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Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Harrison, West Harrison, Crosby, Harrison & Whitewater TWPs.
Service levy in hands of Harrison councilmen Harrison City Council is expected to make a decision Tuesday, June 9, on what dijawad@registerpublications.com rection the city will take regarding a proposed 4.8 mill, five-year public safety levy for the fire and police departments. Council received details of the proposal for the first time at its regular meeting Tuesday, May 20, from Harrison Police Chief Chuck Lindsey, chairman of the Public Safety Services Committee. The committee has met three times this year to draft a plan to raise money for the departments, which also would boost the ailing general fund in light of Harrison’s continuing budget woes. In December, council passed a zero-sum budget, meaning the city will not make nor lose money this year despite increasing costs and dwindling state funds, including elimination of the estate tax last year by the state. The committee has recommended the 4.8 mill increase to cease after five-years. At 4.8 mills, the levy would raise about $1 million a year. Although councilmen asked a few general questions, the crux is the recommended mills. At 4.8 mills, a Harrison City homeowner with a property value of $100,000 would pay $168 more a year in taxes, said Lindsey. The fire department covers Harrison Township, but the levy would not affect residents there because service is contractually provided. “In 2013, one full-time firefighter was laid off and firefighters are in their fourth year of a pay (increase) freeze,” said Lindsey. Meanwhile, Mayor Joel McGuire has said at several committee meetings the city must lay off firefighters and police officers if the levy fails. Harrison has 20 full-time police officers and two clerks. The fire department runs on 22 full-time employees and 29 part-timers. Lindsey went on to say one full-time police officer who retired last year was not replaced and another full-time officer was laid off. Four part-time employees also were laid off. Police officers are in their fourth year of a pay increase freeze and police clerks are in their second. Lindsey presented several budgetary numbers to council, and stressed the city’s continuSee Levy, ing increase in population and Page 10 geographical expansion is putJoe Awad Harrison Press Editor
photo by Patricia Huelseman/Harrison Press
Emily Heimkreiter, Matthew Hansell, and Ben Peaslee dig through hands and dirt to fill their pots with soil for their new tomato and marigold plants donated by Beth Harnist, owner of Adopt-A-Plant Garden Center in Crosby Township. Harnist instructed members of the MADkids group from Crosby Elementary on how to plant and care for their mini-garden at the Crosby Community Center.
Tumblers win regional, take second in nation A round of applause and phuelseman@registerpublications.com a hearty cheer goes out to Harrison’s Bright Stars All Star Cheer Team who took first at the U.S. Regional Finals in Chicago and second among all the finals competitors in the nation. Patricia Huelseman Harrison Press Staff Writer
The team, comprised of 13 girls, 8- to 17-years-old, traveled in March to Chicago where their performance out shined all competitors by 10 points, an exceptional gap, said Kelsey Wernke, head coach and director of the program. The girls cheered, danced, tumbled and performed stunts for the two-minute routine. They had been performing the routine since the beginning of their season in September, but the routine is tweaked after nearly
every competition, said Wernke. “We take in what the judges say, what they think we may need to change,” she said. The success was particularly exciting for Wernke. This year, she took over the position as head coach of the Bright Stars as well as owner of the Balance Fitness gym, Stone Drive, Harrison, home of the Stars. In her rookie year, she led the team further than it has ever been. About three or four years ago, the team also competed at the U.S. Finals but didn’t place well, she said. There are seven separate U.S. Finals competitions throughout the nation. After all the events are completed and winners from each are chosen, the winning teams are entered into brackets. Judges review the winning performances and choose an overall winner. The final decision wasn’t announced for an excruciating two months. On Thursday, May 15, the Bright Stars learned that out of every
Submitted Photo/Harrison Press
Bright Stars All Star Cheer Team who took first at the U.S. Regional Finals in Chicago and second among all the finals competitors in the nation.
See Bright Stars, Page 10
Ready to spruce up city
Dispose of Old Glory properly If you have old, torn flags bring them to the American Legion Post 199, 10700 Campbell Road, Harrison, for the post’s Proper Flag Burning Ceremony on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14. The ceremony starts at 1 p.m.
Patricia Huelseman Harrison Press Staff Writer
Copyright Register Publications, 2014
phuelseman@registerpublications.com
The Harrison Tree Board has initiated the first part of a five-phase plan to beautify the city with more green spaces and finally achieve Tree City USA status.
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The first phase will include planting six Japanese Lilac trees, nine European Hornbeams, and about 50 rose bushes in the islands on Biggs Boulevard and at the entrance of Progress Way. City Councilman Jim Robertson, liaison between
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the tree board and Harrison council, expects the project to take just a few days. “I just gave Mike Acra the go-ahead last night,” said Robertson Thursday, May 22. The board solicited quotations from several local
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