As part of our many ‘economic development’ initiatives, we will be continuing construction of the JRS (Job Ready Site) road in western Licking County (Pataskala and Etna Township) this spring.
Phase one is under construction from Refugee Road north to Broad Street, and phase two from Refugee Road south, to connect with U-S Route 40, will be bid this spring.
We, the Commissioners of Licking County, continue to look to the future. And this ‘development road’, opening one of the prime industrial sites in Ohio and the Midwest, is just part of on-going efforts to position this area as the economy recovers.
Frankly, you can’t sit still when it comes to economic development. Either you are moving forward or sliding backward, in the quest for development.
I believe that a decade from now the jobs and opportunity created by development in areas opened by the JRS Project will mean a great deal to Licking County and Ohio!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
County Parks Levy on May Ballot
The Licking Park District has announced the beginning of the process of placing a modest County Park District Levy before the voters. It will be a two-tenths (0.2) of a mill levy issue on the May 4th ballot.
Faced with major budget cuts due to the decline in the County Budget, the District's primary source of funding, the Board of the Park District says they are left with no other option but to seek a countywide levy.
If the levy is not successful in May, the Park District Board says it will have no choice but to close facilities and cease operations in 2011.
To find out more about levy specifics and how you can get involved, please visit … www.people4parks.com .
Faced with major budget cuts due to the decline in the County Budget, the District's primary source of funding, the Board of the Park District says they are left with no other option but to seek a countywide levy.
If the levy is not successful in May, the Park District Board says it will have no choice but to close facilities and cease operations in 2011.
To find out more about levy specifics and how you can get involved, please visit … www.people4parks.com .
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Census Road Tour In Newark this Tuesday (1/12/10) - Public Invited - Free Chili Tasting
1/10/2010
Greetings…
As a kick-off to the local promotional effort encouraging participation in the 2010 Census – I am posting some information for your information.
Your Licking County Government is sponsoring the local Complete Count Census Committee and helping to coordinate this event.
Attached and also pasted below is information on the 2010 Census Road Tour which will be in Licking County this Tuesday, January 12th over the midday hour (beginning at 11:00am) at ‘The Place Off The Square’ in downtown Newark.
Communitywide participation in and support of the Census (which happens every 10-years) in critical to Ohio and Licking County in many ways – especially in terms of Federal Representation and funding to local communities.
The event this Tuesday includes a free chili tasting and the opportunity to learn about the Census, and job opportunities related to the Census, as well.
If you are available this Tuesday – I would encourage you to attend.
Regards…Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb
2010 US Census Road Tour Event
The Place Off The Square
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
The Licking County Complete Count Committee, U-S Census and The Place Off The Square (downtown Newark)
will host the 2010 Census Road Tour from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 50 N. Second Street, Newark, Ohio.
The Census Event will also include a Chili Cook-Off with free tasting.
Beginning in January 2010, the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour will
travel across the U-S to educate communities about the 2010 Census and encourage
everyone to complete and return the 10-question census when it arrives in March 2010.
The Road Tour will collect images from thousands of participants across the country as
individuals explain why the census will make a difference to them. These images, along
with information from other Road Tour events, will be posted on 2010census.gov
At the Licking County Road Tour event, attendees will be able to:
- Learn about the 2010 Census and the positive impact census participation
can have on their local community
- Contribute their voices, pictures, videos and messages to the Road Tour
- See a sample 2010 Census form
- View messages from other Road Tour participants
- Speak with the Road Tour staff and other community members about the
issues that affect them
- Speak with the Road Tour staff about potential 2010 Census employment
Opportunities
Those who cannot attend the event can also participate in the Road Tour Web
experience by logging onto 2010census.gov, where they can:
- View messages from other Road Tour participants
- Trace the Road Tour and view its various stops as it crosses the country
- Receive Road Tour updates via Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, You Tube and MySpace
For more information about the Licking County Complete Count Committee or
the 2010 Census, please contact Matt Hill, LCATS Transportation Planner at (740)
670-5191, or e-mail mhill@lcounty.com.
Greetings…
As a kick-off to the local promotional effort encouraging participation in the 2010 Census – I am posting some information for your information.
Your Licking County Government is sponsoring the local Complete Count Census Committee and helping to coordinate this event.
Attached and also pasted below is information on the 2010 Census Road Tour which will be in Licking County this Tuesday, January 12th over the midday hour (beginning at 11:00am) at ‘The Place Off The Square’ in downtown Newark.
Communitywide participation in and support of the Census (which happens every 10-years) in critical to Ohio and Licking County in many ways – especially in terms of Federal Representation and funding to local communities.
The event this Tuesday includes a free chili tasting and the opportunity to learn about the Census, and job opportunities related to the Census, as well.
If you are available this Tuesday – I would encourage you to attend.
Regards…Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb
2010 US Census Road Tour Event
The Place Off The Square
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
The Licking County Complete Count Committee, U-S Census and The Place Off The Square (downtown Newark)
will host the 2010 Census Road Tour from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 50 N. Second Street, Newark, Ohio.
The Census Event will also include a Chili Cook-Off with free tasting.
Beginning in January 2010, the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour will
travel across the U-S to educate communities about the 2010 Census and encourage
everyone to complete and return the 10-question census when it arrives in March 2010.
The Road Tour will collect images from thousands of participants across the country as
individuals explain why the census will make a difference to them. These images, along
with information from other Road Tour events, will be posted on 2010census.gov
At the Licking County Road Tour event, attendees will be able to:
- Learn about the 2010 Census and the positive impact census participation
can have on their local community
- Contribute their voices, pictures, videos and messages to the Road Tour
- See a sample 2010 Census form
- View messages from other Road Tour participants
- Speak with the Road Tour staff and other community members about the
issues that affect them
- Speak with the Road Tour staff about potential 2010 Census employment
Opportunities
Those who cannot attend the event can also participate in the Road Tour Web
experience by logging onto 2010census.gov, where they can:
- View messages from other Road Tour participants
- Trace the Road Tour and view its various stops as it crosses the country
- Receive Road Tour updates via Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, You Tube and MySpace
For more information about the Licking County Complete Count Committee or
the 2010 Census, please contact Matt Hill, LCATS Transportation Planner at (740)
670-5191, or e-mail mhill@lcounty.com.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Final County Commissioner Update for 2009 from Tim Bubb
December 31, 2009
Licking County Update
From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb
On this New Years Eve 2009 – Marianne and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Happy New Year!
In this final County Commissioner e-mail newsletter of 2009 I would like to share a Year End column written for the local media. Also, some tips on what to do with those live cut Christmas trees that must be disposed of in an appropriate manner.
Licking County Commissioners - Year in Review 2009
In what has been a challenging year, I would like to share some thoughts about the achievements of your Licking County Government in a time of declining resources.
Much has been said recently about cutbacks, and any review of 2009 must begin with the effects of the recession. Unemployment in the neighborhood of ten percent and home foreclosures continue to be the result of a severe national recession. You should know the County development staff continues to work with existing and potential employers to retain and create jobs. In addition, the County in partnership with the State, Pataskala City and Etna Township is building a ‘development road’ through the JRS industrial site in the Pataskala area.
Opportunity Links, the job service outreach program of the Department of Job and Family Services continues to help those who have lost jobs to find employment. And the County Treasurer and his staff work daily with local residents to make accommodations and help keep people in their homes.
Entering 2010 it is a concern the County’s carry over has declined by half, and all departments and offices have been cut by ten percent or more. Across the board, elected officials and department heads worked hard throughout the year to reduce costs while working to maintain acceptable levels of service. The interim budget to begin 2010 is in balance, and we are hopeful the slow national recovery will mean a steady and stronger local economy in the year ahead.
Considering the conditions, I am proud to say it has been a year of achievement on a number of fronts.
The County Commissioners, in a cooperative effort with the Auditor, Treasurer, Prosecutor and Recorder, initiated a comprehensive County Records Program led by Katy Klettlinger. This was done by rearranging resources and using special funds to staff the effort, and the initial Records Center is located in existing County space. In effect, it’s a new department with minimal impact on the County General Fund. Efforts are well underway to salvage precious permanent records from the attic of the Courthouse, and to properly archive and store all County records, paper and electronic, as required.
In an effort to save money, the five offices using the former Children’s Home in east Newark were all relocated. Due to age and deterioration, the old Home is no longer suitable for any use, and at some point will be demolished. Just by emptying the building and decommissioning the systems, the County will save some $70-thousand per year in utility, insurance and maintenance costs.
The County’s Information Technologies Department is moving forward under the leadership of new IT Department Head Darrin Baldinelli. The County’s excellent IT staff is implementing a critically needed data back-up center to protect the millions of computer records and actions, encompassing all aspects of County Government.
In addition, the IT staff, Economic Development, and the Commissioners are working to bring a higher degree of fiber optic connectivity to the County, which is a key to future economic success.
Another County IT system upgrade has been installation of paperless digital computer systems for processing work at both our JFS and Child Support Enforcement Agency. These improvements are critical at a time when State financial support for these State/Local operations is dwindling.
The County’s Animal Control Department has ascended to a new level with continued emphasis on professional leadership, enhanced spay and neuter programs, and an aggressive adoption program supported by our community and several helpful rescue groups.
In addition County Animal Control appreciates the on-going partnership with Tri-County Chrysler Dodge Jeep to help with animal care, spay/neuter and adoptions. And listen on Saturdays to the Tri-County remote broadcasts on T-100, which also feature information on adoptions and animal care by Tina Crist of County Animal Control.
After years of debate, the Commissioners in concert with the judges and other users of the County Courthouse initiated a security plan for the Courthouse. Based on State Supreme Court guidance, a single secure entrance to the Courthouse was established. Also, policy and procedural changes were implemented to protect the Court, its employees, and the public who use and visit the Courthouse.
The County completed restoration work on its parking garage downtown. A gift from the City a few years ago, the garage was deteriorating due to poor construction in the ‘70s. The County rebuilt the sagging corners of the much used facility, and updated its systems as well. The garage will continue to be an asset in the decades to come for County employees, customers of County services, and the general public.
Finally, at year end the County took the leadership to save and retain quality local building code enforcement services both for residential and commercial/industrial projects. The abolishment by Newark City of its code enforcement department put this important function at risk. The unincorporated areas of the County and most of the areas serviced by municipal governments will continue to have the valuable service provided locally as the new County Code Enforcement Department is staffed, on a sized-down basis, and ready to go on January 4th.
These highlights represent achievement for the people of Licking County in a challenging year, and on behalf of fellow Commissioners Doug Smith and Brad Feightner, I am proud to share them with you.
Commissioner Tim Bubb
Also, regarding disposal of those live cut Christmas trees…
RECYCLE YOUR
CHRISTMAS TREE
WITH THE
CHRISTMAS CHIPPER PROGRAM
Dec. 26th - Jan. 18th
Drop Off Sites:
Alexandria The Compost Farm - 7795 Jersey Mill Rd.
Alexandria Fireman's Park
Croton Municipal Garage
Etna Township Etna Township Garage
Franklin Township Flint Ridge Road
Fredonia McKean Township Garage
Granville Denison University’s recycling barn SR 661
Hanover Lil’ Bear Grocery
Harrison Township Outville-Township Garage
Heath Municipal Pool Parking Lot
Hebron Canal Park Parking Lot
Jersey Township SR161 & Mink Rd
Johnstown Recreation Shelter House
Mary Ann Township Township House-old elementary
Newark Cherry Valley & Reddington Roads
Newark Elm Recycling– 1242 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Newark Flory Park– W. Church St.
Newark East Main St.– Behind the BMV
Newark Levin Park-Sharon Valley Rd.
Pataskala West of the COTA Parking Lot
St. Louisville Village Garage
Utica Water Treatment Plant
*Remember to remove all decorations and tree stands from tree*
This service is funded by the CFLP Solid Waste District at NO charge to residents
Licking County
Recycling & Litter Prevention
Look for our Christmas Chipper signs
Again, Happy New Year – as we all hope for a better year in 2010.
Reminder to visit my website TimBubb.com and check out my blog.
Also, I have a ‘Fan Page’ on Facebook – so if you are on Facebook – search for Tim Bubb, County Commissioner and you will be listed as a ‘fan’ on my page.
As points of contact for County concerns – my office phone is 740-670-5118 and County Cell is 740-334-5387. I can be e-mailed at lcounty.com .
Best Regards…Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb
Licking County Update
From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb
On this New Years Eve 2009 – Marianne and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Happy New Year!
In this final County Commissioner e-mail newsletter of 2009 I would like to share a Year End column written for the local media. Also, some tips on what to do with those live cut Christmas trees that must be disposed of in an appropriate manner.
Licking County Commissioners - Year in Review 2009
In what has been a challenging year, I would like to share some thoughts about the achievements of your Licking County Government in a time of declining resources.
Much has been said recently about cutbacks, and any review of 2009 must begin with the effects of the recession. Unemployment in the neighborhood of ten percent and home foreclosures continue to be the result of a severe national recession. You should know the County development staff continues to work with existing and potential employers to retain and create jobs. In addition, the County in partnership with the State, Pataskala City and Etna Township is building a ‘development road’ through the JRS industrial site in the Pataskala area.
Opportunity Links, the job service outreach program of the Department of Job and Family Services continues to help those who have lost jobs to find employment. And the County Treasurer and his staff work daily with local residents to make accommodations and help keep people in their homes.
Entering 2010 it is a concern the County’s carry over has declined by half, and all departments and offices have been cut by ten percent or more. Across the board, elected officials and department heads worked hard throughout the year to reduce costs while working to maintain acceptable levels of service. The interim budget to begin 2010 is in balance, and we are hopeful the slow national recovery will mean a steady and stronger local economy in the year ahead.
Considering the conditions, I am proud to say it has been a year of achievement on a number of fronts.
The County Commissioners, in a cooperative effort with the Auditor, Treasurer, Prosecutor and Recorder, initiated a comprehensive County Records Program led by Katy Klettlinger. This was done by rearranging resources and using special funds to staff the effort, and the initial Records Center is located in existing County space. In effect, it’s a new department with minimal impact on the County General Fund. Efforts are well underway to salvage precious permanent records from the attic of the Courthouse, and to properly archive and store all County records, paper and electronic, as required.
In an effort to save money, the five offices using the former Children’s Home in east Newark were all relocated. Due to age and deterioration, the old Home is no longer suitable for any use, and at some point will be demolished. Just by emptying the building and decommissioning the systems, the County will save some $70-thousand per year in utility, insurance and maintenance costs.
The County’s Information Technologies Department is moving forward under the leadership of new IT Department Head Darrin Baldinelli. The County’s excellent IT staff is implementing a critically needed data back-up center to protect the millions of computer records and actions, encompassing all aspects of County Government.
In addition, the IT staff, Economic Development, and the Commissioners are working to bring a higher degree of fiber optic connectivity to the County, which is a key to future economic success.
Another County IT system upgrade has been installation of paperless digital computer systems for processing work at both our JFS and Child Support Enforcement Agency. These improvements are critical at a time when State financial support for these State/Local operations is dwindling.
The County’s Animal Control Department has ascended to a new level with continued emphasis on professional leadership, enhanced spay and neuter programs, and an aggressive adoption program supported by our community and several helpful rescue groups.
In addition County Animal Control appreciates the on-going partnership with Tri-County Chrysler Dodge Jeep to help with animal care, spay/neuter and adoptions. And listen on Saturdays to the Tri-County remote broadcasts on T-100, which also feature information on adoptions and animal care by Tina Crist of County Animal Control.
After years of debate, the Commissioners in concert with the judges and other users of the County Courthouse initiated a security plan for the Courthouse. Based on State Supreme Court guidance, a single secure entrance to the Courthouse was established. Also, policy and procedural changes were implemented to protect the Court, its employees, and the public who use and visit the Courthouse.
The County completed restoration work on its parking garage downtown. A gift from the City a few years ago, the garage was deteriorating due to poor construction in the ‘70s. The County rebuilt the sagging corners of the much used facility, and updated its systems as well. The garage will continue to be an asset in the decades to come for County employees, customers of County services, and the general public.
Finally, at year end the County took the leadership to save and retain quality local building code enforcement services both for residential and commercial/industrial projects. The abolishment by Newark City of its code enforcement department put this important function at risk. The unincorporated areas of the County and most of the areas serviced by municipal governments will continue to have the valuable service provided locally as the new County Code Enforcement Department is staffed, on a sized-down basis, and ready to go on January 4th.
These highlights represent achievement for the people of Licking County in a challenging year, and on behalf of fellow Commissioners Doug Smith and Brad Feightner, I am proud to share them with you.
Commissioner Tim Bubb
Also, regarding disposal of those live cut Christmas trees…
RECYCLE YOUR
CHRISTMAS TREE
WITH THE
CHRISTMAS CHIPPER PROGRAM
Dec. 26th - Jan. 18th
Drop Off Sites:
Alexandria The Compost Farm - 7795 Jersey Mill Rd.
Alexandria Fireman's Park
Croton Municipal Garage
Etna Township Etna Township Garage
Franklin Township Flint Ridge Road
Fredonia McKean Township Garage
Granville Denison University’s recycling barn SR 661
Hanover Lil’ Bear Grocery
Harrison Township Outville-Township Garage
Heath Municipal Pool Parking Lot
Hebron Canal Park Parking Lot
Jersey Township SR161 & Mink Rd
Johnstown Recreation Shelter House
Mary Ann Township Township House-old elementary
Newark Cherry Valley & Reddington Roads
Newark Elm Recycling– 1242 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Newark Flory Park– W. Church St.
Newark East Main St.– Behind the BMV
Newark Levin Park-Sharon Valley Rd.
Pataskala West of the COTA Parking Lot
St. Louisville Village Garage
Utica Water Treatment Plant
*Remember to remove all decorations and tree stands from tree*
This service is funded by the CFLP Solid Waste District at NO charge to residents
Licking County
Recycling & Litter Prevention
Look for our Christmas Chipper signs
Again, Happy New Year – as we all hope for a better year in 2010.
Reminder to visit my website TimBubb.com and check out my blog.
Also, I have a ‘Fan Page’ on Facebook – so if you are on Facebook – search for Tim Bubb, County Commissioner and you will be listed as a ‘fan’ on my page.
As points of contact for County concerns – my office phone is 740-670-5118 and County Cell is 740-334-5387. I can be e-mailed at lcounty.com .
Best Regards…Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Season and New Years Greetings
Christmas 2009 is history and Marianne and I hope you had a joyful and meaningful Christmas holiday.
Saturday, December 26th begins the always stressful 'return day' and the beginning of yet more retail sales. If you are out among them - be careful out there and keep smiling!
Best Wishes to my Ohio University Bobcats as they face Marshall University in the MAC Championship Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, December 26th.
As we head for the yearend New Years celebration lets also root for the Buckeyes to bring home a win in the Rose Bowl in Southern California. It is always a home game for the PAC 10 and a road game for the Big Ten, so the Buckeyes will have to be a good bit better than the Oregon Ducks. Go Bucks!
And have a Happy and Safe New Year whether you celebrate at home or out in the community! Lets resolve to work harder and smarter in 2010, and do what we can individually and collectively to help our economy recover!
I have posted a couple of photos of our house in Newark in wintertime...hope you like them!
Saturday, December 26th begins the always stressful 'return day' and the beginning of yet more retail sales. If you are out among them - be careful out there and keep smiling!
Best Wishes to my Ohio University Bobcats as they face Marshall University in the MAC Championship Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, December 26th.
As we head for the yearend New Years celebration lets also root for the Buckeyes to bring home a win in the Rose Bowl in Southern California. It is always a home game for the PAC 10 and a road game for the Big Ten, so the Buckeyes will have to be a good bit better than the Oregon Ducks. Go Bucks!
And have a Happy and Safe New Year whether you celebrate at home or out in the community! Lets resolve to work harder and smarter in 2010, and do what we can individually and collectively to help our economy recover!
I have posted a couple of photos of our house in Newark in wintertime...hope you like them!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
County Commissioner Tim Bubb - Holiday and County Update
November 25, 2009
Licking County Update
From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb
It is time to celebrate the American Thanksgiving tradition. Regardless of whether you are hitting the road or celebrating at home this year – from our family to yours – a wish for a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving! And as the Courthouse Lights begin to twinkle on Friday night let us look forward to the start of a great Christmas Holiday Season!
Tim and Marianne Bubb
In addition to the 61st annual lighting of the County Courthouse this Friday night there are also four great Licking County Christmas holiday parades in early December. Here are the parade dates and a rundown of the activities planned for Courthouse lighting…
Saturday, December 5th Johnstown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting - 4:30pm
Saturday, December 5th Pataskala Lighted Christmas Parade – Municipal Park – 6:00pm.
Saturday, December 12th – Alexandria Christmas Parade – 10:00am.
Saturday, December 12th – Outville Christmas Parade – 3:00pm – followed by fun events and food at the Harrison Township Hall.
The Licking County Courthouse will spring to life with holiday decorations and officially kick-off the 2009 holiday season in Licking County this Friday evening…
61st Annual Courthouse Christmas Lighting
Planned For November 27th
The community is invited to attend the Lighting Ceremony and the official start of the Holiday Season in Licking County on Friday evening, November 27th. The evening will feature the annual holiday music program, the excitement of Santa’s arrival, and lighting of the local landmark.
Festivities begin at 6:00pm on the November 27th, the Friday night after Thanksgiving. The holiday music program will feature longtime master of ceremonies Dave Lehman. Joining Dave, on the stage, will be well known local singers Hugh Price, Amy Fraley and Hayley Feightner. Returning this year will be Doug Moran and his brass quintet ‘The Heisey Brass’ playing ‘sounds of the season’. Also, featured will be local singers Tiffany Williams and Katie Freet.
Returning with a special Christmas music performance for the fourth consecutive year will be the Blessed Sacrament School Combined Chorus under the direction of Tammy Witham.
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 children magically turn-on the Courthouse decorations and lights to begin the holiday season in Licking County.
On hand that evening will be members of the Newark Rodders Car Club. Club members will be presenting a donation from the 2009 ‘Lite the Nite Car Show’ supporting the Christmas Lighting Project.
The new local transportation program Earthworks Transit is providing bus rides downtown for those who need transportation. To schedule your ride, call 740-344-3838 extension 4. The fare to the Courthouse Lighting will be 2 cans of food per person beginning at 4:30pm. The return trip will be the regular fare rate. Rates are available by calling the above number, or by viewing www.earthworkstransit.org. If you do not wish to donate food, rides will still be provided for the standard rates. The food donations go to the ‘Elves in Action’.
The ‘Elves in Action’ will be downtown on the Square the evening of November 27th to kick-off their annual holiday food drive. They 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. Visitors to Courthouse Lighting are urged to bring non-perishable food items.
The Vineyard Church of Licking County will be serving free hot chocolate and popcorn, and again will stage a ‘live nativity’ that Friday evening on the southwest corner of the Square.
Santa will be in the Foundation Park downtown to visit with the children and families after the Lighting Ceremony. This is done in conjunction with the Chamber and the downtown merchants.
On December 12th an event I always enjoy is the Heisey Wind Ensemble’s Christmas Concert…
The Heisey Wind Ensemble presents their annual holiday program with a concert titled "Christmas, the Joy and Spirit" on Saturday, December 12, at 8:00 p.m. The 55 member concert band is under the direction of Dr. Russel Mikkelson, Director of Bands at The Ohio State University in Columbus. The band is celebrating their 25th anniversary season in 2009-2010. Appearing with the HWE will be the Johnstown-Monroe High School Symphonic Choir under the direction of Jeff Rings. Also featured will be former local radio personality Bob Brooker as narrator on a special arrangement by Randal Alan Bass of “The Night Before Christmas”. The HWE Christmas concert has become a holiday tradition for many in the area. A capacity crowd is anticipated. Those planning to attend are urged to arrive early. Tickets for the concert will be available at the door. Adults are $10, seniors (60+) and students are $5, and children under 12 are admitted free. The December 12 concert will be the second of four in the 2009-2010 season. Remaining concert dates are February 20 (The Sound of Music) and April 24 (Happy 25th Anniversary HWE). The group's new performance home is the auditorium of the Alford Performing Arts Hall in the Reese Center on the Newark Campus. Additional information can be found at the band’s web site at www.heiseywindensemble.org
County Commissioner Notes…
Licking County Government continues to move forward with planning for a new Department of Building Code Enforcement to fill a 2010 void in the community. Recently, after extensive interviews, we hired Jack Pryor to be the County’s Building Code Official and lead the effort. Jack is a graduate of Ohio State in Architecture, a 32-year veteran of building code enforcement, and a man highly regarded by building officials across the state.
The County is working to secure contracts with local cities and villages that choose to affiliate, as well as seeking authority from the State Board of Building Standards for enforcement authority on December 11th.
I will keep you updated on our progress on this important project to insure safety, and maintain the quality of residential and commercial/industrial projects in Licking County.
Recently my good friend Rick Platt, the President and CEO of the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, wrote this on his Newark Advocate blog regarding the much improved health of the local Kaiser Plant. It is great news and I am sharing it with you with Rick’s permission…
Puzzled by Kaiser Plant Misinformation
Senator John Kerry, while Presidential candidate, came to Newark's courthouse square in 2004 and, among the negativity about the economy he spewed was about the "downsizing" of the Kaiser plant in Heath. Of course, Kaiser's Heath plant had just gone through a couple of years of new hiring when he said it. Oops. Wrong.Today, a new blogger with 1970-era information about the Newark economy has joined us from out west. Among his mixed bemoaning was the loss of the Kaiser plant. Loss? Huh?Its time to set the record straight with everyone from among other politicians and the homesick who may be equally misinformed.The Kaiser plant is still here. In fact, from the things I've learned, Kaiser has quite a few things on the positive side to talk about.In 2008, Kaiser enjoyed one of its best years of productivity. More product per person was coming out of the Heath plant than ever. That's impressive.It wasn't too long ago; Kaiser's CEO came to town and congratulated the local workforce for being the number one, most productive plant in the Kaiser system. The hot rolled aluminum process in use at Kaiser's Heath plant is the last of its kind left in the world. Airplane manufacturers look to the Kaiser plant for hard alloy aluminum. It's a one-of-a-kind manufacturing gem.This year, despite being hard hit by the same international industries that have been hard hit like automotive and aerospace, Kaiser is humming along pretty well really. They've upgraded their equipment and are poised for even greater productivity numbers in the future.Plus, Kaiser is giving back to the community in more ways than one. It was Kaiser that led the charge on the very successful Heath Duck Derby that pumped money into United Way in a challenging year for the charity.Yes, there were times that Kaiser took some hard hits from the economy and some self-inflicted ones too. But, those times are in the books.The Kaiser Heath plant has really found its niche and, by all rights, should be a great source of pride for the community for its record of productivity. Let's hope it's here for some time to come.
Thanks Rick for your excellent information and thanks to you - the hundreds of Licking County residents - who read my Commissioner Updates.
Feel free to e-mail any questions to…
(Home) timbubb@roadrunner.com
Or (work) tbubb@lcounty.com
These updates are all posted on my blog at my website at www.TimBubb.com
Best Regards…
Your County Commissioner Tim Bubb
Licking County Update
From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb
It is time to celebrate the American Thanksgiving tradition. Regardless of whether you are hitting the road or celebrating at home this year – from our family to yours – a wish for a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving! And as the Courthouse Lights begin to twinkle on Friday night let us look forward to the start of a great Christmas Holiday Season!
Tim and Marianne Bubb
In addition to the 61st annual lighting of the County Courthouse this Friday night there are also four great Licking County Christmas holiday parades in early December. Here are the parade dates and a rundown of the activities planned for Courthouse lighting…
Saturday, December 5th Johnstown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting - 4:30pm
Saturday, December 5th Pataskala Lighted Christmas Parade – Municipal Park – 6:00pm.
Saturday, December 12th – Alexandria Christmas Parade – 10:00am.
Saturday, December 12th – Outville Christmas Parade – 3:00pm – followed by fun events and food at the Harrison Township Hall.
The Licking County Courthouse will spring to life with holiday decorations and officially kick-off the 2009 holiday season in Licking County this Friday evening…
61st Annual Courthouse Christmas Lighting
Planned For November 27th
The community is invited to attend the Lighting Ceremony and the official start of the Holiday Season in Licking County on Friday evening, November 27th. The evening will feature the annual holiday music program, the excitement of Santa’s arrival, and lighting of the local landmark.
Festivities begin at 6:00pm on the November 27th, the Friday night after Thanksgiving. The holiday music program will feature longtime master of ceremonies Dave Lehman. Joining Dave, on the stage, will be well known local singers Hugh Price, Amy Fraley and Hayley Feightner. Returning this year will be Doug Moran and his brass quintet ‘The Heisey Brass’ playing ‘sounds of the season’. Also, featured will be local singers Tiffany Williams and Katie Freet.
Returning with a special Christmas music performance for the fourth consecutive year will be the Blessed Sacrament School Combined Chorus under the direction of Tammy Witham.
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 children magically turn-on the Courthouse decorations and lights to begin the holiday season in Licking County.
On hand that evening will be members of the Newark Rodders Car Club. Club members will be presenting a donation from the 2009 ‘Lite the Nite Car Show’ supporting the Christmas Lighting Project.
The new local transportation program Earthworks Transit is providing bus rides downtown for those who need transportation. To schedule your ride, call 740-344-3838 extension 4. The fare to the Courthouse Lighting will be 2 cans of food per person beginning at 4:30pm. The return trip will be the regular fare rate. Rates are available by calling the above number, or by viewing www.earthworkstransit.org. If you do not wish to donate food, rides will still be provided for the standard rates. The food donations go to the ‘Elves in Action’.
The ‘Elves in Action’ will be downtown on the Square the evening of November 27th to kick-off their annual holiday food drive. They 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. Visitors to Courthouse Lighting are urged to bring non-perishable food items.
The Vineyard Church of Licking County will be serving free hot chocolate and popcorn, and again will stage a ‘live nativity’ that Friday evening on the southwest corner of the Square.
Santa will be in the Foundation Park downtown to visit with the children and families after the Lighting Ceremony. This is done in conjunction with the Chamber and the downtown merchants.
On December 12th an event I always enjoy is the Heisey Wind Ensemble’s Christmas Concert…
The Heisey Wind Ensemble presents their annual holiday program with a concert titled "Christmas, the Joy and Spirit" on Saturday, December 12, at 8:00 p.m. The 55 member concert band is under the direction of Dr. Russel Mikkelson, Director of Bands at The Ohio State University in Columbus. The band is celebrating their 25th anniversary season in 2009-2010. Appearing with the HWE will be the Johnstown-Monroe High School Symphonic Choir under the direction of Jeff Rings. Also featured will be former local radio personality Bob Brooker as narrator on a special arrangement by Randal Alan Bass of “The Night Before Christmas”. The HWE Christmas concert has become a holiday tradition for many in the area. A capacity crowd is anticipated. Those planning to attend are urged to arrive early. Tickets for the concert will be available at the door. Adults are $10, seniors (60+) and students are $5, and children under 12 are admitted free. The December 12 concert will be the second of four in the 2009-2010 season. Remaining concert dates are February 20 (The Sound of Music) and April 24 (Happy 25th Anniversary HWE). The group's new performance home is the auditorium of the Alford Performing Arts Hall in the Reese Center on the Newark Campus. Additional information can be found at the band’s web site at www.heiseywindensemble.org
County Commissioner Notes…
Licking County Government continues to move forward with planning for a new Department of Building Code Enforcement to fill a 2010 void in the community. Recently, after extensive interviews, we hired Jack Pryor to be the County’s Building Code Official and lead the effort. Jack is a graduate of Ohio State in Architecture, a 32-year veteran of building code enforcement, and a man highly regarded by building officials across the state.
The County is working to secure contracts with local cities and villages that choose to affiliate, as well as seeking authority from the State Board of Building Standards for enforcement authority on December 11th.
I will keep you updated on our progress on this important project to insure safety, and maintain the quality of residential and commercial/industrial projects in Licking County.
Recently my good friend Rick Platt, the President and CEO of the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, wrote this on his Newark Advocate blog regarding the much improved health of the local Kaiser Plant. It is great news and I am sharing it with you with Rick’s permission…
Puzzled by Kaiser Plant Misinformation
Senator John Kerry, while Presidential candidate, came to Newark's courthouse square in 2004 and, among the negativity about the economy he spewed was about the "downsizing" of the Kaiser plant in Heath. Of course, Kaiser's Heath plant had just gone through a couple of years of new hiring when he said it. Oops. Wrong.Today, a new blogger with 1970-era information about the Newark economy has joined us from out west. Among his mixed bemoaning was the loss of the Kaiser plant. Loss? Huh?Its time to set the record straight with everyone from among other politicians and the homesick who may be equally misinformed.The Kaiser plant is still here. In fact, from the things I've learned, Kaiser has quite a few things on the positive side to talk about.In 2008, Kaiser enjoyed one of its best years of productivity. More product per person was coming out of the Heath plant than ever. That's impressive.It wasn't too long ago; Kaiser's CEO came to town and congratulated the local workforce for being the number one, most productive plant in the Kaiser system. The hot rolled aluminum process in use at Kaiser's Heath plant is the last of its kind left in the world. Airplane manufacturers look to the Kaiser plant for hard alloy aluminum. It's a one-of-a-kind manufacturing gem.This year, despite being hard hit by the same international industries that have been hard hit like automotive and aerospace, Kaiser is humming along pretty well really. They've upgraded their equipment and are poised for even greater productivity numbers in the future.Plus, Kaiser is giving back to the community in more ways than one. It was Kaiser that led the charge on the very successful Heath Duck Derby that pumped money into United Way in a challenging year for the charity.Yes, there were times that Kaiser took some hard hits from the economy and some self-inflicted ones too. But, those times are in the books.The Kaiser Heath plant has really found its niche and, by all rights, should be a great source of pride for the community for its record of productivity. Let's hope it's here for some time to come.
Thanks Rick for your excellent information and thanks to you - the hundreds of Licking County residents - who read my Commissioner Updates.
Feel free to e-mail any questions to…
(Home) timbubb@roadrunner.com
Or (work) tbubb@lcounty.com
These updates are all posted on my blog at my website at www.TimBubb.com
Best Regards…
Your County Commissioner Tim Bubb
County Commissioner - Tim Bubb on Courthouse Security
November 17, 2009
Licking County Update
From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb
Usually my Commissioner Updates are a summary of local and County Government related information. However, this time I would like to share with you an excellent article by Leila Atassi that appeared in The Cleveland Plain Dealer last month.
As a part of the background for the story she interviewed Court officials here in Licking County.
As background you should know that this year, at the instigation of the Ohio Supreme Court and the local judges, we limited access to the Licking County Courthouse and tightened security. The Commissioners did this with great reluctance, but also with the realization the safety of our courts and their staffs, and the general public using the Courthouse is a priority.
Six doors now are secure and alarmed, including the double doors at the top of the steps on each side. Of course they still open from the inside for emergency exit, but again are alarmed.
On the ground level we have a secure prisoner entrance and on the southeast corner the general public entrance. It is at this ‘public entrance’ where everyone must come and go, under the watchful eye of our security staff. Generally people have come to accept this limited and secure access, and have been appreciative of this safety consideration.
A final point regards cell phones and all manner of electronic personal communications devices. They are banned from the Courthouse, and only permitted for Court staff, attorneys and law enforcement personnel.
Frankly, people have come to view cell phones or the small personal computers they have evolved into as an entitlement.
However there are good reasons the judges ask for the ban and that is why I am sharing this Cleveland Plain Dealer story. I feel it is excellent information and will help you understand the changes we are making to take into account the new methods of immediate communication and the threats to our security that can result.
Many of you comment on my newsletters, and I will be curious what you have to say about this subject.
Best Regards…Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb
Courts struggle to keep trials fair in an age of instant information…
By Leila Atassi, The Plain Dealer
October 06, 2009, 5:28PM
More people are using social media sites, such as Twitter.com, and the trend his implications for courts.CLEVELAND, Ohio —
The first mistrial Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo declared in his courtroom wasn't because of a hung jury, improperly admitted evidence or a procedural error.
It happened, in large part, because of a text message.
An attorney in another Ohio jurisdiction called Prosecutor Bill Mason's office reporting that her sister, who was serving jury duty on the felonious assault case in Russo's courtroom, had texted her with a legal question -- a direct violation of the judge's orders to abstain from doing outside research on the case.
Russo began confiscating jurors' cell phones from then on. But the judge acknowledges that his new policy might just be a temporary solution to a burgeoning problem.
From text messaging to micro-blogging to the ubiquitous nature of the Internet, judges find themselves crafting new policies for their courtrooms in response to evolving technology and its risk to the fairness and integrity of the justice system.
Across the country, stories have surfaced of mistrials caused by jurors describing their trial experiences on social networking Web sites or accessing the Internet and conducting their own research -- all on wireless devices so small they fit inconspicuously in a juror's pocket.
In March, a federal drug trial in Florida ended in a mistrial after nine jurors admitted to researching the case on their iPhones and BlackBerrys. A week later, a building products manufacturer asked an Arkansas court to overturn a $12.6 million judgment, claiming that a juror used Twitter to send updates during the civil trial.
In Cuyahoga County, some judges have banned journalists from blogging live during trials, worried that witnesses waiting to testify could follow the trial on their wireless device from the courthouse lobby. In one case, a judge asked a trial spectator to leave the courtroom out of fear he could be recording the proceedings through a wireless phone ear piece.
And some Ohio courthouses, including Lucas County Common Pleas Court in Toledo, have banned cell phones from the building altogether. Court administrators there hope it will prevent people from taking camera-phone photos of jurors or witnesses -- a new form of intimidation becoming increasingly more popular and problematic in courts.
Judges have always faced the challenge of striking a balance between transparency in the courtroom and the rights of litigants to due process, said Chris Davey, public information director for the Ohio Supreme Court, and chairman of the New Media Committee for the Conference of Court Public Information Officers.
As technology changed throughout the 20th century, courts developed standards to account for the presence of cameras, audio and video recording devices, Davey said.
"Now, we've made another quantum leap forward in terms of what technology is capable of doing, and it requires that courts reexamine how that balance is achieved," Davey said. "Some people already have declared Twitter to be a fad. But there is no question that Web 2.0 and social media are not only here to stay, but they are transforming our culture right before our eyes."
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, like many courts across the country, has not adopted a set of guidelines for judges making decisions about the use of these tools in their courtrooms.
So to offer a framework, the Conference of Court Public Information Officers has sponsored a year-long national research project on the effect of new media on the justice system.
During the next year, the group will examine ways courts use new media and poll judges and administrators on their perceptions about the technology. The completed project will help courts develop their own best practices for using new media to reach out to the community while mitigating the risks, Davey said.
Cuyahoga County judges interviewed for this story reported several beneficial applications for social networking Web sites and other technologies in their courtrooms so far. Photos taken with camera phones at crime scenes have been entered into evidence in some cases, and victims have brought cell phone voicemail recordings with them to court to prove restraining order violations.
And in many criminal cases, defendants who denied that they owned guns or belonged to gangs have been confronted in court by their own Facebook photos featuring them holding weapons and flashing gang signs.
Some judges and court public information officers have embraced Facebook themselves -- establishing profiles to publicize court-sponsored programs, news from the legal community and provide links to court opinions as they are issued.
This instant access to information from the courts, coupled with micro-blogging technology such as Twitter, is a boon for journalists in fierce competition for the public's attention, said Jen Reeves, associate professor of radio-television journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia and an expert on the use of new media tools in journalism.
Covering court trials in real-time is a growing trend among reporters that improves transparency and fosters public dialogue, while reaching a potential audience in its medium of choice, Reeves said.
But the real-time flow of information from the courtroom could cause serious problems for the administration of justice and should be limited as much as possible, said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason.
In most criminal cases, judges order a separation of witnesses to prevent them from knowing the testimony of the others. But witnesses discreetly using handheld devices with internet access could easily follow a reporters' live blog or Twitter feed from courtroom proceedings, Mason said.
"Prosecutors use a witness's inability to get the details straight to impeach their credibility in cross-examination," Mason said. "If they're following previous testimony they could change their story accordingly, and all they're doing is supporting the perjury."
Common Pleas Judge Deena Calabrese agrees with Mason and has banned reporters from blogging or using Twitter in her courtroom. The judge, who is in her first term on the bench, developed her policy after she attended an Ohio Supreme Court seminar on capital murder cases, during which presenters warned of ways that real-time media updates could prompt mistrials.
Calabrese also is sensitive to the effects of other technologies too.
During a recent aggravated murder trial in her courtroom, the judge ordered sheriff's deputies to examine the cell phones of a group of young men sitting in the back of the room.
Calabrese said she saw the men, friends of the defendant, and secretly snap photos of jurors with their camera phones, then scramble to purge the photos when the judge noticed their behavior.
"I know that with my phone I could be online anywhere in a minute," Calabrese said. "And I knew immediately when I looked back there that those guys were either exchanging information with witnesses outside the courtroom or taking pictures of the jury."
The challenge judge’s face is in separating the appropriate uses of technology in the courtroom from the countless ways its use could derail a trial. But short of ordering all computers and cell phones checked at the courthouse doors, judges say they will handle the problems as they arise.
"I guess you just need to be aware of what technology can do," said Judge David Matia. "And equally aware of what technology can screw up."
Licking County Update
From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb
Usually my Commissioner Updates are a summary of local and County Government related information. However, this time I would like to share with you an excellent article by Leila Atassi that appeared in The Cleveland Plain Dealer last month.
As a part of the background for the story she interviewed Court officials here in Licking County.
As background you should know that this year, at the instigation of the Ohio Supreme Court and the local judges, we limited access to the Licking County Courthouse and tightened security. The Commissioners did this with great reluctance, but also with the realization the safety of our courts and their staffs, and the general public using the Courthouse is a priority.
Six doors now are secure and alarmed, including the double doors at the top of the steps on each side. Of course they still open from the inside for emergency exit, but again are alarmed.
On the ground level we have a secure prisoner entrance and on the southeast corner the general public entrance. It is at this ‘public entrance’ where everyone must come and go, under the watchful eye of our security staff. Generally people have come to accept this limited and secure access, and have been appreciative of this safety consideration.
A final point regards cell phones and all manner of electronic personal communications devices. They are banned from the Courthouse, and only permitted for Court staff, attorneys and law enforcement personnel.
Frankly, people have come to view cell phones or the small personal computers they have evolved into as an entitlement.
However there are good reasons the judges ask for the ban and that is why I am sharing this Cleveland Plain Dealer story. I feel it is excellent information and will help you understand the changes we are making to take into account the new methods of immediate communication and the threats to our security that can result.
Many of you comment on my newsletters, and I will be curious what you have to say about this subject.
Best Regards…Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb
Courts struggle to keep trials fair in an age of instant information…
By Leila Atassi, The Plain Dealer
October 06, 2009, 5:28PM
More people are using social media sites, such as Twitter.com, and the trend his implications for courts.CLEVELAND, Ohio —
The first mistrial Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo declared in his courtroom wasn't because of a hung jury, improperly admitted evidence or a procedural error.
It happened, in large part, because of a text message.
An attorney in another Ohio jurisdiction called Prosecutor Bill Mason's office reporting that her sister, who was serving jury duty on the felonious assault case in Russo's courtroom, had texted her with a legal question -- a direct violation of the judge's orders to abstain from doing outside research on the case.
Russo began confiscating jurors' cell phones from then on. But the judge acknowledges that his new policy might just be a temporary solution to a burgeoning problem.
From text messaging to micro-blogging to the ubiquitous nature of the Internet, judges find themselves crafting new policies for their courtrooms in response to evolving technology and its risk to the fairness and integrity of the justice system.
Across the country, stories have surfaced of mistrials caused by jurors describing their trial experiences on social networking Web sites or accessing the Internet and conducting their own research -- all on wireless devices so small they fit inconspicuously in a juror's pocket.
In March, a federal drug trial in Florida ended in a mistrial after nine jurors admitted to researching the case on their iPhones and BlackBerrys. A week later, a building products manufacturer asked an Arkansas court to overturn a $12.6 million judgment, claiming that a juror used Twitter to send updates during the civil trial.
In Cuyahoga County, some judges have banned journalists from blogging live during trials, worried that witnesses waiting to testify could follow the trial on their wireless device from the courthouse lobby. In one case, a judge asked a trial spectator to leave the courtroom out of fear he could be recording the proceedings through a wireless phone ear piece.
And some Ohio courthouses, including Lucas County Common Pleas Court in Toledo, have banned cell phones from the building altogether. Court administrators there hope it will prevent people from taking camera-phone photos of jurors or witnesses -- a new form of intimidation becoming increasingly more popular and problematic in courts.
Judges have always faced the challenge of striking a balance between transparency in the courtroom and the rights of litigants to due process, said Chris Davey, public information director for the Ohio Supreme Court, and chairman of the New Media Committee for the Conference of Court Public Information Officers.
As technology changed throughout the 20th century, courts developed standards to account for the presence of cameras, audio and video recording devices, Davey said.
"Now, we've made another quantum leap forward in terms of what technology is capable of doing, and it requires that courts reexamine how that balance is achieved," Davey said. "Some people already have declared Twitter to be a fad. But there is no question that Web 2.0 and social media are not only here to stay, but they are transforming our culture right before our eyes."
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, like many courts across the country, has not adopted a set of guidelines for judges making decisions about the use of these tools in their courtrooms.
So to offer a framework, the Conference of Court Public Information Officers has sponsored a year-long national research project on the effect of new media on the justice system.
During the next year, the group will examine ways courts use new media and poll judges and administrators on their perceptions about the technology. The completed project will help courts develop their own best practices for using new media to reach out to the community while mitigating the risks, Davey said.
Cuyahoga County judges interviewed for this story reported several beneficial applications for social networking Web sites and other technologies in their courtrooms so far. Photos taken with camera phones at crime scenes have been entered into evidence in some cases, and victims have brought cell phone voicemail recordings with them to court to prove restraining order violations.
And in many criminal cases, defendants who denied that they owned guns or belonged to gangs have been confronted in court by their own Facebook photos featuring them holding weapons and flashing gang signs.
Some judges and court public information officers have embraced Facebook themselves -- establishing profiles to publicize court-sponsored programs, news from the legal community and provide links to court opinions as they are issued.
This instant access to information from the courts, coupled with micro-blogging technology such as Twitter, is a boon for journalists in fierce competition for the public's attention, said Jen Reeves, associate professor of radio-television journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia and an expert on the use of new media tools in journalism.
Covering court trials in real-time is a growing trend among reporters that improves transparency and fosters public dialogue, while reaching a potential audience in its medium of choice, Reeves said.
But the real-time flow of information from the courtroom could cause serious problems for the administration of justice and should be limited as much as possible, said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason.
In most criminal cases, judges order a separation of witnesses to prevent them from knowing the testimony of the others. But witnesses discreetly using handheld devices with internet access could easily follow a reporters' live blog or Twitter feed from courtroom proceedings, Mason said.
"Prosecutors use a witness's inability to get the details straight to impeach their credibility in cross-examination," Mason said. "If they're following previous testimony they could change their story accordingly, and all they're doing is supporting the perjury."
Common Pleas Judge Deena Calabrese agrees with Mason and has banned reporters from blogging or using Twitter in her courtroom. The judge, who is in her first term on the bench, developed her policy after she attended an Ohio Supreme Court seminar on capital murder cases, during which presenters warned of ways that real-time media updates could prompt mistrials.
Calabrese also is sensitive to the effects of other technologies too.
During a recent aggravated murder trial in her courtroom, the judge ordered sheriff's deputies to examine the cell phones of a group of young men sitting in the back of the room.
Calabrese said she saw the men, friends of the defendant, and secretly snap photos of jurors with their camera phones, then scramble to purge the photos when the judge noticed their behavior.
"I know that with my phone I could be online anywhere in a minute," Calabrese said. "And I knew immediately when I looked back there that those guys were either exchanging information with witnesses outside the courtroom or taking pictures of the jury."
The challenge judge’s face is in separating the appropriate uses of technology in the courtroom from the countless ways its use could derail a trial. But short of ordering all computers and cell phones checked at the courthouse doors, judges say they will handle the problems as they arise.
"I guess you just need to be aware of what technology can do," said Judge David Matia. "And equally aware of what technology can screw up."
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