May 29, 2011
Marysville, county, school district
Local groups identify areas for cooperation By LIN RICE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
In the ongoing attempt to address dwindling resources and proposed cuts in local government funding, several county groups are trying to see if two heads (or three) are better than one. The Union County commissioners
met with Marysville city staff and Marysville school district officials last week to begin a conversation about consolidating some services among the three bodies. Though no plans have been put into action yet, the idea was to open a conversation and get the ball rolling, according to Marysville Mayor John Gore. “Probably about eight or nine years
ago, we had a meeting and talked about what we could do jointly between the city and the county, and for whatever reason things didn’t go forward,” Gore said. “But if we’re going to survive, (it’s going to take) all of us. … One thing I like to say is that 22,000 of us may live in the city of Marysville, but all 52,000 of us live in Union County.”
The initial discussion, held May 26 at the commissioners’ offices, identified potential areas for consolidation or cooperation among the county, city and school district, such as bulk purchasing, safety services, storage space for things like road salt, pooling information-technology services or personnel, records management, training, insurance plans,
consolidating parks maintenance or activities and other areas. Commissioner Gary Lee said the three groups might be able to work together to reduce costs and that Union County residents should be commended for the general spirit of cooperation they already See COOPERATION, page A2
Doc Henderson’s under new management
BEAUTIFICATION
By LIN RICE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek
Phill Francis, Josh Smith and Mark Jones are busy planting flowers May 26 at Mill Creek Apartments. The complex won an award in the Marysville Beautification contest last year and hopes to repeat this year. See story, page A8.
One of Marysville’s best-known restaurants is under new management. Doc Henderson’s Restaurant owner Bob Meeder said May 25 that Columbus-based Sanese Services Inc. has taken over management duties at the eatery, at 318 E. Fifth St. “We had a business agreement that they would manage the restaurant for me, with the intent that (the restaurant) would keep its present market in this area,” Meeder said. “The quality and the personnel will not change.” Meeder said he is retaining ownership of Doc Henderson’s, which he has owned since 2002. Meeder’s own company had managed the restaurant. See DOC HENDERSON’S, page A2
School board considering cost-reduction recommendations By JIM FISCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
A dark cloud was hanging over the Marysville school board May 23 — both figuratively and literally. In addition to the tornado sirens Larry that caused a temporary inter- Zimmerman
ruption to the meeting, members pored over an expected $2.6million budget shortfall expected by the end of the
2012-13 school year. Board members heard a list of recommended measures from Superintendent Larry Zimmerman that included reducing staff, increasing pay-to-participate fees and eliminating coaches and other extracurricular positions. Prior to any action on the pro-
posal, board members requested time to consider the measures and to forward the list to the district’s finance committee. Zimmerman recommended that the board act on the proposal when members meet in June. “We’ve already done a lot” in terms of cost savings, Zimmer-
man said. “There’s not much left we can do.” The district already has announced that 19 of the 22 positions that became open as a result of a retirement incentive offered this spring would not be filled. An additional aide position will be absorbed, as well.
Board president Jeff Mabee pointed to other efforts in transportation, energy efficiency and food service as areas the district has worked to trim the budget without affecting services. These savings will allow the See COST-, page A4
Memorial Day activities planned for Monday By LIN RICE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
A closer look
Marysville residents will gather at Oakdale Cemetery on May 30 to commemorate a special Memorial Day, one that falls on the 150th anniversary of the Civil War’s beginning. Memorial Day events will begin at 9 a.m. at the North Main Street bridge in Marysville to honor the dead lost at sea. First English Lutheran Church pastor, the Rev. Paul Schultz, will serve as chaplain, and the Navy hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” will be played by Elizabeth Ward and Scott Underwood. The Memorial Day parade will start to form at 8:30 a.m. at Plum and Fifth streets and begin at 9:30. The parade will proceed up Fifth Street to Oakdale Cemetery, 1290 W. Fifth St. In case of inclement weather, the route will go to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium on Sixth Street, where the ceremony will be conducted.
The Memorial Day parade will start to form at 8:30 a.m. at Plum and Fifth streets and begin at 9:30. The parade will proceed up Fifth Street to Oakdale Cemetery, 1290 W. Fifth St. In case of inclement weather, the route will go to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium on Sixth Street, where the ceremony will be conducted.
Marysville Police Chief Floyd Golden will serve as parade grand marshal, with the Marysville High School band providing music along the route and at the cemetery. Flags will be distributed to children ahead of the route; the parade
By Paul Vernon/ThisWeek
Relay For Life
Participants in the Union County Relay For Life approach the starting line during the event held at Marysville High School May 20. For more pictures, see page A2.
See MEMORIAL DAY, page A4
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