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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020
harrisonnewsherald.com
Commissioners enter into class action against Big Pharma By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CADIZ – The crushing weight of opioid addiction and its victims and costs to the communities in many ways, which has smothered the Ohio Valley, is fighting back and Harrison County took a step in that direction. On Wednesday the commissioners voiced their approval to be a part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as part of the class action lawsuit by One Ohio. The lawsuit is an attempt to receive some compensation from the pharmaceutical industry, which is titled the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Participant, according to the MOU. The “Negotiating Committee” as it’s called, consists of a three-member group comprised of the state of Ohio, the Plaintiff’s Executive Committee of
the National Prescription Opiate Multidistrict Litigation (PEC) and the Ohio Local Governments (OLG), or “Members.” According to the MOU the state will be represented by the attorney general, the PEC is represented by attorney Joe Rice and the OLG by attorney Frank Gallucci (or attorney Russell Budd). County Prosecutor Owen Beetham reminded the board regarding the ongoing class action lawsuit by various counties and cities-villages across Ohio and explained what exactly is included in the MOU. “That litigation is an attempt to receive some compensation for the… additional expenses that local governments have incurred because of the opioid epidemic,” Beetham explained. He added that the threesided group hoped the outcome of the litigation would be a “template” for the
rest of the country in fighting what many have called an out-of-control medicinal drug system in America. “…[They] have sat down and are working towards what they hoped to be a template for the rest of the country to use in negotiations with you know, the opioid manufacturers,” Beetham stated. He called the MOU the framework for the attorney’s to “collectively and collaboratively work towards a solution” in helping to get some money funneled back into local communities. Some of the points within the MOU include the fact that if less than $500 is awarded then that money goes to the county for distribution back to the individual communities. It also states that fees for Local Governments shall be paid through a Local Government Fee Fund (LGFF) “if the Parties cannot secure the separate payment of fees and associated litigation expenses for their
counsel…” The LGFF is calculated to take 11.05 percent of the total settlement but fees related to any “product” or “items of value” shall be addressed individually by case. “Nothing in this MOU should alter or change any Local Government’s rights to pursue its own claim,” point eight of the MOU states. Beetham informed the board that 29 members will represent four classes, which include six members selected by the state (five by the governor and one by the attorney general); four representatives from the legislature with one each selected by president of the Ohio Senate, senate minority leader, speaker of the house of representatives and house minority leader. The third group consists of 11 members each selected from “nonmetropolitan Regions” and the fourth
to consist of eight members, one from each metropolitan region. “It breaks down some of how the share tentatively will be split up. Part of it will go directly to local government funds [and] there will be a foundation created that’s a 501c3 and also there will be some allocation for the firms who have carried the burden of litigation up to this point,” Beetham explained. After Beetham recommended the commissioners sign the agreement he said he has been in contact with county and state officials stating that “everybody is pleased with the compromise they have come up with…” “Hopefully they can do some good things and that this can serve as a template for the rest of the country moving forward with a number of these class action lawsuits,” he told the board.
Cadiz discusses damaged sewage building By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CADIZ – The main sewage building in Cadiz, which was damaged by a chlorine leak that became much worse over time has been an issue for nearly the past two years. Mayor John Migliore told council that he wished to reclaim the building and was told it was needed, even if it was just for storage. Migliore said he would like to see the $29,113 that was approved by council back in December for the purchase of a trailer as a temporary building, to be transferred to cleaning up the existing building. He said an estimate he’s come up with of $21,546, would include a new roof, heating system, new doors and electrical elements. Village Administrator Ted Andrzejewski said a written estimate he received by a company was for $35,000 to clean the damaged building. Migliore disagreed regarding the $35,000 but Andrzejewski said the “contaminant must be removed while reminding council that the chlorine “got in everywhere.” “You will have to safely dispose of that contaminated property and you have to safely clean out that building, so if any of our employees go in there, they’re not subject to any kind of chlorine,” Andrzejewski explained adding that he just wanted to remind them of the cleanout costs. When Migliore asked Wastewater Superintendent, Tom Carter if the contaminated ceiling was hazardous material, he stated he wasn’t the professional to give that opinion but “if it can go to the normal landfill that’s fine,” which Clerk Treasurer Amy Ossman agreed but in the meantime the village would need to check to see if that would be possible. Andrzejewski added that, in the future when bids go out for the new sewer plant “we would include the cost of getting rid of that building safely,” he said in regards to the damaged building if they decide to not do repairs. Mayor Migliore said he would like to have the issue analyzed to see if the inside of the building is actually hazardous material. When Vermillion asked Carter what would be best, to have the building or get a trailer he stated that the entire electrical system was “compromised.” He said that system would need upgraded to keep the plant running, he said per what AEP told him. He added that additional costs such as water, sewage and electrical come with bringing in a trailer. No decision was made and discussion came to an end as they agreed to further analysis. Also, Andrzejewski told council he and Mayor
The new Harrison County courthouse entrance is just weeks away. The new door was just installed this week by Kelly Architectural Services. No exact date has been given but the new entrance is just around the corner from the commissioner’s office and closer to the stairs leading to the main courthouse.
More campers voice concerns over MWCD rules changes By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
NEW PHILADELPHIA – For the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), it was another packed crowd at their monthly meeting held last Friday on the Kent State Tuscarawas campus in New Philadelphia. The no-deck policy at the newly conformed campsites where concrete pads were laid down have rankled longtime campers and their voices were heard for the second consecutive month. On the MWCD view out of around 3,000 campsites only 227 are actually affected by the new rules but many of those 227 are making themselves heard. At January’s meeting there was a mix of Tappan and Seneca Lake campers but this time around nearly all who spoke their three minutes were Seneca campers. The first woman who spoke was from Canton
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and asked about cutting back on pricing, which many have also complained about. She asked if a mandatory full hookup would be followed through but Executive Director John Hoopingarner said her concerns had been taken under advisement but that no action had been taken as of yet. She was told that campers would be notified of their final decision. John from Cambridge who has been camping for 48 years was the first to ask about the deck policy. Hoopingarner also addressed him by stating that campers who will be affected by the deck policy have been notified in writing. “Those of you who have not received a letter will not be affected in two thousand twenty and any further action regarding decks is still under consideration,” Hoopingarner explained. Other speakers were Marlene from Toronto who said she failed to comprehend the no-deck policy. She said a letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said decks must be removed
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and all other items after Oct. 31 but she said it does not say decks were not allowed. Another couple, the Clappers who have camped at Seneca since 1992 told the board there are many reasons why people want to keep their decks. “And I think the reason we’re here today voicing our concerns is because the deck’s policy was presented during the season of Christmas and the holiday season when I think they thought that we would be too busy with our winter lives that we wouldn’t really notice…” Mrs. Clapper stated. She accused the board of “trickery” in regards to the timing of the notice and “the way it was presented to us.” Still others complained of a lack of notification with one stating, “While valid points were presented for the idea, we don’t feel there was any consideration for how this would affect the
See CAMPERS PG. 3
Politics
See CADIZ PG. 3
Events
Obits Betty E. Chapple Akron, Ohio
Harrison Central golfers recognized | PG 6
harrisonnewsherald.com
Justice Kennedy speaks at Lincoln Day Dinner | PG 3
Boy Scout troop to hold spaghetti fundraiser | PG 10
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