Up until May 15, 2009, Wellsville had a very active and energetic all volunteer committee dedicated to the beautification of our fair village. It started out as the Broadway Park Committee which transformed the park from a deteriorating eyesore to a thing of beauty. They raised funds to take on the removal of trees that mostly were over 100 years in age. Many of them had hollow trunks that posed a serious hazard every time we got a stiff wind from a passing storm. They raised more funds to replace the trees and sidewalks around the fountains with attractive pavers. Some of those pavers were paid for by donors that were inscribed with names. The transformation of the Broadway Park was very beneficial to the village. It got others enthusiastic to help out such as the Logan family that sponsored the renovations of the fountains. Still others made efforts to improve the appearance of their own properties.
Then in the fall of 2006 the Tree Board was created by Council passing Ordinance 06-34. That ordinance was passed on October 17 of that year. That proclamation stated that a Village Tree Board shall consist of ten members all of which shall be residents of the Village. Out of those ten members one will be the Village Mayor and another will be a Council liaison. Councilwoman Diane Dinch was the first liaison and was quite helpful introducing legislation to enable the village to apply for grants and such to benefit the mission of the Tree Board.
The newly formed Tree Board originally consisted of the same members that made up the Broadway Park Committee. They got organized with a slate of officers, made plans for future projects and drew up by-laws for the Committee. The Tree Board became members of Tree City USA, a national organization aligned with the Arbor Day Foundation. Much of that foundation's good works is coordinated throughout the state by the Ohio Div. of Natural Resources and the state's Division of Forestry. To become a member of the prestigious Tree City USA, the Tree Board had to annually meet certain criteria which they accomplished with their dedication and enthusiasm. As a result they earned the aspired growth award for three years running winning a flag proclaiming for all to see that the ville was declared a member of the Tree City USA communities. To give that accomplishment a little perspective consider the Village of Lisbon. They have been members of Tree City for 28 years and just last year they won their first growth award.
It's not just a smoke screen when I say that most of the members on the board were enthusiastic and energetic. They were accomplishing things for the village that never would have been with our cash strapped budget. Their plans for this year included rehabilitating the Welcome to Wellsville site at 17th & Main. They were pursuing a possible grant to replace the benches on Riverside. They were working with folks that would have provided free tree cutting. They were lining up a site for a nursery to get new trees started which would be used for replacements of trees that had to be removed. They were making plans for a mulching program. They started a required tree inventory that needed to be done this year. That included mapping, identification of the different trees and targeting trees that need to be cut down. They had plans for a meditation area on the hillside overlooking the scenic Ohio River up in Hammond's Park. The Arbor Day folks each year will donate ten trees for a $10 donation. Our board members each volunteered to cover that donation out of their own pockets. Their Arbor Day ceremony this year was made very meaningful to the village 3rd graders by including their participation. Their web site was used as an example by our ODNR representative for other Tree City communities to use. All in all the work of this committee was putting the ville on the map.
One project that the committee voted to table for this year is called the Gateway Project. There was too much on the plate that needed to get done. The biggest one being the tree inventory that not only covered the trees in town but the ones in Springhill Cemetery and Hammonds Park. It had to be done this year to remain part of Tree City USA.
The Gateway Project is a grant program where the Ohio Dept. of Transportation will provide a $20,000 grant to beautify one of the ramp areas coming into town off of Route 7. That would include purchasing shrubs, landscaping and placing park benches. It was decided to use the area around the kiln at 3rd St. Because of the type of weeds found in that area it would be necessary to remove the top soil to eradicate those weeds and replace it with fresh dirt. I believe they are called milk weed and to get rid of it you have to dig up the roots. One ex-board member estimated that it would cost the village more than the $20,000 grant to accomplish this project. Also there is the fact that there is no water source in that area and all the labor would have to be done by either the village or volunteers. To me it just seems like common sense to put this off for the time being. The village certainly can not afford to take on extra debt.
Dawn Johnson who was one of the original members of the Broadway Park Committee and later became the first Chairwoman of the Tree Committee said she has been working on the Gateway Project since May of 2007. She told me that it is a project between ODOT and the village and claimed it has nothing to do with the Tree Committee. However, there are recorded minutes of meetings for Tree Board where this was discussed and Johnson was quoted in the newspaper that the Tree Board will take on the planting duties. At their meeting of 7/14/08 it was decided by a majority vote to table the Gateway Project. It was brought up again at their October meeting. Again by a majority vote it was decided the Tree Board was not ready to take on this project. Still Johnson persisted.
The crushing blow that brought on the resignation of five Tree Board members came on May 6, when Johnson sent an e-mail advising the other members that she was working on arranging a meeting with the Mayor & ODOT representatives to "move forward with the drawings" for the Gateway Project. Prior to that two members had already resigned.
Johnson was also quoted in the newspaper that she "received several 'nasty' replies to that e-mail. From what the former members told me those several replies consisted of two e-mails. The first inquired about the drawings and stated "You need to discuss what you would like to do on this project & get the boards approval Before you talk to the Mayor or ODOT on behalf of the Tree Board". The second e-mail stated "I am sure we tabled this project by a vote of this board. To date it hasn't been brought back from the table". Johnson told me this past Friday that she is only a member of the board. Apparently Johnson went on and set up the meeting without any more notification to the other board members. One member told me he was out of town and received a call on his cell phone that the meeting was in progress.
That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Johnson has been described to me as being antagonizing, tends to alienate others and is petulant if she doesn't get her way. The Tree Board even had a special meeting last September to sit down with her to work out their differences. She was quoted as saying nothing gets done by this board unless she approves it. She went to a Council meeting without the board's knowledge about a tree on Broadway that had been run over. She demanded that the village make the lady that had the accident to pay for a replacement. As I was told she even called one fellow member an idiot when advised that particular tree would probably survive in spite of having some bark scraped off. It wasn't broken. That tree this spring sprouted leaves and looks just as good as the other newly planted ones. From what I was told there have been at least five good members that were willing to pitch in and even get their hands dirty that have resigned stating they can't work with Johnson. The other five remaining members resigned effective May 15. That only leaves Johnson, the Mayor and one Council member.
According to the board's by-laws that does not constitute a quorum. I attended the monthly "meeting" this past Monday that should have been cancelled due to the lack of a quorum. Besides Johnson and I there was only one other lady and the Div. of Forestry representative in attendance. Even if the Mayor and the Council liaison had been present there would still not have been a quorum. Neither Lola Lewis, the DOF rep, nor I are members of Wellsville's Tree Board.
According to the ordinance the Mayor has to appoint members to that committee with Council's approval. That hasn't been done and probably won't be for some time. From what I have observed and been told it will be a problem getting people "with a heart for Wellsville", as Johnson puts it, to replace the former members. The only other option is to amend the ordinance and that would probably die in committee before it even gets to Council.
It's a sad situation for the ville considering what all has been accomplished.
ole nib
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Brassy Makes The Six O'clock News
In a news story called "Day Trip Destinations That Won't Break the Bank", Reporter R. Jason Finkler from Youngstown's WKBN Channel 27 (Comcast Channel 10) featured the Wellsville Historical Society's museum. The Historical Society's President Robert (Brassy) Beresford, pictured here, was also a big part of that feature. He handled it like a pro!
The museum is located on Riverside in a house built in 1870 for Dr. Hammond. He was a medical doctor and trains use to stop in the front of the house for injured or ill railroaders needing medical attention. The Historical Society bought the house after Route 7 took the old Aten home on Buckeye that previously housed the museum. The museum is open on Sunday afternoons from 1 - 4:30 through August and yesterday was opening day for the season.
The news story featured the Railroad Room and the ville's pottery business. Brassy said there used to be 50 different businesses in town related to the pottery industry. Brassy reported that there are 13 different rooms loaded with artifacts for visitors to view. They mentioned the collection of Indian arrow heads with some that possibly date back way before this country was even started. Although not mentioned they flashed on Pretty Boyd Floyd's death mask. Floyd was a notorious gangster in the Depression Years that was captured near Calcutta after being spotted in the Wellsville area. He died from wounds suffered in a gun battle with police and FBI agents.
As Finkler reported there is "something for everyone" at the museum. Coming next week-end is the WWII 4th Armor Division Historical Group. They will be set up Friday, June 12, on the museum grounds and on Saturday afternoon at 1 P.M. they will conduct a shooting demonstration of all types of WWII weapons. It'll be something to see.
Also pictured above is Susie's, of Haugh Designs, shot of the museum. Thanks Susie. I used it again. The museum and events are open to all and admission is free. Even private tours are available for groups. You can call 330-532-1018 or the Beresfords for more information.
Brassy's command performance can be viewed at http://www.wkbn.com/. Don't know how long it will be available but it was there this morning. He's gone "Hollywood"...
ole nib
Friday, June 5, 2009
Notes From The Past Couple of Weeks
With his Army Reserve unit activated and expecting to be in Iraq by the time J.C. Amato's murder trial starts August 18, former WPD Officer Mike Garber gave his testimony last week. Garber now works for the Perry Twp. Police Dept. He was one of the first officers on the scene after being called by J.C.'s father. According to Tom Giambroni's article in the MJ last Saturday Garber gave an account of what he found at the house on Commerce St. and Amato admitting he shot his wife but claiming it was in self defense. That shooting took place on July 1, 2007.
Wellsville resident Kimberly Powell pleaded no contest and was found guilty of three felony counts of drug trafficking. She was sentence to one year in prison last week. She also received 180 days for endangering children which is to be served concurrent with her prison time.
Read in the paper last week that Wal-Mart is boasting of creating 22,000 jobs in the U.S. this year when they open 150 new stores across the country. They failed to mention that in stores already open they are not replacing any workers that leave the company. In many of those situations the remaining employees are expected to pick up the slack in the name of budget restrictions. Five years ago Wal-Mart had a standard that stocking employees were expected to work 40 cases of new freight an hour. With the short staffing such as they have in the Calcutta store that standard is sometimes jacked up to 60/65 cases.
A couple of weeks ago Jefferson County's Joseph Moran arrested in the death of an 18 month old toddler in Richmond this past March had murder charges dropped by the County Prosecutor. The Jefferson County Prosecutor was quoted in a MJ article that it was because forensic evidence hasn't been completed and by law a suspect has to go to trial within 90 days of his arrest if he remains in jail. It also stated that charges can be refiled once the evidence analysis is completed.
The County Auditor has appraisers from John G. Cleminshaw Inc. going around the county reappraising homes for the next round of real estate tax evaluations. They were at my house last week.
It's a sad commentary that our two local newspapers, both Ohio papers, have yet to report anything on what's going on with next year's election for governor. Had to read in a Pittsburgh paper that there are already two people that have announced running for that office. State Senator Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls and former US Congressman John Kasich of Westerville have entered the race. First elected in 2006, Gov. Ted Strickland is expected to run for re-election but hasn't made a formal announcement yet, according to that Pennsylvania newspaper.
Congressman Charlie Wilson was in EL last week. He spent some time with the FISH people at one of the food pantries and kicked off a seminar about small business loans with the SBA folks. While he was here he took time to chat with some Tea Party representatives.
Kudos to Wellsville Street Dept. employee Kevin Fullerton and his co-workers for getting the Broadway fountains working and turned on in time for the Memorial Day holiday. They certainly look nice and add greatly to the parks attractiveness. They're all running except for the big one in the middle. That's going to take some major maintenance to repair and that means some big bucks. Hey buddy, can you spare a dime?
Kudos also to the woman in Hillcrest that stood her ground and wouldn't let her son's girl friend leave to go home to Salem after having a few adult beverages. Son & girl friend are both adults but Mom felt it wasn't safe for her to drive home. The girl friend called the Sheriff and deputies flunked her on a field sobriety test. After deputies explained what would happen legally if she tried to drive the girl friend decided to spend the night.
WFD Chief Bill Smith reported at this weeks Council meeting that calls were up in the month of May for the department. Wonder if that increase could be contributed to the sewers being smoke tested? Word on the street was that the WFD was kept busy with some houses filling up with smoke while that was going on. No damage was done but it would be scary and had to be checked out. If you think your sewage bill is too high you can thank those people with the smoky houses.
Kudos and a hero's award should go out to the people that pulled that Akron kid out of his car after wrecking on Rt. 39 last Sunday. The car burst into flames right after they got the kid out and was fully involved by the time the firemen got there. The newspapers reported that Ronald Haddox of Irondale Road & Kim Weekley of Toronto were first on the scene and pulled the victim out of his car. However, a member of the Jarvis family told me that Dave Jarvis, son of Pat & Dave Jarvis of Broadway, was actually the first on the scene and had the victim out by the time the other two got there. All three must have arrived within seconds of each other and the important fact is that a life was saved. In my book they are all heroes.
DTV kicks in next Friday. Are you ready? If you have an analog television or use rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna all you'll see is fuzz. You need a converter box. Believe if have you have cable or satellite you're in good shape. A quick call to your service provider will easily determine the answers to any questions you have.
As of last Sunday the roll of WHS alumni increased by 54 members. Congratulations and good luck to all the new graduates no matter where you went to school.
ole nib
Wellsville resident Kimberly Powell pleaded no contest and was found guilty of three felony counts of drug trafficking. She was sentence to one year in prison last week. She also received 180 days for endangering children which is to be served concurrent with her prison time.
Read in the paper last week that Wal-Mart is boasting of creating 22,000 jobs in the U.S. this year when they open 150 new stores across the country. They failed to mention that in stores already open they are not replacing any workers that leave the company. In many of those situations the remaining employees are expected to pick up the slack in the name of budget restrictions. Five years ago Wal-Mart had a standard that stocking employees were expected to work 40 cases of new freight an hour. With the short staffing such as they have in the Calcutta store that standard is sometimes jacked up to 60/65 cases.
A couple of weeks ago Jefferson County's Joseph Moran arrested in the death of an 18 month old toddler in Richmond this past March had murder charges dropped by the County Prosecutor. The Jefferson County Prosecutor was quoted in a MJ article that it was because forensic evidence hasn't been completed and by law a suspect has to go to trial within 90 days of his arrest if he remains in jail. It also stated that charges can be refiled once the evidence analysis is completed.
The County Auditor has appraisers from John G. Cleminshaw Inc. going around the county reappraising homes for the next round of real estate tax evaluations. They were at my house last week.
It's a sad commentary that our two local newspapers, both Ohio papers, have yet to report anything on what's going on with next year's election for governor. Had to read in a Pittsburgh paper that there are already two people that have announced running for that office. State Senator Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls and former US Congressman John Kasich of Westerville have entered the race. First elected in 2006, Gov. Ted Strickland is expected to run for re-election but hasn't made a formal announcement yet, according to that Pennsylvania newspaper.
Congressman Charlie Wilson was in EL last week. He spent some time with the FISH people at one of the food pantries and kicked off a seminar about small business loans with the SBA folks. While he was here he took time to chat with some Tea Party representatives.
Kudos to Wellsville Street Dept. employee Kevin Fullerton and his co-workers for getting the Broadway fountains working and turned on in time for the Memorial Day holiday. They certainly look nice and add greatly to the parks attractiveness. They're all running except for the big one in the middle. That's going to take some major maintenance to repair and that means some big bucks. Hey buddy, can you spare a dime?
Kudos also to the woman in Hillcrest that stood her ground and wouldn't let her son's girl friend leave to go home to Salem after having a few adult beverages. Son & girl friend are both adults but Mom felt it wasn't safe for her to drive home. The girl friend called the Sheriff and deputies flunked her on a field sobriety test. After deputies explained what would happen legally if she tried to drive the girl friend decided to spend the night.
WFD Chief Bill Smith reported at this weeks Council meeting that calls were up in the month of May for the department. Wonder if that increase could be contributed to the sewers being smoke tested? Word on the street was that the WFD was kept busy with some houses filling up with smoke while that was going on. No damage was done but it would be scary and had to be checked out. If you think your sewage bill is too high you can thank those people with the smoky houses.
Kudos and a hero's award should go out to the people that pulled that Akron kid out of his car after wrecking on Rt. 39 last Sunday. The car burst into flames right after they got the kid out and was fully involved by the time the firemen got there. The newspapers reported that Ronald Haddox of Irondale Road & Kim Weekley of Toronto were first on the scene and pulled the victim out of his car. However, a member of the Jarvis family told me that Dave Jarvis, son of Pat & Dave Jarvis of Broadway, was actually the first on the scene and had the victim out by the time the other two got there. All three must have arrived within seconds of each other and the important fact is that a life was saved. In my book they are all heroes.
DTV kicks in next Friday. Are you ready? If you have an analog television or use rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna all you'll see is fuzz. You need a converter box. Believe if have you have cable or satellite you're in good shape. A quick call to your service provider will easily determine the answers to any questions you have.
As of last Sunday the roll of WHS alumni increased by 54 members. Congratulations and good luck to all the new graduates no matter where you went to school.
ole nib
Wellsville Terminals To Close
Another victim of the economic crisis is being claimed. This time it's happening right here in the ville. Due to the lack of demand for coke used in the steel making process the Wellsville Terminals will be closing for at least a year to a year and a half from what I was told.
Wellsville Terminals receives coal shipped in on river barges. That coal is then stock piled at their facilities at the lower end of the village. Eventually most of it is shipped out by truck to coke making facilities in Warren, Ohio. With the fall off in demand for steel the downward spiral for products that go into making that steel reaches Wellsville.
Informed sources tell me that currently all they are doing at the Terminal is shipping out what coal they had stock piled. They estimate they will be out of coal by next Tuesday. Presently there are three employees and a terminal manager that work there.
Although not a great number the closing of the terminal is another economic blow to the ville. With the closing comes the end of any financial benefit the village derives from its operation. It seems to never end. Also, it's a sad day for those that work there. Hopefully the closure will be short lived.
By this time next week the nagging nuisance of the coal dust problem will come to an end. Despite all they tried it just didn't seem to go away. Believe it or not they did try to alleviate it. I was hoping for a better solution.
ole nib
Wellsville Terminals receives coal shipped in on river barges. That coal is then stock piled at their facilities at the lower end of the village. Eventually most of it is shipped out by truck to coke making facilities in Warren, Ohio. With the fall off in demand for steel the downward spiral for products that go into making that steel reaches Wellsville.
Informed sources tell me that currently all they are doing at the Terminal is shipping out what coal they had stock piled. They estimate they will be out of coal by next Tuesday. Presently there are three employees and a terminal manager that work there.
Although not a great number the closing of the terminal is another economic blow to the ville. With the closing comes the end of any financial benefit the village derives from its operation. It seems to never end. Also, it's a sad day for those that work there. Hopefully the closure will be short lived.
By this time next week the nagging nuisance of the coal dust problem will come to an end. Despite all they tried it just didn't seem to go away. Believe it or not they did try to alleviate it. I was hoping for a better solution.
ole nib
Dillard Trial Gets Second Wind
Defense attorneys for Eric Dillard filed a motion in Common Pleas Court last Friday for a new trial or acquittal based on new evidence and alleged misconduct by the prosecutor's office and what they consider abuse of discretion by Judge Pike during the trial. The story was reported by Mary Ann Greier in the local papers Thursday. Wellsville's Dillard was convicted of the murder of Jamie Farley and possessing weapons under a disability on May 15. He was scheduled for sentencing June 29.
His attorneys now claim they have a signed statement from a witness that saw the mother of Farley's girlfriend throw something in a plastic bag into Highlandtown Lake shorty after the April 2008 shooting. While fishing at the lake the witness stated he saw Farley's girl friend and her mother drive into the park. The mother got out, walked to the end of a pier and threw the bag into the lake. He did not see the contents of the bag saying it appeared to be something heavy.
Dillard claimed self defense in his shooting of Farley. At the trial Farley's girl friend said Farley had his hands in the air when confronting Dillard. Dillard claimed Farley had a hand to his back in a menacing manner. There was no evidence that Farley was armed presented at the trial. The police searched the night of the shooting and could not find another weapon. Now the defense says they have an anonymously written note from someone who claimed that Farley's gun was in a diaper bag. There was an affidavit from a witness that the mother of Farley's girlfriend was carrying a diaper bag the night of the shooting.
As part of the motion the defense asked the court to finance a search of the lake by a diver. The judge was quoted as saying he'll grant that request if Dillard files a statement that he has no money. The attorneys claim Dillard has no money left after the expense of the trial.
The alleged misconduct by the prosecution is based on what the defense claims is the lack of getting privileged DEA information and intimidation of witnesses and Dillard. They feel they should have been allowed that information under disclosure rules. The abuse of discretion by the judge was based on a response the judge gave to a question posed by the jury while they deliberated. The defense feels Dillard was prejudiced by the judge's answer to that question. The newspaper did not elaborate on what the question was or how the judge responded.
In an article in today's papers Greier tells us the prosecution does not agree to the "sensational accusations" against them and the court. They have asked the court to order the defense to turn over all reports and witness statements related to the filed motion. It was not reported if the judge made any rulings on this request yet. The judge did change the June 29 sentencing hearing to a motions hearing.
Stay tuned folks. It ain't over yet.
ole nib
His attorneys now claim they have a signed statement from a witness that saw the mother of Farley's girlfriend throw something in a plastic bag into Highlandtown Lake shorty after the April 2008 shooting. While fishing at the lake the witness stated he saw Farley's girl friend and her mother drive into the park. The mother got out, walked to the end of a pier and threw the bag into the lake. He did not see the contents of the bag saying it appeared to be something heavy.
Dillard claimed self defense in his shooting of Farley. At the trial Farley's girl friend said Farley had his hands in the air when confronting Dillard. Dillard claimed Farley had a hand to his back in a menacing manner. There was no evidence that Farley was armed presented at the trial. The police searched the night of the shooting and could not find another weapon. Now the defense says they have an anonymously written note from someone who claimed that Farley's gun was in a diaper bag. There was an affidavit from a witness that the mother of Farley's girlfriend was carrying a diaper bag the night of the shooting.
As part of the motion the defense asked the court to finance a search of the lake by a diver. The judge was quoted as saying he'll grant that request if Dillard files a statement that he has no money. The attorneys claim Dillard has no money left after the expense of the trial.
The alleged misconduct by the prosecution is based on what the defense claims is the lack of getting privileged DEA information and intimidation of witnesses and Dillard. They feel they should have been allowed that information under disclosure rules. The abuse of discretion by the judge was based on a response the judge gave to a question posed by the jury while they deliberated. The defense feels Dillard was prejudiced by the judge's answer to that question. The newspaper did not elaborate on what the question was or how the judge responded.
In an article in today's papers Greier tells us the prosecution does not agree to the "sensational accusations" against them and the court. They have asked the court to order the defense to turn over all reports and witness statements related to the filed motion. It was not reported if the judge made any rulings on this request yet. The judge did change the June 29 sentencing hearing to a motions hearing.
Stay tuned folks. It ain't over yet.
ole nib
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Events Upcoming
Here's a list of events upcoming in the ville that might interest you.
Saturday - June 6: Men's Prayer Breakfast at 10 A.M. at the First Baptist Church on Center Street. It's open to the public.
Also on Saturday is the monthly Fix-up/Clean-up Committee outing. They meet at Village Hall at 10 A.M. Nunzi tells me they are going to finish the "Welcome To Wellsville" spot at 17th & Main. It was started last week by the Youth for A Purpose group. Here's a good way to kick in and help make the ville look a little more nicer. Everyone is invited.
Also on Saturday the St. Francis Animal Welfare Center will be holding a yard sale at the New Life Worship Center located at 1329 Main Street. Stop in after you finish pulling weeds. There may just be a treasure to be found at bargain prices for you.
On Sunday - June 7, the Wellsville Historical Society will be open from 1 - 4:30 to start off the season. It's located on Riverside just behind the church at 10th St. The have Pretty Boy Floyd's death mask, Civil War Confederate Gen. John H. Morgan's sword and 150 years worth of historical items on display. This year's theme is clothing from the '40s & '50s. Remember when lady's stockings came in two pieces? There's a refinished caboose, a gift shop and 11 rooms loaded with historical artifacts. They even have copies of Edgar Davidson's book "Before Memory Fades" available for sale. That book is a very good account of the ville's history up through 1950. Admission is free.
The Chamber-of-Commerce Auction has been postponed until Saturday, July 11. It will be held at the Alumni Center on 3rd St. starting at 6 P.M. It was originally scheduled for June 12 at the Gazebo. It was decided to move it indoors just in case we get hit with monsoons. There will be celebrity hosts offering the donated items up for sale. Proceeds from the auction will go for material for the Gazebo repair project and other community projects. Auction bucks are still available. You get $7 for just $5 cash. Donations are still being accepted and they will even pick them up if needed. You can call Connie Bauer at 330-843-2999 or 532-5069 or Randy Allmon at 330-843-3475 for additional information.
The Wellsville Public Library will be starting their summer program called "Get Creative At Your Library" beginning Tuesday, June 9, from 10 - 11 A.M. It's a program designed for children and will run every Tuesday through July 28. Parents can register their child any time before next Tuesday. Jeff Nicholas is scheduled next Tuesday with a program on cartooning. Other programs planned include story telling, art, dance and music. They will wrap up July 28 with a magic show featuring Greg Carson. It'll be entertaining and educational.
The WHS Football Coaches will be holding their 2nd Annual Golf Outing on Friday, June 12, at Cedar Hills Golf Course. Money raised from the event all goes for the purchase of new equipment for the football team. Any business that can sponsor a hole or wishing to donate a prize can contact Dave Skinner at 330-532-5958. Dave will have information about entry fees for the participants too.
Saturday - June 6: Men's Prayer Breakfast at 10 A.M. at the First Baptist Church on Center Street. It's open to the public.
Also on Saturday is the monthly Fix-up/Clean-up Committee outing. They meet at Village Hall at 10 A.M. Nunzi tells me they are going to finish the "Welcome To Wellsville" spot at 17th & Main. It was started last week by the Youth for A Purpose group. Here's a good way to kick in and help make the ville look a little more nicer. Everyone is invited.
Also on Saturday the St. Francis Animal Welfare Center will be holding a yard sale at the New Life Worship Center located at 1329 Main Street. Stop in after you finish pulling weeds. There may just be a treasure to be found at bargain prices for you.
On Sunday - June 7, the Wellsville Historical Society will be open from 1 - 4:30 to start off the season. It's located on Riverside just behind the church at 10th St. The have Pretty Boy Floyd's death mask, Civil War Confederate Gen. John H. Morgan's sword and 150 years worth of historical items on display. This year's theme is clothing from the '40s & '50s. Remember when lady's stockings came in two pieces? There's a refinished caboose, a gift shop and 11 rooms loaded with historical artifacts. They even have copies of Edgar Davidson's book "Before Memory Fades" available for sale. That book is a very good account of the ville's history up through 1950. Admission is free.
The Chamber-of-Commerce Auction has been postponed until Saturday, July 11. It will be held at the Alumni Center on 3rd St. starting at 6 P.M. It was originally scheduled for June 12 at the Gazebo. It was decided to move it indoors just in case we get hit with monsoons. There will be celebrity hosts offering the donated items up for sale. Proceeds from the auction will go for material for the Gazebo repair project and other community projects. Auction bucks are still available. You get $7 for just $5 cash. Donations are still being accepted and they will even pick them up if needed. You can call Connie Bauer at 330-843-2999 or 532-5069 or Randy Allmon at 330-843-3475 for additional information.
The Wellsville Public Library will be starting their summer program called "Get Creative At Your Library" beginning Tuesday, June 9, from 10 - 11 A.M. It's a program designed for children and will run every Tuesday through July 28. Parents can register their child any time before next Tuesday. Jeff Nicholas is scheduled next Tuesday with a program on cartooning. Other programs planned include story telling, art, dance and music. They will wrap up July 28 with a magic show featuring Greg Carson. It'll be entertaining and educational.
The WHS Football Coaches will be holding their 2nd Annual Golf Outing on Friday, June 12, at Cedar Hills Golf Course. Money raised from the event all goes for the purchase of new equipment for the football team. Any business that can sponsor a hole or wishing to donate a prize can contact Dave Skinner at 330-532-5958. Dave will have information about entry fees for the participants too.
And you thought there was nothing to do in the ville....
ole nib
Flood Wall Exercise
Lord willin' and the creek don't rise the Wellsville firefighters will be conducting a flood wall exercise on Saturday, June 27. As mentioned yesterday, WFD Chief Bill Smith announced the exercise at this week's Council meeting. The complete agenda is still being finalized and we only have a date at this point. We'll let you know what time it begins later on.
Since 1942 the flood wall has saved Wellsville residents and businesses millions of dollars avoiding damages from flood waters. The idea of the flood wall came about after the devastating 1936 flood. That flood crested at 56 feet and just about covered the whole town. The 1936 flood was in the month of March. A neighbor once told me the water reached the mantle of the fire place in my house.
In June of 1936 the politicians in D.C. introduced the Flood Control Act in Congress. Construction on the flood wall began in 1938 and was completed in 1942. The whole flood control system is a combination of earthen dams and concrete walls. Openings such as the one on Wells/Lisbon streets are closed off with massive timbers, tarps and sandbags. A retired member of the WVFD told me they still use the same timbers that came when the flood wall was originally built. It was first used in the New Year's flood of 1943 pictured above.
Every few years they conduct a training exercise to get everyone involved familiar with the procedure of erecting the flood wall gates and is normally done on the one at the end of the Wells Avenue bridge. It's a refresher for the veteran firefighters and a learning exercise for the newer members. It's something to see. Even the Boy-and-the Boot is watching the action in the 1943 picture. It was last used for a flood in 2004.
Also pictured is a couple of "sketches" or blue prints used in the construction of the flood wall. Thanks go out to the Elliotts for the info on their web site. You can check it yourself at http://www.elliottdesigns.net/. Also, thanks once again to Bob Lloyd for the pictures. The pictures are from Bob's Flood Program he put together for the Wellsville Historical Society. You can click on the pictures to enlarge.
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