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Young scores 1,000th point Page B10 184th Year, Number 35
Thursday, February 23, 2012
50 cents
Union Township sponsors recycling grant
Annual flag retirement ceremony set New business operation The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 649 invites Clermont County citizens to the second annual Flag Retirement Ceremony, set for 1 p.m. Sunday, June 10 at the Union Township Civic Center. “Last year we disposed of around 3,000 American flags that were too worn and tattered to be displayed,” said VVA Board member Steve Tam. “The ceremony involves cutting the flags into strips, burning the pieces, and then burying the ashes in an air tight container. It is a very respectful ceremony.” Tam said he is saddened when he sees a tattered American flag flying at a home or business. “This is a symbol of our nation and should be respected,” he said. Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette, including the requirement that when a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. While all of the collected flags will not be burned at the ceremony on June 10, Tam said all will be handled with proper dignity and respect. There are a number of collection sites that have been set-up across Clermont County to accept worn flags from homes, schools, and businesses. The collection sites are listed at www.vva649.org. For more information call (513) 797-4693.
INSIDE Recipes Farro Salad See Page A9
Flashbacks A look at our past See Page A5
could be located on US 50 BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
Union Township Trustees are a sponsor for Evans Landscaping on a grant application that would provide funding for a recycling center on their existing US Highway 50 property. Administrator Ken Geis
discussed the idea with trustees at their Feb. 9 meeting, and they decided the new operation would be an extension of services and also provide additional jobs in the township. “I think this is another good opportunity to expand our commercial and industrial area in the northern
area of the township,” Administrator Ken Geis said. According to Tony Muto, general council for Evans Landscaping, the grant is through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and can provide up to $250,000 to a company for use toward recycling equipment. Muto said the money received must be used on recycling-specific equipment, such as sorting stations, screeners or equipment that
moves recycling materials. “It is a business expansion,” Muto said about opening a recycling operation. “It fits in pretty well with some of the things we do. We are able to generate material that would be recyclable.” Muto said much of the material the company would recycle would be from their own collection or production from the demolition, excavating and site clearing work they com-
plete regularly. He said the company would have to hire up to 10 additional employees for the recycling area if they receive the grant. After receiving sponsorship from Union Township, the company was able to apply for the grant and Muto said they will know by May or June whether or not they have received grant money. The money will be See Grant, Page A3
Becker, Brem run for 65th District Candidates bring passion to issues BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
PHOTO / KRISTIN BEDNARSKI
Batavia Middle School eighth-grade students present their Future City project in front of board members and guests at the Feb. 13 board of education meeting. Students earned second place in the state at the regional competition in Columbus. Speakers are, from left, Alex Young, Blake Hale and Taylor Albright.
Batavia students earn second place in Future City competition More than 40 schools from across the state competed BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
A group of eighth-grade Batavia Middle School students earned second place in the state this year in the Future City Competition by imagining and creating a model city that demonstrates advanced concepts and technology. Students were recognized
for their accomplishment at the Feb. 13 Batavia Local School District Board of Education meeting after they presented their project to board members and guests. “As a science teacher I am so blown away by all the science knowledge you all had in there,” Superintendent Jill Grubb said about the presentation.
The project involved the creation of a detailed model, along with a presentation that explained the futuristic city and how it operates. “They just did an excellent job,” Mary Bradburn, gifted teacher and project supervisor, said. “It is an awesome project.” Students combined their knowledge and skills to create the project, and they were also able to work with Bradburn and their engineer mentor, Laura Michalske, a
Proctor & Gamble Company employee. They used SimCity software to plan the cities and then built a table-top model with recycled materials. Students worked to create a speech about their futuristic city and presented their model and ideas to judges in the regional competition, which took place Jan. 21 in Columbus. The city the students created was called Patilla, and See Batavia, Page A3
Two Republican candidates are each looking to prevail March 6 in the primary election for 65th District State Representative. John Becker and Mike Brem have both lived in Clermont County for several years and both have different experience and Becker ideas to bring to the position. John Becker has lived in Clermont County Brem since 1985. He earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in business and has worked in several industries including manufacturing, insurance and banking. He is currently treasurer at Hillcrest Training School in Hamilton County. Becker has also been Republican State Committee-
B R O A D S H E E T O D D
See Race, Page A3
Covered bridge restoration is on hold BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
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INDEX Opinion.................. A4 Flashbacks............. A5 Crossword............ A6 Library..................... A6 Puzzle.................... A6 Calendar............... A6 Obituaries.............. A7 Recipes ................ A8 Classified .......... B8 Real Estate ......... A12 Legals.................... B2 Sports ................. B10
clermontsun.com Phone:(513) 732-2511 Fax: 732-6344 465 E. Main St., Batavia, 45103 clermontsun@fuse.net
Conflict continues between residents and the Clermont County Engineer's Office this month over the restoration of the historic covered bridge located on StonelickWilliams Corner road. “There is a good chance it is not going to happen anytime soon,” Todd Gadbury, bridge engineer for the Clermont County Engineer's Office, said about the project. The bridge, which is the only covered bridge remaining in Clermont County, has been closed since 2010 after a truck exceeded the three ton weight limit for the bridge and caused significant damage to the base. Engineers knew the bridge would need extensive repairs and began planning for a complete restoration of the nearly 134-year-old structure. Gadbury said a plan was designed to repair structures
damaged, increase the weight limit of the bridge to 12 tons, add additional arches to support the structure and narrow the bridge to prevent large vehicles from being able to cross. “It's about the safety of the traveling public and it is also a priority to preserve the existing truss,” Gadbury said. Much of the problem residents, including Tim and Catherine Rush-Ossenbeck, have with the plan involves preserving the historic structures within the bridge including the Howe truss. “What we're interested in is a true historic restoration of the bridge,” Catherine Rush-Ossenbeck said. “Not taking it a part and replacing the siding and floor.” The Rush-Ossenbecks, who live next to the bridge, said they want to repair the bridge but allow the historical structures to remain just as they were. In addition, they voiced their concerns about the safety of the engineers plan because they feel the increase weight limit
PHOTO / KRISTIN BEDNARSKI
The covered bridge on Stonelick-Williams Corner Road has been closed since a truck damaged it in 2010.
will allow larger vehicles to use the bridge and the road. “Fire trucks and school buses have not been able to go over and it has been fine,” Rush-Ossenbeck said. “The reason we moved to Stonelick Township was because it was a peaceful country road.” The Rush-Ossenbecks,
and other residents who live on or near the road, have been working hard to prevent the engineers from carrying out their current plan by attending many township and village meetings throughout the county as well as commissioners' sessions and engineer meetings.
Their efforts have paid off as commissioners have spoken with the engineers about a compromise. “The county commissioners have decided not to bid the project out until there is some resolution,” Gadbury said. “At this point See Bridge, Page A3
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Plans to be revised as the county looks for a compromise