Harrison News-Herald |
1
Saturday, September 3, 2022
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2022
$1.25
Fall Sports Preview Football Preview next week
Commissioners hold moment of silence for Norris
From left to right: Commissioners Dale Norris, Don Bethel, and Paul Coffland
BY CORNELIA GRACE Harrison News-Herald Reporter CADIZ—Commissioners Paul Coffland and Don Bethel began the weekly commissioner’s meeting with a moment of silence for commissioner Dale Norris, who passed away last Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Gabriella Kanters, the new Harrison County Advocate at the Tri-County Help Center, addressed the commissioners to announce that the center will be offering counseling services to anyone 13 years of age or older starting September 12. The counselor will see people on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. They will see all offenses except sexual and drug offenses. They also offer case management help and community education. An addendum was added to Resolution 54-21. The resolution originally included a tap fee of $1,500 for Freeport residents. However, the commissioners understand that the tap fee will create a hardship for many of the residents in the current plans and will waive the fee. The commissioners approved purchase orders and vouchers for the Department of Developmental Disabilities for $20,000, the Department of Job and Family Services for $49,000, the County Home for $7,000, and the County Engineer’s Office for $114,000. They approved Batch #4796 for $173,835.35 and approved a mandated share for the Department of Job and Family Services. The Harrison County Commissioners intend to apply to the Ohio Developmental Services Agency on behalf of the Harrison County Home for funding through the Community Development Block grant. There
will be a public hearing on September 14th in the Commissioner’s Office at 10 am regarding the grant. After the meeting, Coffland shared his experience working with Norris. “Dale worked for the county for close to 45 years in one capacity or another. Obviously, we’re losing a huge amount of institutional knowledge. I think more than anything though, we should remember that Dale was a big family man. His kids, his grandkids, and his extended family, those are the things he really enjoyed.” When asked about how it will feel to have someone fill Norris’ spot among the commissioners, Coffland said, “They have some big shoes to fill.” Despite Norris being the only democrat among the commissioners, Coffland had nothing but positive words. “Unfortunately, Nationally, political parties are at such odds. It wasn’t that way here. We’re all from Harrison County and we all want to see Harrison County prosper. Whether you’re democrat or republican, it didn’t make a difference. It was nice working with him.” Bethel also had positive words to share, “I worked for almost 9 years with Dale. We send our thoughts and prayers to the family. Dale was a true professional, it was a pleasure doing business with him. He’ll be missed. I lost not only a good coworker but a friend.” Norris was an invaluable asset to the board of commissioners. “When you lose that type of knowledge, you can’t replace that.” Bethel continued. “Dale knew the roads, the engineering, he worked as the highway superintendent for two decades or more, and obviously, that information can’t be replaced. But more than that his attitude, his professionalism, and his comradery will be missed.”
HARRISONNEWSHERALD.COM
Pages 12, 13, 14
Toys for Tots Toyota gets a makeover
Chester and Shannan Francois pictured with Bob Stratton, Toys for Tots area coordinator
BY CORNELIA GRACE Harrison News-Herald Reporter SHERRODSVILLE—Bob Stratton is the area coordinator for Toys for Tots. He has managed Harrison, Tuscarawas, and Coshocton counties for the last five or six years. The car he drives is unmistakable, with a Toys for Tots logo across all sides. The car was starting to look rough, so he brought it into Francois Enterprises LLC in Sherrodsville for some touch-ups. He only requested some paint be added to the logos, but when he left, owner Chester Francois said, “There is no way in heck we’re doing that. We’re redoing the whole car.” Francois worked on the vehicle for three weeks, finding a new hood, roof, and bumper. Before long, others offered their help and services. Ross Mountain Barbecue chipped in $200, Kenny Yantz donated money as well, and Lightning Signs and Decals, LLC in New Philadelphia donated all new decals. Stratton had no idea why it was taking so long for a few touch-ups. “He kept calling about it,” Chester’s wife, Shannan Francois said. But the wait was worth it. “When he came to pick it up, he literally had tears in his eyes.” Fixing up the vehicle couldn’t have come at a better time as Stratton has still been dealing with the aftermath of the fire in
December that destroyed many donations. “I want to thank them for their donation,” Stratton said, pointing out that “it may be the biggest donation” he’s received for Toys for Tots. “They did a lot of work, and it’s very nice work.” Although the Francoises understood this could become news, “That’s not why we did it,” Shannan said. “We just wanted to help out with Toys for Tots.” She explained they hadn’t recently been able to donate like they usually could. “This was our way of donating at the moment.” Straton is an ex-Marine and has spent many years serving not only his country but also his community. Last year, Stratton coordinated donations to 5,000 children. Local Toys for Tots took in $144,000 in donations in 2021. Before becoming coordinator, he helped with Toys for Tots through his church. The car is used for many events and constantly reminds the community of the important work done through the Toys for Tots organization. Stratton appreciates the dedication of Francois Enterprises, LLC in helping make sure he has reliable and recognizable transportation for his charity work. “What they did was more than I expected,” Stratton said. “And they did it for nothing.”
Tappan considers more docks BY ALEXIS CORDER Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer NEW PHILADELPHIA—The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District held its monthly Board of Directors meeting last week on August 26. President Robert
Moorehead started the meeting by taking roll call and handing the floor over to a representative from KeyBank. The KeyBank representative gave a quick update on the investments the MWCD has with them and what they predict they will look like in the future.
After that presentation, Rick Frio, who founded IMC Solar, along with Mike Wise, the founder of Wise Energy Partners, addressed the board with exciting figures and statistics regarding a possible future for the MWCD in solar energy. Their presentation covered the reality of what it would look like
if MWCD decided to switch to solar energy (in the places where it would be applicable), as well as how much the project would cost and what the MWCD would stand to gain from making See TAPPAN Pg.- 10
OBITUARIES Dale Norris Merle Foutz USPS Publication No. 236-080 One Section, 14 Pages Vol. 55, No. 17
Keith “Kutch” Kutcher Mistia Darios