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WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2012
Your Community Press newspaper serving Amelia, Batavia, Batavia Township, New Richmond, Ohio Township, Pierce Township, Union Township, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Township
BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS
Burg library closed for renovations
Cost is $220,000 for updates inside and out the building By Roxanna Blevins rblevins@communitypress.com
Clermont County Public Library’s Williamsburg Branch closed for renovations July 9 and will remain closed Aug. 1.
The improvements are part of a 10-year renovation cycle set for all of library branches, said Dave Mezack, executive director and operations coordinator. The renovations will cost $220,000, which will come out of the general fund, said Mezack. The renovations will include replacing and combining the circulation and reference desks, replacing tiles and carpet and resealing bricks.
“Some bricks needed to be resealed because the building was pressure washed, and there was loose mortar,” Mezack said. Also, two self-serve checkout stations will be added. “We’re trying to create a more welcoming space,” said branch manager Shawn Fry. In addition to the repairs and renovations, the number of public access computers will increase, from nine to 11.
All materials located at the Williamsburg Branch will be inaccessible during the closure, according to a press release from the library. Materials can be returned to the Williamsburg Branch during the renovations, via the outside return bins. Branch employees have been trying to prepare for the closure by redirecting holds and informing patrons. All materials scheduled to be
picked up between July 7 and Aug. 1 will be sent to the Owensville Branch, 2548 U.S. 50. Customers who wish to pick up materials from a different branch may do so by calling the branch or specifying the desired location online. The renovations are scheduled to be complete Aug. 1. “I think it’s going to be really nice and really noticeable,” said Fry.
Batavia to repair sidewalks on bridge Village to spend $100,000 on correcting problems By Roxanna Blevins rblevins@communitypress.com
Members of the Clermont Crew show off their refurbished trailer. THANKS TO JON WEIDLICH
Oaks students craft rowing trailer Clermont Crew now has more reliable equipment transportation Students at the Live Oaks and Diamond Oaks Career Campuses used their skills recently to benefit another group of high school students - members of the Clermont Crew. Clermont Crew is a nationally-recognized high school rowing team based on Harsha Lake
JEOPARDY CHAMP VISITS Judy Nichols came home to Batavia as a “Jeopardy Champion.” Full story, B1
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in East Fork State Park. Students from all over Clermont County row on the team and travel around the Midwest to compete at various regattas. In spring 2011, heavy rains caused record floods at Harsha Lake, damaging the Crew facilities.
The 40-foot trailer, used to carry the very long rowing shells to regatta destinations as far away as Canada, is a key piece of equipment. Replacement was out of the question - a new trailer costs $20,000 or more. A major overhaul was needed.
COUNTY BUDGET The Clermont County commissioners approved a “blueprint” of the 2013 budget. Full story, A2
“Since the Crew is essentially a county-wide high school program, it was suggested that perhaps another area high school program could be asked to assist,” said Crew volunteer Derek Hart. “Live Oaks provides a
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BATAVIA — Village council members July 2 appropriated $100,000 for the improvement of sidewalks on the Main Street Bridge. The $100,000 represents an engineer’s estimate for the repairs, said village Administrator Dennis Nichols. Council currently has no estimate from a contractor. Council members said the bridge’s sidewalks are cracked and in disrepair. “It’s pretty unsafe,” said council member Steve Staton. Although council agreed the sidewalks need repairs, concerns were expressed about the effect on the bridge and traffic. The sidewalks rest on the bridge’s decking, so any construction on the bridge affects the sidewalks. “I would hate to spend $100,000 on sidewalks, which then a year later they tear up to put that down,” said council member Robert Handra. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for the bridge; however the sidewalks are the village’s responsibility. Nichols said the bridge is not likely to need repairs, but he will ask ODOT to check before work begins.
Vol. 32 No. 15 © 2012 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED