THE EARLY BIRD NEWSPAPER
www.bluebagmedia.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2014
Medal of Honor recipient to speak at Dickey display opening GREENVILLE – “This is significant,” said Garst Museum BOB ROBINSON Executive Associate Editor Director bluebagmedia.com Clay Johnson. “You don’t get a Major General to come here and speak, much less a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.” Major General James E. Livingston, USMC Retired, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1970, is the
tentative speaker for the unveiling of the PFC Douglas Dickey Medal of Honor Exhibit on Nov. 14. “It’s on his schedule; he’s committed,” added Johnson. “He’ll be here, but nothing is ever firm until the dotted line is signed.” While the specific agenda of the opening, and the exhibit itself, are still in the planning stages, Johnson was pleased at the response of various veterans and veteran groups to the event. “There will be significant veteran appear-
ances,” Johnson said. He added former Garst intern and current volunteer, David Manges, a retired military Major, has taken a special interest in the event. “He will be hosting several of our visitors in his home.” Johnson said they were still developing the design of the exhibit. “Research is continuing, putting together artifacts...” Once that has been determined, then the final planning can come together. Johnson said there has been considerable
interest in PFC Dickey’s Medal of Honor since the story was published (The Early Bird/Bluebag Media, July 20). “I’ve had a lot of people come in and make comments about it, even during the Gathering.” The PFC Douglas Dickey USMC Medal of Honor Exhibit will be formally opened on Nov. 14 as part of the Garst Lecture Series, with Livingston as the guest speaker. “A major general… living Medal of Honor recipient… “It’s a big deal!” Johnson
exclaimed. The second event in the series, it is Garst Museum’s Veteran’s Day Observance. The first of the series is a film, Life in Greenville in 1939, on Oct. 12. Johnson thanked Brian Giesse for his efforts on their behalf, as well as the Chamber of Commerce for its sponsorship. In February Garst will feature a presentation about Longtown by Roane Smothers of the Union Literary Institute Preservation Society. The final event on March 15 will focus on Zachary
Lansdowne, commander of the ill-fated airship, USS Shenandoah.
Major General James E. Livingston
Resident must move clubhouse due to zoning violations
The American Red Cross, Darke Co. Chapter gave a lesson in Citizens CPR at the United Way Campaign Kickoff. Heather Garbig, Chad Henry and Tina McClanahan work on chest compressions at their table. (Ryan Berry photo)
United Way sets $375,000 as goal GREENVILLE – According to Lauren Henry, executive director of RYAN BERRY the Darke Managing Editor County Unitbluebagmedia.com ed Way, donations to the organization do make a difference in the lives of area residents. The United Way supports 27 partner programs that impact the health, education and stability of thousands of people of all ages living in the county. The Darke County United Way kicked off its 67th annual fundraising campaign on Sept. 3 to support its partner programs. After exceeding its goal of $360,000 last year, the United Way is hoping to raise at least $375,000 this year. Henry pointed out the agency raised nearly $400,000 in 2013, which was the first time since 2007 they were able to approach that figure. In order to reach and exceed this year’s goal the United Way is going to need support from local corporations and individuals. Henry noted the county’s business community has shown great support in the past with 83 corporate campaigns. She said, “Every dollar makes a difference. It is the reason why we’ll get to $375,000.” One of the biggest sponsors and corporate campaigns comes from Whirlpool and the KitchenAid Experience. Through employee contributions and a match from their foundation, they were able to give nearly $133,000 last year.
“Whirlpool and KitchenAid fund 1/3 of our campaign,” said Henry. While employee and corporate contributions are extremely important, individual contributions are just as important. Last year, the organization had 29 individuals give $1,000 or more and two gave over $5,000. Do the donations make a difference? Do they really change lives? Community Action Partnership (CAP), one of the partner programs, believes they do. CAP shared a thank you note from an individual who stayed in the organization’s Emergency Homeless Shelter. The individual is a veteran that had fallen on hard times. In his note, he said, “You have given me a new lease on life.” He went on to write, “I hope one day to be a model success story.” Another program that is making a difference is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. After talking to a teacher after a prekindergarten screening, Henry learned there were kids coming in that didn’t know how to hold a book. They were never read to and never had the opportunity to hold a book. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a literacy program that provides a book each month from birth up to the child’s fifth birthday. The first book they receive is The Little Engine That Could; Dolly’s favorite. Since starting the program, the United Way has given over 10,000 free books. They started with 35 children and now have 373 kids enrolled. Nearly
300 have graduated from the program. If you would like to make a difference in a person’s life and ultimately in your community, contact the Darke County United Way, 547-1272 or unitedway@darkecountyunitedway.org. The 2014 partner programs include American Red Cross, Darke Co. Chapter, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke Co., Boys & Girls Club of Greenville, Bridge the Gap, Cancer Association of Darke County, Catholic Social Services Counseling Services, CAP Emergency Homeless Shelter, CAP Medical and General Transportation, CAP Supportive Housing, Community Services for Deaf Family Service Association, Community Unity, Council on Rural Services (CORS) Achievement Center for Educational Success, CORS Gateway Youth Programs, CORS Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Darke County Endowment Fund, Darke County Extension Service 4-H, Darke County Recovery Services, Darke County YMCA Financial Assistance, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, FAME (Financial Assistance for Medical Emergencies), Familywize Prescription Drug Discount Program, FISH Choice Pantry, Grace Resurrection Community Center, Miami Valley Boy Scouts Council, Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development, SafeHaven, Inc., State of the Heart Hospice Bereavement Programs and Stuff a Bus.
Darke County Humane Society & St. Mary’s School presents:
DCHS (PAWS) BINGO
EVERY WED. & THURS. 848 Martin St., Greenville Doors open at 5pm Bingo at 6:30 Cosmic Bingo - 1st Friday Every Month Police Beat .................pg. 3
Grumpy Side of 60 .....pg. 5
Obituaries ...................pg. 4
Church/Social ........ pg. 6-7
On Your Mind .............pg. 5
Sports ...................... pg. 8-9
GREENVILLE – “It’s a clubhouse!!” said a frustrated Ralph BOB ROBINSON Helmer. He Associate Editor wanted a bluebagmedia.com safe place for his 21-month-old, Liam, to play, so he decided to build one. He asked his wife Casey to look up the requirements on the Internet. “I typed in Darke County,” she added, acknowledging she thought this was the correct starting place. Ralph said she found that no permit was required as long as the structure was under 15 feet tall and 200 sq. ft. in area. It turns out in Greenville the requirement is under 12 feet and 150 sq. ft. “Their regulations also require the structure be 10 feet away from the house.” The clubhouse is separated, but only by a foot or so. The Helmers also didn’t know they needed a zoning permit. Ralph said the first he heard there was an issue was when he was building the trusses for the roof of the clubhouse. Someone in a city vehicle stopped and said, according to Helmer, he could make him tear the structure down. Helmer added he didn’t identify himself. “So I got kind of mouthy. I told him this was my property; I don’t know you and you can get on down the road.” The employee left. That was during the week. Ralph said he had two friends helping him and they had it nearly finished over the weekend. The “Stop Work Order” notice was posted on Monday. Ralph, who works full time, asked Casey to go to the Zoning secretary, find out what they needed to do and pay whatever is necessary. “Make it happen.” It didn’t happen at that point. Casey said she got a packet of papers for a variance. It required the names and addresses of 20 persons. She got them; filled out the papers and turned everything in. She had
THESE 2 BINGO PROGRAMS GAVE AWAY ALMOST $39,000 LAST MONTH!
Ralph and Casey Helmer with their son, Liam. “I just wanted a safe place for him to play,” said Helmer. (Bob Robinson photo)
Helmer pointed out the framework inside the clubhouse, noting while the structure had almost been completed there was still much work to do. (Bob Robinson photo)
missed the July deadline, so the next hearing was Aug. 19. In the meantime confusion continued to plague the situation. Ralph said he moved the sign to mow the yard and neglected to put it back. The Helmers were gone for the weekend and his workers, who didn’t know about the stop order, did some more work while they were gone. “That was my fault for lack of communication,” he added, noting nothing has been done to it since. Another part of the problem was his corner lot. “Just because I’m on the corner they’re telling me I have two fronts?” The clubhouse as it stood was on one of the fronts, not the side. “I grew up in the house next door,” Ralph said. “This is my neighborhood.” There are drug issues, he added. “I just wanted a safe place for my son to play.” According to the Helmers, there was a $75 fee for the variance and appearance before the
Planning & Zoning Commission. “They talked back and forth, then said denied. They told me I had 30 days to remove it; after that, pay a $500 a day fine.” Casey noted the Commission did say he did a good job with the clubhouse. “They said it really looked nice.” Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers said Helmer had built a structure that was not in compliance with the Zoning in Greenville. It’s a corner lot. That means it has two front yards. Bowers also noted he was given a Stop Work Order which “seemed to be ignored.” He said a major issue was fire safety. The structure was too close, confirming the 10 feet Helmer had said. He added it was also too tall for an accessory structure. Bowers said it was important for residents to realize that while there is Planning & Zoning for the county, they do not address zoning
CLUBHOUSE
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