Page 12 - The Brown County Press - Sunday, May 16, 2010
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County Historical Society, and was appointed to the first Brown County General Hospital Foundation Board. Several people who knew Mr. Rhonemus through his involvement in Brown County activities remember him as a kind and caring person who had a special concern for the wellbeing of the county’s youths. 4-H Volunteerism Praised Becky Cropper, who has been an Extension educator for 4-H in Brown County for 32 years, mentioned mentioned how she worked closely with Mr. Rhonemus when he was Brown County Fair Board president and how he was a real mentor to her in her 4-H work. He also was a member of the Brown County Alumni Association for The Ohio State University and this past year made Buckeye State necklaces for Brown County students who were going to be incoming OSU freshmen, Cropper reported. She said of Mr. Rhonemus’ death, “It certainly will be a loss, but we were privileged to know him and to be able to work with him.” Fair Was Major Part Of Life Brown County Fair Board President Orville Whalen served with Mr. Rhonemus on that board from 1981 to 2002. “He was Mr. Brown County Fair,” the current president commented, adding he had a remarkable life and was dedicated to whatever he did. Whalen said Mr. Rhonemus made a lot of friends statewide “and no doubt he will be
Living Church of Five Mile to hold mini-revival The Living Church of Five Mile will be having revival celebration services May 23 26, 2010. Services will kick off at 10:50 a.m. on Sunday, May 23 immediately followed by a dinner in celebration of Pastor Don White’s birthday. Sunday evening service will begin at 6 p.m., then the remainder of the services will begin at 7 p.m. Guest preacher for all services will be Rev. Donnie Hill, General Overseer of the Church of God Mountain Assembly, headquartered in Jellico, Tenn. The church is located at 16908 US Highway 68, Mt. Orab. For more information call (937) 444-9363 or visit us at www.lc5mile.com
missed”. Head Advisor Lynn Kragler with the Huntington Hot Shots 4-H Club said Mr. Rhonemus, who had been that club’s advisor about 29 years, took her, her husband Rick, and her sister Kay Marshall under his wings when they became the club’s advisors 21 years ago. “He was our rock,” Kragler commented. Noted Song Will Be Missed Marshall was familiar with Mr. Rhonemus, not only for his work with the Huntington Hot Shots, but also for his involvement in Aberdeen’s Annual Memorial Day Program held at its Community Park. Mr. Rhonemus, a World War II veteran, was known for many years by those attending that Memorial Day Program as the singer of the Armed Forces Medley saluting all branches of the military. When he sang a particular branch’s theme song, veterans who served in that branch would stand to be recognized and applauded. Marshall, who is chairwoman of Aberdeen’s Memorial Day Parade and Program, said a recorded tribute to Mr. Rhonemus and all veterans probably will be played at this year’s Program later this month. She said no other singer will be selected this year to take Mr. Rhonemus’ place at the microphone and the Program just won’t be the same without him. “No one will ever replace him in singing.” She said Mr. Rhonemus was a wonderful, kind person who never refused a request she made of him to help with an activity. “You can’t say enough about him.” Brown County Historical Society President Dr. Ned Lodwick said about Mr. Rhonemus, “I would find it hard pressed to come up with a person who has been more important to Brown County during the last 50 years.” Mr. Rhonemus’ funeral was held this past Monday, May 10, at his home church, Ebenezer United Methodist Church in the Fizzleville area. Lodwick said he attended the funeral service and mentioned how he estimated one-third of the people at that packed service stood up to praise Mr. Rhonemus for what
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he done for them or for Brown County. Lodwick said Mr. Rhonemus had served as Brown County Historical Society president for nine years and knew him as a man who would never say “no” to anything he was requested to do. Many Awards Were Received Mr. Rhonemus received many awards during his lifetime, and one was the Horizon Award presented in 2007 by the Brown County Chamber of Commerce. Brown County Former Chamber of Commerce Director Ray Becraft said the Chamber began that award to recognize people who were always “on the horizon” with their involvement in their community. Becraft described Mr. Rhonemus as a God-fearing member of Gideons International who helped staffed that Christian group’s booth at the Brown County Fair. He said Mr. Rhonemus was a “straightforward guy” who made friends quickly, and he could remember people just like they could remember him. “When we lost Al, we lost a goodwill ambassador for Brown County,” Becraft declared this past week. One of Mr. Rhonemus’ final awards was the Pioneer Award presented Feb. 20 at the Eighth Annual Brown County General Hospital Foundation Gala in Batavia Township. The Foundation presents that annual award to a person who has left a lasting mark that has benefited Brown County. A complete obituary for Mr. Rhonemus is on page 7 of today’s edition of The Brown County Press.
Get Grants! Conference On Tuesday, May 11, Maysville Community and Technical College will host the second-annual Get Grants! Conference to help new and experienced grant writers sharpen their skills and increase their chances of securing external funding. The conference will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the college’s Maysville Campus. Plenary and breakout sessions will focus on multiple aspects of grant writing, including: project development, proposal writing, evaluation planning, data research and much, much more. Conference registration is $59 and includes lunch. To register, or for more information, call Maysville Community and Technical College at (606) 759-7141 ext. 66120.
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Garden dedicated in memory of Odessa Patrick A memorial garden was dedicated in the memory of Odessa Patrick on the front lawn of the Decatur Community Center on Monday, May 3. Family, co-workers and friends assembled around the little garden to tribute to the Early Head Start Program manager who tragically lost her life in a four weeler accident this past April at the age of 46.
Mt. Orab man facing death penalty, charged with buying a murder CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ried before he was killed. Tincher was arraigned on May 11 and was ordered held in the Brown County Jail with no bond. He has hired attorney Gary Rosenhoffer of Batavia to represent him. Hensley is in the Brown County Jail on unrelated charges awaiting arraignment. He was already in custody when the other two were arrested on April 30. Hensley was sentenced to eight months in jail on April 28, just eight days after the killing, on unrelated charges of receiving stolen property and non-support of dependents. Brown County attorneys Bruce Wallace and Nick Ring have been appointed to represent him. Should Hensley go to trial on the Aggravated Murder charges, such a death penalty case could cost Brown County 200 thousand dollars or more.
That’s according to Deputy Public Defender Tom Rottinghaus of the Hamilton County Public Defenders Office. The issue of representation for Hensley is complicated because he is entitled by law to two “death penalty certified” public defenders. None of the attorneys in the Brown County Public Defenders Office carry such certification, so Wallace and Ring were appointed by the court. “We’ll look at the discovery (evidence) provided by the state and prepare to move forward with the case”, Wallace said. Wallace and Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Gusweiler defended the last person to sentenced to death from Brown County. Carl Lindsey was sent to death row in September of 1998 for the murder-for-hire killing of Donald “Whitey” Hoop near Upper Five Mile in February of 1997.
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Joseph Aaron Hensley
Lindsey has exhausted all state appeals, but Spokesman Ted Hart of the Ohio Attorney Generals’ Office said Lindsey is currently awaiting the results of an appeal made to a Federal District Judge in 2008.
Meranda’s lawyer files suit response, calls Judge ‘maniac’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Attorney told Defendant not to have Plaintiff arrested without due process, to which Defendant replied ‘I don’t need your ****ing advice.’ Having been put in fear by Defendant and his behavior, Plaintiff gave Defendant the keys he demanded.” The response also references other allegations against Gusweiler in the original suit, including instructions to Meranda’s staff not to accept any filings listing the name of his predecessor and “storming out” of a meeting with other county officials. The response then goes on to counter arguments made by Gusweilers attorneys in their motion to dismiss the case. It cites case law stating that motions to dismiss should not be granted when a Plaintiff can prove facts listed in a complaint. The response then addresses Gusweiler’s judicial immunity from prosecution, saying “Defendants robes do not permit him to behave in the way established in the Plaintiff’s complaint and then claim immunity from his illegal behavior.”
Deters cites case law that says that “A judge who acts without jurisdiction or beyond his official duties stands in the same position as any private citizen, and is subject to the same liability.” A large part of the case appears to hinge on whether Judge Thomas Nurre will rule that Gusweiler’s threat to Meranda of contempt charges and jail was a legal “judicial act” or not. If Nurre decides that Gusweiler was within his power to do so, it weakens Meranda’s case. If Nurre decides, as Deters argues, that Gusweiler improperly used his judicial power, then the case will likely move forward to a jury trial. Deters points out in the response that Gusweiler was warned by County Prosecutor Jessica Little not to have Meranda arrested without due process, saying “Defendants statement and behavior, not to mention the threat of jail without due process of law, put Plaintiff in great fear for her safety and person. Plaintiff gave Defendant the keys he demanded.” Wrapping up the immunity argument, Deters writes “Defendant has not established he is entitled to immunity...(he) has established that he is not entitled to wear the judicial robes he is attempting to hide behind.” Deters also references Gusweilers alleged behavior to bolster his argument that Gusweiler illegally intimidated Meranda by using his judicial powers in an illegal manner. Deters also references the claim by Gusweilers attorneys that he has legal authority over Meranda’s office according to Ohio law. Deters says that “while it may be true as it relates to the narrow segment of Plaintiff’s duties related to Common Please Court only, it ignores entirely that Plaintiff is Clerk of all the courts in Brown County.” As such, Deters argues, Meranda has independent legal authority over her offices and
the records they contain. The response wraps up with a request that Judge Nurre grant a restraining order against Gusweiler that “is tailored to permit Defendant and Plaintiff to each do their jobs, and in particular for Plaintiff to do the job to which she was elected...without fear that the Defendant will again threaten and intimidate her by ordering armed men to throw her in jail.” The next step in the case is for Gusweiler’s attorneys to respond to Deter’s response to their motion to dismiss. A copy of the full Meranda response can be found at www.browncountypress.com.
55th reunion planned for C.A.M.P. attendees In 1956 a unique camping program for young people was created by Dave and Janny Brizius. Originally an outreach of the Gahanna Community Church, the program, greatly expanded, no longer affiliated with one particular church, and now called C.A.M.P. is ongoing, with the Brizius still heading it up! The new name stands for Constructing Assured & Motivated People. This 2010 camp will be the 55th annual one, and so this is a reason for a big celebration! A C.A.M.P. Reunion is planned for over Memorial Weekend where former campers and their families may come to Tar Hollow State Park (where the camp has been held for the past 40 years) and either stay for the weekend in the cabins or just visit for the grand banquet on Saturday evening. Those who remember good times at any of these Briziusdirected camps are all invited to the celebration. Call (937) 365-1388 for more information about the reunion or visit the camp web site at www.sfacamp.org.
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Rhonemus is remembered strength and leadership he provided in county