BWD Board of Trustees Meeting

The Buckeye Water District Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 21 at Wellsville Village Hall. Present at the meeting was Board President Mike Ryan and Board Members Jack Call, Cal Carney, Roy Dray, Dave Lloyd, Gene McGaffick, Tim O'Hara and Bob Wines. Also attending was District Manager Al DeAngelis, Legal Adviser Fred Emmerling and Office Manager Greg Stanley.

The Board retired into a 12 minute Executive Session with Legal Advisor Emmerling and the District Manager for a brief update on pending litigation about the East Liverpool garnishment law suit. East Liverpool filed a garnishment request against the water district for cash & assets after BWD submitted a payment plan for a breach of contract ruling in favor of that city. State funding agencies then testified at a status hearing that East Liverpool couldn't do that. BWD officials are now awaiting word on Judge Ashley Pike's ruling based on those objections. Following the Executive Session Attorney Emmerling told us it would probably be a couple of more weeks until a decision is handed down.

The Treasurer's Report was accepted as submitted and recommended by Bob Wines. For the month of March the district had $217,179 in expenses with $313, 964 in income. BWD sold a total of 23.3 million gallons of water in March. Wellsville customers used 5.6 million gallons out of that amount. Gene McGaffick noted that water usage dropped during the month which was attributed to lack of outdoor activities. Wines noted that District Fiscal Officer Tony DeAngelo is continuing to make the Treasurer's Report more “user friendly” by streamlining many parts of the monthly report.

Gene McGaffick reported that the Engineering Committee has investigated the Madison Township Trustees' claims that roads in that township are in poor condition where new water lines have been installed. The township trustees submitted a bill for over $15,000 for three roadways they claimed they had to repair because they were not properly repaired after the construction. At a committee meeting on April 20 Board of Trustees Member Roy Dray reported he personally inspected the alleged damage to Township Line Road. In his considered opinion the township's problem on that road is due to lack of maintenance for their drainage system. Many of the ditches are filled with debris allowing water to pool on the roadway. Dray said he could find no problem with either Osborn or Fife Coal Road. Dray is a retired engineer with the County's Engineering Dept.

The Engineering Committee recommended that the claim for damages on Township Line Road be denied. They further recommended that Madison Township have their road crews work up a “punch list” of the problem areas on the other two roadways, marking the alleged spots causing concern. It has to be done before the end of June. The bond for that construction phase of the new Salineville water line expires at the end of July. District Manager Al DeAngelis noted the Township Trustees had signed off on the condition of all three roads following the construction phases. It's been over two years ago since construction was completed on Township Line. The Board approved the committee's recommendations.

For Computer Study, Dave Lloyd submitted the recommendation that the computer server be upgraded instead of the less expensive replacement. The server being used is seven plus years old and has been causing problems lately. To upgrade it would cost $3,200 which is $800 more than the cost of a replacement. However, Office Manager Greg Stanley noted that by upgrading the server the new edition of the Software Solutions program coming out will require a second upgrade that would be paid for. If the server is replaced the later upgrade would cost an additional $1,000 plus over $500 in labor. The Board voted to go with the upgrade on the server.

District Manager Al DeAngelis reported that representatives for the GIS are currently mapping out the BWD system. When completed and installed all of the water lines in the system can be displayed on a computer, pin pointing the nearest shut off valves for problem areas in addition to showing exactly what customers will be affected. When operational the new computer system should cut down on water outage time when something breaks.

The meeting adjourned at 9:29 AM. Next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 19 at 9 AM at Wellsville Village Hall.

ole nib

On The Calendar

Rain, rain, go away...

Due to a family obligation in the 'burgh yesterday we ran out of time & energy to do the calendar on Sunday as we normally try to do. Was aiming to get in done in the early morning but we slept in. By the time we got back to the ville it was practically time to call it a night.

We did hear the announcement that after nearly 10 years they got Osama bin Laden hiding in the hills of Western Pakistan. Lord forgive us but that is one death we will not mourn. Wellsville native Cathy Salter lost her life as one of the 9/11 victims in the World Trade Center. The mother of our grandchildren had just left the hotel in that NYC building moments before the plane hit. She was just moments away from being another victim. We hope the Salter family can find some solace in knowing bin Laden has met his fate.

Monday – May 2:

• Filing deadline for independent candidates for the November General Elections. Petitions have to be in by 4 PM


• WHS Baseball at Jackson Milton – 5 PM


• WHS Alumni Activities Committee Monthly Meeting - 7:30 PM at Alumni Center – 201 3rd St

Tuesday – May 3:

• Primary Election - Protect your voice in our government


• BWD Liaison Committee Meeting – 11 AM at County Engineers Office – Lisbon


• WHS Track at Columbiana County Meets postponed until Thursday


• Wellsville Council Regular Meeting – Move to Wednesday - May 4

Wednesday – May 4:

• Joshua Project Clothing Give-away – 12 Noon to 6 PM at New Hope Community Church – 43152 State Rt. 39


• Daw Mid. School Track Triangular – 4:30 PM at Crestview with East Palestine


• Wellsville Village Council Regular Meeting - 6 PM at Village Hall - 1200 Main St.

Thursday – May 5:

• National Day of Prayer Observance – 12 Noon at the Gazebo - 4th Street Square


• Mexican Cinco de Mayo Celebration


• Wellsville Council Sewage Committee – 1 PM at Village Hall – 1200 Main St.


• WHS Track at OVACs – withdrawn


• WHS Track at CC Meet - 4:30 PM at Salem - Rescheduled from Tuesday


• ”The Singing Mailman” Kenny Beaver – 6 to 8 PM at Riverside Roadhouse – 565 Wells Ave.


• Wellsville Memorial Council – 7 PM at VFW Post 5647 – 359 Main St.

Friday – May 6:

• Wellsville Revitalization Committee Hot Dog Sale – 12 Noon to 7 PM at Save-A-Lot – 325 Wells Ave.


• WHS Boys Baseball at Jefferson County Christian – 5 PM


• Potter Players Communtity Theatre Performance of Jack in the Blue Ridge Mountains – 8 PM at the PPCT Playhouse – 417 15th St.

Saturday – May 7:

• Mason's Breakfast - 7:30 to 10 AM at Wellsville Masonic Lodge – Cost by donation


• Knights of Columbus Measure Up Tag Day – 9 AM to 12 Noon


• Men At the Cross's “Men's Rally In The Valley” – 9 AM to & 7 PM at the Covelli Center – Youngstown


• First Baptist Men's Prayer Breakfast – 10 AM at the church – Public Invited - 1401 Center St.


• Riverside Presbyterian Deacons Spring Ladies Social – 11 AM to 1 PM at the church – 525 Riverside Ave.


• Wellsville Memorial Council Flags on Veteran's graves – 1 PM at Springhill Cemetery – Volunteer helpers welcome – Meet at Newlin Memorial Chapel


• WHS Track at Columbiana County Meets – 4:30 PM


• Potter Players community Theatre Performance of Jack in the Blue Ridge Mountains – 8 PM at the PPCT Playhouse – 417 15th St.

Sunday – May 8:

• Worship at a church of your choice


• Mother's Day

Tuesday is Primary Election Day. On the ballot are two levy issues vitally important to Wellsville. One is for the Fire Department and the other for the Police Dept. Both deserve and need our support. Please make sure to get to the polls to support our safety forces.

Tuesday's BWD Liaison Meeting with the County Engineers is to discuss future projects.

Thursday is the Cinco de Mayo Mexican celebration that many believe is Mexico's equivalent to the 4th of July or Independence Day. Actually the 5th of May is in celebration of victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. It was an unlikely loss for the French forces and a great moral victory for the Mexicans in 1862. Mexico's Independence Day is actually on September 16.

Thursday's Wellsville Sewage Committee meeting has twice been postponed. Originally they announced the main subject would be the Forced Main renovation project.

Saturday's K of C tag day for their Measure Up campaign is a fund raiser for the mentally challenged programs in our area. It's an annual campaign with the proceeds going 100% to that worthy cause.

The Riverside Presbyterian Deacon's Saturday Ladies Social is also an annual event. Entertainment will be provided by vocalist Ira Kandell and a light lunch will be served. Cost is $10 per lady. For more information call 330-532-2214.

At the last Council Meeting Village Administrator told us there will be dumpsters available for spring clean up behind Village Hall. They should be in place May 11 through May 13. We'll have more on that later.

The Wellsville Modern Striders Track & Field Club is organizing for another season. This is the non-profit organization that provides an athletic activity for area youngsters. At present they are looking for volunteer officers. For more information call Shelly Abdalla at 330-532-3473 or Kinda Martin at 330-843-8610.

The Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department is planning this year's Fireman's Homecoming which will be held June 1 through June 4. That's the annual carnival fund raiser they hold with entertainment, contests, rides and those famous home made French fries. Presale ride tickets are now available. For more information call Festival Chairman Jamie McMahon at 330-831-9061.

Looking for an inexpensive activity some Saturday or Sunday? Keep the newly expanded Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center in mind. They are open every week-end from 2 to 6 PM until the end of October. Admission is free. Call 330-385-6250 for more information or visit their web site at www.beavercreekwildlife.org. It's located near the entrance of Beaver Creek State Park, right in our backyard.

Have a good week everyone...

ole nib

Wellsville Board of Education

The Wellsville Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting Monday, April 18, in the Superintendents Office on Center St. Present at the meeting was Board President Tom Brophey, Board Members Ed Bauer, Karen Dash & Bill Miller. Also attending was Superintendent Rich Bereschik, WSD Treasurer Coleen Wickham and Wellsville Teachers Assoc. President Darlene Allison plus three or four Wellsville teachers.

The Treasurer's Report was approved as read. The General Fund balance, as of the end of March, was $1.8 million and General Set-Asides was $719,962. Interest earned for the month of March was $2,986.

President Brophey reported that the Governor has signed Senate Bill 5 and it will become law toward the end of June or 90 days from March 31. Initial reports from Governor Kashich's staff indicate the legislation for the new two year budget has an “increase” is state funds for education. However with the decision not to replace stimulus funds and the proposed reduction in replacing the losses of the local tangible personal property tax actually amounts to losses of more than $3.1 billion to education funding state wide during the life of the budget. Many districts will be facing cut backs in staff and/or programs or be forced to place new tax levies on the ballot in upcoming elections.

Although actual language for House Bill 153 was not available for the April Legislative update some of the items being looked at in addition to the tangible personal property tax is a 15 year phase out of payments for those districts that depend heavily on the tax replacement funding. County ESC funding would be cut by 10% in 2012 and 30% in 2013. Contributions for retirement systems would be changed to 12% for both school districts and employees and any reduction in teaching staff would be based on job evaluation ratings instead of the current seniority system.

For Buildings and Grounds, Mr. Bereschik reported that they are now looking at replacing the east side grandstand with a seating capacity of 750 giving the total stadium capacity 2000 seats in all. The committee is awaiting the results from the recent boring tests so the number of required piers for the new stands can be determined. It was discovered that a lot of industrial fly ash was used as fill under the old grandstands. Plans are still in place to have the new stands ready for use for the home opener next football season.

For the Good News report Mrs. Maxine Rockhold reported that the Right to Read Week has been brought back to Daw Middle School. The high school Y-Teen/Leo Club Red Cross blood drive had outstanding results with 91 pints of blood collected this year. Normal average for that community service project is around 40 pints. The Prom Promise mock accident was very impressive. This year's prom will be held Saturday, April 30, with the Grand March to start at 5 PM. Mrs. Allison reported that admission to the Grand March would be by donation.

The Board approved to have Dr. Laurie Punch to be the keynote speaker for Wellsville's 135th High School commencement. Dr. Punch was a member of WHS Class of '93 and was recently elected to the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame. She still holds the record in both the shot put and discus track events at WHS. Dr. Punch is a Trauma Surgeon at the Univ. of Maryland Medical Center and is also an Assistant Professor at that university. She resides in Baltimore.

In personnel action Jeff McIntosh was approved as a volunteer baseball coach for the 2011 season. Lyndsy Kelly's resignation as Middle School cheerleader adviser was accepted and Emily Barlow was given the nod to be the Spring Play director. Gretchen Madden was added to the Daw after school proficiency review team as a substitute teacher/tutor. One, two and three years contracts were approved for 11 people. Assistant Superintendent, Director of Fed. Programs and Garfield Principal Lisa Ferguson was granted a five-year contract beginning next August. Non-renewal of many temporary and substitute's contracts was approved. This is a standard yearly procedure that is effective at the end of each school year. Most of them will be renewed later for the next school year.

Unless a way can be found to bring them back eight tutors, who's salaries were paid out of stimulus funds, will not have their contracts renewed. Bereschik noted the move in no reflects on the performance of theses employees and that they all proved to be valuable assets to the Wellsville teaching staff. However the stimulus funds from the Federal ARRA expires at the end of the 2010-2011 School Year and our State legislatures have voted against replacing the funding.

Field trips for the WHS Music Department for March 29 through April 1, 2012, to Nashville, TN was also approved. Field trips that far in advance are not normally approved so early but this one was necessary in order to begin fund raising. Another field trip to the Monaca Movie Theater in Monaca, PA, for the Garfield kindergarten & Intervention Special Classes on April 29th was also approved.

In closing remarks President Brophey noted the Middle School Science Fair was very interesting. The Military Ball was very nice and he thanked all that participated in the mock disaster for the Prom Promise. Ed Bauer thanked his fellow Board members and school officials for maintaining communications with him while in Florida, keeping him in the loop on the contract negotiations. He thanked Mrs. Allison for working with them in getting the contract done. Finally he thanked everyone, fellow Board members, officials and the unions for all working together allowing all to be good stewards of the tax payer's money. Bill Miller thanked Tim Householder & Joe Traina for the improvements made to the Hammonds Park baseball field. With their efforts improving the drainage teams are now able to use the field after a rain. Mrs. Dash congratulated the WHS Girls Track Team for their showing in the Shadyside Relays under less than favorable weather conditions. She also noted she's very impressed with the efforts of Building Leadership Teams on the District Leadership Committee. The teams are doing a great job and noted only good things can result with their help.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 PM. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 16 at 6:30 PM in the Superintendent's Office.


ole nib

WHS Lip Sync All Stars Hit The Road

Those zany, talented members of the Wellsville Alumni Lip Sync All Stars opened their 11th year of performing on the road this spring. On Saturday evening, April 16, there were 26 WHS alumni that put on a show for the benefit of the Beaver Local High School Band Boosters out in “farm country”. Twenty two of them were in the spot lights “singing” their hearts out. There were a couple alumni back stage and Tim Householder was in the crows nest working the controls. Bill Roberts handled the video taping. There were members of the WHS Class of '54 through 2005 that all pitched in. An addition to this performance were members of the Beaver Local band. Two of the WHS alumni, Donna Caruso Johnston & Dave Johnston, has grandchildren that are members in the BLHS band.

The show was a fund raiser for the Boosters to raise money for equipment, uniform pieces and other necessities needed to keep the Red & White Marching Pride in business. Like everyone across the country the budget cut backs are affecting them too. The extra-curricular activities are usually one of the first items cut when it comes time to penny pinch.

The show attracted a very nice crowd. There were a lot of familiar faces from the ville mixed in with our Beaver Local friends. It was a very entertaining fund raiser with some new faces on stage and new numbers in the musical line-up. If you weren't able to make it you missed a heckuva show.

Congratulations to the All Stars for the another fine performance. Your kindness in helping our “backyard rival” neighbors is commendable. It's proof positive that Wellsville is a small town with a big heart.

You can right click on the collages to enlarge for a better look. Good Luck to everyone at Beaver Local...

ole nib

Wellsville Revitalization Committee Looking Forward

The Wellsville Revitalization Committee (WRC) has been meeting to make plans for the year with various activities and promotions. On top of the list is the completion of the floodwall murals. There are only a couple of panels left open. Started a few years ago all the completed panels have been painted by artist Gina Hampson of Gina's Burningbrush. The project has proven to be successful in attracting visitors to town.

Once completed there will be a dedication ceremony followed by a fall festival with live entertainment and other attractions. That is tentatively set for early October in the Save-A-Lot parking lot.

In keeping with their pledge to help promote local businesses, members of the committee loaned a hand to Henry Nemenz and ran a hot dog sale as part of a sales promotion recently held at the Wellsville Save-A-Lot store. Shown in the picture are committee members Beverly Hentzell, Connie Carmichael, Mary Lynn Hunter, Save-A-Lot Store Manager Ric Holt and Candy Bangor. As a way of saying thanks Mr. Nemenz offered to allow the WRC hold future hot dog sales at that location for their fund raising efforts. The next one is planned for Friday, May 6, with hot dogs, pizza, baked goods, pop and water at a very reasonable prices. The sale will run from 12 noon to 7 PM.

Also on the agenda is the September City Wide Yard Sale. Started by Nunzio Lombardozzi of the now defunct Fix-up/Clean-up Committee, it has grown and became hugely popular over the years. With Mr. Lombardozzi's blessings the WRC stepped in to continue the annual tradition. The date for that is planned for Saturday, September 17.

Still in the early planning stages is the November auction. Anyone wishing to make donations for this fund raiser can drop them off at Air Waves on Main St.

Through the generosity of Center Pharmacy owner Joe Amaismeier the WRC will soon have use of the Center Pharmacy billboard to promote their shop local campaign. The campaign is designed to encourage area residents to keep their spending dollars in the Wellsville area and support local businesses. For every $1 dollar spent in Wellsville at least 45 cents stays here. The billboard will encourage local residents to shop Wellsville first for all your pharmacy needs, groceries, dining out and other needs. That billboard is located at 3rd & Lisbon Streets. Since buying the business in 2003 Amaismeier has always been one of the first to step up to the plate supporting the Wellsville community.

Anyone wanting more information about the WRC or their projects can call Connie at 330-532-9064.

ole nib

Five Wellsville Students Killed In Head-on Collision

Frightening headlines...

This coming week-end is the annual Wellsville High School prom. It's a time of fun with beautiful ladies and dashing gentlemen. Following the Grand March and crowning of the King & Queen at the high school those attending the prom will board buses that will take them to the Fez in Aliquippa, PA.

A couple of weeks ago on Friday, April 15, a Prom Promise mock accident was staged in the high school parking lot. It was a very graphic demonstration of what could possibly happen mixing alcohol or drugs with driving a car. It was a staged head-on collision that involved nine young people. As a result of the accident five of them were dead at the scene, three of them were hauled away in ambulances and one was given a field sobriety test, hand cuffed and hauled off to jail by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. One of those put in an ambulance was transported to a helicopter and life flighted.

All of the victims were asked to write a report on the effects of alcohol on the body, delayed reaction times it causes and other consequences of drinking and driving. The student with the winning report was “awarded” with the ride in the helicopter.

The mock accident was spearheaded by Wellsville Volunteer Firefighter Jason Mitchell. Mitchell is also a paramedic. It started with the accident being reported and fire departments and first responders being called out. Firefighters demonstrated using the Jaws of Life and other cutting tools to free the victims from the vehicles. Medics treated the surviving victims in preparation of being transported to medical facilities. The fatalities were put in body bags and loaded into a hearse.

The cars were furnished by J&J Towing. Organizations participating were the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department, the Wellsville Fire Department, Highlandtown VFD, Wellsville Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Tri County Paramedics, Life Team Paramedics and Roberts Funeral Home.

With mangled cars and lots of life like fake blood it was a very realistic demonstration. It demonstrated what could possibly happen with drinking and driving. It opened a lot of eyes of not only the students but the adults in the audience too. We hope everyone enjoys the prom. We hope that everyone realizes you don't need alcohol or drugs to have fun and a good time. We hope that memories of the 2011 Prom are all enjoyable.

We pray that lessons were learned...

ole nib

WHS Mock Accident Actors

Shown here are the student participants in the Prom Promise Mock Accident that took place at Wellsville High School a couple of weeks ago. There were nine student actors that were the victims of the head on collision. They were Nick DaLonzo, Andrea Williams, Taylor Hardman, Jillian Bergert, Devon Hooper, Randi Newberry, Danny Dye, Jo Hanna Andrews and Ashley Raffa.

DaLonzo portrayed the drunk driver that caused the mock accident. Williams, Dye and Newberry were survivors that were placed in ambulances. Hardman, Bergert, Newberry, Hooper and Raffa portrayed the ones that were killed at the scene.

Randi Newberry's essay was chosen as the winning one. She was transferred from her ambulance to the helicopter and life flighted. It was her first ride in a helicopter. She said it was “scary”!

Let's hope she never has to take that ride in real life...

ole nib