Seneca County Blog

Please post your questions to Jim Bell on the blog. He has kindly consented to answer them for our readers. Mr. Bell recently became involved in this project, as prior involvement would have presented a conflict of interest. The SCB very much appreciates Jim consenting to an open debate. ( I have copied and pasted a comment from Sen. Blutarsky on another post,  to start the ball rolling. Ed.)

From the A-T http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507318.html

“Bell’s proposal, first introduced at a recent meeting of the Tiffin Architectural Board of Review, calls for a sub-grade addition at the west side of the 1884 courthouse. The new construction would be placed underground with a likely above-ground entrance at the corner of Washington and Market streets. A stairway and elevator would provide access into the lower level of the 1884 courthouse. Pedestrians would walk through the lower level of the vacant courthouse to gain access to the current annex.

Bell said the Texas State Capitol has a sub-grade addition to provide added space. The U.S. Capitol also has a sub-grade addition, Bell said.The statue of William Gibson likely would be moved to the north, to the center of the property and beside the Washington Street sidewalk, to accommodate the proposed entrance.

Phase one of Bell’s plan calls for the replacement of the dome on the 1884 courthouse, replacement of windows in the vacant courthouse, rebuilding courthouse steps and work in the central hallway in the lower level of the courthouse. The current elevator in the 1884 courthouse would remain in place until future courthouse renovation work.

Bell said the work in this phase could be paid for with $2 million from the state of Ohio added to about $546,000 that formerly was pledged by the Tiffin Historic Trust to replace the dome. No local tax dollars would be needed if those funding sources were reality, Bell said.The new construction of the sub-grade addition could be built for about $4.4 million of county funds, Bell said.

A future phase two of renovation to the 1884 courthouse could be accomplished for about $5 million, Bell said.”Future phase two courthouse renovation would complete the preservation process and return the courthouse to full use for county administration as county space needs continue to grow,” Bell said in the conclusion to his presentation to the commissioners.

Bell’s plan is to be discussed Thursday when the commissioners meet again with the Tiffin Architectural Board of Review.”

 Take a look at the following links. Why don’t we have a county website? (P.S. the website owned by Boroff Publictions and is a dot com, and is not anymore official than the Seneca County blog.

Welcome to Sandusky County, Ohio!- http://www.sandusky-county.org/

Hancock County Ohio Online– Hancock County Offices Official Website http://www.co.hancock.oh.us/

Wyandot County http://www.co.wyandot.oh.us/

From the A-T http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507356.html?nav=5005

City Law Director Timothy Hoover said the city is beginning to assist West Millgrove with traffic citations. Fostoria will be prosecuting cases from the village and Hoover said an anticipated $300,000 will be generated by the end of the year as a result.

From the R-T http://www.reviewtimes.com/Issues/2008/Jul/15/ar_news_071508_story2.asp?d=071508_story2,2008,Jul,15&c=n

Mayor John Davoli reported he received good news from the state Department of Development, stating that steps 1-5 have been completed for downtown revitalization.

The city was granted $400,000 for the project. The final report will be due Oct. 7 in order to complete steps 6-12. After meeting the first threshold, Davoli said the city, Fostoria Economic Development Corporation and the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce will be working with local business owners to bring ideas together.

“The hard work begins now,” he said.

 This post was updated on July 14th.

“Boroff also informed council members the city is planning to stop operations at the compost and brush facility after Aug. 1 because of a cut in funding from the Ottawa-Seneca-Sandusky Solid Waste District.He said in contacting other cities his office could not find any other city that offers the service for free.

Council President Paul Elchert and Councilman at Large Pete Galipeau disagreed with closing the facility.Elchert suggested bringing in townships that have no space to use the facility on a pay-to-use basis to help fund the facility. But Boroff said the city still would have to manage the facility.

Galipeau said residents already are paying one of the higher municipal taxes and expect these kinds of services.The matter was referred to the Street, Sidewalk and Sewer Committee for a meeting to be held 4:45 p.m. July 16 at the municipal building, 51 E. Market St.”

From the A-T http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507181.html 

Today this appeared in the A-T under opinion from Mayor Boroff:

“Brush and compost pile. There has been a lot of discussion about the possible temporary closing of the brush and yard waste facility at the Water Pollution Control Center. Now, this facility allows citizens to bring their brush to the plant where it is eventually ground up into coarse mulch. The mulch is given away free of charge at certain times of the year.

Contrary to popular belief, the brush facility is not funded by city income taxes. The joint solid waste district allocates grant money each year to the facility to subsidize the costs of grinding the brush. We had a big storm a few years ago and because so much debris and brush was generated, the joint solid waste district fronted grant money to the city a year in advance.

We kept operating that way, getting money a year in advance, until the solid waste district said it no longer could do that. Furthermore, securing future grant money is always a questionable circumstance. So, at this time, we have no money to grind brush, and, it appears we need $10,000-15,000 to grind up what we have. If we have a big storm, we certainly are in trouble. We have to have a place to take brush and limbs from city property in such an eventuality.

The administration and City Council are looking at many options in order to keep this service operating. Quite a few residents have suggested we charge a nominal fee for the service, while others want us to totally fund it from existing sources. In any case, we will do our best to satisfy the public’s need to dispose of limbs and brush.”

http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507317.html?nav=5104

What are your ideas? What are your puns?

    “Derek W. DeVine of Tiffin announces that he has filed his petitions with the Board of Elections for the position of Seneca County Prosecutor in the 2008 general election.  He is running as an independent.

            DeVine practices law at Lange & DeVine Law Offices, LLC in Tiffin with his wife, Anne Lange and her father, Michael Lange.  He was formerly an associate with the law office of Supance & Howard in Tiffin, and prior to that was an Assistant Seneca County Prosecutor from June 1994 through December, 1999.

            DeVine indicates that his platform is two-fold:  more efficient criminal prosecution and competent civil representation of the county.  DeVine has stated that he is running full time for the position and that he will deliver full service.  “I would have represented the county commissioners in the courthouse litigation and not farmed out that work.  That mistake has cost Seneca County over $125,000 in legal fees since last July and the bill only grows higher as the litigation continues.”

            DeVine has significant legal experience including criminal, civil, and municipal law.  He has served as special prosecutor for Wyandot County, Sandusky County, the City of Findlay, the City of Upper Sandusky, and the Village of McComb.  He has served as solicitor for Bloomville, Green Springs, and Bettsville during his career.  “My prior experience in the prosecutor’s office as well as my private practice representing clients in various legal situations provides me with the skills to effectively prosecute crime and represent our county officials.  My significant trial experience includes both civil and criminal cases.”

            DeVine’s website is http://www.devineforprosecutor.com/   The SCB also has a link under 2008 election)

Pardon me bloggers as I vent. Last night the Republican Central Committee voted on two positions, one to fill the vacancy of Tiffin Councilwoman At-Large Wilma Klopp, and the other to fill the vacancy of William Crist who dropped out of the race for Seneca County Commissioner against incumbent Democratic Commissioner Ben Nutter and Independent Terry Love.

Tyler Shuff was elected to fill Klopp’s seat until Dec. 31, 2009. Holly Stacy was elected to run as commissioner.

Now here is the kicker…How many seats are currently on the Republican Central Committee? 52. How many members of the Republican Central Committee showed up to vote? About half the members!

“Shuff, a salesman at Tiffin Ford, took eight of the 12 votes, with Charles “Buster” Ardner the next closest with two votes. Shuff said he was stunned to win it on the first round because he was competing against five other candidates.”

Shuff may have been stunned to win, but I am stunned that so few representatives bothered to show up. This Seneca County Blog editor would like to thank all those people of committee who clearly take their responsibilities so cavalierly. This type of absenteeism is not the exception, it is the rule. How can we get quality people to run for office, if the central committee members are too lame to show up to vote??

From the A-T

Shuff http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507204.html?nav=5005

Stacy http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507205.html?nav=5005

Signed, Scout.

From the A-T http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507182.html?nav=5005

In a different matter, the commissioners met with Vicki Lowery of the Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Lowery said planning to display three murals on the side of the County Services Building is moving forward. She showed the commissioners updated versions of the murals as they might appear on the building. She said she was reluctant to say exactly when the murals would be placed on the building. The side of the building has been newly painted and the brackets to hold the murals are in place.

In another matter, Lowery said the Chamber has had new requests from businesses to purchase banners displayed along Washington Street downtown.

The banners are displayed from brackets on light posts, Lowery said. The Chamber currently has no additional space to add more banners. Lowery said she received a suggestion from Heidelberg President Dominic Dottavio that additional banners be placed along other streets between Heidelberg and Tiffin University. Because light posts like those on Washington Street are not available on the other streets, Lowery said the banners would need to be displayed on utility poles. The Chamber is gaining information about the plan.

Commissioner Mike Bridinger asked Lowery about the general economic climate in Tiffin.

Lowery said the economic environment in Tiffin is good, despite negative media accounts nationally. She said economic changes are cyclical, so downturns do occur, but some manufacturers are expanding in Tiffin.

“It’s so easy to get caught up in the negative,” Lowery said.

Vicki Lowery, President/CEO, Tiffin Area Chamber; vlowery(at)tiffinchamber.com; 419.447.4141; www.tiffinchamber.com
Colleges Attended:  Marion College and Wright State University. Achieved bachelor’s degree.  Continued Professional Development:  Ohio State’s Economic Development short course.  Entered Chamber Profession:   2004.  Previous Chambers: Tipp City Area Chamber.  Areas of Expertise:  Marketing

from http://www.cceohio.com/

A Guest Post from G.K.

“Is it just my house? We have had the newspaper be a “no-show” quite a few time this year. My wife regularly calls to complain and the response is always that “we’re trying” or the “new carrier” crap. We didn’t get a paper on Sunday and my wife called around 8:45. The circulation department agreed that this was poor service and said that the paper would be delivered shortly. Here it is now MONDAY at 1:45, and we still never received the Sunday paper.

For Monday’s paper we did not have it at the house when I left a little before 8:30. The wife called and again got the same old lines. I went home around lunch and figured that my wife must have taken the paper with her to work. Oops! No, the paper still had not been delivered. She called again around 12:30 and it got to our house around 1:15 p.m.

The paper says that we should have our paper by 6:00 am weekdays and by 7:00 am on the weekends. Not much of a chance of that happening.

To top off this story, my wife and circulation manager had a nice chat on Sunday. My wife told her that the service was pathetic. The circulation manager told my wife that she agreed and couldn’t take working in that environment. Sunday was her last day because she was tired of advocating for the customer in that environment. Now, I wasn’t a party to that conversation, but believe that this fairly recounts the details.

Is it just us or are others having the same issues?”

This is a guest post from Puddintame. The SCB asked Mr or Ms P to write this column to bring an issue to the public, the treatment of people who attend Seneca County Commissioner meetings. The editors from the SCB may not agree on everything, but we all agree that treating people properly is essential.

“That the issue concerning the fate of our Seneca County  Courthouse has been a contentious and controversial one is an understatement. There are those who are staunchly in favor of saving it, those who are rabidly in favor of tearing it down, and those who are trying to base their opinion on fact, research, and the word of the experts, as well as the ability to afford either option.

There has been debate and discussion about this topic in the twice-weekly county commissioners meetings for well onto two years now. Numerous members of the public have gone in to those meetings to voice their concerns and give their input. It has recently been mentioned in this blog that, on occasions, the commissioners have been rude, insulting, and disrespectful towards those members of the public who have asked questions regarding options to save the courthouse. While I, myself, have only been to a few of those meetings, I have been the butt of some of these comments myself. When I asked about the health risks of the dust generated by the demolition of the building, or the asbestos situation, Mr. Sauber stated, “oh, and you’re a doctor?” One person recently brought up the statement made by the commissioners some time back, saying that they looked into grants, etc, for restoring the courthouse. Since anything they’ve done should be a matter of public record, could they provide her with copies of documents that prove they had done so. Mr. Nutter told her that unless she was specific about what papers she wanted copies of, he couldn’t give her anything. The conversation basically went; Citizen: “I’d like to see documentation of any efforts you’ve made to look into grant availability for restoring the courthouse.” Nutter: “Unless you can tell me what you want, I can’t give it to you.” Citizen: “Unless you can show me what you’ve done, how can I ask you for a specific paper, when I don’t know what that might be? I’m looking for any documentation - any paperwork you have on file, anything.” Nutter: “But if you can’t tell me what KIND of documentation, I can’t give you anything.” And around and around it went, with the citizen getting more and more flustered, and Mr. Nutter becoming more and more bemused at her frustration.

Many valuable suggestions and alternative solutions have been presented to the commissioners over the past couple of years, as have been a lot of important and logical questions. Most have been blatantly ignored, or dismissed with derogatory comments. Is this something the general public is aware of? When the commissioners insult those county citizens who raise the concerns of the public, are they insulting not only the people asking the questions, but also the citizenry of this county as a whole? Does the public deserve to be treated this way by their elected officials; and do those who are not in attendance on a regular basis deserve to know how their concerns and thoughts are being received by their elected public servants?

What have been your experiences with the commissioners and their attitudes towards those who would question their motives, opinions, and actions? Should the people know the treatment their fellow citizens are receiving at the hands of the commissioners, to assist the public in making their decisions when the November election rolls around?? And how would you suggest the general public be informed about this issue? “

The next time you are in Grand Rapids, Ohio and are ordering your meal and a drink….better yet, stick to the ice tea.

For those of you who haven’t seen the movie Dave (1993) in awhile, there is a memorable part at the end of the film. Dave, Kevin Kline, still impersonating the President of the United States, is giving a speech to a joint session of Congress. The real president, lying in a coma, has been a manipulative and sleazy president, who would do anything to maintain power setting up innocent people to take the fall for his corrupting actions. Dave stands before Congress taking responsibility, explaining ”his” actions.  We thought this dialogue was apropos for those men and women who hold office, who have forgotten the real purpose of holding office - even on a local level.

“I forgot that I was hired to do a job for you and that it was just a temp job at that. I forgot that I had two hundred and fifty million people who were paying me to make their lives a little better and I didn’t live up to my part of the bargain. See, there are certain things you should expect from a President. I ought to care more about you than I do about me… I ought to care more about what’s right than I do about what’s popular…I ought to be willing to give this whole thing up for something I believe in.”

LOCAL FIREWORKS SCHEDULE

Thursday, July 3rd
Hillsdale Dusk Hillsdale County Fairgrounds
Perrysburg/

Maumee
Dusk/10pm

Dusk
Ft. Meigs, Area Parks

Chamber of Commerce Lot

Monroe, MI Dusk Sterling State Park
Sylvania 7:00 PM - Midnight Centennial Terrace

Friday, July 4
Toledo/

Red White & Kaboom
10:00 pm Downtown Riverfront/

Promenade Park

Mud Hens Game After the Game Fifth-Third Field
Bowling Green (click for more info) Dusk (9:45)Rain Date: 7/5
Intramural Fields at BGSU
Brooklyn, MI Dusk Brooklyn High School
Findlay Dusk Hancock County Fairgrounds
Fostoria Dusk Meadowlark Park

Fremont
Dusk
Rodger Young Park
Lenawee County 10pm Fairgrounds
Marblehead 9pm Lakeside Pavillion
McComb Dusk Village Park
Napoleon 10pm Municipal Golf Course
Port Clinton Dusk Waterworks Park
Put-in-Bay Dusk
Sandusky 10pm Cedar Point
Tiffin Dusk Hedges-Boyer Park
Wauseon Dusk Wauseon High School

Saturday, July 5
Adrian, MI Dusk
Clyde Dusk Community Park
Defiance Dusk
Luna Pier, MI Dusk
Oak Harbor 10pm Mill Street
Swanton (rescheduled) Football field
Woodville 10pm Trailmaker Park
http://www.wtol.com:80/Global/story.asp?S=8578038&Call=Email&Format=Text

From the Blade http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/NEWS17/807020418/-1/NEWS

“Commission President Dave Sauber told the board yesterday the county would exceed its $10 million annual limit for issuing bonds if it were to proceed with the courthouse in 2008. The county already has committed support for construction projects at two area nursing homes that total $9 million.

“I don’t think we can have [the new courthouse] completely designed and programmed yet this year,” Commissioner Ben Nutter replied. “The timing is going to be so close that we can wait a month if we have to.”

broadsides.org/dumb-bunny-bomb.htm

“You know how dumb the average person is? Well, by definition, half the population is dumber than that!” (Ed. note, this is a great quote, but too many people claim to have said it to give any one person credit)

How many of you knew homes for sale in Tiffin have been stripped of copper pipes? Is this happening in the outlying areas?

Seneca County Board of Elections
GENERAL ELECTION - November 4, 2008
NAME ADDRESS ZIP
President and Vice-President
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 01/20/2009
JOHN MCCAIN (R)
BARACK OBAMA (D)
U.S. Congressional, 5th District
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 01/01/2009
BOB LATTA (R) 1528 MUIRFIELD DR BOWLING GREEN 43402
GEORGE F. MAYS (D) 6 MINARD PL NORWALK 44857
State Senator, 26th District
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 01/01/2013
KAREN L. GILLMOR (R) 514 N HEDGEGATE P0 BOX 278 TIFFIN 44883
THOMAS L. KRUSE (D) 712 GROVE ST MARYSVILLE 43040
State Representative, 81st District
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 0 1/01/2009
ANDREW KASHMER (D) 8322 W MUD CREEK RD OAK HARBOR 43449
JEFF WAGNER (R) 7760 5 SR 100 P0 BOX 35 MELMORE 44845
State Representative, 58th District
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 01/01/2009
MATTHEW BARRETT (D) LORAIN COUNTY (He is still on the ballot)
TERRY R. BOOSE (R) HURON COUNTY
Justice of the Supreme Court
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 01/01/2009
MAUREEN O’CONNOR (R)
JOSEPH D. RUSSO (D)
Justice of the Supreme Court
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 0 1/02/2009
PETER M. SIKORA (D)
EVELYN L. STRATTON (R)
County Commissioner
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN I - TERM COMM 01/02/2009
JACQUELINE A. FLETCHER (D) 7890 E TR 8 REPUBLIC 44867
CHERYL HUSS 223 W CRESTVIEW LN TIFFIN 44883
WRITE-IN NATHAN A. MOWERY 153 S SANDUSKY ST TIFFIN 44883
DAVID G. SAUBER, SR. (R) 300-1/2 OHIO AVE TIFFIN 44883
County Commissioner
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 0 1/03/2009
TERRY LOVE . 11650 W US 224 ALVADA 44802
BEN NUTTER (D) 5319NTR 137 TIFFIN 44883
Prosecuting Attorney
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 01/05/2009
DEREK W. DEVINE 22 HERRICK CT TIFFIN 44883
KEN EGBERT, JR. (R) 379 COE ST TIFFIN 44883
Clerk of Court of Common Pleas
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 0 1/05/2009
MARY K. WARD (R) 7335 S TR 159 SYCAMORE 44882
Sheriff
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 0 1/05/2009
THOMAS G. STEYER (R) 21 HALL ST TIFFIN 44883
County Recorder
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN I - TERM COMM 01/05/2009
MICHAEL J. DELL (R) 324 COE ST TIFFIN 44883
County Treasurer
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN I - TERM COMM 09/07/2009
DAMON D. ALT (R) 118-1/2 W CENTER ST APT I P 0 BOX 346 FOSTORIA 44830
MARGUERITE 0. BERNARD (D) 170 HILLCREST DR TIFFIN 44883
County Engineer
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN I - TERM COMM 01/05/2009
MARK R. ZIMMERMAN (R) 357 N SR 101 T1FFIN 44883
Coroner
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN I - TERM COMM 01/05/2009
MARK AKERS 60 LIN WOOD RD TIFFIN 44883
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 1 - TERM COMM 02/09/2009
JAY A.MEYER (R) 91ETR1178 TIFFIN 44883
Judge of the Court of Appeals 3rd Crt of Appeals
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN I - TERM COMM 02/09/2009
VERNON L. PRESTON (R) 700 WINTERI-JAVEN DR FINDLAY 45840
***The Republican Central Committee will elect a person to replace Crist since he withdrew from the election

Periodically we will change the header to include other sights around the county. ( The SCB is an equal opportunity blog). Today we featured wind in the wheat. We have added a page that has a link just below the header, Picture This, of some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Dear City of Tiffin,

“Please (accept) this letter as an offer to transfer the former 1884 Courthouse to the City of Tiffin for the consideration of $500,000 with terms and conditions, including renovation, to apply.”

Love, Seneca County Commissioners

From the A-T June 19, 2008 Man accused of owing $94k in child support

http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/506837.html

The SCB did a little research on the Ohio Revised Code pertaining to child cupport. 2919.21 Nonsupport or contributing to nonsupport of dependents.  We had heard the county prosecutor had neglected to enforce child support payments for years, much to the chagrin of the staff, and to the frustration of parents trying to feed and clothe their children. We wondered how long does it take before a dead-beat parent can be prosecuted for non-payment? The answer 6 1/2 months.

 (G)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (A) or (B) of this section is guilty of nonsupport of dependents, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A)(2) or (B) of this section or if the offender has failed to provide support under division (A)(2) or (B) of this section for a total accumulated period of twenty-six weeks out of one hundred four consecutive weeks, whether or not the twenty-six weeks were consecutive, then a violation of division (A)(2) or (B) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony violation of this section, a violation of division (A)(2) or (B) of this section is a felony of the fourth degree. If the offender is guilty of nonsupport of dependents by reason of failing to provide support to the offender’s child as required by a child support order issued on or after April 15, 1985, pursuant to section 2151.23, 2151.231 , 2151.232 , 2151.33, 3105.21, 3109.05, 3111.13, 3113.04, 3113.31, or 3115.31 of the Revised Code, the court, in addition to any other sentence imposed, shall assess all court costs arising out of the charge against the person and require the person to pay any reasonable attorney’s fees of any adverse party other than the state, as determined by the court, that arose in relation to the charge.

That 6 1/2 months was up years ago! In the meantime, what did Mr. Egbert expect the children to live on for the past six years - a press release?

From the A-T http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/506936.html?nav=5005

“Is the Seneca County jail overcrowded? Did overcrowding contribute to a recent inmate assault? RE: ICE detainee injured in fight at the jail http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/506775.html

County resident Joe Ranker asked the Seneca County commissioners to explain their thoughts about the number of inmates housed at the county jail. Ranker said he wanted to know why inmates have been housed dormitory style in the indoor recreation area.

Ranker read part of a newspaper report about a recent inmate assault at the jail and asked whether overcrowding may have contributed to the assault.

“I think there already three lawsuits against the jail,” Ranker said. “I’m guessing this might well be another one.”

Sauber said assaults could occur anywhere.

Ranker said he also believed the jail has not been properly inspected for fire safety and has not been conducting fire drills to evacuate inmates in case of a fire. Ranker was informed by the state Fire Marshall’s office in a letter the Clinton Township Fire Department is now responsible for fire safety inspections, but he said he could find no reports the inspections were being done.

Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputy Dennis Wilkinson evidently contacted Dann to express concerns about safety at the jail, Dann said in an inter-office memo. Wilkinson is also a captain with the Clinton Township Fire Department, Dann said in the memo. A fire safety meeting was held in December when Dann conducted he inspection of the jail.

Steyer was not available for comment Monday afternoon.”

For all of you who voted for Sheriff Steyer because he brought in money to the county - How much do you think this last debacle is going to cost on top of the other pending lawsuits?

“If you always do, what you’ve always done, you’ll always get the same”

It is not enough to start a business and have a sign that says Open on the front door. You have to go out and solicit customers, spread the word, offer a discounts, whatever it takes. You can’t wait for people to come to you, you must go to them. So on that note..

Here is a thought, how about the Historic Trust and other like minded people going downtown and writing up a list of buildings in need of repair and/or tenants. Then contact the owners and help them make positive changes to their buildings. If you have to hold their hand, then do it. Meet with them and help them with the necessary paperwork. Maybe help solicit tenants. Get the group from Heidelberg and TU that is working on development to help. Get the area garden club to help, and the Chamber. Downtown Granville, home of Dennison University is really great. They have combined old and new together. Tiffin could look like that as well. This is a big, picture issue and should not center on the courthouse. This idea would work with a new courthouse or an repaired courthouse. This would require a team effort. The SCB would certainly provide contact pages, a forum, and anything else we could muster.  Are you willing to go for it?

This just in: Currently, 16 cases of E. coli have been diagnosed in five
Ohio counties including Lucas and Seneca.

Update : http://www.wtol.com:80/Global/story.asp?S=8527038&Call=Email&Format=Text

Robert Scott Distel, 61

Aug. 14, 1946 - June 16, 2008

From the A-T http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/506818.html?nav=5011

From the A-T http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/506807.html?nav=5005

“We’re trying to see if we can cut down on some gas,” Steyer said. “Some of our calls for services, if we could handle on the telephone, the officer can call up and handle the complaint,” Steyer said. We might be spending a little more time, depending on how fuel prices go and how our budget goes, we might be spending more time sitting around along side the road and not be quite as visible in some parts of the county. It’s a lot of area to cover.

Sorry Sheriff, but since when did you send out deputies to look at mailboxes or not “handle” things over the phone? What about your campaign promise to increase patrols? There is more to being Sheriff than bringing in money by housing prisoners.

A referendum will appear on the ballot which will allow votes to decide if Jackson street can be turned into a cul de sac instead being a through road. Tiffin City Council approved an ordinance that authorized the Miami Street project in the Tiffin University area. Currently Tiffin University owns the other property along the road, except for one home owned by the Monaco’s. If the referendum passes, according to the city, the Monaco’s home would remain as is.

I copied this from Adams Engle’s site http://adamsengle.com/Seneca_County_Courthouse.php

I took off that awful tower, and changed the color a bit as the postcard has a blue/green tint to it. I tried using a current photo, but had trouble finding some replacement windows, though perhaps I will in the near future.

Original

Crawford County Courthouse. (Just one admin’s idea of an attractive area courthouse).

Texas State Capitol

Macoupin County Courthouse