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Primarily serving Pataskala and surrounding areas
July 24, 2011
Etna eyes levy to pay for deputy patrol By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Community Newspapers The Etna Township trustees met July 16 to consider proposing a dedicated property-tax levy to pay for a sheriff’s deputy to patrol solely within the township boundaries. Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said that no one in the county is currently paying for dedicated patrols, but he does have occasional inquiries.
Trustee John Carlisle estimated the cost at $80,000 to $90,000 annually. “What you get when you contract with the sheriff’s office is service over and above what you get now,” Thorp said. “Obviously we provide law enforcement services for Etna Township, deputies on patrol, the services of our detective bureau, the services of our SWAT team if you should need that, all those things that come with a full service sheriff’s office, you are currently getting.
Pataskala
Council awaits residents’ city pool proposal
“You may ask, ‘why should I contract if I’m already getting all those services?’ What you get above that is a dedicated deputy or deputies, depending on the amount you want to contract for, specifically assigned to Etna Township, providing full-time law-enforcement services.” Thorp said sheriff’s departments have seen the same budget cuts as other political subdivisions. “Budgets are tight,” Thorp said. “We
do not have the number of deputies on patrol we had three, four, five years ago. We’re working on ways to make that happen, but quite frankly, that’s just the reality. I don’t think our levels are unsafe, but they are not as high as I would like to see them.” Thorp said such special contracts are common throughout the state, though his office has not yet used them. “It’s done all around the state,” Thorp said. “As far as I know, it’s never been
DON’T FORGET THE BELT
By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Community Newspapers Pataskala City Council heard a report July 18 that residents of the city expect to come before council in the next month with a plan to open the city pool, which has been closed for the past two years because no organization has been willing to operate it. Jeni Ashbrook, parks and recreation advisory board chair, said volunteers hoped to raise money during the city street fair in August. “We have some really positive dialogue to open the pool in 2012,” Ashbrook said. Any proposal would address the responsibility for operating and capital expenses, Ashbrook said. “We have issues such as the pump not having been run,” Ashbrook said. “Every pool person we’ve had come out has said it is in good shape and should be fine, but it’s a ‘what if.’What if they raise all this money and then later they open up and two weeks in, the pump blows up?” Other decisions about the pool include the possibility of having to spend $8,000 to purchase a permanent cover and winterizing and cleaning up the pool. “It’s like a trampoline,” Ashbrook said of the pool cover. “It would be very secure. No one could get in underneath it.” However, if an organization is going to open the pool, such a cover may not be necessary. “Eight thousand dollars is a lot of money,” Ashbrook said. She also reported that some residents were complaining about large dogs running loose in Foundation Park. “It’s a little scary,” Ashbrook said. Council member Bernie Brush said the city has an existing ordinance and violations of that ordinance should be established before any changes are made.
done in Licking County. It’s a proposition our office would welcome.” One advantage of using the sheriff’s department instead of establishing an independent force is that overhead cost is lower, Thorp said. The township could also choose whether to establish 24-hour service or to focus on a particular shift. “The only difference is, do you want See ETNA, page A4
Licking Heights
Resident challenges board on ‘retire, rehire’ contracts By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Community Newspapers The Licking Heights school board held legally mandated public hearings July 19 on a proposal to rehire two employees who are retiring in order to trigger their state pensions, but who intend to continue working for the district. The employees are Allen Rogers, facilities manager, and Ron Nutter, custodian. District resident Dan Bauer declined to speak during the public hearing but did speak in public comments after the hearing had closed. Bauer said the district should hire qualified people who do not have jobs. “As a taxpayer in this district, I object greatly to this plan based on ethical principles,” Bauer said. “We are living at a time in our economy when we are in big trouble. Many young people are out of work. Ethically, I believe our school districts should not hire employees who have retirement income. I believe the jobs should go to unemployed people who need income to survive in this troubled economy.” Bauer said the district should save money by hiring younger workers. “Hiring new employees rather than retiring employees should result in a savings to the school district,” Bauer said. “Generally speaking, retiring employees are at the top of the pay scale See LICKING HEIGHTS, page A4
SWL board interested in shared Veteran donates bonus check to Salvation Army services By Eric George/ThisWeek
Licking County Settlers assistant coach Justin Walker helps Jaiden Dansby, 5, of Newark, into a uniform for the bootlegged uniform race promotion between innings of their 7-1 win over Stark County on July 21. The Settlers are still in the hunt for a playoff berth. See Sports, page B1.
See POOL PROPOSAL, page A4
By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Community Newspapers A Pataskala veteran and a New Albany business recently offered their support to an organization with a dedicated purpose of helping others. Lowell Marx of Pataskala said he did not need the $350 veteran’s bonus check he received this year from the state of Ohio. He decided to give it to the Salvation Army in Central Ohio. Marx told the Salvation Army he hopes his gift will inspire veterans and others to acts of charitable giving. “I want to encourage other veterans who may not need the money to give it to the Salvation Army or the (American) Red Cross,” he said. Marx was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Ohio State University and
The Vietnam War and Gulf War veteran submitted his bonus check to the Salvation Army on July 21. I want to encourage other veterans That was the same day that Salvation Army representatives picked up their refurbished 1995 emerwho may not need the money to gency mobile canteen vehicle from the Commergive it to the Salvation Army or the cial Vehicle Group (CVG) in New Albany. (American) Red Cross. “She was wore out when we brought her in here,” said Mike Foster, the canteen’s facilitator. The vehicle had only one microwave and a stove. LOWELL MARX Neither was operational. The awning didn’t work, Pataskala veteran either, and the seats were ripped, Foster said. When it was returned, the canteen had two workwent on active duty after graduating from Ohio ing microwaves, a new stove, a repaired generator, State, according to a news release from the Salva- a new awning and new seats. Bill Stimel, CVG’s research and development tion Army. He remained a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army for 23 years, serving in the OrdSee SALVATION ARMY, page A5 nance Corps and retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
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By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Community Newspapers The Southwest Licking school board met July 21 to approve policies for the coming school year and various personnel contracts. Board member Cindy Zaino challenged a contract for professional services for review of IEPs, individual education plans established under federal law for students with disabilities. Zaino said the current contract should be approved but that going forward the district should bring such functions inside, for staff to perform. See SWL BOARD, page A2
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