COUNTY SURPLUS ITEMS ON GOVDEALS

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

COUNTY ENGINEER BRIDGE CONCERNS

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

HEISEY WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERTS IN DECEMBER

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

FUNDRAISING EXTENDED TO DECORATE COURTHOUSE FOR HOLIDAY SEASON

The annual community fundraising drive to light and decorate the Licking County Courthouse for the Christmas holiday season has been extended until this Friday, November 2nd. Courthouse Lighting Committee President Jay Barker says, “To date the community fundraising effort has raised $13,550 which is about seventy-percent of the goal of $19,250. The Campaign is still seeking $5,700 to achieve the goal.” Barker says, “The campaign was set to close October 15th, however this extension will allow for a continued effort to reach the goal. For a variety of reasons some major contributors have scaled back their support this year and efforts are underway to replace those donations.” Since 1949 the annual holiday lighting of the Courthouse has been the official start of the holiday season in Licking County. Funds raised pay for the installation, wiring and decorating of the Courthouse, Gazebo and the surrounding Courthouse Park. These community contributions also pay for the replacement of worn equipment and the removal of the decorations next January, as well. This year marks the 64th annual holiday lighting of the Licking County Courthouse. For more information on the project please visit www.courthouselighting.com. Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to… Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee Post Office Box 292 Newark, Ohio 43058-0292

AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED IN ALL OF ITS GLORY

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

IT IS TIME FOR THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION

2012 General Election Is Just a Month Away and Early Voting Is Underway… * Tuesday, November 6th is General Election Day. For those who would like to vote early and in-person at the Licking County Board of Elections – here are the dates and times for ‘early voting’… October 2nd thru October 5th – 8:00am to 5:00pm (Closed Monday, October 8th Columbus Day Holiday) October 9th – 8:00am to 9:00pm October 10th thru October 12th – 8:00am to 5:00pm October 15th thru October 19th – 8:00am to 5:00pm October 22nd thru October 26th – 8:00am to 7:00pm October 29th thru November 1st – 8:00am to 7:00pm November 2nd (Friday) – 8:00am to 6:00pm (Note the above schedule was set by the Ohio Secretary of State and is uniform across all 88 Ohio Counties) In addition you can cast an ‘absentee ballot’ and those must be completed and returned to the local Board of Elections(BOE) by Saturday, November 3rd’s mail delivery. To vote absentee you can use the application mailed to all Ohio voters, pick one up at the BOE (Administration Building in downtown Newark at 20 South Second Street), or download one from the BOE site on the Licking County web site – lcounty.com. On Tuesday, November 6th, Election Day the polling places will open at 6:30am and remain open until 7:30pm. The phone number for the Board of Elections is 740-670-5080. For further information check the official Licking County website - lcounty.com and click on Board of Elections.

REELECT TIM BUBB COUNTY COMMISSIONER

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