$1.00 Cadiz, OhiO
Murray Energy accused of frivolous lawsuits against gas plants SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018
Murray Energy, the nation’s largest underground coal company, is funding frivolous lawsuits that now jeopardize thousands of jobs in West Virginia and will result in continuing the already record pace of electrical energy price increases in the state. Drew Dorn, Harrison County Power Director
By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - With the burgeoning evolution in gas-fired power plants, solar and wind energy attempting to remain relevant, the coal industry has not only refused to accept
the dying industry many feel it’s become but they’ve fought back to the point of filing lawsuits against these power plants — and frivolous lawsuits at that, according to a Harrison County Power (HCP) press release. Harrison County Power, which is attempting to construct a gas power plant in Harrison County, W.Va.,
encompassing Clarksburg and Bridgeport just south of Morgantown, is in for a fight as no gas power plants have been granted a green light in West Virginia, according to an article in Marcellus Drilling News. But 19 have been built in Ohio and another 22 in Pennsylvania, according to the article, which is titled “Truth Exposed” where it revealed that Ohio Valley Jobs Alliance (OVJA) is actually a front for Murray Energy and is fueling these lawsuits. e HCP release also notes that OVJA has brought “legal challenges” to the natural gas power plant “in Cadiz, Ohio.” Representing attorney for Harrison Power, Chris Schmenk
(Cadiz plant), stated she wasn’t aware of any lawsuits but there was a motion filed by OVJA to involve themselves in the HP proceedings. OVJA filed a motion to intervene in the proceedings involving Harrison Power (HP), which is attempting to build a natural gas plant in Cadiz, according to Schmenk. She said their wish was to become a part of the
proceedings but the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) rejected their claim stating that OVJA had “no stake in the game,” according to Schmenk. Schmenk said OVJA also has had no effect in the long-awaited official announcement of HP’s actual move here in Cadiz. She said there are merely
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Our Question of the Week: Do you think gas power plants are given unfair advantages over coal? vote at: harrisonnewsherald.com
Ready and Waiting
Cadiz council takes emergency action to complete water, sewer projects By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
Cadiz council has eyes on Army Reserve Center By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CADIZ – A lengthy discussion took place concerning the old U.S. Army Reserve Center (USARC) building on U.S. 250 at last ursday’s Cadiz council meeting. Village Administrator Charley Bowman told council there is a process for filing an application requesting the building be given to the village of Cadiz. “We need to get inside the building and really determine what we want to do,” Bowman said. “is is not a stand alone issue, it’s related to a whole bunch of other things. We also have to be aware of the potential limitations and also start to look at potential partnerships we could have.” He said one with the fire department was shot down but mentioned the street department as an example for partnership with the village. Bowman said law enforcement could also be a possibility but council member omas Crawshaw stated that if the village doesn’t have a clear answer by the deadline (July 20), would the village lose out? “I think we need to have a discussion about this,” Bowman told council, “and I think it’s appropriate to say we’d like to look at it for our police department, but then keep in mind the
Events
Cancer Crusaders remind public of upcoming run/walk e Harrison County Beekeepers welcome Dr. Kirsten Traynor to speek at their seminar on July 21. See Page 10
other pieces to that, the ancillary interests.” Crawshaw also noted Sheriff Joe Myers’ past interest in the building and suggested a possible sharing of the building as well, though he stressed that he wasn’t speaking for the sheriff. is led to Bowman asking what to do with the current municipal building and its use. Bowman then suggested council pass a motion for filing an application under two statutes (law enforcement and emergency response) “for the Cadiz Police Department as a potential occupant candidate.” Bowman also included authorization for him to contact other agencies to gauge their interest in occupying the building as well. e Westgate building was also mentioned, which currently houses the Harrison Hills Board of Education (HHBOE) offices. Council discussed the possibility of obtaining that building but no final word would come down until the new school opens up they said. After council expressed interest in pursuing the USARC building only for emergency services, Crawshaw’s motion to authorize Bowman and Mayor Ken Zitko to pursue the property was passed. When contacted this week, Harrison County Economic Development Director Nick Homrighausen explained the rigorous process he has been going through for the past two years upon the request of Myers to obtain the building
Sports
Hopedale Nationals finish tourney in 2nd
e Hopedale Nationals took to the field last Saturday and suffered a defeat at the hands of the Dillonvale Spartans See Page 6
NEWS-HERALD
for his sheriff’s office. Homrighausen stated that he has been working with the GSA (General Services Administration), and the offices of Sen. Portman, Brown, and Congressman Bill Johnson for the past two years. He said the building has now been officially deemed as a surplus and could be either handed over to a public entity only for certain public services, as the village stated in their meeting. If there is no interest by a public entity only then could the building be put up for auction to the public, Homrighausen said. He added that if awarded to the sheriff’s office, the building would finally aid in placing it in compliance as Homrighausen stated the sheriff’s office is one of the oldest in the state. “We will meet that deadline,” he said referring to July 20 and added, “save the residents of Harrison County money” with this move as the reserve center is “ready to go.” e next scheduled council meeting was re-set for ursday, July 26 at 7 p.m. e Cadiz CIC meeting originally scheduled for July 19 was canceled. Lastly, the Cadiz Council/Park Board subcommittee meeting will be held Tuesday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
Area
Looking back at a 200 year old ministry
e Hollow Rock Camp Meeting has been spreading the gospel for over 200 years, and is preparing to continue its mission. See Page 4
CADIZ – e mounting water and sewer projects in and around Cadiz have seen a need for speed as Cadiz Village Administrator Charley Bowman asked for the approval of an emergency ordinance authorizing him to enter into a contract with Mannik-Smith Group (MSG) at last ursday’s Cadiz council meeting. Council approved the request and Bowman later explained that Ohio EPA stipulated that street and drainage projects on North Muskingum Street, North Ave. and West Spring Street were to be completed in 30 days beginning last Tuesday two days before this past meeting. Bowman said that wasn’t nearly enough time and asked for and received an extension, which extends the deadline to Nov. 16 of this year. “We didn’t have the contract until that afternoon,” Bowman said referring to last ursday’s meeting. Village Solicitor Costa D. Mastros then asked for and received a waiver from council for any public notice requirement regarding this ordinance (#2018-44). In amending the “2018 appropriation ordinance 2017-69” the amended ordinance reads: “Whereas, e Council has deemed it necessary to appropriate monies from the General Fund for design services, construction administration and construction inspection for the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funding project for pavement and drainage improvements…” for the three street projects it noted. Bowman later noted that the village was approved by the OPWC for a $189,996 grant, which will greatly aid in the project. Bowman said the West Spring Street project would be done “tentatively” by June of 2019 with the other two completed this November. e project is 50 percent funded with the $189,000-plus being a part of the total, which comes to $379,992 for the three projects. Among the items addressed in Bowman’s bimonthly report are as follows: - e microcystins, or harmful algae bloom readings on village water continued to remain low. For June where only one reading was provided the figure was 0.30 (5.0 is high). - Asbestos removal at the Grant Street house (505) began last Monday and the house is scheduled for demolition this fall. - Village wastewater operator Jim Poillucci has passed his Class 1 Wastewater license. Via ordinance (first reading next council meeting), Bowman will be requesting Poillucci’s pay raise from $14.35 (Step 2) to $15.20 (Step 1). “is is not out of line when you start looking at…licensed operators and what they’re making in similar plants around us,” Bowman explained
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