Would you like to know what really happened at the latest Architectural Review Board meeting?

From intrepid poster Puddin ‘”The A-T gave the basic facts - but, as Paul Harvey would say, here’s the REST of the story…..
Mr. Conoway handed a printed update of what he’s done so far since the last meeting, to the members of the Architectural Review Board (ARB) and the commissioners. He spoke about what’s been [...]

Terry Traster running for the 58th District

From the Ohio Daily Blog: http://www.ohiodailyblog.com/content/list-2008-ohio-candidates
Background on the seat: “58th District Northern Ohio (Seneca, Huron, Lorain Counties). PVI R +6.3. Attorney Matt Barrett (D) defeated appointed incumbent Dan White (R-Bronson Township) by 51.20% to 48.80% in 2006. White replaced Kathleen Reed, formerly Kathleen Walcher (R-Norwalk), who had defeated Barrett by 53.99% to 46.01% in 2004. [...]

Moore is no more, Fostoria fires officer

From the A-T http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507822.html
“FOSTORIA -Fostoria Police Officer Clayton Moore was terminated Wednesday for conduct unbecoming and for numerous violations of the police code of conduct and policy and procedure manual, Police Chief John McGuire said.Moore had been on administrative leave for several weeks, McGuire said, but declined to provide any further details”
From the Review-Times http://www.reviewtimes.com/Issues/2008/Aug/07/ar_news_080708_story2.asp?d=080708_story2,2008,Aug,07&c=n
“…Moore, [...]

Now here is something interesting - Seneca County Sheriff Capital Asset Stats

 

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Cruisers

13

19

20

21

29

Jail
Capacity

65

65

65

65

126

Budgetary Highlights from the Auditor’s Report

By State statute, the Board of County Commissioners must adopt the annual operating budget for the County by April 1 each year. Seneca County typically adopts permanent appropriations on or before the last day of the preceding year. For the General Fund, amendments to revenues during the fiscal year amounted to $2,839,099 primarily due to [...]

Talk about a built in campaign issue, Mr. Alt!

From the A-T: http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507795.html?nav=5005
So the Treasurer did not balance the Seneca County bank account.

“In a nutshell, they did not balance their checkbook. They did not compare their bank statements to the books the county keeps,” Emily Frazee said. Frazee is deputy press secretary for State Auditor Mary Taylor.The audit report, which is available on the state [...]

As posted by Kooamunga on Friday, Larry Beidelschies is stepping down.

kookamunga, on August 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm Said: Edit Comment
Hot off the press-Beidelschies is retiring the end of this month. Someone call Buster! It is time for him since he did not get the council seat. We could use an honest person like Buster in Office.
This article is from the Sat. A-T concerning Beidelschies’ [...]

This is Public Record and How your Tax Dollars are Being Spent

Prosecutor Office Comparison for Seneca, Huron and Sanduky Counties. These counties were used for the comparison, since the populations are very similar. Huron and Sandusky County employee 8 people in the same positions while it takes Ken Egbert, Jr. a staff of 13 to accomplish the same amount of work.
Seneca County
Billable Hr– Salary——— Name—-Hourly Rate–Task [...]

Public means public.

From the A-Thttp://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507558.html?nav=5005
The (Toledo) Blade lawsuit against the Seneca County commissioners is scheduled to be heard by the Ohio Supreme Court in September 16th…
The newspaper filed the lawsuit with the state Supreme Court in September 2007 alleging the county did not properly maintain or produce records in compliance with the Ohio Public Records Act. The [...]

That’s a good question, Sheriff Steyer.

tigaski, on July 25th, 2008 at 7:36 am Said:
“Why can’t we have a local doctor to be the jail doctor. Our county contracts with a doctor that does not live in Seneca County for the jail. I think his salary is about $18,000 a year. A local doctor would be more available to check on [...]

Judge Kelbley and Special Prosecutor Derek DeVine to serve in case against former sheriff’s deputy.

From the News-Messenger

A former sheriff’s deputy, Mark Harmon of Clyde,  was indicted late last month on theft in office and theft charges in the Sandusky County Common Pleas Court.
Judge Michael Kelbley was appointed visiting judge, and Derek DeVine is serving as Special Prosecutor in the Mark Harman case. Both the local offices had asked for a guest judge [...]

SCB presents - Ask the Expert - Jim Bell, architect and presenter of the new courthouse plan.

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 [...]

If we say pretty please, may Seneca County have an official website like the other counties??

 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/

Did someone take your toy away, West Millgrove?

 
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.

Movin’ along downtown in Fostoria

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 [...]

Gotta love it.

Hey sports fans, will the Indians look to Columbus?

 

Columbus stadium attracts the Cleveland Indians
The News’ Mike Harrington gives an overview of Triple-A Columbus’ stadium for 2009 and looks at why the Cleveland Indians will likely switch their minor league affiliate to that city.
http://video.ap.org/v/default.aspx?mk=en-ap&g=f401e51e-520c-49fc-becb-5cf3f6c613a8&f=NYBUE&t=m1203966205002fg=tool

Leaf me alone ? Will Tiffin City Council give citizens the “brush” off with their compost and brush facility? How does Fostoria handle this?

 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 [...]

Derek DeVine Press Release hot off the SCB email.

    “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 [...]

If you were elected to the position, how about showing up!

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 [...]

Really Ms. Lowery ?!? Have you looked out your Chamber window lately?

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 [...]

Oh Where, oh Where, is my Advertiser-Tribune?

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 [...]

Hey Rodney Dangerfield, you might feel right at home at a commissioners meeting.

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 [...]

What flavor won’t they think up next?

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

Just in case you have forgotten

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 [...]

Oh Shoot. When is the fireworks show?

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 [...]

Yes, We Have No Bananas (or bucks, either)

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 [...]

How dumb were they?

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)

A bad sign of the times

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

Run Forest, Run

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 [...]

The SCB camera is coming your way.

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.

Hey Tiffin, what’s in your wallet?

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

Gee, Mr. Ken Egbert, Jr. it only took you six years to help, could the upcoming election have anything to do with it?

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 [...]

Sheriff Steyer - It looks like Fred Stevens was onto something

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 [...]

A Proposal….

“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 [...]

On the lighter side..

In 1986, Peter Davies was on holiday in Kenya  after graduating from Northwestern University. On a hike through the bush, he came across a  young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant  seemed distressed, so Peter approached it very carefully.

He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant’s [...]

Breaking news updated, looks like it may be in hamburger

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

We will surely miss you.

 
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

Sheriff Steyer, don’t blame the price of gas.

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 [...]

How will you vote?

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, [...]

I tried.

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 [...]

A Writing Assignment

A college class was told they had to write a short story in as few words as possible. The instructions were that the short story had to contain the following three things:
(1) Religion
(2) Sexuality
(3) Mystery
Below is the only A+ paper in the class.
‘God, I’m pregnant! I wonder who the father is.’

Dear Miss SCB, What should I get my husband for Ohio turfgrass week?

Hat tip to Joseph from Plunderbund.com…
According to today’s Senate Calendar, legislators in Ohio’s upper house will spend today, June 10, 2008, working on issues important to all Ohioans, like:
* Designating the last week of May as “Ohio Turfgrass Week.”
* Designating January as “Ohio Mentor Month.”
* Designating May as “Foster Care Month.”
* Proclaiming [...]

A very sad accident with familiar names

Six people killed in SanduskyCounty single-engine plane crash
FREMONT - The Ohio State Highway Patrol has responded to a fatal plane crash that occurred at approximately 1:00 p.m. Sunday that killed six people in SanduskyCounty. A single-engine 68 Cessna fixed-wing airplane departed to the east from the Fremont airport and for an unknown reason crashed shortly [...]

Inquiring minds want to know

Well, since folks certainly like tearing the commissioner apart, we pose this question…if you could have any county resident in the office, who would you want? It can be anyone, not just people in politics, or those who have said they are interested. Who would be your choice for the best of the best?

OOPS! What are some of your favorite goofs that have appeared in print?

Hey Mr. Leno, we have a headline for you.

From the A-Thttp://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/506360.html?nav=5005
“Man remains in hospital after fatal crash”
Couldn’t the hospital just release the poor man’s body?
(Sorry for the grim humor, I just couldn’t help myself. Ed.)
 

A beautiful view over Seneca County

Looking back

The Veterans of Foreign Wars held a essay contest for the third graders each year. The subject of the contest was always the same, “What American Means to Me.” I remember writing the essay, and feeling gratified upon its completion. Several weeks later, Mrs. Bridenbaugh announced the winners. I had won third place, and was [...]

BREAKING NEWS — Former Huron County judge replacing Barrett

Brad Dicken | The Chronicle-Telegram
Former Huron County Judge Thomas Heydinger has been named the replacement for state Rep. Matt Barrett, who resigned last month amidst a scandal over topless images of women he showed to a Norwalk High School class.
Heydinger will be sworn in today, said Phil Saken, spokesman for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, [...]