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Local Archived News  10/2005

Five injured in crash on U.S. 33
Four of the  occupants were ejected from the vehicle
From J-T staff reports:
Five people were injured in a rollover crash on U.S. 33 Friday morning.
Just after 11 a.m. Friday a four door car drove off the road as it was
heading eastbound on U.S. 33 at Route 31. The car rolled over and
crashed into a ditch just off the road. As a result of the crash, four
of the five females were ejected.
At this time a full explanation of the crash has not been released by
law enforcement.
The Marysville Police Department, which is investigating the crash,
reported at the scene that two of the victims were transported by
MedFlight to Grant Medical Center, two were transported by MedFlight to
Riverside Methodist Hospital and one was taken by Marysville medics to
Memorial Hospital of Union County. Names and ages of the female victims
have not been released at this time.
As MedFlight helicopters made their way to the scene, police closed off
the eastbound lanes of U.S. 33 and officers directed traffic through to
downtown Marysville. Traffic piled up in both directions as far as the
eye could see.
Marysville Assistant Police Chief, Glenn Nicol, said that a full report
on the crash would be available on Monday.
On the scene, thick tire marks on the asphalt show where the driver
braked. The car appeared to have crashed into the cement median between
the eastbound and westbound lanes, then lost control and went off the
right side of the road.
It is unknown at this time if the female victims were all adults, or if
children were involved.

Tense hours in Mill Valley
After being placed under arrest, man bolts from officers  and grabs gun
By RYAN HORNS and CHAD WILLIAMSON
A Marysville man held a gun to his head for four hours Thursday evening,
threatening to shoot himself and police officers during a standoff that
stemmed from authorities attempting to serve a warrant on a drug charge.

Michael B. Queen, 36, of 1520 Valley Drive was arraigned this morning in
the Marysville Municipal Court on one third-degree felony drug
trafficking charge, stepping from the incident.
Glenn Nicol, assistant chief of the Marysville Police Department, said
today that more charges are expected to be filed, possibly inducing
panic, obstructing official police business and more drug charges.
In court this morning, Union County assistant prosecutor Melissa Chase
and Judge Michael Grigsby reported that Queen faces up to five years in
prison on the charge and up to $10,000 in fines.
Chase also highlighted the seriousness of holding police at bay for four
hours with a 9 mm hand gun, "that he held to his head, threatening to
kill himself."
Queen's bail was set at $250,000. He is expected to have his preliminary
hearing on Nov. 4 at 8 a.m.
Chase said that when Queen was being taken into custody after the
standoff he remarked to one deputy that, "You should have pulled the
trigger."
According to police reports, the standoff began with a traffic stop at
7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Officers stopped Queen outside his home on Valley Drive. They ended up
taking him inside the house without incident and he was cooperative as
officers interviewed him during their investigation on alleged drug
charges.
A teen-age neighbor of Queen's confirmed the account. The teen refused
to give his name.
The teen reported that when Queen's car pulled into the driveway of the
home, plain-clothed officers surrounded it and took him into custody.
"They told us it was safe," the youth said. "They had him in handcuffs."

Shortly after their search of the home began, Nicol said, the law
enforcement special response teams left the home when it appeared the
situation was under control. Investigators continued their search at the
residence.
Chase told Grigsby that as a result of the search, law enforcement found
numerous weapons, two pounds of marijuana, 28-30 grams of cocaine,
steroids and syringes and almost $1,000 in cash.
During this entire time, Queen was handcuffed with his arms secured in
front of him. Nicol said that officers were in the process of moving him
to the kitchen and were arranging a chair for him.
"It was then that he bolted away from the officer, up a short flight of
stairs, to a hidden handgun in his bedroom," Nicol said.
As Queen ran, a taser, which did not effectively connect, was fired at
him by an officer.
The teen-age neighbor reported that at about this time he left his home
and saw more officers scrambling around the home.
"The cops words were 'something went horribly wrong,'" the youth said.
For the next four hours, Queen held the handgun to his head, threatening
to shoot himself or law enforcement officers.
Nicol said Queen stayed in his bedroom while officers talked to him over
the next several hours. At around 12:30 a.m. today, law enforcement
special response teams were called back to the scene and several homes
near Queen's residence were evacuated.
"Then he laid the gun down on the floor," Nicol said. "When it appeared
that he was going to retrieve the weapon again, officers stunned him
with a 12-gauge bean bag round (fired from a shotgun)."
Nicol said that Queen was subdued, taken into custody and transported to
Memorial Hospital of Union County. There, he was treated for minor
visible injuries from the bean bag shot and released into police
custody.
Nicol said the Marysville Police worked in a joint effort with the Union
County Sheriff's Office and the Union County EMA during the tense
situation.
Queen has a previous record of domestic violence from a 1998 charge. He
is currently unemployed and reportedly has a list of five previous
residences over several counties. The neighbor reported that he had five
children who did not live with him and had recently lost his job at
Honda after seven years.
The neighbor's description of Queen, who was reportedly called Brian by
those who know him, differed greatly from the incident Thursday night.
He called Queen "a great guy," noting that he would baby-sit children in
the area.
"I'd trust him with my life," the teen said. "He's one of those guys
that when you've got a flat tire, you call Brian."
Law enforcement first started looking into Queen in April, Nicol said,
which is when they first became aware of possible drug activities.

City, county begin process of combining services
By RYAN HORNS
It took more than a year to bring it all together, but Marysville City
Council held first reading on a  future water service agreement with the
county Thursday.
Marysville and Union County officials agree that both will benefit from
consolidating the county and city water and sewer systems.
The city is beginning the borrowing process for the first $55 million to
begin building its new wastewater treatment plant ? an issue that had
its second reading and public hearing that night. The resolution comes
on the cusp of expected future development and population growth for the
county.
Marysville City Council members commented that the resolution shows that
the city and county are preparing to work together well in the future.
Within the resolution agreement, Union County will sell and transfer to
Marysville its rights and interest in the water distribution and sewage
collection facilities lying outside the boundaries of Marysville.
Council president John Gore said he recently attended a U.S. 33 corridor
meeting and the subject of the water purchase agreement came up. He said
representatives from other central Ohio cities at the meeting praised
the Marysville and Union County for working so closely on the issue to
provide the service to residents. He said it was amazing how far the two
entities have come to be able to work together like this.
"People are noticing that," Gore said.
Councilman David Burke wanted to clarify that the new agreement does not
mean increased rates for water and sewage treatment for residents.
"We're not (raising the rates) at this point," Kruse said. "Obviously
that potential is there, although the potential was there before."
Gore commented that Maryville would even see an increase in revenue from
the agreement because it had been selling the service to the county at
bulk rates, which would not be necessary with the new agreement. Before
the first reading could be passed, councilman Nevin Taylor pointed out
that the purchase agreement contained some mistakes with monetary
figures and needed to be amended before they went any further. The
figures contained a $15,000 difference that should be corrected.
In other issues, on the ballot in November are proposed amendments to
the city charter for residents to consider. The changes would require
the city administrator position to be filled by a person with specific
degrees and qualifications. Many people have found fault with the
change. Kruse has said previously that it would extremely limit a
mayor's options to find a local person to serve the role.
Joining in on the criticism Thursday night was Rick Shortell, of the
Union County Chamber of Commerce.
"The chamber feels that putting job qualifications in the charter is the
wrong place to have it," he said. "The proposed amendment could tie the
hands of the mayor in the future."
He asked, what if a local retired Fortune 500 chairman wanted the
position? "The person couldn't be hired ? although they may be very
capable," Shortell said.
He said that he supports issues three and four of the amendments, but
the Chamber does not support issues one and two, dealing with City
Administrator qualifications.
On the issue of eminent domain, city council voted to table an ordinance
to enact Chapter 739, Eminent Domain, of the city Codified Ordinances.
The changes are intended to protect property owners from the city using
eminent domain to take land for private use, such as strip malls or
housing developments. The state has been dealing with the same issue and
recently called a moratorium on all eminent domain seizures until the
end of 2006.
Councilman Dan Fogt said that without the protection in place locally,
any church could be replaced with a retail store.
"Citizens of Marysville have the right to own their property without the
fear of having that property taken from them for private use," he said.
Pleasant said he agrees with Fogt in philosophy, but added that he is
not in favor of the legislation because city council already has the
power to prevent such eminent domain from happening.
"As an agricultural type of person, I don't like the term eminent
domain," Taylor said.
He recommended tabling the ordinance for 30 days in order to see if the
state makes any more amendments to allowing eminent domain to protect
private developers.
Fogt said he did not expect the state to make any more changes in such a
short amount of time, but agreed to support tabling the issue for now.

Frozen airman has local ties
From staff and AP reports:
The frozen body of a World War II airman discovered recently may be the
great-uncle of a Marysville resident.
Joee Brandfass of Marysville said her mother called Saturday during the
OSU football game with news that the unidentified airman was Ernest
"Glenn" Munn, her mother's uncle and grandmother's brother.
Munn died in 1942 when a training plane he was traveling in crashed on a
glacier. Munn and three other men, including a pilot from Ohio, were not
found, states printed reports.
"My great uncle died when my mom was only 1. As a kid, my parents
traveled a lot and I remember that my grandmother hated to know that my
mom was in a plane. I knew that her (my grandmother) brother died in a
plane crash, but not much more was said about it. It was a pretty touchy
subject. My mom knew all the details, but I did not," Brandfass said.
She said the family's reaction to the news depends on the generation
that you talk to.
Brandfass said her grandmother, Sarah Zeyer, and two sisters are
relieved and heartbroken.
"This news brings back memories. She says that it feels like he just
died last week.
Brandfass said her mother is glad that they will all have some closure
as well.
"The story is somewhat different for me. The fact that they found a
well-preserved body from 60 years ago is fascinating. The fact that it
is a relative of mine is amazing," Brandfass said. "I love that my
children get to experience such a huge event and show them how they are
linked to the past. My kids have told people at school and I don't think
they really believe them because this is so huge."
Mountain climbers found the airman's head and arm jutting out of the
solid ice of the receding glacier in California's Kings Canyon National
Park on Oct. 16. The body was flown Monday to Hickam Air Force Base on
Oahu, Hawaii, where it is being examined at the Joint POW-MIA Accounting
Command, which identifies the remains of lost soldiers.
Forensic anthropologists there said they have a lot to work with. The
ice preserved the body's skin and muscle, as well as the man's
sun-bleached hair and his green uniform.
A search team also recovered a pen, small notebook, comb and coins from
inside the airman's Army uniform. A badly corroded name badge on the
uniform also will be examined.
Military officials said the identification process would take a minimum
of weeks, possibly months. They also cautioned that the airman might not
be blond at all and that his hair could have been discolored by the sun.

Military officials reportedly say they don't want to jump to
conclusions, but acknowledge that the body's location has provided a
good lead. The military has not contacted the family, but from a
description the family is hopeful.
If the airman is her brother, Pyle said the Munn family would like the
military to fly his body back to Ohio for burial in a family plot.
Munn, who would have been 87 now, was the oldest child of Joseph and
Sadie Munn. The couple also had three daughters and raised the family on
a small farm near St. Clairsville, across the Ohio River from Wheeling,
W.Va.

Officials complete domestic violence protocol update
By RYAN HORNS
"We had a victim who said she fell down the stairs, when there were no
stairs in the house," Union County prosecutor David Phillips said.
These are some of the difficulties law enforcement faces when dealing
with domestic violence, he explained. The issue has made domestic
violence cases some of the hardest to prosecute.
Because of this, representatives of county law enforcement, health and
victims advocacy groups met together on Wednesday afternoon at the
Marysville Municipal Court to commit their involvement to the newly
organized domestic violence protocol group for Union County. The event
comes during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA) program director Kathleen Nichols
said when the original domestic violence protocol was assembled in 1999,
"victims weren't being served well because the service was broken."
She said local law enforcement and government agencies were not on the
same page and some groups did not get along with the other. This has
changed over the past six years.
Phillips said new protocol guidelines now outline procedures for
dispatchers, officers, prosecutors, and victim's advocates.
"It offers standards to working with all victims of family violence,
including men, women, children, the elderly and disabled," he said.
"Victims of domestic violence should expect a consistent response."
Nichols said that all county law enforcement departments will be trained
in the new guidelines. She also thanked local police and deputies for
treating every domestic violence call with respect - even when they are
called to the same house numerous times.
She said domestic violence incidents are "getting more violent" in the
county and that dangerous weapons are being involved on a more frequent
basis. The guidelines in the new protocol are intended to facilitate
communication between the groups who assist victims, helping them work
together to be more effective.
Nichols explained that a new section has been added to the protocol for
working with victims who have a disability. Many are not even aware of
the law, or how to realize that a crime has been committed. These
victims can experience domestic violence 10 times more than the rest of
the population.
Other inclusions into the protocol system are that of local businesses
getting on board. They can be trained to see evidence of domestic
violence in the workplace and how to help their employees stuck in a bad
situation.
"Domestic violence is a serious crime that adversely affects not only
the individuals directly involved, but their children, their extended
family and the community as a whole," Nichols said. "Effective and
consistent investigation, enforcement prosecution of crimes of domestic
violence, support for victims of domestic violence and promotion of
police officer safety in responding to reports of domestic violence are
important objectives of the parties to this agreement."
Marysville city prosecutor Tim Aslaner also spoke at the meeting,
explaining the new protocol as "a very important event."
He said that part of the troubles prosecutors have with domestic
violence cases is that the victims can sometimes be uncooperative with
law enforcement. They can feel threatened or coerced by their abusers
into dropping charges or claiming they made everything up.
"We really have to figure out why," Aslaner said. "That is definitely
one of the tasks we have."
He commended the work of VOCA for its efforts to help domestic violence
victims.
Phillips brought the seriousness of domestic violence to heart, when he
explained that his office handled a case involving a woman who had been
on the ground as she was repeatedly kicked by her husband. In the end,
she chose to stay in the abusive relationship. Law enforcement then
discovered that her husband had previously committed a homicide out of
jealousy in a previous relationship. It's a chain that needs to be
broken.

Board of Health sets fees for vaccines
From J-T staff reports:
The Union County Board of Health adopted a fee schedule for flu vaccines
during its recent regular meeting.
Vaccinations will be available for $20 a person for the traditional
injection or $24 for FluMist, the nasal inhalant being offered for the
first time this year. An additional $5 will be added to both for
non-Union County residents, it was decided.
The board also renewed its contract with Liberty TechSystems LLC to
provide networking support and a contract with Allen, William & Hughes
Company to provide programming and data environment consultation.
Wilmington College Peace Resource Center also was granted a contract to
provide conflict resolution training to local schools.
The next board of health meeting will be Nov. 16 at 7:30 a.m. in the
Union County Services Building, 940 London Ave.
For more information, contact the health department at 642-2053.

Organist wows crowd
Editor's note: The following review is submitted by Kay Liggett of the
Community Concert Association.
???
The magic of music was indeed magic at Monday's Union County Community
Concert. Guest performer was organist Hector Olivera.
A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Olivera started playing the pipe
organ at age 3 and at age 6 entered the Buenos Aires Conservatory to
study harmony, counterpoint and fugue. By age 9 he had composed a suite
for oboe and string orchestra that was performed by the Buenos Aires
Symphony Orchestra.
He has performed in Australia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland,
Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United
States, Mexico and throughout Latin America.
What an amazing musician! We all felt in awe of his unusual talent,
skill and versatility.
What a concert it was! Olivera is a spellbinding musician and showman at
his spectacular new Roland Atelier AT-902 organ. We felt enriched as
well as entertained.
A goodly crowd showed up in spite of the nasty turn of the weather. We
certainly were rewarded. Olivera warmed us all with his amazing skill.
Never has an organist been so talented and versatile.
He began with jazz band toe-tapping stuff. It really sounded like a real
jazz ensemble of voice, piano, brass, bass and even the frenzied
percussion solo. We giggled at the sound track.
Then a tour of Europe to a Milan cathedral. The organ music was truly a
grand church choir with trumpets and a real soprano voice! Amazing!
Olivera also played George Gershwin music at a concert piano, doing
"Rhapsody in Blue" with a full symphony. It was electrifying! He pulled
out all the stops on this one.
Broadway selections and Hollywood film music from a John Williams score
from the movie "E.T." were part of the performance. The music  played
was featured in the scene where all the children on their bicycles
escorted E.T. back to his world - awesome.
"Music of the Night" from Andrew Lloyd Weber's production "Phantom of
the Opera" was included. Such passionate music of solos and the whole
chorus. The auditorium was filled with glorious sounds!
Closing it all was "Battle Hymn of the Republic" with all stops out.
Wow! What a concert!
The next concert is scheduled for March 10. Circle you calendar for the
River City Ramblers Dixieland jazz band.

Population could double in 25 years
Meeting focuses on growth in Union County
By RYAN HORNS
It took Union County some 200 years to reach the development and
population levels it has now. But at the current rate of growth, the
county could double that in just 25 years.
The realization of that eventuality is what brought the Mid Ohio
Regional Planning Commission to Marysville Tuesday night as part of the
Regional Connections Project.
For many at the meeting, the concept of growth in Union County is one
thing, but just where the growth is expected to go is much more
important.
MORPC representative, Kimberly Gibson, explained to some 70 local and
regional leaders about coming up with a growth plan for the seven county
area that makes up Central Ohio. The region MORPC is focusing on
includes Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and
Union counties. While everyone expects Franklin County to continue its
extensive growth, the key is what counties will experience the most run
off.
In Union County, several maps of different types of growth, show
business and development coming up along U.S. 33 and filling in the
southeast areas of the county, including Jerome Township and Pleasant
Valley. The maps also show Marysville growing, along with all the other
separate cities in the county.
Gibson said the whole concept for Regional Connections was launched and
directed by a 64-member steering committee made up of people from each
of the seven central Ohio counties. Through this approach, MORPC has
been able to piece together maps of Union County which show different
paths for different types of growth. They came about their figures by
combining projected growth of sewer and water systems, economic
development plans currently in the books, environmental constraints
(such as agricultural easements and flood plains) and suggested growth
areas along major roadways.
In these maps, MORPC has discovered that Fairfield County is entirely
covered in future development.
The Regional Connections project began with Phase I, during which
stakeholders from all seven counties collected data and viewpoints
necessary to get an accurate picture of opportunities and threats facing
central Ohio.
In 2004 the steering committee accomplished things like preparing a
regional fact book, the first ever GIS regional land use model,
conducted three regional workshops, held stakeholder meetings in each
county, conducted focus groups for under-represented groups, conducted a
random telephone survey of regional residents, illustrated development
trends and scenarios utilizing the model, conducted training of local
government staffs on the model, prepared vision statements, prepared
nearly 100 strategies to support the vision statements.
Gibson explained that the mission of the Regional Growth Strategy of
MORPC is to "create a common understanding of the significant change
anticipated for the Central Ohio region over the next 20 to 30 years.
With this understanding, shape an approach to growth and development for
the seven county regional community that enhances the quality of life."
By using an electronic poling system, the majority in attendance -
including Marysville city council members, county government officials
and surrounding county officials - approved of the concept outlined by
Regional Connections.
Gibson said that their approach has four elements:
. People: A diverse population that is civic-minded, enjoys the
environment, has access to affordable housing, employment choices, and
cultural amenities.
. Place: An environment that has room for future growth, with high
quality neighborhoods, communities, with careful management of natural
resources and agricultural land.
. Prosperity: A diverse, healthy economy that provides job opportunities
for residents and revenues to government to support quality community
services and facilities.
. Leadership: Leadership that is defined by shared understanding and all
levels of government working on the same page.
More information on Regional Connections can be found at
www.regionalconnections.org.

Schools eye use for purchased land
By CINDY BRAKE
The Marysville Board of Education learned about upcoming construction
projects Monday prior to the regular monthly meeting.
Architect Andrew S. Maletz, who is vice president of Steed Hammond Paul
of Grove City, detailed plans for constructing a new middle school and
intermediate school along Fifth Street; additions and renovations to the
high school; additions to Creekview Intermediate; renovating the Middle
School; and constructing a new elementary along Creekview Drive.
Plans for the $1.8 million MacIvor Oakland Farm along West Fifth Street
include keeping the barn and silo for the high school's vocational
agricultural program and for storage. An existing four-acre pond could
be the possible site of a geothermal system and also used as a retention
pond. A second middle school and intermediate school is planned to be
built on 34 of the 41.376 acre site. The board voted at the Sept. 27
meeting to purchase the property for $45,000 per acre.
Board member Jane McClain raised the question of whether school traffic
will be released when Honda traffic is going through the main
thoroughfare. Other board members voiced concerns that the property has
only one entrance and exit. Board member Bill Hayes said an emergency
egress should be planned. He speculated that if an emergency such as a
chemical spill occurred along Fifth Street then the whole campus would
be shut down. A walking path appears to be a possibility near Lutz Plaza
and onto Damascus Road, but it would have to cross a protected creek
which is overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army
Corp of Engineers.
"Traffic in Marysville is a challenge," superintendent Larry Zimmerman
said. "I don't know the solution."
The two separate buildings would each be built for 500-plus students
with plans for expansion of up to 800. Zimmerman said the two buildings
could possibly share a kitchen, mechanical facilities, band room and
media center. Completion is projected for 2008.
Another addition to the current high school is also being considered.
Maletz said existing issues were considered in developing three options.

Issues with the existing high school include no lockdown capacity
because of multiple student entry points; media center utilization; an
administrative area that is too small; difficult hallway circulation
pattern; and an undersized events lobby especially during simultaneous
activities. Exterior issues were - inadequate separation of bus and
vehicle traffic; poor supervision of the student lot; the need for a
dedicated staff parking area; and poor site signage.
None of the options dealt with the auditorium being too small for the
more than 1,330 students. The auditorium is built for 800 capacity.
Maletz called option one the "simple scenario" and "not ideal." It
includes the addition of a freshman wing with a bridge to the existing
building and selected renovations. Option two also includes a freshman
wing in another location to the existing building. Option three is the
most "radical" addition to the building, Maletz said. It extends the
current freshman wing and creates a new front to the current building.
"We are a long way from what we are going to have," Maletz said,
although he asked board members to offer opinions by February on the
options. The additions would expand the building to handle 450 more
students.
"That's a big high school, I know, but manageable," Zimmerman said. He
said 1,800 to 2,000 students could be housed in one high school.
Zimmerman predicted that this would be the last addition to the current
high school before a second high school would be constructed. Some board
members questioned why not build a second high school now. Zimmerman
pointed to cost of operation.  He also suggested that high school
courses in the future will "become different looking" with more distance
learning which could lesson the demand for facilities.
The Creekview addition of 9,260 square feet is under construction and
expected to be completed by spring break.
Zimmerman said the seven new classrooms and staff workroom will be used
as an overflow space, but eventually dedicated as a special needs area.
He said the building's cafeteria can handle the additional students. The
building will have capacity for 900 students.
Middle School renovations include locker rooms and additional special
education space. Construction is to be completed by Fall 2006, Maletz
said.
Zimmerman added that improvements could possibly include the cafeteria.
He said safety issues are of primary concern for this project, noting
that the upper level bleachers are not safe.
A new elementary is planned to be constructed on 15 acres north of the
intermediate school. The 65,000 square-foot building would be built for
500 students with the ability to be expanded for up to 700 students.
Zimmerman said he expected 400 students when the building opens.
Construction is projected to be completed by Fall 2007. The new
elementary would include 25 general classrooms and four special
education rooms. Zimmerman said it will probably house multi-handicap
units now located at other buildings.
Information about the regular board meeting will be on Friday's school
page.

Council candidate feels singled out
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
A candidate for Richwood Village Council feels she was singled out over
a zoning violation she received at her business.
Julie Tumeo, who will be seeking one of four seats on the council in
November, said she is being singled out by the violation. She addressed
council at Monday's regularly scheduled meeting.
Tumeo said she feels there was a reason she has been cited while other
businesses have not. Council member Scott Jerew said the village has
recently hired a new zoning inspector who is beginning to bring Richwood
businesses and residences into compliance with village zoning codes.
New zoning inspector Jim Dew filed the notice of violation. Tumeo
received a photo of the sign at her business and a copy of the village
codes regarding such signs but claimed she was not told what the
violation was in regard to.
Dew said the sign for her business, Hair Haven on Bomford Street,
extended into the public right of way. Tumeo said other signs in the
village are similar to hers and asked if all such businesses would be
cited.
Council members explained that, per village codes, operations within the
downtown business district has special relaxed regulations on signs.
Upon a review of the village zoning maps it was determined that Tumeo's
business is two lots away from the downtown business district.
Tumeo was told her only recourse is to seek a variance from the board of
zoning appeals.
Council also voted to allow two building permits it had denied at a
previous council meeting.
Builder Jason Wills was at the meeting to ask council to reconsider its
decision on the matter. Council denied the permits because of issues
with the subdivision in question.
The Greenwood Subdivision's street has yet to be paved, in compliance
with a previous agreement between the village and developers Jeff and
Jason Wills.
Wills told council that he wants to pave the street but can not do so
without the revenue from homes. He said if building permits are not
issued, he will never have the cash flow to pave the street.
Wills and village solicitor Rick Rodger agreed to form a contract that
legally binds the developer to the paving of the street. Rodger said if
Wills defaults on the contract , the village can sue him.
An issue over the timeline for the paving of the streets then surfaced.
The only guarantee Wills would offer is that he would have the street
completed by the time phase one of the subdivision is completed. Phase
one includes seven houses.
Councilwoman Arlene Blue said that leaves the village with little
guarantee, noting that a few houses could be finished and sold and the
project abandoned. Jerew said the village is trying to protect itself
from having numerous homes served by a gravel street, which ultimately
the village would be responsible for paving.
Wills said he owns other properties in town that he wants to build on
and defaulting on his agreement would not bode well for getting future
building permits.
Council eventually voted 5-0 to allow the two building permits.
In other business, council:
.Heard an update on village projects from Ed Bischoff of the engineering
firm Bischoff and Associates.
.Heard a presentation from Chad Hoffman from the Richwood Bank.
Apparently, the bank is initiating a company that could take over
payroll duties for the village.
.Heard a complained about speeding on Grove Street.
.Heard a complaint about unlicensed vehicles on Ottawa Street.
.Learned that the restrooms at the village park have been closed for the
winter.
.Learned that the village was given an extension on its $132,000 grant
for infrastructure improvements at the industrial park.
.Learned that the village chipper was damaged by a resident putting a
large piece of metal in with the curbside debris. It was also noted that
chipping services will end for the season on Nov. 7.
.Heard that curbside leaf pickup will begin soon. Residents may not rake
leaves into the street, but may bag the leave in paper or clear plastic
for curbside pickup.

Mental Health Association helps the troubled find answers
Editor's note: This is the tenth in a weekly series of articles
submitted by the United Way of Union County that will run during the
course of its annual campaign. Each week will feature a different United
Way program. This week's article features the Mental Health Association
of Union County.
???
Being in the right place at the right time is commonplace for Deloris
Bills and Carolyn Ohler. Every time the duo sets up the display for the
Mental Health Association of Union County at a health fair or local
shopping center, a person will usually stop by to pick up some valuable
information that might turn his or her life around.
"Last year when we had the display set up at an area workplace, one of
the employees took the screening test for depression," Bills said. "The
individual asked if we could meet at our office. When the person came
in, it become apparent that the employee was having suicidal thoughts. I
immediately phoned Consolidated Care, who counseled the person."
"After I took this display to the library and set it up, I went to look
at some books," Ohler said. "Then I came back and there was a teenager
looking at the bipolar materials. Whether it was for him or someone
else, I don't know. But a lot of times, people take material for
themselves."
Perhaps it's because most people can relate to the personal issues the
Mental Health Association addresses. Statistics show that one in five
people have depression. A growing number of the population will
experience Seasonal Affective Disorder during the upcoming winter
months. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, self-mutilation and
suicide are more serious mental health illnesses.
Whatever a person's problem, the Mental Health Association acts as a
catalyst and a first-step to get people connected with the professional
resources they need. A free phone call to the office or hotline will
result in an assessment of a person's immediate needs, symptoms and
potential solutions. Most times it is a number of factors that can lead
to the root of the stress.
"We'll talk about your situation," Ohler said. "How is your day going?
Who have you been with? What's happened to you? Are you eating? Are you
sleeping? How's your job going? How are your kids? We want to give you
the time to sort things out. Maybe your car broke down. Maybe your job
isn't going well. Is your lease up? Have you maxed out your credit
cards? Did you go to the casino two weeks ago and lose more money than
you thought you would? Has your relationship gone bad?"
"We realize it takes a lot of courage for someone to pick up the phone
to call us," Bills said. "Or someone else is making them make the call.
For them to call us, they don't have to have insurance. We'll try to
help them find help."
Since 80 percent of those who seek treatment for mental illnesses can be
cured, it's important to make sure that people are aware that resources
are available. In addition to raising awareness in public settings,
Bills, who is speaking next month at an international conference on
mental illness in Indianapolis, makes a number of presentations a year
at area workplaces and organizations. The Mental Health Association also
sponsors a free weekly Depression Support Group that meets each Tuesday
at Consolidated Care at 6 p.m. for those suffering from depression or
those who have loved ones dealing with the illness. Here, the group
setting creates a sense of community among those who might try
alternative methods to overcome their feelings of hopelessness.
"Some try to self-medicate and when you do that it can be very dangerous
to your health, to your families, and to other people," Ohler said.
"They do it by mixing alcohol and over-the-counter medicine and try to
operate a vehicle. And that only compounds the problem, sometimes with
deadly results."
"Depression can lead to suicide," Bills said. "And unfortunately a
temporary solution becomes permanent. A suicide attempt is a desperate
cry for help to end overwhelming pain and feelings of helplessness.
Hopefully they will have a friend or relative who will recognize the
symptoms and will seek some help."
FAST FACTS ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF UNION COUNTY:
.2005 United Way allocation was $10,000 or 23 percent of its budget.
.Is one of the original member agencies of the United Way of Union
County, dating back to 1958.
.The agency served approximately 1,700 Union County residents last year.

.The agency presented to 78 different community groups last year to
educate and increase awareness.
.October is National Depression Awareness Month. Symptoms of clinical
depression can include a persistent sad or empty mood, sleeping too much
or too little, reduced or increased appetite and significant weight gain
or loss, loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed, restlessness and
irritability, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, fatigue or
loss of energy, feeling guilty or worthless, thoughts of suicide or
death.
.If you or someone you know has five or more of these symptoms for two
weeks or more, it may be a case of clinical depression and a doctor of
qualified mental health professional should be consulted.
.You can contact the Mental Health Association of Union County at
642-0935. A 24-hour crisis hotline is also available at (800) 731-5577.

Pursuit results in crash,  arrest
From J-T staff reports:
A high speed pursuit into Marion County ended up in a crash and one
person arrested over the weekend.
According to the Union County Sheriff's Office, William E. Wampler, 28,
of Richwood was charged with felony fleeing/eluding, driving outside of
marked lanes of traffic, speeding, operating a vehicle intoxicated,
driving under suspension and reckless operating of a vehicle.
Reports state that at 2:36 a.m. Saturday a sheriff's deputy witnessed a
vehicle driving outside of marked lanes at Route 4 and Hillview Road.
The car was stopped and while the deputy was retrieving information on
the vehicle registration, the driver sped off.
Other law enforcement officers joined the pursuit northbound on Route 4,
where it continued into Marion County. Among the agencies offering
assistance were the Richwood Police Department, Marion County sheriff's
office and the Marion post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
 At a curve in the road near a stone quarry on Route 4 in Marion County,
Wampler lost control of the vehicle and went off the side of the road.
Wampler, who was injured in the mishap, was arrested and transported to
Memorial Hospital of Union County.
He was treated and released and later transported to Tri-County Jail in
Mechanicsburg.

Ghost hunter to speak at local library
From J-T staff reports:
The Ghosts of Ohio founder James A. Willis will visit the Marysville
Public Library Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to talk about paranormal research
(ghost hunting) and the equipment that is used.
Willis was born and raised in the Hudson Valley area of New York, an
area rich in ghost stories and folklore. Hudson Valley is not far from
Tarrytown, which was used as the town in Washington Irving's "The Legend
of Sleepy Hollow."
In was in New York that he first began chasing things "that go bump in
the night" about 20 years ago. He's also been involved with
investigations in Georgia, where he began a longtime association with
the American Ghost Society.
In 1999, he founded The Ghosts of Ohio organization and it has been in
continuous operation ever since. Headquartered in Columbus, The Ghosts
of Ohio has approximately 20 members throughout the state of Ohio, and
operates a fully functional "ghost outpost" in Cincinnati. Plans also
are underway to open another outpost in Northern Ohio.
Willis' new book, "Weird Ohio," was co-authored with Andrew Henderson
who heads up "Forgotten Ohio," and Loren Coleman, who is considered an
expert in the field of crypto-zoology.
Willis spent close to a year traveling across Ohio in search of strange,
spooky or just plain weird events. He said Athens and Cleveland are two
specific areas where there is a great deal of paranormal activity
reported.
"In general, we get a lot of reported activity in the northeast part of
Ohio. Indeed, many of the requests we get for private investigations of
peoples' homes come from that area," he said in an interview with
Marysville Library Marketing Manager Nora Roughen.
He has never actually communicated with a ghost, Willis said. But, "when
something unexplainable happens during an investigation, the sensation
is a combination of pure excitement and general uneasiness."
He also dispelled the common belief that animals see ghosts.
"The rationale is that unlike humans, animals don't have a society that
tells them that ghosts do not exist. So, while humans might see
something and convince themselves that they really don't see anything at
all, animals are believed to simply accept what they see."
The Ghosts of Ohio organization operates under a strict code of bylaws
which forbids associates from making information about private
investigations public, Willis said. That is done so people can contact
The Ghosts of Ohio without worry about having their private lives on
display on a Web site.
"For me, it is a wonderful and sometimes humbling experience to have
people in need reach out to me, knowing that at the very least I can
calm their fears and perhaps bring a bit of tranquility back into our
lives," he said.
Willis said, from a paranormal research perspective, libraries are a
wonderful source of research materials, including books and newspaper
articles.
He will bring slides and videos of his experiences Tuesday. Registration
is required. Call the library at 642-1876 extension 36.

Flu shot restrictions to be lifted Monday
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced Friday that restrictions
on flu vaccine will be lifted Monday.
This means that any interested person is eligible to receive a flu shot
beginning on that day.
During the Union County Health Department's adult flu clinics any
individual age 9 years and older is eligible to receive a flu shot.
People age 9 to 49 may choose to receive FluMist nasal spray instead of
a shot.
The next adult flu clinic is scheduled for Monday at the Jerome Township
Building in New California from 1-3 p.m.
The first adult flu clinic scheduled for Marysville will be Nov. 7 from
10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Union County Services Building, 940 London Ave.
 During the Union County Health Department's child flu clinics, children
ages 6 months to 18 years are eligible for flu shots, and children ages
5 to 18 years may opt for FluMist nasal spray.
Some individuals may be unable to receive a flu shot due to an existing
allergy or medical condition.
The first Union County Health Department Child flu Clinic will be
Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Union County Health Department.

Second Community Concert scheduled
Organist Hector Olivera is the scheduled performer in the second
performance of the Union County Community Concerts series.
He will perform Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Marysville High School
Auditorium, 800 Amrine Mill Road.
A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Olivera's first musical studies
began with his father. He started playing the pipe organ at age 3, was
appointed organist for the Church of the Immaculate Conception two years
later, and at age 6 entered the Buenos Aires Conservatory to study
harmony, counterpoint and fugue.
It was there he began to develop the art of improvisation and by the age
of 9, had composed a suite for oboe and string orchestra that was
performed by the Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra.
He entered the University of Buenos Aires at age 12. By 18, he had
performed more than 300 concerts throughout Latin America and had
appeared frequently on national radio and television. During this time,
Olivera also served for three years as the senior improvisational
accompanist for the Collegium Musicum in Buenos Aires.
In 1965, he was offered a scholarship to Julliard School of Music in New
York and moved to the United States. Three years later, he won the
national improvisation contest sponsored by the American Guild of
Organists and began a concert career that spans decades.
In addition to concerts in the United States, he has performed in
Australia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, Japan, New
Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Mexico and throughout Latin
America.
Notable venues include the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Carnegie Hall, the
Royal Albert Hall, the Crystal Cathedral, Spivey Hall, Constitution
Hall, Balboa Park and the Myerson Concert Hall in Dallas.
Other performances scheduled for this year's concert series include the
River City Ramblers Dixieland band on March 10; the Montana Mandolin
Society on April 11; and Quartetto Gelato's eclectic performance May 9.
Season tickets are available, as well as student and family tickets.
Season ticket holders may claim their tickets at the door. Single
performance tickets may be purchased at the door. Checks should be made
payable to the Union County Community Concerts Association.

Local Goodyear plant thrives
Elsewhere around the globe company is downsizing
By RYAN HORNS
The Goodyear Marysville plant continues experiencing significant growth
despite hints that the manufacturing company is down-sizing around the
world.
Breaking production records have been a common occurrence at his
location these days, said Marysville Goodyear plant manager Mark Miller.
Since late 2003 and early 2004 the service market made a great rebound.
Twice this year the plant has broken monthly records for productivity.
"Orders have reached unprecedented levels," Miller said. "We have set a
new plant record for manufacturing this year."
What this means for the Marysville facility is the addition of numerous
jobs and has a very positive future.
To better serve the growing market, Goodyear Engineered Products
reported recently that it has added production capacity to its
Marysville conveyor belt plant. It is the second time in two years the
global manufacturer has added production capacity for heavy-duty steel-
and fabric-reinforced conveyor belts.
Miller said the new press provides more versatility to the facility.
"Business is strong and customer needs vary greatly," he said. "The new
press is capable of making fabric belts up to 102 inches wide, adding
capacity and reducing product-changeover downtime by freeing up other
equipment for longer production runs."
Miller explained that the new equipment also enhances product quality,
using state-of-the-art control processes.
According to the Associated Press, on Sept. 23 Goodyear Tire and Rubber
Co. announced it will close an undisclosed number of plants as part of a
"sweeping restructuring aimed at improving its North American tire
business and saving up to $1 billion over the next three years.
Based in Akron and considered the world's largest tire marker, the
article did not report at the time how many jobs would be affected.
Jonathan Rich, president of Goodyear North American Tire, has told press
that Goodyear will identify its underperforming product lines and fix or
eliminate those that do not fit Goodyear's strategy. Underperforming
plants would be closed.
Goodyear spokesman, Keith Price, explained on Wednesday that the media
has written a lot "in various degrees of accuracy" about the results of
a Sept. 23 investors meeting held in New York.
Price said at the meeting they announced Goodyear "is expecting to
eliminate 8 to 12 percent of its high cost manufacturing capacity
globally."
He stressed the term "globally," and added that plant locations that
could see reductions have not been decided yet.
"They are still in the review process," Price said.
Mike Braucher, marketing manager for Goodyear's conveyor belt business,
said the first product being cured on the new Marysville press is
Goodyear Plyon Plus, a premium fabric belt that will be shipped to a
copper mine.
"In addition to the capacity increase," said Braucher, "the new
equipment frees up other cure capacity, including the press used to
produce Goodyear Flexsteel steel-cable-reinforced belts, which
ultimately can translate into shorter lead times for customers."
Goodyear also manufactures heavy-duty conveyor belts at facilities in
Canada, Brazil, South Africa and Australia, and lightweight belts at
Spring Hope, N.C. For more information, visit www.goodyearcvb.com.

Speaker to address issues of middle age
From J-T staff reports:
Coach, speaker and athlete April Goyer will be the guest speaker at
Saturday's "It's Not Downhill After 40: Ten Truths For Transforming Your
Health and Recapturing Your Life" from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at First
Presbyterian Church's Kennedy Hall.
Sponsored by the Community Relations Committee of the Development
Council of Memorial Hospital, the event promotes healthier, more
empowered lives for women. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the
Memorial Hospital Gift Shop, Lambert Jewelers, Curves for Women and
Dutch Mill Greenhouse.
A Union County native, Goyer now lives near Powell. She is president of
Avancez, a company dedicated to helping women move forward in their
lives, and creator of "It's Not Downhill After 40!"
She offers focused, motivational, and content rich programs that get
results. In "It's Not Downhill After 40," she uses a four-step system to
help individuals define a personal picture of health, believe that they
can have what they want, create an action plan for realizing goals, and
stay on track.
As a young person, Goyer excelled scholastically and artistically. Her
accomplishments ranged from high school senior class salutatorian to
Walt Disney World dancer. She began her corporate career in medical
sales. By her early 30s, she was an executive for Huntington National
Bank, headquartered in Columbus.
"As a corporate executive, I thrived on pressure, but my overall health
was suffering from stress," she wrote in a recent communiqué. "As a
mother of a young child, my second job began when I got home from work.
I had little time or stamina for anything other than getting through
each evening."
She said as an athlete and dancer she had sustained neck injuries that
caused periodic pain and limited her ability to carry even light
objects. As a result, her weight increased and her self-esteem
decreased. Depression resulted.
"I decided I had to make a change. Through education, determination and
the help of a good coach, I was able to transform myself. I am now as
strong, fit and healthy, both mentally and physically, as I've ever been
... and I achieved these goals after the age of 40!"
Over a period of time, she formulated a plan to help her leave her
corporate career, become a certified professional coach and launch her
own business.
She graduated from the Ohio State University and the Coaches Training
Institute. Goyer also is a Certified Personal Trainer through the
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and a leader for the "Strong
Women Stay Young" program.
"I am a believer that you can significantly improve your health at any
age and use your new found strength as a springboard for making other
powerful life changes. The reality is that healthy, energetic, more
confident people are more likely to achieve their goals and dreams," she
wrote.
Goyer's Web site at www.ItsNotDownhillAfter40.com gives detailed
information about her background and professional approach.
She said she "absolutely promise(s)" that individuals leaving her
presentation Saturday will be inspired to take action, will feel
empowered from learning proven techniques to transform their health and
will be able to recapture their lives and reach their potential.

Junior Miss program to be held Sunday
Eight contestants will compete for the title of Union County Junior Miss
at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
The winner will compete in the Ohio Junior Miss finals in February in
Mount Vernon. The national finals will take place in Mobile, Ala., where
the program originated in 1958.
Contestants will present "Swingin' On A Star - A Salute to the 1940s" as
part of Sunday's program. The individual contestants are:
.Emilie Noland, Fairbanks High School, the daughter of Mike and Mitzi
Noland. Emilie wants to become an elementary school teacher. Her college
choice is undecided.
School and community activities include golf (three year letterman),
drama club (lead in "Meet Me In St. Louis"), FCA, show choir, National
Honor Society (treasurer), 4-H, Student Council (treasurer), Jerome
United Methodist Youth Group and Praise Team member.
She will sing "I Know Who You Are" by Ginny Owens as her talent
presentation. Her Junior Sister is Ashley Zanko.
.Mandy Crosser, Fairbanks High School, the daughter of Blaine and Gail
Crosser. She, too, wants to be an elementary school teacher and also is
undecided on her college choice.
Mandy's activities include drama club, FFA, FCA, Student Council
(secretary), National Honor Society (secretary), show choir, 4-H
(president), In Step Dance Competition Team, Rally Sunday Team, Young
Kids Bible School Team, Choristers and the high school choir.
Her talent presentation will be a lyrical dance to "I Hope You Dance."
Her Junior Sister is Kylie Daniel.
.Ashley Short, Fairbanks High School, the daughter of Alfred and Annie
Short. Ashley's career goal is to become a veterinarian. She plans to
attend the Ohio State University or Capital University.
School and community activities include track and field, FFA, FCCLA,
4-H, FCA and Buckeye Girls State delegate.
She will sing "A Whole New World" from the movie "Aladdin" as her talent
presentation. Her Junior Sister is Kaylann Scheiderer.
.Julie Vandre, Fairbanks High School, the daughter of Jim and Marlene
Vandre. Julie is contemplating a future in radio broadcasting or
advertising. Colleges under consideration include Ohio University and
Bowling Green State University.
School and community activities include FFA, FCA, drama club, mock
trial, Student Council, NHS, cross country (outstanding runner),
homecoming queen, track and 4-H.
Her talent presentation will be an original poem, "The Best Veteran."
Her Junior Sister is Sheila Barnhardt.
.Megan Smith, North Union High School, the daughter of Jovonny and Merry
Smith. Megan's career aspirations include political analyst/reporter.
She is undecided about what college she would like to attend.
Activities include drama club, show choir, mock trial (outstanding
attorney), band (council president), Student Council (president), NHS,
Buckeye Girls State delegate, VFW Voice of Democracy winner, HOBY
ambassador, homecoming queen.
She will sing "It Might As Well Be Spring" from "State Fair" as her
talent presentation. Her Junior Sister is Casey Retterer.
.Jessica George, Marysville High School, the daughter of Larry and
Debbie George. Jessica would like a career in elementary education. Her
choice of college also is undecided.
School and community activities include National Honor Society, choir,
FCA, peer tutoring, school musicals, Memorial Hospital volunteer, youth
group, student leadership, chamber choir, praise band and swing choir.
She will sing "Held" by Nataile Grant as her talent presentation. Her
Junior Sister is Aashley Morgan.
.Brittani Mitton, Fairbanks High School, the daughter of James and
Billie Mitton. Brittani would like a career in elementary education.
She, too, is undecided about her choice of college.
Activities include FCCLA, yearbook, FCA, show choir, drama club, 4-H
(Ohio State Fair award). Her Junior Sister is Stacy Alderman.
Brittani's talent presentation will be the recitation of an original
poem.
.Rachel Adkins, Fairbanks High School, the daughter of Roger Adkins.
Rachel would like a career in social work and is considering attendance
at Capital University or Valparaiso University.
School and community activities include drama club, FFA (vice-president,
leadership award, scholarship award), NHS, girls golf (three-year
letterman), FCA, show choir, junior class homecoming attendant, Trinity
Youth Group, Sunday school teacher, and Higher Praise Worship Team.
She will sing "Be Unto Your Name" by Gary Sadler and Lynn Deshazo as her
talent presentation. Junior Sister is Morgan Burns.
The Junior Miss Program is a nationwide scholarship competition for high
school senior girls. At all levels, the standards, format and method for
evaluating the participants and selecting the winners are the same: 25
percent for a judge's panel interview; 25 percent for talent; 15 percent
for fitness; 15 percent for self-expression; and 20 percent for
scholastics.

Flu clinics scheduled
The Union County Health Department in partnership with Memorial Hospital
of Union County, has released its adult flu clinic schedule.
This year's adult clinics offer two options for flu immunization; flu
shots and FluMist nasal spray. As directed by the Ohio Department of
Health, flu shots are only available to high risk groups.
The nasal spray is only available to recommended groups at designated
clinics.
Pneumonia shots also will be available to eligible individuals.
To be eligible for a flu shot at an adult clinic, individuals must meet
of the following criteria:
--Age 65 or older
--Age 9 years or older and have a chronic medical condition such as
diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.
--Pregnant
--Resident of a nursing home or other long-term care facility
--Health care worker giving direct patient care
--Caregiver or family member of a child age 6 months or younger.
To be eligible for FluMist) nasal spray at an adult clinic, an
individual must meet  of the following criteria:
--Age 9 to 49 years
--Healthy
--Non-pregnant
The following clinics have been scheduled at this time. All clinics are
based on availability of vaccine and may be canceled with little notice
if vaccine is not available. Registration for clinics will not begin
until the specified time.
--Monday, Oct. 24, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Jerome Township Building, New
California
--Monday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Union County Services Building, 940
London Ave.*
--Monday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., county services building, 940 London
Ave.*
--Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Navin Elementary School
-- Monday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., county services building, 940 London
Ave.*
--Monday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 940 London Ave.*
--Monday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., 940 London Ave.*
--Monday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. -11 a.m., 940 London Ave.*
--Monday, Dec. 19, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., 940 London Ave.*
FluMist nasal spray is only available at the clinics marked with an
asterisk.
The cost of immunization for Union County residents is $20 for flu
shots; $24 for FluMist nasal spray; and $26 for pneumonia shots.
An additional $5 per shot is required for all non-Union County
residents. Medicare Part B and Medicaid will cover the cost of flu and
pneumonia shots, but Medicare and Medicaid cards must be presented at
the clinic.
Separate clinic times will be available for children. Those interested
may contact the Union County Health Department at 642-0801 or 333-9461.
For additional information on influenza or flu clinics, contact the
health department at 642-0801.

Trying to preserve the family farm
Arno Renner took steps to maintain his legacy, but the city of
Marysville has other plans
By CINDY BRAKE
Arno Renner thought his family's farm would be protected forever. If the
state doesn't step forward, he may be wrong.
Renner is the fourth-generation to own and work the 231 acres of prime
farmland at 13260 Industrial Parkway. Two years ago, in October 2003, he
was the first Union County resident to create a perpetual agricultural
easement. The easement, donated to the Ohio Department of Agriculture,
was valued at $3 million.
In spite of the easement, engineering crews entered onto the property
with heavy drilling equipment without permission this year and destroyed
crops. The city of Marysville is threatening to dig a 40-foot trench
similar to strip mining.
State officials who hold the easement say they are "gathering facts."
City officials say they could use eminent domain.
Marysville Mayor Tom Kruse was contacted by the Marysville
Journal-Tribune to comment on this topic. His staff states that he is
awaiting answers from the engineering firm.
Tracie Davies, public service director for the city of Marysville, wrote
in a memo today to Mayor Kruse that four routes initially were
considered for the TIP. Three routes were eliminated because they would
have cost approximately $3.5 million to $5.5 million more than the
chosen route.
The other routes included two alignments crossing Scottslawn Road and
turning down Route 33; one on the northeast side of Route 33; and one on
the southwest side of Route 33. Also discussed were alignments that went
down Industrial Parkway with one crossing around Adelsberger Road and
the other crossing further down Industrial Parkway south of Adelsberger
Road.
Davies writes that the city's main goal was to stay within the right of
way or close to the right of way as much as reasonably possible.
Meanwhile the 85-year-old Renner has paid thousands out of his own
pocket to protect his property from a 78-inch sanitary sewer being
buried  the length of his farm, concrete pads, manholes and a 150-foot
construction easement. The pipe is part of the Marysville Trunk
Interceptor Project (TIP) and would extend to the proposed wastewater
treatment plant that the city is planning to begin building next year.
"If it saves the farm it's worth it," Renner said. "I have spent my life
improving this land and its productivity. TIP would ruin the land."
Soil specialists unanimously agree such an action would diminish the
quality of the soil and cropland productivity for generations. Legal
specialists say trenching is not permitted under the state's easement.
Mayor Tom Kruse disagrees.
"We simply do not agree that the soil and its surroundings cannot be
returned to its previous state," writes Kruse in an Aug. 4 letter.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Union Soil and Water
Conservation District, Land Heritage Trust of Union County and Union
County Farm Bureau say Kruse is wrong.
"The natural soil structure will be destroyed in the subsoil in all
areas where the soil is removed and then replaced," states David
Hanselmann, ODNR, Division of Soil Water Conservation, in a Sept. 28
letter to Fred Dailey, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Matt Staley, chairman of the Union Soil and Water Conservation District
board of supervisors, states that the damage will be permanent and
irreparable.
"The alteration of Mr. Renner's easement agreement could have
far-reaching implications for Ohio's Farmland Preservation program as a
whole. The Union Soil and Water Conservation District believes that
valid studies have shown that Marysville's Trunk Interceptor Project
(TIP) cannot pass through Mr. Renner's property without causing
permanent and irreparable damage to its value as farmland.
"Mr. Renner donated this easement to the State of Ohio with the
understanding that it would be preserved in perpetuity; to break this
agreement would likely cause landowners to reconsider farmland easement
donations in the future. We understand the TIP is important to
Marysville's growth and development, but it would be a mistake to
violate a permanent agricultural easement between a private landowner
and the state of Ohio when alternative routes for the project exist,"
Staley writes.
An Ohio Department of Agriculture spokesman said agricultural easements
have never been tested to this level. Past issues have included phone
lines, power lines and cell phone towers - "but nothing similar to
this."
Peggy Kirk Hall, an attorney and chairman of the Land Heritage Trust of
Union County, states in a letter to Dailey that the Marysville project
violates the intent and the terms of the Renner easement, and will have
a substantial impact on the productivity of the soil.
"For these reasons, we solidly support the Ohio Department of
Agriculture's assertion of its rights under the agricultural easement
... We believe that Union County residents will one day appreciate Mr.
Renner's selfless visionary decision to commit his land permanently to
agriculture," Hall writes.
Agronomist Harold Watters explains the creation of productive soils
takes thousands of years. He said the top six to eight inches of soil is
the most productive and "very much alive" with more organisms existing
than all the people in Union County. He confirmed that a trenching
project like the Marysville TIP would destroy much of that life.
The next 20 inches below the top soil is "somewhat alive" and just as
critical for plant life. Five feet below that is an area that is
somewhat alive, but a critical area for internal drainage. A ditch
running through the Renner farm drains approximately 500 acres.
Watters said he can still see differences in plant growth and soil
appearance on his Union County property after changes he made in 1981.
Renner land where drills were installed earlier this year lies barren.
Digging a trench the depth of the Liggett Building on Fifth Street would
disturb the process. Watters said soil is much more than the surface
that people see.
"This is an impossible feat," writes Staley to Dailey in a June 10
letter about returning the soil and surroundings to the previous state
after excavation.
Staley states that subsoils will be disturbed and compacted preventing
natural percolation and drainage in this area forever. In addition, he
states, that top soil likely will be lost or mixed with the subsoil
during excavation.
Dan Erwin, president of the Union County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees,
wrote in an Oct. 10 letter to Dailey, "We urge you to act upon this
issue as soon as possible and will support any activity from your Office
that upholds the integrity of the original Easement on the Renner
property."
Kruse states in the Aug. 4 letter that it is the city's opinion that
they have the ability to acquire an easement by eminent domain. He also
states that alternative routes were evaluated and the route through the
Renner farm was the "most cost effective and feasible."
Attorney Robert Moore of Dublin states in an Aug. 23 letter that Kruse
is "simply wrong" about eminent domain.
"The only way the TIP can be installed on Mr. Renner's property is if
ODA relinquishes its easement or otherwise gives permission for the
installation," Moore writes.
Moore points out that the agricultural easement specifically states
"there shall be no ditching, draining, diking, filling, excavating,
removal of top soil, sand, gravel, rock or other materials or any change
in the topography of the land in any manner unless in accordance with
the farm conservation plan .... clearly the TIP would violate Section
3.5 of the easement."
Krista Magaw with the Tecumseh Land Trust states that "an easement
cannot be waived, but it can be amended in cases where the amendment
will make the conservation values stronger."
Meanwhile the Arno Renner family prepares for another season of harvest
amid an uncertain future.
Fast facts
Who: Arno Renner, an 85-year-old farmer, is the fourth generation of his
family to own and care for the more than 200 acres at 12860 Industrial
Parkway.
What: The city of Marysville wants to bury a 78-inch sewer pipe 40 feet
deep on more than 10 percent of the prime farmland that is protected by
an agricultural easement held by the state. The Ohio Department of
Agriculture is waiting for answers from the city to 20 questions called
a Prime Farmland Restoration Plan. A meeting will be scheduled after the
city responds.
Why: Mayor Tom Kruse said the path is the quickest and cheapest.
Why not: Attorney Robert Moore writes that the digging and trenching is
in violation of the Ohio Revised Code's agricultural easement rules.
Numerous agricultural entities said the land's production will be
diminished, as well as the value of agricultural easements in the state
of Ohio.
When: The city of Marysville plans to begin construction in 2006 on the
proposed wastewater treatment facility.

The history of the Renner Farm
A brief history of the Arno Renner Farm as prepared by The Ohio
Department of Agriculture in 2003 when he donated a $3.1 million
agricultural easement to the state.
 Mr. Arno Renner saw his 80th birthday a few years ago. He is a Union
County farmer near Marysville and, since 1838, is the fourth generation
to continue the development of this profitable 235 acre farm. His well
care for home, fields and equipment speak of his ability as a manager
and reflect his love for his homeplace. His faith and his roots in his
community are deep and abiding. One hundred and fourteen years ago his
grandfather donated a large white oak tree from the farm that became the
flooring beams of the massive St. John's Lutheran Church, a pillar of
this rural society, where Arno continues as an active member today.
Month after month, for over 165 years, the Renner family and the Rausch
family labored through every kind of weather condition and market
uncertainty to keep their dream alive. During the past eight decades
Arno figures he too has put a lot of himself into the farm. With deep
humility he reflects on what it means to be connected to the land at
this level. With bitter sweetness he recalls how, as a young man, he
handed over to his parents an inheritance his uncle had left him for a
medical school education so that the farm could be kept out of
foreclosure. He hints at opportunities lost as he gave up a lot of his
social life, and worked for IOU's for years - to save the family farm.
In his early years Arno made a living raising alfalfa and hay, shocking,
husking and shredding corn by hand. By living frugally and doing well
through long hours and much labor he was the first one around to get a
shredder, then a mechanized silage cutter. This enabled him to do some
custom work for others. He invested in systematic tiling of his farm
draining the whole acreage, improving and doubling his yield to an
unheard of 160 bushels of corn per acre. He also milked cows twice a day
for years and stayed married to his operation without a vacation or time
off. Practicing good husbandry he tested his soils, limed his fields and
took the lead to implement conservation upgrades. It's easy to see this
is more than 'just farmland.' One could consider his farm to be highly
developed.
Today Mr. Renner is land rich, but with the recent acquisition of a good
dog he has all that he wants or needs. He is in casual disregard for the
enormous value of his land created by its speculative potential. He
notes, 'This farm represents me. I like to see it stay a farm. For a
farm to be in the family this long means a lot.' He plans to leave the
farm to his relatives but is worried that paying the taxes on the
inheritance might require that the estate be sold.
He is also concerned that some future owner might one day sacrifice this
land to the bulldozer to raise a terminal crop of homes or a brick and
steel industrial plant. This was a thought he could not abide.
In August of 2002 Mr. Renner began a dialogue with the Ohio Department
of Agriculture to permanently protect his farmland. In October 2003 with
the support of his local government officials, he implemented the
ultimate farm succession plan. He donated a permanent agricultural
easement on the farm to the agriculture department's Office of Farmland
Preservation which promptly teamed up with the Union County Soil and
Water Conservation District Office for help in monitoring the easement
in perpetuity.
When Arno orders his seed and fertilizer for next spring, one thing he
won't have to work about is whether or not his family farm will continue
in agriculture. He's solved that program.

Residents want to save village
Magnetic Springs Council hears from constituent
By CINDY BRAKE
Some Magnetic Springs residents are ready to make a miracle happen.
Approximately 40 people packed the Leesburg Township Fire House meeting
room Monday to say they didn't want their village to dissolve and they
were ready to help.
"It's going to take a miracle ... but I believe if we work together we
can save our town," said Tanya Crist, who came to the meeting with her
father Campbell Crist. "I love this town."
On Oct. 2 the village council voted to request for the state to step in
and dissolve the village. Struggling finances and citizen apathy led to
the drastic move.
"We are unable to act as a governing body any longer," stated a letter
signed by council members Carol Verity, Rex Pierce, Rick Murphy and
Kathy Cantrell and Mayor Robert L. Baughman.
At Monday's regular council meeting Baughman said it will take a vote of
the people to dissolve the village. He suggested that council wait until
the November election to see if a levy is passed. If the levy fails, he
recommended beginning the dissolution process.
"We really don't know what is going to happen," Baughman said.
Council and the Mayor had contacted the Ohio Attorney General about
dissolving the village. Baughman said the Attorney General's office had
contacted him and said they could not get involved because the village
fails to meet any of the six criteria for dissolution.
Councilman Melissa Stiles said Monday that she didn't want the village
to dissolve. Her sentiments echoed in hushed comments throughout the
narrow room. Several people volunteered to serve vacancies on council,
as a financial officer and zoning officer.
The village has been without a treasurer for three years. Don Jolliff
who lives outside the village, was hired to handle village finances, but
has not attended the past three meetings. He is quitting in December,
Baughman said.
Jolliff was absent again Monday and had left no information about bills
needing to be paid. Clearly frustrated by the lack of information,
Council passed a resolution to pay bills even though they had no
information. Baughman said he had sent two notes to the financial
officer, but received no responses.
"We can not go on like this," Baughman said. "If someone wants the job,
they are welcome to it."
One name was mentioned and village resident Melinda Ritchie, who was at
the meeting, said she would help with the finances. Ritchie has been a
bookkeeper for 15 years for a private business.
Council voted to meet with Jolliff on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. and invited
Ritchie to attend.
Baughman also said the village has been without legal representation for
five years.
"We've got to have a lawyer... We need an attorney. We need one bad,"
Baughman said.
Of equal concern is the need for a zoning officer. The village has been
without a zoning officer for more than a year.
Councilman Verity pointed out that one local business has refused to pay
$1,000 for permits after receiving three registered letters. Others
voiced frustration about a house in the village that has a tree growing
in the middle of it.
"It doesn't do any good to send letters," Baughman said. "We have no
teeth to do anything."
Another concern is the fact that council has had open seats for many
years and no one runs for election. No candidates filed for the November
election. A couple individuals spoke up during the meeting and said they
would serve. Councilman Stiles said she didn't file to run because she
thought she would just be reappointed.
Baughman said he believes a special election should be held to allow all
interested parties to file.

NU High School addition close to getting temporary occupancy
permit
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
North Union learned the latest news on its high school building addition
during a regularly scheduled meeting Monday.
Neil Kirkpatrick of MKC Associates said the project is one week behind
schedule. He noted that the electrical contractor on the project is no
yet finished with its work.
Kirkpatrick said an issue with concrete floors also set the project back
a bit, but he said the he should be able to obtain the temporary
occupancy permit by the end of the week.
It was also noted later in the meeting that the Celebrate North Union
event is planned for Nov. 5. At that event, titled "Partners in Pride,"
a ribbon cutting for the new wing, which includes a new library and
several classrooms,  is scheduled. The event will also feature various
activities and student work will be showcased.
In other business, the board:
. Held its annual Academic Award presentation for students who have a
sustained level of achievement.
. Noted that a renewal levy is on the November ballot. North Union
Superintendent Carol Young stressed that the issue is not a new tax.
. Confirmed dates and times for upcoming board and committee meetings.
. Heard first reading on several policy revisions and additions.
. Voted 5-0 to approve a memorandum of understanding with MKC Associates
for design services related to remaining renovations and additions at
the high school and construction of a new middle school.
. Unanimously approved an overnight trip for the North Union FFA to the
national convention in Louisville, Ky., for Oct. 26-29.
. Voted 5-0 to approve a contract for education of a student with
disabilities residing in foster care within the Marysville Exempted
School District.
. Voted to extend supplemental contracts to the following certificated
individuals: Morgan Cotter, head baseball coach; Dawn Draper, head
softball coach; Teresa Henn, junior class advisor; Cy Kincaid,
co-assistant baseball coach; and Brandi Miller, middle school student
council. The vote on the contracts was 4-1 with Marcy Elliott casting
the dissenting vote.
. Voted to extend pupil activity contracts to the following
non-certificated individuals: Keith Davis, middle school wrestling
co-coach; Damian Gratz, assistant middle school football coach; Terry
Setser, assistant softball co-coach; Joel Smith, assistant baseball
co-coach; and Brandi Williams, assistant high school cheerleading
advisor. The vote on the contracts was 4-1 with Marcy Elliott casting
the dissenting vote.
. Approved a list of substitute personnel.
. The board also held an executive session for the purpose of a
grievance hearing. After the session the board voted to deny a grievance
presented by North Union Education Association regarding grievance
processing.

Triad hires new treasurer
By CORINNE BIX
Triad school board hired a new treasurer for the district on Monday
night.
Maureen Scott was approved by a 4-1 vote by board members. Jim Reid,
board vice-president, voted no.
Scott was one of 14 candidates who applied for the position being
vacated by Jill Smith. Board members narrowed the candidates to three
contenders and conducted interviews Thursday during a special meeting.
The board adjourned into an hour-long executive session before approving
Scott as the new treasurer.
"There were still some outstanding issues that needed to be discussed,"
Superintendent Dan Kaffenbarger explained.
Scott, of Lakeview, has 19 years experience with the state auditor's
office where she was previously employed as an audit manager. She also
has a valid treasurer's license.
This will be her first job as a school treasurer.
"I think she has had a wealth of experience in school finance,"
Kaffenbarger said.
Scott will officially start in her new position today.
Smith, the outgoing treasurer, gave the financial report. She reported
that the five-year forecast for the district was submitted to the state
last Friday.
"We seem to be sitting fairly well given the tightening up we've done
over the last few years," Smith said.
Rick Smith, board president, echoed the board's sentiments from last
meeting that Smith will be missed.
"Good luck, you've been really great," Smith said.
Kaffenbarger gave an update on pending state legislation that would
require state mandated health insurance for public school employees.
Triad is currently part of a health insurance consortium, which is
comprised of fewer that 5,000 members.
If the legislation becomes law, only those districts which are members
of consortiums with 5,000 or more members will be exempt from being part
of the state-mandated insurance pool.
Triad has recently met with several other groups, which could possibly
result in a future merger, therefore giving them enough members for the
exemption.
Kaffenbarger said that since the legislation is still pending, the
district is at this point only exploring options.
Board members were shown a certificate of commendation awarded to the
district by the state for moving up more than 10 points on its
performance index score as part of the state report card.
The performance index score is calculated by averaging every student's
test scores in the district.
"This is an absolutely phenomenal achievement," Kaffenbarger said, "This
is a credit to our teachers."
Jan Ferryman, seventh grade science teacher, presented to the board on
the Strategic Instructional Model (SIM) being used in the middle school
classrooms to increase student reading aptitude.
The program is designed around taking unknown words in context and
breaking them down into smaller parts to facilitate easier pronunciation
and comprehension.
"Students are already showing progress," Ferryman said.
She ended by inviting board members to stop by and see the strategies in
use.
The next board meeting will be Nov. 21 in the high school library.
In other news, the board:
. Approved the certified substitute list and the aide substitute list as
presented by the Madison-Champaign County Educational Service Center.
. Approved a nine-day trip to England, Ireland and Wales for the gifted
and talented class with teacher Erica Boone on June 12-21. No cost will
be incurred by the school.
. Approved bus specifications for fiscal year 2006 bid.
. Accepted the resignations of David Marenberg as middle school
wrestling coach and Tim Deady as head wrestling coach ? both effective
immediately
. Approved the following 2005-2006 classified supplemental contracts
(should an activity not be offered due to lack of adequate funding, all
contracts for that activity will be considered null and void): Chuck
Adams ? seventh grade boys basketball; Harry Alltop ? eighth grade boys
basketball; Jason Malone ? eighth grade girls basketball; Mike Braun ?
weightlifting
. Approved Ohio Integrated Systems Model (OISM) grant in the amount of
$7,000 for Triad Elementary participation in model program
. Accepted $500 grant money from Ohio Association of Secondary School
administrators for elementary role in positive behavior workshops. To be
used to implement a school-wide positive behavior support plan. To be
deposited in the elementary principal fund.
. Accepted the resignation of Linda Hixson as substitute aide, nurse,
and secretary effective immediately.
. Approved the per diem payment of $40.22 per day to Missy Graves for
substitute volleyball coach.
. Approved bus routes for the 2005-2006 school year

Fairbanks gearing up for levy attempt
By KARLYN BYERS
Yard signs promoting the Nov. 8 Fairbanks Local Schools bond/income tax
issue will be placed throughout the district this week, as levy
committee workers continue their efforts to inform the community of the
school district's needs.
Superintendent Jim Craycraft discussed details of the levy campaign
during Monday night's regular school board meeting. He also reminded
board members to make use of the campaign signs, which use variations of
the theme "Our Children, Our Community, Our Future!"
Money from passage of the 28-year bond issue would be used to construct
a new pre-kindergarten through eighth grade facility located behind the
district's fifth through 12th grade complex on Route 38. The five-year
0.25 percent income tax will be used for furnishing the facility.
The board also heard committee reports from board members Star Simpson,
Tolles Technical Center; Sherry Shoots, policy; Jaynie Lambert,
legislative; and from superintendent James Craycraft,
communications/public relations.
Simpson said Tolles will add an 18-month massage therapy course to its
adult education program. Craycraft said the location of the National
School Boards Association annual meeting has been changed from New
Orleans to Chicago. He also mentioned a grant from the Union County
Health Department will allow "fitness breaks" - brief intervals of
calisthenics - to be implemented into the school curriculum.
In other business, the board:
.Heard Craycraft report that a recent "sweep" of the Route 38 facility
by the Union County Sheriff's Office Canine Unit was "clean." Craycraft
noted that pupils