Harrison News Herald 07-20-19

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SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019

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Jewett to re-bid waterline project after bid winner no-show By JD LONG

jim@harrisonnewsherald.com

JEWETT – A disturbing set of circumstances for the village of Jewett concerning their major waterline project they’ve been laboring over for the past several years has gotten a little muddier. At Wednesday’s council meeting, Village Solicitor Jenna Hokes told everyone as of midnight “tonight” they would have to re-bid on their project because the bid winner, Legends Underground Utilities out of Michigan, which was one of four, has not responded to repeated contact efforts by the village. Legends also failed to show for a July 2 pre-

construction meeting. “They were a no-show, they never showed up. They won’t call, they won’t call the engineers, nobody can get a hold of them,” Clerk Treasurer Linda Ager explained when asked what their reason was for apparently backing out of the project. “There’s been no letters, no emails, no phone calls,” Hokes said later referring to a lack of communication with Legends. She said their winning bid of $2,620,957.50 was much better than the other three companies who bid on the project and that they were very happy with those numbers. Hokes, though, confirmed Thursday morning that Legends had not met the 15-day deadline and that there was no

contact with the Michigan company as of midnight Thursday morning and that the project will now have to be rebid. “It’s a slight delay but we’re moving forward,” Hokes explained. Efforts to contact Legends has been unsuccessful and a phone number beginning with the area code of 989 is incorrect and leads to a private number. “The notice of bid award gives us the absolute right if they don’t comply within 15 days to execute the contract, to take the surety that they’re supposed to place when they make their bid,” Hokes explained. “When you place a bid you’re supposed to have a bond… so, we should be okay.” Hokes said Legends would lose what

they initially posted for the bond and hoped that would cover the entire cost of the re-bid. She said she was waiting on the engineering firm, E.L. Robinson to send her a copy of their “executed bond.” Ager stated during this exchange, that it would cost the village an additional $14,000 for the re-bidding of the project. “And nobody’s ever heard of this happening,” Ager said. Advertising of the re-bid would be immediate. It was also stated that there would be no change in funding of the project and Legends’ inaction would not impact that part of the project. “The EPA has agreed to add to our loan but it won’t increase the amount

of forgiveness that we get,” Hokes explained. Hokes also noticed a lawsuit that Legends is involved that raised some speculation regarding their issues in “Bissell v. Legends Underground Utilities Inc., et al,” according to the website: Pacermonitor.com. A notice of discovery was issued by Bissell as late as July 15 of this year. The nature of the suit is stated as, “Diversity retaliation wrongful termination.” The case was filed Jan. 11, 2019. One interesting comment by a woman on the other end of the wrong number stated she lives in Vassar, Michigan but has never heard of the company called Legends.

Encino Energy Sponsors Community Day and Playground Opening CADIZ – Encino Energy hosted "Community Day" at the Sally Buffalo Park, June 12 to kick off the grand opening of the new Encino Energy Playground. The playground is Encino's first community investment from its Community Partnership Program. The Encino Energy Playground grand opening was a result of six months of planning alongside community partners such as the Harrison County Commissioners, Sally Buffalo Park Board, Village of Cadiz, the Harrison County Bureau of Tourism and Ohio Senator Frank Hoagland, as well as a $25,000 investment from Encino. "Encino Energy immediately stepped up to the plate to be involved in this project, and their involvement was more than just a check—they were intricately involved in the entire process and the Community Day," said Paul Coffland, Harrison County Commissioner. "It's been a real collaboration to get the playground to the finish line, and Encino's been a great community partner throughout this entire project." Encino's Chief Operating Officer

Ray Walker advised that its newly formed Community Partnership Program is designed to provide investment in long-term, sustainable projects in the areas in which the company has drilling operations. Harrison County is one of Encino's "core assets" where it is actively drilling, completing and producing wells. The Encino Energy Playground opened July 12 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and "Community Day", hosted by the company, which included music, face painting, frozen ice treats, and gift bags for the kids. "We lost track of counting after 150 kids, but suffice to say we had an amazing turnout at the Community Day in Cadiz," said Ray Walker, "Harrison County deserved a safe playground for the children to use, and we also saw this as an opportunity to enhance the Sally Buffalo Park. The Encino Energy Playground and Community Day really captures the spirit of our company's long-term vision and speaks to what we are trying to achieve with this new Community Partnership Program. Just like this new playground—Encino plans to be in Ohio for years to come." Cruiser #3 had 81,000 miles on it before the wreck and is currently being repaired by Gary’s Body Shop in Cadiz.

Police cruiser damaged during chase BY BONNIE HIGGINS NH Contributor

Last Wednesday morning a Cadiz police cruiser wrecked during a high-speed chase. Nobody was injured, but the suspect fled the scene. Purportedly, a car was speeding down Kerr Avenue in Cadiz mid-morning. Due to the high speed and time of day, the officer felt it necessary to pursue the suspect. “We can’t let people drive at high speeds through town and do nothing,” said Ron Carter. “We have to attempt to get the vehicle stopped. At that time in the morning when a car is trying to evade you in the way that he was, I mean, something else is obviously wrong.” The chase began on Kerr Avenue when the suspect failed to pull over. The police officer followed the suspect out

County Road 5 and the two continued onto County Road 13. Two back up cars from the Sheriff’s department were en route, one trailing the police cruiser and the other traveling to the suspect from the opposite direction to “pinch him in,” explained police Chief Ryan McCann. The police cruiser hit the suspect’s vehicle on County Road 13, and the suspect fled. The police officer followed proper procedures after the wreck and returned to work upon confirmation of those procedures. Police are confident they will find and charge the suspect soon, as he had an existing warrant out for his arrest before the chase and now has a felony warrant in addition. “Myself and Chief McCann reviewed the body cam footage and spoke to the officer.” Ron Carter remarked, “We both feel the officer did an outstanding job and was within his reasonable duty as an officer.”

Bowerston agrees to purchase trailer, discusses dilapidated structures BY JACQUIE HUMPHREY NH Correspondent

BOWERSTON - At the July meeting of the Bowerston Village Council, councilwoman Megan John reminded council that the purchase of an equipment trailer had been approved in the past and not yet taken care of. John

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provided information for several trailers that she had found locally for review, costing approximately $5,000. A discussion took place regarding this matter, with Council agreeing that a trailer is very much needed to transport the tractor to Leesville for mowing and maintenance. The idea of using funds from the recent sale of the Village’s old

pickup truck was discussed. Council unanimously approved an expenditure of up to $6,000 for the purchase of a trailer. John to pursue the purchase. In other discussion, the issues of high grass and dilapidated structures in the Village were discussed. Solicitor Jenna Hokes reviewed the Village’s current ordinance governing mowing and

Index

OBITUARIES

Area: . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 2 Correspondence: . . . .Pg. 4 Obits . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 5 Sports: . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 6 Events: . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 8 Classifieds: . . . . . . . .Pg. 9

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Adam Gregory Clark Hopedale, Ohio John E. Capers Jr. Hopedale, Ohio Emma A. Kinsey Harrisville, Ohio

noxious weeds and advised that she will provide an ordinance for Council’s approve that will allow the Village to place notices at residences and then proceed with mowing, at the property owner’s expense. This will allow Council to take action when property owners do not. Regarding dilapidated structures,

councilman Derek Warner inquired of Hokes what the cost of officially condemning an abandoned structure would be to the Village. Hokes advised that she believes the filing fee to be $300 but was unsure if this fee is charged to government entities. Hokes

See BOWERSTON PG. 5

Question of the week

Last week’s question

Will a combined ambulance district be good for the county? YES 50% (6 VOTES) NO 50% (6 VOTES)

Donald E. Garlinger Sr. Hopedale, Ohio Gerald Wayne Saffell Cincinnati, Ohio

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Next week’s question Do you agree with the smoking age being raised to 21? Yes or No

Vote@HarrisonNewsHerald.com newsroom@harrisonnewsherald.com


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