In a brief statement from Village Hall this morning Wellsville Mayor Susan Haugh announced that Trick or Treating hours have been changed to Saturday, November 3, from 6 to 7:30 PM. Mayor Haugh advises the new date coincides with East Liverpool's postponement and times. Originally the annual Halloween tradition was scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Tropical Storm Sandy weather is forecasted to be at its worse for the Wellsville region on Wednesday. Heavy rain and high winds are expected. The safety of the children and all Wellsville residents is paramount in this decision.
Columbiana County EMA has issued a flood & high wind warning for today, Monday, in our area. The weather for Wednesday is not forecasted to be much better.
ole nib
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Wellsville FOP Holds Youth Fishing Tournament
 |
| Trophy winners were from the left were Tamitha Robb, Vainesca Surmecevic, Israel Sluder & Annabelle Sluder |
 |
| Israel Sluder proudly holds his 24" - 8# carp before it was returned to the water |
 |
| Vainesca Surmacevic diplays one of her two catches. This bass won for the smallest catch of the day. Vainesca also won the trophy for the most catches of the day. |
A little rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of nearly 35
youngsters at last Saturday’s FOP Youth Fishing Tournament. There were some exciting catches that got the
attention of the other competitors and renewed their determination. It staved off the boredom that comes without
any action on the end of their fishing lines.
There were two 24” fish caught that tied for the honors of being the
longest fish caught. One was a carp and
the other was a cat fish.
Wellsville’s FOP renewed an activity for our area youth that
hasn’t taken place for several years.
Retired Wellsville Police Officer Jack Gallagher use to organize one
years ago. In those days it was a summer
long contest. According to Police Chief Joe Scarabino and Officer Marsha
Eisenhart a record was kept of all the catches over the summer and prizes were
rewarded in September.
Last Saturday’s tournament ran from 10 AM to 2 PM. There were over 40 young folks to sign
up. Several members of the Wellsville
FOP were on hand to help with the budding anglers. Hot dogs hot off the grill along with
refreshments and snacks were available to feed all that participated. A warming fire was maintained to ward off the
chill in the air that day. All in all it
was a fun day for the children. Although the number of fish caught were mostly all trophy winners all catches humanely had the hooks removed and were quickly returned to the water.
New fishing poles were won from a drawing held for three
different age groups. Tamitha Robb won in
the 6-8 year old group. Brandon Kidder
got a new fishing pole in the 9-12 year old group and Jamie Allen was drawn for
the 13-15 year old group.
Trophies were available for the longest, smallest and most
fish caught in each age group. Vainesca
Surmecevic was a double winner taking home the trophies for both the most fish
caught and the smallest fish caught in her age group. Those rascally fish didn’t cooperate Saturday
and only five trophies, out of nine available, was won in the tournament.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to the Wellsville
FOP for taking the time out of their off-duty hours to organize, sponsor and
put on the event. A special thanks to the
Wellsville businesses and organizations that made it a great time with their
generous donations.
ole nib
Main Street Looking Northeast
 |
| This is what that location looks like today |
This is another of the Haywood collection of pictures recently donated to the Wellsville Historical Society. It's a picture looking up Main Street toward 5th.
The earlier photo shows a lot more activity with the store fronts on the western side of the street. Taken over 50 years ago it was at a time Routes 7 & 39 still went through the heart of town bringing a lot of traffic through that supported local businesses. At that time the building that has the now closed Twisted Stone restaurant & dog grooming business use to be the Post office & a drug store. Moon's restaurant is also shown here.
It was before my age of recollection. We don't remember a studio being next to Checklers Barber Shop. How about you...
ole nib
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Wellsville VFD To Host Safety Day
Safety Day will be the theme at an Open House this coming Saturday at Wellsville's Fire Department. The event is being sponsored by Wellsville's Volunteer Fire Department and the regular Fire Department. Members of the both Fire Departments will be on hand along with representatives of two ambulance companies plus the Air Evac Ambulance service. Officers from Wellsville's Police Department, the Ohio Highway Partrol and the K-9 dog and his handler from St. Clair Police Department will be there too.
Safety Day will be going on from 10 AM to 5 PM this Saturday, October 27. It is open to the public. Free smoke detectors will be given out on a first come, first serve basis until the supply is exhausted. Only one detector will be given out per household.
Stop by this coming Saturday and meet your local area Safety Forces...
ole nib
Monday, October 22, 2012
Thrasher Named Wellville's Man of the Year
 |
| Wellsville's Greg Thrasher addresses dinner guest while Linda Surace & Jim Saracco look on. |
Wellsville businessman Greg Thrasher was honored as the
Chamber’s Man of the Year at their annual Citizens of the Year Dinner. The dinner was held at the WHS Alumni Center
this past Thursday evening. Thrasher is
the owner of Jim’s Wrecker Service and is the son of the late Phyllis & Jim
Thrasher. He is also the husband of
Karen Thrasher. Last year's Man of the Year Jim Saracco announced the Chamber members selection.
Thrasher is a Wellsville native and Wellsville High School
alumni of the Class of 1968. He is a
Navy veteran having served his country during the Viet Nam era. Greg first began working for his father while
still in high school and, except for his time in the Navy, has been there ever
since. He is a member of several
organizations in the Wellsville community and currently serves as the Fiscal
Officer & Secretary of American Legion Post 70.
Although named Man of the Year, Greg Thrasher would have
been eligible for the duel of honor for both the Community Service Award and
Man of the Year. Lending a helping hand
to his Wellsville neighbors is in his DNA with him following in the footsteps
of both his mother & father. When not on the road for business Greg is
often spotted around the village lifting boat docks in and out of the water,
loaning his tractor trailer for parade floats, donating his time for Historical
Society projects and countless other things.
Many of those things go unrecognized as he goes quietly along. It’s a family tradition.
Congratulations Greg…
Wellsville Educator Named Woman of the Year
 |
| Mrs. Lisa Ferguson |
Wellsville educator Mrs. Lisa Ferguson was name the Woman of
the Year at last week’s Chamber Citizens of the Year Dinner. It’s an honor well deserved. The annual dinner was held at the WHS Alumni
Center this past Thursday. Mrs. Pinky
Gill announced this year’s popular honoree.
Mrs. Ferguson is a Wellsville resident born and bred and is
the daughter of Marlene and the late Vincent Corbisello. She has been the bride of Kevin Ferguson for
30 years. Although a Southern Local High
School alumni she bleeds Wellsville Tiger orange & black. Following graduation from college Ferguson
began her teaching career as a Wellsville High School home economics teacher. In 1994 she took over the reigns as Principal
of Wellsville’s Garfield Elementary and throughout her career has positively
touched the lives of countless young people.
Under her tutelage she has gone the extra mile to institute innovative advancements
in the field of Wellsville education, constantly striving to improve the
advancement opportunities for her students.
Her dedication to her students goes far beyond what is known in the
public eye by many. In addition to her
duties as Garfield principal she also serves as Assistant Superintendent and
Director of Federal Grant Programs for the Wellsville School District.
Congratulations Lisa…
ole nib
Sunday, October 21, 2012
First Christian Earns 2012 Community Service Award
 |
| Pastor Mark Blakely |
Wellsville’s First Christian Church was awarded this year’s
Community Service Award by members of the Wellsville Area
Chamber-of-Commerce. Members of the
First Christian family have always been one of the first to offer assistance
when needed. This year they set a new
bench mark earning them the honors of being good neighbors.
In the past year they began a program for Middle School
students that could use some tutoring with their studies. This past summer they started Mission
Wellsville helping area residents in need instead of traveling to far off
places. Just this past week they started
a “Bread of Life Outreach Ministry” giving out free loaves of bread to anyone
stopping by. Like the popular commercial
for an insurance company says, “like a good neighbor ‘First Christian’ is
there.
Accepting the award on behalf of the First Christian
parishioners was Pastor Mark Blakely.
ole nib
CF Bank Named Business of the Year
 |
| CF V.P. Diana Allmon accepts award from Ed Bauer |
CF Bank V.P. Diana Allmon accepted the Business of the Year
award in spite of what the newspaper account says. CF Bank was founded in 1892 in Wellsville and
has been in business here ever since. At 120 years of age it is Wellsville’s
oldest financial institution. Up until
recent years Wellsville was also the headquarters for the bank.
It’s a full service bank with hometown friendliness. CF President Thad Perry offered some brief
remarks prior to the dinner.
Wellsville School District BOE V.P. Ed Bauer presented the
award to Mrs. Allmon.
ole nib
Wellsville Chamber Honors Community Stars
 |
| Former football great Judge Dwayne Woodruff |
 |
| Pictured from the left is Chamber President Randy Allmon, FRC Executive Dir. Cindy Slavens, CC Commissioner John Payne, Judge Woodruff and Mrs. Joy Woodruff |
The Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual
awards banquet honoring Wellsville’s “Community Stars” this past Thursday
evening. The Citizens of the Year Dinner
was held at the Wellsville Alumni Center and it was a packed house. The dinner was prepared and catered by
members of the Wellsville High School Alumni Association.
Keynote speaker was the Honorable Judge Dwayne
Woodruff. Woodruff is a graduate of the
University of Louisville and a 12 year NFL veteran after being drafted by the
Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a member of
the Steeler’s 1979 winning Super Bowl team.
While he was a member on the Steeler’s roster he studied and obtained
his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law.
He was a founding member of the Woodruff, Flaherty & Fardo,
LLC law firm. In 2005 he was elected to
the bench as Common Pleas Court judge of Allegheny County. Woodruff remarked that his court deals only
with juvenile offenders. He refers to
many of those youngsters as “his kids”.
Woodruff and his wife Joy chair the “Do the Write Thing” program in
Pittsburgh. It’s a program that
encourages students to make personal commitments to stop violence in their
homes, schools and neighborhoods.
During his speech Judge Woodruff recalled his days as a
professional football player, sometimes with amusing antidotes. He offered some
good natured ribbing to fans of Pittsburgh’s Division rivals, especially those
of that team on Lake Erie that don brown & orange uniforms. He talked of his experience as a juvenile
judge and shared some of his thoughts and observations. His talk was entertaining and, at times
thought provoking.
Two footballs autographed by Woodruff was auctioned by auctioneer
Bob Sell. The first one included two
Steeler pre-season tickets for the game of the winning bidder’s choice for next
year. The tickets were donated by
Woodruff to stimulate the bidding.
Winners of this year’s Community Stars will follow in
separate articles. Chamber President
Randy Allmon remarked that there was a record number of ballots returned in
this year’s balloting. All members of
the Wellsville Area Chamber are eligible to vote in the selection process.
Buckeye Water Board Approves Insurance Change
The Buckeye Water District held their October Board of
Trustees meeting this past Thursday morning at Wellsville Village Hall. Board President Mike Ryan presided.
After the approval of minutes of previous meetings the Board
went into a 17 minute Executive Session for the litigation regarding the East
Liverpool breach-of-contract settlement with District Attorney Fred
Emmerling. No comments were made or
action was taken when they returned.
Board V.P. Bob Wines reported that everything was found to
be in order in a Finance Committee meeting held this past Wednesday and the
Treasurer’s Report was accepted as submitted.
A resolution was passed changing the 2013 health insurance
coverage from Anthem to Health America Ohio Flex Choice Program. The Anthem policy was brokered through the East
Liverpool Cooper Insurance firm and the new Health America policy is handled through
the Burnham & Flower Ins. Co. located in Blacklick, OH.
Insurance Committee Chairman Jack Call noted the coverage is
basically the same but with some changes in the deductibles. The change will mean a cost savings to the
Water District of nearly $30,000 per year.
A series of meetings were held with Buckeye employees and management
before it was decided to recommend the change to the full board.
District Manager Al DeAngelis reported that discussions with
St. Clair Township trustees were very positive with having them apply for a
possible CDBG grant funding for the Duke Road waterline extension. The extension on the Calcutta area road would
enable residents to tie into the Buckeye system. A request by owners of a mobile home park
along Duke Road initiated action for the possible project. DeAngelis also reported that applications
have been completed and submitted for possible Ohio Public Works funding for
both the Duke Road extension and the Frederick Heights project which is also in
St. Clair Twp.
A letter was read from a Wellsville customer praising
Buckeye employees for the quick and professional solving of a problem he was
experiencing. The problem was being
caused by the aged water lines the district inherited from the village. Also a request for installation of
individual meters to each mobile home in Sunrise Trailer Court along Crawford
Road will be referred to the Service Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 9:31 AM. The next regular Board meeting is scheduled
for Thursday, November 15 at 9 AM at Wellsville Village Hall. Three other meetings have already been
announced since last Thursday. On Tuesday,
October 23 the Computer Study Committee will meet at 10 AM at the Water
Treatment Plant located at 17547 State Route 45. On Wednesday, October 24 the Rate Committee
will meet at 10 AM in the Administration office at 1925 Clark Avenue. The last meeting for the week scheduled so far
will be a Special Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, October 25 at 10
AM. That meeting will also be held at
the Water Treatment Plant covering the never ending negotiation of a litigation
settlement with East Liverpool and is expected to be in Executive Session.
Wellsville Lady Tigers Earn Trip To District Play
 |
| Lady Tigers were ready for Southern Local Serve last Wednesday |
 |
| Head Coach Dan McKinstry offers some encouraging words to the Wellsville team |
The Wellsville Hi Lady Tigers Volleyball Team made a clean
sweep of the Southern Local team this season.
This past Wednesday evening the Lady Tigers took three straight sets
from the Lady Indians to claim the OHSAA Northeast District Division IV
Sectional win. It was the third time this season the Wellsville team defeated
Southern. The other two wins were during
the regular season. The match was played
at Lisbon’s David Anderson gym and the win was the 619th career
victory for Head Coach Dan McKinstry.
The Southern Local ladies came out in the first set looking
like it was going to be close all night. They lost by only three points in that
set. However, after the slow start, the
Tigers came back winning the second set 25-12 and the third with a score of
25-17. The win puts the Lady Tigers at 21&3 for
the 2012 season.
The Lady Tigers return to action next Tuesday evening at 6
PM in Lisbon. They will face the Crestview Lady Rebels. Crestview defeated Columbiana Heartland
Christian last Wednesday in the opening match.
That match needed five sets to determine the winner. Wellsville & Crestview have not faced
each other in the 2012 Season.
Our money is on the Lady Tigers clawing their way to win #22
for the season and moving on the District Championship to be played next Thursday.
Good Luck Lady Tigers!!!
ole nib
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Corner of Broadway & 6th
This is for the reader that asked about the tree at 6th & Broadway. This picture of that tree was taken Friday afternoon. Year after year it's a beautiful bright yellow.
ole nib
Friday, October 19, 2012
Sunrise Lighting Up The Hillside
 |
| Looking toward northwest from near Wellsville's 6th Street |
Here's today's edition of some of Wellsville's available and beautiful Fall Foliage scenery. This was taken shortly after the sun started peaking over the West Virginia hills to our east.
ole nib
Thursday, October 18, 2012
First Christian Starts Bread of Life Outreach Ministry
Wellsville's First Christian Church held their first day of their Bread of Life Outreach Ministry this morning. The ladies manning the table told us the bread is purchased by the church from an area bakery. The free bread will be given out every 3rd Thursday of the month from 9 AM to Noon and is labeled with an inspiring scripture verse.
The bread is free to anyone who stops by. There is no obligation other than stopping by for a loaf or two. Everyone is welcome. It's just another way of reaching out to their Wellsville area neighbors. When the weather turns the give-away will be moved indoors for everyone but the guy holding the sign!
Pastor Mark Blakely remarked that efforts were made not to be in conflict with any other Wellsville parish's programs. The idea was brought up by First Christian member Bonny Pershon and took off from there.
If you missed it today they'll be back in November...
ole nib
Sign Of Things To Come
Many Wellsville residents might have noticed the long string of rail cars parked at the Wellsville Terminal rail siding in the lower end of town. The cars are loaded with large diameter pipe. It's a sign of things to come. The string of cars were delivered this past Tuesday. Workmen on the scene told us Tuesday the pipe was shipped in by rail from Alabama. From there the pipe is loaded on trucks and sent to a staging area in Steubenville. They are destined to drilling locations related to the Marcellus Shale activity in the region.
We have also been told that the orange colored gizmo hanging on the crane is an electric magnet. As seen in the picture here it picks up the pipe from the rail car and transfers it to a truck trailer. The tractor trailer is behind the mound of dirt and can not be seen in the photo.According to Wellsville Terminal officials they have a contract with a company to use their siding. A stipulation in the contract restricts the unloading & reloading only between the hours of 7 AM to 7 PM. The company that has the contract with Wellsville Terminals has their own employees working on the scene. The pipe is specially treated for use in the gas industry.
It's a sign of things to come in our area as the Marcellus & Utica drilling gets underway in the region. Even though there are only a few employees used in this operation it will add to Wellsville coffers when the Village Income Tax is withheld.
The Wellsville Terminal official we spoke to declined to name the company holding the contract.
ole nib
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Wellsville Mayor Recognizes Village Heroes
 |
| Bonnie Taylor & son James |
Wellsville Village Council met yesterday evening at Village
Hall. Mayor Susan Haugh presided. With no one talking in the Public Speaking
portion on the agenda it was a brief 26 minute meeting.
Speaking for the Police Department, Chief Joe Scarabino advised
that when the tanks are being trucked in for the new wet well work being done there
will be a ban on parking in the area.
Second Street and Broadway from 3rd to 2nd will be
a no parking zones while the tanks are being delivered to the work site. The wet well is part of the sewage forced
main line project being done at the end of 2nd Street. The tanks are coming in are oversized loads expected
to be delivered Thursday. The Mayor
tells us they will be coming into town off Route 7 to Wells Avenue to 3rd
Street and left on Broadway. The trucks
will then proceed to 2nd Street and back into the work site to
unload. They will then exit from 2nd
heading back to Route 7. United Water’s
Greg Stewart noted the trucks are coming from Cleveland. Stewart is the Sewage Treatment Plant manager
in Wellsville.
Scarabino also reminded everyone that on Halloween members
of the WPD and Wellsville VFD will be patrolling Village Streets during trick
or treat hours. They are there to insure
your safety and the Chief said do not hesitate to contact them at the first
sight of any type of problem. If you don’t
see one close by call 330-532-1522 on your cell. Trick or treat is from 5:30 to 7 PM on
October 31.
Village Administrator Thom Edgell reported there were only
two responses to the 10 invitation letters sent for the new sidewalk
program. The program is a 50/50 share
deal with the Village. The Village pays
50% of the cost and the Village resident pays 50%. The resident’s cost is $8 per square
foot. Edgell said they plan to proceed
adding the invitation is still open to sign up for a short time period due to
the time of year. Anyone interested in
getting in on the deal should contact Edgell at 330-532-2524 – Ext. 14.
The Mayor’s Report this week was Wellsville’s Good News
Report with Mayor Haugh recognizing several individuals for jobs well
done. As reported in this morning’s
Review four police officers were commended for their successful handling of an
extremely dangerous stand-off situation October 4 in Wellsville. An individual armed with three different
weapons on his body was neutralized after being tasered. There were no injuries as a result of the
officer’s professional handling of the situation.
Commended were Chief Scarabino, WPD Officers Luke Skidmore
& Jeff Weekley and Liverpool Twp. Lt. Justin Wright. Wright was formerly with the WPD before
taking the job with the Liverpool Twp. Police Department. Scarabino commented “the job they did was
second to none”. The officers were each
awarded a commendation by the Mayor recognizing their bravery and outstanding
job performance during the situation.
Liverpool Twp. Chief Charlie Burgess accepted the commendation on behalf
of Lt. Wright.
Two other individuals recognized were Bonnie Taylor and her
son James for coming to the Village’s rescue on an important requirement to get
Wellsville mapped out as related to the floodwall system. Ms. Taylor had previously shown a map to
Mayor Haugh that she created, mapping out the village. It was a project for earning her Master’s
Degree at the Univ. of Akron. In it she counted all the houses in town and
mapped them out. On the map she
displayed all the houses and buildings coding the ones that probably should be
condemned and the ones that were for sale.
The map included residents, businesses and commercial buildings.
Part of getting the floodwall system reclassified Village
officials were required to provide a map to the Ohio Dept. of Public Safety
showing every house in town, their elevation and location in the flood
plain. Ms. Taylor & James went back
to work determining the elevation of each house on her map and then created a
color coded map to submit to ODPS. The coding
showed each building and their possibility of being flooded should one
occur. Their voluntary work solved a
huge problem facing Wellsville administrators, saving countless man hours and
probably thousands of dollars in costs. Pictured
here the Taylors were awarded certificates of appreciation in recognition of
their outstanding service to Wellsville.
In presenting the awards Mayor Haugh read letters from Ohio EMA
Executive Director Nancy Dragani also commending the Taylors.
The Wellsville floodwall system was declassified as being ineffective
as a flood prevention system due to decades of neglect. The system includes the floodwalls uptown and
dikes in the lower end of town.
Wellsville officials won a reprieve while scrambling to rehabilitate the
system. Maintenance of the system is a
Village responsibility although the Army Corp of Engineers has authority on the
system. Having an effective flood
prevention system saves millions of dollar in home insurance for
residents. Getting it rehabilitated has
been one of the priorities of this administration.
In other Council business Finance Chair Diane Dinch reported
the General Fund had a balance of $1.18 million at the end of September. Out of that amount $1.4 million is oil
drilling lease money invested in Star Ohio.
Being close to the end of the year with incoming revenues dwindling
Dinch cautioned all department heads to spend cautiously. They don’t want to touch anymore of the
invested portion if not necessary.
Approval was given to pay $15,334 in bills.
Councilman Don Brown got a motion passed approving a change
order for the forced main project being done by Rudzik Excavating. It means another $6,500 will be needed to
relocate a building separating the valve vault. The project is being engineered by G,G&J.
With Councilman Tony Cataldo voting no Councilman John
Morrow got a motion passed ordering in legislation authorizing the sale of less
than a half-acre of ground to Wellsville Terminals. The
ground is located adjacent to Wellsville Terminal property near the Sewage
Treatment Plant. A resolution was passed
in 2011 setting a price of $47,000 for that little piece of land. Cataldo has expressed in the past that he
believes the price is not high enough for commercial real estate.
With Councilwoman Rosie Goss absent, due to her work
schedule, an ordinance authorizing the transfer of $50,000 from the General
Fund failed to be declared an emergency and placed on third & final
reading. Councilwoman Tonda Ross made
comments she felt the transfer should be held off since some of it would be
going to pay for the new sidewalk program.
Being mid-October she indicated it was too late for concrete work this
year. With Ross voting no the motion did
not get the required majority for an ordinance and failed 4-1. Cataldo then amended his motion to place the
ordinance on first reading which passed.
The transfer would move the money from the General Fund to Capital
Improvements.
Earlier in the year Council agreed to set aside $100,000 of
the lease money for miscellaneous expenses under Capital Improvement. It was
split in order to earn more interest on the investment. Mayor Haugh explained that the second $50,000
was not all going to sidewalks. It is
also used replacing worn out equipment, etc.
We believe the new police cruisers ordered and catch basin work where partially
purchased as part of the first transfer.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 PM. The next scheduled regular meeting will be Wednesday,
November 7 due to the General Election being held on November 6. Council Chambers is a polling place. The Council meeting begins at 6 PM.
Lazy Fall Tuesday
 |
| Near 10th Street & Riverside home of Sally & George Prince |
Along Wellsville's Riverside Avenue yesterday afternoon... Makes you appreciate living in the ville...
ole nib
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
WHS Lady Tigers Advance In Tournament Play
 |
| With team mates looking on Senior Maleya Fultz shows killer form returning the ball to Southern in a match played Sept. 25 |
 |
| Six devoted Tiger fans show their support as part of a very rambunctious student cheering section in the match against Southern last month. |
The Wellsville Lady Tigers faced Canton Heritage Christian
last night in Lisbon in the first round of Sectional Tournament play. It was 1-2-3- good-bye Canton ladies when the
women from the ville won their first match of the NE Ohio Division IV Sectional
tournament play. From the brief
newspaper account in today’s editions it wasn't even close. The win moves the Wellsville volleyball
record to 20&3 on the season.
Wellsville next faces Southern Local in Round 2 tomorrow
night in Lisbon. The Wednesday evening
match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.
For the season the Lady Tigers are 2&0 against the Lady
Indians. They won the first match on
Southern’s floor 3-1 early in season on August 30. The Lady Indians lost in three straight sets in
the second match of the year as they ventured into the Tiger’s Den September
25.
Good Luck Lady Tigers! No doubt you can do it. You've worked hard to earn those first 20
wins and we’re proud of you all. Let ‘em
hear your growl!
Let the fun continue…
Wellsville BOE Seeing Red
The Wellsville School District Board of Education held their
October meeting Monday evening with all Board members present. President Karen Dash presided.
On the district’s financial side Treasurer Coleen Wickham
reported that September receipts were $769,929 and expenditures were $795,579 leaving
a General Fund balance of $1.3 million. Interest earned for the month was
$1,405. The Food Service fund was shown
being $48,832 in the negative for the past month. Board member Ed Bauer asked Mrs. Wickham to
mention that. Wickham explained that
since closing out the books for September the district has received $52,000 and
for the time being the fund is showing a positive balance. She went on to advise that money for the fund
is requested after the month ends. With
the community eligibility options giving free meals to school students in two
of the three buildings the accounts have been up.
After that the news turned rather bleak for the school
district with the 5-Year Forecast that was submitted for approval. In an understatement President Dash referred
to it as “the not so good forecast”. The Treasurer reported that the District will
be out of cash by the year 2016. The district’s
expenditures are out pacing incoming revenue receipts. In 2010 there was a cash balance of $2.9
million. In the last two years that has
been whittled away by spending $445,950 more than what was brought in for the
year 2011 and another $439,610 additional for Fiscal Year 2012. The negative cash balance is forecasted to
keep increasing for each of the next five years with the numbers that are available
today. If nothing changes in the coming
years on the revenue side the district’s ending cash balance at the end of the
year will be awash in red ink in 2016.
Again if nothing changes the forecasted cash balance going into FY2016
will be a negative $0.6 million, triple that amount for 2017 and minus $3.2
going into 2018. It’s not a reflection
on the treasurer’s job performance. It
is just cold hard facts working with the figures that are available in the
present time.
Mrs. Wickham used the cost of insurance as an example. This
year alone insurance cost is up $92,000 over last year. The trend is that insurance costs will
increase 12% per year in each of the next five years. The cost of Employees Retirement &
Insurance Benefits is expected to increase from $2 million for FY2012 to nearly
$2.5 million for FY2015. Costs for
Personnel Services have been reduced since 2010 by not replacing some employees
that have left the district. Attempts
have been made to adjust for the negative cash flow but unless something
drastic occurs the district will be out of cash by 2016. Bauer noted that several years ago the
Personnel Services costs were reduced from 92% with cuts that were made to
around 80% the last few years. Combined
with the increases in benefits and the loss of students has made it extremely necessary
to be very careful with the district’s money.
Dash noted it could change at any time especially with the State of Ohio
still working on budget adjustments. It
is doubtful that casino revenue will be much help. Bauer said the district got $17,000 to
$19,000 in the first year but casino revenue has decreased 20 to 25% since they
opened. Wickham reemphasized that the
five year forecast is based on what is known at this given point. Last October State officials advised that
financial figures will remain the same and then turned around in January
cutting Wellsville’s incoming revenue “$200 grand” according to Bauer. Wickham conclude the forecast can change
overnight.
For the Student Leadership Achievement Team it was reported
that 3rd-grade students took the Ohio Assessment in reading October
3 with results expected next month. The
Officer Phil program will be held October 18 for students in grades 1 through
3. Daw Middle School with hold a
training session for parents to help them utilize the Progress Book. Daw 5th grader Olivia Prince was
the student of the month. The new middle
school show choir, the Harmonics, recently performed for the Wellsville Arts
Club and will be holding their own concert on October 23 at the high school. The concert starts at 6 PM. The high school student of the month for
September was senior Francesca Colella and senior Sarah Skinner for October. The high school Music Department will have
their Halloween Concert October 30. The
high school band will be competing in the OVAC Band Show on the 20th. OGT testing will begin on the 22nd. Finally the whole Board was elated that
preliminary data indicated that all three schools in the district will receive
an excellent rating on the State Report Card.
It is the first time that all three got that rating. The official results are still being held pending
the audit by State officials on some districts in the state fraudulently
reporting attendance figures to boost performance ratings. The government bases
their financial aid and employee bonus awards on those ratings. About 3% of the 3,688 school districts in
Ohio are being audited. Wellsville School
District is not included in that 3%.
In the Good News Report Mrs. Dash noted that the $1,000
worth of school supplies awarded to Garfield Teacher Kelly Moss has been shared
with every teacher in Garfield. The
award was given by the Office Max Company through their A Day Made Better
program which is given out annually.
Team Mojo awarded school supplies for Daw Middle School students. Thanks were expressed to the district’s
cafeteria staff for their dedication and hard work in honor of National School
Lunch Week.
Field trip requests were approved for Grade 6 students to
Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh on November 8, for Grade 8 students to New
York City next May, for Intervention Specialist Classes to Robinson Township
Center Mall on December 7 and to the Univ. of Pit – Temple football game at
Heinz Field October 27 for the WHS Cheerleaders.
Personnel moves approved were Janele Spann for high school cheerleader’s
advisor and for Bryce Bezdek, Rick Stanley III & Meredith Bobalik to the
substitute teacher list. Coaching
assignments approved were Tom Gualtier for Girls Basketball Varsity Asst., Bob
Swogger for Girls Basketball Volunteer Asst., Meredith Bobalik for 7th
grade girls basketball, Alvin Thompson for 8th grade girls
basketball, Jason Carter for Boys Freshman Basketball, Derek Thompson for
Voluntary Basketball Asst., Thomas Hackney for Daw volunteer for wrestling and
Dale Palmer & Paul Bergert as volunteer Bowling coaches.
In other business a lengthy list of NEOLA Board Policy
changes and deletions were approved. Bus
stop routes for the current school year were made official for the record.
In closing remarks Ed Bauer noted the excellent rating for
the three Wellsville schools is a tribute to the teacher’s & staff’s
dedication and devotion to district students.
Tom Brophey advised he and Bauer will be attending the Capitol
Conference in November. Bill Miller
offered congratulations to Wellsville’s first year Career Center Cosmetology
student Lexi Cook for taking second place in a braiding contest. Mike Cook
commended all the Wellsville students & Wellsville graduates that
participated in this year’s Dash For Matts Bash. Karen Dash noted the the Building Leadership
Team will hold their first meeting of the new school year today, October
16. She also sent wishes for Good Luck
in the tournaments to the Volleyball teams.
The meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November
19 at 6:30 PM in the Superintendent’s Office.
The office is located at 929 Center St.
ole nib
Monday, October 15, 2012
Main Between Virgin Alley & 4th Street
Here's a section of Main Street that has greatly changed. It's another picture from the Alice Bunting collection. The last business on the right in the black & white photo was the Coronet Dry Cleaning. They advertised 24 Hour Service.
There was no date on this but it was before Miller Insurance was built on the corner at 4th St. That's the building that is Tonda's place today.
ole nib
Commerce Near 6th Street
This is more of the Alice Bunting picture collection recently donated to the Wellsville Historical Society. The house on the right in the c1950s picture use to be 536 Commerce. All that remains today is the concrete pad.
ole nib
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Honor Roll Progress Continues
 |
| With his back to the camera Don Mays, President of Local 10 tries to keep pace with his dad laying brick on the new Wellsville Honor Roll. |
Honor Roll Co-chairman George Crews noted members of the painter's local was there yesterday to apply a primer coat on the back of the memorial. The back of the wall will eventually be painted some similar to rustic red to match the brick work on the front.
 |
| In the tan shirt the elder Mr. Mays works on one end of the new wall that will be dedicated to all Wellsville Veterans. |
ole nib
Wellsville Begins Work For Additional Sewage Rehabilitation
 |
| Last week's progress is pictured here. The tower to the right is an existing manhole that was exposed after the digging. Tanks for the wet well are due to arrive this week and will be placed in the hole on the left of that tower. |
 |
| A huge mound of dirt was dug from the hole temporarily changing the landscape next to the Stevenson foundry. |
Wellsville is on the verge of some very exciting times as a
player in the developing production of oil & gas from drilling in the
Marcellus & Utica shale in the region.
In addition to a lot of work being done to expand existing
transportation facilities with the Columbiana Port Authority’s Intermodal Park
and Marathon Oil there are whispers of industrial expansion in our area. If even part of the rumors are true it’ll be
an exciting moving forward period for our Village. We won’t speculate but we’ve been given hints
it’s getting close to buckle up and hold on to your hats.
Part of that preparation to get ready is the upgrading of
the Village infrastructure. Although
money for financing upgrades is still very tight Village officials were able to
start the first phase of a project that has been in the making for some
time. The overall project will eventually stretch
from 2nd Street all the way through town to the Wellsville Sewage
Treatment Plant. This past week saw the
start of rehabilitating the “forced main” sewage line. The forced main is a sewage line that runs
from 2nd Street to 17th for the upper part of the
Village. Sewage from homes &
businesses all through that area flow to that main line and is forced to the
treatment plant by pumps. Being in the
oldest part of the Village the pumps and lines are very old and have been
showing their age. Repairing line breaks
over the years is very costly.
Upgrading that system is very important to the progression
of Wellsville that is expected in the coming months and years. Having available a reliable infrastructure
makes our Village very attractive to new businesses and residents that want to
be part of the action. With the ever
improving source of water provided by the Buckeye Water District these past few
years having a reliable, trouble free sewer system is a must for Wellsville to
move forward. Not being forced to spend scarce
money with emergencies to repair breaks will be another plus.
Rudzik Excavation of Struthers was awarded the contract to
replace the pumps at 2nd Street and to install a new wet well. Pictured here is part of the hole dug as part
of that project. A nearby neighbor told
us yesterday the water seen seeping in is river water. Although the hole where the water is seen is
only some 20 feet deep it is below the surface level of the river.
The contract given to Rudzik was awarded last year but with
budget restraints and the inability to acquire additional grants the start of
the project was delayed. Village
administrators did not answer our e-mail asking for details on the additional
funding needed to get this phase started.
Nor was our question about future plans to replace the rest of the
forced main answered but that is understandable. It is probably unknown at this
time since Village officials are still forced to operate on a very tight
budget.
ole nib
WHS Lady Tigers To Take Their Game To Tournaments
 |
| Senior Sarah Skinner with parents Dave & Michelle Skinner |
 |
| Senior McKenna Pierson with parents Sam & Kara Pierson |
 |
| Senior Maleya Fultz with parents Antonio Fultz and Sissy Wilson |
The Wellsville Lady Tigers Volleyball team wrapped up their
regular season schedule this past week with two very impressive victories. This past Tuesday afternoon they defeated
Leetonia in 3 straight matches and then traveled to Lowellville on Thursday to
repeat that performance. It was an excellent season for the Lady Tigers. They finished
their regular season with a record of 19&3 overall and were undefeated in
league play with 12 wins and no loses.
The Tigers are in the Lower Tier of the Inter Tri-County League. Now it’s on to the tournaments.
The Lady Tigers open up in Ohio Div. IV Northeast Sectional
Tournaments in Lisbon tomorrow evening at 7:30.
Their opponent in the opening round is Canton Heritage Christian.
Three very talented Wellsville seniors played their last
match on the WHS home court and were honored at Senior Night last Tuesday. They are pictured here being recognized with
their parents. The seniors lead the way for
an extremely talented team and played some exciting matches over the course of
the season. Wellsville can be very proud
of their accomplishments. They
represented the whole Village and their school on a high note all season.
Good Luck in the tournament Ladies! You got the talent and the skills. Show ‘em what a Wellsville Tiger can do…
ole nib
Friday, October 12, 2012
The Bunting House
.jpg)
The Wellsville Historical Society was recently given a box
of Bunting family memorabilia that was collected by a Bunting descendant. Ed & Carol Haywood of Elyria, Ohio
visited the River Museum with the generous donation. The collection belonged to Carol’s late
step-mother whose maiden name was Alice Louise Bunting. Among them was a folder of 8X10 black & white
photographs from the early 1950s.
Here is one of the pictures in that collection. This house was the Bunting House at one time
and was located on the corner of Virgin Alley & Main Street. Virgin Alley runs from Commerce to Riverside
between 4th & 5th Streets. The house is long gone and the lot is now a
parking lot owned by Center Pharmacy.
The Bunting name goes way back in Wellsville’s history.
Here is a then & now picture. We remember the house but can’t recall when
it was demolished. In some of the old
city directories we have on hand at the River Museum there is no Bunting listed
in that section of Main Street. Any help
with the history of the house would be greatly appreciated.
The collection of photographs have been put in a notebook
and labeled by Historical Society Bob Lloyd.
It will be available for viewing in the Wellsville Room when regular
tours at the River Museum resume. As
time permits we’ll show more of them.
Beresford Speaks At Mooretown
This past Monday, October 8, was the 150th
Anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Perryville in Kentucky. There were over 7,000 casualties in that 1862
battle. The 2nd Ohio Voluntary
Infantry played a major role in that battle and their unit suffered 40%
casualties fighting against the Confederates over a source of fresh water for their
men and horses. Kentucky was one of four
states that remained neutral in the Civil War.
The 2nd OVI roles were made up of many men from
Jefferson County, Ohio. In the Jefferson
County Ross Township area known as Mooretown there is an impressive monument erected
in 1871 in honor of the township’s fallen Civil War soldiers. The monument was dedicated to a whole list of
soldiers who died in that battle. Among
them was Thomas George. Thomas was the
son of Robert & Martha George who helped finance and donated the land for
the memorial.
This past Sunday, October 7, the Battle of Perryville was
commemorated at the Mooretown Monument.
Wellsville resident Robert Brass Beresford was a guest speaker at the
ceremony. Beresford is a retired
Columbiana County Sheriff and Past President of the Wellsville Historical
Society. Among the survivors of the
Perryville Battle were Beresford’s great uncle and grandfather.
John & Robert Beresford’s picture appear on the cover of
the recently published book entitled Bully Boys. The book is a collection of letters written
by Civil War soldiers. There are four
letters that Thomas George wrote to his brother and 22 letters written by Civil
War Medal-of-Honor recipient William PIttinger in that book. Pittinger was also from Jefferson County. His letters were sent to the Steubenville
Herald newspaper.
Beresford briefly reviewed the book and explained how he was
related to his ascendants pictured on the cover. Beresford was named in honor of his
Grandfather Robert. His Great-uncle John
Claudius Beresford was instrumental in getting the Mooretown Monument built and
his signature appears on the charter issued by the State of Ohio for the
memorial.
The Mooretown Monument is located on Ross Township County
Highway 53 four miles east of Bergholz just across from the Happy Lake Resort
at George’s Lake. For more information
on the monument visit their web site www.mooretownmonument.com. The Wellsville Historical Society is in the
process of negotiating a deal to make the book Bully Boys available.
ole nib
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Birdseye View of Wellsville
This was taken two days ago looking east over the 'ville. Thanks to the folks that permitted me to tromp through their back yard...
ole nib
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Wellsville Tiger Spirit Parade Set For Thursday
It’s time to rekindle the fire and heat up the spirit for
the annual “Rumble in the Jungle” as the Wellsville Tigers prepare to take on
the Southern Local Indians. The annual
backyard rivalry takes place Friday evening at Southern Local.
Starting at 7 PM Thursday evening the annual Spirit Parade
will start at 9th Street and proceed to Nicholson Stadium. A bonfire
will again light up the excitement for this year’s gridiron showdown. Join in cheering the Tiger football team on to
victory.
Pictures shown are of last year's parade & bon fire.
Go Tigers!
Wellsville Village Council Meets
.jpg) |
| Memorial Council President Don Brown presents Wellsville Mayor Susan Haugh a plaque listing the names of Village POWs |
In a brief, 19 minute
meeting last night Wellsville Council took care of business and went home. Except for John Morrow all Council members
were present. Also attending was Fiscal
Officer Dale Davis, Village Administrator Thom Edgell, Legal Advisor Andy Beech
and Zoning Administrator Rick Williams.
Morrow was reported to be working and was excused.
In his report, Village Administrator Thom Edgell displayed
pictures of water ponding at the doors to the Village Hall basement during rain
storms. With the storm sewer clogged up
it would seep under the doors and flood the basement. Allison Construction installed a new catch
basin and cleared the sewer lines which seem to be working. Except for some landscaping once the dirt
settles the Highland Avenue project is completed. Councilwoman Diane Dinch thanked Edgell for
having the yellow curbs painted in the business district.
In a year-to-date report Zoning Administrator Rick Williams
reported that 32 Zoning Permits, 42 contractor licenses, a couple of demolition
permits and a couple of vendor licenses have been sold this year. Mayor Susan Haugh commended Williams for his
job well done.
Finance Committee Chairwoman Dinch got approval for the
Fiscal Officer to pay bills amounting to $40,383. She also advised that the committee has met
to study updating the Village income tax for 2013. At that meeting she remarked that the income
tax is not being repealed and there is no increases being considered.
United Water’s Greg Stewart reported that nearly 24 million
gallons were treated and discharged in September at the Sewage Treatment
Plant. There was 6.48 dry tons of sludge
sent to the approved landfill. Stewart
also reported he has been working with Buckeye Water Asst. Manager Todd Brown
to determine the difference in the amount of treated water used in the Village
versus the amount of liquid treated at the plant. For the month of August there was nearly 22
million gallons of waste water treated compared to nearly 13 million gallons of
water from BWD used in town. That is a
discrepancy that Village officials have been trying for years to determine the
cause. Stewart remarked that most of it
is probably run-off water from rain and added it will probably be costly to
determine for sure. In the meantime
Wellsville is paying to have rain water treated.
Stewart wrapped up his report advising the contracting firm
doing the first phase of the sewage forced main project has begun setting up at
the 2nd Street location.
There was a meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning to go over the
plans.
With legislation ordered in at the last Council meeting a
resolution was declared an emergency and place on final reading requesting that
the County Commissioners share casino revenues with Wellsville. Many of the area communities have already
passed similar legislation.
Another resolution was passed to apply for Issue 1 funds for
street paving. Street Committee
Chairwoman Tonda Ross advised the money would be used to pave Commerce Street
from 9th to 15th Street.
If enough money is left in the fund it is hoped to have Third Street
from Main to Riverside and Riverside from Third to Fourth Street paved. Councilman Cataldo remarked that Issue 1
money has been applied for the last three years to do Commerce but it always
included installing new catch basins.
Since the new administration found a way to have the catch basins done
there should be enough funds to do the paving.
The Salem firm Howells & Baird will be asked to do the engineering
for the project.
The final piece of legislation passed was an ordinance
authorizing ODOT to go ahead with upgrading the lighting on the Village’s three
intersections to and from Route 7. It is
expected the maintenance of the lighting will then be turned over to the
Village once that project is completed.
Representing the Wellsville Memorial Council, Councilman Don
Brown presented a new plaque to the Mayor listing the names of POWs from
Wellsville. The new plaque is larger and
easier to read and will be displayed at Village Hall. Brown has been with the Memorial Council for many
years. The Memorial Council was also
responsible for installing the new flag poles at both ends of Broadway Park
recently and yearly place the flags along Main Street.
Trick or Treat hours were set for Halloween for 5:30 to 7 PM
on October 31.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 PM. The next regular meeting will be held at Village Hall on
Tuesday, October 16, at 6 PM.
ole nib
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)