It is ‘all about’ the turkey, trimmings and family as we arrive together at another Thanksgiving Celebration. To each of you and your families and friends - from our family - let me extend a sincere wish for an enjoyable and fulfilling (in every way) Thanksgiving celebration and holiday weekend.
For those planning early Black Friday shopping excursions ‘good luck’, and for the hundreds of friends and families headed downtown Friday evening for the annual lighting of the Courthouse (details below), we look forward to seeing you for the 63rd annual Christmas Lighting of the local landmark and the arrival of Santa. This promises to be a fun weekend!
The Christmas Season Officially Begins Friday Evening with the Annual Courthouse Lighting and Santa Arrival
The Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee is announcing they have exceeded their 2011 community goal of $18,850. A generous gift of $2,000 from Newark Elks Lodge #391 is credited with putting the campaign over the top. This means, for the 63rd consecutive year, the historic County Courthouse and grounds will be fully decorated for the Christmas season.
The community is invited to attend the Lighting Ceremony and the official start of the Christmas Season, in Licking County, this Friday evening, November 25th. The evening will feature the annual holiday music program, the excitement of Santa’s arrival, and lighting of the local landmark and decorations on the Courthouse lawn.
Festivities begin at 6:00pm on this the night after Thanksgiving. The holiday music program will feature longtime master of ceremonies Dave Lehman with his bag of tricks. Joining Dave will be recording artist Shawna Corder and well know local performer Hugh Price. Also, featured on stage will be Doug Moran and ‘The Heisey Brass’, playing a variety of holiday favorites. Returning with a special Christmas music performance for the sixth consecutive year will be the Blessed Sacrament School Combined Chorus under the direction of Tammy Witham.
During the ceremony the Courthouse Lighting Committee will salute the Newark Rodders Car Club for organizing the ‘2011 Lite the Nite Car Show’ in September. Proceeds from ‘Lite the Nite’ go to support Courthouse Lighting, and club members will be on hand Friday evening with a contribution.
The arrival of Santa in downtown Newark is anticipated around 7:00pm. The ‘Jolly Old Elf’ will extend his best wishes to the community and with the help of the children magically ‘light’ the colorful Courthouse decorations to officially begin the Christmas season in Licking County.
The Elves in Action will be downtown on the Square that evening to kick-off their annual holiday food drive. Volunteers will be located on the east side of the Square each evening until Christmas. All food collected will be donated to and distributed by the Licking County Food Pantry Network.
The Vineyard Church of Licking County will be serving free hot chocolate and popcorn, and again will stage a ‘live nativity’ Friday evening on the southwest corner of the Square.
Following the ‘Lighting Ceremony’ Santa and his elves will be in the lobby of Fiberglas Federal Credit Union, on the Square, for those who would like their children to meet Saint Nick.
Thanksgiving/Christmas Holiday Mentions…
* The twelfth annual "Country Holiday Home Tour" sponsored by the West Licking Historical Society in Pataskala and surrounding area, including Etna, Harrison, and Jersey Townships.
For information call: 740-927-9212 or 740-927-4807.
The tour is Sunday, December 4th from 1:00- 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10/person or $15/family
Available now at Bremen Banking Center in Pataskala
Pataskala and Kirkersville branches of Park National Bank
All branches of the Pataskala Banking Company
Available on day of tour at Bruce J. Baird Realty, 325 W. Broad St., Pataskala
and all tour sites as follows:
Old Etna Township House, 9363 Hazelton-Etna Road, old Etna
Mills home, 28 Dellenbaugh Loop, Cumberland Trail
Mullins home, 8991 Creek Road, Harrison Township
Sterling Theatre, 430 S. Main Street, Pataskala
Perkins home, 181 Apple Blossom Road, Hillside Farms,
off S. R. 310 n. of S. R. 16
Faith Bible Church (Historic Jersey Church), 12239 Morse Road
Emswilers' Tractors, 13167 Morse Road, w. of Jersey
Triplett home, 650 Keltonhurst Drive, Brooksedge Subdivision,
Christmas Parades…
* Saturday, December 3rd at 7:00pm -- Pataskala’s annual Lighted Christmas Parade.
* Saturday, December 10th at 3:00 pm -- the 16th Annual Outville Christmas Parade leaves from the Harrison Township Community Complex, 6750 Outville Road. After the parade enjoy the famous Outville Beans and Cornbread Dinner, plus a visit from Saint Nick himself. The day will conclude with an auction.
A few others events to note…
* Downtown Newark this Friday, November 25th, prior to Courthouse Lighting, a family event for those who would like to make a family ‘day of it’ downtown. Holiday Traditions at The Works “A Civil War Christmas” will be featured from 11:00am till 3:00pm.
The Works is located at 55 South First Street just a block off the downtown Square. Museum hours of operation coincide with the Holiday Traditions event this Friday. For more information visit www.attheworks.org or call The Works at 740-349-9277.
* Saturday, December 3rd from 1:00pm – 9:00pm – Granville’s annual Candlelight Walking Tour.
* Thursday, December 1st -- Christmas and the movie ‘White Christmas’ at Pataskala’s renovated Sterling Theatre, preceded by a dinner at the Pataskala United Methodist Church. Information and tickets at The Nutcracker Restaurant.
* Downtown Newark Holiday Open House and Cookie Walk --
Hundreds of luminaries will light the streets of downtown Newark during the Holiday Open & Cookie Walk, Friday December 2nd from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. Shops & galleries will be open late & their will be entertainment and a roving Santa.
New this year is the Cookie Walk. 100 tickets will be sold for $10.00 each. Tickets holders will receive dozens of cookies from participating businesses and be entered in a drawing for a door prize.
Tickets are available at Buckeye Winery, Barclay Photography, H.L. Art Jewelers, Matilda Charlottes, Myers & Pugh Jewelers and Newark Family Shoes/Cyndi's Treasures. Other participating businesses include Christy's Pizza, Cornell's Clothing, Gallery of Dreams/White Cottage, Goumas Candy, La Paloma, Licking County Arts, Midland Theatre, Newark Monument, Rent a Center & Sutton Law Office.
For more information visit the web site www.downtownnewarkoh.com or email memorylane37@windstream.net .
* The Dawes Arboretum will delight visitors from 5:30pm – 8:00pm Friday, December 2nd with some 15-hundred luminaries lighting their way along the North End Auto Tour. The Dawes Luminary Tour is free, yet gifts of cash or canned goods will be accepted and donated to the County Food Pantry. After the tour stop by the Dawes Visitors Center for a cup of hot cocoa, a holiday treat and activities for all ages. Dawes Arboretum is located 5-miles of south of Newark on State Route 13. Call for information (740) 323-2355.
* Victorian Christmas at Davis-Shai House in Heath. This FREE event is Saturday, December 10th from 4:00pm till 9:00pm. Davis-Shai is at 301 Central Parkway in Heath – call (740) 788-8942 for information.
(Disclaimer – the above mentions are a just a snapshot of holiday events in Licking County and I am certain there are a hundred more not mentioned. The above is a list events that the readers of Update asked me to include, to help get the word out. I am glad to do so. For many more events check the holiday listings in the Advocate, local weekly papers, The Dispatch, and the Greater Licking County Convention and Visitors Bureau website)
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
NOVEMBER 2011 UPDATE FROM COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB
Thanks for taking time to read this Commissioner Update. These are positive stories and I appreciate you taking time to stay abreast of what is happening in Licking County.
Next Tuesday, November 8th is General Election Day.
* Note the final day for ‘early (in person) voting’ is today (Friday) November 4th, from 8:00am till 6:00pm at the Board of Elections Office at 20 South Second Street in the County Administration Building in downtown Newark.
** Please note there will be NO absentee or early (in person) voting on either this Saturday, November 5th or on Monday, November 7th, as directed by the State of Ohio.
Next Tuesday is Election Day and the polling places will open at 6:30am and remain open until 7:30pm. The phone number for the Board of Elections is 740-670-5080. For further information check the official Licking County website - lcounty.com and click on Board of Elections.
By all means, if you haven’t voted early or absentee, please make time and cast your ballot on Election Day!
The following is my viewpoint on a few of the races and one of the issues on the ballot…
If you live in the City of Newark I would ask you to consider supporting Jeff Hall for Mayor, and Ryan Bubb and David Rhodes for City Council at Large. Countywide I would ask you to consider supporting Mark Gardner for Judge of Municipal Court. They are all qualified and excellent candidates!
Countywide I would urge a yes vote for the Licking Soil and Water Conservation District’s one-tenth mill levy, in the interest of protecting our local environment and preserving our natural heritage for decades to come.
Courthouse Holiday Lighting Campaign Extended
The annual community fundraising drive to light and decorate the Licking County Courthouse for the Christmas holiday season has been extended until Friday, November 11th. Courthouse Lighting Committee President Jay Barker says, “To date the community fundraising effort has raised $14,370 which is about seventy-six percent of the goal of $18,850.”
Barker says, “The campaign was set to close Tuesday, October 18th, however this extension will allow for a continued effort to reach the goal. For a variety of reasons some major contributors have scaled back their support this year and efforts are underway to replace those donations.” He adds,” It may be necessary to do a lesser decorating program for the Courthouse this year in line with the level of community support.”
Since 1949 the annual holiday lighting of the Courthouse has been the official start of the holiday season in Licking County. Funds raised pay for the installation, wiring and decorating of the Courthouse, Gazebo and the surrounding Courthouse Park. These community contributions also pay for the replacement of worn equipment and the removal of the decorations in January, as well. 2011 will mark the 63rd annual holiday lighting of the Licking County Courthouse. For more information on the project please visit www.courthouselighting.com.
Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to…
Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee
Post Office Box 292
Newark, Ohio 43058-0292
Long Standing Marne Ditch Flood Threat Soon To Be Eliminated
A concern that dates back to the early and mid 1990’s is the flood threat to part of the Marne community north of the railroad tracks, and an undersized railroad culvert that was the cause of the high water on a couple of occasions.
This concern was the subject of legal action by residents against the railroad that led to a court order to fix the problem and later a ditch petition before the County.
The bottom line is that new Licking County Engineer Bill Lozier, in his capacity as Deputy Engineer for the County, a couple of years ago designed and engineered an effective and less costly fix for the problem. We are pleased to say that work to implement the improvements is now underway
The fix involves the County installing a new larger concrete box culvert under Marne Road to allow potential flood waters to clear the Marne area (east of Newark) and flow to the Licking River. And later this month the railroad will do their part (at their cost) and install large box concrete culverts under their tracks to relieve the flow of future flood waters, protecting the community residents to the north of the tracks.
The Lozier solution is both cost effective and simple, and also resulted to no assessments to the Licking Valley residents in that watershed!
Weather permitting the work will be done by early December, and the County Commissioners and the Engineer can say, with great satisfaction, that a long standing flood threat has been corrected.
Just a Few Final Notes…
Congratulations to local developer Jack O’Neill who is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Development Council of Licking Memorial Hospital. The festivities will be this Friday evening (November 4th) at the Reese Center on the Newark Campus.
This Saturday evening (November 5th) the annual Inscho-Beasley-Mayfield Veteran of the Year Awards Dinner will be held at the VFW Post 1060 on Forry Street in Newark. Several veterans’ awards will be made including Veteran of the Year.
This Sunday (November 6th) several hundred participants on over 500 motorcycles will take part in the annual Rolling Thunder event. It begins at midday as the motorcyclists roll from Toys R Us in Heath to the Square in downtown Newark (for a photo). They then move to the Salvation Army in east Newark between 1:00pm and 2:00pm (Sunday afternoon) to bring thousands of dollars worth of toys and donations to assist the Army for this Christmas Season. This is a most impressive event especially if you have never heard 500 plus motorcycles fire up at once – it literally shakes the streets. You should consider coming downtown to watch this parade! It is yet another example of the great generosity of our community for those in need!
Finally, congratulations to the members of Second Presbyterian Church in downtown Newark. This Sunday (November 6th) afternoon, at 3:00pm, they will celebrate the 175th anniversary of their church here!
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Next Tuesday, November 8th is General Election Day.
* Note the final day for ‘early (in person) voting’ is today (Friday) November 4th, from 8:00am till 6:00pm at the Board of Elections Office at 20 South Second Street in the County Administration Building in downtown Newark.
** Please note there will be NO absentee or early (in person) voting on either this Saturday, November 5th or on Monday, November 7th, as directed by the State of Ohio.
Next Tuesday is Election Day and the polling places will open at 6:30am and remain open until 7:30pm. The phone number for the Board of Elections is 740-670-5080. For further information check the official Licking County website - lcounty.com and click on Board of Elections.
By all means, if you haven’t voted early or absentee, please make time and cast your ballot on Election Day!
The following is my viewpoint on a few of the races and one of the issues on the ballot…
If you live in the City of Newark I would ask you to consider supporting Jeff Hall for Mayor, and Ryan Bubb and David Rhodes for City Council at Large. Countywide I would ask you to consider supporting Mark Gardner for Judge of Municipal Court. They are all qualified and excellent candidates!
Countywide I would urge a yes vote for the Licking Soil and Water Conservation District’s one-tenth mill levy, in the interest of protecting our local environment and preserving our natural heritage for decades to come.
Courthouse Holiday Lighting Campaign Extended
The annual community fundraising drive to light and decorate the Licking County Courthouse for the Christmas holiday season has been extended until Friday, November 11th. Courthouse Lighting Committee President Jay Barker says, “To date the community fundraising effort has raised $14,370 which is about seventy-six percent of the goal of $18,850.”
Barker says, “The campaign was set to close Tuesday, October 18th, however this extension will allow for a continued effort to reach the goal. For a variety of reasons some major contributors have scaled back their support this year and efforts are underway to replace those donations.” He adds,” It may be necessary to do a lesser decorating program for the Courthouse this year in line with the level of community support.”
Since 1949 the annual holiday lighting of the Courthouse has been the official start of the holiday season in Licking County. Funds raised pay for the installation, wiring and decorating of the Courthouse, Gazebo and the surrounding Courthouse Park. These community contributions also pay for the replacement of worn equipment and the removal of the decorations in January, as well. 2011 will mark the 63rd annual holiday lighting of the Licking County Courthouse. For more information on the project please visit www.courthouselighting.com.
Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to…
Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee
Post Office Box 292
Newark, Ohio 43058-0292
Long Standing Marne Ditch Flood Threat Soon To Be Eliminated
A concern that dates back to the early and mid 1990’s is the flood threat to part of the Marne community north of the railroad tracks, and an undersized railroad culvert that was the cause of the high water on a couple of occasions.
This concern was the subject of legal action by residents against the railroad that led to a court order to fix the problem and later a ditch petition before the County.
The bottom line is that new Licking County Engineer Bill Lozier, in his capacity as Deputy Engineer for the County, a couple of years ago designed and engineered an effective and less costly fix for the problem. We are pleased to say that work to implement the improvements is now underway
The fix involves the County installing a new larger concrete box culvert under Marne Road to allow potential flood waters to clear the Marne area (east of Newark) and flow to the Licking River. And later this month the railroad will do their part (at their cost) and install large box concrete culverts under their tracks to relieve the flow of future flood waters, protecting the community residents to the north of the tracks.
The Lozier solution is both cost effective and simple, and also resulted to no assessments to the Licking Valley residents in that watershed!
Weather permitting the work will be done by early December, and the County Commissioners and the Engineer can say, with great satisfaction, that a long standing flood threat has been corrected.
Just a Few Final Notes…
Congratulations to local developer Jack O’Neill who is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Development Council of Licking Memorial Hospital. The festivities will be this Friday evening (November 4th) at the Reese Center on the Newark Campus.
This Saturday evening (November 5th) the annual Inscho-Beasley-Mayfield Veteran of the Year Awards Dinner will be held at the VFW Post 1060 on Forry Street in Newark. Several veterans’ awards will be made including Veteran of the Year.
This Sunday (November 6th) several hundred participants on over 500 motorcycles will take part in the annual Rolling Thunder event. It begins at midday as the motorcyclists roll from Toys R Us in Heath to the Square in downtown Newark (for a photo). They then move to the Salvation Army in east Newark between 1:00pm and 2:00pm (Sunday afternoon) to bring thousands of dollars worth of toys and donations to assist the Army for this Christmas Season. This is a most impressive event especially if you have never heard 500 plus motorcycles fire up at once – it literally shakes the streets. You should consider coming downtown to watch this parade! It is yet another example of the great generosity of our community for those in need!
Finally, congratulations to the members of Second Presbyterian Church in downtown Newark. This Sunday (November 6th) afternoon, at 3:00pm, they will celebrate the 175th anniversary of their church here!
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Sunday, October 9, 2011
LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER UPDATE from TIM BUBB - OCTOBER 2011
Thanks for taking time to read this Commissioner Update – I have several positive stories to relate and I appreciate you taking time to stay abreast of what is happening in Licking County.
* Just a quick business note – tomorrow is the Federal and State observance of Columbus Day. While there will be no mail delivery and many government offices are closed – please note that Licking County Government will be open for business on Monday, October 10th. It is a tradition that County employees opted to take the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday, and work on Columbus Day!
Development Notes – Bringing Jobs to Licking County…
* The long awaited three mile western Licking County Job Ready Site road project was officially dedicated on September 16t. It is both open and now ready to serve new businesses.
At the dedication ceremony I was honored to join JobsOhio President Mark Kvamme (representing Governor Kasich), Congressman Pat Tiberi, and a host of state and local development and government officials. This new development road connects Broad Street in Pataskala to the National Road (US 40) in Etna Township at a cost of just over $6-million. The 300-plus acre Job Ready Site is one of the best potential mega-manufacturing sites in the Midwest, with several hundred acres in the corridor also, now primed for growth and job creation!
Commissioners Mastermind Upgrades in Systems for a Dozen County Buildings Featuring Green Energy Conservation Improvements that Pay for Themselves!
In cooperation with the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority your County Commissioners will retrofit twelve County Buildings with various energy efficiency and conservation systems following authorization of $4.7-million in special financing. The work will be divided into two projects, to be completed by Johnson Controls and Energy Systems Group, respectively. The work begins this month and will take about a year to complete.
Johnson Controls was awarded $3.4-million to retrofit seven Licking County government facilities and a waste water treatment plant, including the Administration Building, Agriculture Building, Animal Shelter, Courthouse, Domestic Courts Building, Highway Department/County Engineer Building and Transit Building, along with the Buckeye Lake Waste Water Treatment Plant.
The various energy conservation measures at the facilities include lighting retrofits and occupancy sensor installation; water conservation; building envelope and insulation improvements; piping insulation; roof and window replacements; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) renovations and building controls systems upgrades.
Energy Services Group was awarded just over $1.3-million to retrofit four Licking County government facilities, including the Justice Center, Child Support Enforcement Agency, Price Road Annex and the Job & Family Services Building. The various energy conservation measures at the facilities include lighting upgrades, direct digital control HVAC systems, hot water boilers, occupancy sensors, vending machine controls and furnace tune-ups.
“Licking County is among the very first counties in Ohio to take advantage of OAQDA financing for air quality improvement and energy conservation projects for county government facilities. This is a great ‘win-win’ for everyone involved, especially the taxpayers, who will realize well over $300,000 in combined annual savings from these two projects,” said Todd Nein, OAQDA interim executive director.
Notes from the Ag Community…
* Early voting is underway and I would urge you to support the Licking Soil & Water Conservation District’s one-tenth mill levy in this General Election. Licking SWCD is asking for this small levy to make up for state and local budget cuts. Your Commissioners support this local excellent SWCD Program and this levy, in the interest of protecting our local environment and preserving our natural heritage for decades to come. For details visit the Licking SWCD web site at … www.SWCDFriends.org .
* Congratulations to Howard Siegrist on his retirement as Extension Educator and Agriculture & Natural Resources and County Director for OSU Extension. Howard served 25-years with Extension and 42-years in public service.
An event paying tribute to Howard was held for Friday, September 23rd at Wilson’s Garden Center east of Newark. Some 200 family and friends were in attendance. On behalf of Licking County and the Board of Commissioners I presented Howard with a Proclamation and a replica of the official County Bell, that was cast for the 2003 State Bicentennial.
Concluding With Some Headlines…
*The County Planning Commission and County Commissioners combined in the hiring, a week ago, of Jerry Newton to become our new Planning Director. Newton is relocating here from North Carolina and will begin October 27th.
* This past Saturday I was honored to join U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and several community leaders in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Newark Air Force Base in Heath, and the 15th anniversary of the privatization in place of this aerospace industrial site. It is now known as the Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center and is run by the Licking County, Newark, and Heath Port Authority.
* A week ago the Licking County Building Code Department held its 2nd Annual Meeting at the Davis Shai House in Heath. Representatives of the builder community, townships, villages, and zoning officials were on hand to hear Jack Pryor and Troy Warnock, of the Department relate their continued successes.
* Now underway is a bridge replacement on and a repaving of Brownsville Road in eastern Licking County. Coordinated by County Engineer Bill Lozier, total funding for the project is $728-thousand, with $573-thousand of that in State Public Works funding and a local share of $155-thousand.
* Can you believe it – only 11-weeks until Christmas!!! For the 63rd consecutive year the Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee is conducting a community wide fundraising effort to make certain the local landmark and Courthouse Square are decorated for the holiday season. Your support is needed to raise some $19-thousand for the project. Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to … The Courthouse Lighting Committee, P O Box 292, Newark, Ohio 43055. If successful the effort will result in the holiday lighting ceremony on Friday, November 25th.
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
* Just a quick business note – tomorrow is the Federal and State observance of Columbus Day. While there will be no mail delivery and many government offices are closed – please note that Licking County Government will be open for business on Monday, October 10th. It is a tradition that County employees opted to take the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday, and work on Columbus Day!
Development Notes – Bringing Jobs to Licking County…
* The long awaited three mile western Licking County Job Ready Site road project was officially dedicated on September 16t. It is both open and now ready to serve new businesses.
At the dedication ceremony I was honored to join JobsOhio President Mark Kvamme (representing Governor Kasich), Congressman Pat Tiberi, and a host of state and local development and government officials. This new development road connects Broad Street in Pataskala to the National Road (US 40) in Etna Township at a cost of just over $6-million. The 300-plus acre Job Ready Site is one of the best potential mega-manufacturing sites in the Midwest, with several hundred acres in the corridor also, now primed for growth and job creation!
Commissioners Mastermind Upgrades in Systems for a Dozen County Buildings Featuring Green Energy Conservation Improvements that Pay for Themselves!
In cooperation with the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority your County Commissioners will retrofit twelve County Buildings with various energy efficiency and conservation systems following authorization of $4.7-million in special financing. The work will be divided into two projects, to be completed by Johnson Controls and Energy Systems Group, respectively. The work begins this month and will take about a year to complete.
Johnson Controls was awarded $3.4-million to retrofit seven Licking County government facilities and a waste water treatment plant, including the Administration Building, Agriculture Building, Animal Shelter, Courthouse, Domestic Courts Building, Highway Department/County Engineer Building and Transit Building, along with the Buckeye Lake Waste Water Treatment Plant.
The various energy conservation measures at the facilities include lighting retrofits and occupancy sensor installation; water conservation; building envelope and insulation improvements; piping insulation; roof and window replacements; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) renovations and building controls systems upgrades.
Energy Services Group was awarded just over $1.3-million to retrofit four Licking County government facilities, including the Justice Center, Child Support Enforcement Agency, Price Road Annex and the Job & Family Services Building. The various energy conservation measures at the facilities include lighting upgrades, direct digital control HVAC systems, hot water boilers, occupancy sensors, vending machine controls and furnace tune-ups.
“Licking County is among the very first counties in Ohio to take advantage of OAQDA financing for air quality improvement and energy conservation projects for county government facilities. This is a great ‘win-win’ for everyone involved, especially the taxpayers, who will realize well over $300,000 in combined annual savings from these two projects,” said Todd Nein, OAQDA interim executive director.
Notes from the Ag Community…
* Early voting is underway and I would urge you to support the Licking Soil & Water Conservation District’s one-tenth mill levy in this General Election. Licking SWCD is asking for this small levy to make up for state and local budget cuts. Your Commissioners support this local excellent SWCD Program and this levy, in the interest of protecting our local environment and preserving our natural heritage for decades to come. For details visit the Licking SWCD web site at … www.SWCDFriends.org .
* Congratulations to Howard Siegrist on his retirement as Extension Educator and Agriculture & Natural Resources and County Director for OSU Extension. Howard served 25-years with Extension and 42-years in public service.
An event paying tribute to Howard was held for Friday, September 23rd at Wilson’s Garden Center east of Newark. Some 200 family and friends were in attendance. On behalf of Licking County and the Board of Commissioners I presented Howard with a Proclamation and a replica of the official County Bell, that was cast for the 2003 State Bicentennial.
Concluding With Some Headlines…
*The County Planning Commission and County Commissioners combined in the hiring, a week ago, of Jerry Newton to become our new Planning Director. Newton is relocating here from North Carolina and will begin October 27th.
* This past Saturday I was honored to join U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and several community leaders in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Newark Air Force Base in Heath, and the 15th anniversary of the privatization in place of this aerospace industrial site. It is now known as the Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center and is run by the Licking County, Newark, and Heath Port Authority.
* A week ago the Licking County Building Code Department held its 2nd Annual Meeting at the Davis Shai House in Heath. Representatives of the builder community, townships, villages, and zoning officials were on hand to hear Jack Pryor and Troy Warnock, of the Department relate their continued successes.
* Now underway is a bridge replacement on and a repaving of Brownsville Road in eastern Licking County. Coordinated by County Engineer Bill Lozier, total funding for the project is $728-thousand, with $573-thousand of that in State Public Works funding and a local share of $155-thousand.
* Can you believe it – only 11-weeks until Christmas!!! For the 63rd consecutive year the Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee is conducting a community wide fundraising effort to make certain the local landmark and Courthouse Square are decorated for the holiday season. Your support is needed to raise some $19-thousand for the project. Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to … The Courthouse Lighting Committee, P O Box 292, Newark, Ohio 43055. If successful the effort will result in the holiday lighting ceremony on Friday, November 25th.
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Monday, September 5, 2011
SEPTEMBER 2011 LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB UPDATE
We have just celebrated the Labor Day weekend. It is also the unofficial end of summer. With schools back in session and football underway, it is that ‘fall’ time of the year. Still, September is a good weather month and a number of warm days are still to come. A couple of calendar notes…on September 15th the Harvest Moon will be full (yet another sign of fall), and on Friday, September 23rd at 5:05 am it will be the autumnal equinox. On that day daylight will be about the same length as darkness, and for the next six months the days will be shorter in terms of daylight. I hope you and yours enjoy the autumn season, it is a great time of year!
A quick seasonal reminder, the 26th annual’ Lite the Nite Car Show’ is next Saturday (September 10th) on the Square in downtown Newark.
The Newark Rodders always put on a great show with some 800 sporty, classic and vintage vehicles expected. 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 8:30 pm from the steps on the eastside of the Licking County Courthouse, and door prizes will be awarded throughout the day! One of the benefactors of ‘Lite the Nite’ is the annual Christmas Lighting of the Courthouse!
Development Notes – Bringing Jobs to Licking County…
* The long awaited western Licking County Job Ready Site road project ready for dedication. Crews finished the pavement on the ‘development road’ that connects Broad Street in Pataskala to the National Road (US 40) in Etna Township. The 300-plus acre Job Ready Site will be one of the best potential manufacturing sites in the Midwest, with several hundred acres in the corridor also, now primed for growth and job creation. Officials in Pataskala are planning the JRS dedication event to be held at the Broad Street (Route 16) or north end of the project on Friday, September 16th at 10am.
* Jack Pryor, the head of the Licking County Building Code Department, has been appointed to the Residential Construction Advisory Committee at the Ohio Department of Commerce. Jack will serve a three year term on the Committee with representatives of the Fire, Building Code, Contractor, Village and City constituencies. This group is charged with offering changes and improvements to the State Building Code.
* Growth continues in the new area of New Albany in Licking County in the area of the new State Route 161 Beech Road interchange. In July your County Commissioners toured the new Accel, Inc. plant. Accel is the first of what will be a family of eight companies committed to building in the new Beauty and Personal Care Campus. This new section of the New Albany Business Park will see 445 jobs at Accel; and within a couple of years the employment level will grow to some 15-hundred. Among the firms locating facilities in the Park, in addition to Accel, are…Knowlton Development, Vee Pak, Alene Candles, Jeyes, Axium Plastics, Anomatic based in Newark; and Sonoco, a South Carolina based packaging company.
Notes from the Ag Community…
* Congratulations to Howard Siegrist on his retirement as Extension Educator and Agriculture & Natural Resources and County Director for OSU Extension. Howard served 25-years with Extension and 42-years in public service. An event paying tribute to Howard is planned for Friday, September 23rd at 3:00pm at Wilson’s Garden Center east of Newark.
* The Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District is planning their Open House and Annual Meeting for Sunday afternoon, September 25th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the District Office at 771 East Main Street in Newark. You are welcome to attend and learn more about the great work of our County Soil and Water District, and their 1/10th mill operating levy on the November Ballot. I would urge your support of this ballot issue to ensure the continuation of local conservation programs that promote clean water, abundant food and a healthy environment.
* Under the sponsorship of Licking County Soil and Water the Licking River Round-Up returns next weekend. On Saturday, September 10th the clean-up will take place on several sections of the North Fork of the Licking River and the Licking River. Registration is from 8am to 9am at Everett Park in Newark with the river clean-up from 9am to Noon. Lunch and a thank you event are planned from Noon to 3pm at Everett Park. For details visit: www.lickingswcd.com/get-involved or call Jim Kiracofe at 740-670-5330. Partnering with Soil & Water for the event are…Newark’s Storm Water Utility & Waste Treatment Plant, County Health, County Recycling & Litter, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Cherry Valley Road Interchange Update from LCATS)…
LCATS is a our Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) that works with our various communities planning highway and infrastructure improvements, and serving as a conduit for Federal and State Transportation dollars.
Sandie Mapel, LCATS Director, recently reported on progress toward the upgrading of the congested Cherry Valley Road interchange at State Route 16. She says, several key components including environmental field studies, survey work, and sixty percent of the design work by State engineers, are complete. Also, value engineering studies have reduced the cost of this major project by $2.5-million to $28.7-million in 2014 construction dollars.
With the environmental document now complete, Mapel says, credit goes to the staff at ODOT Division 5 for their efforts to assist project sponsors in preparing to seek funding, as a new construction project, through the State’s competitive TRAC process. LCATS, Newark and Granville are supporting development of the TRAC application.
First Annual Dog Paddle Event a Howling Success!
The Heath Water Park hosted the 2011 Dog Paddle event on the final day of pool activities for the season. Some 200 pooches and hundreds of people attended the fun event that afternoon. I would personally thank the entire sponsoring committee and the staff of County Animal Control for a well organized and fun event that benefitted the County Shelter’s Spay & Neuter Fund. A special thanks to the many Heath City Officials who cooperated in permitting the event and were on hand to see how much fun people and their dogs can have at such a water event! Plans are underway for a 2012 Dog paddle!
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
A quick seasonal reminder, the 26th annual’ Lite the Nite Car Show’ is next Saturday (September 10th) on the Square in downtown Newark.
The Newark Rodders always put on a great show with some 800 sporty, classic and vintage vehicles expected. 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 8:30 pm from the steps on the eastside of the Licking County Courthouse, and door prizes will be awarded throughout the day! One of the benefactors of ‘Lite the Nite’ is the annual Christmas Lighting of the Courthouse!
Development Notes – Bringing Jobs to Licking County…
* The long awaited western Licking County Job Ready Site road project ready for dedication. Crews finished the pavement on the ‘development road’ that connects Broad Street in Pataskala to the National Road (US 40) in Etna Township. The 300-plus acre Job Ready Site will be one of the best potential manufacturing sites in the Midwest, with several hundred acres in the corridor also, now primed for growth and job creation. Officials in Pataskala are planning the JRS dedication event to be held at the Broad Street (Route 16) or north end of the project on Friday, September 16th at 10am.
* Jack Pryor, the head of the Licking County Building Code Department, has been appointed to the Residential Construction Advisory Committee at the Ohio Department of Commerce. Jack will serve a three year term on the Committee with representatives of the Fire, Building Code, Contractor, Village and City constituencies. This group is charged with offering changes and improvements to the State Building Code.
* Growth continues in the new area of New Albany in Licking County in the area of the new State Route 161 Beech Road interchange. In July your County Commissioners toured the new Accel, Inc. plant. Accel is the first of what will be a family of eight companies committed to building in the new Beauty and Personal Care Campus. This new section of the New Albany Business Park will see 445 jobs at Accel; and within a couple of years the employment level will grow to some 15-hundred. Among the firms locating facilities in the Park, in addition to Accel, are…Knowlton Development, Vee Pak, Alene Candles, Jeyes, Axium Plastics, Anomatic based in Newark; and Sonoco, a South Carolina based packaging company.
Notes from the Ag Community…
* Congratulations to Howard Siegrist on his retirement as Extension Educator and Agriculture & Natural Resources and County Director for OSU Extension. Howard served 25-years with Extension and 42-years in public service. An event paying tribute to Howard is planned for Friday, September 23rd at 3:00pm at Wilson’s Garden Center east of Newark.
* The Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District is planning their Open House and Annual Meeting for Sunday afternoon, September 25th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the District Office at 771 East Main Street in Newark. You are welcome to attend and learn more about the great work of our County Soil and Water District, and their 1/10th mill operating levy on the November Ballot. I would urge your support of this ballot issue to ensure the continuation of local conservation programs that promote clean water, abundant food and a healthy environment.
* Under the sponsorship of Licking County Soil and Water the Licking River Round-Up returns next weekend. On Saturday, September 10th the clean-up will take place on several sections of the North Fork of the Licking River and the Licking River. Registration is from 8am to 9am at Everett Park in Newark with the river clean-up from 9am to Noon. Lunch and a thank you event are planned from Noon to 3pm at Everett Park. For details visit: www.lickingswcd.com/get-involved or call Jim Kiracofe at 740-670-5330. Partnering with Soil & Water for the event are…Newark’s Storm Water Utility & Waste Treatment Plant, County Health, County Recycling & Litter, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Cherry Valley Road Interchange Update from LCATS)…
LCATS is a our Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) that works with our various communities planning highway and infrastructure improvements, and serving as a conduit for Federal and State Transportation dollars.
Sandie Mapel, LCATS Director, recently reported on progress toward the upgrading of the congested Cherry Valley Road interchange at State Route 16. She says, several key components including environmental field studies, survey work, and sixty percent of the design work by State engineers, are complete. Also, value engineering studies have reduced the cost of this major project by $2.5-million to $28.7-million in 2014 construction dollars.
With the environmental document now complete, Mapel says, credit goes to the staff at ODOT Division 5 for their efforts to assist project sponsors in preparing to seek funding, as a new construction project, through the State’s competitive TRAC process. LCATS, Newark and Granville are supporting development of the TRAC application.
First Annual Dog Paddle Event a Howling Success!
The Heath Water Park hosted the 2011 Dog Paddle event on the final day of pool activities for the season. Some 200 pooches and hundreds of people attended the fun event that afternoon. I would personally thank the entire sponsoring committee and the staff of County Animal Control for a well organized and fun event that benefitted the County Shelter’s Spay & Neuter Fund. A special thanks to the many Heath City Officials who cooperated in permitting the event and were on hand to see how much fun people and their dogs can have at such a water event! Plans are underway for a 2012 Dog paddle!
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Monday, August 15, 2011
DOG PADDLE EVENT AUGUST 21ST AT HEATH POOL
How about a summer swim for your pooch? Plan to bring your four-legged friend to the ‘2011 Dog Paddle’ at the Heath City Water Park on Sunday, August 21st. Located at 1287 Hebron Road in Heath this pool event will be held from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
The Licking County Animal Shelter’s Spay and Neuter Fund will benefit from the proceeds of this event. The cost is $8.00 per dog in advance or $10.00 at the door. Two people will be admitted free with the paid dog admission. Children under 12-years of age are admitted free with an adult.
To register is advance visit this official website - www.lcounty.com/ac/lcaso www.lcounty.com/ac/lcaso - or call Shelly (740-973-3060) or e-mail her at slmyers1080@gmail.com lmyers1080@gmail.com .
This will be an enjoyable afternoon and evening, so bring your ‘best friend’ out for fun in the Activity Pool and the Lazy River at the Heath Pool. For everyone’s safety proof of current county dog license and rabies vaccination is required.
AUGUST 2011 LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER UPDATE FROM TIM BUBB
Information on positive things happening in Licking County…
As we enter the ‘dog days of summer’ just a quick reminder that the ‘showcase’ for Licking County – the 153rd Hartford Independent Fair – is next week. Opening Day is this Sunday August 7th and the annual expo in Croton continues through Saturday, August 13th.
Your County Commissioners look forward to greeting you at the Fairgrounds and taking part in a number of events.
While you are at the Fair plan to stop under the grandstand to visit with local government officials. Displays and booths will include…Homeland Security, Veterans, County Health Department, Department of Developmental Disabilities, Child Support Enforcement Agency, County Commissioners, City of Newark, County Auditor, County Treasurer, County Records and Archives, Convention and Visitors Bureau, County Transit, County Coroner, and the County Engineer.
The County Sheriff and many of his deputies will be on the Fairgrounds on patrol each day. Also, be sure to visit the Natural Resources Park at the Fairgrounds, and stop by the Soil and Water Conservation District and County Litter and Recycling booths.
Reminders…
* The annual Pataskala Street Fair runs from Wednesday, August 17th thru Saturday, August 20th. I look forward to seeing you in Pataskala on Main Street those four days, and in the Saturday Rotary Parade.
* On Friday and Saturday, August 12th & 13th the 2nd annual Newark Music and Wings Festival will be held on the Square.
* On Saturday, August 13th the Maennerchor in south Newark will host their annual German-American Ox Roast – always a great time!
*On Thursday, August 18th (4pm-8pm) the Licking County Aging Program will host their annual Ice Cream Social on the lawn at the former Children’s Home in east Newark.
Four Development Notes – Bringing Jobs to Licking County…
* The long awaited western Licking County Job Ready Site road project will be completed this month. Crews with the Savko Company recently completed pavement on the ‘development road’ that connects Broad Street (S R 16) in Pataskala to the National Road (US 40) in Etna Township. The 300-plus acre Job Ready Site will be one of the best potential manufacturing sites in the Midwest, with several hundred acres in the corridor also now primed for growth and job creation. Efforts are underway with the Governor’s Office to coordinate a grand opening event in September.
* The State of Ohio will contribute $1.5-million to a $2.3-million upgrade of the east Newark ‘Ohio Central Railroad’s Yards’. Representative Jay Hottinger says, “This is a logistics and distribution stimulus loan to the Columbus and Ohio River Railroad Company, which is part of the Ohio Central System”. The Railroad Company will add $650-thousand and the Ohio Rail Development Commission will add a $150-thousand grant to the project. The project will add tracks and switching capability to the busy rail yard, and create some 25-full time jobs locally. Some 84 area businesses are served by this short line rail company.
* Local Boeing Manager Charles Dutch has been selected to sit on the Board of Columbus 2020. This critical regional development group will be work closely with the State to promote development.
* The Newark-Heath-Licking County Port Authority last month celebrated the opening of The Horton Building. This new ‘state of the art’ 45-thousand square foot ‘class A office space and clean room facility’ was built on the campus of the former Newark Air Force Base. It is providing new modern quarters for Goodrich Aerospace, one of the major tenants at the Port Authority site.
The facility also offers additional office space and modern clean room options for other aerospace and engineering related tenants. The $5.7-million Horton building, named after the father of the base Wally Horton (who was on hand for the dedication), represents the first of what could be several new high tech buildings on the Port Authority site in Heath.
One Great County Demonstration Garden…
Congratulations to the Licking County Master Gardeners and the OSU Cooperative Extension Service for another GREAT year tending the County Demonstration Garden, which is adjacent to the County Ag Building.
The annual Garden Open House, a couple of weeks ago, drew a large Saturday morning crowd to see the young people learning from the Master Gardeners and sampling the fresh salsas, from the garden, made by the young people. The Open House feature live entertainment, education opportunities, and food and drink.
The Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District was also on hand with their mobile trailer and staff, offering great environmental tips as well.
The group’s mission statement is – Ohio Master Gardener Volunteers are Ohio State University trained volunteers empowered to educate others with timely research based gardening information. * I would urge anyone with a ‘green thumb’ or the desire to learn about gardening to consider the Master Gardener Program.
County Government Note…
Last week longtime Licking County Engineer Tim Lollo announced he is departing the office for retirement on September 30th. Lollo will be concluding a distinguished 31-year career with the County Engineer’s Office.
Lollo recommended and last week the County Commissioners appointed Deputy County Engineer Bill Lozier as Interim County Engineer beginning October 1st.
It will be up to the Republican Central Committee to meet in October and appoint an engineer to complete Lollo’s unexpired term. I join my fellow County Commissioner’s in urging the Central Committee to select Lozier to fill the unexpired term, and we will be supporting him as he seeks election to the County Engineer position in 2012!
Environmental Note…
The emphasis is now on more healthful eating habits and the “Locally Grown Locally Consumed” movement is gaining steam. Each week local growers are selling their produce to hundreds of area residents. Here is a listing of many of those markets…
Granville (740-323-6208) Saturday mornings 8:30 to Noon downtown on North Main Street between Broadway and College Street.
Also in Granville, Tuesday afternoons and early evenings from 3:30 till 6:30 off South Main between Ross’ IGA and Abe’s Body Shop.
Johnstown (740-817-1278) Saturday mornings from 9:00 to Noon on the downtown Johnstown Square.
Newark (740-345-9757) – Friday afternoons from 3:00 to 6:00 off South Third Street downtown and beside McDonalds.
Pataskala (740-964-6100) – Friday afternoons and early evenings from 4:00 till 7:00 downtown on the Veterans Green off State Route 310.
Utica (740-892-3921 ext. 223) – Wednesday afternoons from 2:00 till 5:00 at Ye Olde Mill off State Route 13.
Licking County Health Department (740-349-6535) – Thursday afternoons and early evenings from 3:30 till 6:30 at the County Price Road Annex at 675 Price Road in north Newark.
Orange Barrel Reminder – When traveling check first at the Buckeye Traffic website …www.buckeyetraffic.org - which provides up-to-date information on road conditions, traffic construction and other activity affecting roadways.
Note - a couple of upcoming golf events sponsored by fellow Licking County officials.
This Saturday morning, August 6th Recorder Bryan Long will host his 6th annual Golf Outing at St. Albans Golf Course. The cost is $60 per golfer or $50 to sponsor a hole. Call Greg Crist (740) 258-3055 or Bryan Long (740) 323-6914 for details or to reserve a team.
On Sunday morning, August 21st Commissioner Brad Feightner will host his 5th annual golf outing at Raccoon International Golf Course. The cost is $60 per golfer or $75 to sponsor a hole. E-mail Brad at bfeightner@hotmail.com or call him 740-334-7462 for details or to reserve a team.
Plug for a Special Event by Newark Parks & Recreation…
The Licking County Parking Garage (upper level) will be the location for the “Party on the Roof” the evening of Friday, August 19th from 6:00 till 11:00pm. Benefitting the Downtown Newark Association and the Newark Parks and Recreation Department, the evening will have a football tailgate theme. Vendors will be selling food, soft drinks and adult beverages. Tickets are $10 per person and can be obtained by calling Chuck Jackson at 740-670-7782 or e-mailing him at cjackson@newarkohio.net
Thanks for taking time to read this August 2011 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Friday, July 8, 2011
JULY 2011 - COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB UPDATE
Information on positive things happening in Licking County…
Here’s hoping each of you had a great July 4th weekend…as always the local fireworks, parades and cookouts made for an enjoyable time.
As we enter the ‘dog days of summer’ just a quick reminder that the ‘showcase’ for Licking County – the 153rd Hartford Independent Fair – is just around the corner. Opening Day is Sunday August 7th and the annual expo in Croton continues through Saturday, August 13th.
Your County Commissioners look forward to greeting you at the Fairgrounds and taking part in a number of events. While you are at the Fair plan to stop under the grandstand to visit with local government officials. Displays and booths will include…Homeland Security, Veterans, County Health Department, Department of Developmental Disabilities, Child Support Enforcement Agency, County Commissioners, City of Newark, County Auditor, County Treasurer, County Records and Archives, Convention and Visitors Bureau, County Transit, and the County Coroner.
The County Sheriff and many of his deputies will be on the Fairgrounds on patrol each day. Also, be sure to visit the Natural Resources Park at the Fairgrounds and stop by the Soil and Water Conservation District and County Litter and Recycling booths
For schedules and details go to the website … HartfordFair.com
A few County Government Notes…
Next Tuesday, July 12th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm Licking County Government will host a Wellness Fair in Room A on the lower level of the Administration Building (20 South 2nd St., downtown Newark). This is for County employees and dependents, however if you are downtown next Tuesday afternoon feel free to stop by. Healthy refreshments will be provided and a number of community agencies and businesses will be exhibiting, providing information and services.
Another reason to stop by the County Administration Building any weekday is to checkout our newly renovated front lobby. This is the first remodeling of the official “Front Door’ to the County since the building was constructed some four decades ago. The County Maintenance Staff did an excellent job on the project. The County Bicentennial Quilt, crafted by dozens of local residents in 2008, is now on display.
Also, a fun display is in place for this summer. Newark resident Tim Kinney built a replica of the County Courthouse and grounds out of several thousand legos, and it can be viewed in the lobby as well.
There are a couple of County employment opportunities about to come open. In August longtime County Planning Director Jerry Brems is retiring, and in September our Environmental Planner Jim Mickey is retiring. We wish them both the best! The Planning Commission has formed a search committee and both of these positions will be posted for hiring beginning July 11th, and will be open for thirty days. The job descriptions and details for these opportunities will be posted starting next week at the County website … lcounty.com (just click on Human Resources and then Positions Available for details).
The Commissioners and the County Engineer want you to be aware of a bridge replacement project this summer. We have secured some $573-thousand in State Public Works Commission Funds for a bridge project on Brownsville Road County Road 668) near the Blue Jay Road intersection. In addition some 9.8-miles of Brownsville Road will be resurfaced in Bowling Green, Hopewell, Franklin and Madison Townships.
Orange Barrel Reminder – When traveling check first at the Buckeye Traffic website …www.buckeyetraffic.org - which provides up-to-date information on road conditions, traffic construction and other activity affecting roadways.
A quick plug for a couple of upcoming golf events sponsored by fellow Licking County officials.
On Saturday morning, August 6th Recorder Bryan Long will host his 6th annual Golf Outing at St. Albans Golf Course. The cost is $60 per golfer or $50 to sponsor a hole. Call Greg Crist (740) 258-3055 or Bryan Long (740) 323-6914 for details or to reserve a team.
On Sunday morning, August 21st Commissioner Brad Feightner will host his 5th annual golf outing at Raccoon International Golf Course. The cost is $60 per golfer or $75 to sponsor a hole. E-mail Brad at bfeightner@hotmail.com or call him 740-334-7462 for details or to reserve a team.
Thanks for taking time to read this July 2011 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Here’s hoping each of you had a great July 4th weekend…as always the local fireworks, parades and cookouts made for an enjoyable time.
As we enter the ‘dog days of summer’ just a quick reminder that the ‘showcase’ for Licking County – the 153rd Hartford Independent Fair – is just around the corner. Opening Day is Sunday August 7th and the annual expo in Croton continues through Saturday, August 13th.
Your County Commissioners look forward to greeting you at the Fairgrounds and taking part in a number of events. While you are at the Fair plan to stop under the grandstand to visit with local government officials. Displays and booths will include…Homeland Security, Veterans, County Health Department, Department of Developmental Disabilities, Child Support Enforcement Agency, County Commissioners, City of Newark, County Auditor, County Treasurer, County Records and Archives, Convention and Visitors Bureau, County Transit, and the County Coroner.
The County Sheriff and many of his deputies will be on the Fairgrounds on patrol each day. Also, be sure to visit the Natural Resources Park at the Fairgrounds and stop by the Soil and Water Conservation District and County Litter and Recycling booths
For schedules and details go to the website … HartfordFair.com
A few County Government Notes…
Next Tuesday, July 12th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm Licking County Government will host a Wellness Fair in Room A on the lower level of the Administration Building (20 South 2nd St., downtown Newark). This is for County employees and dependents, however if you are downtown next Tuesday afternoon feel free to stop by. Healthy refreshments will be provided and a number of community agencies and businesses will be exhibiting, providing information and services.
Another reason to stop by the County Administration Building any weekday is to checkout our newly renovated front lobby. This is the first remodeling of the official “Front Door’ to the County since the building was constructed some four decades ago. The County Maintenance Staff did an excellent job on the project. The County Bicentennial Quilt, crafted by dozens of local residents in 2008, is now on display.
Also, a fun display is in place for this summer. Newark resident Tim Kinney built a replica of the County Courthouse and grounds out of several thousand legos, and it can be viewed in the lobby as well.
There are a couple of County employment opportunities about to come open. In August longtime County Planning Director Jerry Brems is retiring, and in September our Environmental Planner Jim Mickey is retiring. We wish them both the best! The Planning Commission has formed a search committee and both of these positions will be posted for hiring beginning July 11th, and will be open for thirty days. The job descriptions and details for these opportunities will be posted starting next week at the County website … lcounty.com (just click on Human Resources and then Positions Available for details).
The Commissioners and the County Engineer want you to be aware of a bridge replacement project this summer. We have secured some $573-thousand in State Public Works Commission Funds for a bridge project on Brownsville Road County Road 668) near the Blue Jay Road intersection. In addition some 9.8-miles of Brownsville Road will be resurfaced in Bowling Green, Hopewell, Franklin and Madison Townships.
Orange Barrel Reminder – When traveling check first at the Buckeye Traffic website …www.buckeyetraffic.org - which provides up-to-date information on road conditions, traffic construction and other activity affecting roadways.
A quick plug for a couple of upcoming golf events sponsored by fellow Licking County officials.
On Saturday morning, August 6th Recorder Bryan Long will host his 6th annual Golf Outing at St. Albans Golf Course. The cost is $60 per golfer or $50 to sponsor a hole. Call Greg Crist (740) 258-3055 or Bryan Long (740) 323-6914 for details or to reserve a team.
On Sunday morning, August 21st Commissioner Brad Feightner will host his 5th annual golf outing at Raccoon International Golf Course. The cost is $60 per golfer or $75 to sponsor a hole. E-mail Brad at bfeightner@hotmail.com or call him 740-334-7462 for details or to reserve a team.
Thanks for taking time to read this July 2011 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Monday, June 13, 2011
JUNE 2011 UPDATE FROM LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB
Information on positive things happening in Licking County…
In recent weeks the Licking County Aging Program acquired the former Miller’s Essenplatz restaurant on Main Street in east Newark, which is just east of their present Zerger Hall facility.
Plans are being finalized and a capital funds drive will be underway in the community to remodel the 34-thousand foot building, and convert it into a multi-purpose facility for senior citizens.
Recently a tour of the facility was given and it was announced that Dave Shull will Chair the $1.25-million capital funds drive for this renovation and acquisition project. They hope to have their fundraising drive complete by August.
Speaking of the Licking County Aging Program (LCAP), it is one of a number of senior service providing agencies across the County supported by a Countywide Senior Services Levy for operations. A few facts regarding LCAP…
Their nutrition program provides hot nutritious meals weekdays at the lunch hour. Home delivery is available, and there are five meal sites in Newark…Candlewick Commons, Sharon Glyn, Terrace Gardens, Washington Square and Zerger Hall. Also, there are five meal sites in the County…Chimes Terrace in Johnstown, LEADS Center in Pataskala, Mitchell Retirement Center in Heath, Oak Hill Manor in Utica, and Jacksontown United Methodist Church.
Other Senior Services include…Transportation, Home Services, Activities, Lobby Hobby Shop, Medicare Assistance and Smilemakers. LCAP has been providing care for older adults since 1972, and they recently took over operations of the Reese Adult Day Center on South Third Street in Newark.
Call 345-0821 or 1-800-452-0097 if you are a senior adult or know of someone who might benefit from their services. LCAP does not charge for its services, but donations are accepted to help defray costs.
Environmental Notes…
The Licking County Commissioners and the Water and Wastewater Department recently received a Public Service Award!
The Ohio Water Environment Association is a nonprofit association that provides technical education and training for Ohio water quality professionals who clean water and return it safely to the environment. OWEA's nearly 2000 members are dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our most precious natural resource.... Water!
The OWEA presents various annual awards to utilities that demonstrate outstanding performance toward protecting the environment.
The Licking County Board of Commissioners and the Licking County Water and Wastewater Department were the recipient of the “South East Section 2011 Public Service Award”, presented in May. The award was received due to the work performed on the Jacksontown Sewer Project, the Pilot Oil/ SR37 Sewer Line Project, and their continued commitment toward protecting the integrity of the Licking River downstream of the Buckeye Lake Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Environmental Reminder - the Regional CFLP Solid Waste District sponsored Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Day is held in Licking County only every other year due to the expense of the event, and this is our off year. However, HHW events will be held in neighboring Fairfield and Perry Counties this year. The dates are August 20th in Lancaster and September 17th in new Lexington. If you would like details call the CFLP Solid Waste District Office at 740-349-6308.
Orange Barrel Reminder – When traveling check first at the Buckeye Traffic website …www.buckeyetraffic.org - which provides up-to-date information on road conditions, traffic construction and other activity affecting roadways.
Community Notes…
Congratulations to the Granville Chamber of Commerce on their new office/headquarters in the heart of the Village’s business district 125 East Broadway. Executive Director Maggie Barno, and her many supporters and volunteers have done an excellent job creating an attractive new “front door’ for the Granville community.
The Pataskala Public Library recent returned to their building (101 South Vine Street) after being in temporary quarters for several months during a complete renovation project. Their recent rededication event was outstanding, and the staff and contractors did an excellent job updating the facility.
Last week I had the pleasure of addressing the Association of Retired Licking County Teachers. Joining me and also speaking about the County’s excellent Animal Control Program were Animal Control Director John Silva and Mary Angela Reed, one of our outstanding volunteers. Our main purpose was to thank the members of the group for adopting the Animal Shelter as one of their charities in the community, and we appreciate their support and donations.
Tomorrow evening (Tuesday June 14th) the Johnstown community is holding a reception to officially welcome Jim Lenner as their new Village Administrator. Jim began his career in this area working for the County Planning Department as a land planner for five years, and did excellent work. We wish him the best and look forward to working with him on behalf of the Johnstown community.
Tomorrow (Tuesday June 14th) is the annual observance of Flag Day. There are several commemorations in the County including programs in Newark and Pataskala. Please remember to display your American Flag on Tuesday!
This Friday evening (June 17th) is the first of two ‘Party on the Roof’ events planned for this summer. The location is the upper level of the County Parking Garage on South Second Street in downtown Newark. Arnett Howard and his Creole Funk Band will perform. The event is staged by the Newark City Parks Department, and last year was an enjoyable success. Tickets are available through Chuck Jackson and the Newark City Parks Department.
Finally, it is garden time so let me conclude this update with a green note…
This Saturday (June 18th) at 10:00am Dick Baltisberger, Tomato Specialist and Master Gardener, will have a workshop on Tomatoes in the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 771 East Main Street in Newark, behind the Agricultural Center.
Dick will discuss the value of using tomato cages and how a couple varieties of cages were built and used in the demonstration garden. He will also discuss the use or non use of fungicides in order to control the common tomato diseases of septora and early blight.
He will describe the difference between indeterminate and determinate plants, and how the proper selection of the variety type can avoid having a large plant overtake your home garden.
So if you are REALLY serious about your tomatoes – this Saturday morning workshop is FREE and no registration is required.
Thanks for taking time to read this June 2011 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
In recent weeks the Licking County Aging Program acquired the former Miller’s Essenplatz restaurant on Main Street in east Newark, which is just east of their present Zerger Hall facility.
Plans are being finalized and a capital funds drive will be underway in the community to remodel the 34-thousand foot building, and convert it into a multi-purpose facility for senior citizens.
Recently a tour of the facility was given and it was announced that Dave Shull will Chair the $1.25-million capital funds drive for this renovation and acquisition project. They hope to have their fundraising drive complete by August.
Speaking of the Licking County Aging Program (LCAP), it is one of a number of senior service providing agencies across the County supported by a Countywide Senior Services Levy for operations. A few facts regarding LCAP…
Their nutrition program provides hot nutritious meals weekdays at the lunch hour. Home delivery is available, and there are five meal sites in Newark…Candlewick Commons, Sharon Glyn, Terrace Gardens, Washington Square and Zerger Hall. Also, there are five meal sites in the County…Chimes Terrace in Johnstown, LEADS Center in Pataskala, Mitchell Retirement Center in Heath, Oak Hill Manor in Utica, and Jacksontown United Methodist Church.
Other Senior Services include…Transportation, Home Services, Activities, Lobby Hobby Shop, Medicare Assistance and Smilemakers. LCAP has been providing care for older adults since 1972, and they recently took over operations of the Reese Adult Day Center on South Third Street in Newark.
Call 345-0821 or 1-800-452-0097 if you are a senior adult or know of someone who might benefit from their services. LCAP does not charge for its services, but donations are accepted to help defray costs.
Environmental Notes…
The Licking County Commissioners and the Water and Wastewater Department recently received a Public Service Award!
The Ohio Water Environment Association is a nonprofit association that provides technical education and training for Ohio water quality professionals who clean water and return it safely to the environment. OWEA's nearly 2000 members are dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our most precious natural resource.... Water!
The OWEA presents various annual awards to utilities that demonstrate outstanding performance toward protecting the environment.
The Licking County Board of Commissioners and the Licking County Water and Wastewater Department were the recipient of the “South East Section 2011 Public Service Award”, presented in May. The award was received due to the work performed on the Jacksontown Sewer Project, the Pilot Oil/ SR37 Sewer Line Project, and their continued commitment toward protecting the integrity of the Licking River downstream of the Buckeye Lake Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Environmental Reminder - the Regional CFLP Solid Waste District sponsored Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Day is held in Licking County only every other year due to the expense of the event, and this is our off year. However, HHW events will be held in neighboring Fairfield and Perry Counties this year. The dates are August 20th in Lancaster and September 17th in new Lexington. If you would like details call the CFLP Solid Waste District Office at 740-349-6308.
Orange Barrel Reminder – When traveling check first at the Buckeye Traffic website …www.buckeyetraffic.org - which provides up-to-date information on road conditions, traffic construction and other activity affecting roadways.
Community Notes…
Congratulations to the Granville Chamber of Commerce on their new office/headquarters in the heart of the Village’s business district 125 East Broadway. Executive Director Maggie Barno, and her many supporters and volunteers have done an excellent job creating an attractive new “front door’ for the Granville community.
The Pataskala Public Library recent returned to their building (101 South Vine Street) after being in temporary quarters for several months during a complete renovation project. Their recent rededication event was outstanding, and the staff and contractors did an excellent job updating the facility.
Last week I had the pleasure of addressing the Association of Retired Licking County Teachers. Joining me and also speaking about the County’s excellent Animal Control Program were Animal Control Director John Silva and Mary Angela Reed, one of our outstanding volunteers. Our main purpose was to thank the members of the group for adopting the Animal Shelter as one of their charities in the community, and we appreciate their support and donations.
Tomorrow evening (Tuesday June 14th) the Johnstown community is holding a reception to officially welcome Jim Lenner as their new Village Administrator. Jim began his career in this area working for the County Planning Department as a land planner for five years, and did excellent work. We wish him the best and look forward to working with him on behalf of the Johnstown community.
Tomorrow (Tuesday June 14th) is the annual observance of Flag Day. There are several commemorations in the County including programs in Newark and Pataskala. Please remember to display your American Flag on Tuesday!
This Friday evening (June 17th) is the first of two ‘Party on the Roof’ events planned for this summer. The location is the upper level of the County Parking Garage on South Second Street in downtown Newark. Arnett Howard and his Creole Funk Band will perform. The event is staged by the Newark City Parks Department, and last year was an enjoyable success. Tickets are available through Chuck Jackson and the Newark City Parks Department.
Finally, it is garden time so let me conclude this update with a green note…
This Saturday (June 18th) at 10:00am Dick Baltisberger, Tomato Specialist and Master Gardener, will have a workshop on Tomatoes in the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 771 East Main Street in Newark, behind the Agricultural Center.
Dick will discuss the value of using tomato cages and how a couple varieties of cages were built and used in the demonstration garden. He will also discuss the use or non use of fungicides in order to control the common tomato diseases of septora and early blight.
He will describe the difference between indeterminate and determinate plants, and how the proper selection of the variety type can avoid having a large plant overtake your home garden.
So if you are REALLY serious about your tomatoes – this Saturday morning workshop is FREE and no registration is required.
Thanks for taking time to read this June 2011 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward this e-mail in any direction you would like, and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Commissioner Bubb Honored To Speak At Police Week Ceremony in Newark
NEWARK — Licking County’s law enforcement officers risk their lives to protect residents — a job worthy of appreciation and a little help, officials said Wednesday at a Police Week ceremony.
“Every day, Ohio police officers put themselves between us and our families and harm’s way,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said.
Six officers have died while on duty in Licking County, the last in 1985. Since January, 71 police officers have died in the United States. With six deaths, Ohio is second only to Florida in number of officer fatalities this year, Newark Police Chief Steven Sarver said.
“That’s an unbelievable number,” Sarver said.
Law enforcement can remember the dead by preparing themselves for each call, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said. Deputies train in high-speed pursuit tactics so they know what to do in those circumstances.
“The danger is there, and we must remember that the danger exists,” Thorp said.
Residents can help law enforcement by being aware of what’s happening in their neighborhoods, calling in tips and testifying in court, Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said.
About 300 officers cannot protect a county of 167,000 people if they aren’t willing to help, he added.
“The thin blue line is very thin,” Bubb said.
People want police to protect them but often won’t testify as a witness or serve on a jury, Licking County Prosecutor Ken Oswalt said.
“You can’t expect them to go it alone,” Oswalt said.
Several agencies, including the Licking County Sheriff’s Office and Newark police, offer citizen academies to learn about police work.
Officers wore their uniforms and saluted as the names of those killed in the line of duty were read.
“I hope we don’t ever have to add to this list,” Fraternal Order of Police President Darrin Logan said.
The event was a first for Licking County, but Police Week celebrations have occurred since President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1963.
The ceremony comes at a time when the city of Newark is negotiating police and fire contracts and Senate Bill 5 threatens collective bargaining.
“Very few people would do what they do for what they’re compensated,” said Newark Mayor Bob Diebold, adding that he hoped for a balance with the unions.
DeWine, who was the keynote speaker, said he learned a lot about how to treat people riding to crime scenes with officers while he was an assistant prosecutor.
“There’s so much more to police work than arrests and convictions,” DeWine said.
“Every day, Ohio police officers put themselves between us and our families and harm’s way,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said.
Six officers have died while on duty in Licking County, the last in 1985. Since January, 71 police officers have died in the United States. With six deaths, Ohio is second only to Florida in number of officer fatalities this year, Newark Police Chief Steven Sarver said.
“That’s an unbelievable number,” Sarver said.
Law enforcement can remember the dead by preparing themselves for each call, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said. Deputies train in high-speed pursuit tactics so they know what to do in those circumstances.
“The danger is there, and we must remember that the danger exists,” Thorp said.
Residents can help law enforcement by being aware of what’s happening in their neighborhoods, calling in tips and testifying in court, Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said.
About 300 officers cannot protect a county of 167,000 people if they aren’t willing to help, he added.
“The thin blue line is very thin,” Bubb said.
People want police to protect them but often won’t testify as a witness or serve on a jury, Licking County Prosecutor Ken Oswalt said.
“You can’t expect them to go it alone,” Oswalt said.
Several agencies, including the Licking County Sheriff’s Office and Newark police, offer citizen academies to learn about police work.
Officers wore their uniforms and saluted as the names of those killed in the line of duty were read.
“I hope we don’t ever have to add to this list,” Fraternal Order of Police President Darrin Logan said.
The event was a first for Licking County, but Police Week celebrations have occurred since President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1963.
The ceremony comes at a time when the city of Newark is negotiating police and fire contracts and Senate Bill 5 threatens collective bargaining.
“Very few people would do what they do for what they’re compensated,” said Newark Mayor Bob Diebold, adding that he hoped for a balance with the unions.
DeWine, who was the keynote speaker, said he learned a lot about how to treat people riding to crime scenes with officers while he was an assistant prosecutor.
“There’s so much more to police work than arrests and convictions,” DeWine said.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Recent Advocate Story on the Possibilities for the Historic Old County Jail
NEWARK -- Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said Thursday a tour of the Noble County Historic Museum showed what can be done with an old jail facility.
The commissioners have said they would like to turn the county's old jail, located at 46 S. Third St., into a tourist attraction, potentially resulting in tours, events and maybe even a Halloween haunted house.
The huge Millersburg sandstone building, built in 1889 on the design of prominent Columbus architect J.W. Yost, has not been used to house prisoners since a new jail was built in 1987.
Bubb and Deputy Clerk Pam Jones traveled Wednesday to Caldwell, to view Noble County's historic jail, built in 1882 and restored as a museum and visitor center.
"I think we learned a little bit about what our jail could be," Bubb said. "You can take a building of that vintage and make it look really nice."
County officials probably would turn over the operation of the former Licking County jail to a nonprofit group rather than operate it themselves, Bubb said. But the county would retain ownership to have control of its future.
"We probably don't want to be in the museum business," Bubb said. "There is some value of saving old buildings and renovating them. It's an asset, not a liability."
The three-story structure in downtown Caldwell is operated by a nonprofit organization, which leases the building from the county for $10 per year, Jones said.
The Noble County facility was one of few facilities of its type to also be used as the jailer's residence.
The former jail in Newark also was living quarters for the county sheriff and later the jail matron. Visitors coming through the Third Street entrance walked into the sheriff's front parlor, where there once were elaborate parties.
In November, an investigator with Southeastern Ohio Paranormal Investigators, a Zanesville-based group that searches buildings for evidence of spiritual activity, toured the building and concluded it is haunted.
The building is used as headquarters for the Licking County shredding program. The massive amount of records once stored in the building has been dramatically reduced since Katy Klettlinger was hired as the county's first Records Center coordinator in 2008.
The former jail was home to the Licking County Veterans Service Commission from the early 1990s until 2005.
In 1998, the late Howard LeFevre, founder of The Works, proposed the sandstone building be turned into a museum for the Licking County Art Association, but estimated a cost of $4 million to $5 million to tear out the building's jail structures and interior stone walls.
The expense would be far less to prepare the building for a tourist use, however, Commissioner Doug Smith said, because most of the interior could remain intact.
The commissioners made repairs to the slate roof recently but have not spent much on the building in recent years.
"We don't want to expend any money on it until we determine the final use for it," Smith said.
The commissioners have said they would like to turn the county's old jail, located at 46 S. Third St., into a tourist attraction, potentially resulting in tours, events and maybe even a Halloween haunted house.
The huge Millersburg sandstone building, built in 1889 on the design of prominent Columbus architect J.W. Yost, has not been used to house prisoners since a new jail was built in 1987.
Bubb and Deputy Clerk Pam Jones traveled Wednesday to Caldwell, to view Noble County's historic jail, built in 1882 and restored as a museum and visitor center.
"I think we learned a little bit about what our jail could be," Bubb said. "You can take a building of that vintage and make it look really nice."
County officials probably would turn over the operation of the former Licking County jail to a nonprofit group rather than operate it themselves, Bubb said. But the county would retain ownership to have control of its future.
"We probably don't want to be in the museum business," Bubb said. "There is some value of saving old buildings and renovating them. It's an asset, not a liability."
The three-story structure in downtown Caldwell is operated by a nonprofit organization, which leases the building from the county for $10 per year, Jones said.
The Noble County facility was one of few facilities of its type to also be used as the jailer's residence.
The former jail in Newark also was living quarters for the county sheriff and later the jail matron. Visitors coming through the Third Street entrance walked into the sheriff's front parlor, where there once were elaborate parties.
In November, an investigator with Southeastern Ohio Paranormal Investigators, a Zanesville-based group that searches buildings for evidence of spiritual activity, toured the building and concluded it is haunted.
The building is used as headquarters for the Licking County shredding program. The massive amount of records once stored in the building has been dramatically reduced since Katy Klettlinger was hired as the county's first Records Center coordinator in 2008.
The former jail was home to the Licking County Veterans Service Commission from the early 1990s until 2005.
In 1998, the late Howard LeFevre, founder of The Works, proposed the sandstone building be turned into a museum for the Licking County Art Association, but estimated a cost of $4 million to $5 million to tear out the building's jail structures and interior stone walls.
The expense would be far less to prepare the building for a tourist use, however, Commissioner Doug Smith said, because most of the interior could remain intact.
The commissioners made repairs to the slate roof recently but have not spent much on the building in recent years.
"We don't want to expend any money on it until we determine the final use for it," Smith said.
Friday, May 13, 2011
MAY 2011 UPDATE FROM LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB
Information on positive things happening in Licking County…
This Sunday afternoon (May 15th) you are invited to an Open House to view and celebrate the completion of the $3-million local Salvation Army renovation project.
Located at 250 East Main Street in Newark the facility has a new and expanded homeless shelter so that more homeless families have a home. The remodeled soup kitchen, in conjunction with the Food Pantry Network, is now serving meals to needy people every day. And the interior facilities have been renovated including classrooms so that at-risk children have a place to go after school.
You are invited to bring your family and friends as well, to celebrate the dedication of this expanded and renovated facility. The dedication ceremony begins at 3:00pm, and open house tours continue until 5:00pm.
Local Senior Citizens Recognized…
This past Wednesday these five outstand people were honored by induction into the Licking County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Sharon Brook facility in north Newark…
John and Annalou Campbell of Heath - Lucy Ann Muncy of Pataskala - Roy Wells of Heath – and Ronnie Vickers of Newark.
Next Wednesday, May 18th, John and Annalou Campbell will be recognized with induction as the 2011 Licking County representatives at the 36th annual Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Ceremony at the Martin Janis Center in Columbus.
They will join nominees from Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Madison, Pickaway and Union Counties. John is retired from Denison University and Annalou from Granville Exempted Village Schools. Married for 60-years, they have two sons, John David and Duane Lee.
I am joined by Commissioners Brad Feightner and Doug Smith, in congratulating the Campbells for their dual honor, as well as Lucy Ann, Roy and Ronnie for their local recognition.
Orange Barrel Advisory for this year and next…
Here is a list of eleven major State road and bridge projects in Licking County in 2011 and 2012. This information is courtesy of ODOT Division 5 Deputy Director Joe Rutherford…
1. Some $8.6-million will be spent to resurface Interstate 70 between State Route 158 and the Franklin County line. To minimize impact of traffic the paving will be done at night beginning this July 15th and concluding by the end of October 2011.
2. Improvements will begin on June 15th in Johnstown Village at the intersection of US Route 62 and State Route 37, the major downtown interchange. Turn lanes will be made longer and signals upgraded. This project will be done by the end of this October or sooner. This cost is some $830-thousand.
3. Major improvements are set of the intersection of State Route 16 at Cedar Street in east Newark. The bridges will be redecked and the ramps improved, as well, at a cost of some $2.2-million. This work begins this June 15th and completed on or before the end of September 2012.
4. Around June 15th the long awaited median improvement project on State Route 79 in Heath will begin. This year and next the public will see a wider road, with a center median and upgraded signals. The cost is $4.1-million. The project, in phases, will be complete by the end of October 2012.
5. The State will resurface State Route 13 from Waterworks Road in Newark to Utica at a cost of $3.8-million. The work will begin around the end of August and conclude by the end of this October.
6. Beginning in Licking County at I-70, State Route 37 will be resurfaced south into Fairfield County concluding at the Lancaster City limits. The cost is $3.7-million. This will be a September and October late summer 2011 project.
7. In Licking County and throughout ODOT District 5, in 2011, some $4.4-million will be spent on guardrail updates, pavements markings and raised markers, lighting, interstate mowing, crack sealing and traffic signal upgrades.
8. In the summer of 2012 the State Route 158 overpass at I-70 will be widened to accommodate future widening of I-70 to three lanes in each direction. The cost is $7.7-million.
9. Three Licking County bridge replacement projects are planned for 2012. State Route 586 at Pleasant Valley Run ($370-thousand), McIntosh Road (Township Road 155) west of Headley’s Mill Road ($444-thousand), and County Road 311 Hopewell ($933-thousand).
10. In 2012 a $382-thousand ‘safety’ related intersection improvement is planned for the intersection of Blacks and Watkins Roads. This much needed project will begin around July 15th of next year.
11. In Newark City two major resurfacing projects are planned for the spring of 2012. West Main Street west from 3rd Street downtown to 21st Street. And Granville Road west from 5th to 21st Streets.
Note – When traveling check first at the Buckeye Traffic website …www.buckeyetraffic.org - which provides up-to-date information on road conditions, traffic construction and other activity affecting roadways.
A note from Licking County Dog Warden John Silva…
With the assistance of volunteer Shelley McKee (Pataskala), who is with the rescue group Stop the Suffering, the Licking County Animal Shelter has received a grant of one-thousand doses of vaccine to prevent canine influenza virus. This is the second grant of vaccine from the group Petfinder and it will be used to prevent this contagious disease that spreads easily from dog to dog, especially those in close proximity. This is the equivalent of a $2-thousand donation and will be used throughout 2011 at the County Shelter.
Dog flu is a growing problem in the U.S. It is relatively new and most dogs have not built up immunity to the disease. It has been confirmed in 35-states and is difficult to diagnose. Dogs are contagious before showing symptoms. Virtually all dogs exposed to the virus will become infected, and some will get more serious infections, such as pneumonia, which can be fatal.
For information on Petfinder (web searches) and information on how to adopt friendly healthy dogs and cats from the Licking County Animal Shelter, visit the Animal Shelter Online link at the County website www.lcounty.com
Environmental Events Reminder…
The annual Licking County Appliance and Tire Collection will be held THIS Saturday, May 14th.
The location will be the Licking County Highway Garage at 771 East Main Street in Newark from 8:00am till 12 Noon.
The cost to drop off tires is $5 per passenger or light truck tire, $10 for per large semi tires, $25 per for tractor/farm equipment tires, and an addition charge of $1 for each tire on a rim. The cost for appliances is $10 for a Freon based unit, and $5 each for all others. *Note – NO computers or televisions accepted! Transactions are CASH ONLY.
Also, the Regional CFLP Solid Waste District sponsored Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Day is held in Licking County only every other year due to the expense of the event, and this is our off year. However HHW events will be held in neighboring Fairfield and Perry Counties this year. The dates are August 20th in Lancaster and September 17th in new Lexington. If you would like details call the CFLP Solid Waste District Office at 740-349-6308.
Thanks for taking time to read this May 2011 Commissioner Update.
If you would like to receive this monthly Commissioner Update directly to your e-mail address, simply drop me a note at timbubb@roadrunner.com to be added to my list.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
This Sunday afternoon (May 15th) you are invited to an Open House to view and celebrate the completion of the $3-million local Salvation Army renovation project.
Located at 250 East Main Street in Newark the facility has a new and expanded homeless shelter so that more homeless families have a home. The remodeled soup kitchen, in conjunction with the Food Pantry Network, is now serving meals to needy people every day. And the interior facilities have been renovated including classrooms so that at-risk children have a place to go after school.
You are invited to bring your family and friends as well, to celebrate the dedication of this expanded and renovated facility. The dedication ceremony begins at 3:00pm, and open house tours continue until 5:00pm.
Local Senior Citizens Recognized…
This past Wednesday these five outstand people were honored by induction into the Licking County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Sharon Brook facility in north Newark…
John and Annalou Campbell of Heath - Lucy Ann Muncy of Pataskala - Roy Wells of Heath – and Ronnie Vickers of Newark.
Next Wednesday, May 18th, John and Annalou Campbell will be recognized with induction as the 2011 Licking County representatives at the 36th annual Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Ceremony at the Martin Janis Center in Columbus.
They will join nominees from Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Madison, Pickaway and Union Counties. John is retired from Denison University and Annalou from Granville Exempted Village Schools. Married for 60-years, they have two sons, John David and Duane Lee.
I am joined by Commissioners Brad Feightner and Doug Smith, in congratulating the Campbells for their dual honor, as well as Lucy Ann, Roy and Ronnie for their local recognition.
Orange Barrel Advisory for this year and next…
Here is a list of eleven major State road and bridge projects in Licking County in 2011 and 2012. This information is courtesy of ODOT Division 5 Deputy Director Joe Rutherford…
1. Some $8.6-million will be spent to resurface Interstate 70 between State Route 158 and the Franklin County line. To minimize impact of traffic the paving will be done at night beginning this July 15th and concluding by the end of October 2011.
2. Improvements will begin on June 15th in Johnstown Village at the intersection of US Route 62 and State Route 37, the major downtown interchange. Turn lanes will be made longer and signals upgraded. This project will be done by the end of this October or sooner. This cost is some $830-thousand.
3. Major improvements are set of the intersection of State Route 16 at Cedar Street in east Newark. The bridges will be redecked and the ramps improved, as well, at a cost of some $2.2-million. This work begins this June 15th and completed on or before the end of September 2012.
4. Around June 15th the long awaited median improvement project on State Route 79 in Heath will begin. This year and next the public will see a wider road, with a center median and upgraded signals. The cost is $4.1-million. The project, in phases, will be complete by the end of October 2012.
5. The State will resurface State Route 13 from Waterworks Road in Newark to Utica at a cost of $3.8-million. The work will begin around the end of August and conclude by the end of this October.
6. Beginning in Licking County at I-70, State Route 37 will be resurfaced south into Fairfield County concluding at the Lancaster City limits. The cost is $3.7-million. This will be a September and October late summer 2011 project.
7. In Licking County and throughout ODOT District 5, in 2011, some $4.4-million will be spent on guardrail updates, pavements markings and raised markers, lighting, interstate mowing, crack sealing and traffic signal upgrades.
8. In the summer of 2012 the State Route 158 overpass at I-70 will be widened to accommodate future widening of I-70 to three lanes in each direction. The cost is $7.7-million.
9. Three Licking County bridge replacement projects are planned for 2012. State Route 586 at Pleasant Valley Run ($370-thousand), McIntosh Road (Township Road 155) west of Headley’s Mill Road ($444-thousand), and County Road 311 Hopewell ($933-thousand).
10. In 2012 a $382-thousand ‘safety’ related intersection improvement is planned for the intersection of Blacks and Watkins Roads. This much needed project will begin around July 15th of next year.
11. In Newark City two major resurfacing projects are planned for the spring of 2012. West Main Street west from 3rd Street downtown to 21st Street. And Granville Road west from 5th to 21st Streets.
Note – When traveling check first at the Buckeye Traffic website …www.buckeyetraffic.org - which provides up-to-date information on road conditions, traffic construction and other activity affecting roadways.
A note from Licking County Dog Warden John Silva…
With the assistance of volunteer Shelley McKee (Pataskala), who is with the rescue group Stop the Suffering, the Licking County Animal Shelter has received a grant of one-thousand doses of vaccine to prevent canine influenza virus. This is the second grant of vaccine from the group Petfinder and it will be used to prevent this contagious disease that spreads easily from dog to dog, especially those in close proximity. This is the equivalent of a $2-thousand donation and will be used throughout 2011 at the County Shelter.
Dog flu is a growing problem in the U.S. It is relatively new and most dogs have not built up immunity to the disease. It has been confirmed in 35-states and is difficult to diagnose. Dogs are contagious before showing symptoms. Virtually all dogs exposed to the virus will become infected, and some will get more serious infections, such as pneumonia, which can be fatal.
For information on Petfinder (web searches) and information on how to adopt friendly healthy dogs and cats from the Licking County Animal Shelter, visit the Animal Shelter Online link at the County website www.lcounty.com
Environmental Events Reminder…
The annual Licking County Appliance and Tire Collection will be held THIS Saturday, May 14th.
The location will be the Licking County Highway Garage at 771 East Main Street in Newark from 8:00am till 12 Noon.
The cost to drop off tires is $5 per passenger or light truck tire, $10 for per large semi tires, $25 per for tractor/farm equipment tires, and an addition charge of $1 for each tire on a rim. The cost for appliances is $10 for a Freon based unit, and $5 each for all others. *Note – NO computers or televisions accepted! Transactions are CASH ONLY.
Also, the Regional CFLP Solid Waste District sponsored Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Day is held in Licking County only every other year due to the expense of the event, and this is our off year. However HHW events will be held in neighboring Fairfield and Perry Counties this year. The dates are August 20th in Lancaster and September 17th in new Lexington. If you would like details call the CFLP Solid Waste District Office at 740-349-6308.
Thanks for taking time to read this May 2011 Commissioner Update.
If you would like to receive this monthly Commissioner Update directly to your e-mail address, simply drop me a note at timbubb@roadrunner.com to be added to my list.
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…Commissioner Tim Bubb
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
APRIL 2011 LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB UPDATE
Information on positive things happening in Licking County…
Licking County Surplus on GovDeals…
Five years ago, in an effort to maximize returns on the sale of surplus items and make the process more available to larger numbers of customers, the Licking County Commissioners eliminated the annual on-site surplus auction and affiliated with the on-line service GovDeals.com. It has been a successful and productive relationship. This is a government surplus equivalent of the popular on-line sales services such as Ebay.
Each month, between the 1st and the 15th, any and all Licking County surplus items hit the on-line auction block with photos and descriptions. We sell everything from confiscated and surplus vehicles to excess office furniture, and from old tools and equipment to items obtained through law enforcement investigations. Just about anything that can be legally sold on-line is offered, from time to time, on GovDeals.com . It is interesting to note that in the five year history of this Licking County on-line surplus auction we have recorded total sales of over $385-thousand (gross sales), and this year in just three months nearly $18-thousand in sales have been recorded. The money from this on-going surplus sale goes back to fund current operations.
So starting May 1st feel free to check out the latest Licking County offerings. Visit www.GovDeals.com and search by item category, or go to advanced search and click on Ohio and then Licking County. Just like with Ebay the high bidder is notified after the auction deadline, and the transaction is handled quickly and efficiently by our staff. We have had hundreds of satisfied customers from around this area and around the nation over the past five years, so feel free to check it out.
Enviromental Notes…
On Thursday, May 12th at 6:00pm a fund raising dinner/event will be held to benefit the Hartford Fair Natural Resources Area. This ‘Locally Grown and Gathered Meal’ will be held at the Babcock Building on the Hartford Fairgrounds and will cost $15 per person. C-TEC Culinary Arts students and Chef Jessica Karr will prepare this interesting meal, and musicians from Johnstown High School will perform. The County Commissioners will be in attendance, and they urge you to consider supporting this event. To obtain tickets call 740-670-5330 or e-mail ldeeds@lcounty.com .
The annual Licking County Appliance and Tire Collection will be held Saturday, May 14th. The location will again be the Licking County Highway Garage at 771 East Main Street in Newark from 8:00am till 12 Noon. The cost to drop off tires is $5 per passenger or light truck tire, $10 for per large semi tires, $25 per for tractor/farm equipment tires, and an addition charge of $1 for each tire on a rim. The cost for appliances is $10 for a freon based unit, and $5 each for all others. *Note – NO computers or televisions accepted! Transactions are CASH ONLY.
The Regional CFLP Solid Waste District sponsored Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Day is held in Licking County only every other year due to the expense of the event, and this is our off year. However HHW events will be held in neighboring Fairfield and Perry Counties this year. The dates are August 20th in Lancaster and September 17th in new Lexington. If you would like details call the CFLP Solid Waste District Office at 740-349-6308.
Finally, the Licking County Recycling and Litter Prevention Department offers a handy brochure called “Your Guide To Recycling in Licking County”. To obtain a copy call the Litter and Recycling office at 740-670-5125 or visit them on the Licking County website www.lcounty.com .
Student Government Day a Success…
Last Thursday, April 21st the County Commissioners again sponsored ‘Licking County Student Government Day’. This special event is a unique experience for a group of local high school junior and senior students to shadow public officials for part of a day to learn in detail how County Government functions well to provide a wide variety of services critical to the local quality of life.
Here is the list of public officials and the students they hosted…County Commissioners Tim Bubb, Brad Feightner and Doug Smith, Human Resoucres Director Sue Wadley and Water/Wastewater Director Kevin Eby with Victoria Plehn and Justin Magana both of Licking Heights; Sheriff Randy Thorp with Stephen Burch of C-TEC and Michael Hawkins of Newark Catholic; Board of Elections Director Sue Penick with Alison Waters of C-TEC; Child Support Enforcement Agency Attorney John Whittington with Allison Colvin of Johnstown; EMA Director Jeff Walker with Matthew Chapman of Johnstown and Armando Jaimes of Southwest Licking; Records and Archives Director Katy Klettlinger with Danielle Chirdon of Lakewood; Cooperative Extension Service Director Howard Siegrist with Dylan Justis of Lakewood; Auditor Michael Smith with Bryant Haren of Licking Valley; Soil & Water District Administrator Jim Kiracofe with Jeremiah Moore of Licking Valley; Treasurer Scott Ryan with Anna O’Reilly of Newark Catholic; Clerk of Courts Gary Walters with Tia Dewault of Newark; Municipal Court Clerk Marcia Phelps with Amanda Huff of Newark; and Recorder Bryan Long with Brianna Nelson of North Fork.
Thanks to the Newark and Newark-Heath Rotary Clubs for providing lunch for the students and their hosts
A Few Other Notes…
Thanks to Great Licking County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Executive Director Susan Fryer for her work on an excellent regional sporting event that will bring thousands of dollars into our community this weekend. The 3rd annual Buckeye Cup Soccer Tournament will be held at the NASA Soccer Facility in north Newark. It is expected to bring some 685 participants from a five state region. And the best news is all local hotels are sold out this weekend and our restaurants will be busy as well. Please join the Commissioners in welcoming these families to Licking County as you see them around town this weekend – we want them to return again and again to Licking County.
Next month Licking County Water/Wastewater Director Kevin Eby and the Licking County Commissions will receive, on behalf of the people of Licking County, the 2011 Public Officials Award for OWDA for Southeastern Ohio. This is in recognition for both the planning work underway to bring sanitary sewer service to the community of Jacksontown, and the successful effort to finalize a regional contract to allow for the provision of water and sewer services along the busy and developing State Route 161 corridor.
This Saturday (4/30) is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10:00am to 2:00pm and drop off sites have been established throughout Central Ohio This is a great time to clean out you medicine cabinet of unused and out dated prescription drugs, and over the counter medications. The drop-off locations in Licking County are the Newark Walmart at 1315 North 21st Street and the Pataskala Police Department at 430 South Main Street in Pataskala.
Dawes Arboretum (Route 13 south of Newark/heath) will celebrate Arbor Day this Saturday, April 30th, always a great family event! For details call 800-443-2937 or visit www.dawesarb.org .
On Wednesday, May 4th Licking County will be part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the National Road. According to Commissioner Doug Smith this “Caravan of Bells’ will be a parade of vehicles, including many vintage cars and trucks, that will travel through Ohio on Wednesday. They will be carrying special bells commemorating this 150th celebration from each of the states that host the National Road. On May 4th the Caravan will be bringing the bells from Illinois and Indiana, and will be joined by the Ohio bell. The public is encouraged to watch the Caravan, which will enter Licking County around 2:00pm, traveling from west to east. The parade will stop at National Trail Raceway (between Kirkersville and Luray), and the public is invited to meet the participants there shortly after 2:00pm. Local supporters are welcome to join the Caravan in their drive across Licking County. They will leave the Raceway shortly after 2:30pm, and will be passing through Hebron, Jacksontown, Brownsville and other areas headed east. The group will leave Licking County around 3:00pm enroute to a photo op event on the Y-Bridge in Zanesville. The following day the caravan will travel into West Virginia and arrive at the Route 40 starting point in Cumberland Maryland on Saturday, where a major celebration is planned. Commissioner Smith will be in the caravan in his 50’s historic GMC Truck, and invites local residents to view and/or take part in the Caravan, and help celebrate Licking County’s part in the history of U.S. Route 40.
On Thursday, May 5th at midday there will be events in downtown Newark as part of the National Day of Prayer. Citizens who would like to participate are welcome to attend on the service on the steps of Newark City Hall (40 West Main Street). Then at 1:00pm the Commissioners will be at the Gazebo on the public square in downtown Newark for the annual “Prayer Around The Square” event.
On Saturday May 7th the Buckeye Vintage Haulers Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society will sponsor the 16th Annual BVH Truck Show at Coughlin Automotive in north Newark at 21st Street and Mt. Vernon Road. Registration is from 8:00am to 10:00am, and the show is from 9:00am to 4:00 featuring Classic Trucks, Antique Trucks, Restored Trucks, Antique Tractors, Historical Trucks and more.
Thanks for taking time to read this April 2011 Commissioner Update and for the sake of the farmers let’s hope for a dryer month of May!
Feel free to forward in any direction you would like and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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
Licking County Surplus on GovDeals…
Five years ago, in an effort to maximize returns on the sale of surplus items and make the process more available to larger numbers of customers, the Licking County Commissioners eliminated the annual on-site surplus auction and affiliated with the on-line service GovDeals.com. It has been a successful and productive relationship. This is a government surplus equivalent of the popular on-line sales services such as Ebay.
Each month, between the 1st and the 15th, any and all Licking County surplus items hit the on-line auction block with photos and descriptions. We sell everything from confiscated and surplus vehicles to excess office furniture, and from old tools and equipment to items obtained through law enforcement investigations. Just about anything that can be legally sold on-line is offered, from time to time, on GovDeals.com . It is interesting to note that in the five year history of this Licking County on-line surplus auction we have recorded total sales of over $385-thousand (gross sales), and this year in just three months nearly $18-thousand in sales have been recorded. The money from this on-going surplus sale goes back to fund current operations.
So starting May 1st feel free to check out the latest Licking County offerings. Visit www.GovDeals.com and search by item category, or go to advanced search and click on Ohio and then Licking County. Just like with Ebay the high bidder is notified after the auction deadline, and the transaction is handled quickly and efficiently by our staff. We have had hundreds of satisfied customers from around this area and around the nation over the past five years, so feel free to check it out.
Enviromental Notes…
On Thursday, May 12th at 6:00pm a fund raising dinner/event will be held to benefit the Hartford Fair Natural Resources Area. This ‘Locally Grown and Gathered Meal’ will be held at the Babcock Building on the Hartford Fairgrounds and will cost $15 per person. C-TEC Culinary Arts students and Chef Jessica Karr will prepare this interesting meal, and musicians from Johnstown High School will perform. The County Commissioners will be in attendance, and they urge you to consider supporting this event. To obtain tickets call 740-670-5330 or e-mail ldeeds@lcounty.com .
The annual Licking County Appliance and Tire Collection will be held Saturday, May 14th. The location will again be the Licking County Highway Garage at 771 East Main Street in Newark from 8:00am till 12 Noon. The cost to drop off tires is $5 per passenger or light truck tire, $10 for per large semi tires, $25 per for tractor/farm equipment tires, and an addition charge of $1 for each tire on a rim. The cost for appliances is $10 for a freon based unit, and $5 each for all others. *Note – NO computers or televisions accepted! Transactions are CASH ONLY.
The Regional CFLP Solid Waste District sponsored Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Day is held in Licking County only every other year due to the expense of the event, and this is our off year. However HHW events will be held in neighboring Fairfield and Perry Counties this year. The dates are August 20th in Lancaster and September 17th in new Lexington. If you would like details call the CFLP Solid Waste District Office at 740-349-6308.
Finally, the Licking County Recycling and Litter Prevention Department offers a handy brochure called “Your Guide To Recycling in Licking County”. To obtain a copy call the Litter and Recycling office at 740-670-5125 or visit them on the Licking County website www.lcounty.com .
Student Government Day a Success…
Last Thursday, April 21st the County Commissioners again sponsored ‘Licking County Student Government Day’. This special event is a unique experience for a group of local high school junior and senior students to shadow public officials for part of a day to learn in detail how County Government functions well to provide a wide variety of services critical to the local quality of life.
Here is the list of public officials and the students they hosted…County Commissioners Tim Bubb, Brad Feightner and Doug Smith, Human Resoucres Director Sue Wadley and Water/Wastewater Director Kevin Eby with Victoria Plehn and Justin Magana both of Licking Heights; Sheriff Randy Thorp with Stephen Burch of C-TEC and Michael Hawkins of Newark Catholic; Board of Elections Director Sue Penick with Alison Waters of C-TEC; Child Support Enforcement Agency Attorney John Whittington with Allison Colvin of Johnstown; EMA Director Jeff Walker with Matthew Chapman of Johnstown and Armando Jaimes of Southwest Licking; Records and Archives Director Katy Klettlinger with Danielle Chirdon of Lakewood; Cooperative Extension Service Director Howard Siegrist with Dylan Justis of Lakewood; Auditor Michael Smith with Bryant Haren of Licking Valley; Soil & Water District Administrator Jim Kiracofe with Jeremiah Moore of Licking Valley; Treasurer Scott Ryan with Anna O’Reilly of Newark Catholic; Clerk of Courts Gary Walters with Tia Dewault of Newark; Municipal Court Clerk Marcia Phelps with Amanda Huff of Newark; and Recorder Bryan Long with Brianna Nelson of North Fork.
Thanks to the Newark and Newark-Heath Rotary Clubs for providing lunch for the students and their hosts
A Few Other Notes…
Thanks to Great Licking County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Executive Director Susan Fryer for her work on an excellent regional sporting event that will bring thousands of dollars into our community this weekend. The 3rd annual Buckeye Cup Soccer Tournament will be held at the NASA Soccer Facility in north Newark. It is expected to bring some 685 participants from a five state region. And the best news is all local hotels are sold out this weekend and our restaurants will be busy as well. Please join the Commissioners in welcoming these families to Licking County as you see them around town this weekend – we want them to return again and again to Licking County.
Next month Licking County Water/Wastewater Director Kevin Eby and the Licking County Commissions will receive, on behalf of the people of Licking County, the 2011 Public Officials Award for OWDA for Southeastern Ohio. This is in recognition for both the planning work underway to bring sanitary sewer service to the community of Jacksontown, and the successful effort to finalize a regional contract to allow for the provision of water and sewer services along the busy and developing State Route 161 corridor.
This Saturday (4/30) is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10:00am to 2:00pm and drop off sites have been established throughout Central Ohio This is a great time to clean out you medicine cabinet of unused and out dated prescription drugs, and over the counter medications. The drop-off locations in Licking County are the Newark Walmart at 1315 North 21st Street and the Pataskala Police Department at 430 South Main Street in Pataskala.
Dawes Arboretum (Route 13 south of Newark/heath) will celebrate Arbor Day this Saturday, April 30th, always a great family event! For details call 800-443-2937 or visit www.dawesarb.org .
On Wednesday, May 4th Licking County will be part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the National Road. According to Commissioner Doug Smith this “Caravan of Bells’ will be a parade of vehicles, including many vintage cars and trucks, that will travel through Ohio on Wednesday. They will be carrying special bells commemorating this 150th celebration from each of the states that host the National Road. On May 4th the Caravan will be bringing the bells from Illinois and Indiana, and will be joined by the Ohio bell. The public is encouraged to watch the Caravan, which will enter Licking County around 2:00pm, traveling from west to east. The parade will stop at National Trail Raceway (between Kirkersville and Luray), and the public is invited to meet the participants there shortly after 2:00pm. Local supporters are welcome to join the Caravan in their drive across Licking County. They will leave the Raceway shortly after 2:30pm, and will be passing through Hebron, Jacksontown, Brownsville and other areas headed east. The group will leave Licking County around 3:00pm enroute to a photo op event on the Y-Bridge in Zanesville. The following day the caravan will travel into West Virginia and arrive at the Route 40 starting point in Cumberland Maryland on Saturday, where a major celebration is planned. Commissioner Smith will be in the caravan in his 50’s historic GMC Truck, and invites local residents to view and/or take part in the Caravan, and help celebrate Licking County’s part in the history of U.S. Route 40.
On Thursday, May 5th at midday there will be events in downtown Newark as part of the National Day of Prayer. Citizens who would like to participate are welcome to attend on the service on the steps of Newark City Hall (40 West Main Street). Then at 1:00pm the Commissioners will be at the Gazebo on the public square in downtown Newark for the annual “Prayer Around The Square” event.
On Saturday May 7th the Buckeye Vintage Haulers Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society will sponsor the 16th Annual BVH Truck Show at Coughlin Automotive in north Newark at 21st Street and Mt. Vernon Road. Registration is from 8:00am to 10:00am, and the show is from 9:00am to 4:00 featuring Classic Trucks, Antique Trucks, Restored Trucks, Antique Tractors, Historical Trucks and more.
Thanks for taking time to read this April 2011 Commissioner Update and for the sake of the farmers let’s hope for a dryer month of May!
Feel free to forward in any direction you would like and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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
Sunday, March 27, 2011
MARCH 2011 LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB UPDATE
Information on positive things happening in Licking County…
As I usually do, let me start this monthly update with some thoughts on jobs. I am specifically sharing unemployment numbers and ‘workforce development’ information, which are related and most important elements in economic development.
After the predictable January surge, we are pleased to see unemployment numbers in Ohio and Licking County drop in February. In Licking County the unemployment number fell from 9.6 to 9.2-percent, with the number of unemployed people declining from 8,000 to 7,600. Licking County’s rate remains below the state average of 9.8-percent, and lower than 70 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Reports of continued local hiring should mean a continued steady decline in those numbers.
Note – Employment assistance and opportunities are available at the County operated Opportunity Links, 998 East Main Street in Newark’s Eastland Shopping Center. Check online for job information at www.ohiomeansjobs.com or www.theonestop.org
As the Licking County Economic Development Department and our partners in the community continue to tout this area as a desirable place to locate and/or expand operations, it is important we realize that ‘workforce development’ and training opportunities in our County are among our major assets. In his current blog, Rick Platt of the Newark, Heath, and Licking County Port Authority explains why the issue of training in critical and needed areas will have a lot to do with our success as a region and a nation…
The Workforce Crunch Looms
Governor John Kasich is quoted in The Dispatch this past week saying there are 80,000 "job vacancies" in Ohio.
The state's job seeker website, OhioMeansJobs.com, has over 60,000 open jobs advertised. In fact, that same website proclaims more than 1,000 open job postings within 20 miles of Newark.
Jefferson County, Ohio's economic development guy was just quoted in a Steubenville Herald Star article as saying that, despite an unemployment rate over 12%, "several employers in the county are commenting on the difficulty of finding skilled workers for jobs."
What's going on here?
Evidence is building.
Despite higher-than-anyone-wants unemployment rates, Ohio is experiencing the early throws of a workforce crunch. Despite a still-mending economy, we are on the edge of a workforce development challenge of immense proportions.
The Class of '65 turns 65 next year. I've cited this stat before in this column, but it bears repeating. An Ohio Dept. of Development stat shows that the number of Ohioans who will turn 65 in 2012 will average 114 a day. That's 500% more than the 2010 average of 19 a day.
Suffice to say there are not that many workforce-entering age birthdays being celebrated on average at that same rate. Thus, the net loss to the workforce pool is predictably large. That's a workforce crunch.
Ohio is not alone in this workforce crunch. This demographic fact is already starting to have an impact all over the country.
Employers will demand an answer and the places that provide the best answers will be the winners in economic development.
Licking County's answer is forming, but our mission is clear: no job goes unfilled.
The C-TEC Manufacturing Certification is part of the answer. C-TEC will soon graduate a class of people ready to fill manufacturer's workforce needs with a manufacturing certification in hand to prove their readiness.
The COTC new W-DIC center is another part of the answer. COTC promises companies can build their own workforce with a tailored curriculum and, even, college credit-worthy training.
Workenomics, the little-known wing of the Chamber that sees the collaboration of community economic development and workforce development efforts, is working on a campaign to expand the pool of available workers for our employers to tap and improving workforce data available for site selectors.
Other items…
This past week the Commissioners attended the annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at the E.S. Weiant Center in Newark. The following outstanding individuals and organizations were recognized…
2011 Jane Marsh Disability Awareness Individual Award went to Connie Zeune of Pataskala.
2011 Jane Marsh Disability Awareness Business Award went to Emmanuel Church of Etna.
2011 LICCO Customer of the Year Award went to THK Manufacturing of America, Hebron Plant.
2011 Above and Beyond Service Award went to John Gutmann of Heath and the Employees of Famous Supply Company of Newark.
Congratulations!
Recently State Officials with the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) arrived here to announce the closing of the very successful Community Based Corrections Facility (CBCF), a small 60-bed/training and incarceration facility in Newark. The CBCF has been an excellent resource, for judges here and in the region, to turn around the lives of ‘first time’ non-violent offenders. The closing appears to be state budget related. We are working with the Board of the Facility, our judges, law enforcement, and others to explore options for this state run facility that will close at mid year. This facility sits on County owned land at 119 East Main Street.
A Licking County factoid…
The County Engineer is responsible for maintaining 421.67-miles of County roads this year, an increase over the 2009 total of 409.9-miles. Much of the increase is related to new County roads assigned with the completion of the new State Route 161.
A few upcoming April dates and events to make note of…
On Wednesday morning, April 6th the Licking County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Breakfast & Roundtable Discussion’ with local leaders. There will be seven tables in this’ roundtable and interactive format’. The seven leaders, each hosting a table, will be myself, fellow Commissioner Doug Smith, County Recorder Bryan Long, County Planning Director Jerry Brems, County Auditor Mike Smith, County Coroner Dr. Robert Raker and County Engineer Tim Lollo. Breakfast is at 7:30am, the discussion from 8:30am-9:30am. The cost is $20 per person. Call the Chamber at 740-345-9757.
The evening of Thursday, April 7th the Licking County Sheep Improvement Committee will hold their annual Lamb Banquet. It begins at 6:30pm at the Highwater United Church of Christ. For details and tickets contact the OSU Extension Service at 740-760-5315, they are located at 771 East Main Street in Newark, Suite 103.
On Saturday, April 9th the Licking County Master Gardner group and the OSU Extension Service are sponsoring a ‘Master Gardner Conference’ at the Reese Center at the Newark Campus from 8:30am to 2:30pm. The cost is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For details call 740-745-2333 or 740-344-6652.
As a conservative technique many residents are now considering ‘rain barrels’. They collect rain water and reduce runoff, downstream flooding and water pollution. Rain barrels provide a non-potable water supply for your plants and garden. If interested the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD) has excellent rain barrels for sale (finished) for $65 and (unplumbed) for $30. Licking SWCD is located at 771 East Main Street in Newark (740-670-5330).
Saturday, April 23rd at 8:00pm the local Heisey Wind Ensemble will perform their spring concert at the Reese Center on the Newark Campus. Under the direction of Dr. Russel Mikkelson the program will be “An Evening at Pops”. For details visit… www.heiseywindensemble.org
Dawes Arboretum (Route 13 south of Newark/heath) will celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, April 30th, always a great family event! For details call 800-443-2937 or visit www.dawesarb.org
Thanks for taking time to read this March 2011 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward in any direction you would like and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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
As I usually do, let me start this monthly update with some thoughts on jobs. I am specifically sharing unemployment numbers and ‘workforce development’ information, which are related and most important elements in economic development.
After the predictable January surge, we are pleased to see unemployment numbers in Ohio and Licking County drop in February. In Licking County the unemployment number fell from 9.6 to 9.2-percent, with the number of unemployed people declining from 8,000 to 7,600. Licking County’s rate remains below the state average of 9.8-percent, and lower than 70 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Reports of continued local hiring should mean a continued steady decline in those numbers.
Note – Employment assistance and opportunities are available at the County operated Opportunity Links, 998 East Main Street in Newark’s Eastland Shopping Center. Check online for job information at www.ohiomeansjobs.com or www.theonestop.org
As the Licking County Economic Development Department and our partners in the community continue to tout this area as a desirable place to locate and/or expand operations, it is important we realize that ‘workforce development’ and training opportunities in our County are among our major assets. In his current blog, Rick Platt of the Newark, Heath, and Licking County Port Authority explains why the issue of training in critical and needed areas will have a lot to do with our success as a region and a nation…
The Workforce Crunch Looms
Governor John Kasich is quoted in The Dispatch this past week saying there are 80,000 "job vacancies" in Ohio.
The state's job seeker website, OhioMeansJobs.com, has over 60,000 open jobs advertised. In fact, that same website proclaims more than 1,000 open job postings within 20 miles of Newark.
Jefferson County, Ohio's economic development guy was just quoted in a Steubenville Herald Star article as saying that, despite an unemployment rate over 12%, "several employers in the county are commenting on the difficulty of finding skilled workers for jobs."
What's going on here?
Evidence is building.
Despite higher-than-anyone-wants unemployment rates, Ohio is experiencing the early throws of a workforce crunch. Despite a still-mending economy, we are on the edge of a workforce development challenge of immense proportions.
The Class of '65 turns 65 next year. I've cited this stat before in this column, but it bears repeating. An Ohio Dept. of Development stat shows that the number of Ohioans who will turn 65 in 2012 will average 114 a day. That's 500% more than the 2010 average of 19 a day.
Suffice to say there are not that many workforce-entering age birthdays being celebrated on average at that same rate. Thus, the net loss to the workforce pool is predictably large. That's a workforce crunch.
Ohio is not alone in this workforce crunch. This demographic fact is already starting to have an impact all over the country.
Employers will demand an answer and the places that provide the best answers will be the winners in economic development.
Licking County's answer is forming, but our mission is clear: no job goes unfilled.
The C-TEC Manufacturing Certification is part of the answer. C-TEC will soon graduate a class of people ready to fill manufacturer's workforce needs with a manufacturing certification in hand to prove their readiness.
The COTC new W-DIC center is another part of the answer. COTC promises companies can build their own workforce with a tailored curriculum and, even, college credit-worthy training.
Workenomics, the little-known wing of the Chamber that sees the collaboration of community economic development and workforce development efforts, is working on a campaign to expand the pool of available workers for our employers to tap and improving workforce data available for site selectors.
Other items…
This past week the Commissioners attended the annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at the E.S. Weiant Center in Newark. The following outstanding individuals and organizations were recognized…
2011 Jane Marsh Disability Awareness Individual Award went to Connie Zeune of Pataskala.
2011 Jane Marsh Disability Awareness Business Award went to Emmanuel Church of Etna.
2011 LICCO Customer of the Year Award went to THK Manufacturing of America, Hebron Plant.
2011 Above and Beyond Service Award went to John Gutmann of Heath and the Employees of Famous Supply Company of Newark.
Congratulations!
Recently State Officials with the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) arrived here to announce the closing of the very successful Community Based Corrections Facility (CBCF), a small 60-bed/training and incarceration facility in Newark. The CBCF has been an excellent resource, for judges here and in the region, to turn around the lives of ‘first time’ non-violent offenders. The closing appears to be state budget related. We are working with the Board of the Facility, our judges, law enforcement, and others to explore options for this state run facility that will close at mid year. This facility sits on County owned land at 119 East Main Street.
A Licking County factoid…
The County Engineer is responsible for maintaining 421.67-miles of County roads this year, an increase over the 2009 total of 409.9-miles. Much of the increase is related to new County roads assigned with the completion of the new State Route 161.
A few upcoming April dates and events to make note of…
On Wednesday morning, April 6th the Licking County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Breakfast & Roundtable Discussion’ with local leaders. There will be seven tables in this’ roundtable and interactive format’. The seven leaders, each hosting a table, will be myself, fellow Commissioner Doug Smith, County Recorder Bryan Long, County Planning Director Jerry Brems, County Auditor Mike Smith, County Coroner Dr. Robert Raker and County Engineer Tim Lollo. Breakfast is at 7:30am, the discussion from 8:30am-9:30am. The cost is $20 per person. Call the Chamber at 740-345-9757.
The evening of Thursday, April 7th the Licking County Sheep Improvement Committee will hold their annual Lamb Banquet. It begins at 6:30pm at the Highwater United Church of Christ. For details and tickets contact the OSU Extension Service at 740-760-5315, they are located at 771 East Main Street in Newark, Suite 103.
On Saturday, April 9th the Licking County Master Gardner group and the OSU Extension Service are sponsoring a ‘Master Gardner Conference’ at the Reese Center at the Newark Campus from 8:30am to 2:30pm. The cost is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For details call 740-745-2333 or 740-344-6652.
As a conservative technique many residents are now considering ‘rain barrels’. They collect rain water and reduce runoff, downstream flooding and water pollution. Rain barrels provide a non-potable water supply for your plants and garden. If interested the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD) has excellent rain barrels for sale (finished) for $65 and (unplumbed) for $30. Licking SWCD is located at 771 East Main Street in Newark (740-670-5330).
Saturday, April 23rd at 8:00pm the local Heisey Wind Ensemble will perform their spring concert at the Reese Center on the Newark Campus. Under the direction of Dr. Russel Mikkelson the program will be “An Evening at Pops”. For details visit… www.heiseywindensemble.org
Dawes Arboretum (Route 13 south of Newark/heath) will celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, April 30th, always a great family event! For details call 800-443-2937 or visit www.dawesarb.org
Thanks for taking time to read this March 2011 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward in any direction you would like and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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
FEBRUARY 2011 LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB UPDATE
A few quick notes on positive things happening in Licking County…
Economic Development, as always, is a major priority for the County. I am pleased to tell you that interest from business prospects continues to be strong and unemployment in the County continues to trend downward.
Here are three examples of local success. A combination of local incentives and a State Job Creation Tax Credit has resulted in the California based company, Catalina Tempering, now planning to open their eighth U.S. plant in Utica. Catalina’s $4-million investment in our County will create 50-jobs in the next three years at the former Holophane Plant.
Similar incentives have resulted in expansion and job growth for Momentive Performance Materials in the Newark Ohio Industrial Park in Union Township. Making binders, adhesives, coatings and ink resins for mostly international sales; Momentive, with some 245 workers, is expected to add some 20-jobs locally.
In the former Diebold Plant, in the same industrial Park as above, Polymera is setting up shop to manufacturer wood and polymer composites by mid year. Initially employing 6-people, they are expected to grow to 20 by year end and 60-employees within three years.
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! Indeed for us – it is all about JOBS!
Allow me to share some great news on the financial management side for Licking County Government. The County Team including the Commissioners, Treasurer and Auditor recently participated in an exhaustive re-evaluation of the County’s credit worthiness by Moody’s Investors Service. Due to a balanced budget with appropriate reserves, excellent planning, and a growing and healthy local economy; Moody’s analysts determined the County will retain its favorable Aa2 bond rating, placing it among the best managed counties in the Midwest.
In a related note and taking advantage of this favorable rate, the County within two weeks will buy back three long term facility bonds, and consolidate them in a new unified bond offering of some $6.2-million. The refinancing will save local taxpayers some 2-percentage points, which translates into a $700-thousand savings in interest payments over the remaining 14-years of the bond.
The creation of the Licking County Building Code Department was a major success in its first year 2010. The transition from Newark City was seamless and the new department paid its own way and more. Now, with a year of experience behind this new and lean operation, the Commissioners decided to reduce fees and further benefit the county.
Beginning March 1st all building permit fees will be reduced three percent, benefitting projects of all sizes. In addition, the cost of permits for residential interior alterations, residential decks and porches, and detached unfinished residential accessory structures will be reduced to a standard permit fee of $25. Residential interior alterations include interior remodeling, electrical service replacements and upgrades, and re-roofing projects where new roof sheathing is required.
Communities served by County Building Code include all the townships, along with Granville, Hebron, Kirkersville, Pataskala, Utica, Heath, Newark, Johnstown and Buckeye Lake.
Let me add a quick word on the positive work that continues at the Licking County Department of Animal Control. The end of January ‘Dog-Tag-A-Thon’ promotion, in conjunction with Tri-County Auto, was a success and resulted in 15-dog adoptions, 5-dogs reunited with their families and an increase in dog tag sales for 2011.
Another adoption event is planned for the final weekend of February. It will be a ‘Cat-A-Thon’ at Complete Petmart, 597 Hebron Road, in the Southgate Shopping Center in Heath. Anyone interested in adopting one of a number of friendly cats is invited to stop by the store during regular hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 25 thru 27. The only cost related to a cat adoption is for vaccinations and spay/neuter services. County staff and volunteers will man the event.
Remember to check Facebook and visit ‘Licking County Animal Shelter’. It is a great page to learn about animal adoption possibilities. It is important to note that Licking County is among the leaders in the state in helping stray animals find their way home, or finding new homes through adoption and rescue! And we couldn’t do it without the help of our volunteers and the numerous dedicated rescue groups!
Finally, any February summary of County activities must include a word or two about the recent investigations of paranormal activity at the County’s Historic Jail on South Third Street in downtown Newark.
Last fall we permitted three independent paranormal investigation groups, on different weekends, to look into reports of unexplained noises and other activity in the historic old lock-up that dates to 1889, and is now used to house the County’s Records Destruction Center.
In recent presentations they came forth with both audio and video evidence of unexplained paranormal happenings at the historic former jail. This information and a variety of ideas are part of a developing plan to work toward preservation and eventual restoration of the historic jail, and future uses such as a tourist attraction to ensure its viability in the decades ahead.
The Commissioners are committed to the preservation of this important public building and its local history. Anyone interested in serving on a task force to help “Save Our Jail” is welcome to call or e-mail and express your interest.
Thanks for taking time to read this February 2011 Commissioner Update. Feel free to forward in any direction you would like. Please advise by sending the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, feel free to visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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
Economic Development, as always, is a major priority for the County. I am pleased to tell you that interest from business prospects continues to be strong and unemployment in the County continues to trend downward.
Here are three examples of local success. A combination of local incentives and a State Job Creation Tax Credit has resulted in the California based company, Catalina Tempering, now planning to open their eighth U.S. plant in Utica. Catalina’s $4-million investment in our County will create 50-jobs in the next three years at the former Holophane Plant.
Similar incentives have resulted in expansion and job growth for Momentive Performance Materials in the Newark Ohio Industrial Park in Union Township. Making binders, adhesives, coatings and ink resins for mostly international sales; Momentive, with some 245 workers, is expected to add some 20-jobs locally.
In the former Diebold Plant, in the same industrial Park as above, Polymera is setting up shop to manufacturer wood and polymer composites by mid year. Initially employing 6-people, they are expected to grow to 20 by year end and 60-employees within three years.
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! Indeed for us – it is all about JOBS!
Allow me to share some great news on the financial management side for Licking County Government. The County Team including the Commissioners, Treasurer and Auditor recently participated in an exhaustive re-evaluation of the County’s credit worthiness by Moody’s Investors Service. Due to a balanced budget with appropriate reserves, excellent planning, and a growing and healthy local economy; Moody’s analysts determined the County will retain its favorable Aa2 bond rating, placing it among the best managed counties in the Midwest.
In a related note and taking advantage of this favorable rate, the County within two weeks will buy back three long term facility bonds, and consolidate them in a new unified bond offering of some $6.2-million. The refinancing will save local taxpayers some 2-percentage points, which translates into a $700-thousand savings in interest payments over the remaining 14-years of the bond.
The creation of the Licking County Building Code Department was a major success in its first year 2010. The transition from Newark City was seamless and the new department paid its own way and more. Now, with a year of experience behind this new and lean operation, the Commissioners decided to reduce fees and further benefit the county.
Beginning March 1st all building permit fees will be reduced three percent, benefitting projects of all sizes. In addition, the cost of permits for residential interior alterations, residential decks and porches, and detached unfinished residential accessory structures will be reduced to a standard permit fee of $25. Residential interior alterations include interior remodeling, electrical service replacements and upgrades, and re-roofing projects where new roof sheathing is required.
Communities served by County Building Code include all the townships, along with Granville, Hebron, Kirkersville, Pataskala, Utica, Heath, Newark, Johnstown and Buckeye Lake.
Let me add a quick word on the positive work that continues at the Licking County Department of Animal Control. The end of January ‘Dog-Tag-A-Thon’ promotion, in conjunction with Tri-County Auto, was a success and resulted in 15-dog adoptions, 5-dogs reunited with their families and an increase in dog tag sales for 2011.
Another adoption event is planned for the final weekend of February. It will be a ‘Cat-A-Thon’ at Complete Petmart, 597 Hebron Road, in the Southgate Shopping Center in Heath. Anyone interested in adopting one of a number of friendly cats is invited to stop by the store during regular hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 25 thru 27. The only cost related to a cat adoption is for vaccinations and spay/neuter services. County staff and volunteers will man the event.
Remember to check Facebook and visit ‘Licking County Animal Shelter’. It is a great page to learn about animal adoption possibilities. It is important to note that Licking County is among the leaders in the state in helping stray animals find their way home, or finding new homes through adoption and rescue! And we couldn’t do it without the help of our volunteers and the numerous dedicated rescue groups!
Finally, any February summary of County activities must include a word or two about the recent investigations of paranormal activity at the County’s Historic Jail on South Third Street in downtown Newark.
Last fall we permitted three independent paranormal investigation groups, on different weekends, to look into reports of unexplained noises and other activity in the historic old lock-up that dates to 1889, and is now used to house the County’s Records Destruction Center.
In recent presentations they came forth with both audio and video evidence of unexplained paranormal happenings at the historic former jail. This information and a variety of ideas are part of a developing plan to work toward preservation and eventual restoration of the historic jail, and future uses such as a tourist attraction to ensure its viability in the decades ahead.
The Commissioners are committed to the preservation of this important public building and its local history. Anyone interested in serving on a task force to help “Save Our Jail” is welcome to call or e-mail and express your interest.
Thanks for taking time to read this February 2011 Commissioner Update. Feel free to forward in any direction you would like. Please advise by sending the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, feel free to visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
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
Monday, January 24, 2011
JANUARY 2011 UPDATE from COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB
Greetings…
Just a quick update from the Commissioner’s Desk.
Beginning today (1/25) through the end of this month the Licking County Animal Shelter, in conjunction with many of our volunteers and our corporate partner the Tri-County Dodge, Jeep & Chrysler dealership in Heath, are sponsoring a special end of the month event.
The intent of the event is to both emphasize the sale of dog tags, which each year are required by state law. And to encourage the adoption of the dogs in our shelter! The Shelter, off Hopewell Drive in Heath, will be open 12-hours a day for this one week period to make visiting the facility and adopting a dog even more convenient. While visiting the Shelter please consider asking for a volunteer application, we welcome interested citizens who would like to help out as time permits.
The details of this special one-week event are below in this news release. Please read and feel free to forward it to others.
Regards…Commissioner Tim Bubb
7-Day Dog Tag-A-Thon: Tuesday, January 25th thru Monday, January 31st, 2011 - 7am – 7pm each day
It’s the Licking County Animal Shelter’s first Dog Tag-A-Thon!
The Shelter will be Open to the Public 12 Hours a Day for a One Week Period to Help People Obtain their 2011 Dog Licenses Before the End of the Month Deadline
For the safety and welfare of your pet, it needs to have its blue 2011 county dog license. Don’t forget! Time is running out to save $15 on the fee since the cost of the tag doubles after January 31st. Ohio law requires that all dogs three months of age or older must wear a current county tag. And the cost of a court citation for failing to register your dog is up to $150.
The value of your pet’s license is priceless when it comes to being quickly reunited. “Every day the shelter’s staff shares the frantic concerns of folks whose dog is missing for the first time”, says Licking County Animal Shelter Manager John Silva. “And the most rewarding part of the shelter’s job is seeing those looks of relief when people find their family pet safe at the shelter.”
The most important thing to know about the dog license fee is that the entire fee is used to care for the shelter’s animals. A special fund known as the “dog and kennel fund” ensures the county is able to provide a suitable place to humanely care for homeless dogs or orphaned pups. Licking County is proud to have an Animal Shelter with the highest adoption rate in Ohio!
The public can view photos of the shelter’s adoptable dogs at www.lcounty.com. Potential adopters can meet the dogs in person between 7am – 7pm during Tag-A-Thon Week. The price of a dog adoption is only $85 plus the $15 dog license, which includes vaccinations and spay-neuter services. During this one week promotional period, the new owner of any dog adopted will also be given a $50 gift card for pet supplies through the generous donation of the shelter’s community partner – Tri-County Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler dealership in Heath, Ohio.
The Licking County Animal Shelter is located in Heath at the corner of Hopewell Drive and State Route 13. Additional adoption or licensing information is available by calling 740-349-6563.
Just a quick update from the Commissioner’s Desk.
Beginning today (1/25) through the end of this month the Licking County Animal Shelter, in conjunction with many of our volunteers and our corporate partner the Tri-County Dodge, Jeep & Chrysler dealership in Heath, are sponsoring a special end of the month event.
The intent of the event is to both emphasize the sale of dog tags, which each year are required by state law. And to encourage the adoption of the dogs in our shelter! The Shelter, off Hopewell Drive in Heath, will be open 12-hours a day for this one week period to make visiting the facility and adopting a dog even more convenient. While visiting the Shelter please consider asking for a volunteer application, we welcome interested citizens who would like to help out as time permits.
The details of this special one-week event are below in this news release. Please read and feel free to forward it to others.
Regards…Commissioner Tim Bubb
7-Day Dog Tag-A-Thon: Tuesday, January 25th thru Monday, January 31st, 2011 - 7am – 7pm each day
It’s the Licking County Animal Shelter’s first Dog Tag-A-Thon!
The Shelter will be Open to the Public 12 Hours a Day for a One Week Period to Help People Obtain their 2011 Dog Licenses Before the End of the Month Deadline
For the safety and welfare of your pet, it needs to have its blue 2011 county dog license. Don’t forget! Time is running out to save $15 on the fee since the cost of the tag doubles after January 31st. Ohio law requires that all dogs three months of age or older must wear a current county tag. And the cost of a court citation for failing to register your dog is up to $150.
The value of your pet’s license is priceless when it comes to being quickly reunited. “Every day the shelter’s staff shares the frantic concerns of folks whose dog is missing for the first time”, says Licking County Animal Shelter Manager John Silva. “And the most rewarding part of the shelter’s job is seeing those looks of relief when people find their family pet safe at the shelter.”
The most important thing to know about the dog license fee is that the entire fee is used to care for the shelter’s animals. A special fund known as the “dog and kennel fund” ensures the county is able to provide a suitable place to humanely care for homeless dogs or orphaned pups. Licking County is proud to have an Animal Shelter with the highest adoption rate in Ohio!
The public can view photos of the shelter’s adoptable dogs at www.lcounty.com. Potential adopters can meet the dogs in person between 7am – 7pm during Tag-A-Thon Week. The price of a dog adoption is only $85 plus the $15 dog license, which includes vaccinations and spay-neuter services. During this one week promotional period, the new owner of any dog adopted will also be given a $50 gift card for pet supplies through the generous donation of the shelter’s community partner – Tri-County Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler dealership in Heath, Ohio.
The Licking County Animal Shelter is located in Heath at the corner of Hopewell Drive and State Route 13. Additional adoption or licensing information is available by calling 740-349-6563.
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