Endorsing Doug Smith for ReElection as Licking County Commissioner

April 29, 2010

Personal Note from Tim Bubb…

Primary Election Day is next Tuesday, May 4th, and the polling places in Licking County will be open from 6:30am till 7:30pm. Also, more than 11-thousand absentee ballots have been mailed to County voters who requested them. Always a timely reminder to get them finished and in the return mail before or by Election Day.
* Check the Board of Elections website at Lcounty.com if you have voting questions or call the BOE staff at 740-670-5080.

People do ask my opinion about the contested commissioner race, which on May 4th will feature a three-person Republican Primary contest for one of the three seats on the Board of Commissioners.

* If you have already voted and/or don’t care about my opinion in this race – feel free to stop reading here or delete. I never mean to impose my opinion, so it is your choice to keep reading!


Thanks for continuing! In the race for commissioner you have an incumbent commissioner and two challengers in the GOP Primary. FYI, there is no contested commissioner primary on the democratic side.

Regarding the Republican Primary - frankly this recommendation is an easy call. By far the most qualified candidate – in all respects - is incumbent Licking County Commissioner Doug Smith. Doug Smith served seven productive terms as a Harrison Township Trustee. He was appointed Commissioner in 2005 replacing Jay Baird, and in 2006 was elected county wide as commissioner.

Doug Smith is an Air Force veteran, a longtime successful local businessman, and is one of the best respected and most well informed people serving in County government. Doug was a true fiscal conservative before that term became just another political buzz word or phrase.

I serve with Doug Smith as commissioner, and I can say, without reservation, that he is one of the most intelligent and thoughtful individuals I have ever met, in any walk of life. He has earned our collective community respect through a lifetime of hard work and achievement!

Let me say simply – Doug Smith is the exact kind of person we all want in public office. Whenever Doug faces a tough decision his first question is always – is it the right thing to do for the people of Licking County? It is always about doing the right thing and serving the ‘greater good’.

I have heard it said…”A politician makes decisions with an eye to the next election – a statesman makes decisions with an eye to the next generation” Doug Smith is a statesman!

Whether you are voting an absentee ballot or in person at the polls next Tuesday - I would ask you to consider joining my wife Marianne and me, as we vote for Doug Smith for commissioner.

A final thought - with no disrespect to his two opponents – Doug Smith is by far the best candidate and I’m certain will continue to serve us all well as County Commissioner.


Regards…Tim Bubb

NEW JOBS FOR LICKING COUNTY

March 30, 2010

Licking County Update
From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb


SPECIAL EDITION – New Jobs for Licking County …

Announcement was made today of a major new business that will locate in western Licking County.
In a cooperative effort the Licking County Economic Development Office and the Ohio Department of Development are welcoming Exel, Incorporated to the Etna Corporate Park off U-S Route 40. They will enter into a long term lease with Prologis to occupy a spec building on the site.
The good news was delivered today by Licking County Commissioner Doug Smith and Lisa Patt-McDaniel of the State Development Department.
Exel, Inc. is making a $16.9-million investment in Licking County, and will over the next three years create some 228-new good paying jobs.
This is a win for Ohio over South Carolina and several other states that were in the running for this development project. A combination of local incentives such as tax abatements and a Joint Economic Development Zone in Etna, combined with State incentives totaling some $572-thousand in the form of Ohio Job Creation Tax Credits and an Ohio Workforce Guarantee were the keys to bringing this major employer here.
The jobs at Exel, which is a leader in logistics, warehousing and distribution in the
U-S and Canada, will begin at $27-thousand per year. Within three years the annual payroll will amount to in excess of $6-million.
In addition to the hard work by the Licking County and State Development professionals, the company cited the outstanding location of Licking County in Ohio and the Midwest, and the excellent available workforce. The company also noted that Ohio’s favorable tax climate for businesses as a plus. Commissioner Smith added, work at the site will begin in three months and the facility will be operating fully by this Christmas season.
As soon as information becomes available on how and when hiring will begin, I will share that information.



Another Informational Note…

In my Commissioner update yesterday March 29th I shared some information from the Licking County Office of Litter and Recycling. It is reprinted below regarding the annual appliance and tire collections.
However, as noted, the appliance collection does not include stereos, small electronics, computers or TV’s.
I heard from one of my many E-Mail Update readers Ryan Meldahl, and he asked me to share the following information…

You may want to put a plug in for the Licking County Computer Society, who is having their bi-annual computer & electronics recycling day on Friday and Saturday, May 7th & 8th from 9:00am to 4:00pm each day.

Location…From the Route 16 Expressway, exit north on Cedar Street. Follow the signs to the corner of Oakwood Avenue and Chester Street. The collection will be at the south side of Contour Forming, the site of the former Heisey Glass Factory.

Note - Televisions, microwaves and Freon containing appliances not accepted.

The LCCS has been doing this, free of charge, for several years now (though we gladly accept financial donations to offset the costs of the drive).

This is a link to the flier: http://lccsohio.org/recyclingflyer0510.pdf




(REPRINT FYI - April 22nd is Earth Day and County Litter and Recycling is making good things happen)

Licking County Recycling and Litter Prevention has again secured a grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to clean-up Newark City Parks. To be held on Saturday, April 17th, the goal is to clean-up 15 Newark City Parks and a stretch of the bike path, to make the area safer and a more environmentally friendly place.
So, after a long winter, it is time to ‘get active’. Here is how you, and your family and friends can help! Call Larry Lloyd to sign-up at 670-5128 by April 9th. They will provide bags, gloves and t-shirts for volunteers. After the areas are picked-up, the debris will be disposed of safely.

Also, note in May the upcoming tire and appliance collection event sponsored by the CFLP Solid Waste District.
On Saturday, May 15th the County Highway Garage at 771 East Main Street in east Newark will be the site for the tire and appliance recycling collection. The time is from 8:00am till 12-noon.
There is a small recycling fee of $3 for non-Freon appliances and $5 for Freon-based appliances, allowing them to be properly recycled. This event will not take stereos, small electronics, computers or TV’s.
The fee for tire disposal is $2 per passenger tires, $2 for light truck tires, $5 for semi-tires and $10 for tractor tires. This is cash only and a $1 fee if the tire is on the rim. This event is limited to Licking County residents only, tires from commercial operations WILL NOT be accepted, and there is a ten tire limit.


Thanks for taking time to read this Special Edition Commissioner Update. Feel free to forward in any direction you would like.
Also, feel free to visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog. I will also post them on my Facebook Fan Page, so if you are on Facebook please visit Tim Bubb, Licking County Commissioner.
I can also be e-mailed at tbubb@lcounty.com, and my desk phone number at the Commissioner’s Office is 740-670-5118.

Best Regards…Tim Bubb
Licking County Commissioner

March 2010 Commissioner Update from Tim Bubb

March 29, 2010

Licking County Update

From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb

Officially, it is spring and the early flowers and greening grass support that notion! The old weatherman often described March as the month “when winter and spring slug it out, and in the end spring wins!” With temperatures predicted for the 70’s later this week it looks like we will end March with spring as the winner, and onto better weather in April.
Also, from my family to yours let me extend best wishes for a meaningful Holy Week this week, and a great Easter celebration this coming weekend!


Help Paint a New Portrait of America…

On behalf of the County’s ‘Complete Count Census Committee’ let me remind you this Thursday, April 1st is officially U.S. Census Day. Please fill out and return the brief 10-question Census Form. It is always fair to ask why it is important that every decade, by law, we count the population.
Each year over seven-billion dollars in federal funds comes into Ohio in support of homeless assistance programs, emergency and health services, local school lunch programs and housing programs. For our County and region we need to avoid an undercount, and make certain we don’t lose out on our share of these valuable dollars. In addition, census data guides local planning decisions; is the basis for reapportioning congressional seats; and allows business, social service and non profit organizations to have the data to make critical decisions affecting communities everywhere.
Participation is easy, important and safe. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form takes just a few minutes to complete.
*By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. Also, it does not ask for social security numbers or income information.
In May and June Census workers will be knocking on doors at homes where the residents don’t return the questionnaire.
For more information about the 2010 Census, visit 2010census.gov or census.ohio.gov


April 22nd is Earth Day and County Litter and Recycling is making good things happen…

Licking County Recycling and Litter Prevention has again secured a grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to clean-up Newark City Parks. To be held on Saturday, April 17th, the goal is to clean-up 15 Newark City Parks and a stretch of the bike path, to make the area safer and a more environmentally friendly place.
So, after a long winter, it is time to ‘get active’. Here is how you, and your family and friends can help! Call Larry Lloyd to sign-up at 670-5128 by April 9th. They will provide bags, gloves and t-shirts for volunteers. After the areas are picked-up, the debris will be disposed of safely.

Also, note in May the upcoming tire and appliance collection event sponsored by the CFLP Solid Waste District.
On Saturday, May 15th the County Highway Garage at 771 East Main Street in east Newark will be the site for the tire and appliance recycling collection. The time is from 8:00am till 12-noon.
There is a small recycling fee of $3 for non-Freon appliances and $5 for Freon-based appliances, allowing them to be properly recycled. This event will not take stereos, small electronics, computers or TV’s.
The fee for tire disposal is $2 per passenger tires, $2 for light truck tires, $5 for semi-tires and $10 for tractor tires. This is cash only and a $1 fee if the tire is on the rim. This event is limited to Licking County residents only, tires from commercial operations WILL NOT be accepted, and there is a ten tire limit.



Update on Positive Changes at Licking County Animal Control…

In recent weeks, one fulltime employee and two intermittent employees have been added to the staff at County Animal Control to begin returning the Department to full strength. In the weeks ahead, the new field staff will be training in the variety of disciplines and requirements for these law enforcement related positions. The addition of new personnel will also give the Department the flexibility to move forward with a continuing transition and improvement plan.
The additional staffing of the Department, and the pending training and certification of the new employees in the area of euthanasia by injection (EBI) will allow for changes in the method for euthanasia at the Licking County Animal Shelter. Effective March 31, 2010, EBI or direct injection will be the mandated method for humane euthanasia at the Licking County Animal Shelter.
The only exception would be vicious or dangerous animals that pose a serious risk to the safety of Shelter Employees, and such determination would require a consensus decision of the Shelter staff. The vision is to develop training, procedures and equipment to allow for EBI exclusively, and retire the carbon monoxide euthanasia option.
The Licking County Commissioners and the staff of Animal Control are continuing a process of moving forward to succession planning for staffing, as well as transition to ‘best’ management practices.


Thanks for taking time to read my Commissioner Update. Feel free to forward in any direction you would like.
Also, feel free to visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog. I will also post them on my Facebook Fan Page, so if you are on Facebook please visit Tim Bubb, Licking County Commissioner.
I can also be e-mailed at tbubb@lcounty.com, and my desk phone number at the Commissioner’s Office is 740-670-5118.

Best Regards…Tim Bubb
Licking County Commissioner

Snow - snow everywhere!

Growing up in Central Ohio I was always amazed by the ‘old timers’ who talked about walking through snow ‘up to their shoulders’ to get to school.

Well, today’s children (in the three to five foot range) will have similar stories to tell years from now. Indeed, the winter of 2010 will be ‘one to remember’.

While this winter wonderland is beautiful – the down side is that local school districts either have or will this week exhaust their calamity days, and for local governments the extreme cost of dealing with hundreds of tons of snow and ice on area roads will mean less money later this year for paving and road work.

As County Engineer Tim Lollo can explain, there is only so much money to go round each year for road work. So let’s hope the Ohio Groundhog was correct and that spring is not too far away!

Washington D.C. Port Authority Trip

Last week I was part of a ‘blue ribbon’ group traveling to Washington D.C. to promote the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, as well as Heath and Licking County. This is part of a continuing and important effort to build federal and state support for the Port Authority (formerly Newark Air Force Base) and the military workloads there, which are now handled by private firms such as Boeing, Bionetics and Goodrich.

This continuing ‘sales’ effort on behalf of our community is intended to keep the local ‘Base’ job center ‘top of mind’ in Ohio’s congressional caucus, both the legislators and more critically their chief staff members. There are times when the opportunity for additional workloads (jobs) can come here and times when the current workloads need to be protected, hence the need to have ‘friends’ in high places, when support is needed.

I was joined on the trip by Heath Mayor Mark Johns, Mike Cadenhead of Bionetics, Charles Dutch of Boeing, Rick Platt the Executive Director of the Port Authority and Ron Sheldon, a Port Authority Board member.

We spent the morning visiting with Congressmen Pat Tiberi, Zack Space, Steve Austria and Bob Latta, and their staffs. In the afternoon we spent considerable time with Senator Sherrod Brown and key staffers, and the Deputy Chief of Staff of Senator George Voinovich.

It should also be noted that Heath Mayor Johns and I had the opportunity to take our presentation to the White House. Thanks to an assist from Senator Brown’s Office we were able to arrange a meeting in the West Wing (White House Office Complex) with Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs/Mayors David Agnew.

Agnew and his staff are the White House points of contact for municipalities large and small, across the nation. As with the members of Congress, we made the case for recruiting more ‘high tech’ jobs for the local Base and Ohio, and related information on the City of Heath and Licking County. We also invited Agnew to visit this area, if and when a trip to Columbus comes together.

As your Commissioner I was pleased with the visit and the many contacts that were renewed. Frankly, such a well organized trip can accomplish more in one day than trying to make contacts from a distance over an entire year. The ‘face to face’ relationships with these key people are invaluable.

County Economic Development

As part of our many ‘economic development’ initiatives, we will be continuing construction of the JRS (Job Ready Site) road in western Licking County (Pataskala and Etna Township) this spring.

Phase one is under construction from Refugee Road north to Broad Street, and phase two from Refugee Road south, to connect with U-S Route 40, will be bid this spring.

We, the Commissioners of Licking County, continue to look to the future. And this ‘development road’, opening one of the prime industrial sites in Ohio and the Midwest, is just part of on-going efforts to position this area as the economy recovers.

Frankly, you can’t sit still when it comes to economic development. Either you are moving forward or sliding backward, in the quest for development.

I believe that a decade from now the jobs and opportunity created by development in areas opened by the JRS Project will mean a great deal to Licking County and Ohio!