Sharing my thoughts on the County Park District Levy, and some quick updates on positive things happening in Licking County…
In the upcoming election we the voters of Licking County are being asked to consider a small 0.2-mill (two tenths of a mill) levy to support the Licking Park District. I would ask you to join me in voting for this modest issue to provide support for our excellent park system. It is a 5-year levy request.
Just so you will know – the Licking Park District is a stand alone public entity that is the creation of the Juvenile-Probate Court. Judge Robert Hoover selects the District’s Trustees. They in turn operate this Countywide District that includes more than a dozen excellent parks, some 2-thousand acres of green space, and 28-miles of bike/recreation trails in the unincorporated areas.
The Park District has been unsuccessful in past levy attempts and has relied on contributions from the County General Fund for most of its support. However, due to continuing reduced budgets the Park District is feeling the financial squeeze. Park Director Russ Edgington says, “Without this levy support the District will be unable to maintain facilities, and will have to consider closing some or all of the parks.” I believe this is a major ‘quality of life issue’ and that the County Park District needs and will use ‘well’ this funding for the benefit of all!
A few quick notes on positive things happening in Licking County…
The Licking County Building Code Department, begun just a year ago, is performing very well. After a seamless handoff from the City of Newark, this leaner County Operation is serving the cities, townships, and most of the villages in Licking County with good and professional service. Please note – the Building Code Department is also paying its own way and is not a drain on the County’s diminishing resources. It has been a win-win situation; and this continues our community’s emphasis on safe and well constructed houses, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Economic Development, as always, is a major priority for the County. The good news is business prospects have increased considerably in 2010 – which is translating into new jobs. New projects are underway in the Etna Corporate Park, New Albany in Licking County, and at the Port Authority site in Heath. We continue to benefit from our excellent location here in Central Ohio and from the hard work of the County Development Team, and our many community partners!
In a related story, the Job Ready Site ‘Development Road’ in Pataskala City and Etna Township in progressing well. The Phase One section in Pataskala in just about complete, and the Phase Two section south in Etna is underway and will be completed by spring. This cooperative project, with the State Development Department, will open up several hundred acres of prime development ground in the next few years. It has been the efforts of your County Government, and our state and local partners that have made this happen!
The annual Courthouse Christmas Lighting Campaign has been extended until November 12th. Our Lighting Committee continues to make progress toward our 2010 community goal of $18,750. Contributions small or large are welcome and appreciated … Courthouse Lighting, P O Box 292, Newark, Ohio 43058-0292. If successful, the Courthouse will be fully decorated and lighted on November 26th. The Christmas Courthouse Lighting is a 62-year old local tradition!
Finally, you may have seen in the media details of our efforts to make something good happen with the historic and basically unused Old Licking County Jail in downtown Newark. We are currently using the site for a Records Destruction Center, as part of the County Records Department, and that is working well. However, there is a vision for a ‘not for profit group’ to evolve to operate and hopefully own this iconic structure for special events and possibly as a tourist destination. There have been many ideas for reusing the Old Jail since the 1980’s when it became obsolete as a jail. We are simply trying to think ‘outside the box’ and come up with a solution that can work and preserve this unique building – similar to the efforts that saved the historic old Mansfield Reformatory. Initial steps are underway and I will keep you posted. Anyone interested in the Old Jail restoration should let me know!
Thanks for taking time to read this October 2010 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward in any direction you would like.
Also, feel free to visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog. I will also post them on my Facebook Fan Page, so if you are on Facebook please visit Tim Bubb, Licking County Commissioner.
I can also be e-mailed at tbubb@lcounty.com, and my desk phone number at the Commissioner’s Office is 740-670-5118.
Best Regards…Tim Bubb
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