We survived a roller coaster month of March weather-wise, and officially ‘spring has sprung’.
This “Commissioner Update” is dated April 1st and it is not an ‘April Fool’. However, I would suggest you be on your guard today!
Re-Elect Tim Bubb Commissioner Campaign Note…
On Thursday, April 26th a group of local public officials are hosting a kick-off reception for my 2012 Campaign seeking Re-Election as your County Commissioner.
The location will be The Grill Works on South Second Street in downtown Newark from 4:30 to 6:30pm.
You are cordially invited to this ‘after work’ fundraiser and campaign event. The cost is $20 per person and $30 per couple. There will be hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
Regarding the Primary Election in March…
On behalf the Licking Park District Board thanks for your support of their Levy for Parks, Paths and Trails. This five-year levy will allow the Park District to manage and maintain 24-miles of community bike paths, over 1,600 acres of parks and nature reserves, and 25-miles of recreation trails
Also, our community benefits from your continued support of the levy for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The levy renewal means continuation of the current funding for the Board of DD, which serves more than 1,400 Licking County residents and their families annually.
Economic Development…
* The new Grow Licking County Community Improvement Corporation ‘CIC’ has hired its new Economic Development Director. Beginning April 9th Dan Evers will begin his new duties and will be housed at the County Chamber of Commerce Office. Evers is a Certified Economic Development Professional with considerable experience at the township and county level.
* Positive economic news as Johnstown’s Tech International continues to expand and add jobs. This long time Johnstown area business has in the past year been expanding into an existing building in the Village Industrial Park, and recently announced some 29-jobs will be created. Also known as Johnstown Technical Rubber, the expansion will mean an additional $900-thousand in yearly payroll. The company is a world leader in tire repair and wheel services. This positive growth was spurred by local support and a 35-percent State Job Creation Tax Credit.
Other Items in the News…
* A deluge of rain, over 4-inches in a short period of time, caused flash flooding in the Village of Hebron two weeks ago. Clean-up and repairs are continuing and disaster assistance fund has been set-up at the Park National Bank in Hebron for anyone who would like to help. The good news was there were no injuries.
Assistance came to the Village from many directions and I would just like to recognize the County Government assistance. Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the CERT Volunteers, County Sheriff and Engineers Offices, Health Department and County Transit were among the many who responded to the scene. Also, County Planning and Building Code will be assisting by waiving inspection fees to assist residents and businesses in their continued recovery efforts.
* At the annual Licking County Red Cross Heroes’ Breakfast in celebration of their tenth anniversary of the event, they honored ten individuals who have had a positive major impact on the community over the past ten years. I was honored to be recognized as one of those ten individuals at the event held in mid March.
Also honored by the Red Cross were Eschol Curl, Dan Delawder, Cheri Hottinger, Paddy Kutz, Dr. Lew Mollica, Rob Montagnese, Kay Murphy, Dr. Pat Scarpitti and Sarah Wallace.
* At the Annual Farmer’s Share Breakfast three members of the local Ag Community were honored…
Inducted into the Licking County Agricultural Hall of Fame were William Gilmore and Jim Heimerl.
Gilmore was honored posthumously for his contributions to and innovations in farming in the late 19th and 20th centuries. He was remembered as the national champion corn grower in 1922, and a champion breeder of draft horses that were sold worldwide.
Heimerl was recognized for his more recent innovations in farming. He and his family raise over 300-thousand hogs annually on their 26-hundred acre farm. Jim has been recognized as a state and national winner of the Pork Environmental Stewardship Award.
In addition, Jim Kiracofe, the County Soil and Water Conservation District program administrator, was recognized for recently receiving the 2012 Ohio Conservation District Professional Award.
Orange Barrel Update…
* State Route 16 – the Newark Expressway…Upgrades to lanes and ramp restrictions. Congestion continues with one lane open to traffic both eastbound and westbound between Hudson and O’Bannon Avenues. The entrance and exit ramps at Cedar Street are restricted to one lane, and there will be a 10-day closure at the interchange in June (final date not determined).
* Work continues on the State Route 79 Hebron Road area of Heath. The project will lead to a center divider, a wider road and relocated utility lines. Next week expect on-going overnight lane closures. There will be congestion as traffic is reduced to one-lane and the overnight water line work will be underway.
* On U.S. 62 outside the Village of Johnstown a guardrail upgrade is underway. The project resumes this Monday from 7:00am till 5:00pm on Route 62 between the Franklin/Licking and Licking /Knox County lines. Traffic will be maintained.
* On Interstate 70 near Buckeye Lake Village expect congestion as the pavements are improved. Starting this Monday pavement work will close lanes and ramps for limited periods of time. Motorists should expect delays in the work zone areas.
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
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
MARCH 2012 COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB UPDATE
This mild winter of 2011-12 is just about behind us and spring just officially just 20-days away.
Spring is a time of renewal with the landscape ready to explode with color in the days ahead, and the arrival of spring training and March Madness means that longer days and better weather are just ahead!
As your County Commissioner I can report that our Board continues to perform at a high level of achievement. We will begin March with a balanced budget for the year featuring reduced spending in many areas, and a continued emphasis on consolidation and coordination of government.
ELECTION DAY IS NEXT WEEK
Early voting is just about complete and the ‘Super Tuesday Primary Election Day’ is next Tuesday’s March 6th Ohio Primary.
For voting information call the Board of Elections Office at 740-670-5080 or visit the Licking County website lcounty.com and click on Board of Elections under the Administration tab.
Regarding The Election I Would Offer These Suggestions…
Recommend voting for the re-election of County Commissioner Brad Feightner. Commissioner Feightner, now completing his first term, is a thoughtful and responsive Commissioner who always puts ‘People before Politics’. Feightner brings new ideas and fair consideration to the issues the Commissioners face each day and he has earned your support and vote for a second term.
Recommend voting YES for the Licking Park District’s 0.25-mill Levy for Parks, Paths and Trails. This five-year levy will allow the Parks District to manage and maintain 24-miles of community bike paths, over 1,600 acres of parks and nature reserves, and 25-miles of recreation trails. This is a quality of life issue that affects all residents of the County. In addition these parks, paths and trails contribute to our community’s economic growth by increasing appeal for business development and tourism, as well as enhancing property values.
Recommend voting YES for the renewal of the five‐year, 1‐mill levy for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This levy will renew the current funding for the Board of DD, which serves more than 1,400 Licking County residents and their families annually. A renewal of the March 2012 levy means property owners in Licking County will not see an increase in property taxes to support the County Board of DD. Substantial cuts in state and federal funds since 2002 have made local levy dollars crucial to the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ ability to serve the needs of county residents and their families.
Business Development Trip to Washington D. C. Successful - Continuing to Build Port Authority and Community Support
This past Wednesday, February 29th Commissioner Tim Bubb joined a delegation of business leaders and public officials in a ‘business development’ trip to the nation’s capital on behalf of the Newark-Heath-Licking County Port Authority. This purpose of the trip was to continue to build and rally the Ohio Legislative Delegation on behalf of retaining and recruiting new jobs, especially aerospace opportunities, for the former Air Force Base site in Heath.
Targeted visits included both of Ohio’s Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and their staffs. Also, Congressmen Bob Gibbs, Pat Tiberi and Steve Stivers, and the Chief of Staff, Mick Kreiger, for House Speaker John Boehner.
In addition, Commissioner Bubb and County Engineer Bill Lozier were joined by Heath Mayor Mark Johns in visits with Director Grande Lum at the Small Business Administration’s HUBZone Program, and at the White House with Director David Agnew who coordinates with the nation’s cities and counties for the Administration. Both sessions were productive in looking at ways to qualify the Port Authority as a HUBZone site and bring this additional economic development to Licking County. Commissioner Bubb, Engineer Lozier and Mayor Johns also discussed several other development issues critical to Licking County and Central Ohio with the Federal Administration.
This 2012 Port Authority Delegation included... Heath Mayor Mark Johns, Mike Cadenhead of Bionetics, Al Bonacci of Goodrich, Joy Padgett Central Ohio Technical College, Bill Wright of the Port Authority, Bart Weiler of the Port Authority Board, Bill Lozier
Licking County Engineer, Rick Platt Port Authority Director, Tim Bubb Licking County Commissioner, Charles Dutch of The Boeing Company.
“Striking The Right Balance” – An Informative Update from Director John Fisher on his Agency – the Licking County Department of Job and Family Services
It has been said that the secret to success is finding balance in life. That mantra has always held true at Licking County Job & Family Services—and especially in fiscal year 2011.
During this past year, the Agency has worked diligently to strike a balance between effectively serving community members in need, and being as efficient as possible with the hard-earned dollars of the taxpayers who support our organization.
One way we have achieved this balance is by actively embracing innovation and technology. Advances such as upgrading our phone systems and adopting online Public Assistance applications have made it easier for residents in need to access our services. In fact, since implementing the phone upgrades, we have decreased callers’ wait time by almost half and reduced the number of abandoned calls by more than half. At the same time, we have made it more cost effective for the Agency to provide struggling families and individuals with food assistance, access to medical care, transportation, and other types of help when they need it most.
In making these changes, the Agency has been conscious of the balance between technology and a personal touch. Our mission is first and foremost to provide a helping hand to meet basic needs during tough times while assuring the safety and welfare of some of our most vulnerable citizens, including children, the elderly, and the disabled. While taking advantage of the efficiencies of technology, we make every effort to continue to be a source of compassion, caring, and hope for a better tomorrow.
To that end, we placed a strong emphasis on helping individuals obtain and maintain employment during FY2011. The majority of the people we serve do work; however, many of them are underemployed. To support their families, these workers may need more hours, a better salary, or benefits. Licking County JFS provides the resources to help them reach these goals and achieve a greater sense of balance in their own lives.
As always, in everything we do, the Agency is committed to meeting or surpassing federal and state performance goals. We have always been a top-performing county, and we are proud to report that we consistently exceed overall state averages in performance in nearly every area.
As we look forward, Licking County JFS will continue to seek innovative ways to improve services to community members, stretch taxpayers’ dollars further, and remain a source of compassionate care for friends and neighbors in need. Ultimately, we will strive to find the balance that works best for every Licking Countian.
Orange Barrel Update…
Preliminary work has begun on the Hopewell Drive bridge, located between State Route 79 and State Route 13, in the City of Heath, Licking County.
Complete General Construction Co. is the contractor for this $977,000.00 bridge rehabilitation project. This preliminary work will not impact traffic, as two lanes of traffic will be maintained during this six week period.
The bridge is expected to close beginning June 11 through this October 15, weather permitting. The posted detour will be via State Route 13, Irving Wick Drive, and State Route 79, adding approximately five miles to a motorist’s commute.
* Factoid – According to the County Engineer the certified length of County owned and maintained roads is 421.582 miles!
County Green Energy Phase I over halfway done and Energy II About to Begin
Last fall the County, in cooperation with the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) began a major upgrade of a dozen County owned facilities targeting HVAC Systems and a variety of other upgrades to save energy, bring the building’s systems up to date, and save money. In fact the energy savings, and deferred capital costs and maintenance will pay for most of $4.7-million in improvements over the next decade.
The program is going so well, beginning on March 8th, the County will issue an RFP for County Energy Phase II with the intent of upgrading and making more efficient the County’s remaining 14 buildings with work to be accomplished in 2012 and 2013, again in cooperation with OAQDA.
In addition to benefiting the County’s inventory of buildings (large and small), these projects also benefit our local economy. Most of the workers and subcontractors are from Licking County, and many of the materials are manufactured locally. Below is a photo of boxes of insulated pipe wrap being staged for use in the upgrades of the downtown County Administration Building – made locally at the Owens Corning Fiberglas Plant in Newark.
Licking and Muskingum Counties Join Hands To Bring Water to the Small Village of Gratiot...
This past week a contract was signed between Licking and Muskingum Counties to jointly solve the issue of bringing clean/safe drinking water to the small Village of Gratiot. The Village sits on the line between the two counties. The agreement will allow Muskingum County to bring nearby water service into Licking County to serve the Village’s residents and businesses. This cooperative agreement will solve the long standing problem of not having a quality water utility service for the community, and is considered a Win – Win. Licking County Water Wastewater Direct or Kevin Eby was instrumental in helping make this happen.
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
Spring is a time of renewal with the landscape ready to explode with color in the days ahead, and the arrival of spring training and March Madness means that longer days and better weather are just ahead!
As your County Commissioner I can report that our Board continues to perform at a high level of achievement. We will begin March with a balanced budget for the year featuring reduced spending in many areas, and a continued emphasis on consolidation and coordination of government.
ELECTION DAY IS NEXT WEEK
Early voting is just about complete and the ‘Super Tuesday Primary Election Day’ is next Tuesday’s March 6th Ohio Primary.
For voting information call the Board of Elections Office at 740-670-5080 or visit the Licking County website lcounty.com and click on Board of Elections under the Administration tab.
Regarding The Election I Would Offer These Suggestions…
Recommend voting for the re-election of County Commissioner Brad Feightner. Commissioner Feightner, now completing his first term, is a thoughtful and responsive Commissioner who always puts ‘People before Politics’. Feightner brings new ideas and fair consideration to the issues the Commissioners face each day and he has earned your support and vote for a second term.
Recommend voting YES for the Licking Park District’s 0.25-mill Levy for Parks, Paths and Trails. This five-year levy will allow the Parks District to manage and maintain 24-miles of community bike paths, over 1,600 acres of parks and nature reserves, and 25-miles of recreation trails. This is a quality of life issue that affects all residents of the County. In addition these parks, paths and trails contribute to our community’s economic growth by increasing appeal for business development and tourism, as well as enhancing property values.
Recommend voting YES for the renewal of the five‐year, 1‐mill levy for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This levy will renew the current funding for the Board of DD, which serves more than 1,400 Licking County residents and their families annually. A renewal of the March 2012 levy means property owners in Licking County will not see an increase in property taxes to support the County Board of DD. Substantial cuts in state and federal funds since 2002 have made local levy dollars crucial to the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ ability to serve the needs of county residents and their families.
Business Development Trip to Washington D. C. Successful - Continuing to Build Port Authority and Community Support
This past Wednesday, February 29th Commissioner Tim Bubb joined a delegation of business leaders and public officials in a ‘business development’ trip to the nation’s capital on behalf of the Newark-Heath-Licking County Port Authority. This purpose of the trip was to continue to build and rally the Ohio Legislative Delegation on behalf of retaining and recruiting new jobs, especially aerospace opportunities, for the former Air Force Base site in Heath.
Targeted visits included both of Ohio’s Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and their staffs. Also, Congressmen Bob Gibbs, Pat Tiberi and Steve Stivers, and the Chief of Staff, Mick Kreiger, for House Speaker John Boehner.
In addition, Commissioner Bubb and County Engineer Bill Lozier were joined by Heath Mayor Mark Johns in visits with Director Grande Lum at the Small Business Administration’s HUBZone Program, and at the White House with Director David Agnew who coordinates with the nation’s cities and counties for the Administration. Both sessions were productive in looking at ways to qualify the Port Authority as a HUBZone site and bring this additional economic development to Licking County. Commissioner Bubb, Engineer Lozier and Mayor Johns also discussed several other development issues critical to Licking County and Central Ohio with the Federal Administration.
This 2012 Port Authority Delegation included... Heath Mayor Mark Johns, Mike Cadenhead of Bionetics, Al Bonacci of Goodrich, Joy Padgett Central Ohio Technical College, Bill Wright of the Port Authority, Bart Weiler of the Port Authority Board, Bill Lozier
Licking County Engineer, Rick Platt Port Authority Director, Tim Bubb Licking County Commissioner, Charles Dutch of The Boeing Company.
“Striking The Right Balance” – An Informative Update from Director John Fisher on his Agency – the Licking County Department of Job and Family Services
It has been said that the secret to success is finding balance in life. That mantra has always held true at Licking County Job & Family Services—and especially in fiscal year 2011.
During this past year, the Agency has worked diligently to strike a balance between effectively serving community members in need, and being as efficient as possible with the hard-earned dollars of the taxpayers who support our organization.
One way we have achieved this balance is by actively embracing innovation and technology. Advances such as upgrading our phone systems and adopting online Public Assistance applications have made it easier for residents in need to access our services. In fact, since implementing the phone upgrades, we have decreased callers’ wait time by almost half and reduced the number of abandoned calls by more than half. At the same time, we have made it more cost effective for the Agency to provide struggling families and individuals with food assistance, access to medical care, transportation, and other types of help when they need it most.
In making these changes, the Agency has been conscious of the balance between technology and a personal touch. Our mission is first and foremost to provide a helping hand to meet basic needs during tough times while assuring the safety and welfare of some of our most vulnerable citizens, including children, the elderly, and the disabled. While taking advantage of the efficiencies of technology, we make every effort to continue to be a source of compassion, caring, and hope for a better tomorrow.
To that end, we placed a strong emphasis on helping individuals obtain and maintain employment during FY2011. The majority of the people we serve do work; however, many of them are underemployed. To support their families, these workers may need more hours, a better salary, or benefits. Licking County JFS provides the resources to help them reach these goals and achieve a greater sense of balance in their own lives.
As always, in everything we do, the Agency is committed to meeting or surpassing federal and state performance goals. We have always been a top-performing county, and we are proud to report that we consistently exceed overall state averages in performance in nearly every area.
As we look forward, Licking County JFS will continue to seek innovative ways to improve services to community members, stretch taxpayers’ dollars further, and remain a source of compassionate care for friends and neighbors in need. Ultimately, we will strive to find the balance that works best for every Licking Countian.
Orange Barrel Update…
Preliminary work has begun on the Hopewell Drive bridge, located between State Route 79 and State Route 13, in the City of Heath, Licking County.
Complete General Construction Co. is the contractor for this $977,000.00 bridge rehabilitation project. This preliminary work will not impact traffic, as two lanes of traffic will be maintained during this six week period.
The bridge is expected to close beginning June 11 through this October 15, weather permitting. The posted detour will be via State Route 13, Irving Wick Drive, and State Route 79, adding approximately five miles to a motorist’s commute.
* Factoid – According to the County Engineer the certified length of County owned and maintained roads is 421.582 miles!
County Green Energy Phase I over halfway done and Energy II About to Begin
Last fall the County, in cooperation with the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) began a major upgrade of a dozen County owned facilities targeting HVAC Systems and a variety of other upgrades to save energy, bring the building’s systems up to date, and save money. In fact the energy savings, and deferred capital costs and maintenance will pay for most of $4.7-million in improvements over the next decade.
The program is going so well, beginning on March 8th, the County will issue an RFP for County Energy Phase II with the intent of upgrading and making more efficient the County’s remaining 14 buildings with work to be accomplished in 2012 and 2013, again in cooperation with OAQDA.
In addition to benefiting the County’s inventory of buildings (large and small), these projects also benefit our local economy. Most of the workers and subcontractors are from Licking County, and many of the materials are manufactured locally. Below is a photo of boxes of insulated pipe wrap being staged for use in the upgrades of the downtown County Administration Building – made locally at the Owens Corning Fiberglas Plant in Newark.
Licking and Muskingum Counties Join Hands To Bring Water to the Small Village of Gratiot...
This past week a contract was signed between Licking and Muskingum Counties to jointly solve the issue of bringing clean/safe drinking water to the small Village of Gratiot. The Village sits on the line between the two counties. The agreement will allow Muskingum County to bring nearby water service into Licking County to serve the Village’s residents and businesses. This cooperative agreement will solve the long standing problem of not having a quality water utility service for the community, and is considered a Win – Win. Licking County Water Wastewater Direct or Kevin Eby was instrumental in helping make this happen.
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
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
FEBRUARY 2012 - COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB UPDATE
Greetings! It is turning out to be one of the mildest Ohio winters in many years – so enjoy! At the County the money we save not plowing and salting, will be available for paving and bridge repair this summer. So let’s keep it going.
February is the winter transition month as we start to see the days get longer, and this week we celebration Groundhog Day.
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2nd. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.
The Greater Licking County Chamber of Commerce has traditionally hosted a major local meeting on or around Groundhog Day, in the hope the groundhog will not only predict an early spring, but also positive economic news for the year.
I am hoping for both, and will see many of you this Friday morning
(February 3rd) at the Groundhog Breakfast at the Newark Campus!
Election Season Has Arrived …
Believe it or not it is time to begin early in-person voting for the 2012 ‘Super Tuesday’, March 6th Ohio Primary.
Early voting in-person at the County Board of Elections (BOE) began January 31st and continues until Friday, March 2nd at 6:00pm. * The Board of Elections is not conducting early voting either at night or on weekends. You can vote in-person at the BOE Office, in the County Administration Building at 20 South Second Street in Newark, weekdays between 8:00am and 4:30pm.
For further voting information call the BOE Office at 740-670-5080 or visit the Licking County website lcounty.com and click on Board of Elections under the Administration tab.
Regarding Super Tuesday …
Recommend voting for the re-election of County Commissioner Brad Feightner. Commissioner Feightner, now completing his first term, is a thoughtful and responsive Commissioner who always puts ‘People before Politics’. Feightner brings new ideas and fair consideration to the issues the Commissioners face each day and he has earned your support and vote for a second term.
Recommend voting YES for the Licking Park District’s 0.25-mill Levy for Parks, Paths and Trails. This five-year levy will allow the Parks District to manage and maintain 24-miles of community bike paths, over 1,600 acres of parks and nature reserves, and 25-miles of recreation trails. This is a quality of life issue that affects all residents of the County. In addition these parks, paths and trails contribute to our community’s economic growth by increasing appeal for business development and tourism, as well as enhancing property values.
Recommend voting YES for the renewal of the five‐year, 1‐mill levy for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This levy will renew the current funding for the Board of DD, which serves more than 1,400 Licking County residents and their families annually. A renewal of the March 2012 levy means property owners in Licking County will not see an increase in property taxes to support the County Board of DD. Substantial cuts in state and federal funds since 2002 have made local levy dollars crucial to the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ ability to serve the needs of county residents and their families.
Combined County/Railroad Effort Eliminates Marne Flood Threat
A neighborhood flash flood threat was eliminated this past fall in Marne, in eastern Licking County, between Newark and Hanover. The County Commissioners, County Engineer, and the Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road Company, combined in a two-phase engineering and construction solution. The work was done in a cost effective fashion, and without an assessment of the residents of the watershed in this Licking Valley region.
Floods in 1990 and again in 1995 were severe enough to receive Presidential Emergency Declarations and led to lawsuits against the Ohio Central railroad, which then leased the line from the State. It was assumed two old undersized railroad culverts were overwhelmed by the volume of water causing the severe neighborhood flooding.
In 1998 a judge ordered the railroad to better maintain the old culverts until they could accomplish a permanent solution to the problem. And an expensive plan was created. However the flood prevention project was not addressed for a number of years for mostly financial reasons. At that time, the railroad company was reluctant to pay its share, as were many of the residents of the watershed who didn’t see the Marne flooding situation as their problem.
However, in 2009 the Ohio Central was purchased by Genesee & Wyoming, a major player in the short line rail business. And Bill Lozier arrived as Deputy County Engineer, with a background in solving drainage problems. Lozier recalculated the dynamics of this flood problem, and proposed a two phase solution with much larger box culverts under the railroad and to the south under Marne Road.
Railroad officials verified the quality of the solution and agreed to pay for their part of the work. This past October Licking County crews replaced the old culverts under Marne Road with a larger prefab box culvert. In December the railroad held up its end of the bargain and replaced their old undersized culverts, along with clearing parts of the stream bank.
On behalf of Commissioners Brad Feightner and Doug Smith, allow me to offer special thank you to the County Engineer's office and the railroad for their cooperation. With a combination of road and bridge funds and railroad company participation, the County was left with minimal expense to complete what was once considered an extraordinarily costly project.
The Marne Ditch flooding solution is now in place, and the need to assess residents for the flood prevention project was avoided. We were pleased to help bring about a reasonable and effective solution to what was a continuing flood threat in the Marne community.
Concluding with Licking County January News Briefs …
The new Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) for Economic Development will hold its organizational meeting Wednesday, February 6th. The Licking County Government, County Chamber of Commerce and Port Authority are the organizers, with a number of others offering financial support.
Last month the Commissioners concluded the purchase of a building at 675 West Church Street in Newark, formerly owned by the local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Over the next two years it will be transitioned into the permanent location for the County’s Records and Archives Department.
The County’s innovative Energy Conservation Plan is well underway with a dozen major public buildings seeing improvements. The $4.7-million in work is essentially paid for with Stimulus dollars, AEP Rebates, and the anticipated twenty percent guaranteed in energy savings. A Phase II Energy Conservation Program to finish retrofitting the County’s buildings is under consideration.
A 1 ½-mile stretch of Woodhaven Road in Monroe Township, between Croton Road and Clover Valley Road, will be improved with Issue I grant money. The widening project is expected to cost $328,000, with the grant covering $237,000. Monroe Township will kick in $25,000 as in kind services and add $65,000 in matching funds. Most of the construction is expected to take place this summer.
Congratulations to Michael Shank and his Shank Racing Team based in the Etna Corporate Park in western Licking County. Cars built by Shank Racing finished first and third in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona Race on Sunday. This is a great example of a growing local business making a national name for themselves.
Best Wishes to another growing local business ArmorSource after a difficult month of January. The staff mourned the death of co-owner and CEO Larry Dickson, who died January 15th. Later in the month the firm learned it won the right to manufacturer 11-thousand ballistic helmets for the Italian Army and some 260-thousand for the U.S. Government.
Missouri based Air Evac Lifeteam announced its arrival in Licking County with a locally based medical helicopter. Its base will be in Newton Township at the fire station in Saint Louisville. This is economic development with 18-jobs created, and the potential to save lives in the months and years ahead.
Licking County Government suffered the loss of a highway worker in early January. Troy Murphy lost his life in a tree cutting accident in Granville Township, on a project to make a county road safer. Sympathy continues to go to the family and the men Troy worked with, as they work to get past this unforeseen tragedy.
Also, in January Licking County lost two great friends. Former Pataskala Bruce Baird and longtime owner of the WCLT Radio stations Bob Pricer both passed away. Our condolences continue to go out to their families and many friends. Both are greatly missed.
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
February is the winter transition month as we start to see the days get longer, and this week we celebration Groundhog Day.
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2nd. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.
The Greater Licking County Chamber of Commerce has traditionally hosted a major local meeting on or around Groundhog Day, in the hope the groundhog will not only predict an early spring, but also positive economic news for the year.
I am hoping for both, and will see many of you this Friday morning
(February 3rd) at the Groundhog Breakfast at the Newark Campus!
Election Season Has Arrived …
Believe it or not it is time to begin early in-person voting for the 2012 ‘Super Tuesday’, March 6th Ohio Primary.
Early voting in-person at the County Board of Elections (BOE) began January 31st and continues until Friday, March 2nd at 6:00pm. * The Board of Elections is not conducting early voting either at night or on weekends. You can vote in-person at the BOE Office, in the County Administration Building at 20 South Second Street in Newark, weekdays between 8:00am and 4:30pm.
For further voting information call the BOE Office at 740-670-5080 or visit the Licking County website lcounty.com and click on Board of Elections under the Administration tab.
Regarding Super Tuesday …
Recommend voting for the re-election of County Commissioner Brad Feightner. Commissioner Feightner, now completing his first term, is a thoughtful and responsive Commissioner who always puts ‘People before Politics’. Feightner brings new ideas and fair consideration to the issues the Commissioners face each day and he has earned your support and vote for a second term.
Recommend voting YES for the Licking Park District’s 0.25-mill Levy for Parks, Paths and Trails. This five-year levy will allow the Parks District to manage and maintain 24-miles of community bike paths, over 1,600 acres of parks and nature reserves, and 25-miles of recreation trails. This is a quality of life issue that affects all residents of the County. In addition these parks, paths and trails contribute to our community’s economic growth by increasing appeal for business development and tourism, as well as enhancing property values.
Recommend voting YES for the renewal of the five‐year, 1‐mill levy for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This levy will renew the current funding for the Board of DD, which serves more than 1,400 Licking County residents and their families annually. A renewal of the March 2012 levy means property owners in Licking County will not see an increase in property taxes to support the County Board of DD. Substantial cuts in state and federal funds since 2002 have made local levy dollars crucial to the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ ability to serve the needs of county residents and their families.
Combined County/Railroad Effort Eliminates Marne Flood Threat
A neighborhood flash flood threat was eliminated this past fall in Marne, in eastern Licking County, between Newark and Hanover. The County Commissioners, County Engineer, and the Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road Company, combined in a two-phase engineering and construction solution. The work was done in a cost effective fashion, and without an assessment of the residents of the watershed in this Licking Valley region.
Floods in 1990 and again in 1995 were severe enough to receive Presidential Emergency Declarations and led to lawsuits against the Ohio Central railroad, which then leased the line from the State. It was assumed two old undersized railroad culverts were overwhelmed by the volume of water causing the severe neighborhood flooding.
In 1998 a judge ordered the railroad to better maintain the old culverts until they could accomplish a permanent solution to the problem. And an expensive plan was created. However the flood prevention project was not addressed for a number of years for mostly financial reasons. At that time, the railroad company was reluctant to pay its share, as were many of the residents of the watershed who didn’t see the Marne flooding situation as their problem.
However, in 2009 the Ohio Central was purchased by Genesee & Wyoming, a major player in the short line rail business. And Bill Lozier arrived as Deputy County Engineer, with a background in solving drainage problems. Lozier recalculated the dynamics of this flood problem, and proposed a two phase solution with much larger box culverts under the railroad and to the south under Marne Road.
Railroad officials verified the quality of the solution and agreed to pay for their part of the work. This past October Licking County crews replaced the old culverts under Marne Road with a larger prefab box culvert. In December the railroad held up its end of the bargain and replaced their old undersized culverts, along with clearing parts of the stream bank.
On behalf of Commissioners Brad Feightner and Doug Smith, allow me to offer special thank you to the County Engineer's office and the railroad for their cooperation. With a combination of road and bridge funds and railroad company participation, the County was left with minimal expense to complete what was once considered an extraordinarily costly project.
The Marne Ditch flooding solution is now in place, and the need to assess residents for the flood prevention project was avoided. We were pleased to help bring about a reasonable and effective solution to what was a continuing flood threat in the Marne community.
Concluding with Licking County January News Briefs …
The new Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) for Economic Development will hold its organizational meeting Wednesday, February 6th. The Licking County Government, County Chamber of Commerce and Port Authority are the organizers, with a number of others offering financial support.
Last month the Commissioners concluded the purchase of a building at 675 West Church Street in Newark, formerly owned by the local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Over the next two years it will be transitioned into the permanent location for the County’s Records and Archives Department.
The County’s innovative Energy Conservation Plan is well underway with a dozen major public buildings seeing improvements. The $4.7-million in work is essentially paid for with Stimulus dollars, AEP Rebates, and the anticipated twenty percent guaranteed in energy savings. A Phase II Energy Conservation Program to finish retrofitting the County’s buildings is under consideration.
A 1 ½-mile stretch of Woodhaven Road in Monroe Township, between Croton Road and Clover Valley Road, will be improved with Issue I grant money. The widening project is expected to cost $328,000, with the grant covering $237,000. Monroe Township will kick in $25,000 as in kind services and add $65,000 in matching funds. Most of the construction is expected to take place this summer.
Congratulations to Michael Shank and his Shank Racing Team based in the Etna Corporate Park in western Licking County. Cars built by Shank Racing finished first and third in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona Race on Sunday. This is a great example of a growing local business making a national name for themselves.
Best Wishes to another growing local business ArmorSource after a difficult month of January. The staff mourned the death of co-owner and CEO Larry Dickson, who died January 15th. Later in the month the firm learned it won the right to manufacturer 11-thousand ballistic helmets for the Italian Army and some 260-thousand for the U.S. Government.
Missouri based Air Evac Lifeteam announced its arrival in Licking County with a locally based medical helicopter. Its base will be in Newton Township at the fire station in Saint Louisville. This is economic development with 18-jobs created, and the potential to save lives in the months and years ahead.
Licking County Government suffered the loss of a highway worker in early January. Troy Murphy lost his life in a tree cutting accident in Granville Township, on a project to make a county road safer. Sympathy continues to go to the family and the men Troy worked with, as they work to get past this unforeseen tragedy.
Also, in January Licking County lost two great friends. Former Pataskala Bruce Baird and longtime owner of the WCLT Radio stations Bob Pricer both passed away. Our condolences continue to go out to their families and many friends. Both are greatly missed.
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
JANUARY 2012 - HAPPY NEW YEAR - LAST YEAR COUNTY NEWS IN REVIEW
It is time to kick off a New Year and we would like to wish each of you, and your family and friends a healthy and productive 2012!
One of my resolutions will be to keep you informed each month of the positive activities of your County Government.
Recently Commissioner Doug Smith and I collaborated with Commissioner Brad Feightner on our annual Year End Summary of achievements. This seems like appropriate information to share as we put the ‘cork in the 2011 bottle’ and look ahead to a great year serving you in 2012!
Licking County Government in 2011
By County Commissioner Brad Feightner
The continuing economic uncertainties and challenges are still on many people's minds. During the past year your Commissioners have taken a conservative approach to Licking County government operations. This board understands and recognizes the needs of the community and has worked to determine new ways to be resourceful, reliable, and helpful to the citizens, businesses and the community as a whole. Working to ensure a sound economic outlook for Licking County’s future, your Commissioners continue to take measures to support economic development, workforce development and job creation.
New jobs have been created across the County and that is reflected by a declining unemployment rate from double digits a year ago to 7.7-percent in October. Economic development incentives put in place by the State, County and local governments have resulted in an explosion of development in New Albany’s prime growth area in western Licking County. In the past year, eight companies have agreed to locate in the new ‘Health and Beauty Park’ off Beech Road. These firms represent multi-million dollar investments and construction of 1.25-million square feet of manufacturing and distribution space. To date, more than 500 new jobs have been created and by 2014 the number of jobs in the Park is expected to be some 1,400. In addition, the County working with New Albany and Jersey Township cooperated in a 180-acre annexation, enabling a 300-acre development site south of Route 161 and east off Beech Road, for potentially another major project.
This past September, your County Commissioners were joined by State officials in dedicating the Job Ready Site (JRS) Development Road running some four miles from Route 16 in Pataskala to U.S. Route 40 in Etna Township. Built with a $3.4-million State Grant and $3-million in County funds, the Road serves the prime 305-acre JRS manufacturing site, and opens for development over one thousand acres of prime commercial real estate. The State is leading an international marketing effort with the JRS site considered among the most desirable major manufacturing locations in Ohio.
Your Commissioners continue to review every county department looking for consolidations and efficiencies to trim the budget. An example now underway is the consolidation of the 9-1-1 dispatching center and Sheriff’s dispatching function into a combined safety dispatching center in the newly acquired former Community Based Corrections Facility in Newark. This budget saving consolidation will also provide the latest communication and dispatching technologies to facilitate the arrival of emergency assistance.
In a bold move to upgrade public facilities and conserve energy, this past fall your County initiated a $4.7-million energy efficiency overhaul of 12-major County government buildings, including the 1876 Courthouse, Administration Building and the Justice Center. Two energy firms have the contracts for upgrading HVAC, major systems, windows, doors, plumbing and roofs. The projects are GUARANTEED to pay for themselves with energy savings, and additional benefits include stimulus and utility rebates related to the measured energy conservation.
Another example of consolidation was the merger of transportation by the Department of Developmental Disabilities into the Licking County Transit Program. This coordination of service is saving resources for the DD program by contracting for the service as a partner, and eliminating the number of busses on the street. County Transit responded with their best year ever as measured by a 99.2-percent efficiency rate, while at the same time managing a 72-percent increase in overall trips.
A final though on efficiency is the use of GovDeals as the County’s on-line monthly auction of surplus items. This past year alone the sales of surplus items totaled over $98,800, and since 2005 the total is some $464-thousand. This represents a major increase over the old annual fixed site auction of surplus items.
Feel free to visit the County Government website LCounty.com to learn more. Your thoughts and suggestions are always welcome.
It is an honor serving with Commissioners Tim Bubb and Doug Smith, our excellent staff, and our elected and appointed officials as we move forward with the attitude that we are a TEAM that can make it through these tough economic times and continue in making our home County a better place.
Best Wishes for a happy and productive New Year!
I can also be e-mailed at tbubb@lcounty.com, and my desk phone number at the Commissioner’s Office is 740-670-5118.
Happy New Year! … Commissioner Tim and Marianne Bubb
One of my resolutions will be to keep you informed each month of the positive activities of your County Government.
Recently Commissioner Doug Smith and I collaborated with Commissioner Brad Feightner on our annual Year End Summary of achievements. This seems like appropriate information to share as we put the ‘cork in the 2011 bottle’ and look ahead to a great year serving you in 2012!
Licking County Government in 2011
By County Commissioner Brad Feightner
The continuing economic uncertainties and challenges are still on many people's minds. During the past year your Commissioners have taken a conservative approach to Licking County government operations. This board understands and recognizes the needs of the community and has worked to determine new ways to be resourceful, reliable, and helpful to the citizens, businesses and the community as a whole. Working to ensure a sound economic outlook for Licking County’s future, your Commissioners continue to take measures to support economic development, workforce development and job creation.
New jobs have been created across the County and that is reflected by a declining unemployment rate from double digits a year ago to 7.7-percent in October. Economic development incentives put in place by the State, County and local governments have resulted in an explosion of development in New Albany’s prime growth area in western Licking County. In the past year, eight companies have agreed to locate in the new ‘Health and Beauty Park’ off Beech Road. These firms represent multi-million dollar investments and construction of 1.25-million square feet of manufacturing and distribution space. To date, more than 500 new jobs have been created and by 2014 the number of jobs in the Park is expected to be some 1,400. In addition, the County working with New Albany and Jersey Township cooperated in a 180-acre annexation, enabling a 300-acre development site south of Route 161 and east off Beech Road, for potentially another major project.
This past September, your County Commissioners were joined by State officials in dedicating the Job Ready Site (JRS) Development Road running some four miles from Route 16 in Pataskala to U.S. Route 40 in Etna Township. Built with a $3.4-million State Grant and $3-million in County funds, the Road serves the prime 305-acre JRS manufacturing site, and opens for development over one thousand acres of prime commercial real estate. The State is leading an international marketing effort with the JRS site considered among the most desirable major manufacturing locations in Ohio.
Your Commissioners continue to review every county department looking for consolidations and efficiencies to trim the budget. An example now underway is the consolidation of the 9-1-1 dispatching center and Sheriff’s dispatching function into a combined safety dispatching center in the newly acquired former Community Based Corrections Facility in Newark. This budget saving consolidation will also provide the latest communication and dispatching technologies to facilitate the arrival of emergency assistance.
In a bold move to upgrade public facilities and conserve energy, this past fall your County initiated a $4.7-million energy efficiency overhaul of 12-major County government buildings, including the 1876 Courthouse, Administration Building and the Justice Center. Two energy firms have the contracts for upgrading HVAC, major systems, windows, doors, plumbing and roofs. The projects are GUARANTEED to pay for themselves with energy savings, and additional benefits include stimulus and utility rebates related to the measured energy conservation.
Another example of consolidation was the merger of transportation by the Department of Developmental Disabilities into the Licking County Transit Program. This coordination of service is saving resources for the DD program by contracting for the service as a partner, and eliminating the number of busses on the street. County Transit responded with their best year ever as measured by a 99.2-percent efficiency rate, while at the same time managing a 72-percent increase in overall trips.
A final though on efficiency is the use of GovDeals as the County’s on-line monthly auction of surplus items. This past year alone the sales of surplus items totaled over $98,800, and since 2005 the total is some $464-thousand. This represents a major increase over the old annual fixed site auction of surplus items.
Feel free to visit the County Government website LCounty.com to learn more. Your thoughts and suggestions are always welcome.
It is an honor serving with Commissioners Tim Bubb and Doug Smith, our excellent staff, and our elected and appointed officials as we move forward with the attitude that we are a TEAM that can make it through these tough economic times and continue in making our home County a better place.
Best Wishes for a happy and productive New Year!
I can also be e-mailed at tbubb@lcounty.com, and my desk phone number at the Commissioner’s Office is 740-670-5118.
Happy New Year! … Commissioner Tim and Marianne Bubb
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
THANKSGIVING 2011 GREETING & COMMISSIONER UPDATE
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
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
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
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