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 done, to both groups and the spectators. I was also at the last meeting, and he said very clearly at that time that he’d have an update for everyone today, but that the final report would not be done until just before the final meeting of the ARB & commissioners. The details of his update were given in the A-T story on Tuesday. What the story did NOT give in detail was the commissioners’ reactions to this.

Mr. Nutter did most of the talking, as is usual for him. He complained that Mr. Conoway didn’t have a final report done, even though Mr. Conoway  had made it quite clear that he wouldn’t have it done for this meeting. Nutter said that he didn’t know how Mr. Conoway expected them to be able to make any further decisions or change their views about anything without all the information. Mr. Conoway explained that this is an ongoing process, that people on the State level, as well as others, were still working on it. The next step was for him to meet with the commissioners and discuss more details from their end, and that “this meeting” was not the time to do it. Nutter stated that this was “exactly” the place to do it, as they didn’t want to be accused of meeting outside the public’s view. What Mr. Conoway meant was that the meeting they were currently in was not the time; he was to have more information from the State and other sources within a few days, and at THAT time, they could do it. All of this seemed to go right over the commissioners’ heads. Nutter wanted to do it RIGHT NOW, and Conoway simply was saying they needed to do it at a meeting in the very near future - perhaps even by the end of this week, if he had further info by then, which he expected to have.

Mr. Nutter and Mr. Sauber then decided to have a “private  meeting” of their own - leaning back in their chairs and having a discussion behind Mr. Bridinger’s back, as though he wasn’t even there. Nutter then stated that their deadline for accepting a bid was scheduled for September 8th, and that if they waited until the next ARB meeting (to take place on September 2nd) to hear Conoway’s final report, then possibly have their certificate of appropriateness turned down by the ARB, they’d have to appeal to the zoning board before the 8th. When did the zoning board meet? Could they schedule a special meeting with them before the 8th? Brent Howard informed them that this would not be possible, as the zoning board had to advertise the issue, and when they were going to meet about it, 2 weeks in advance of the meeting. You could almost hear the explosion inside Mr. Nutter’s brain at this point, once he realized the math was not on his side. He & Mr. Sauber once again held a little private discussion behind Mr. Bridinger’s back. When they finished, Nutter physically turned his back on the ARB members, faced Mr. Jooooooonier (who was sitting next to their table) and asked if it might be an option to simply ignore the ARB and go straight to the zoning board now, so that they could meet their September 8th deadline “with the contractor” (notice the use of the singular) and begin the process of tearing down the courthouse. Mr. Joooooonier said that, yes, that was an option. The reaction from the spectators was interesting - while it basically remained quiet, you could almost hear the disbelief in the room. A few remarks were audible - things like “this is craziness!”, “whaaaat??”, “he’s GOT to be kidding!”, and I even heard a “holy crap!” Mr. Conoway stated that, while they “could” do that, he thought it would be very risky for them to do so, considering that (1) the commissioners had agreed to enter into the 90 day process with the ARB “in good faith”, that (1a) if they did not live up to that promise, there would certainly be further lawsuits to follow; and (2) it would be taking some very generous offers, from the State and other major investors, and throwing them out the window. After a bit of tooth-gnashing and eye-rolling, it was actually Mr. Sauber, surprisingly enough, who suggested that perhaps they could contact “the contractorS” and see if they could extend the bidding deadline by 30 days. I heard one spectator say under their breath, “a logical idea from Sauber - who’d have thought it?” The decision was made to call “the contractorS” and find out if this would be acceptable to them. If it would be, then they would continue on with the ARB - if not, they would decide to not continue with the ARB and go right to the zoning board for an appeal.

To me, it was pretty clear, from Nutter’s body language (turning his back on the ARB members) and his statements about ditching the rest of the 90 days they committed to, that the only reason Nutter wants to tear down the courthouse is because…..Nutter WANTS to tear down the courthouse, preferably before the November election. It was pretty obvious to everyone that the fact that finishing the process they agreed to, once he realized that, due to the timeline, they were screwed, that he was now panicking. As one person told me, the way Nutter was gnashing his teeth, he’d better have a good dentist. He looked absolutely pissed off beyond belief, squirming in his seat, scowling at the papers in front of him, and ignoring the ARB members.

So there you have it. Once again, Mr. Nutter has shown that he has absolutely NO respect whatsoever for the proper process of doing things, even after he himself agreed to doing it. He wants what he wants when he wants it, and that’s all that matters to him. And, after the meeting was over and he’d talked to the press (Jennifer Feehan from the Blade; and I’m sure he talked to the A-T, although I didn’t see that personally), he snuck out of the building by the back way, not daring to walk past everyone else who was still lingering in the hallway, talking about what had just happened.

And he wants the voters to trust him?”

This from The A-T on the letter from the state.http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/508005.html?nav=5005
~~~

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. Barrett resigned on April 24th, 2008 and was replaced by former Huron County Common Pleas Judge Thomas E. Heydinger (D-Norwalk) on May 21st. On July 10th he announced that he would not seek election in November, citing health issues.

• City council member Terry Traster (D-Amherst)
• Former Huron County Commissioner Terry Boose (R-Norwalk)”

From the Morning Journal: http://www.morningjournal.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19897331&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=566374&rfi=8

	Terry Traster

Traster, 51, construction supervisor for the Amherst Historical Society, said he submitted his name about 10 days ago for the 58th District race. His candidacy was confirmed by Scarlett Bouder, communications director for the Democratic House Caucus Races.

”Terry Traster has been a public servant for over a decade,” Bouder said. ” He’s lived his entire life in Amherst and should be a great candidate for the district.”

Although Traster has been an at large councilman for Amherst for only a year, he previously represented Ward 1 for five terms. He has also served two years on the Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals and four years on the Amherst Design Board of Review. Traster, who was on his way to a meeting with Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher last night, said he still has to meet with party leadership from Huron, Lorain and Seneca counties, who will officially register Traster’s name with the Huron County Board of Elections to appear on the Nov. 4 ballot opposite Republican Terry Boose, a former Huron County commissioner.

Democrats found themselves without a candidate when State Rep. Tom Heydinger, D-Norwalk, announced July 10 he would not run in November. Heydinger, 68, a retired Huron County Common Pleas Court judge, cited health problems and the undue influence of state Democratic and Republican parties on election campaigns when he withdrew. Heydinger had been appointed by the Ohio House Democratic Caucus in May to complete the term of former State Rep. Matt Barrett, of Amherst, who resigned April 24 in the wake of a pornography scandal.

Traster said his priorities in campaigning would include jobs and energy. ‘We’re getting left behind in jobs,” Traster said. ”The most important thing is the knowledge we’re losing, which is being shipped overseas. We also need to work on renewable energy and clean coal. I feel Gov. Strickland and Fisher have a good plan and I want to lend them my support.” Traster also said he would like to see better mass transportation system in Ohio.”

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, serving as a sergeant since November 2007 and a patrol officer since February 1986, marks the third member currently needing replacement in the police department. The termination was followed by the retirement of Captain Deiter and the loss of an officer to another job, according to Chief John McGuire…
McGuire said Moore was terminated on grounds of unbecoming conduct and numerous violations of the police department’s rules of conduct, code of ethics and the police and procedure manual. He declined to comment further on the termination….However, McGuire said the department is in the process of replacing all three staff members.  Contact staff writer Adrienne Curlis at: adriennecurlis@reviewtimes.com”

	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Cruisers	13	19	20	21	29
Jail Capacity	65	65	65	65	126

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 additional investment income from interest rate increases as well as additional intergovernmental revenue for the airport upgrades and other miscellaneous revenue sources.

SENECA COUNTY, OHIO For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

The availability of increased revenue allowed appropriations for expenditures to be increased by $1,773,909. Actual revenue exceeded budget by .25% while actual expenditures were less than budget by 2.5%.

Capital Assets and Debt Administration

Capital Assets – The County’s net book value of capital assets for governmental and business-type activities as of December 31, 2007, was $64,638,850. These assets include land and improvements, buildings and improvements, machinery and equipment and infrastructure.

Major capital asset activity during 2007 included the sale of the former County Board of Education building at 244 South Washington St and improvements at the County Airport. Infrastructure additions included several bridge replacements.

Note 10 (Capital Assets) provides capital asset activity during 2007.

Long-Term Debt – At December 31, 2007, the County had total general obligation bonded debt outstanding of $5,440,000. Other outstanding debt includes an OWDA loan payable of $82,370, OPWC loan payable of $11,977, and notes payable of $805,000. The long-term bonded debt of the County decreased by $365,000 (6.3 percent) during 2007. Additional information on the County’s long-term debt can be found in Note 16 of this report. In addition to the bonded debt, the County’s long-term obligations include compensated absences.

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.

Marguerite Bernard

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’ resignation:
http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/507718.html?nav=5005

How Egbert, Jr. is wasting your money

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 Description

35— –$21,776.04——Hupp—- $11.96—Secretary
40——-$39,253.50——–Best—- $18.87—Attorney
40——$115,702.00——-Egbert,JR-$55.62—Prosecuting Attorney
40——-$49,748.14——–Boes—- $23.91—Attorney
40——-$41,905.50——–Clason—$20.14– Attorney
40——-$46,470.06——–Davey—$22.34—Attorney
35—— $30,589.00——–Hart—–$16.80—Secretary
35——-$27,031.68——–Sauber– $14.85—Secretary
35—— $28,015.00——–Dunn—- $15.39—Secretary
35—— $53,620.84——–Skeel—-$29.46—Secretary
21—— $49,524.80——–Stockner-$45.35—Attorney
40—— $41,523.56——–Green—-$19.96—Investigator
20—— $18,720.00——–Huffman–$18.00—Investigator

Summary for Seneca (13 detail records)
Sum
456—–$563,880.12

Huron County
40——-$45,760.00——–Deland—$22.00—Attorney
40——-$45,052.80——–McDowell—$21.66-Investigator
40——-$115,070.54——-Leffler—$53.82–Prosecuting Attorney
40——-$39,457.60——–Risner—-$18.97–Secretary
40——-$29,640.00——–Jubak—-$14.25–Secretary
40——-$53,560.00——–Woodruff -25.75–Attorney
40——-$52,936.00——–Kasper—$25.45– Attorney
40——-$41,204.80——–Shenker–$19.81–Attorney
Summary for Huron (8 detail records)
Sum
320——$422,681.74

Sandusky County
37.5—–$115,071.32——-Stierwalt -$59.01–Prosecuting Attorney
18.75—-$54,636.66——–Solze—–$56.03–Attorney
37.5—–$58,971.90——–Kolesar—$30.24–Attorney
37.5—–$47,285.94——–Tischler—$24.24–Attorney
37.5—–$36,858.38——–Francis—$18.90–Secretary
37.5—–$23,650.12——–Heflinger–$12.12–Secretary
37.5—–$23,650.12——–Williams—$12.12–Secretary
18.75—-$13,650.00——–Kaiser—-$14.00–Investigator
Summary for Sandusky (8 detail records)
Sum
262.5—-$373,774.44

From the A-T
http://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 records in question involved any discussions, including e-mails, regarding the 1884 courthouse and the county’s decision to demolish the structure.
Among other things, The Blade is asking for the county to pay for a forensic computer expert to search the commissioners’ computers’ hard drives.

From the Blade http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080724/NEWS02/807240391
The Blade sued to force the commissioners to release all e-mails received, sent, or deleted since Jan. 1, 2006, including those related to the courthouse. The county provided some e-mails at the newspaper’s request. Then, after the paper sued, the county produced 700-plus pages of additional e-mails that it maintained were withheld due to an oversight.

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 prisoners and for consultations if needed. Why not give local jobs and business to local people or businesses if they can provide decent service. We have many good doctors in our community and I am sure that one of them could provide the jail with good service.”

Does anyone know why we have an out-of-county physician?

Derek DeVine

From the News-Messenger

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.