A Late Wellsville BOE Meeting Report

The Wellsville Board of Education held their February meeting February 13, 2012. Present at the meeting was President Karen Dash and Board Members Mike Cook & Bill Miller. Also attending was Superintendent Rich Bereschik, Garfield Principal Lisa Ferguson, District Treasurer Coleen Wickham and Buildings & Grounds Supervisor Joe Traina.

Visitor Ryan Nightingale spoke to the Board seeking approval to renovate and upgrade the Wrestling Room located at Nicholson Stadium in memory of his father, the late Darrel Nightingale. Darrel Nightingale was an active volunteer coach and supporter of the Wellsville wresting program. Nightingale was involved in all phases of the program from Tiger Mites to the high school teams. Nightingale tragically lost his life in an auto accident this past December. Ryan Nightingale reported they have $5,700 in donations plus two grants totaling $11,000 pending. They estimate they will need $20,000 to $25,000 to do what is planned. Dash advised the Board will take the matter under advisement and Bereschik explained that the request will have to be referred to the District’s legal advisors to best see how to proceed.

Treasurer Wickham reported that January receipts were $747,791 and expenditures were $679,149 leaving a General Fund balance of $1.6 million as of the end of January. Interest earned on investments in January was $2,519. The report was accepted and a motion to pay the bills was approved.

In Personnel moves the Board approved the retirement of 35 year employee Glenda Harmon effective April 2, 2012. Gail Grimm & Leola Martin were approved as Daw Middle School volunteers for the remainder of the school year. Lisa Morris, Kayla Adams, Courtney Burgess & Ruby Witherow were added to the Classified Substitute list and Eva Price was added to the Certified list for Family Consumer Education. Joe Soldano was approved as a volunteer Softball coach. One American Spirit Academy student from Wellsville was added to the Transportation In Lieu of Payment list.

A field trip to the Cinemark Movies in Monaca, PA, for the Garfield Kindergarten classes March 12 through 16 was also approved.

In the closing remarks Board Member Mike Cook remarked that Darrel Nightingale was an “awesome” supporter of Wellsville athletes. Speaking on behalf of all present Cook also congratulated Senior basketball player Mikyla Tipton for recently setting the all-time scoring record at Wellsville High School.

The meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 19 at 6:30 PM. The meeting will take place in the Superintendent’s Office located at 929 Center St.

We apologize for being tardy reporting this meeting. We’ve been kind of busy…

ole nib

Wellsville Looks To Upgrade PD Equipment

It was a busy week for Village officials last week. Besides the day to day demands there was a sales presentation and two committee meetings.

On Monday morning a sales representative for Vance's Law Enforcement was in town demonstrating Taser guns. Vance's Law Enforcement specializes in police equipment. Taser guns are the ones that shoot a combative villain with a non-lethal electrical charge to incapacitate them. It's a neuro muscular incapacitation that locks up the muscles long enough to get restraints on them. It shoots two barbs that create a circuit through the body to deliver up to 50,000 volts to shock the perpetrator.

Mayor Susan Haugh said the Village is hoping to upgrade the equipment for the Police Department. The other taser like weapons they have, or had, are wearing out and parts and repairs are extremely expensive. The Mayor said that new ones are needed for the safety of the Wellsville officers.

The Mayor reported that the new tasers will run around $1,200 to $1,300 each. She said the next step is to come up with the funds to finance the new weapons. The Village is putting three of them on their wish list. Pictured here is Sales Specialist Scott Long, Mayor Haugh & WPD Chief Joe Scarabino going over the specifications on the new Tasers.

Monday afternoon there was a Finance Committee meeting with the Village's health insurance agency representatives. Called the “Cadillac” of health insurance the current policy expires April 1. The health insurance is given to Village employees at no cost to the employee. They get 100% coverage with no deductible or co-pay requirements. Village officials were advised if they keep the same policy the cost would increase 22.9% on April 1.

Members of the Finance Committee attending were advised that the 22.9% increase could be brought down a negative increase percentage if different options were applied when the policy is renewed. The Committee was given several different options to consider. Those options included such things as employee contributions, to individual and family deductibles, co-pays and Health Reimbursement Accounts to name just a few.

On Friday there was a Personnel Committee meeting to consider three items to be presented at the next Council meeting. The first is the addition of two Village residents to the paid call-out roster for the Fire Department. Fire Chief Bill Smith advised both men will need the required training to be certified. That training cost will be reimbursed to the Village through a standing State grant. That standing grant is a “no match” grant.

The other two items were for approval for grant applications for the Fire Department. The first is another State grant for $15,000 for new equipment. If approved it is another “no-match” grant. The second is a FEMA grant to add two full-time fire fighters to the department. FEMA will pay for the first two years with hopes the Village can pay for at least an additional two years. Unlike the COPS grant there is no requirement to pay for any additional time. The Committee decided to present all three items at the next Council meeting.

Council meets in regular session on Tuesday, February 21, at 6 PM at Village Hall.


ole nib

Wellsville Tigers Gearing Up For Tournament Play

The Wellsville Tigers will be closing out their regular season with two make-up games. The 10&8 Tigers travel to Sebring tonight, February 17, for the first make-up game. The second one will be played in the Tiger's Den when they host the Southern Local Indians Tuesday, February 21. Both games were postponed due to weather. The home game will be Senior Night for the Tiger men.

Those make-up games just might be what the Tigers need to keep in tune for tournament play. In the tournament drawing the Tigers drew the #3 seed. They'll have a week and a half to prepare for the Division IV Sectionals. They open tournament play Saturday, March 3, taking on the winner of the Lake Center Christian (6&11) – East Canton (6&11) game.

If you can't make it to the games you can tune in to the internet broadcasts brought to you by WHS Sports Station. Announcer Roger Miller advises they will be at Sebring tonight and also will be calling the “backyard brawl” with Southern this coming Tuesday. Miller added it looks like there are enough funds to follow the Tigers to the tournaments too. The WHSSS can be found at www.wellsvillealumni.com.

The picture above was taken at the February 10 home win over Sebring a couple of weeks ago.

Good Luck Tigers...

ole nib

Friends of Old Fire Station Reschedule Pancake Breakfast

The benefit Pancake Breakfast that was snowed out January 21 has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday (February 18) morning by the Friends of the Old Fire Station. Proceeds from the breakfast will go toward the continuing restoration of Wellsville's old Fire Station.

Breakfast will be served from 7 to 11 AM at Wellsville's SOI Lodge located at 327 Main St. For only $5 the menu will consist of all you can eat pancakes. The pancakes will be served with a side of sausage along with juice, coffee, milk or tea. Children under 12 get to eat for a mere $3.

ole nib

Wellsville Elks To Hold Drysdale Benefit

The Wellsville Elks will hold a benefit pasta dinner this coming Saturday, February 18, for the Randy Drysdale Family. Drysdale hit one of those medical bumps in the road that take you out of the game for awhile. Until recently he was hospitalized in Pittsburgh. We just learned today that he is being transferred to Steubenville to begin rehabilitation. Randy is a Wellsville resident, a member of the WHS Class of 1975, a family man and a devoted father. Right now he can use a little help.

Members of Wellsville Elks Lodge didn't hesitate to step up to the plate to lend a hand as they have done so many times in the past. The dinner is set for this Saturday from 3 to 7 PM. It is open to the public. Take-outs will be available. Along with the dinner they will be having a Chinese Auction and 50/50. Anyone wishing to contribute something for the auction is asked to contact Karenna Tice Harty.

You are invited to join the Elks members to help one of Wellsville's own. The lodge is located at 723 Riverside. For more information call 330-532-9516.

The picture was borrowed from Face Book.

ole nib

Every Bucket Is A New Record

For one young lady every bucket she makes, from as of last Wednesday, until winning the State Championship in OHSAA Division IV will be a new basketball scoring record for Wellsville High School.

On Wednesday evening, February 8, Wellsville Senior Mikyla Tipton set an all time scoring record midway through the first quarter in a home game against the Sebring Lady Trojans. With 4:26 left on the clock Tipton went in for a lay-up to set the record. See the picture in the upper left corner in the collage. That's the shot that started a new scoring record for the Tigers.

Tipton broke a five year old record held by WHS Alumni Jasmine Richardson. Richardson's record was set on February 23, 2007 with 1,492 total career points. Tipton began the game needing only four points to tie and five points to break the record. Tipton joined the 1,000 point career club last season. She started the 2011-2012 season with 1,112 points. For some reason we're one point off what the newspapers are reporting. For the season we have Tipton scoring 408 points bringing the new record to 1,520 points to date.

The game was stopped temporarily once the new record was set for tears of joy & hugs, lots of hugs. Tipton was given a standing O and presented with the game ball. It was an exciting moment. Even ole nib got a little misty eyed!

Tipton now sits at the top for most points scored. The next five are Richardson with 1,492, Toni Pappas with 1,489, Vicky Pully with 1,419 and Tom Wilson with 1,385 points.

Congratulations Mikyla! We're all proud of you and your team mates. Also, we would like to compliment Ms. Richardson. She not only showed up to witness her record being broken, she came with a bouquet and balloons for the new record holder. Both of you Lady Tigers are class acts.

Good luck to all...


ole nib

Lady Tiger Seniors Recognized

Wednesday – February 8: Four Lady Tiger Seniors on the WHS Basketball Team were recognized for their dedication, good sportsmanship and being good ambassadors representing Wellsville High School last Thursday evening. The ceremony took place prior to the home game against the Lady Trojans of Sebring. All four are starters for the Lady Tiger team.

Each girl was escorted by their parents to mid-court, received a bouquet and a framed picture for their folks. Those seniors were Courtney Cook, daughter of Chris & Mike Cook, Irene Kiser, daughter of Bill Long, Rilee Livolsi, daughter of Jeri & Jeff Livolsi and Mikyla Tipton, daughter of Jannie Jones.

It was the last home game in the Tiger's Den for these ladies. It was a memorial evening and a game they will long remember. They were all part of a team that set a record. Also, they overwhelmed Sebring with a final score of 70-22.

The Lady Tigers finished their regular season schedule yesterday beating Toronto by a score of 50-43. That game was played at Toronto. The Wellsville Ladies finished the regular season at 11&9 and 6&6 in the ITCL Lower Tier. They open Division IV Sectional Tournament play Monday, February 20, versus the Columbiana Lady Clippers. The game will be played at South Range. Game time is set for 6 PM.

ole nib

WHS Before

Before Beacom Memorial and way before Daw Middle School...

We're not sure where this photo came from. We had it on an old disc when we originally copied it some time ago.

ole nib

400 Main Street

Before we move on to other current stories here's something we've been meaning to do for a while now. We wanted to do more research on the Silver Bank but the files at the River Museum are skimpy at best. We got interested last spring when the ghost hunters started trying to tell us the Silver family were bad news. According to them their burial vault wasn't even allowed in the cemetery. What they failed to tell us was the fact that vault is actually in Springhill Cemetery, on the hillside next to the original entrance. It has been sadly neglected over the years and is now almost overgrown by weeds and trees.

From what we have learned so far is that the Silver family first came to Columbiana County in the early 1800s. After the death of his father Thomas H. Silver came to Wellsville to manage his father's business interests. They were varied and in 1884 he founded the Silver Bank, mainly to manage his father's estate. The bank was located at 400 Main Street, shown in the first picture.

The bank must have went bankrupt sometime in the early 1900s. There was a posting on Face Book about a 1911 newspaper article about a murder of an asset appraiser assigned to determine the value of the bank. When they found the bank vaults nearly empty many depositors were very upset.

That's where the story of the Silver Bank and why it closed comes to an end for the time being. Some day we'll see if the East Liverpool library has newspapers that go back that far. We have been told the bank building was torn down in the 1930s.

After that the next building was Miller Insurance, which is our earliest recollection of what was at that address. The business was owned and operated by the late Paul Miller. After that came Annie's Kitchen, the River Grill and today's Tonda's Place. Did we miss any?

The older pictures are copied from ones in the archives at the River Museum. The one of Miller Insurance is actually a post card.

ole nib

New Wellsville Mayor "Lovin' It"

We stopped by Village Hall last Thursday to check on how our new Mayor was fairing after her first full month in office. When we asked if she had any regrets she looked at us as if we have finally fallen off the edge and, sounding like the TV commercial, she said “I'm lovin' it!”

Susan Haugh, Wellsville's first female Mayor, took office January 1. She told us the enthusiasm and co-operation of everyone from her Village co-workers, business people and Village residents has been outstanding. Taking small steps Haugh says she is very encouraged with the experience. Admitting that there is a lot of work to be done she states she is positive Wellsville is going to move forward.

Working on several economic developments is one of the causes for some of that encouragement. Being in the very early stages, Haugh said it is way too early to make any public announcements on anything but feels Village residents will be pleased. Competition is tough and the new Mayor does not want to jinx any possibilities. She wouldn't even give us a hint but did say they are taking small steps, a little bit at a time.

Bringing us up to date on other matters, the Mayor said the State Auditiors are in, working on the annual Village audit. She had mentioned that at an earlier Council meeting. At the Sewage Treatment Plant the new mixer in the aerobic digesters is scheduled for a trial run February 7. They had an update meeting with the contractor last Wednesday and noted that project should soon be completed and online.

Once the books are closed out on the new digester the Mayor said they will be able to get a handle on how much funds are remaining for sewage improvement projects. Next on the agenda is replacing the sewage forced main pump station at 2nd Street. That job has been engineered and a contract has been awarded. If there are enough funds left after the digesters the contractor will be given permission to begin on the pump station.

Council has a regularly scheduled meeting tomorrow evening at Village Hall. The Tuesday, February 7, meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 PM. Village Hall is located at 1200 Main Street. All Council meetings are open to the public.

ole nib

Wellsville Business Woman Named To Vacant Council Seat

Wellsville Village Council met this past Monday, January 30, in a Special Meeting to act on four agenda items. Present at the meeting was Mayor Susan Haugh, Council members Don Brown, John Morrow, Diane Dinch, Rosie Goss & Tony Cataldo. Also in attendance was Fiscal Officer Dale Davis, Village Administrator Thom Edgell and WPD Chief Joe Scarabino.

In an 11th hour decision Council voted unanimously to appoint Wellsville business woman Tonda Ross to the vacant Council seat. The seat was vacated by Mayor Haugh when she took office the first of January. The Council term has two years left before it expires. Council had 30 days to name a replacement for Haugh. Had they failed to do so the Mayor could appoint someone.

Ross is a Main Street resident. She and husband Randy run Tonda's Place located in the 4th Street Square. Ross is a Beaver Local alumni and has attended KSU-EL. She ran as an independent in last November's General Election and is a new comer to the political arena. She was sworn into office later Monday afternoon. The picture above was taken at a Meet the Candidates Night last October.

As a member of Council Ross will chair the Streets-Lights & Parking Committee. She was also appointed a member of the Claims-Rules & Ordinance Committee, the VFD Dependency Board along with Diane Dinch and Council liaison to Wellsville's Tree Board Committee.

Other Committee Chair persons named were Diane Dinch – Finance, Don Brown – Water, Sewer & Refuse, Tony Cataldo – Personnel, Rosie Goss – Property, Equipment & Cemetery, John Morrow – Claims-Rules & Ordinances and Cataldo & Brown – EMS.

To close out the agenda items Council placed two ordinances on third & final reading and voted in favor of each. Both ordinances were put on first reading at the January 24 meeting. The first was reappointing Andy Beech to Village Legal Counsel and providing compensation for said job. The second ordinance was consenting to ODOT doing repair work on the Route 7 bridge that crosses Route 39. Fiscal Officer Davis remarked the ordinance was just a formality since the bridge is within Village limits. The repair work will all be at ODOT's expense and will not cost the Village anything. Mayor Haugh remarked that southbound traffic on Route 7 will have to take the exit and re-enter on the other side of Route 39 once work begins. Any detour for north bound traffic hasn't been determined yet.

The meeting adjourned at 1:06 PM. Next scheduled meeting for Council is Tuesday, February 7 at 6 PM.

ole nib

The Twisted Stone Is Named Wellsville Chamber's Business of The Month

Wellsville's newest restaurant, The Twisted Stone, was named the Chamber's business of the month at the January luncheon held January 26. The establishment has been opened about a year now and is owned & operated by Oliver Humphrey. Humphrey is shown here thanking the Chamber for their selection.

The restaurant specializes in soups and sandwiches and is located at 525 Main Street. They have seen steady growth since opening and Humphrey added a special thanks to his patrons that have made it possible.

They are open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 AM to 8 PM and 11 AM to 9 PM on Friday & Saturday. They are closed on Sunday & Monday. Take outs are available and can be pre-ordered by calling 330-532-0900.

ole nib

Wellsville Chamber Gets Started In New Year

The Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce held their first of their regular monthly luncheons for the new year on Thursday, January 26. The luncheon was held at the Twisted Stone on Main St. Invocation was offered by Wellsville First Christian Pastor Mark Blakely.

Chamber President Randy Allmon reminded all that the deadline to register for the 2nd Annual Trade Show is March 16. The trade show will be held at Sell's Auction on Friday, March 30 from 5 to 7 PM. Interested vendors can contact Trade Show Chair Erin Orr by either calling 330-692-2037 or e-mailing her at erob1986@hotmail.com.

Allmon also announced the upcoming, two day 3rd Annual Columbiana County Economic Summit set for May 7 & 8 at the East Liverpool Motor Lodge. This year's summit is called Teaming4Success-2012. The theme is “Doing Business in the Oil & Gas Industry”. Experts estimate that drilling for oil & natural gas in the Marcellus and Utica shale in the region will generate around 100,000 new jobs in the next five years. The summit is free but it will cost $50 per day to take advantage of the Continental breakfast and lunches. For more information and for registering you can visit US Congressman Bill Johnson's web site at www.billjohnson.house.gov/JobFair or www.teaming4success.net. Vendors or corporate sponsors wishing to take part should contact Allmon at 330-843-3475.

Allmon reported that during the last year the Wellsville Chamber has been averaging two new members per month. Presently there are four new potential members awaiting approval by the Chamber's Board of Directors.

Guest speaker, Mayor Susan Haugh, was introduced by Paul Blevins. They are pictured above. Mayor Haugh noted that last year's Trade Show was a wonderful event and extremely enjoyable with lots of information provided about area businesses.

Haugh related that the recent 4” plus snowfall proved challenging in her young administration. There are only three Street Department employees. Two of them were unavailable when called to plow and spread salt. The third had to make his way in from Hanoverton. Noting Wellsville's firemen are also Village employees and allowed to operate Village equipment she called on them to handle snow removal duties. They came to the rescue and did a very professional job.

Echoing her statement made at the January 3 Council meeting when she invited everyone “to work with us or step out of the way, cause we're moving forward” the Mayor told those attending the luncheon that Wellsville is not all sunshine and rainbows. We got a lot of work to do before we will begin to see a silver lining. She said she is honest and sometimes very blunt. Emphasizing her willingness to work with the Chamber she stated better lines of communication is needed between the Chamber and Village officials. The Mayor invited anyone wanting to discuss ideas or have suggestions to visit her in her office at Village Hall. Charter member Mrs. Marge Dysert added there is a need for harmony.

Chamber member Nikki D'Atri announced she is a paraprofessional mentoring 4th Grade students at risk for reading failure. It is a Title I program called Project MORE, a Federally funded program working with students having trouble reading at their grade level. Testing scores for those in the program have improved by 20%. D'Atri said there is a need for more volunteers to work with another six to eight students. It only takes an half hour at a time. The program goes five days a week but anyone wanting to help with whatever time they can give will be appreciated. For more information on volunteering call 330-532-1372 – extension 1307.

The next luncheon is set for Thursday, February 23 at a location to be announced.

ole nib