Public record
Sidney Daily News, Thursday, October 31, 2013
Ward
Death notices
Cromes CATHY Monuments NICKELSON
DEETER SIDNEY — Abigail Elaine Deeter, 42, of 10991 Little Turtle Way, died tragically in an auto accident on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, at 6:32 p.m. in St. Marys. A memorial service and visitation will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, 20313, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hardin United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shelby County Genealogical Society. Arrangements are in the care of the Cromes Funeral Home, 302 S. Main Ave.
Cromes Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.
Special meeting set
View obituaries at cromesfh.com
Tributes that Visitation Friday 11am till hour of service last a lifetime. Memorial Service 1pm
492-5101 40501495
HOUSTON — HardinHouston Local School will hold a special board meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. in the superintendent’s conference room. The purpose of this meeting is to accept public property auction bid.
Meeting date changed The November meeting of the Shelby County Regional Planning Commission executive committee will be Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. instead of Nov. 20 because of a scheduling conflict.
Let Western Ohio Mortgage Take Care of Your Home Needs
Western Ohio Mortgage 733 Fair Road, Sidney Office: 937-497-9662 Toll Free: 800-736-8485
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Sidney Conference Center
The Sidney Daily News publishes abbreviated death notices free of charge. There is a flat $85 charge for obituaries and photographs. Usually death notices and/or obituaries are submitted via the family’s funeral home, although in some cases a family may choose to submit the information directly.
Lottery Tuesday drawing • Mega Millions: 20-3350-53-54, Mega Ball: 7, Megaplier: 3 Wednesday drawings Mega Millions estimated jackpot: $87 million • Pick 3 Evening: 7-5-8 • Pick 3 Midday: 1-2-2 • Pick 4 Evening: 9-5-6-6 • Pick 4 Midday: 7-9-9-8 • Pick 5 Evening: 1-3-4-8-2 • Pick 5 Midday: 4-0-2-5-4 • Rolling Cash 5: 12-13-2025-31 • Classic Lotto: 02-03-0608-20-28, Kicker: 8-3-8-0-1-9 Powerball estimated jackpot: $50 million Powerball results will be published in Friday’s newspaper.
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937-492-1131 www.daysinn.com
40502436
Formerly Sidney Inn
AFFORDABLE FUNERALS
Salm-McGill Tangeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services 502 S. Ohio Ave., Sidney salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com 40138825
492-5130
40500156
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Opal Peridott Jewelry
now thru 10/31/2013 8/31/13
on made-up, in-stock items only
104 E. Mason Rd., Sidney
40364165 40500169
Obituary policy
M, T, W 9-6, Th 9-1, F 9-8 Sat 9-3, Sun Closed
Markets Local Grain Markets Trupointe 701. S. Vandemark Road, Sidney 937-492-5254 October corn....................$3.96 November corn.................$3.96 October beans.................$12.69 November beans.............$12.65 Storage wheat...................$6.42 July 2014 wheat.................$6.40 Cargill Inc. 800-448-1285 Dayton October corn...............$4.03 1/4 November corn............$4.07 1/4 Sidney Oct./Nov. soybeans....$12.82 1/2 December soybeans...$12.86 1/2 Posted County Price Shelby county FSA 820 Fair Road, Sidney 492-6520 Closing prices for Wednesday: Wheat..............................$6.88 Wheat LDP rate...................zero Corn................................$4.76 Corn LDP rate.....................zero Soybeans........................$13.37
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Pool From page 1 Hours Friday and Saturday would be 1 to 7 p.m., with no lap swimming, and pool rentals would be available those days from 7 to 9. On Sunday, hours would be 1 to 6:30 p.m., with no lap swimming, and pools rentals 6:30 to 8:30. None of these changes would result in fewer hours of operation for the pool. Proposed new daily admission prices (with 2013 rates in parentheses) are preschool, $2 ($2); student, $4 ($3.25); adult, $4 ($3.75); and senior adult, $3 ($2.75). For season passes, the new prices would be student, $48 ($46); adult, $70 ($66); family (up to four people), $115 ($110); additional cost for up to two people, $12 ($11.50); senior adult, $48 ($45). To promote sales of season passes, the city will offer them at a 5 percent discount from the Christmas shopping season to May 30. Councilwoman Katie McMillan said that in light of utility rate increases the city must impose in connection with mandated wastewater treatment improvements, “my personal opinion is we should not raise the (pool) rates.” McMillan, who is council’s representative on the Recreation Board, also relayed some board member comments on proposed changes at the pool. Members said the adult lap time is “a great idea” and that the $4 daily admission price represents “cheap entertainment” for a whole afternoon.
From page 1 Authority, Regional Planning Commission and the WORTH Center in Lima. He currently is advancement chairman and troop leader in Boy Scout Troop 97. In the past, he served a full term on City Council and was appointed to fill an unexpired six-month term of a resigning councilman. He is married with two adult children and two grandsons. He and his wife, Susie, reside at 2129 Broadway Ave. All of Sidney’s four wards are on the ballot Tuesday, but the 2nd Ward is the only one where there is competition for City Council. The candidates have responded to questions about various issues facing the city. 1. Why are you seeking a Sidney City Council seat? What do you feel you can contribute? What experience and qualities will you bring to council? Craynon: I believe I am the best qualified candidate to represent the 2nd Ward. I am running for City Council because I am concerned about several things, including: many of our city streets deteriorating, too many buildings being abandoned and left for the city to demolish, and residents having to pay extremely high utility rates. I have previously served on council and understand the relationship between the city staff, council and the taxpayers of Sidney. If elected, I will listen to all sides of any issue, ask for alternatives, if appropriate, and make a decision based on the best interests of my fellow citizens. McMillan: I am seeking another term as City Council representative for the 2nd Ward because I enjoy being involved in my neighborhood and community. It has been an honor serving on council for the last five years. I also play a big part in the “Community Cares Team” for my employer. Council has a number of projects in the works that I would like to see completed, including the OEPA mandates with respect to the sewer plant improvements, a water source for the future, and the airport project, which has been ongoing for over 35 years. When you don’t have longevity on council, projects can be on the books for many years. 2. What are the most pressing issues facing Sidney and how would you address them? McMillan: Sidney, like most communities, faces challenges of revenue, street repair and updating outdated infrastructure. Council recently approved a new five-year plan that addresses the needs of our community. Objectives of the plan are to preserve the current level of services while addressing the growth of the community. The plan assumes a slow economic recovery, includes conservative projections of revenues and expenditures, achieves all of the minimum cash-fund balance reserves, and anticipates vacant positions will remain such. City staff has done a tremendous job of staying on track with the plan in the past and I’m confident they will continue in the future. We as individuals must also be part of the solution by promoting a healthy family unit, being an extension of our education system at home, and putting action to a genuine concern for each other. Craynon: The most pressing issue facing our city is to continue to provide adequate services to our residents without placing an undue financial hardship on them. The staff needs to work closely with our city employees who have the insight and experience and can be helpful in finding ways to cut costs and streamline city services. 3. With the reduction in state funding and other decreases or elimination in munici-
pal income sources, what actions should council undertake to promote revenues of sufficient amounts to meet the needs of the residents of Sidney? Craynon: With federal and state funding diminishing, we must find new sources of revenue to finance upcoming infrastructure projects such as roads and water and sewer lines. Our city staff and council must work together to obtain any available grants and continue to put pressure on the state to release funds to assist local governments. McMillan: The city provides police and fire services, utilities, trash pickup, and public transportation while maintaining the roads, senior center, cemetery, airport, parks and swimming pool. Stategenerated shared revenues have been cut. Local Government Fund (LGF) distributions have been cut by 50 percent, estate taxes, gasoline tax receipts and motor vehicle license tax receipts have all declined. State and federal government really put a crimp in local communities. With that said, council has maintained good stewardship over public funds. One way we can increase revenue is to watch spending. Budget cuts have been ongoing since 2007 and 55 vacant positions have not been filled (27 seasonal and 28 full time) since 2008. Council approves a tight budget every year and I am proud of our city staff as they do more with less. 4. What role should council take in connection with economic development opportunities that are presented to the city? McMillan: The city works closely with and provides substantial funding to the West Ohio Development Council to make known financial and employment incentives available under Ohio law. The Zoning Board, Planning Commission and council also guide the city’s development according to Imagine Sidney 2020. Council works hard to keep utility and service fees low to attract new businesses. We stay in touch with our local companies to assist them with maintaining and/or expanding their businesses. In addition, we continue to eagerly listen to proposals that are made directly to us to see if there are ways we can assist developers. Craynon: Council and the city manager work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the West Ohio Development Corporation to locate new businesses and factories in Sidney. We must assist these businesses any way we can and offer tax incentives for those that decide to locate in our town. The city should also work with local Realtors and the Sidney Schools to provide assistance in locating personnel associated with the new business 5. What is your position on an income tax increase or a property tax levy for a specific purpose, such as streets, fire/police, parks? Also, what is your position on use of property tax assessments to finance street repair and water/sewer line replacements? Craynon: I am against any income tax increase and/or increased property tax levies/assessments to fund the aforementioned specific projects. I feel the taxpayers in Sidney are paying more than their fair share and any increases are unwarranted at this time. We have many retired homeowners whose sole source of income is Social Security and any tax increases would impose an undue hardship on these households. Before voting to increase taxes, rates or assessments, I would have to be 100 percent convinced that without such an increase, the city and our residents would
suffer and there are no other viable alternatives. Any proposed increases of income or property taxes should be placed on the ballot for the voters to decide. McMillan: A typical road reconstruction cycle should run every 20-25 years and resurfacing every 15-20 years. Our current budget allows for about 2-2.5 miles of road repair per year, depending on the width of the road, asphalt prices and the street damage caused throughout the winter. The voters did not support the quarter percent income tax increase for street repairs two years ago. As a result, we’re patching the streets in hopes that the economy recovers and we can do more. Council continues to watch spending in order to increase revenue for capital improvements. 6. The city is pursuing the creation of an alternative water source. What is your position regarding acquisition of property by eminent domain in connection with this? McMillan: The new water source project has been an active project since 2006. This new underground source is critical to the continued operation of city services. It provides a consistent source of clean water for our future. Eminent domain is a last resort. Council and city staff work hard to collaborate with our neighbors to ensure the best solution for all parties is achieved. Craynon: The city can legally acquire property by eminent domain under certain conditions but I would hope that the needed property can be obtained by the city making a fair offer to the landowners. Otherwise, if the matter is litigated in court, there will be extra time and expenses involved. 7. What should the city be doing to minimize the size of the rate increases needed to finance the EPAmandated improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and collection system project? Craynon: The current additional monthly fee of nearly $22 on each single-family residence was not fairly imposed. For example: Port Jefferson residents, who are users of our sewer system, did not receive an increase. Certain industries which are heavy users of our sewer system did not receive an increase. I believe the city needs to look at the overall usage and redistribute these fees appropriately. McMillan: I believe the city is being financially responsible as we work through this unfunded mandate. Ohio EPA has interpreted the Clean Water Act through new regulations on ammonia, E. coli and wetweather bypass limits. Communities now must improve the wastewater treatment and collection systems within a designated timeline. Sidney has carefully scheduled the improvements and corresponding user fees and rate increases over the life of the project, and council has done everything we can to keep rates as low as possible. We continue to work with Ohio EPA and hope that they will reinterpret the rules they have to enforce. 8. What should the city do to improve the community’s image regarding property maintenance standards, vacant/abandoned properties, and street, sidewalk, curb and gutter repairs? McMillan: Council continues to review and tighten ordinances regarding property maintenance while keeping personal property rights in the forefront. For every person out there that wants tighter restrictions there is another who is adamantly opposed to them. Craynon: We have building codes in place
which could be enforced more vigorously. An ordinance should be created whereby the owners of abandoned properties would be cited into Municipal Court for health or safety violations. If the absentee owner is served notice to appear and does not show, the court could find the owner in contempt and issue a warrant. Once the warrant is issued, the owner should not be allowed to make any property transactions or obtain any type of license in Ohio until brought before the court. Unfortunately, many of the abandoned buildings are owned by out-of-state residents, but this would prevent them from again becoming landowners in Ohio until the matter is resolved in Sidney. 9. Concerning public safety, does the city need a third fire station and fully staffed police and fire departments? How would the city pay for these improvements? Craynon: I am aware that for several years, the city has discussed placing a fire station in the north end of Sidney. Because of the high costs of building the station and the additional equipment and personnel needed to staff this facility, this has been placed on the back burner. Both the police and fire departments have experienced a shortage of personnel in recent years because of budget cuts and in spite of this, they have been able to perform their duties admirably. The city needs to continue funding both of these departments with adequate staff and personnel until we are on solid financial footing and can build another station. McMillan: Yes and no. A third fire station would greatly improve the response time for our citizens on the north side of Sidney. Under current financial restraints, the only way for us to move on this project would be to increase taxes. To build the station would cost $1 million and annual operating costs would be another $1 million. A levy may be the only way for that to happen under the current economic circumstances. Citizens of Sidney have to decide what we want. I am extremely proud of our fire and police teams who continue to provide first-class services in response to every call. All departments are doing more with less as we work through an unclear economic outlook. 10. Council is considering the closure of Wilkinson Avenue at its southern intersection with Ohio 47 due to concerns about traffic safety. What is your position on this? McMillan: Council learned Monday night that the line-of-site distance for the Wilkinson Ave intersection at a design speed of 45 mph is 500 feet. Cars traveling south on Wilkinson entering onto State Route 47 have a 173-foot sight distance of cars traveling west. This is a safety concern, primarily if the driver intends to turn east onto State Route. Council also learned that making the Wilkinson egress a right turn only could increase the liability on the city due to intentionally implementing a trafficflow pattern that contradicts established design standards. Nevertheless, businesses and residents have voiced their opposing viewpoints on the closure of the intersection stating. I am in favor of keeping the intersection open with possible additional signage to improve safety; i.e. no left turn from Wilkinson, hidden intersection, caution. Craynon: The simple solution would be that anyone exiting Wilkinson Avenue onto Ohio 47 should be required to make a right turn only. This would eliminate the need for drivers to cross through the median to make a left turn.