Monday, October 29, 2012

Wellsville Trick or Treating Postponed

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

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…

 ole nib

 

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.

 ole nib

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. 

 
ole nib

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.

 ole nib

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…

 ole nib

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.
After being rained out last week-end members of the Brick Layers & Allied Crafts Ohio Local 10 and volunteers spent time this Saturday & Sunday getting the brick work started on the new Wellsville Honor Roll.  The brick is called Rustic Red and these guys are building the wall to last.  It's union made and there is no doubt about it.

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.
When completed it will be a tribute to all Wellsville area veterans of the US Armed Forces and the folks that dedicated hours of work to make the new honor roll possible.  Many of those people are veterans themselves.


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








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. 

 ole nib

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


Remember those old, collectable post cards titled "Birdseye View of Wellsville" that were taken about a 100 years ago?  This was taken from an angle that wasn't accessible back then.  Wellsville hadn't yet developed that far west in those days.

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! 

 ole nib

Wellsville Village Council Meets

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