EARLY VOTING, ABSENTEE VOTING & GENERAL ELECTION 2012

2012 General Election is next Tuesday and ’early voting’ continues through Monday, November 5th. Tuesday, November 6th is General Election Day For those who would like to vote early and in-person at the Licking County Board of Elections – here are the dates and times for ‘early voting’… October 31st thru November 1st – 8:00am to 7:00pm November 2nd (Friday) – 8:00am to 6:00pm November 3rd (Saturday) – 8:00am to 2:00pm November 4th (Sunday) – 1:00pm to 5:00pm November 5th (Monday) – 8:00am to 2:00pm (Note the above schedule was set by the Ohio Secretary of State and is uniform across all 88 Ohio Counties) In addition you can cast an ‘absentee ballot’ and those must be completed and returned to the local Board of Elections(BOE). If mailed they must have a Monday, November 5th postmark, or they can be hand delivered to the Board of Elections Office as late as Election Day. The BOE is located in the County Administration Building at 20 South Second Street in Newark. On Tuesday, November 6th, Election Day, the polling places will open at 6:30am and remain open until 7:30pm. The phone number for the BOE is 740-670-5080. For further information check the official Licking County website - lcounty.com and click on Board of Elections.

GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MITT ROMNEY RETURNS TO LICKING COUNTY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND

MITT ROMNEY will be in Licking County Etna/Pataskala at the Screen Machine Industries THIS FRIDAY (November 2nd). Doors open at 12:30, and event begins at 2:30. Screen Machine Industries is located at 10685 Columbus Parkway in Etna. For questions, contact us at: OHEvents@mittromney.com | (614) 547-2290 For Important Campaign Updates: Text OH to GOMITT (466488) PAID FOR BY ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT, INC. WWW.MITTROMNEY.COM

VOTE FOR TIM BUBB FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Now that I have provided information on the voting process, I would be remiss if I failed to ask for your vote! As your County Commissioner I want you to know I take this full-time position seriously and work hard to make County Government better in terms of service, more cost effective, and responsive to the needs of all residents. I look forward to the challenge of continuing to serve you and I would be honored to have your continued support!

LICKING COUNTY A PROUD PURPLE HEART COUNTY

On January 5th of this year Licking County was designated a Purple Heart County, joining Newark as a Purple Heart City. Purple Heart signs now mark the entrances to Newark, the Licking County seat of government. The hope is to make Ohio the nation’s first Purple Heart state. Russell Foit, past commander of the Glenn Cunningham Chapter #840 of Purple Heart Veterans and senior vice Commander, Department of Ohio, says these new community entrance signs are important to veterans. He says, “It means the County and City recognize the sacrifices of all combat soldiers, male and female, and honor all past, present and future veterans.” The Licking County Commissioners are proud to display your County Purple Heart Flag in the Administration Building right beside the Board of Elections.

BUCKEYE SCENIC BIKE & RECREATION TRAIL DEDICATED

On Saturday, October 27th Commissioner Bubb, with other elected officials, County Park District Commissioners and interested citizens dedicated the new Buckeye Scenic Trail. This bike and recreation trail is a 4.25-mile connection from U.S. Route 40 on the south to Irving Wick Drive in Heath. It completes the southern connection to the some 40-mile local bike and recreation trail network. Philanthropist J. Gilbert Reese and his family were recognized for leadership in visioning and building this countywide system of trails.

FOUNDATION BASKETYBALL GAMES A NEWARK LIONS CHARITY FUNDRAISER

On Tuesday evening, November 20th the Newark Lions Club is sponsoring a high school basketball preseason doubleheader. This evening event is referred to as the Foundation Game, and will raise funds for Newark Lions local charities and scholarships. At 6:00pm that evening Newark Catholic will play Pickerington North, and at 7:30pm Newark High School will face Tri-Valley. The location will be the newly renovated Newark High School Jimmy Allen Gymnasium. Tickets will be $5 for the doubleheader.

PRELIMINARY PIPELINE WORK TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER

Beginning Novenber 1st preliminary work will begin on the ATEX Express (cross country) Pipeline through eastern and south central Licking County. This 20-inch pipeline will transport liquid natural gas from the well fields in the eastern U.S. to chemical plant users in the Midwest and southern states. Licking County Engineer Bill Lozier and his staff will represent the six affected Licking County Townships during the construction beginning in April of 2013, and lasting about a year. The local section of the pipeline will be drilled under some 24 road crossings. The Houston based Enterprise Products Company is working with landowners to obtain the necessary construction and permanent easements.

COUNTY SURPLUS ITEMS ON GOVDEALS

GovDeals.com continues to be the internet on-line auction site for Licking County surplus items. County Deputy Clerk Pam Jones reports since 2005 this government surplus auction site has sold 2,116 local items with sales well in excess of a half million dollars. Items range from surplus equipment and tools, to items confiscated by law enforcement. Check out Licking County on the GovDeals.com website the first 15-days of each month to join the bidding.

COUNTY ENGINEER BRIDGE CONCERNS

County Engineer Bill Lozier this week lowered the weight limits on a number of smaller County bridges. He is concerned about the condition of some 60 aging bridges of the County’s inventory of some 400-spans. Lozier says he will continue to reduce weight limits and if necessary close bridges to keep the public safe. Recently he closed a Martinsburg Road bridge. The Engineer says while the County needs to be on a 15-bridge per year replacement schedule, reduced funding permits only eight yearly replacements. Road and bridge funding for the Engineer comes from the declining gas tax and vehicle registration fees.

HEISEY WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERTS IN DECEMBER

Thinking ahead to December, I would recommend two concert events being planned by a favorite community group the Heisey Wind Ensemble (HWE). On Saturday, December 15th at 7:30pm they will perform ‘Christmas at the Reese Center’ on the Newark Campus. The Heisey Wind Ensemble Big Band will present ‘A HWE Big Band Christmas’ on Saturday evening December 22nd at 7:30pm. The HWE has been recognized as one of Ohio's finest adult concert bands. Membership is by audition only and includes outstanding musicians from Licking, Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware, Coshocton, Knox, Guernsey and Muskingum counties. Tickets for the concerts are available at the door. Adults are $15, seniors (60+) are $10 and students are $5. Additional information can be found at the band’s web site at www.heiseywindensemble.org

FUNDRAISING EXTENDED TO DECORATE COURTHOUSE FOR HOLIDAY SEASON

The annual community fundraising drive to light and decorate the Licking County Courthouse for the Christmas holiday season has been extended until this Friday, November 2nd. Courthouse Lighting Committee President Jay Barker says, “To date the community fundraising effort has raised $13,550 which is about seventy-percent of the goal of $19,250. The Campaign is still seeking $5,700 to achieve the goal.” Barker says, “The campaign was set to close October 15th, 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.” 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 next January, as well. This year marks the 64th 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

AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED IN ALL OF ITS GLORY

Greetings…Fall has arrived, and along with it a cooler and more comfortable season. The rush of high school and college football, the taste of candy apples, Halloween, Indian Summer, and the turning color of the leaves make this maybe the most special season of the year. Making it official has been the Harvest Moon in recent days. So enjoy the autumn of 2012 with it shorter and milder days!

IT IS TIME FOR THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION

2012 General Election Is Just a Month Away and Early Voting Is Underway… * Tuesday, November 6th is General Election Day. For those who would like to vote early and in-person at the Licking County Board of Elections – here are the dates and times for ‘early voting’… October 2nd thru October 5th – 8:00am to 5:00pm (Closed Monday, October 8th Columbus Day Holiday) October 9th – 8:00am to 9:00pm October 10th thru October 12th – 8:00am to 5:00pm October 15th thru October 19th – 8:00am to 5:00pm October 22nd thru October 26th – 8:00am to 7:00pm October 29th thru November 1st – 8:00am to 7:00pm November 2nd (Friday) – 8:00am to 6:00pm (Note the above schedule was set by the Ohio Secretary of State and is uniform across all 88 Ohio Counties) In addition you can cast an ‘absentee ballot’ and those must be completed and returned to the local Board of Elections(BOE) by Saturday, November 3rd’s mail delivery. To vote absentee you can use the application mailed to all Ohio voters, pick one up at the BOE (Administration Building in downtown Newark at 20 South Second Street), or download one from the BOE site on the Licking County web site – lcounty.com. On Tuesday, November 6th, Election Day 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.

REELECT TIM BUBB COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Now that I have provided information on the voting process, I would be remiss (in my own blog) if I failed to ask for your vote! As your County Commissioner I want you to know I take this full-time position seriously and work hard to make County Government better in terms of service, more cost effective, and responsive to the needs of all residents. I look forward to the challenge of continuing to serve you and I would be honored to have your continued support!

VOTING HISTORY ON DISPLAY AT COUNTY BUILDING

A Visit To The County Board of Elections Downtown Features a Historic Voting Display in the Lobby of the Administration Building. The remodeled lobby/entrance to the County Building (20 South Second Street in downtown Newark) is especially worth visiting this ‘election season’. Commissioner and local historian Doug Smith has placed on display a century old ‘wooden ballot box’ that was used in Harrison Township in the 19th Century. Also, featured is an actual 1891 election tally sheet book showing the vote counts tallied by hand. This display is flanked by the Licking County Bicentennial Bell that was cast in 2002, and a ‘rare’ 46-star American Flag also owned by Commissioner Smith. This Voting Display also features an interesting collection of voting memorabilia from the 19th century to the present. This collection is on loan from members of the Licking County Historical Alliance. Please visit downtown and enjoy!

GROW LICKING COUNTY CIC MEANS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

As Your Commissioner I am Pleased To Report Excellent Economic Development News For Our Community! Especially pleasing are the positive results from the work of Dan Evers, the Director of ‘Grow Licking County’, our Community Development Corporation for Economic Development. This CIC is a collaboration of the Greater Licking County Chamber of Commerce; The Newark, Heath, Licking County Port Authority; and Licking County Government. The good news includes job retention, new job creation and a declining unemployment rate…

ASCENA TO GROW AND EXPAND IN LICKING COUNTY

Ascena Retail Group, Incorporated expects to create 225 full-time positions, generating $6.7 million in additional annual payroll and retaining $10.2 million in existing payroll as a result of the company's expansion project in Etna Township (Licking County). Ascena Retail Group, Inc. is a leading national specialty retailer of apparel for women and tween girls, operating through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Justice, Lane Bryant, Maurices, Dressbarn, and Catherines brands. The Southwest Licking Local School District, the Licking County Commissioners and the State of Ohio approved a 60 percent, 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

MENLO LOGISTICS TO EXPAND IN ETNA

Menlo Logistics Incorporated expects to create 63 full-time positions, generating $2 million in additional annual payroll and retaining $714,000 in existing payroll as a result of the company's expansion project also in Etna Township (Licking County.) Menlo Logistics specializes in the integration of all functions across the supply chain, from sourcing of raw materials, through product manufacturing and distribution. The State approved a 45 percent, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

IMPROVING UNEMPLOYMENT PICTURE

It appears that more people are working in east central Ohio. According to County by County statistics released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Licking and all surrounding counties saw their unemployment rate drop from July to August. Licking County had a 6.1 percent rate last month, down from 6.6 percent in July. Though its rate dropped 8-tenths of a percent Coshocton County had the highest rate in the immediate area, at 9.2-percent. Ohio’s unemployment rate was 7.2 percent last month.

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

On Monday evening, October 1st, I had the honor of speaking at the County wide kick-off for Breast Cancer Awareness Month on the Square in downtown Newark. As a community reminder and a ‘beacon of hope’ – this entire month the tower of the Historic County Courthouse is bathed in pink illumination and the clock faces are pink as well. It is a visual reminder of the on going search of a cure and a reminder for those at risk to be proactive in their health care monitoring.

LICKING COUNTY'S ENERGY CONSERVATION PHASE TWO PROJECT UNDERWAY

State Air Quality Development Authority Approves Phase II of Licking County’s Energy Efficiency Overhaul of County Buildings… Licking County is proceeding with Phase 2 of its energy efficiency overhaul of ten county buildings following the authorization this past month of up to $2.2 million in financing by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA). In September 2011, the county received $4.7 million in OAQDA financing for the first phase of the overall project. Under Phase 2, Licking County has contracted with Energy Systems Group for $794,900 in energy infrastructure upgrades at the Justice Center, and also with Johnson Controls for $1,168,311 in additional overhauls at the Administration Building, Domestic Courts Building, Parking Garage, Family Intervention Services, Historic Jail, Pataskala County Office, Litter and Recycling Building, Zerger Hall and the Title Office. Energy conservation measures at the Justice Center include building controls system renovations and heating system renovation/boiler replacements. Planned upgrades at the remaining nine buildings under the project include lighting retrofits; water conservation improvements; building envelope/insulation upgrades; heating, ventilation and air conditioning renovations; and building controls system renovations. Licking County will save more than $56,000 annually in energy costs for the Justice Center project, a figure which includes reduced operating costs and avoided future capital projects. In addition, the project will help avoid the annual emission of 212 tons of carbon dioxide, which is roughly equivalent to removing 42 cars from the road or greenhouse gas emissions from 19 homes. The project for the other nine buildings will save Licking County taxpayers more than $85,000 annually in reduced energy costs. Resulting greenhouse gas reductions will be 214 tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of removing 600 cars from the road or the emissions from 270 homes. “We are delighted to implement the second phase of our ongoing energy system improvements and upgrades at our county facilities. The QECB program is an ideal way to secure below-market-rate financing that might otherwise have been unavailable to us.”

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

The 64th annual Courthouse Holiday Lighting Campaign kicked-off its annual community fund raising campaign on September 26th. The annual holiday lighting of the Courthouse is the official start of the Christmas season in Licking County. This year’s 64th consecutive lighting continues a tradition that began in 1949. Generations of local families return every season for the annual lighting ceremony and to enjoy the warm glow of the holiday decorated Courthouse. This fund raising campaign has a community goal this year of $19,250. Sponsored by the Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee this annual campaign raises monies for the installation, wiring and decorating of the Courthouse, Gazebo and the surrounding Courthouse Park. In addition, this year the Committee is continuing their efforts in the expensive conversion of the decorations and stringers from incandescent lights to more energy efficient and longer lasting LED lights. As in past years, the Lighting Committee will organize the traditional arrival of Santa and a musical program for the evening of Friday November 23rd at the Courthouse Square in downtown Newark. The Community Lighting Fundraising Campaign will run through Monday, October 15th. At the conclusion of the fund raising effort members of the Lighting Committee will determine to what extent the Courthouse and grounds will be decorated for this year’s celebration. Letters are being mailed asking area businesses, individuals and previous contributors asking for financial support for this important local tradition. Contributions are tax-deductible and may be sent to: Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee, Post Office Box 292, Newark, Ohio 43058-0292.