Ohio outlaws pear tree

COLUMBUS—It is now illegal to sell, grow, or plant Callery pear (also known as Bradford pear) in Ohio because of its invasive qualities and the likelihood of causing economic or environmental harm. There is no requirement for the removal of existing plants, but the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry encourages it.

Bradford pear is a variety of Callery pear, an ornamental fruit tree that is wreaking havoc along roadsides, ditch banks, farm fields and natural areas, including wetlands throughout Ohio, because of its aggressive growth and invasive nature. Once established, Bradford pear chokes out many native trees and shrubs. It grows in many soil conditions and does not require high levels of soil fertility or quality, allowing it to grow in many places where other trees fail to survive or thrive.

Callery pear is an ornamental species native to regions of Asia. It was introduced to North

America in the early 1900s for agricultural use. It quickly became a favorite in landscaping for its adaptability, flowering, fall color, and rounded crown. It is most easily spotted in early spring when it blooms with white flowers along highways, yards, fields, and other disturbed sites. The rounded leaves are dark green with a shiny upper surface and arranged alternately. The leaf margin is wavy and finely serrated. The white flowers are clustered with five petals, and blooms typically have a strong, unpleasant smell, often compared to rotting fish. Tiny, hard pears appear in the fall. The brown fruit is almost woody until frost softens it. After that, the fruits are eaten by birds who spread the seeds.

Potential legal alternatives are Serviceberry, eastern redbud, chokecherry, American plum, flowering dogwood, eastern hophornbeam, American hornbeam, yellowwood, hawthorn, and blackgum.

Freeport aims for EPA standards

BY DEB MILLIGAN Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

FREEPORT—Council met on February

8 at town hall with Mayor Larry Wells conducting the meeting. He began the meeting by welcoming guests. They discussed the water/sewer project, which they started talking about four years ago. They are to start by putting a disposal plant at the bottom of the hill and a lift station at Steele Crest. No one will be hooked up until they are done putting in the system. Residents have until March 3 to pay by dropping them in the council slot.

They discussed the town truck that was wrecked, and they are waiting to see how much damage was done and how much money they death stinks really really bad. We just had to deal with it and move on.”

Most people around here know the name “Frank Hoagland” because he is their senator. Bill Johnson’s last commanding officer was the same officer who put Hoagland through BUDs. Thanks to that connection, Bill Johnson called Hoagland and informed him that the Senate needed strong leadership. Hoagland respectfully declined. Johnson called a few more times, and Hoagland declined every time except the last. Hoagland recounted his candid interview and gut feeling that he would not be accepted.

“I had no clue what this entailed. When they called me to plan my campaign, I decided, ‘If we are going to get in it, we’ll be in it to win it.’ And boy, did we get in it. My vernacular is…different. My demeanor is not a politician’s demeanor. My mission has always been different, too—and that mission is to keep our finances in the state of Ohio squared away, so we aren’t burdening the people, and make sure we create an environment where the government is not [the peoples’s] first obstacle to do what they need to do [in business].”

In 2023, Hoagland is working to ensure law enforcement training budgets. He is also the point person for all things pertaining to veterans and, in his words, is ‘trying to get rid of obstacles for military personnel to get civilian jobs.’

“My question is, ‘Why are we burdening vets to go through higher education in the civilian realm when they are already qualified will get from the insurance company. They talked about the dangerous intersection on Route 800. Council members are to check into what kind of sign they can place there to slow traffic down. from their military training? Why can’t an M&P (military police) officer transfer his skills to a local police station? He can’t right now. I’m working on legislation to change that. Why can’t army instructors transfer their skills to schools and become teachers? This legislation we are working on will greatly help our vets transition back home and enter the jobs that they are most qualified to do.”

Bill Morrison & Dan Snyder reported that they filled some holes in town roads and alleys, were looking at a dump truck to get for the town, and began marking water lines for sewer systems. They are still working to bring the water plant up to EPA standards. It was said that the village had the best pressure.

Council is taking estimates to put a new metal roof on the township building that council bought. Council signed a resolution to authorize the approval of 2023 permanent appropriations and went into executive session.

When asked what advice he’d like to give to his fellow citizens, Hoagland stated the following:

“Get off your [couch]. Show up to work on time in the right uniform with the right attitude. You do that—you could be successful…I want to see small businesses hiring good people who are trainable. Every day I get up, the first thing I want to do is see the sunrise. I’m so grateful to have another day full of opportunities. And I hope that people today adopt that same mentality.”