27TH ANNUAL LITE THE NITE CAR SHOW TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 8TH

Show Chairman Jim Matheny, of the Newark Rodders Car Club, says some 500 to 600 vehicles, including antiques, vintage, street rods, classics, motorcycles, and specialty cars, are expected on Newark's Courthouse Square on September 8th. The show is open to all types of vehicles of all vintages. Registration is from 9:00 am till 4:00 pm, on that Saturday, at the Gazebo on the downtown Newark square. The registration fee is $10.00 per entry. Awards and trophies will be presented at 8:00 pm from the steps on the east side of the Licking County Courthouse. Money raised by the "Lite the Nite Car Show" helps support the annual Christmas Holiday Lighting of the Licking County Courthouse, and other community charities. The holiday decorated Courthouse is a Licking County tradition, dating back to 1949. This 2012 “Lite the Nite Car Show” is again being organized by Jim Matheny, and staffed by the dedicated members of the Newark Rodders Car Club. A unique feature of “Lite The Lite" are the giant six-foot trophies, plus 4 ft trophies this year, awarded to the most popular vehicles on display. A number of vendors and crafts will have displays on the Courthouse lawn. Also this year will be the Local Royal Order of the Purple Hearts, doing a Flag Folding ceremony and presentation of that flag to the Show chairman. The 2012 “Lite the Nite Car Show” will feature a wide range of oldies music provided by the Newark Rodders Car Club. Chairman Jim Matheny says, "I personally invite everyone to come down and help us celebrate our 27th year doing this car show." The ‘Lite The Nite Car Show supports Courthouse Lighting, which is only three months away on Friday evening, November 23rd!

COUNTYWIDE RIVER ROUND-UP PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER 8TH

I would urge support of the annual River- Round-Up, on Saturday morning September 8th. Join your friends, and encourage your civic, church and groups such as scouts to participate. Last year some 225 residents of all ages assisted and the organizers, including the Soil and Water Conservation District, are hoping for many more this year. The first 100-people to register to participate receive a free T-shirt. You may register on-line at agency’s web site ‘LickingSWCD.com’ or call 740-670-5330 to register and learn more about the event.

COUNTY TO SEEK APPROVAL OF ENERGY CONSERVATION PHASE II PROJECT

Your Commissioners are moving forward with a second Energy Conservation Building Upgrade program. Coordinated through the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority and taking advantage of energy conservation subsidies and rebates, this Phase II County Energy project will upgrade systems in ten additional building and facilities beginning this fall, and continuing into the summer of 2013. The Energy Conservation Phase I program, begun in 2011, is currently being completed. Phase I began last fall and has resulted to major upgrades to a dozen County facilities including the Administration Building, the 1876 Historic Downtown Courthouse and the County Justice Center. The projected energy savings of some 20-percent will in large part pay for the bonded debt for these major energy system upgrades.

COUNTY AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE PLANNED

In September the Grow Licking County CIC will be appointing an Airport Development Committee. Made up of development representatives, local business people and users of the County Airport in Heath; the committee will work with the Regional Airport Board and the facility operator to accomplish needed capital improvements. Issues will include extending the runway to five-thousand feet to accommodate larger aircraft, as well as building a new taxi-way and constructing a new terminal at the Heath Road facility. The County’s general aviation airport is an important economic development tool.

COUNTY JFS SUMMER JOBS BRING EMPLOYMENT TO OVER ONE HUNDRED YOUNG PEOPLE

The Licking County Department of Job and Family Services provided funding, through the TANF Program, for summer jobs for some 120-area young people. The program teaches the value of work and provides a multitude of community services. Host employers this summer included The Golfworks, Carol Strawn Center, Garden Patch Produce, Lazy R Campground, Newark City Schools, C-TEC, Kairos Academy, Salvation Army, COTC, MHA-PAVE Program and Almost Home Daycare. This positive program also injected $329-thousand into the local economy through the payrolls generated.

2ND ANNUAL DOGGIE PADDLE EVENT A FUN SUCCESS FOR HUNDREDS

The 2nd annual Doggie Paddle, swim with your dog event, was an even bigger success this year. It was held August 19th after the last day of the summer season at the Heath Water Park. Organizers say the event saw a 60-percent increase in attendance. The official attendance was 321 dogs and 692 people – all smiling and having a great time! A number of local sponsors worked with County Animal Control on this fun event. A special thanks to the City of Heath for their cooperation!

HISTORIC JAIL OPEN HOUSES A MAJOR SUCCESS

The on-going effort to save and preserve the Historic Licking County Jail on South Third Street in downtown Newark received a shot in the arm this summer. After two years of clean-up work in the Historic Jail, volunteers hosted ‘open house’ events in July and August. A total of over one-thousand area residents took the tours, and offered their support to the planned restoration effort. The Historic County Jail dates to the 1880’s and served as the County Jail for nearly a century.

COUNTY FRACKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS FOR FIRST TIME

On August 23rd Licking County’s Fracking Advisory Committee met to organize. The Commissioners formed the group to discuss and provide advice on issues of concern as the ‘fracked’ oil and gas wells come to Ohio. The nearest well currently being developed is on the Licking-Knox County line. The advisory committee includes public members Ken Apacki, Rod Biggs, Dawn Busalacchi, Bill Evans and Jim Neuenschwander. Others include Commissioner Tim Bubb, County Engineer Bill Lozier, County Planning Director Jerry Newton, Health Department Superintendent Joe Ebel, Soil & Water Agency Director Jim Kiracofe, Sheriff Randy Thorp, and Etna Township Trustee John Carlisle.

MARKETING AGREEMENT FOR JFS SITE BEING PLANNED

The County Commissioners this past month approved an agreement with Pataskala farmer Howard Emswiler to resolve several issues related to the construction of the Job Ready Site ‘Development Road’. Most importantly the agreement allows the County to enter into a marketing agreement with a national/international firm to actively market and work to sell the some 304-acre Industrial Mega Site in Pataskala. The County will work with its community partners and the new Grow Licking County Community Improvement Corporation to put the marketing plan in place.