, where he
played alto saxophone and oboe, respectively. His senior year, he was
section leader of the alto saxophones.
Kouri was a member of Pro Terra Nova for three years, serving as
president his junior year.
He plans to major in mathematics at either Case Western Reserve
University or Syracuse University and eventually earn a doctorate in
mathematics. His goal is to be a professor of upper theoretical
mathematics at a prestigious university.

Myths dispelled about cicada emergence
By RYAN HORNS
There are many myths about what could happen when the 17-year cicadas
come crawling out of the ground this spring in Union County.
People talk about tree limbs suddenly falling, people with giant bugs in
their hair as they walk down the street or infestations around their
homes. But there is more myth than reality to this phenomena.
John Hixson, of the Ohio State University extension office, was a little
reticent when asked about the bugs.
"I don't want it to get blown out of hand," he said.
What is known is that 17 years ago Union County saw an emergence of the
Brood X cicada, which has a population considered the largest of the
17-year broods. They will show up across 15 states once the soil
temperature reaches a steady 64 degrees.
Hixson said it may be a comfort to Union County residents that the
cicada emergence in 1987 wasn't a very large one. A study that year by
Dr. Gene Kritsky of the College of Mount St. Joseph showed that Union,
Morrow, Delaware, Franklin, Madison and Champaign counties saw cicadas
in moderate amounts. Logan and Clark counties saw a heavy emergence,
whereas Licking and Marion counties saw none.
Hixson said there are places on the Internet residents can go to learn
more about the periodical cicadas. The Ohio State University set up the
site www.bugs.osu.edu/~bugdoc/PerioCicada/ to answer questions.
Cicadas are probably best known for their songs, which are mating calls
they begin after emerging from the ground.
Because of the long time taken by these insects to complete their life
cycles, many things can happen that modify local populations. Wood lots
are often destroyed and new developments may go up where trees that are
14 to 15 years old have been established after the last brood's
emergence.
If new developments are adjacent to wooded areas that have supported a
brood, the adults will commonly fly to the younger trees to lay their
eggs. This helps expand their territory and maintain their populations
for the next 17 years.
One myth is that pets will be harmed by eating cicadas.
John Rockenbaugh of the Union Soil and Water Conservation District said
the insects have spent their lives feeding off tree sap underground. The
diet gives them a sweet taste.
"If they eat large quantities the exoskeletons could collect in their
stomachs," he said. "If that happens there's no prune juice that could
help them out."
But he said a normal consumption of the insects will cause no harm to
pets.
Rockenbaugh said the bugs actually have some positive biological aspects
in that song birds feed off the young cicadas and thrive on the protein.

The OSU website explains that periodical cicadas are not poisonous to
animals or humans, nor are they known to transmit disease. They do not
bite or sting defensively or attack people. If a cicada lands on someone
it is only because the person may be a convenient place to land.
"Basically, periodical cicadas can hurt you only if they mistake you for
a tree branch and try to feed, something that can happen only if you
hold a cicada in your hand for a very long time (eventually this makes
the cicada hot and thirsty)," the website reports. "Such rare mistakes
feel like a brief pinprick and cause no damage."
Cicadas are known to cause minor damage to the limbs of small trees or
shrubs if too many feed from the plant or lay eggs in the twigs. The
website reports that mature trees and shrubs usually survive even dense
populations without much harm.
This can be difficult to believe in the month or so following a large
emergence when many trees turn brown due to the breakage and death of
peripheral twigs. As serious as it may appear, such damage is minor.
The easiest way to protect small trees and shrubs from damage is by
covering the plants with screening material like cheesecloth. Periodical
cicadas are often too numerous to make application of pesticides
worthwhile.
Other than the concern by owners of fruit orchards and nurseries,
periodical cicadas are not regarded as pests, except maybe by those who
grow tired of the constant sound of their calls.
For more information on the 17-year cicadas, a workshop on the bug in
which local environmental groups will discuss the topic will be held May
19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Union County Services Building.

Medicare drug card enrollment can be confusing; may not be for everyone
By JUDY BOEHLER
Enrolling for a Medicare drug card can be confusing and may not be for
everyone.
Enrollment is optional and many Medicare recipients already have
discount cards that will save them more than the Medicare card will.
Marysville pharmacist Dave Burke said pharmacists are concerned that
companies that are not legitimate might prey on senior citizens and
other Medicare recipients by flooding them with card programs that will
turn out to be bogus. One thing to remember, he said, is that the
approved companies will not be soliciting by phone. Enrollment is purely
optional, he said.
Medicare is contracting with private companies to offer approved drug
discount cards to Medicare beneficiaries who have no insurance or other
financial assistance with the purchase of their drugs. The cost of
enrolling is about $30 and once enrolled, the person cannot change
companies until the new enrollment period at the end of the year.
The drug cards offers discounts on at least one drug in each of the 209
categories of medications commonly used by the elderly.
The best course of action is to go directly to Medicare which will
provide comparative drug pricing for all approved cards at
www.Medicare.gov or by calling (800) Medicare. TTY users can call (887)
486-2048. All approved cards must bear the Medicare symbol.
Burke said applicants must consider several things in choosing a
company. Different companies will offer different types of drug service
? retail only, mail only or a combination of those services ? and
prescriptions will be offered as 30-days up to 90 days. He said many
enrollees will want to continue at their current pharmacies so they will
have to select a card with which that pharmacy will work.
There appears to be confusion as to how much money senior citizens can
save with the cards. The official administration estimate of savings
with the drug card is 10 to 25 percent off the retail price. A survey of
card sponsors found that average discounts could be 17 percent for
brand-name drugs and 35 percent for generic. Since drug prices rise an
average of 15 percent per year, the savings is difficult to calculate.
In Ohio, many seniors have already been getting savings of up to 27
percent with their Golden Buckeye Cards.
One important aspect of the new program is aimed at helping low-income
Medicare recipients who have no help in paying for prescriptions. Anyone
with an income of less than $12,569 if single or $16,862 if married can
qualify for a $600 credit on the drug discount card in 2004 and another
$600 in 2005 without paying the $30 enrollment fee.
To qualify, they may not have Medicaid outpatient prescription drug
coverage and must have Medicare Part A and/or Part B.
The new drug coverage program is intended as a bridge to prescription
drug benefits which will be added to Medicare in 2006. That program will
have a monthly premium and deductible, then will pay 75 percent of costs
up to $2,250; none of the costs between $2,250 and $3,600; and 95
percent of the costs above $3,600.
Seniors should take all their discount cards with them when consulting
with their pharmacist. The cards go into effect on the first day of the
month after enrollment, which  started Monday and will continue through
June.

County Commissioners waiting to take action on proposed MR/DD measure
By CINDY BRAKE
The Union County Commissioners are taking a wait and see attitude about
putting an MR/DD levy on the August special election ballot.
The three-member board of commissioners met twice this week with staff
and board members who oversee services for county residents with mental
retardation and developmental disabilities. A levy request cannot appear
before voters unless approved by the commissioners.
A Monday meeting was held in executive session with board president
Bruce Davis to discuss personnel matters and on Thursday, MR/DD
superintendent Jerry Buerger formally presented a request from his board
to place a 2.4-mill replacement levy on the upcoming ballot. The levy
request is identical to two other requests that voters turned down in
March and November.
While commissioners Tom McCarthy and Jim Mitchell said they were
supportive, they, along with commissioner Gary Lee, stopped short of
taking action until after the May 17 MR/DD board meeting. McCarthy
proposed that the board of commissioners attend the MR/DD meeting.
May 20 is the filing deadline for the Aug. 3 special election.
"I want your levy to succeed," Mitchell said.
McCarthy noted that the board of commissioners has never declined a levy
request by the MR/DD board.
"It's a tough, tough decision," McCarthy said. "We want to present
something that is acceptable."
The commissioners' decision to hold off on a vote appears to center on
the MR/DD sick leave policy.
McCarthy and Mitchell both referred to a "generous" and "excessive
benefit package" approved last year. The MR/DD policy goes beyond what
the Ohio Revised Code mandates and 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.
During his presentation, superintendent Buerger said his board is
looking at the sick leave conversion policy and its revision is on the
May agenda.
Buerger added that his board held the line on salaries, even though the
budget had included a 4 percent increase. In April the board approved a
2.6 percent merit raise for staff who qualified and no cost of living
increase. Buerger said the raises will not cover increased insurance
costs for employees who take part in the family program. The board pays
100 percent of insurance costs for single coverage.
At a March meeting with MR/DD board president Davis, McCarthy raised the
question of replacement versus renewal levy. A replacement levy will
generate approximately an additional $700,000 for the agency. The
current levy generates $1,893,500 and will cease collection this year.
"I believe if you go back with the same program, you will have the same
outcome," McCarthy said.
Buerger explained Thursday that the additional funds are needed because
of uncertain funding from the state. He added that if state funding
would come through, local funding could be adjusted with another levy
that expires in 2006.
"It's hard to project budget needs when there are so many unknowns,"
Buerger said.

Local cat's size draws national acclaim on afternoon TV show
BY CINDY BRAKE
Jaxon might be the most famous cat in Union County. His claim to fame is
that he is big - very big.
A picture of Jaxon appeared on the nationally-syndicated Ellen Degeneres
television show in April just because he is a big cat.
Jaxon belongs to Joedy Skrobak, 854 Wedgewood Drive, but he has
Skrobak's mother, Helen Lewis, to thank for his 15 seconds of fame.
As faithful viewers of the afternoon talk show, Lewis and Skrobak said
Degeneres discussed her cat on a recent show and commented about how her
veterinarian said it was too fat. That led one viewer to send in a photo
of a large cat.
On a whim, Skrobak sent in a photo of her mother holding their pure-bred
20-plus pound, blue-mitted ragdoll cat.
Lewis just happened to be home with the television on one afternoon when
a photo of Jaxon appeared on the big screen and it was a stroke of luck
which led to the accidental recording of the show.
Home alone, Lewis said she "went nuts" when she saw a picture of herself
holding Jaxon. She immediately called her daughter.
"If you have ever seen her show, you know that she likes to draw on her
monitor over the pictures that she is viewing. Well, we were not spared
and she drew what she believed the size of our cat, Jaxon, would look
like when he reaches his full potential of 30 pounds," Skrobak wrote.
Jaxon is one of three ragdoll cats that live in the Skrobak household,
along with two other cats. Skrobak describes the 18-month-old Jaxon as
"extremely arrogant.... He lets us live here."
His temperament might be due in part to a bit of spoiling by Lewis, who
has been known to feed him cooked turkey, lamb and cheese. It's no
wonder that he has taken a special liking to Lewis, often following her
around the house and even having a nightly ritual before settling in at
bedtime.
Ragdoll cats are true to their name and actually "flop" when held. They
also have distinctive manelike hair and bright blue eyes. With low
dander, the breed is also popular with people who suffer from allergies,
Skrobak said.
"They are something special," Lewis said and Skrobak adds, "The ragdoll
breed is a very beautiful cat that has a white, fluffy almost
rabbit-like coat with grey markings...."
Skrobak said her family originally set out to purchase a dog but nothing
looked right. While at the pet store, she saw a ragdoll cat and fell in
love. She eventually found a ragdoll cat breeder in Florida and got on a
waiting list. When Jaxon was 11 weeks old the Skrobaks bought him a
one-way ticket to the Columbus Airport on Delta Pet Express.
Skrobak said they have called their breeder regarding Jaxon's little
brush with fame and he has since been featured on the Rag Doll Fanciers
website for being in the news - and all because he is one big cat.

City police report vehicle break-ins on rise
By RYAN HORNS
Marysville residents may want to sleep with their eyes open these days.
The city is experiencing a significant rise in vehicle break-ins.
According to Marysville assistant police chief Glenn Nicol, the number
of incidents for this specific crime this year could end up double the
number reported last year.
Just more than four months into the year, Nicol said, theft from
vehicles reports are already at half the reports from 2003. Police files
indicate that in 2001 a total of 72 vehicle break-ins were reported; in
2002 there were 119 reported and a total of 83 occurred last year.
As of Wednesday morning, the department listed 43 vehicle break-ins
since January.
"Residents are encouraged to remove valuables and lock their vehicles
and to call at the time they hear or see anything unusual," Nicol said.
He said reports indicate the thefts normally happen in residential areas
where people leave their cars parked in the street, in their driveways
or apartment lots. But knowing where these incidents will happen next is
not easy to deduce because they really could happen anywhere.
Nicol reported that the majority of people charged in these crimes are
between the ages of 17 and 21-years-old. They often will steal anything
valuable that is visible from outside the car. This can mean radios,
CDs, guns, purses, wallets and cash.
"They will pretty much take anything they can go sell and make money
with," Nicol said.
Recent vehicle break-ins have involved suspects smashing windows and
grabbing anything valuable inside. Last week some juveniles were
arrested for similar crimes.

Historical site or eyesore?
Plans for  Cheney Cemetery are up in the air
By CINDY BRAKE
Jackson Township's trustees just want to do the right thing.
The problem is that different people have different opinions on what the
right thing is. That is why they are planning a special meeting Monday
at 7:30 p.m. to ask their residents what they should do with the Cheney
Cemetery.
Two trustees believe the best thing for cemetery is to bury old markers
that are displaced, broken and weathered before the installation of a
new monument that will remember and honor those buried in this pioneer
burial ground west of Essex. A third trustee, along with members of the
Union County Genealogical Society and Union County Historical Society,
want the old stones to stay.
Trustee Larry Anderson reasons that the original markers belong at the
cemetery but fears that if they are left in their current condition they
could be used to vandalize the new monument that has cost the township
more than $5,000.
"We're trying to make something nice," he said.
Trustee Dave Ehret agrees, adding that the board of trustees have been
discussing how to improve the historic cemetery since 1999. Trustees
ordered a new monument in 2001 that will list the names of all those
known to be buried in this little patch of green along Rush Creek. They
had hoped to have it in place by Memorial Day.
Trustee Steve Patton said he would like to preserve history and not have
the "dubious honor" as one of the trustees that demolished a cemetery.
To the vandalism concern, Patton points out that the cemetery is located
by an old stone quarry and field so rocks are readily accessible if
someone wants to damage the new monument.
Members of the local historical and genealogy societies believe that
history will be lost if the original stones are removed.
"The tombstones were historically significant to the history of Jackson
Township. They represent the pioneer period of the township and are the
closet link that survives to those who founded the township, established
the schools and churches, cleared the land for farms, started
businesses, built roads and bridges and made the township what it is
today," historian Bob Parrott said in a written statement reportedly
read to trustees. "Although we do not oppose the proposed monument, ...
there really is no substitute for the original grave markers. Many of
the markers are one-of-a-kind. The materials used, shape and design of
the tombstones, period engraving, artwork on the markers and verses all
add to the uniqueness of the stones ... All of this would be lost if the
tombstones are buried."
Another concern is cost. With a total of four cemeteries to maintain,
Ehret and Anderson believe the township's money would be better spent in
maintaining the currently active Price Cemetery. Members of the
Genealogical Society have found an individual who would set the damaged
stones and clean them for $5,000.
Since the last burial in 1893, the Cheney Cemetery, located down a
gravel lane off of Route 739, has fallen into disrepair. Rumor has it
that cattle were allowed in the graveyard at one time. Ehret and
Anderson said that approximately 20 to 30 years ago some
well-intentioned individuals picked up the fallen stones and placed them
around the base of a large tree. The tree was struck by lightning and
fallen branches caused more damage to the monuments. The tree has since
been removed and all that remains is a circle of broken and faded
stones.
The exact number of pioneers buried in Cheney Cemetery is not known,
however, Parrott said Jackson Township's earliest residents including
the township's first settler, Benjamin Carter, was laid to rest there,
as well as four veterans of the War of 1812 and a number of soldiers
from the Civil War. Approximately 60 tombstones remain today spanning a
period of 175 years.
The cemetery was originally part of a farm owned by Ebenezer Cheney, an
early pioneer, Parrott said. Following an Indian trail, the Cheney
family came to Jackson Township in 1827 in a covered wagon pulled by a
team of oxen, stopping often to cut down trees in order to get the wagon
through. In 1828, Cheney's wife, Elizabeth, died and he gave land from
his farm for a public cemetery.

Mock attack planned at Nestle
By RYAN HORNS
In case Marysville residents notice law enforcement, emergency crews and
a bomb squad surrounding the Nestle Research & Development building,
Union County officials want them to know there is no reason to worry.
The Union County Emergency Management Agency plans to conduct a Weapons
of Mass Destruction (WMD) training exercise May 15 in Marysville. The
exercise will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude around 5 p.m.
The drill is being conducted as part of a two-year grant the local EMA
received from the state of Ohio in order to test county preparedness for
such a WMD incident.
The main part of the exercise will be held at the Nestle Research &
Development plant on Collins Avenue. Training will also be held at the
County Emergency Operations Center located at the Union County Services
Center, Memorial Hospital of Union County and St. John's Lutheran School
where the Union County Red Cross will operate a shelter.
Paul Slaughter, exercise planner for the EMA, said today that one of the
reasons the agency chose the Nestle facility was because of its high
population of international employees. He said around 15 different
nationalities are represented in their workforce.
Because of its worldwide reputation, he said, it made the likelihood of
an incident at that spot more plausible.
Slaughter said the exercise will involve first responders, other support
agencies, the Ohio National Guard's 52nd Civil Support Team and the
Columbus Bomb Squad. He said it will mark the first time the National
Guard's 52nd Civil Support Team will work with the Columbus Bomb Squad.
That is all part of the reason for the training exercises, he said, to
prepare forces for all situations.
Slaughter said the local EMA is hoping to get the word out on the drill
in case residents notice the large number of law enforcement on Collins
Avenue and become worried. There will be a large number of response
vehicles on the street but traffic flow will remain open.
Memorial Hospital's Emergency Room will be receiving patients as part of
the training exercise resulting in the possibility of decontamination
operations in or around the emergency room. Slaughter said that in an
actual WMD incident, hundreds of residents may flood the hospital to
find out if they have been affected by any foreign substance.
In the event regular emergency medical services are required at the
hospital, he said, patients should ignore the exercise activities and
proceed into the emergency room for assistance. The hospital will
continue all regular operations during this exercise.
Because the element of surprise is needed for such drills, Slaughter
said the substance or specific weapon used against the city will not be
released.


N. L. taking back its rights-of-way
By CORINNE BIX
Village of North Lewisburg property owners and residents will be
required to move any obstructions in and on streets or alley
rights-of-way by May 15.
The village issued a public notice requiring that any existing
obstructions such as rocks, steel posts or other items be removed from
the street or alley right-of-way.
Some residents have resorted to placing large obstructions between their
property lines and the village right of way or alley to deter vehicles
from parking or cutting in to the village owned grass area that is
maintained by the property owner.
A village resident attended Tuesday night's meeting and took issue with
the public notice saying that resident-placed obstructions were done in
the name of safety to keep vehicles on the roadways.
Although Mayor Richard Willis and village administrator Barry First
agreed with the good intentions of residents, they said it still is
village owned property and must be maintained by the village.
"If the traffic needs to be re-directed on our right of way then we need
to do it," Willis said. "It is our property and we are responsible for
it."
Both Willis and First voiced concerns over possible civil suits in the
case of someone becoming injured as a result of striking an unauthorized
obstruction on village property. The village will work with residents to
have obstructions removed and flexible reflective posts can be placed to
deter traffic from cutting in on un-authorized areas.
The village is continuing its junk vehicle clean-up campaign. Nine
certified letters have been sent and 12 vehicles have been removed.
Another dozen letters will be sent in the coming weeks.
"So far it has proven to work well and as a result those (junk vehicles)
that are in violation should be cleaned up by the end of June, early
July," First said.
A village business owner addressed the council in regard to delivery
trucks parked illegally to unload merchandise and supplies to local
businesses. She asked that the issue be addressed evenly and fairly.
The council authorized the village administrator to participate in
Ohio's Cooperative Purchasing Act. This will allow the village to save
time and money when contracting projects over $15,000 by using the state
managed competitive bidding system.
The council passed an emergency ordinance in regard to fire insurance
policies. This ordinance allows the village to require insurance
carriers of any structure to pay $2,000 to the village for every $15,000
of property damaged if 60 percent or more of the structure is damaged.
This protects the village by providing funds to remove the property.
In other business, council:
 . Heard first reading, title only, of an ordinance for a lodging tax in
the amount of 3 percent as permitted by law. Half the tax must go toward
tourism (i.e., chamber of commerce dues) and the other 50 percent can go
to the village's general fund
 . Heard first reading only of an ordinance which adds income from
gambling, awards, wagering, lotteries and prizes to the municipal income
tax
 . Authorized the purchase of a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Police
Interceptor for October delivery at a cost of $19,387 from the statewide
Ford Ohio contract.
 . Authorized the completion of community room, hall and bath(s)
flooring at $7,940 and replace ceiling at $3,126

Creative Travel has rolled with the punches of a changing industry
When you say "travel" anywhere in Union County, the first thought most
people have is Creative Travel.
For more than two decades Creative Travel has served Union County and
surrounding areas with outstanding travel services. The business was
founded in December 1981 by Patrick and Dorothy Mudgett and their
daughter Carole Drake joined them in February 1982.
Beginning in the old lumber company building at the corner of South Main
and Ninth streets, Creative Travel has continued to grow, not only with
the community, but also with industry.
Creative Travel is synonymous with adventure, relaxation, fun and making
dreams come true. Those dreams aren't just limited to vacation dreams.
Corporations have dreams, visions and goals also and have trusted their
unique travel requirements to Creative Travel.
After a year in the old lumber company building, Creative Travel moved
to the Marysville Plaza where they continued to grow, serving Marysville
and the surrounding area. An opportunity to purchase the building on
West Fifth Street now occupied by the Richwood Bank allowed further
expansion and growth. Further development has led them to their current
location at 123 Damascus Road in the Lutz Plaza.
Active ownership has always been a part of Creative Travel. Many people
remember the late Pat Mudgett as the "face" of Creative. Dorothy
Mudgett, who retired in June 2000, was the nuts and bolts. She is
happily retired, traveling, spending winters in Florida and summers in
Marysville. Carole and Steve Drake are now the continuing force behind
the business.
Creative Travel recently formed an alliance with Traveline Travel of
Cleveland which will provide powerful resources, such as online booking
tools for both leisure and corporate customers. Soon, leisure customers
will be able to utilize a private label version of "Cheaptickets" on
Creative's website (www.creativetraveloh.com).
Corporate customers will be able to utilize the powerful corporate
travel site, Travelport, which functions much the way Expedia or Orbitz
does, but with two important distinctions. It contains a corporate
travel policy adherence module that ensures the company's preferred
suppliers and the absolute lowest fares are used in all cases. Meeting
planning services are also a result of this alliance.
Creative has remained current with travel industry changes and trends.
Although the airlines and the Internet have greatly altered the travel
industry by changing the way travel is purchased, the important
distinction Creative Travel has to offer lies in the quality of
experienced travel agents. Several agents have more than 20 years
experience in the travel industry. Agents have traveled extensively and
can offer "insider" advice and recommendations. They can make sense of
the maze of information and ease the entire travel planning process. The
traveler can enjoy the results.
Steve and Carole Drake are an active part of the community, supporting
the Community Care Train, YMCA and Chamber of Commerce and are members
of First United Methodist Church. They have four children, Tyler, 19,
attending The University of Cincinnati; Neil, 17, a Junior at MHS; Ross,
15, a freshman at MHS, and Leah, 14, in eighth grade at MMS.

Teen dies in horrific crash
Car hits parked dump truck on Raymond Road
By RYAN HORNS
A Marysville High School student died Monday after the vehicle he was in
crashed with a dump truck on Raymond Road Monday afternoon.
Jason Mathewson, 16, of 16831 Wheeler Green Road was reportedly the
fatality in the crash.
Fire and medic crews worked diligently at the scene to cut metal away
from the passengers in his vehicle while concerned neighbors in the
19000 block of Raymond Road looked on.
According to Ohio State Patrol reports, Mathewson was driving northbound
on Raymond Road at 3:54 p.m. in a maroon 1998 Ford Contour when he
failed to negotiate a curve in the road and lost control at 19200
Raymond Road. Reports do not state whether Mathewson was found dead at
the scene, although it was reported he was transported to Memorial
Hospital of Union County.
Mathewson's car struck a 2000 Mack dump truck which was reportedly
parked off the side of the road. Mathewson appeared to have hit the
right front wheel of the truck, bending the front axle. The crash caused
severe damages to the Ford, which was found twisted around the front of
the truck.
Mathewson's passenger, Cody Gibson, 15, of 22400 Hoover Bault Road was
injured and was MedFlighted to Children's Hospital in Columbus for
treatment. Children's Hospital staff reported this morning that he
remains in fair condition. He is also a student at Marysville High
School.
Although the truck was parked at the time of the crash, it did contain
an occupant. Truck driver Robert Decker, 38, of Sunbury was conscious at
the scene and spoke with troopers before he was transported by Liberty
Township medics to Memorial Hospital of Union County for minor injuries.
Hospital staff reported this morning that he has since been treated and
released.
The truck was owned by Thomas General Contractors of Johnstown. OSP
reports did not indicate the reason the truck was parked in the area or
what kind of work was being performed.
Marysville and Allen and Liberty Township medics responded to the scene,
along with the Union County Sheriff's Department and the Ohio State
Highway Patrol. Rescue crews were forced to remove the hood of the car
and the passenger seat to extricate the victims.
The OSP reported this morning that their investigation of the accident
is pending.
Marysville High School staff reported today that counselors and pastors
are available for students and friends of Mathewson.
Additional Information and details on funeral arrangements will be
posted in the message board section of the Marysville High School web
site, www.marysvillek12.oh.us.
Staff reported that students may attend the funeral during school hours
with the written approval of their parent or guardian.
A death notice for Mathewson appears on page 2 of today's newspaper.



Harmony absent from Jerome Township meeting
By CINDY BRAKE
"A pretty little cat fight" was how Jerome Township Trustee Sharon Sue
Wolfe described one moment in Monday's regular board of trustee meeting.
The two-hour meeting was littered with several other cat fights. The
disputes were about the validity of minutes, appointing of an alternate,
advertising open positions, adhering to the Code of Conduct and
exceptions for renting the township building.
The "cat fight" which Wolfe referred to was between residents Barbara
Long and Jesse Dickinson.
During the public comment period, Long stated that Dickinson showed
video clips in January after a meeting had adjourned and was not charged
for the use of the building. She alleged he was using the building for
his own political use.
Dickinson videotapes all board of trustee meetings and had reportedly
compiled various clips of trustee Rhodes.
Dickinson agreed that he invited everyone to stay after a comprehensive
planning meeting to watch a video, but there was nothing political about
the event. Wolfe, who schedules the building, said she had no knowledge
about Dickinson's activity.
Trustee Ron Rhodes then added that this was not the first time Dickinson
used the building without paying for it. Rhodes said two years ago
Dickinson had a "private party" for trustees Wolfe and Freeman May.
Dickinson countered that it was an official function for the swearing in
of the newly-elected trustees.
Sometime as the discussion volleyed, Dickinson said, "I will come up
with the money."
The first dispute was about whether the minutes for Wednesday meetings
are valid.
Rhodes questioned the minutes which are written by Wolfe. The weekly
Wednesday morning meetings are routinely attended by only Wolfe and May.
Clerk Robert Caldwell and trustee Rhodes have been absent. In January,
Rhodes said, "I could not attend ... because the Union County
Prosecutor's Office had advised us that it was not a regular meeting on
a regular date."
Caldwell said a letter from the prosecutor's office has stated that it
is their opinion that they "have yet to see anything illegal or
inappropriate about the meetings." With the clerk absent, Wolfe acts as
trustee and clerk during the meetings.
Rhodes abstained from approving the Wednesday minutes, while May and
Wolfe approved them.
A second dispute ensued when Wolfe wanted to amend minutes for an April
17 tri-board meeting. She wanted the clerk to add that the meeting
erupted because Rhodes continuously asked the zoning inspector for
information. Rhodes said all he wanted to know was who was responsible
for a letter about zoning, who approved the letter and how many letters
were sent. Wolfe said zoning inspector Norm Puntenney responded to
Rhodes' request by refusing to answer the questions.
Wolfe and May apparently jumped the gun in appointing Lou Bedford as an
alternate to the Board of Zoning Appeal on April 28. A notice on the
township board said applications would be accepted until April 30. The
two then rescinded their earlier vote, only to appoint him at Monday's
meeting.
"Looks like another slam dunk," Rhodes said, claiming that Bedford was
an "associate" of Wolfe. Asked to explain "associate," Rhodes said
Bedford contributed to her campaign.
Rhodes said the township should have advertised the open position,
pointing to the township's Code of Conduct.
May said the position had been open since December and he saw no reason
to waste any more time.
Concerning Rhodes' concern with the Code of Conduct, Wolfe justified
ignoring the code, claiming that Rhodes does the same.
Rhodes' raised a second concern with violation of the code of conduct
when he asked Wolfe about an agenda for the Wednesday meeting. He said
the code states that agendas will be available within 72 hours prior to
a meeting.
Wolfe admitted that she had no idea what would be discussed at the
Wednesday meeting.
"We don't know until we get there," she said.
Rhodes then added that he did not receive the Monday night agenda until
five minutes before the meeting. He voiced concern that in past meetings
he was prohibited from discussion certain topics because they were not
on the agenda.
The three trustees did manage to approve the payment of bills without
any differing opinions and unanimously agreed to allow the zoning board
to take $450 from the zoning funds for LUC planning services, although
Wolfe wanted the expenditure contingent on representation.
In other business:
. A special meeting will be held 7 p.m. Thursday to interview Barry
Adler for the zoning inspector position.
. The zoning inspector job description was updated.
. May presented a proposal for crack filling from American Pavement.
. The trustees approved a letter to the city of Dublin written by Wolfe
and Caldwell stating that Jerome Township "will take the lead role and
responsibility for the development of the land in the (U.S. 33) corridor
within its boundaries. We will be open to discussions with neighboring
jurisdictions seeking thoughts and ideas as the need arises. However, we
feel these discussions should take place on a one-to-one basis, as
opposed to future round table discussions."

Veterans are targets of scam
With scams targeting Ohio's senior citizens, the union County Veterans
Service Office, in partnership with the Division of Securities of the
Ohio Department of Commerce urges senior citizens to protect their
savings from con artists. Division of Securities staff recently
presented investor education information at the Richwood Civic Center.
Veterans and widows/widowers of veterans are also targeted, sometimes by
companies who charge to complete Department of Veterans Affairs forms
for possible VA benefits.
"The Union County Veterans Service Office urges veterans or their
widows/widowers to come to our office about VA benefits," said Gail
DeGood-Guy, executive director of the Union County Veterans Service
Office. "We have all the resources, necessary forms and knowledge to
assist our clients apply for VA benefits. Most importantly, we do it all
at no charge."
In a time of low interest rates and an unpredictable stock market, con
artists know all investors, particularly senior citizens living of fixed
incomes, are concerned about investment options. The con artists craft
their pitches as legitimate safer alternatives and promise guaranteed
returns higher than the performance of other investments.
"All investments carry a degree of risk but taking a con artist on face
value is a sure way to lose your investment," said Ohio Securities
Commissioner Debbie Dye Joyce. "It is always in your best interest to
investigate before you invest."
DeGood-Guy said Veterans Service Office David Cook is state certified to
address complicated issues and will do everything possible for veterans
or their family members to get the benefits they are entitled to.
Investors may call the Division of Securities Investor Protection
Hotline at (800) 788-1194 to find out if investment advisors,
salespersons or brokerage firm is licensed, if action has been taken
against them and if the security being offered is properly registered.

Sines steps down after long career at Ohio Reformatory
By RYAN HORNS
She has been called the mouthpiece of the Ohio Reformatory for Women by
a former warden and has seen six wardens come and go during her stay.
But Friday ORW administrative assistant Maralene Sines retired after 26
years with the local prison.
Sines said that in 1977 there were only 400 prisoners when she was hired
as a corrections officer and she has seen changes to the prison as the
inmate population grew to its current 1,892. When she arrived there
wasn't even a security gate and 10 new buildings have gone up since she
started.
"It's amazing how far we've come, if just for technology," she said.
Video conferencing, Smart ID's, iris scanning and computer chip location
devices will someday allow prison guards to take roll call with the push
of a button and know exactly where every person is, she said.
In the late 1970s, Sines said, it was possible to learn the names of
every prisoner. But with an estimated 2,500 woman going in and out of
the ORW every year, that is no longer possible.
After coming from jobs dealing mainly with punching numbers and figures
for corporations like Nationwide and The Scotts Company in the 1970s,
she felt it was time to work with people. The ORW gave her that
opportunity and they hired her so fast she was on the payroll before she
was even sure it was the job for her. It didn't take long to figure out
she had found her niche.
Since then Sines worked her way up from a corrections officer to
sergeant to lieutenant and was promoted to administrative assistant in
1993. What kept her working at the prison for so many years, she said,
was knowing that each day would bring a completely new challenge.
"Every day has a different element to it," she said. "No two days are
the same."
Her role over the years has seen everything from reviewing incidents at
the prison and deciding on the course of action and appeals to setting
up meetings for the warden and acting as ORW's information link to
national, state and city legislators and media outlets. In other words,
anyone who wants to know about something at the ORW will be directed to
her first.
"She's the first person to work and the last to leave," ORW personnel
director Elizabeth Wright said about Sines. "She always roots for the
underdog, too."
Sines has many stories about the prison. She said the most memorable
inmate she ever dealt with was known for both her mean streak and her
soft side.
Inmate Annie Szeman came to prison in 1929 and was still serving time
when Sines was hired in 1977. Szeman was born in Austria in 1886 and
spoke with a thick German accent. She had been paroled seven times but
always violated the terms and ended up back at ORW. She had a cat for
many years until pets were outlawed in the prison and so she took to
wrapping a towel around her arm to pretend it was her pet. Sines said
Szeman was considered a character, but everyone liked her.
Sines said Szeman received another parole but was so elderly at that
point that she preferred to stay in prison.
"It really is a testament to the care she was given," Sines said.
Szeman stayed in the care of the prison until she died at the age of
100.  ORW held a funeral for her and bought clothes for her to be buried
in.
A similar case of a woman staying at the ORW may not happen today,
because the goal is more focused on rehabilitation.
"From the moment they enter, we start preparing them for the day they
are released," Sines said.
Current warden Patricia Andrews has said that "if you can treat a woman,
you can save a family." It is a philosophy Sines agrees with.
Sines said excitement could be expected at times, especially during the
days when escapes were more frequent. When she started, ORW was more of
a farm and inmates worked in fields in the open. But escape attempts
changed that.
In 1978 the prison put up the first fence lined with barbed wire, which
led to another fence when escapes kept occurring. The last breakout
happened in 1987 when a Delaware County woman, who had been convicted
for killing her three children, jumped the perimeter fence. She was
apprehended and brought back.
The prison put up two fences with razor wire on top and four more rows
of razor wire in between. The result must have made an impact on
prisoners because there hasn't been an escape since.
Sines said she has valued her work at the prison.
"We always would like to be considered a quiet neighbor in Marysville,"
she said. "We work hard for a positive image."