ThisWeek Marysville 7/3 by Dispatch Magazines/The Columbus Dispatch

July 3, 2011

Board tables decision on teachers’ contract By BRITANY BYERS ThisWeek Community Newspapers

The Marysville Exempted Village School District Board of Education voted 4-1 June 27 to table an offer by the Marysville Education Association to freeze teachers’salaries for two years and forgo a scheduled 1-percent pay increase, sav-

ing the school district $2.78 million. A plan to freeze classified and administrative step increases and salary schedules was also tabled. MEA representatives did not comment on the board’s action at the meeting. Five attempts to reach union members by phone and email before ThisWeek’s press time on Friday, July 1, were unsuccessful.

The board postponed its voting to allow members time to discuss the terms and impacts of each measure. “I move that we table this item until this board has an opportunity to look at the long-term effect of this on our bottom line for our budget and for … the overall effect that it’s going to have on the district,” board president Jeff Mabee said.

If approved, the agreement will save nearly 40 positions that were due to be eliminated during the 2012-2013 school year, but will not save more than 20 others that will be cut for the next school year. The new contract would nullify the terms of the previous teachers’agreement, which was set to expire Dec. 31 and would extend the contract between the district

and the teachers union for two years. Board member Doug Lassiter said since the board didn’t know about the MEA offer until last week, it needs to take its time before making a decision. “I don’t think there’s been a district in 40 years that has offered up step freezes,” See SCHOOL BOARD, page A5

Uptown Friday Nights will return July 8 By BRITANY BYERS ThisWeek Community Newspapers

By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek

Dorothy Liggett-Pelanda is seen here in her yard, which features several gardens. Her home is one of five that will be part of the Union County Master Gardeners 2011 Tour of Gardens to be held on Sunday, July 10.

Garden tour to feature eight stops By BRITANY BYERS ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Garden enthusiasts will traipse their way through Marysville July 10 during the Union County Master Gardeners 2011 Tour of Gardens from 1-5 p.m. The tour, titled “The West Side Garden Story,” will be a walking

or driving tour that consists of five private gardens on the west side of Marysville. Three public locations will also be featured on the tour, including the gardens at the Union County Veterans Monument, the Union County Historical Society and McCloud Park. The Tour of Gardens started in

1996 and was an annual event through 2006. After a four-year break, master gardeners and tour co-chairs Laurie Lowe and Melissa Henry decided to bring the event back to life in 2010. “A lot of people have been regular tour-goers and we’re so glad that we started doing it again,” Lowe said. “Each year it’s a little

different, so you don’t know what you’re going to see. “ The 2010 Tour of Gardens highlighted out-of-town homeowners with acreage. This year, the tour will stay in town and focus on “people who don’t have a lot of acreage, so you get a chance to

The finishing touches are being put on this summer’s first Uptown Friday Nights event, scheduled for July 8. Marysville event promotion coordinator Amanda Morris, who started in the newly created city position in May, has focused A closer look her efforts on Uptown Friday Nights in order to bring the event back Three Uptown Friday Nights events have been planned this summer. The theme of the July for this summer on July 8, event is a community Aug. 12 and Sept. 9. All events will be held between block party. “Marysville has such 6 and 10 p.m. on Court a great community and Street, between West Fifth small-town feel,” Mor- and West Sixth streets. ris said. “The goal is to sort of heighten the awareness for the Uptown businesses to make it more of that unique destination.” As a Marysville native, Morris remembers going to Uptown Friday Nights as a youngster and is excited to bring the event back. “I think it’s become something that we appreciate as a memory,” she said. “If we let those events go away or we forget to put that little effort into them, then what are the kids going to have to do? What are the parents going to have to do?” Morris said Uptown Friday Nights can be used as a way to break a family’s normal routine. “Sometimes you get stuck in a rut and you go to a movie every Friday night,” she said. “It’d be kind of nice to go somewhere different or do something different. “It’s just a nice way to start the weekend on a Friday night,” she added. Uptown Friday Nights was popular in the past for its live music and atmosphere, Morris said. Sticking with tradition, Arnett Howard and the Creole Funk Band and local trio Fever will perform on July 8.

See GARDEN TOUR, page A4 See UPTOWN FRIDAY NIGHTS, page A3

Legion Post 79 members ‘Still Serving America’

MHS robotics team part of runner-up alliance

By BRITANY BYERS

ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Although chartered in August 1920 by World War I and Spanish American War veterans, the American Legion’s motto remains “Still Serving America.” The American Legion is the nation’s largest organization of wartime veterans, and Marysville’s Union Post 79 serves more than 300 members. “As far as the qualifications for membership in the American Legion, you had to have been in the service during a wartime era, but not necessarily seen battle,” explained Rolly Rausch, Union Post 79 adjutant and a former Army commander who served during the Vietnam War era. “The majority of our members now are World War II and Korean War veterans,” Rausch said. In 1927, 24.3 acres were donated to the Legion. Since then, a portion of the land was deeded to

“

ThisWeek Community Newspapers

That’s our whole purpose. To promote patriotism.

”

ROLLY RAUSH

Union Post 79 adjutant

the city of Marysville to create a city park, which is now the American Legion Memorial Park. Due to certain requirements in the contract, the park land can never be developed, said Max Amrine, the Legion’s finance officer. He is a former Navy commander who served during the Vietnam War era. “It has to remain a park,” Rausch added. Rausch said one of the Legion’s most important roles is providing a place for camaraderie. He deSee LEGION POST 79, page A2

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By Eric George/ThisWeek

Marysville High School sophomore and robotics team member Isaac Luther works on the robot, Wilson, during a break during the second annual Connect a Million Minds Robotic Invitational at South High School in Columbus June 25.

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The Marysville High School robotics team, Short Circuits, and their robot, Wilson, finished second after a daylong competition of brains, sport and strategy on June 25. High school robotics and science teams from across Ohio gathered at South High School in Columbus that day for the second-annual Connect A Million Minds (CAMM) Robotics Invitational. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable and its CAMM program, and hosted by the Central Ohio Robotics Initiative (CORI), the event involved 24 teams. Ann Ralston, one of the CORI committee members, said the competition was originally created in an attempt to “make science cool.” “Sports stars (and) rock stars get more credibility and limelight and are held up more highly than some of our scientists and astronauts,” Ralston said. The purpose of the competition was to boost awareness of competitive robotics as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics education (STEM) in the community. Five students — senior Devin Burge, sophomore See MHS ROBOTICS TEAM, page A4

The 2011 Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games were held June 24-26 at various locations in the Columbus area. To view a multimedia presentation on opening day, visit ThisWeekNEWS.com.

ThisWeek Community Newspapers Marysville

Page A2

Legion Post 79 members ‘Still Serving America’ Continued from page A1 scribed Post 79 as “a place for veterans to go and share stories with other veterans.” “We encourage them (Legion members) to come to the meetings and get involved with community projects,” Rausch said. With the nation’s birthday approaching, Post 79 has taken charge of planning for the city’s celebration. “We have a lot of emphasis on projects for the youth,” Rausch said. Legion members will be handing out miniature American flags to all the kids along the Independence Day parade route in an effort to encourage patriotism. “That’s our whole purpose,” Rausch said. “To promote patriotism.” “And respect for the flag,” Amrine added. Amrine said the July 4 events are a good opportunity for a family to participate in something to-

gether. The day will begin with a pancake breakfast from 7-9 a.m. at the American Legion building on West Fifth Street in the American Legion Memorial Park. The breakfast costs $6 per person. Following the breakfast, kids’ bicycles that have been decorated in patriotic themes will be judged in front of the American Legion building. The Independence Day parade will start to form at 9:15 a.m. at the American Legion Memorial Park driveway and step off at 10 a.m. There is no pre-registration required to participate in the parade. Rausch said the community turns out in full force for the parade each year. The parade will proceed east on Fifth Street through the town square to Plum Street, turn west and end at the courthouse parking lot. Fireworks will follow the day’s events and will be set off at the Union County fairgrounds at dusk.

July 3, 2011

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The total cost of the July 4 events is approximately $8,000, with the fireworks alone costing about $7,000. “We put on a very respectable display,” Rausch said. Rausch and Amrine agreed that one of the Legion’s goals is to make the community aware of its patriotic responsibility. Compared to 25 years ago, there are fewer veterans in Union County today, Rausch said. “It’s sad to see the World War II veterans leaving us as fast as they are on a nationwide basis,” he said. “We’re seeing that impact locally. “There’s no doubt in my mind that the veterans of tomorrow are going to be just as patriotic as the veterans of today,” Rausch continued. He added that patriotism isn’t limited to veterans: “Even though you didn’t serve doesn’t mean you can’t be patriotic.” bbyers@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekNews.com

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ThisWeek Community Newspapers Marysville

July 3, 2011

Page A3

Marysville man charged in attack on woman By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Community Newspapers

A Marysville man faces kidnapping and felonious assault charges after allegedly attacking a woman in a room at the Worthington Holiday Inn on June 18. Nicholas L. Porreca II, 33, of Marysville, faces two felony counts in connection with the incident, which occurred after he allegedly lured the woman

to his room, promising to show her a list of wines he serves at wine-tastings. The woman was at the North High Street hotel to attend a wedding, according to police reports. She was standing outside, smoking a cigarette, when Porreca allegedly began talking to her. He said he was in town to put on a winetasting and offered to give her information she could use when hosting an upcoming event, according to reports. The woman allegedly went to the

man’s room on the third floor but waited in the hallway. When he came out with a wine list, he grabbed her and pulled her into the room, according to police reports. He put her in a chokehold, placed a bag over her head and wrapped a cord around her neck, police reports said. The woman fought back and was able to escape. She sustained minor injuries, which were treated by Worthington medics.

Union County chamber passes TPP resolution The Union County Chamber of Commerce board of trustees has approved a resolution requesting an amendment to the state’s biennial budget to reinstate the tangible personal property (TPP) tax reimbursement payments to local governments. Prior to 2005, TPP taxes were paid by local companies to local governments. With the passage of House Bill 66 in 2005, the TPP tax was phased out in lieu of a commercial activity tax (CAT). To lessen the impact of the loss of a local tax,

the state agreed to use CAT tax dollars to replace the loss of TPP taxes to the local governments. However, the proposed 2012-2013 state budget eliminates CAT revenue from being returned to local governments. Instead, the replacement revenue will remain as part of state revenues. “The Union County Chamber of Commerce would like to see these Union County tax dollars returned to the people of Union County,” chamber board president Jacquey Yoder said.

Staff members at the Holiday Inn called Worthington police about 20 minutes after the alleged assault. The assailant had fled. Porreca was found at about 3 a.m. at the Waffle House on East DublinGranville Road at I-71, according to police. He later complained of chest pains and was transported to St. Ann’s Hospital in Westerville, where he was placed in the cardiac-care unit.

Metro Park district The following is a list of Colum- day at the Prairie View Picnic bus and Franklin County Metro- Area. Tour part of the Darby Plains politan Park District programs for prairie and learn about its history. this week. • Bluebirds and Binoculars, 2 p.m. Saturday at the WhisperPrairie Oaks Metro Park ing Oaks Picnic Area. Help the 3225 Plain City-Georgesville naturalist check bluebird boxes Road, West Jefferson and learn how to use binoculars. • Prairie Walk, 9 a.m. Satur• Homeschoolers: Pretty

tion for math appraisal purposes,” Weaver said. To receive the AAS designation, she had to complete a rigorous course of classes in topics related to tax policy, property evaluation and tax administration. The courses included three related to appraising real estate, one on assessment administration and one on tax policy. Weaver also completed a required two-day course on professional appraisal practice stan-

dards known as Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, an assessment administration case study examination and a required four-hour final examination. “I do have a sense of pride in what I’ve been able to accomplish,” Weaver said. “It’s nice to be recognized for my achievements, but I just want to make it practical in my everyday efforts with the citizens of Union County.” — Britany Byers

Prairie, 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Whispering Oaks Picnic Area. Hike two miles through the prairie. Interpreters and assistive listening devices for persons with hearing impairments are available. Call 891-0700 (TDD 895-6240) to schedule these services.

& FRE GE E P Lim T IC ite dt KU im $ 5 eo ffe 0 B P ru AC nt il J uly K 31

Auditor earns special designation The International Association of Assessing Officers has given Union County Auditor Andrea Weaver the designation of assessment administration specialist (AAS), a status only 162 individuals in the U.S. have attained. Weaver earned this designation after three years of hard work. “What this designation would reveal is that I have extensive education experience in the area of assessment administration and understanding property evalua-

Police put out a warrant for his arrest and he was taken into custody after he was released from the hospital June 19. Police said the only previous charge they could find on Porreca was an outof-state drug charge. Worthington detective Mike Holton said evidence of drug activity was seen in the hotel room. He also said Porreca was under the influence of some kind of drug at the time of the incident.

RELAX.

RECYCLE.

REWARD.

UPTOWN FRIDAY NIGHTS Aug. 12 and Sept. 9. 10 p.m. on Court Street, between Uptown Friday Nights are open West Fifth and West Sixth streets. Food vendors scheduled to to the public and are free. All Uptown Friday Nights will take make an appearance in July in- events will be held between 6 and place rain or shine. clude Rick’s Grill, Barry’s Perch and More, A Step Above, Goodies and More, Jumbo Ice Tea and Farmhouse Ice Cream Parlor. “We have some really great local vendors that have become staples of the community,” Morris said. “Rick’s Grill, Barry’s Perch and More … (and) Jumbo Ice Tea stand are a few of the names that we’re so familiar with. But you can’t eat there every night, or every weekend for that matter, because they’re only at Exceptionally well maintained one owner home only 15 minutes to Dublin those events.” Open/spacious 2-sty foyer w/ceramic floors carrying to kitchen/ Court Street will host the veneat in area/1/2 bath & 1st floor laundry/ spacious loft a den or study area. White 42” raised panel cabinets w/crown molding in kitchen w/island area dors, but few will be selling breakfast bar /sliding doors to Paver Patio w/Pergola/ 9’ Vaulted goods. If people want to shop, ceiling Fam Rm w/Fpl/ Master Suite w /deluxe bath - $259,700. Kathy Phillips-Teale, ABR Morris suggests heading to the View all homes The McCurdy Team Uptown. on our website: 614-818-7254 www.KurtMccurdy.com Kathy.Teale@realliving.com Face-painting, cornhole and a cupcake walk will be available for children, and there will also be an appearance by Charlie Brown. Teens can take part in the Union County Drug-Free Youth Coalition’s Chalk the Block event. Pre-registration is required. Morris said her goal through the Uptown Friday Nights events is to take any profit and put it back into future events and the Uptown. “Whatever we can do to revitalize and keep the growth of the Uptown going,” she said. Morris encourages the community to come out for the summer’s first Uptown Friday Nights. “There’s nothing better than enjoying some live music and getting out of your house instead of sitting in front of the TV, so why not? Why not come out?” Two other Uptown Friday Nights events are scheduled for Continued from page A1

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ThisWeek Community Newspapers Marysville

Page A4

July 3, 2011

Premium Pet Foods & Supplies Lowest Prices Guaranteed! Members of Marysville High School’s Short Circuits robotics team include (from left) sophomore Cameron Wheeler, mentor Josh Kramer, sophomore Isaac Luther and sophomore Clay DuVal.

MHS robotics team part of runner-up alliance Continued from page A1 Isaac Luther, senior Kyle McGlone, sophomore Clay DuVal and sophomore Cameron Wheeler — and two mentors, David Burge and Josh Kramer, represented MHS at the event. Luther said he has been fascinated with robotics since he was a younger and toured the Honda manufacturing facility. “I also realized that colleges look for these kinds of things,” Luther said. “I can have fun playing with robots, learn about mechanics and engineering and start setting my path for the future. “I’m looking for a career in robotics or some sort of engineering,” he said. “Learning all about these formulas and how torque works and stuff like that, it applies everywhere.” In January, the Short Circuits received instructions and requirements for this year’s competition. The team had six weeks to build a 120-pound robot for its rookie appearance in April. “Not everything’s a competition. There are more important things than just winning,” said Kramer, an engineer at Honda R&D Americas. “It’s more about the learning experience. Our program is set up so that the mentors don’t really do the work, they just enable the students to actually do the work themselves.” The competition game, dubbed LOGO MOTION™, consists of two competing alliances, each made up of three teams, pitting student-built robots against each other. The robots competed to hang inflated plastic tubes on grids during a two-minute,15-second match. The higher the teams hung the inflated shapes on their scoring grid, the more points their alliance received. In an effort to continue the program during the summer, the CAMM Robotics Invitational was

created as an off-season event. “The off-season event is a reincarnation of the same competition (from April),” Ralston said. “They use the same robot, but they have an opportunity to tweak it from what they’ve learned.” The team’s goal for this competition was to build and deploy a minibot. If the minibot were successfully deployed and climbed to the top of a pole at the end of a match, the alliance would be awarded up to 30 points. “Our goal was to have a minibot,” Luther said. “We actually built the minibot; we just didn’t have a way to deploy it from the host robot.” With a versatile robot, Short Circuits’ strategy was to play both offense and defense. After placing 22nd in the qualification rounds, the Short Circuits team was chosen to be on the second-place team’s alliance to compete in the elimination matches. The alliance made it to the finals and was awarded the runner-up alliance award. “We all felt really good at the end of the day,” Luther said. Ralston said the alliance-based competition “creates a level of collaboration that you don’t see in businesses.” “The students who have been participating in this event know how to collaborate, they know how to work on teams, they actually know how to manage products much better than their peers who have not been involved,” Ralston said. Next year, the team plans to expand on the current robot and compete again. Luther said the team had a great rookie season, but is looking forward to doing better next year and is already setting goals. “This is the first real STEM thing in Marysville,” he said. “It’s really our job to pioneer the way through and cut the brush to show people that this is where the future is going.”

Garden tour to feature eight stops in Marysville Continued from page A1 see what you can do, even with a small yard,” Lowe said. Master gardener Joan Griffin said this tour acquaints Marysville residents with some of the natural places in town. “We have public gardens this year and I know people can do that on their own but they don’t,” Griffin said. “So many people have moved into Marysville that probably have no knowledge that there is even a Historical Society beautiful herb garden. I think it (the tour) helps people get acquainted with the community and have a better feeling about where they live.” During the process of choosing the stops on this year’s tour, a group of master gardeners looked for gardens that incorporated some sort of educational component. The 2011 tour features a rain garden, bulb garden, container garden and other gardening techniques. “It’s a fun experience to see what other people do and get ideas,” Griffin said. “We feel like if people are going to come, they should feel that they learned something as well.” Master gardeners and the homeowners will be present at each tour location to explain specific gardening techniques and answer questions. Lisa Little, owner of one of the private tour locations, described her garden as “eclectic.” “If I like it, I put it there,” she said. “There’s no real rhyme or reason to my garden.” Little uses different containers to add color to her garden, including a kitchen strainer and teacups. “There are different styles of gardens that fit different people’s tastes and different people’s properties and homes,” Little said. “In my garden, I hope they find that you can use just about anything to plant something in, rather than

just staying with the standard pot.” Little’s garden will feature a compost pile. She said she composts everything from kitchen scraps to weeds to coffee grounds. “I found an out-of-the-way place in the corner of my yard and made a pile and just keep throwing stuff on the top of the pile,” she said. Little uses the compost to rebuild her flowerbeds each year. “It’s a good way to recycle and reuse rather than putting it in the bags that go to the landfill,” she said. Dorothy Liggett-Pelanda, another private garden homeowner on the tour, has been working in her gardens since 1987 when the house was built. “The key, I think, to a successful garden is a good mixture or good balance of colorful annuals with perennials,” she said. Liggett-Pelanda’s goal has been to develop a garden that is environmentally friendly. The tour will highlight her rain garden. “A rain garden is a planted depression in a yard that has a city sewer (drain), so that when the runoff from the street occurs in my yard, instead of it being a flooded area, it’s absorbed,”

Liggett-Pelanda said. “The purpose of the rain garden is to improve water quality throughout,” she said. “By using plants that don’t use fertilizer, the water that’s going into the city sewer is going to be better.” Liggett-Pelanda described her gardening experience this year as a “stay-cation.” “It is an ongoing source of pleasure, education and fun,” she said. “It is very rewarding to spend your summer in your yard, creating something for the pleasure not only of your family, but for all of those who pass by or who visit and enjoy it.” More information about the day’s events, including the addresses of the five private homes, will be provided on the day of the tour. Pre-tour tickets cost $8 and can be purchased at McAuliffe’s Ace Hardware, Natural Accents Florist, Twisted Sister Florists or Scheiderer Farms Greenhouse. Tickets will cost $10 on the day of the tour and can be purchased at the Union County Veterans Monument on the courthouse lawn, 215 W. Fifth St. bbyers@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekNews.com

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ESTATE BUYERS PAYING ON THE SPOT THIS WEEK FOR YOUR VALUABLES! David Morgan STAFF WRITER On this rare occasion, the town of Marysville has the chance to host Premiere Estate Buyers at the Comfort Inn. “We are paying local residents this week on the spot for their treasures,” said Jordan Parsons, a spokesperson for the event. The main items of interest, said Parsons, are anything jewelry related, with gold over the $1,400 mark. Another category that has recently increased due to market highs is coins. One coin could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. “Coins start to accumulate a premium when they are dated 1964 or earlier,” said Parsons. The astonishing part about the event is that they will pay you on the spot. Nothing has to be mailed off while you are stuck waiting for a check. This is not an appraisal event either— we are here to purchase residents’ items for a fair market value.

“IT’S UNBELIEVABLE, I BROUGHT IN SOME OLD COINS THAT HAD BEEN IN A LITTLE CIGAR BOX FOR YEARS AND SOME OLD HERRINGBONE NECKLACES—IN LESS THAN FIFTEEN MINUTES I LEFT WITH A CHECK FOR $700.” Premiere is capable of paying a higher percentage because of their vast network of clients. It also saves on refinery charges because of the large volumes they deal in. Smaller dealers, in most cases, cannot pay as high of a premium. Huge premiums can also be paid for vintage watches. Parsons explained that, “One time in a show in Illinois, a customer brought in a watch that they had bought for a few hundred dollars

back in the seventies. Turns out, it was a rare submariner that brought the local resident in excess of a thousand dollars.” Parsons continued to say that Rolex, Cartier, Patek Phillipe, Hamilton and Omega are all great brands that could bring in a large amount of money. The company recently purchased an old Gibson guitar in Grand Rapids, Michigan for $124,500. And just last week they paid a Huntsville, Alabama resident $15,000 for an old Martin guitar that had been refurbished and altered. Parsons said that most all pre1970 Gibson, Fender, Martin, National and Rickenbacker guitars are valuable. They are worth at least a couple hundred dollars and in extreme cases, a couple hundred thousand. Another ecstatic customer exclaimed, “It’s unbeleivable, I brought in some old coins that had been in an old cigar box for years and some old herringbone necklaces—in less than fifteen minutes I left with a check for $700.” Residents are encouraged to gather up similar items from their lockboxes, closets, jewelry boxes and even under the bed. Bring them into the Premiere Estate Buyers event and cash in. “We are fortunate to host the event here in Marysville,” said Parsons, “—don’t miss your opportunity to cash in.”

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July 3, 2011

SCHOOL BOARD Continued from page A1 Lassiter said. â€œI think the teachers did it because they actually do care about the community, but the fact that the unions even allowed them to take those freezes is clearly because of Senate Bill 5.â€? Mabee said the offer â€œis a very generous and an outstanding offer and effort on MEAâ€™s part.â€? â€œUnfortunately, I donâ€™t believe this board has had the opportunity to take the time to understand the overall effect of this contract,â€? he said. Board member John Freudenberg cast the lone vote against tabling the MEA contract. Freudenberg said he was familiar with the offer and wanted to vote on it Monday to move it forward. â€œTo me, it felt like it was a good deal for the school system and so I wanted to make sure that it was then implemented in a timely fashion,â€? Freudenberg said. Salary notices must be sent out to all Marysville Exempted School District staff members by June 30. With the item tabled at the June 27 meeting, salary notices will be

sent out with a 1-percent pay increase and scheduled step increases. The postponement could create a legal issue if the board approves the contract after salary notices are sent out, treasurer/CFO Cindy Ritter said. â€œIt could be that if they did do something (approve the contract), they couldnâ€™t take the steps away,â€? Ritter explained. â€œIt has to be a uniform reduction in salary.â€? Ritter said it will be up to an attorney to advise what can be done if the contract is implemented after June 30. â€œItâ€™ll just be unfortunate if it turns into some sort of a legal issue,â€? Mabee said. â€œIt wouldâ€™ve been nice if we couldâ€™ve been able to act on it at our last meeting.â€? The board scheduled a meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, July 8, to further discuss the contract in executive session. It is expected that the board will vote on the tabled items following the executive session. In other action June 27, the board voted to accept approximately $153,000 of additional reductions and $153,000 of additional fees to assist with balancing the districtâ€™s

budget. These changes are in addition to approximately $1 million already eliminated from the budget by absorbing staff positions following retirements. The board approved an additional $50 pay-to-participate fee ($200 per activity), the reduction of 16 high school and eight middle school coaching/activity positions, the elimination of approximately 30 percent of extended-time contracts, a $10 middle school and $30 high school student government fee, the reduction of approximately 30 percent of summer workers and $50,000 of food service to support custodial and utility help. â€œFrom the state on down, the funds are just tighter and tighter,â€? Freudenberg said. â€œWhat weâ€™re trying to do as a board is look at this and say, â€˜All right, where are we spending funds that may be disproportionate to the expenses and how can we divert those expenses into other places?â€™â€? Freudenberg said what it comes down to is â€œtrying to make the extracurricular activities become more self-supportive.â€?

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Wrestling

Weight classes adjusted for next season By FRANK DiRENNA ThisWeek Community Newspapers Some area high school wrestling coaches aren’t pleased with the new guidelines for weight classes but realize their teams will need to adapt. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) approved the changes during its meeting April 46 in Indianapolis. Tim Stried, director of information services for the Ohio High School Athletic Association, said the changes will

be in effect for the coming season. It is the first significant change in weight classes in 23 years. The lowest weight class, 103 pounds, is being increased to 106, which resulted in new weights in 10 of the 14 classes. The new weight classes are 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285. Only 145, 152, 160 and 285 remain unchanged. The previous weight classes were 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215 and 285.

“The NFHS has been studying the weight classes in wrestling for several years to determine which weight classes are most appropriate for today’s student-athletes across the country that will result in fewer classes going unfilled,” Stried said. “These new weight classes are the result of countless hours of data analysis by the NFHS, and Ohio will certainly comply with the new weight classes. Like anything, it will take some time for our member schools to be comfortable with the changes, but we can all appreciate that the NFHS is

trying to do the right thing for kids.” Marysville coach Shawn Andrews said his program will adapt to the new guidelines, and he believes the changes actually might help his team next season. Andrews said he expects the lower weights to be a strength of his program. “Looking at it selfishly for a year or two, it helps Marysville specifically because it’s where we have more guys than less guys, but in the broad scope of wrestling, it seems a little odd that they took away a weight class from

some of the weight classes that are most competitive and then added some at the top,” Andrews said. “It helps some kids from football or some kids who are concerned about losing too much weight between 171 and 189.” Westerville North coach David Grant is concerned that the increase in the lowest weight to 106 will adversely affect lighter competitors. Grant said his 103-pounder last season, Santino DiSabato, weighed beSee WRESTLING, page A8

Commentary

Athletes strive to excel in school Last week, the student-athletes writing in my summer series discussed the importance of balancing their time to prepare for and excel in both the classroom and in competition. This week, the seniors-tobe are focusing on the importance of having a good academic LARRY record. LARSON Austin Cuervo, St. Charles, golf: “In school, if you study and work hard, good grades will come; you can always count on that. In sports, even if you practice hard and play hard, you cannot always play well or perform well just because of the substantial amount of luck it involves. Studying has always got your back, sports do not.” Chase Delande, Hilliard Davidson, football and wrestling: “Academic success really helps in the long run, especially with colleges who love it when you can make an impact both on and off the field.” Morgan Ransom, Columbus Academy, golf: “My goal was always to play Division I golf at a school with strong academics. Coaches definitely look at your grade-point average and standardized test scores, so be prepared.” Jake Blankenship, Gahanna, pole vault: “Grades are very important because they only help you look better as an athlete and as a successful person.” Faith Washington, Reynoldsburg, track: “I always have felt as though someone with a good academic record shows a great amount of potential for strong leadership. In this world, you are either leading your own life or waiting for someone to do it for you. You don’t want that.” Michela Paradiso, Upper Arlington, soccer and basketball: “A strong academic record is important because it allows you to keep your options open for college and beyond. It is also important to remember that sports are just a segment of life and so I strive to be a well-rounded person.” Mary Wells, Westerville Central, bowling: “Colleges look at your whole schooling career, not just one year. You have much better chances being a great student than being a great athlete.” Jimmy Gammill, New Albany, football: “Great academics can open up many doors if you are seeking to play sports at the college level. Even if playing at the next level isn’t your dream, good grades and good test scores are essential for applying to colleges.” Napoleon Bell, Hartley, football and wrestling: “With a good academic record comes great discipline. This discipline carries over into sports and daily life.” Next week, the student-athletes consider the importance of having self-confidence when they are competing in their sports. I’ll see you at a game.

By Chris Parker/ThisWeek

Former Dublin Scioto and Ohio State standout Jay Richardson speaks with those attending his camp June 24 at Scioto. The camp was for boys ages 11-18 and focused on teaching life skills.

Football

Camp focuses on success off field By FRANK DiRENNA ThisWeek Community Newspapers While many football camps stress Xs and Os, the Jay Richardson Camp at Dublin Scioto High School focused on life skills. The second annual camp, which was held June 24-25, was open to boys ages 11-18. Richardson, a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks who played at Ohio

State and graduated from Scioto in 2002, said he was thrilled that he could hold the camp at his alma mater. The theme of the camp was “There is more to sports than the game,” and Richardson said he was eager to share that message. “This means a lot,” Richardson said. “It’s awesome that the high school was with me on this to get all these kids in here. It’s awesome that we can get the kids educated on what their options are

and their future outside of their sport.” Forty-seven boys attended last year’s inaugural camp at American Methodist Episcopal Church on North Hamilton Road in Columbus. There were 104 at this year’s camp at Scioto. “We’re telling the kids there’s more to sports than the game and if you don’t learn the stuff that’s really important then football doesn’t matter and soccer doesn’t matter,” said Deborah Johnson, a coordinator of the event and Richardson’s moth-

er. “Sports won’t matter if you’re not doing the right thing, if you’re not a gentleman and if you don’t have good grades, so we’re teaching them how to do those other things right.” Those messages were conveyed by guest speakers who included area court, police and military officials. Michael Carter, who will be entering sixth grade at Tree of Life, said he learned See FOOTBALL, page A8

Women’s Basketball

Area players hone skills with Hidden Gems By JARROD ULREY ThisWeek Community Newspapers

At a glance

Tapre Young could have several options in terms of her basketball career if things continue in the direction they’ve been going this summer. Now in her third season as a captain on the Columbus Hidden Gems semi-professional team, the 2004 Dublin Scioto High School graduate is one of the top outside shooters in the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League. At 5-foot-11, Young averages more than 15 points and has been shooting better than 50 percent from 3-point range. That combination could make her an attractive possibility for overseas teams looking for players for their seasons, which begin in the fall. “I haven’t played anywhere overseas, but hopefully I will

Below are members of the Columbus Hidden Gems women’s basketball team with area ties: Name High school College Janicia Anderson Africentric Wilberforce Ashleigh Brown Delaware Miami University Sherrie Griffin Mifflin Central State Tina Huff Walnut Ridge Alcorn State Ebony Pegues Brookhaven Massachusetts *Lorrie Poindexter Beechcroft Central State *Tapre Young Dublin Scioto Salem International *Co-captains

after this season,” Young said. “I really wouldn’t mind playing in Spain, France or anywhere in Europe. I’d even consider Australia. Any time you can get paid for what you do, it’s a good thing.” If Young is unable to land a professional contract, she has an offer to serve as an assistant coach for the Talladega (Ala.) College women’s team. After graduating from Scioto, Young played two seasons for

Muskingum and two seasons for Salem International, a Division II school in Salem, W.Va. She then served one season as a student-assistant coach and graduated from Talladega College. Young, who celebrated her 25th birthday June 26, is one of seven players on the Hidden By Paul Vernon/ThisWeek Gems who are central Ohio naEbony Pegues (right) of the Columbus Hidden Gems drives past tives. Oakland-Macomb’s Kara Kinser during a recent WBCBL game.

See GEMS, page A8 Pegues is a Brookhaven graduate.

ThisWeek Community Newspapers Marysville

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July 3, 2011

Baseball

Buckeye Elite event to attract more than 200 teams By FRANK DiRENNA ThisWeek Community Newspapers

About 210 teams from 15 states and Canada are scheduled to play in the eighth annual Buckeye Elite Showcase Tournament that will be held Wednesday, July 6, through July 10 in central Ohio. The tournament is divided into four divisions: Under-14, U-15, U-16 and U18. More than 40 area high school and college fields will play host to games, said Jeff Dutiel, the chief financial officer for the tournament. The event begins with a skills showcase on July 6 at Dublin Coffman, where athletes will test their abilities in front of college coaches and pro scouts. Worthington-based Big League Baseball School will conduct the invitation-only event.

“Our biggest thing is to get the kids looks for colleges,” Dutiel said. The competition also will feature a Buckeye Elite Night on July 8 at Huntington Park. Before the Columbus Clippers’ game against the Toledo Mud Hens, the teams in the tournament will parade onto the field and players will participate in onfield contests. Players also will have a chance to be honorary bat boys and throw out the first pitch. In tournament play, each division will be divided into pools: 20 four-team pools in U-18, 16 four-team pools in U-16, 14 three-team pools in U-15 and four fiveteam pools in U-14. In U-18, the winner of each pool will advance to gold championship singleelimination play, leading up to the gold championship game on July 10 at Hunt-

ington Park. The second-place team in each pool will compete in silver championship play, with the title game to be played at Olentangy High School on July 10. In U-16, the gold championship game will be at Huntington Park and the silver championship game will be at Dublin Coffman on July 10. In U-15, the gold and silver championship games will be at Dublin Jerome on July 10. In U-14, the gold and silver championship games will be at Don Edwards Park in Newark on July 9. Each team that does not qualify for gold or silver championship play will compete in a consolation game on July 9. The Ohio Elite baseball program is expected to field teams in the U-14, U15 and U-18 divisions. Dublin Jerome coach Chris Huesman

will guide his U-17 team in the U-18 division. “The Under-17 is the most critical time for a high school player in summer ball because that’s where all the college coaches are,” Huesman said. “All the college coaches are recruiting for their 2012 class and this is the most important time for these kids, so you want to take them to all the showcases or tournaments that will have the most exposure, and Buckeye Elite is one of those.” The Columbus Cobras baseball program will enter teams in the U-14 and U-18 divisions. Harry Huskey will coach the U-18 team, which won the tournament in 2009. “The caliber of this tournament is really good,” Huskey said. “There are teams from all over the Midwest. We use this tournament to see where we’re

at before we head off to the World Series.” Grove City coach Ryan Alexander said competing in summer tournaments are key to the program’s success. He led the Greyhounds to a Division I state semifinal this spring, losing to Liberty Township Lakota East 7-2 on June 2 at Huntington Park. Grove City will have teams in the U16 and U-18 divisions. “This is a tournament that has some of the best teams in the state and best teams in the nation,” Alexander said. “It’s a great summer tournament. These kids end up seeing a lot of the same guys that they’ve seen already all year long playing on these summer travel teams.” fdirenna@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekSPORTS.com

GEMS Continued from page A7 “(The Women’s Blue Chip League) is good competition, especially when you get to nationals,” Young said. “I like the fact that you get an opportunity to play and it gives you the opportunity to get looked at overseas. It’s a chance to showcase your talents.” After getting off to a 2-0 start, the Hidden Gems were 3-4 after losing to the Cleveland Crush 84-74 on June 25. On Saturday, July 2, Columbus will play host to the OaklandMacomb Run from Oakland, Mich., in a Northeast Division game. The Hidden Gems lost to the Run 87-67 on June 5 but won a rematch 97-85 on June 12. The Hidden Gems play their home games at Lazelle Woods Recreation Center in north Columbus near Worthington.

The roles of Young and cocaptain Lorrie Poindexter, a 2003 Beechcroft graduate in her second year playing for Columbus, are more extensive than a year ago when former Ohio State player Brandie Hoskins and former Bowling Green player Niki McCoy were among the key players. Jeannie Saunders, who also was a captain a year ago, has been out with an injury but could return in July. Saunders and 2006 Delaware graduate Ashleigh Brown, who has played limited minutes with the Hidden Gems this season because of other commitments, recently signed extensions to play for a team in Sweden in the fall. Jamika Banks, a Fort Wayne, Ind., native who also was expected to play for Columbus, currently is playing in Australia.

Catherine Cain, a Dayton native, has been averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds. Jessica Slack, a Thornville Sheridan graduate, averages 13 points. The other central Ohio natives on the Hidden Gems are 1999 Brookhaven graduate Ebony Pegues, 2001 Mifflin graduate Sherrie Griffin, 2006 Africentric graduate Janicia Anderson and 2003 Walnut Ridge graduate Tina Huff. Columbus has three games remaining in the regular season before competing in the regional tournament in late July in Flint, Mich. The national tournament will be held Aug. 6-7 in Atlanta. Poindexter will begin her third season this winter as the girls basketball coach at Walnut Ridge. “I think everything is going OK,” said Poindexter, who is av-

eraging 14 points and five assists. “We’re a whole new team really and we’ve just got to work together better. We’re better than the teams that have beaten us. We don’t have any superstars this year. Our team has a whole

lot of heart and we just have to keep our team chemistry. By the time we get to Atlanta, we’ll be fine.” julrey@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekSPORTS.com

tween 85 and 90 pounds, but now is moving closer to 106 in preparation for next season. “I don’t like the weight class changes because it hurts the kids that are little,” Grant said. “I have Santino DiSabato, who had a hard time making 103. Now they take it to 106, so it hurts the younger kids, the freshmen. You’re going to have a lot of kids not able to be competitive at that weight. They’re too young, too little.” Hilliard Davidson coach Dominic DiSabato, Santino’s uncle, is not in favor of the shift in weight classes. “For our program, I’m not a big fan of it,” he said. “We’ll try to get every weight class filled and then wrestle. It will hurt us in duals. Hopefully, we have a couple bigger kids coming out

for the team next year and it won’t hurt us as bad as it could have in the past. We just have to have our wrestlers wrestle the best they can. The other schools are in the same position we are.” According to the NFHS, the last major change in weight classes occurred in 1988, when the lowest class was increased from 98 to 103. The only other changes since then were in 2002, when the number of classes went from 13 to 14 and the 215-pound weight class became mandatory, and in 2006, when the 275pound class was increased to 285. The NFHS also adopted a rule change involving the figure four hold around the head, which now is illegal. Previously, the figure four was illegal around the body or both legs. “I like the new rule, it will work out,” Grant said. “The figure four is unfair. It’s a pretty big

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Sports Shorts Policy Sports Shorts are a one-of-a-kind guide to area sports-related events. Whether it’s a clinic, camp, league signups or other function, Sports Shorts is a great way to get the word out! For more info or to place your ad contact: Paul Krupa phone: 614-883-1914 Fax: 614-438-8159 Email pkrupa@thisweeknews.com Be sure to include your name, address & phone number where you can be reached.

WRESTLING Continued from page A7

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advantage to have that locked up like that. I don’t like the figure four. ... Two legs against the neck is usually not a good idea.” In another change, the boundary line now is considered inbounds. Previously, a wrestler was out of bounds if he or she was touching any part of the line, which is two inches wide. “I like expanding the mat a little bit and having the line inbounds instead of out of bounds,” coach DiSabato said. “I’m just curious how it’s going to be called because of the size of the gyms. The mats are closer together, but you award the aggressor as much as you can and that tends to help out if the line is inbounds rather than out of bounds.”

HIGH PERFORMANCE VOLLEYBALL CLINICS will be held on July 10 & July 17 for female athletes entering the 7th grade. Prior volleyball experience is preferred. The cost is $15 per session. Register at www.sites.google. com/site/vbcoachsa.

fdirenna@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekSPORTS.com

FOOTBALL Continued from page A7 a lot from the presentations. “I like the way they’re talking, like mentors and the way you have to do better stuff and try to do the right thing,” he said. Sam Tickle, who served 11 years in the U.S. Navy, began the camp by sharing stories and a video on his completion of 30 sports in 30 cities in 30 days. Tickle’s presentation, part of the EAS Unstoppable Tour, focused on proper sports nutrition and setting and achieving goals. “The one thing that I wanted

to push is your brain gives up before your body gives up,” Tickle said. “You can push yourself a lot further when you just set your mind to it. If you’re able to train your brain to realize that pain is just temporary and that if you focus on a goal, your body will perform the way it needs to.” Current and former members of the Ohio State football program also shared their experiences. That group included Taylor Rice, a 2008 Scioto graduate and junior defensive back with the

Bline succeeds Adams as athletics director The Marysville High School athletics program is under new leadership. The board of education on June 27 approved the appointment of Joe Bline as the school’s athletics director. Bline replaces Calvin Adams, who retired June 30. Adams, 60, had been the school’s athletics director since 1990. Before that, he was a teacher in the business education department at Marysville for 18 years. Bline had been the athletics director at St. Marys Memorial since 2008. He was a ninth-grade

science teacher at Johnstown from 2003-08. Bline also was the boys basketball coach at Dublin Jerome in the 2007-08 season and at Johnstown before that. Bline was the boys and girls track and field coach at Johnstown from 2005-08. He is a 1986 graduate of Newark High School and 1990 graduate of Kenyon College. He received his master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University in 1991. —By Frank DiRenna

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Buckeyes. The camp also featured NFL players including Mike Mitchell, a safety with Oakland and a former teammate of Richardson, who was drafted by the Raiders in 2007. “The one message that I want kids to take away from this camp is never underestimate yourself and know your options,” Richardson said. “You can do anything you want to do, but you have to know what to do.” fdirenna@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekSPORTS.com

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July 3, 2011

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