From Wednesday
Husted takes issue with governor
It’s obvious from hearing Ohio Speaker of the House John Husted talk on Tuesday that the political honeymoon between Republicans and Democratic Governor Ted Strickland’s is over – at least on a couple of issues. Husted, youngest House speaker in Ohio history who still looks like the All-American defensive back he was at the University of Dayton, also bore another title while speaking during a $100-a-plate fundraising dinner at Willow Bend Country Club: Mike Gearhart’s first cousin. Husted and Gearhart, owner of Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, grew up in the village of Montpelier: “Even though he’s 15 years younger than me,” Gearhart said in introducing his cousin. Gearhart also joked about the fact that he and the House speaker are probably the only Republicans in the Gearhart family. Noting that Husted is considering a run for statewide office in 2010, Gearhart added, “I’ve always thought that, if John ran for statewide office, he could carry northwest Ohio, but I don’t know if he could carry the Gearhart family.” For his part, Husted talked about the need for the party faithful to work hard in the coming elections this election and the 2008 presidential election to ensure Republicans maintain their statehouse supremacy, while also gearing up to take back some of the state offices lost to Democrats last year. Stating that he and other young Republican leaders are considering statewide office in 2010, Husted added: “The foundation for that opportunity lies in 2008.” The House speaker also expressed his disappointment with Governor Strickland on vetoes he issued to cut an “abstinence only” program and an educational choice program Husted and other conservative Republicans had favored. Husted also challenged the Democratic governor to come forward with his educational reform plan – something he said Strickland has been talking about for some time, but has yet to actually come up with. “He stood out there on the campaign trail and said: ‘I’m going to solve school funding once and for all.’” Husted said. “He’s yet to offer anything.” Husted also stressed some of the accomplishments of the Republican controlled Statehouse, including “two of the most disciplined budgets” in the state. Husted also blamed Strickland’s administration for upcoming increases in Worker’s Compensation premiums and other business-related increases. Husted, who led legislative efforts to reform the tax code and to adopt of the most fiscally conservative budget in more than 40 years that included a 21 percent income tax cut -- the largest income tax cut in Ohio history -- said he and fellow Republicans are also working on cutting taxes on military pensions and to completely do away with the estate tax. “I think the future of the state depends on us acting on these issues,” Husted noted. In addition to his speech, the House speaker also answered a question by local resident Jon Rhoades, who was concerned that, with tangible personal property taxes being phased out, revenues for schools would decrease. Husted took one last swipe at Democrats and education when he noted he also has concerns that an “unelected board” could decide how much taxes would have to be raised to provide an educational fix, noting that early indications are that figure could be in the billions of dollars.
Photo captions: Top -- John Husted, youngest speaker in Ohio House history, speaks to local Republicans on Tuesday. Bottom -- Local businessman Mike Gearhart, a first cousin in the speaker, introduces him. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/31

ODOT prepares for winter
Like the falling leaves and geese flying south, the annual ODOT snowplow inspection is just another sign that winter’s just around the corner. Tim Berkepile, deputy director for the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 1, heads the inspection team that inspects the vehicles at the eight county garages. Inspections began Tuesday, with the Defiance County garage at 8  a.m. Paulding County was next and Van Wert was the final stop on Tuesday. The ODOT inspection team goes through a checklist of items that includes horns, lights, dump truck lifts, plows, and a number of other items. And, of course, like most inspections, some deficiencies are always found. Don Taylor, county manager for Van Wert, said most of the down-checks are for minor items. “These are maintained good throughout the year,” Taylor said, pointing at the 15 white dump trucks lined up behind the local ODOT garage. Maintaining the vehicles is also a good business decision, since the newest truck in the fleet cost $108,000. Following the inspection, Taylor and his staff of 19 drivers and two mechanics have two weeks to correct any problems found during the inspection. In addition to dump trucks fitted with plows, a semi used to pre-treat roadways with brine during the winter is also parked behind the county garage. Brine, which has been used on county roads now for about 7-8 years, Taylor said, has been helpful in allowing plows to keep highways here free of snow. In addition to the brine, Taylor said the garage currently has approximately 3,800 tons of salt on hand. At a cost of $42 a ton ($159,600 total), Taylor said he’s not in a hurry to use the salt. “I hope I don’t use any of it,” he said with a laugh. “It’s got a good shelf life.” Statewide, ODOT used 650,000 tons of salt last winter and spent $54.3 million keeping roadways free of ice and snow. Fortunately, Taylor said, not much of that was used in Van Wert County last winter. Other than some storms in February of this year, especially one on Valentine’s Day, Taylor said last winter was a mild one. Since the local ODOT garage typically uses between 5,000 and 6,000 tons of salt a year on local highways, Taylor said he’s not eager to have any major storms hit the county this winter. Of the trucks used for plowing during the winter, eight have underbody (belly) plows, while four have wing plows. Taylor said he has seen some real advantages for the underbody plows, noting that they’re particularly good for scraping ice off the 382 lane miles of highway he’s responsible for in the county. The “belly” plows also are good for maintaining visibility while plowing because they are located under the truck where snow being plowed won’t blow up onto the truck’s windshield. However, Taylor said the new plows are not widely used within ODOT at this point. “Not too many districts have come on board with the underbody plows,” he noted. Keeping vehicles properly maintained is a full-time job for the local ODOT staff, but it’s something state employees do year round. Although snowplows and related equipment are repaired or replaced and then stored away during the summer, ODOT’s dump trucks aren’t as lucky. During the construction season, the trucks are often seen on the roads hauling stone and other materials used in road construction. Taylor said his philosophy is to hit storms early and try to get roads cleared before weather conditions get out of control. “The Patrol are my ears and eyes,” Taylor said, noting that troopers on patrol who experience slippery road conditions quickly contact his office. That includes in the middle of the night, since Taylor has three workers come in overnight to make sure someone is on hand to man phones and hit the road if an emergency arises. About the only time there’s no one on the job is from 4-11 p.m., and that can change quickly if snow hits hard. Drivers typically plow 12 hours and get 12 hours off during a storm. In addition to getting equipment ready, ODOT has also joined with several other states in the “Ice and Snow … Take it Slow” winter safety campaign.
Photo captions: Top -- Tim Berkepile, deputy director for ODOT's District 1, gets a better vantage point on the step of an ODOT dump truck. Middle -- This inspector definitely gets into -- or actually under -- his work as he checks out the undercarriage of a dump truck. Bottom -- ODOT trucks and snowplows are lined up prior to Tuesday's inspection at the ODOT garage in Van Wert.  Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/31

VW Regional Airport manager resigns
The Van Wert County Regional Airport Authority will hold a special board meeting tonight, starting at 7 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room, to accept the resignation of Airport Manager Jennifer Oetting. The RAA will then make plans to seek applications to fill the position.
10/31

From Tuesday
Candidates present visions for schools
It was the “vision thing” for four candidates for Van Wert City Board of Education who talked Monday night about why they were running for the board and answered questions from district staff members and the public. Even better, approximately 125 people came out to hear what they had to say. Those participating in the event, which was held in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, were Kirby Kelly, Ken Mengerink, Mike Morrow and Bill Wise III. Tracey Smith, legislative coordinator for the Van Wert Federation of Teachers, which sponsored the event, welcomed those who attended and thanked the board candidates who attended. “This is a really crucial election, isn’t it, for our board candidates?” Smith said, noting that she was very pleased that four of the six candidates decided to participate. “Thank you very much for coming and welcome,” she said in her introduction. Candidates were first given five minutes to introduce themselves and tell why they sought election to the school board. Sarah Hamilton of the Ohio Federation of Teachers moderated the event. Kelly, who went first, noted that his background, which includes a variety of different jobs over the years, said he looked at situations, like the school district, from a management and a union standpoint. He noted that the district was not facing just one problem, but as number of intertwined concerns. “I’d like to bring … a focus where we’re looking at the entire picture,” Kelly said, noting that the district’s job was “to turn out educated people” and noted that finances weren’t the only things to look at when looking at education. “I don’t think the problems we’re facing are as major as some people make them out to be,” he noted, although he said the loss of students through open enrollment is a serious problem. “Why can’t we keep them … is that an academic problem? … it’s certainly a financial problem because it costs the district three quarters of a million dollars … it needs to be addressed,” Kelly said. Morrow, who was next, noted that his children were his main reason for seeking a seat on the school board, noting that that he had children at both ends of the educational spectrum -- a high school senior and a kindergartner – and a student at every level of every building in the district, and a “vested interest” in what happens in the Van Wert City Schools. “This election is not about popularity and personalities, it’s about ideas; it’s not about maintaining the status quo, it’s about recognizing the need for change; it’s not about placing blame, it’s about re-establishing trust and credibility; it’s not about identifying excuses, it’s about professional accountability; it’s not meant to be personal, it’s all about business: the business of educating students in Van Wert City Schools,” Morrow said, adding, “Unfortunately, this election is about understanding the past, so the same mistakes are not revisited in the future.” The candidate noted that “the current level of expenditures can’t be supported” and added that a plan is needed to bring expenditures back in line and stressed that time is growing short to have a plan in place before the district’s income tax levy is up for renewal in March 2008. “The clock is running and March is just around the corner,” he told those at the forum. Morrow said a vision was needed for the district, adding that all district residents need to play a role in fixing the district’s problems. Mengerink, previously a 16-year school board veteran and former board president who also spent eight years on Van Wert City Council, said his vision for the school district was “a lot different 20 years ago when I started on the board.” Noting that he has tried to keep up with what is happening in the city schools, Mengerink commended the staff for the job it does, was pleased with the new high school-middle school facility and said that, with hard work, a similar facility could be in place for elementary students. But a new elementary school will only come with a board that understands what district residents are looking for, and provides it. “We must always be honest with the public, be willing to listen (and) have an open view.” Mengerink called the district staff “excellent”, noting “I just think we have a good school system … it could be better, sure we’re not perfect … but I think we’ve come a long way and we’re going in the right direction.” Wise, a former City Council member, said his reason for running is to give his grandchildren the educational opportunities I had as a student in the Van Wert schools. “I see opportunities for business coming into Van Wert that I never did before,” Wise said, noting that community residents needed to put their “best foot forward” to get new development here. Wise talked about the mandates schools face, adding: “some of them are funded, some of them are underfunded, and some aren’t funded at all.” Wise said he felt the schools helped him when his children were teenagers and said he’s running to give back to the system (click here for responses to other questions). The biggest disappointment was likely the absence of the two other school board candidates, incumbent Marylou Smith and Julie Perkins. Both had earlier indicated they would be at the forum, but later withdrew from the event. No public reason was given for their withdrawal.
Photo caption: A portion of the crowd at Monday night's Van Wert City Board of Education Candidates Forum hosted by the Van Wert Federation of Teachers. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/30

City going after delinquent taxes
Not too many years ago, the City of Van Wert’s efforts to collect delinquent income taxes was a joke. However, no one who owes the city taxes will be laughing soon. Last year, the city mandated that all eligible Van Wert residents file an income tax return – whether they owed any money or not. That resulted in a large number of new tax returns – and more money in city coffers. However, 484 people still haven’t filed an income tax return, while some of those who have filed returns, haven’t paid the taxes, resulting in more than $160,000 in back taxes owed for the past seven years alone. Now, the city is taking its program one step further in beefing up efforts to collect the delinquent taxes owed and contact those who haven’t filed income tax returns. Noting that time is running out for those who either haven’t filed a return or who owe the city back taxes, the mayor stressed that anyone in either of those situations needs to contact Income Tax Administrator Rudy Grant to avoid more problems in the future. During a joint meeting of City Council’s Finance and Water & Sewer committees on Monday, Mayor Don Farmer sought three measures to make collecting delinquent income taxes easier. They are:

First off, the mayor said he would like to contract with a collection agency called RBC Inc. to identify and contact the 484 people who have not filed the mandatory income tax returns. That number is down from approximately 1,100 in July of this year, the mayor added. “We do not know whether they owe us any money, whether they do owe money, but they have just not complied … to the mandatory income tax filing,” Mayor Farmer said. Cost of doing that is $14 a taxpayer, or a total of $6,776. The mayor added that more than 200 cases have been turned over to the law director’s office for collection during his administration, but noted that an outside contractor would likely have take over collection work because of the heavy caseload in the city law director’s office. RBC’s legal staff in Mansfield would prepare paperwork for legal action, Mayor Farmer said. Noting that any fees generated by RBC in the collections process would be paid out of money collected from delinquent taxpayers. “It won’t cost us anything,” the mayor said, adding that the city could see some significant revenues from tax collection efforts. Grant said the city has names, Social Security numbers and last known addresses for those who owe back taxes. Also Monday, both committees heard less than positive news from Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming on bidding for the Bonnewitz Avenue Lift Station construction project. While Fleming said engineering estimates on the project were $2.1 million to $2.3 million, project bids were at the top end of that scale, with the project now costing approximately $2.5 million when $82,000 in inspection/engineering costs and 5 percent in contingency money is figured in. “The bids weren’t exactly what we were hoping for,” Fleming noted. However, with the city looking at approximately $1 million in the sewer fund, the need to take $400,000 from that fund should not be a problem, the safety-service director noted. “I think we’re fine … I think we’re okay,” Fleming told committee members. The safety-service director added that, even if a costly emergency arises, money could be borrowed from the Ohio Water Development Authority, if needed. In a final action taken on Monday, Finance Committee members recommended that city’s non-bargaining unit employees receive a cost-of-living raise equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index next money, with a cap of 3.5 percent a year. The cap would keep non-bargaining unit employees level with wage increases negotiated with city bargaining units. Mayor-elect Louis Ehmer said he feels a merit raise system is preferable, but conceded that there wasn’t currently a review process in place that would make merit raises possible this coming year. He did state, though, that his administration would work toward implementation of such a system, hopefully by 2009.
10/30

Healthcare firm earns national honor
Home Health Care Solutions announced that it has been named to the 2007 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the most successful Medicare-certified home health care providers in the United States. This annual review identifies the top 100 agencies, ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance. The 2007 HomeCare Elite also indicates those providers who are included in the top 25 percent and top 500 of providers nationwide. The data used for this analysis was compiled from publicly available information. “We applaud the success of all the providers named to the 2007 HomeCare Elite^”, said Bill Bassett, senior director of Market Strategy at OCS Inc. “Being noted as one of the top performers in the nation in this very competitive environment shows that Home Health Care Solutions is dedicated to quality and performance.” Home Health Care Solutions’ Director Suzy Stripe credits compassion, dedication and quality staff for the company’s ability to rank as one of the HomeCare Elite. "We are very pleased to be honored with such a prestigious designation and will continue to work hard to provide superior care and services to live up to the status given to our agency,” Stripe said. “Our goal, first and foremost, is to make a positive impact on our clients’ quality of life." The 2007 HomeCare Elite is the only performance recognition of its kind in the home health industry. The 2007 HomeCare Elite is brought to the industry by OCS, Inc., the leading provider of healthcare informatics and DecisionHealth, publisher of home care’s most respected independent newsletter …home health line. In addition to the top 100 providers, the 2007 Homecare Elite also indicates those providers ranked in the top 25 percent and top 500 of providers nationwide. The data used for this analysis was compiled from publicly available information. The entire list of the 2007 HomeCare Elite agencies can be viewed by visiting the OCS web site at www.ocsys.com. Home Health Care Solutions was founded in 2004 by Van Wert County Hospital and Vancrest Health Care Centers and is part of the Solutions Group providing nursing care, medical equipment, and therapy to a nine county service area in Western Ohio. It is Home Health Care Solutions’ mission to provide persons with seamless care when transitioning from the hospital and nursing facility back into the community.  More information about Home Health Care Solutions may be obtained by calling 419.238.3133 or visiting the company’s website at http://www.solutions-healthcare.org.

Photo caption: Bob McCoy and wife Ruby look on as Home Health Care Solutions’ Tammy Tomlinson, RN, completes her nursing assessment. (photo submitted)
10/30

From Monday
Oldest living VWHS grad dead at 104
When she was born in late November 1902, Mary Poe Timmons wasn’t even named right off because no one expected her to survive a severe bout of whooping cough. When she did die this past Saturday nearly 105 years later, Mrs. Timmons was the oldest living graduate of Van Wert High School (click here for her obituary). As a youngster, she attended the Cavett School in Ridge Township. “It was a red brick, one-room country school,” Mrs. Timmons has said of that school building, where she and approximately 25 other students learned to read, write and cipher by the light of coal-oil lamps. There was also an outhouse, since the school had no indoor plumbing. The precocious young Mary Poe started high school at age 11 and graduated in 1918, the year World War I ended, at 15. She then went off to Ohio Wesleyan University, where she met her future husband, Donald Timmons on the “first or second day of school” and eventually married him in 1924. Mrs. Timmons earned a bachelor’s degree in 1922, while also lettering in basketball, where she was a math and science whiz. The couple had five sons and moved to New Jersey, where Mary lived for 33 years. She was heavily involved in the Methodist Church over the years, both in New Jersey and in Ohio, while also being active in Boy Scouts, PTA and the YWCA. The couple returned to Van Wert in 1964, where the family attended Bethel United Methodist Church and Mary was a Sunday school teacher. In 2003, she returned to Ohio Wesleyan for her 80^th reunion and received the Monnett Teapot for being the oldest living graduate of the university. She also spoke at the dedication ceremony for Van Wert City School District’s new high school-middle school complex, where she recounted some of her memories as one of the first students in the old high school and received a standing ovation from the thousands who attended the dedication. Although she had the normal infirmities of age, Mary Poe Timmons also had a sense of adventure. “Miss Mary was always ready to go someplace, learn something new, meet new friends,” said Kay Johns, her friend and caregiver. “Her eyes would sparkle when we talked about her family. She remembered everything!”
Photo caption: Mary Poe Timmons relaxes in a wicker chair in this posed shot from an earlier time.
10/29

Driver cited for area traffic accident
The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated a one-vehicle accident that occurred Saturday evening in Paulding County. Troopers were called to the accident site on County Road 180, east of County Road 87 in Crane Township shortly after the crash occurred at about 6:08 p.m. Saturday. According to the Patrol, a 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Justin L. Cupp, 18, of Defiance, was traveling east on County Road 180 when the vehicle veered off the left side of the roadway and continued through a field before hitting a ditch. Paulding EMS squad transported the driver and a passenger in the vehicle, Stephanie L. Steinberger, 16, of Defiance, to Paulding County Hospital. Both were treated there and released. A second passenger in the vehicle, Zachary Arnett, 23, of Antwerp, was not injured in the crash. Cupp was charged with failure to maintain control, operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Assisting at the scene were the Cecil Fire Department and Paulding Fire and EMS. The traffic crash remains under investigation.
Updated 10/29

From Saturday
Straightline, Schroeder win biz awards
After saluting small business in general all week, the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce honored three companies specifically on Friday during its Small Business of the Year Awards luncheon. The awards luncheon, which closed out Small Business Week, was held at JEHMMS Banquet Center. Three businesses – Glen Schroeder Drafting, Statewide Emergency Products and Straightline Body & Paint Inc. – were honored first as 2007 Small Business of the Year finalists. Statewide, which equips and sells law enforcement vehicles, earned an honorable mention, while Straightline Body & Paint, a finalist last year, was named 2007 Small Business of the Year. The award recognized the eight-year-old body shop’s success in spite of the destruction of its original facility during the November 10, 2002, tornado. In addition to rebuilding after the tornado, the company, which is owned and operated by Tom and Kelly Andersen, recently completed a construction project that more than doubled its available space. Straightline has also been very much involved in community projects, including specialty paintwork on the Van Wert Police Department’s DARE vehicle, a Convoy Fire Department fire truck and the Crestview band vehicle. The company has also done restoration projects for the Crestview Athletic Department and the Fraternal Order of Police. Today, in addition to the Andersens, the company employs four full-time employees and a part-time worker. Statewide Emergency Products, owned by Statewide Ford owner Andy Czajkowski and Al Matarese, Statewide Ford’s fleet manager, and operated by Matarese’s son, Dave, installs light bars, in-vehicle computer systems and other emergency equipment on mostly law enforcement vehicles, and also does the lettering on the vehicles. The company has increased its business sixfold in the past three years, from half a million dollars in 2004 to more than $3 million this year and has increased its workforce from two people to 13 during that. A new award, “Micro-enterprise of the Year” – which honors businesses with fewer than 10 employees -- was given to Glenn Schroeder Drafting, a business started by Schroeder in 2005 after VP Buildings, the company he worked for, downsized its operation in Van Wert. Like a baby chick, Schroeder’s drafting business has been nurtured the past two years by the Van Wert Innovation Center – a business “incubator” located in the former Kennedy outlet facility on Fox Road. The Innovation Center provided hands-on assistance to Schroeder’s business while it matured and gradually became independent enough to “leave the nest,” so to speak. Today, Glen Schroeder Drafting has five other employees, in addition to Schroeder, and operates out of its own facility on Ervin Road. Prior to presentation of the awards, videos of all the finalists, which were produced by Van Wert High School’s TV Production classes, were shown. In addition to representatives of the three finalists, those who spoke during the luncheon included Economic Director Nancy Bowen, Pat Ryan of Citizens National Bank and Robb Krecklow of The Times-Bulletin, all members of the committee that organizes the event. The bank and newspaper also sponsor the awards luncheon.
Photo captions: Top -- Tom Andersen shakes hands with Robb Krecklow of The Times-Bulletin while Andersen's wife, Kelly, holds this year's Small Business of Year Award. Middle -- Glen Schroeder of Glen Schroeder Drafting was grateful for his business being named "Micro-enterprise of the Year" during Friday's Small Business of the Year luncheon at JEHMMS Banquet Center. Bottom -- Dave Matarese and Andy Czajkowski thank those who nominated Statewide Emergency Products as a finalist for the Small Business of the Year Award. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent

10/27

From Friday
Tree brings down power lines

Windy conditions played a part in a couple of trees coming down in the area. The tree above fell near the intersection of Glenn Street and Gordon Avenue around 2:30 Thursday afternoon. The tree knocked out electricity to several houses in the area and AEP repair workers were on the scene quickly to restore power. Another power outage was reported along Greenville Road earlier in the day. (Van Wert independent photo).
10/26

AEP seeking rate increases in Ohio
AEP Ohio companies Columbus Southern and Ohio Power have filed an application with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in which they seek to recover incremental generation-related costs under their current Rate Stabilization Plans (RSP). The companies seek to recover $35.2 million and $11.9 million, respectively. The typical Ohio Power customer, using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, would see a generation rate increase of approximately 46 cents a month. The companies propose to recover the revenue through a monthly rider approximately over 12 months, beginning in January 2008. Customers may avoid the charges by selecting another generation service provider. Costs for which the companies seek recovery are related to the Federal Clean Air Interstate Rule, Federal Clean Air Mercury Rule and a new permit requirement at Ohio Power’s Mitchell Plant under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, part of the Federal Clean Water Act. Under their current RSPs, the companies are allowed to seek recovery of generation-related costs incurred for complying with changes in laws or regulations related to environmental requirements, security, taxes or regulatory requirements.
10/26

CVB website wins state design award
For the second year in a row a Brand It Design website was honored by the Ohio Travel Association at the association’s annual Ruby Awards – this time for a Van Wert website. Brand It Design’s website design for the Van Wert Convention and Visitors Bureau website was the 2007 first runner-up for the Ruby Award, receiving the Citation of Excellence. Last year Brand It Design’s creative work for the Auglaize and Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau was awarded first place for the same award. “Receiving this award makes all the time and effort that went into building and maintaining the website worthwhile,” said Van Wert CVB Director Larry Lee. “For the past year people have been telling us that we had a very good website and now having it judged an award winner by a panel of travel and journalism experts validate it for us.” Now in their 10th year, the Ruby Awards, which “Recognize Uncommon Brilliance in the Travel and Tourism Industry,” honor the most innovative examples of marketing by Ohio tourism entities each year. Entries were judged based on impact, relevance, clarity, creativity and overall communication of the organization’s message. “Getting to know and understand our client’s business needs is important in creating a site that truly works for them. Focusing on function and how it will be used is necessary, but the creativity we put into making the site unique is what is exciting for me,” said Twyla Hayes, creative director for Brand It Design. “It’s an honor to receive these awards, and affirming that we are doing a good job for our clients.” The Ohio Travel Association received 131 entries submitted by Ohio convention and visitor bureaus, tourist attractions and lodging facilities in various categories of OTA’s annual Ruby Award competition. The 2007 Ruby Awards were presented October 18, 2007 during the Ohio Travel Association’s annual Conference on Tourism at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky. To see Brand It Design’s award winning work visit: www.visitvanwert.org and www.seemore.com. Brand It Design specializes in result focused services to provide an inclusive branding resource for your growing business.
10/26

From Thursday
Local celebrities help Chamber Bag It!
While taking a breather from legislation, budgets, board meetings and other duties, local officials and chamber business representatives had another question on their mind while volunteering for the Chamber’s Bag It! Campaign: “Would you like paper or plastic?” As a way to thank area residents for shopping local and supporting area businesses, the campaign members were on hand to bag groceries, stock shelves and carry items out to customers’ vehicles at Pick ’N’ Save, Save-a-Lot and Marsh grocery stores.   “We are proud to serve the members in our community, and we are happy to extend this ‘thank you’ for their continued support of our outstanding local businesses,” said Kate Gribble, President of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce.  The Bag It! Campaign is part of the chamber’s Business Appreciation Week — a weeklong celebration of business and commerce in the Van Wert Area.   Individuals participating in this year’s Bag It! Campaign included Louis Ehmer, Economic Development Director Nancy Bowen, Main Street Van Wert Program Manager Jane Jones, County Commissioner Harold Merkle, Chamber Board Chairman Kevin Matthews, Vicki Gossman of The Delphos Herald, Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Larry Lee, Joyce Pothast of Van Wert County Hospital, Noreen Schwieterman of Van Wert Manor, Chamber Vice Chair Connie Boley Swander, and Chamber President/CEO Kate Gribble. The mission of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively promote the interests of the business community.
Photo caption: Chamber Vice Chair Connie Boley Swander of Swan Memorials & Chamber Board Chairman Kevin Matthews from Starr Commonwealth at Pick ’N’ Save. (Chamber photo)
10/25

Area man gets prison in CP Court
A man charged with domestic violence and later making a disturbance in a holding room behind Van Wert County Common Pleas Court following a court hearing was sentenced on Wednesday. Kenneth Imler, 28, of rural Convoy, was sentenced to six months each on one count each of felony domestic violence and vandalism. The sentences are to run concurrent (at the same time). Imler pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced by Judge Charles D. Steele, who also gave him 59 days credit for time served. Imler had damaged a door on a holding room off the corridor in the Common Pleas Court area and had to be transported back to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility by sheriff’s department personnel. Also sentenced on Wednesday was Benjamin Gaddis Jr. was sentenced to three years of community control on a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense. As part of his sentence, Gaddis will have to serve 60 days in the county jail, undergo a drug assessment and complete any treatment program recommended. His driver’s license was also suspended for six months. Chad W. Diltz, 31, of Van Wert, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty to a charge of trafficking in drugs, a fifth-degree felony offense. Sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 12. In addition, Luke Reinhart had his final pretrial hearing rescheduled for Tuesday, October 30. Reinhart is scheduled to be retried on November 19 in Common Pleas Court on charges related to the traffic deaths of Kristian and Jade Amweg. An earlier conviction on similar charges was overturned on appeal to the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals, and County Prosecutor Charles Kennedy’s office has made the decision to retry the case.
10/25

From Wednesday

Big United Way check
Employees of Central Insurance Companies have surpassed their United Way goal and once again exceeded the $100,000 mark!  The employees pledged $59,244.92, which the company matched for a total United Way contribution of $118,489.84. Central employees’ participation percentage was 97.5 percent, with an average personal donation of $151.91.  Many employees also participated in the Day of Caring by giving blood, contributing a total of 1,900 food and paper items, and working at Wee Care Learning Center on a Day of Caring project. Those at the check presentation ceremony included (front row, from the left) John Auld and Linda Schulte, chairpersons for Central's 2007 campaign; United Way Executive Director Deb Russell; Central President and CEO Bill Purmort; Sammi Joseph, 2007 United Way campaign coordinator; (in the background) Central United Way team captains Tammy Pontsler, Deb Waltz, Sherry Mueller, Annette Hirschy, Toni Dunbar, Jennifer Best, Shannon Boley, Lori Klinger, Matt Noggle, and Linda Giessler. (United Way photo)
10/24

Delphos resident gets new Pilot Dog
After two weeks of intense training -- and lots of practice -- Delphos resident Bob Ulm and his new Pilot Dog have returned home to a life of greater independence and mobility. Pilot Dogs are trained to help guide blind and visually impaired individuals. This is Ulm’s fourth Pilot Dog. A non-profit organization based in Columbus, Pilot Dogs provides free, in-residence training for blind and visually impaired individuals who seek this unique form of mobility. During their stay, the dog and master learn to navigate busy streets, use public transportation and more as a team. To complete the training, it is vital that the two work as one and are able to face any situation they may encounter once they return home. “My dogs must be able to help me travel safely, but also sit quietly for long periods of time,” explained Bob, who serves as president of Delphos City Council and is the news director and account executive at Maverick Media Radio Stations. “I also think we are lucky … the dogs get to go to a lot of new places and do many things.” Ulm’s Pilot Dog is a Labrador Retriever. According to Pilot Dogs, individuals should not approach, talk to, stare at or pet the dog in public. “It’s important for the dog to stay focused on the task at hand, which is to guide its master” said Pilot Dogs Executive Director Jay Gray. “While people want to be nice and pet the dog, it is a distraction for the team.” Ulm enjoys the diversity of his Pilot Dogs. “Each dog has had a different personality. The way the dogs grow to love the work they do and how you develop into a team is remarkable,” said Ulm, a lifelong Delphos resident. “I had to admit that I wasn’t a very good cane traveler, but I wanted to go faster and do it safely. I’ve been going strong ever since I trained with my first Pilot Dog in 1975.” Access laws guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations. Public facilities include restaurants, libraries, office buildings and more.
Photo caption: Delphos City Council President Bob Ulm with his new Pilot Dog. (photo submitted)
10/24

From Tuesday
Board hears Goedde Bld. presentation

Visitors who showed up for the Van Wert City Board of Education meeting at the S.F. Goedde Building were able to tour the renovated facility following the meeting and also got to hear a benefit of having all the fifth-graders in one building. Principal Beth Runnion began by welcoming visitors to the building, and then instrumental music instructor Bob Sloan directed two musical pieces using a number of fifth-grade musicians. The band director also noted that having all fifth-graders in one building has allowed all 40 members of the fifth-grade band to rehearse as a whole for the first time ever. “We have never, ever had this before in the history of Van Wert City schools, where the entire fifth-grade band meets,” Sloan noted, adding that having the students in different buildings meant rehearsals in the past were normally among students in a building, not across the entire district. Runnion cited a number of other benefits of having all fifth-grade students in one building, explaining that a number of special programs, and enhancements of programs, are now possible with all fifth-graders in one building. In addition to band, new or enhanced programs include computer classes, a guidance counselor, fifth-grade DARE, art, physical education and wellness/fitness. Runnion said computer classes are very valuable to students, who get some exposure to Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, get to do some limited browsing on the Internet and, most importantly, become comfortable with the correct way to keyboard. Physical education has also been enhanced for fifth-graders, who now either use the former high school gym during cold or inclement weather and the football field and Fountain Park on nice days. Runnion also cited a walking program implemented by instructor Betty Holliday as enhancing fifth-graders’ physical health and wellness. Runnion noted that the students first walked as far as San Antonio, Texas, is away, with a bonus of talking to VWHS graduate Brian McGonagle, the Marine who was injured in Iraq and is recuperating at Fort Sam Houston. The students are now walking to Southampton, England. Superintendent Ken Amstutz commended Washington Elementary School for being named a State Superintendent’s School of Promise for the 2006-2007 school year. Amstutz said the award is given to schools with a significant number of disadvantaged students who also perform well on proficiency tests.  The superintendent also talked about the likelihood of now auctioning off the former Horace Mann Elementary building, although school official will also consider whether it would be possible to sell the building outright to the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners for use as a facility for the Van Wert County Council on Aging. In addition, Amstutz provided an update on the athletic complex project at the new high school-middle school, noting that asphalt had been installed on the district’s new all-weather track, with the rubber coating that seals the track being installed sometime late next week. The superintendent also reported on new inspection requirements related to Jared’s Law, which mandates a number of new health and safety requirements. “There are a myriad things coming out of this law,” Amstutz said. Under the new law, the County Health Department will be required to conduct a number of new inspections of areas such as classrooms, school boiler rooms, kitchens and laboratories. “It’s a cost factor for us, becoming compliant,” Amstutz added. Those inspections will likely begin sometime in the spring, the superintendent said. The board also discussed new anti-bullying policy requirements and Amstutz also spoke briefly about the initial meeting of the district’s new advisory committee and about a focus group meeting to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 1, the commons area of the high school-middle school complex (click here for more board action).
Photo captions: Top -- Van Wert instrumental music instructor Bob Sloan (right) directs some fifth-grade musicians during Monday's Van Wert City Board of Education meeting held at the S.F. Goedde Building. Bottom -- Principal Beth Runnion talks about some of the program enhancements for fifth-graders made possible by moving those students to the S.F. Goedde Building. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/23

Council OKs law director restructure
Van Wert City Council took a step toward restructuring the incoming city law director’s duties, while also approving the transfer of $100,000 into three city funds to comply with a finding issued against the city by the Auditor of State’s Office. Council also approved legislation authorizing Mayor Don Farmer to  provide the Community Improvement Corporation with a two-year option on a city-owned parcel of land located on the southwest corner of the Ervin Road-Washington Street intersection. The land, which would be available for economic development, was optioned for $1. City Council also decided it was necessary to continue to provide funds to have a city prosecutor working under the aegis of the city law director’s office because of the increasing caseload seen in Van Wert Municipal Court. Council voted to prepare legislation that would allow incoming law director Greg Unterbrink, a Democrat who is running unopposed for the position, to contract with attorney Timothy Pieper to continue fulfilling the role of city prosecutor in Municipal Court. The contract would pay Pieper $52,000 a year. Unterbrink would act as the city’s legal counsel, which includes preparing new legislation for Council and providing legal opinions when needed by city officials. A similar arrangement is now in place, with Pieper as prosecutor and local attorney Shaun Putman acting as the city’s legal counsel, because of the inability to a qualified person to appoint as law director when Jill Leatherman resigned this past year. The transfer of more than $100,000 is in connection with a finding by Auditor of State Mary Taylor’s office that money could not be paid to several city employees from the city water, sewer and street construction funds without documenting the number of hours the employees actually worked for those departments. City officials had already appropriated nearly $90,000 to take care of the problem for last year and decided, with carryover funds projected at more than $1 million, to take care of this year as well. Although the city employees involved do work for the above funds, no system has been put in place to quantify how much time exactly is spent working in those areas, making it impossible to document that time. Taylor’s office would only accept the salary payment system if documentation was provided. The system was first implemented during former mayor Steve Gehres’ administration as a way to take some pressure off the beleaguered General Fund, which was then facing a deficit of approximately $200,000. Gehres had stated earlier that he felt the city should challenge the auditor’s ruling in court. However, since the auditor’s finding had not been retroactive all the way back to when the system was implemented, it was felt there was a risk that the city could owe even more money if the finding was challenged. Also Monday, Council approved a memorial plaque to be placed at the new reservoir honoring the late Congressman Paul Gillmor, as well as former U.S. senator Mike DeWine, for their work in getting federal funding for the project. Mayor Farmer also noted that repaving work on North Jefferson Street would begin next year. The mayor said he was squelching rumors that the repaving project had been postponed. Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming also noted in his report that the final coat of asphalt was being applied to North Washington Street this week, and said that striping could be done on Friday if the weather holds. An appropriation of $2,500 was also approved by Council to help pay the cost of runway repairs at the Van Wert County Regional Airport.
10/23

Habitat sets 2007 Thanksgiving dinner
Habitat for Humanity of Van Wert County will be having its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, November 18, at Vantage Career Center. Serving will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Habitat board member Mary Callow said the meal is a way to say thanks to the community for its support over the past year. The menu for the dinner includes turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes and all kinds of desserts. “You know, all that good food that  makes this dinner the very best,” Callow said. In addition to good food, The Evangels and Trinity gospel groups will also be on hand to provide good music as well. Callow added that there is no charge for the dinner, but donations are “gratefully accepted.” The money raised through the dinner gets put back into housing for disadvantaged families. Callow said Habitat would like to see all county families living in a decent home of their own. “Everyone  who gets sleepy at night ought to have a decent  place to sleep,” Callow said. “All of us, every last one of us, deserves shelter … it speaks to the most basic of needs. We need food, clothing, education, medical care and companionship – but first we must have a place to live and grow. This is the Habitat dream for our community.”

10/23

Man hurt when truck hits culvert
A man suffered minor injuries Sunday afternoon when the pickup truck he was driving hit a drainage culvert and overturned. Troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating the crash, which occurred at approximately 2:44 p.m. Sunday. A 1997 Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Erwin Williams, 65, of Payne, was westbound on U.S. 30, east of Elm Sugar Road, and went off the north side of the highway, hit the culvert and overturned. Convoy Fire and EMS (in photo at left) also assisted at the scene, although Williams was not transported to the hospital. At right, the path the truck took is apparent in this view of the accident. More information will be added as it becomes available. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
Updated 10/23

From Monday
2007 Apple Fest has good weekend
Although crowds were pretty good on a windy and cloudy Friday, both the temperature and the crowds increased significantly during the Apple Festival’s final day on Saturday. The Van Wert County Fairgrounds was a busy place Saturday as a large number of people took advantage of the sunny and warm weather to sample apple-related products, browse the craft exhibitors or listen to quality entertainment at this year’s festival. There was plenty to do – and eat – during the annual festival, and it didn’t matter what age the person was. In addition to dancers, singers – even a harmonica player – there were more than 90 craft exhibitors displaying their wares, as well as free wagon rides around the festival area. A number of local organizations also provided apple dumplings and pies, ham and bean soup, cider (see above) and lots of other items. On Saturday there was also the fall demolition derby sponsored by the Van Wert County Fruit Growers, main sponsor of the Apple Fest, the Van Wert County Agricultural Society and a number of local businesses.
Photo caption: Fresh-pressed apple cider was one of the draws, as cider connoisseurs Amanda Schmid and Lindsey Miller demonstrate, but was certainly not the only attraction for the 2007 edition of the Van Wert County Fruit Growers annual Apple Festival. Lisa Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/22

Man dies in collision with farm wagon
A motorcyclist was killed in Paulding County early Sunday afternoon as a result of a collision with a farm wagon on Ohio 114. John P. Phipps, 51, of rural Payne, was pronounced dead at the scene by Paulding County Coroner Dr. Larry Fishbaugh. According to troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a 1993 Dodge pickup truck driven by David L. Noggle, 44, of rural Payne, was westbound on Ohio 114 in front of Phipps’ motorcycle and began to turn south into a driveway access at the same time Phipps attempted to pass the wagon. The motorcycle and farm wagon collided, throwing Phipps from his motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Noggle was not injured in the accident, which occurred shortly after noon on Sunday. The accident remains under investigation.
Updated 10/22

From Saturday
Terminally ill boy gets wish granted
For the second time, a member of one rural Grover Hill family has had a wish come true. Unfortunately, the wish that can’t be granted is for good health. Like his older brother, Roy, Ethan Culp, a third-grader at Lincolnview Elementary School, suffers from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease that results in the gradual deterioration of the neurons in the spinal muscles and usually leaves victims wheelchair bound – and eventually can even make such necessary bodily functions as swallowing difficult. The disease, which strikes approximately 1 in 6,000 children, is similar to muscular dystrophy and is often fatal to its victims by the age of 10. Ethan, a student in June Young’s third-grade class at Lincolnview, recently learned that he was granted a trip to Hawaii from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Foundation also granted Roy a trip to Disney World when he was about Ethan’s age. However, the Make-A-Wish Foundation doesn’t provide funds for siblings to also participate in activities set up for Ethan, so Lincolnview students and staff raised approximately $2,000 so that Roy and the Culp brothers’ sister, Aubrey, can participate in activities with Ethan. “The money just kept coming in,” Young said. “I received $600 just today.” So what does Ethan want to do while in Hawaii? Two things are high on his list: “I want to swim with the dolphins and I’d like to go to a luau,” Ethan said on Friday. He’d also like to see one of Hawaii’s active volcanoes, but his teacher said she hopes he’ll see his volcano sightseeing from a safe distance. Those wishes are ones he’ll likely be granted. But deteriorating muscle function that have kept him in a wheelchair all his life make his future a cloudy one. There is a small ray of sunshine in that cloud, though. Brother Roy, although also confined to a wheelchair, is a freshman at Lincolnview, living well beyond the normal range for someone with SMA. According to literature on SMA, children in families where both parents carry the recessive gene that causes the disease have a 1 in 4 (25 percent) chance of contracting it. In the Culp family, two of three children have the disease (66.7 percent). Although he’s always been in a wheelchair and has a terminal disease, Ethan hasn’t let any of that get him down. “Ethan has a very good outlook on life,” said Young. “He’s always smiling; he’s a very good boy.” Because of Ethan’s disease, he has an aide, Jim Johnson, who transports him to school and helps him with getting out books and other activities that are difficult for him. Johnson, a retired state patrolman, also fulfilled the same function for Roy Culp when he was younger. With the granting of Ethan’s wish, the Culps will be leaving for Hawaii in early November and will be gone for about 10 days. On Friday, Ethan and his classmates dressed in Hawaiian garb, wearing leis and some children in grass skirts for the occasion. Ethan also got a special lunch, from Burger King, in honor of the occasion. When he comes returns to Lincolnview, he’ll likely have lots of stories and experiences to share with his teacher and schoolmates. Hopefully, among the items Ethan shares will be photos of him swimming with the dolphins.
Photo caption: Top -- Ethan Culp  (in wheelchair) poses in festive Hawaiian garb with his third-grade classmates at Lincolnview Elementary School. Bottom -- Ethan Culp with helper Jim Johnson and teacher June Young on Friday. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/20

Man hurt in car-semi accident on 30
A Texas man was injured when the car he was riding in hit a semi-trailer truck on U.S. 30 Thursday evening. Harvey W. Jeffery, 64, of Friendswood, Texas, was taken to Van Wert County Hospital by Brickner’s Ambulance Service for treatment of non-incapacitating injuries received in the crash, which took place at the intersection with Dutch John Road just before 8 p.m. Thursday. According to the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Stephen D. Stine, 64, of Etna Green, Ind., was westbound on U.S. 30 approaching the intersection with Dutch John Road when a 2000 International semi rig driven north on Dutch John Road by Francois Robillard, 30, of St. Jerome, Quebec, Canada, first stopped at the stop sign, but then proceeded into the intersection with U.S. 30. Stine’s Cavalier hit the 2 in the trailer’s landing gear and then off the northeast side of the highway into a ditch along Dutch John Road. Convoy Fire Department was also on the scene. The accident remains under investigation.
Photo caption: A Texas man was injured when the car (above) that he was riding in hit a semi-trailer truck on U.S. 30, at the intersection with Dutch John Road. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/19

WBESC board member dead at age 53
A local community leader died early Thursday from complications from a bone marrow transplant. Ned L. Young, a former Crestview school board president and current member of the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center Governing Board, died at James Cancer Center in Columbus. He was 53. In addition to his position on the WBESC board, Mr. Young was also president of the Crestview Band Parent Organization and treasurer of the Van Wert Sheep Improvement Association. He was also on the boards of the Ohio and National Southdown Sheep Association. A lifelong grain and sheep farmer with his brother, Ron, Mr. Young also drove a Crestview school bus. In addition to current leadership positions, he was a former board president of United Way of Van Wert County. Services will be Sunday (click here for the full obituary). Mr. Young is survived by his wife of 19 years, Sandra; his mother, Phyllis; and two daughters, Cassandra and Mariana Young, both at home.
10/19

L'view board meets new employees
The Lincolnview Local Board of Education received a report on next year’s operating finances from Treasurer Troy Bowersock at its October meeting, while also getting a chance to meet two new district employees prior to the meeting. Board members met Jennifer Slusher, new elementary school music teacher, and maintenance supervisor/custodian Fred Fisher prior to the meeting. The meeting was held at the Marsh Foundation, and Principal Roger Salisbury welcomed board members and provided a tour of the school’s renovated cafeteria. In his report to the board, Bowersock noted that the 2008 permanent appropriation measure shows the General Fund will have a 6.96 percent operating increase for next year. The treasurer also noted that the five-year forecast required by the state is currently being prepared for submission at the end of the month. Bowersock also updated the board on current construction fund information, as well as the 2007-2008 activity fund account and fundraiser information. Garmann/Miller Associates, the district’s architectural firm, also provided field construction reports and an updated punch list from the elementary renovation areas. During his report, Superintendent Doug Fries reviewed summer Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) results, upcoming technology inservices offered to staff members, and presented draft school calendars for the 2008-2009 school year. The school calendar for next year is being driven by the construction schedule, Fries noted. High School-Junior High School Principal Kelly Dye noted that parent-teacher conferences would be held Monday, October 29, from 4:30-8:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, October 30, from noon-8 p.m. The next OGT round would be held the week of October 22. Dye also reported on the trip eighth-graders made to Finance Park in Fort Wayne, Ind., this past Tuesday. Elementary Principal Bill Kelly presented information on the third-grade achievement test, the PTO fundraiser and sixth-grade class trip to Washington, D.C. Fries also congratulated Lincolnview graduates Tegan Johnson and Victoria Dickman. Johnson was selected to the district’s Academic Hall of Fame, while Dickman earned the designation “AP Scholar” for her performance on Advanced Placement tests (click here for more board action).
10/19

From Thursday
1 hurt when pickup hits power pole
One person was injured and the driver cited in a one-vehicle accident that occurred on West Lincoln Highway Wednesday evening. Melissa Bushong, 32, of Van Wert, was taken to Van Wert County Hospital by Brickner’s Ambulance Service for treatment of injuries received in the accident, which occurred a little before 9 p.m. Wednesday. According to the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, a 1990 Ford Ranger pickup truck driven by Tommie Grieshaber, 37, also of Van Wert, was eastbound on West Lincoln Highway when the pickup went onto the shoulder of the road to the right and traveled 660.8 feet before veering left, crossing the center line and going off the left side of the road, where the vehicle hit a power pole belonging to AEP and broke the pole off. In addition to Brickner’s, the Convoy Fire Department was also on the scene. Grieshaber was charged with operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) and also with failure to control a motor vehicle.
Photo caption: The pickup truck above, driven by Tommie Grieshaber, was heavily damaged after hitting – and  breaking off – a power pole on the north side of West Lincoln Highway on Wednesday night. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/18

Local Teleflex plant among those sold
A Norwegian company, Kongsberg Automotive, has announced an agreement to purchase Teleflex Corporation’s Global Motion Systems (GMS) business. Van Wert’s Teleflex plant, which is in the company’s Automotive Division, would be included in the purchase. GMS has approximately 8,000 employees, with 16 production facilities in North and South America, 13 in Europe and five in Asia, mostly in China. The Automotive group includes Van Wert’s plant and a facility in Troy, Mich., along with a facility each in Mexico, Brazil, France, Germany and Slovakia and three in China. “The acquisition of GMS represents a big step forward for Kongsberg Automotive,” said Olav Volldal, the company’s CEO. “This business has been on our acquisition target list since 1998.” Volldal noted that the combined company will become a $1.5 billion operation, joining the top 100 automotive supplier club and a market leader in that area. “We are pleased with the transaction, and especially that a well-respected industry player such as Kongsberg Automotive is the acquirer of GMS,” said Teleflex Vice Chairman John Sickler. “We believe that Kongsberg will be able to utilize GMS’ full potential, making the new group a leading automotive supplier.” What impact the purchase, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, will have on the Van Wert plant, which has more than 450 employees, has yet to be announced. GMS develops, produces and markets gearshift, seat comfort and fluid systems. Purchase price is an estimated $560 million.
10/18

From Wednesday

Dated C'view building needs upgrade
When it comes to school facilities, 15 years can make a big difference. In 1992, Crestview had what was essentially a brand new K-12 school building, constructed with financial assistance from the state, while the other county schools’ newest facilities were decades old. Today, Crestview’s 15-year-old building is becoming one of the older facilities in the county. With Van Wert, Lincolnview, Wayne Trace and Parkway all having built, or are building, new facilities, the westernmost Van Wert County school district will soon have the oldest high school-junior high school in the county, and an elementary school that’s showing its age, from a facilities standpoint. That’s especially true when compared to cross-county Lincolnview Local School District, which constructed a new elementary school in 1999 and is now totally renovating that building, adding air conditioning and upgrading technology, while also building a state-of-the-art high school-junior high school. Like Lincolnview and most area districts – and like 15 years ago – Crestview hopes to receive financial assistance from the state to bring its facilities back up to snuff. Puchta said part of the facilities’ physical problems stem, ironically, from well-intentioned attempts by then-school board members to spend as little of taxpayers’ money as possible when constructing the facility 15 years ago. “Corners were cut,” he said, citing the leaking elementary school roof as one of those cut corners. The Ohio School Facilities Commission has approved using $8.2 million in state funding for the  $14.2 million project, with the remaining $6 million funded from local tax dollars. Major components of the renovation project include upgrades to the school’s heating system and the addition of air-conditioning ($2.16 million), electrical system ($1.12 million), general building finishes ($1.65 million), technology ($1.387 million) and lighting ($867,000). The project also includes $2.4 million in “soft” costs that include such items as the cost of a construction manager (required by the state), and design and architectural fees. While some people may think air-conditioning is a luxury, Puchta said its benefits are not just providing a comfortable learning environment for students and staff during the warm fall and spring months. The Crestview superintendent said air-conditioning would vastly improve air quality in the school building, while also providing a temperature-controlled environment for new technology. Treasurer Laura Metzger added that current school board members are doing everything they can to keep the project’s costs reasonable, while also maintaining current millage levels. Crestview’s board of education has worked hard, Metzger said, to ensure current millage rates would not change. By saving the annual payments received the past few years from an abatement agreement related to the Robert P. Mone Power Plant, which was completed in 2002, school officials have squirreled away approximately $1.3 million that can be used to pay off the building’s current bond indebtedness. Money from the power plant fund will also be used to pay approximately $700,000 of the $6 million local project cost and also pay the cost of any locally-funded initiatives (LFIs) included in the project. Since power plant funds alone can’t fund the project, Metzger said the board is hoping voters will support tax issues that, while not raising district tax millage, would extend a 4.6-mill bond issue and a half-mill maintenance levy for an additional 23 years. From its test scores and state report card ranking, Puchta has said, it’s obvious that Crestview is a school district that believes strongly in providing a quality education to its students. That’s also evident in the fact the district has a significant number of students who “open enroll” from adjoining school districts. Open enrollment is also a financial benefit to the district, providing approximately $300,000 in additional revenues each year. However, having a school facility that lags behind area counterparts in technology, safety and (a definite no-no in today’s world) security, could affect the present situation, he warned. That’s something that concerns Superintendent Steve Puchta. Noting that he has been in most of the area school facilities, Puchta said it is obvious that improvements are needed at Crestview. “Crestview once had the nicest facility, it was the apple of the eye, in the area, but now it’s not,” Puchta said. “We still have a beautiful facility, but it does not have the components within it … that would allow us to maintain the pace with the other schools.” Puchta hopes district taxpayers will see it the same way. If the tax issues are defeated, Crestview might have to go to the back of the line again – and could even lose funding entirely – if tobacco funds are exhausted before the district is ready to participate. Even more importantly, construction costs will almost certainly continue their upward spiral, making the project more expensive in the future. Those additional funds would likely have to come from district taxpayers as well.
10/17

U.S. Army band, chorus well-received
The parking lot at the new Van Wert High School-Middle School complex got a major challenge last night, with both a packed house for the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus concert at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio and two District II sectional volleyball tournament matches in the high school gymnasium. Surprisingly, there were parking spaces left. A capacity crowd of 1,200 showed up to hear the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus perform. Few could have left disappointed – especially when they got in free.  The band and chorus performed an eclectic mix of music that included classical fare (Overture from Rossini’s Barber of Seville and Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5”); stirring marches, including Sousa’s “Royal Welsh Fusiliers” and “Stars and Stripes Forever”; patriotic music (“Armed Forces Salute” and a Patriotic Prologue); Broadway favorites (“One More Day” from Les Miserables); and a frenetic xylophone composition aptly titled “Mallet Mayhem.” A number of local high school musicians got the opportunity to play with the band on the Brahms piece. Those included Daniel Lape, tuba; Ethan Weldy, trumpet; Keith Thompson, percussion; and Emily Dull, flute, from Lincolnview; Tim Schlemmer, alto sax; and Chris Wood, trombone; from Parkway; Sarah Scott, flute; and Amanda Newlove, alto sax; from St. Marys Memorial; and Chaise Carter, clarinet; Katie Sidle, trumpet; and Alex Cucciarre, French horn, from Van Wert. The concert was thoroughly entertaining – and the price was right as well.
Photo captions: Top -- Lt. Colonel Beth Steele conducted the U.S. Army Field Band during last night's concert in the NPAC. Middle -- Trumpeters Katie Sidle (Van Wert) and Ethan Weldy (Lincolnview) play with the U.S. Army Field Band. Bottom -- The Soldiers' Chorus performs. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/17

From Tuesday
Council panel acts on CVB request
Van Wert City Council’s Finance Committee had a busy agenda for its meeting on Monday. The committee first heard a request from Larry Lee, director of the Van Wert Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) for additional funding to offset a budget shortfall, partly caused by unexpected expenses from the first-ever Van Wert Rib Cook-Off. While the rib cook-off drew thousands of people, Lee said, it actually lost money because the event was put together fairly quickly, which resulted in fewer sponsorships and in expenses, like children’s inflatables, which won’t be rented in the future. Advertising, which totaled more than $3,000, was also higher because it was the event’s first year. Lee said the CVB was also hurt by lower-than-expected hotel-motel tax revenues, from which the agency gets most of its funding. With North Washington Street torn up, CVB funding from the hotel-motel tax is just $15,000 so far this year, compared to $23,000 last year and $29,000 the year before. Having a part-time director has also resulted in additional expenses, Lee noted, but added that the community is also getting more exposure, including through the CVB website, which was brought online this year. Councilmen agreed to recommend payment of $1,800 as the city’s share of the CVB’s 2007 budget shortfall for this year and also decided to research whether an additional 5 percent in hotel-motel tax funding could be transferred from the Van Wert County Economic Development Office to the CVB. Currently, 72.5 percent of the tax goes to economic development efforts, 25 percent to the CVB and the remaining 2.5 percent is administrative costs. Lee said other CVBs receive a higher percentage of that tax money. Recently, a representative of the Economic Development Office told Lee that that office could give up 5 percent of the hotel-motel tax, but in scanning Ohio law on the subject, there was a question whether state law would allow allocating more than 25 percent of the tax to the CVB. That issue was tabled until the city’s legal counsel could research the issue. Also Monday, the Finance Committee recommended that the city go ahead and make fund transfers for Fiscal Year 2007 similar to those made this year for FY 2006. The transfers relate to a state audit finding that questioned the way certain city employees were paid from the street, water and sewer funds. A total of $89,000 would be transferred back into those three funds, which shouldn’t be a problem, since the city is likely looking at having a $1 million-plus carryover at year’s end. That’s more than $350,000 over what was originally projected. The Finance Committee also approved a recommendation to tie non-bargaining unit city employees’ raises to the Consumer Price Index and also agreed to an additional $2,500 in funding for the Van Wert County Regional Airport to help pay for repairs to cracks in the runway. Although plans are to resurface the runway in 2008, runway cracks still need to be repaired if the airport is to be used the remainder of this year. “It’s a safety issue,” Finance Chairman Gary Corcoran said.
Photo caption: CVB Director Larry Lee speaks to City Council's Finance Committee while Brent Kohn, treasurer of the organization, looks on. Dave Mosier/Van Wert  independent

10/16

Crestview holds project info meeting

Residents of the Crestview Local School District got a chance to ask questions and comment on a proposed school renovation project and two school issues that need passed to provide local funding for the project. About 25 district residents attended a public information meeting on the subject held in the school auditeria. Brad Garmann of Garmann/Miller Associates, the district’s architectural firm, first gave a presentation on the particulars of the project and school officials talked about how they feel the project can be funded without increasing the district’s current millage level. To do so, district taxpayers would need to extend both a 0.5-mill maintenance levy and a 4.6-mill bond issue past their current 2013 expirations. Those issues will be voted on during the November 6 general election. One woman noted that air-conditioning would increase operating costs, and wondered how those increases would be handled. While not directly answering the question, Garmann justified inclusion of air conditioning by first noting the state requires it in new and renovated schools and adding there were two good reasons to have it. First, air-conditioning extends the usability and comfort of schools. Second, it also improves air quality – something that has been an ongoing issue in the Crestview school building, the architect said. County Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy said he supported the security improvements that would be part of the project, noting that incidents such as the one this past week in Cleveland further heighten security concerns for students. Some wondered whether it would be better to wait and seek the Ohio School Facilities Commission funding later on. Garmann said that could be done, but noted that construction costs would almost certainly increase, making the project more expensive and increasing the amount of local money needed for the project. A second public meeting will be held October 24 on the subject. During its meeting prior to the public meeting, the Crestview board first heard a presentation on American History projects from students of teacher Owen Pugh, and then took a number of personnel actions. Those included approving Jared Owens as a district school bus driver, effective October 1; accept the resignation, due to retirement, of custodian Sam Brown; approved Rachel Flickinger for the supplemental position of freshman basketball cheer advisor; authorized four volunteer coaches – Tim Bolenbaugh (bowling), Mike Knueve and Greg Owens (FFA basketball) and Dan Miller (boys basketball); and granted 12 months of Family and Medical Leave to Ron Kessler, effective October 12, due to a medical condition. The board also approved bowling as a club sport in the district and heard reports from school administrators and board representatives to Vantage Career Center, the Liaison Committee, and Athletic Board.
Photo caption: Architect Brad Garmann of Garmann/Miller Associates of Minster presents information on the district's proposed school renovation project. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/16

VWHS students earn AP recognition
Thirteen Van Wert High School students have been recognized by the College Board for their exceptional achievement on the Advanced Placement exams. Ashley Cox and Leah Thompson were named Scholars with Distinction, Jordan Pelton was designated an AP Scholar with Honor, while Jason Cleckner, Courtney Dery, Sarah Easley, Thomas Gilligan, Noor Hamdi, Katlin Knodel, Darci Long, Megan Rupert, Alex Service, and Cody Zeigler qualified as AP Scholars. The Advanced Placement Program at Van Wert High School offers students the opportunity to take challenging college level courses while still in high school.  About 18 percent of more than 1.4 million high school students worldwide who took AP exams performed at a level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar. Van Wert High School offers six Advanced Placement courses, including chemistry, language, literature, calculus, psychology and government. Students took AP exams in May 2007 after completing challenging college level courses at their high schools. Two students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are Ashley Cox, daughter of  David and Janice Cox, and Leah Thompson, daughter of Randy and Kelli Thompson.  One student qualified as an AP Scholar with Honor by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams, Jordan Pelton, son of Michael and Mary Pelton.     AP scholars earn distinction by completing three or more AP examinations with grades of 3 or higher.  Earning recognition as AP Scholars are Jason Cleckner, family member of Doug and Terisita Cleckner, Courtney Dery, daughter of Conrad and Lisa Dery, Sarah Easley, daughter of Jeff and Michelle Easley, Tom Gilligan, son of Tom Gilligan and Rhonda Myers, Noor Hamdi, son of Bashar and Shagaf Hamdi, Katlin Knodel, daughter of Brad and Pam Knodel, Darci Long, daughter of Scott and Kathy Long, Megan Rupert, daughter of James and Cheryl Rupert, Alex Service, son of Gordon and Virginia Service and Cody Zeigler, son of  Alan and Dawn Zeigler.
10/16

From Monday
Public takes tour of Central facilities
The Central Insurance Companies’ maintenance crew was working overtime this weekend to keep things clean as thousands of people toured the company’s recently completed facilities project. Interest has built over the past 2½ years while the Van Wert-based regional insurer completed a multimillion construction and renovation project that added 172,000 square feet of new construction (345,000 square feet of total building space) in three wings surrounding the original 1931 building (Colonial Hall) and 1976 addition (Centennial Hall). The north wing (Heritage Hall) houses the company’s Information Technology and Facilities departments, the South Wing (Independence Hall) houses the Van Wert Regional Office, the east wing, known as The Commons, provides dining and banquet facilities and training/education rooms. The project used 612,000 Belden “Belcrest” face bricks, 2,370 pieces of cast stone panels, copings, sills and trim, 370,000 pounds of Halquist limestone and 1,500 tons of steel. Inside are 23,500 square yards of carpet, 21,000 feet of rubber base, and 12,000 square feet of vinyl and rubber floor tile. There is seating for 420 in The Commons area, with private dining facilities also included. Outside, 13,589 new trees were planted and 525 parking spaces were created on the Central campus, along with four bridges: two footbridges and two vehicular bridges. Approximately 1.133 million feet of wire (nearly 215 miles) was used, there are 536 windows in the complex and electrical generators have a capacity of 4 megawatts of available power – enough to power 133 average homes. While between 2,000 and 2,500 employees, former employees, spouses and children toured the facility on Saturday, hundreds of local residents came out for the public open house Sunday afternoon. The tour included 16 stations and started in the Central Regional Office in Independence Hall, named to honor Central’s relationship with its more than 400 independent agencies in 19 states. Other stops included a computer training room and the murals in The Commons area; Informational Technology, with its main computer room; a large training room on the third floor of The Commons; the breakout area and its adjoining balcony; Centennial Hall, including the leaded glass window that now can be seen from both the 1931 and 1976 additions; Friendship Hall, where the offices of several of Central’s top executives – including President Bill Purmort’s – are located, in addition to the “war room,” a conference room with a large map showing Central’s various regional offices and agency partners; the upper staircase landing of Colonial Hall, with its wallpaper showing Revolutionary War scenes (including the capture of Major John Andre by Isaac Van Wart, John Paulding and David Williams), ornate chandelier and plasterwork; Central’s Fire Museum, now back on the campus and 1,200 feet bigger; and, last but not least, the mail inserter room, where the company’s inserter machine and mail staff handles an average of  8,000 pieces of mail a day. Tour groups ended up in The Commons for light refreshments before heading home properly awed at the scope and vision of the project, which is expected to take care of Central’s facilities needs for the next 25 years.
Photo captions: Top -- Central Insurance Companies President/CEO Bill Purmort's desk and office were on the tour given to the public on Sunday (click here for more photos). Middle -- A window that originally was located on the rear exterior wall of the original 1931 building now provides a view to and from the 1976 addition. Bottom -- One of two footbridges that cross Town Creek on the Central campus. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent
10/15

Burned truck driver dies of injuries
A Delphos truck driver badly burned in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. 127 north of Dixon-Cavett Road October 8 has died of injuries received in that crash. The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, noted that John P. Steiner, 58, died Saturday at St. Joseph Regional Burn Center in Fort Wayne, Ind. Steiner had just picked up a load of turkey hams from the Cooper Farms Cooked Meats plant north of Van Wert on U.S. 127 and had only gone about 3 miles north of the plant when his semi veered off the right side of the highway, hit several power poles and plunged into Pottawotamie Creek. The truck then ignited, badly burning Steiner, who was partially trapped in the truck’s cab. He eventually was able to free himself and passersby helped drag him away from the burning truck rig until EMS units from Scott and Van Wert arrived on the scene to treat him. A Samaritan helicopter was also called in and flew him to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, where some of his injuries were treated, and he was later transferred to the St. Joe Burn Center for treatment of second- and third-degree burns over most of his body. He had been listed in critical condition at the burn center since his arrival there the day of the crash.
10/15

Area farmer killed in tractor rollover
A Paulding County farmer was killed Saturday afternoon when the tractor he was driving flipped over on him. Paulding County Coroner Dr. Larry Fishbaugh pronounced Mark L. Stoller, 56, of rural Paulding, dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred at about 2:20 Saturday afternoon. According to crash investigators, Stoller was operating an International 1066 tractor that was pulling a three-point mounted furrow opener. Investigators believe Stoller was attempting to turn the tractor in the driveway of the family farm when the furrow machine caught in the stones of the drive, rolling the tractor onto its top and trapping Stoller. Assisting deputies at the scene were Paulding Fire and EMS personnel and Scott EMS and fire personnel. Parkview's Samaritan helicopter was also on scene. The investigation into the accident remains open at this time.
Updated 10/15

From Saturday
They really did it!
Central dedicates expansion project
It was the culmination of 5 years of planning and 2½ years of actual construction as Central Insurance Companies, with a little help from their friends, officially dedicated their $48 million-plus building project on Friday. “We did it!” shouted Jan White, Central vice president of human resources, echoing the triumphant words of Reese Witherspoon’s character, Elle Woods, in the movie Legally Blonde. As in the movie, White’s statement was a shout of celebration … that the project, which the company hopes will provide room to grow for the next 25 years, was finally completed. Central President and CEO Bill Purmort first received a key to the city from Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer and later cut the ribbon on the project, which added three new wings to the central complex, in addition to a new maintenance building and renovations to the company’s 1931 and 1976 structures. While Purmort was honored by the mayor, Central’s top executive singled out another man, Wayne Kilton, as the person who deserved the most credit for overseeing the project from before its groundbreaking on April 12, 2005, until the last state occupancy certificates were received earlier this week. “Every team has a superstar, and Central’s team is no different,” Purmort said. Kilton thanked his Central colleagues for their help and patience on the project, while giving a special thanks to his wife, Mary, for putting up with him through the long construction process. Like Thursday’s unveiling of a spectacular three-story mural by artist Robert Barnum, the dedication ceremony was held in The Commons, Central’s newest addition that provides spacious dining/reception facilities, as well as training/education facilities on the upper floor of the wing. And with many people likening the Central project to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio for its beauty and importance to the community, it was appropriate that Scott Niswonger and his wife, Nikki – who became friends with Bill and Kim Purmort while working on the PAC project – were also on hand for Central’s dedication. Representatives for architect Flad & Associates, and primary contractors Weigand Construction and Dilling Mechanical Contractors Inc. also spoke during the dedication, with Richard Dilling especially appreciative of the way his people were treated by Central employees during the project. “We’ve never been treated better, with more integrity or more fairness…” he said. Retirees and guests were given tours of the new facility following the dedication ceremony, and later treated to lunch in The Commons. Members of the Van Wert High School choir sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” to begin the dedication ceremony after the flags were presented by the color guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 in Van Wert. Rev. William Haggis II of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church gave the invocation, noting beforehand that  he was  especially interested in the Central project since its start coincided with the Haggis family’s move to Van Wert 2½ years ago. The general public will get its chance to view Central’s new and renovated facilities from noon-5 p.m. this Sunday (click here for some quick facts on Central).
Photo captions: Top -- Central Insurance President/CEO Bill Purmort cuts the ribbon on the company's multimillion expansion project on Friday morning (click here for more photos). Middle right -- Central President/CEO Bill Purmort speaks during the company's dedication of its new expansion project. Middle left -- Company employees, retirees and guests dined for the first time in The Commons area. Bottom -- Scott and Nikki Niswonger (second and third from the right) join Kim Purmort and others on a tour of the new and renovated facilities. Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent
10/13

From Friday
Central unveils huge mural
Not many people have three-story murals in their family room, but that’s what makes Central Insurance Companies unique. Central President/CEO Bill Purmort unveiled a series of 12 mural panels that encompass nearly 2,300 square feet and depict the theme of “Struggle and Security” during a special ceremony attended by nearly 500 people in the company’s new commons area. The unveiling of the commissioned work, by noted artist Robert Barnum -- a professor of art and artist-in-residence at Ferris State University in Michigan -- was part of the dedication ceremonies for Central’s recently completed expansion and renovation project (see a separate, related story on the project linked to this page). Calling the impressive and spacious commons area Central’s “family room,” Purmort added: “I really wanted a space where we could get together, whenever we wanted, to celebrate things, to share things, to relax, to enjoy each other, to entertain our guests, to be proud of, to show to our families, and this is what we came up with.” Prior to unveiling the artwork, Purmort joked about his lack of artistic talent: “I think it’s fairly ironic that I’m the one standing up here talking about artwork,” Purmort said, noting that a career development assessment early in his career noted that he was “artless.” However, Purmort had the foresight to hire someone who did know about art – Sharon Eisbart of Sharon Eisbart Corporate Art in Fort Wayne, Ind. -- who chose nearly all the artwork in Central’s home office complex and came up with the idea of getting Barnum to do the mural project. The mural concept, Purmort said, came from the painted wallpaper in the main lobby of the 1931 building, a Central tradition that has been cleaned and refurbished as part of the renovation of that building. The Central president noted the size of the mural project, which fills the entire west wall of the commons, and said it was something that “had to be appreciated by the legs” because of the need to move around to view the entire project. Barnum, in explaining the artwork, called the style “social naturalism,” adding that the idea of motion was incorporated into the paintings. The paintings, seen in total, relate to Central’s role in helping people victimized by accidents and disasters. Eight of the mural panels depict people victimized by natural disasters, including storms and flooding – both of which have devastated area residents the past few years – and fire. Barnum used equipment included in Central’s fire museum -- which has been closed during the building project, but now has a new, larger home -- as “models” for a part of the panels depicting fire fighting. The other four mural panels show values -- “Hope and Dreams,” “Belief and Visions,”  “Grow and Learn,” and “Love and Faith” -- that people draw on in recovering from disasters. Local residents will be able to view the mural and commons area, as well as other areas of the home office buildings complex noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Photo captions: Top -- Artist Robert Barnum (standing at podium) talks about the mural titled "Struggle and Security" he painted for Central Insurance Companies as part of the dedication ceremonies for Centrals expansion project (more photos in tomorrow). Bottom -- Barnum (left) and Central Insurance President/CEO Bill Purmort after the unveiling of Barnum's artwork. Jan Dunlap/Van Wert independent
10/12

WBESC board OKs appropriations
The Western Buckeye Educational Service Center Governing Board approved a number of personnel and other items related to a computer cooperative the board manages and also approved appropriations as presented by Treasurer Linda Clark. Appropriations total $11,602,119.64 and include $5.47 million in grant money, as well as funds from the Northwest Ohio Area Computer Services Cooperative (NOACSC) – which provides computer services to more than 50 school districts in northwest Ohio. The WBESC board acts as fiscal agent for the cooperative. The board also approved hiring Rhonda Burroughs as a speech language pathologist on a one-year contract, while designating Clark and Assistant Treasurer Kristine Smart as the WBESC employees who will attend public records training. A Family Medical Leave was also approved for Rosanah Foster from October 8 of this year through January 4, 2008, while the board also accepted the resignation of Sharon Lawley, for the purpose of retirement, effective November 30, and then rehired her as NOACSC manager of office/fiscal services at an annual salary of $70,000.
In other action, the board:

• Approved the final NOACSC budget as presented.

• Approved a NOACSC fund transfer of $90,000.

• Authorized a NAOCSC agreement with the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sanndridge for $3,500 for Erate consulting.

• Approved a NOACSC agreement with Jeff Wyant for local DASL development support as a cost of $45 per hour.

• Accepted the resignation of Nik Landaurer fro DASL State Support, effective September 24.

• Employed Jennifer Simon for the NOACSC position of student services liaison-DASLL state support, effective September 24.

• Approved the NOACSC information technology security and data retention policies, as presented.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the WBESC Governing Board will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 8, in the Paulding ESC office.
10/12

Day of Caring results better than 2006
The 2007 United Way of Van Wert County Day of Caring was held on Friday and Saturday, September 28-29. The blood drive and food drive took place on Friday, while 15 agency projects were completed that Saturday. The American Red Cross reported that 314 productive units of blood were collected. Of those donating, 21 donors were first time donors. Donations were up 15 percent over the