Notes From Last Week

Before finishing up reports on the Library Open House we're going to get this written. It's already Tuesday and we got lots to mention.

Hard to believe but it's already Dog License time. Nancy Miliken and her crew are right on top of it with renewal notices already mailed out. Tags are still only $8 per dog until the end of January. After that the price doubles. If you don't want to bother with the mail you can go to Center Pharmacy on Main to get the new tags.

Article in this past Sunday's papers about a program they have available at the Community Action Agency for assistance to folks that are faced with eviction or foreclosures. It was made available with Stimulus money. Call 330-424-4013 for more details.

Whatever happened to "Buy American" or even getting bids? Seems the US Army recently gave a $250,000 contract to a German firm for ceramic wall tile for a school at Ft. Bragg. According to a report in the MJ the contract was not even put out for bids and Summitville Tile has filed an appeal. Summitville Tile may not have gotten the contract even if it was put out for bid but with shipping costs from overseas we're betting some American company could have filled the order for a lot less. What a waste of tax payer's dollars.

An article in the Pittsburgh Trib-Review last week reported about giant carp threatening fish life in the Great Lakes. Imported by southern fish farmers from Asia the giant carp escaped into the Mississippi River during floods back in the 1990s. The fish can grow to four feet long and up to around 100 pounds and have been working their way northward. They voraciously eat everything in site and pose a threat to the Great Lakes fishing industry. The ugly critters pose a threat to starving other fish that is harvested out of those waters. Instead of a fishing line you would need a crane to reel one of those suckers in!

Kudos to the Beaver Local teacher that brought the 14 year old author writing rap lyrics about blowing some one's brains out to the attention of authorities. Although the student is probably just a budding musician, over looking such instances has sadly proven disastrous in spots around the country. If it causes someone to wonder what is going on between the kids ears it needs to be checked with the zero tolerance policies.

Last Saturday it was announced in the papers that Common Pleas Court Judge Dave Tobin plans to retire toward the end of next year. He's been working in the County legal system for 33 years now. Is there another Tobin ready to step in? I can't remember in my life time when there wasn't some one named Tobin in the Court House. Good luck yer Honor.

Interesting and encouraging meetings we attended last week at Village Hall. It started off with Connie Carmichael, Candy Bangor & John Corak addressing Council about the Revitalization Committee's next project with cleaning up the Village with the Main Street USA program. That Committee has spent a lot of time and effort finding and researching the Heritage Ohio program. They even had representatives from Heritage Ohio in town for two meetings that we know of and Tuesday they publically announced it will be the next project for the Revitalization group. The goal of the Committee is to clean up and dress up the streets in town with concentration starting on Main Street. When accomplished it will encourage new businesses to locate in the Village and compliment existing businesses. That will encourage shoppers to bring their spending dollars to town and that will benefit the whole Village.

Seeing what the Rivitalization Committee has accomplished the last few years with the flood wall murals dressing up an otherwise drab and aging concrete structure there is little doubt that their new project will be a success. Those murals not only dressed up that area they have been attracting a lot of visitors to come to Wellsville. Some of them are leaving some spending money getting something to eat, etc. One visitor at the Riverside Museum this past summer asked what else was there to see in town. They were furnished a copy of the Chamber's new Visitor's brochure along with the verbal descriptions.

That's just one example of how cooperation of these organizations benefit the Village. The Mayor got the ball rolling on the murals when the Rivitalization Committee was first formed and he chose well naming those members. They are accomplishing things that were never before attempted. There's no doubt that they will continue with that success in this new project. Surace complimented the members of the Revitalization Committee for taking on their new project. We were very much encouraged that finally there is someone willing to take it on.

There were two Council Committees that gave more encouragement at their meetings last Thursday. The Finance Committee took their time but they are finally looking at ways to bring some much needed funds for the Village coffers. Hopefully they will follow through with their ideas without saying "it's not my job". Those ideas need to be researched, investigated and worked on. You can't sit back resting on your laurels waiting for someone else to do your bidding.

Later at the Ordinance Committee meeting we were encouraged that they will be taking some serious looks at revising and updating existing laws pertaining to property maintenance by owners and landlords. A Main Street resident got the ball rolling with his suggestions at a Council meeting a little while back and Councilwoman Rosie Goss is running with it. Some of those ordinances need some teeth put into them.

We reported on those meetings last week. As we mentioned it's encouraging. The Mayor said at the last Chamber luncheon "all it takes is everyone working together". We couldn't agree more. Finally it sounds like everyone is getting on the same page working together. Working together has always been the key to accomplish some pretty amazing things. It can be done in little old Wellsville with enough glory to go around for everyone.

We would like to caution the Councilman that made the remark he doesn't think landlords should be allowed to rent to undesirables. To us that sounds like blatant discrimination encroaching on civil rights violation. We really don't think he wants to go there. Also there was one other item that made us question how it was decided without giving full Council a chance to decide. It was announced that a replacement for Marty Thorn in the Fire Dept. won't be made until March. It never came before Council. Are we missing something? Aren't the Council Committees suppose to recommend what action Council should take before they vote on something?

Christmas is fast approaching and as they do annually it was announced that giving the items listed in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" will now cost $87,000 for any of you traditionalists out there. Getting nine ladies dancing is the most expensive item on the list. That only costs a mere $5,473.

Congratulations to Matt Flannigan, Tim LaClair & Bubba Dowling for placing in a Union Local tournament in their first wrestling match representing WHS.

Kudos to WHS student Emmalee McIntosh for being selected the Lions Club Student of the Month for October. The young lady has a lot on her plate with activities & academics and still maintains a 3.75 GPA.

Also, we gotta mention WHS football players Jeremy Carter and Bubba Dowling for making the AP All-Ohio lists just announced last week. That's quite an honor considering the thousands of high school football players in the state. Nice job guys. You make Wellsville proud.

Coming up on the calendar this week is the Cathy Salter New Memorial dedication ceremony Friday, December 11, at 1 P.M. It's outdoors at the Boy-with-the-Boot on Wells Ave. Saturday, December 12, is the Annual Chamber-of-Commerce Christmas Parade. It starts at Village Hall at 6 P.M. and goes to the gazebo at 4th & Main. Parade Chairwoman Vicki McCombs has done a lot of work putting everything together. Santa will be back for a special appearance.

Next week the folks at New Life Hope are teaming up with Kat's Kitchen offering an entirely free spaghetti dinner on Wednesday, December 16th. It's open to everyone and anyone. It's not a fund raiser or church event. Rather it's just a community event the two groups are sponsoring as a way for everyone to get together at the Main St. restaurant. That will be from 5 - 7 P.M.

Bishop Rudder tells me the members of New Hope Life have free meals available every Wednesday at their church starting at 5 P.M. Those meals depend on what is on hand in their kitchen and is for anyone wanting to get out and eat. Last week they were serving left over turkey from the Thanksgiving Dinners at Tonda's Place. Sometimes it might just be hot soup & bread.

Don't forget the Christmas for the Animals December 19 at the Gazebo. It starts at 1 P.M. and put on by the "angels" of the Alley Cat Aid Brigade. Bring your pets and enjoy the activities. While supplies last they will be having a pet food give away, pet blankets and toys as Christmas gifts for your four legged companions. The Mayor will be there to open the holiday celebration according to this morning's newspaper.

Here's something you may not of heard of - Salineville's Kevin Barman has set up an impressive display of Christmas lights complete with computerized arrangements at his home at 19751 McGavern Road. According to the MJ's Patti Schaeffer the display runs nightly and you can even follow the musical arrangements at 107.3 FM on your car radio. Barman has 16,000 lights that "dance" to the Christmas music programmed into his computer. Thanks to Mr. Barman you don't have to travel all the way to Wheeling to experience some pretty neat holiday displays.

Finally, after reading this morning's papers I can't help but wonder if Chopper has forgiven his master for using him for a prop for a photo op? As noted he didn't seem too excited having that hat on his head.

ole nib