A week ago today (Saturday 11-8-08) MJ reporter Erin Collella had a report in the paper of the meeting by Wellsville's Sewage Committee to reveiw bids for the operations of the ville's Sewage Treatment Plant. Colella wrote there was only one bid submitted and that was from United Water, the new parent of Earth Tech. Earth Tech has been operating the plant since the time the village decided to contract that work out.
For reasons yet explained the two council members present decided to go into an executive session in spite of this being a blatant violation of Ohio's Sunshine Law. This decision was made even after others present advised it would be in violation of the law and was not covered as one of the permissible reasons to go behind closed doors. From what Colella wrote and from sources I talked to there were some heated words exchanged between those present. Even after the mayor referenced the Sunshine Law rule book those two council members went ahead with their closed door meeting.
Earlier this year Randy Allman brought up that the contract for operating the sewage plant was to expire early next year. Council did the right thing and put it up for bid. There were hopes that they might be able to secure a better rate that would cost the village less money and maybe even lower the rates we pay. Then a smear campaign began to develop against Earth Tech suggesting they may have been neglectful in removing sludge from the digesters causing unhealthy conditions. The fact is that sludge is removed almost daily but the digestors are old equipment and like any other machinery they begin to wear out and become less efficient after years of use. Years ago before the present administration were in place the village was advised that the digestors were deteriorating and in need of being rehabilitated. Because of the fiscal problems the village were having this was put on the back burner and nothing was ever done about it. It all came to a head this summer and was declared an emergency situation to clean up the digestors. It was costly but it was something that needed to be done and thankfully the village was able to secure some financial help in paying for the work. Now they are going to use another method for treating sludge with financial help from Ohio Public Works funds. Colella had another article in yesterday's MJ that United Water and the Sewage Committee are negotiating a five year extension on their contract to operate the plant. From her write-up it appears that cooler heads are prevailing. There is promise of more cooperation between the village authorities and the operators. There are pledges of keeping better lines of communication open between the two parties and this is extremely important.
The shenanigans of violating the Sunshine Law and hiding behind closed doors is just one example of the ways things are unnecessarily and thoughtlessly sometimes done in our village. For the life of me I'm trying to figure out if it's due to arrogance, thoughtlessness, or oversight on the part of some or silly power plays between some parties involved. Whatever it is it puts into play a question about personal and business integrity that just gives the village a black eye. As one commenter mentioned it makes Wellsville the laughing stock of the county. It gets us roasted in the MJ's Roasts And Toasts weekly column. It's a deterrent for those that want to do business with the ville.
Sheltergate II would never have occurred if it was handled properly. At the very least it should have been put up for bid and budgeted for. Hammonds Park is another spot in our village that can be a show case for our town. The views from the top of that hill are spectacular. If the money wasn't there for the renovations the shelters should have been put off limits and the tables moved out onto the grass for the people that wanted to hold events up there.
For what it cost those shelters should now be in pristine condition. As we've seen they are not. Until now I reserved my comment. However, if something can't be worked out negotiating with the contractor that did the work, the bill should be paid. Commitments were made between the contractor and the village that should be fulfilled and honored. You can't fault the contractor for that.
The situation with the Animal Control Officer has to be dealt with and not ignored. As proven in court Mr. Hickman is not the man for the job. It has to be dealt with by council and it should be addressed at the very next meeting. Someone on council has to get the fortitude to step forward and initiate procedures to get this situation corrected. Personally I would like to see the village go with the county and support the work the St. Francis people are doing. Those people have proven their compassion and dedication for taking care of God's forsaken creatures. There has to be some way the legalities of letting them use the animal shelter can be worked out.
Running the village is no different than running a business. It is the responsibility of our elected officials to search out and find the best and most cost effective ways in conducting the village business. There is no place for petty, backstabbing or deceitful ways in running that business. As we have seen time and time again those tangled webs always find the light of day. Sometimes you just have to live with compromise. In the end it is best for all us that call ourselves citizens and shows that Wellsville is a good place to live and deal with.
To the best of my knowledge there is only one council person that is in their first term. From what I've seen she is very well versed in the steps. The rest of them have been to the dance before as is true with our administration. There are good things on the horizon for the ville. Let's quit stepping on each other's toes.
ole nib
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After reading the story in the Review this morning , I do not understand how Joe Soldano can say that the new police cruisers were bought from "local merchants" at Donnell Ford in Salem. He goes on to say that they can be taken anywhere in the country for service. I take that as being our local Ford Dealer, Grand Ford. If Salem is "local" then everyone in Wellsville should eat and shop in Salem.
What Soldano was refering to was that the village was thinking about buying cruisers from the State of Ohio. I would rather they buy in Columbiana Co., then in Van Wert Ohio, where they come from if you buy from the State. As far as servicing them at any Ford dealer, Soldano did not say that, the salesman did. By the way Donnel must give good deals because at least 5 or 6 Police Departments in Col. Co. have bought them there.
The reason the sewage committee held an illigal closed door meeting is because Allman and Tony Cataldo are sneaky. They know you can't go into executive session for that reason. Tony thinks he knows everything but we all know he doesn't and is just sneaky, but always gets caught. See Nib, this goes on every day in Surace's world. They need to be investigated buy the F.B.I., THEN WE WILL SEE HOW MUCH MORE ILLIGAL SHIT WILL GO ON.
Bravo, Ole Nib! It's about time someone told it like it was. Allow me to add to your piece about the sewage. Let's remember that council also has hired two engineering firms during this "sewage project". One firm out of Columbus, DLZ was hired to prepare the bids for running the plant. What they didn't do was send these bid packs out to other companies who do this kind of work. Only being advertised in our local papers didn't allow for too much competition in bidding. Rumor has it that not much was changed from the previous contract the village has with United Water, so how much work did they possibly do? GG&J was hired to oversee the sludge removal and to prepare specs for changing over the digesters. GG&J has been with the village for a long time and were the ones who recommended that the digesters needed fixed or changed over to another type of system. Tony and Don are the only two left from the prior administration when this was brought to the village's attention. GG&J should have reminded them and told the others about doing this once the money was available. And as another poster said, how did GG&J come up with 155 ton of sludge to be removed when, in fact, 534 tons were removed? GG&J should be eating the extra cost, not the village! Wasted money, once again.
Nib, An interesting variety of topics. Regarding the county and St. Francis, the two already work together very well. Over time a system has been developed and it is working. Rescues from different surrounding States and Canada play a role as they are able to home dogs in areas beyond Columbiana County. Before a dog goes to a private home or rescue it receives initial shots, deworming. flea treatment or prevention and spay or neuter. The surgeries are performed by a select number of local vets or through a program offered by Angels for Animals. The county dog warden does a superior job and has if not the lowest close to the lowest euthanasia rates in the state. A dog is only put to sleep if it has a severe behavioral problem or is ill beyond recovery. The county dog warden (Dawn McVay) has had forwarded to the mayor, council & village attorney a letter that explains her position on the matter. They should receive the letter by Monday, if not already. As a side note, in an earlier post reference was made as a "he said she said" that only 2 people have ever helped St. Francis. In correction allow me to say that when the building had no heat or electric in the bitter temperatures of winter Diane Dinch, Rosie Goss, Don Brown and Tom Edgell spent months trying to correct the problem. They also assisted the group in they steps necessary for the village to aquire complete ownership of the building, with the intension of leasing to St. Francis, (which obviously isn't possible currently). Tony Cataldo spent time looking into the possibility of building a new shelter, ultimately the idea wasn't cost effective enough. He also worked with Soldano on a solution to the most recent problems, but at that time the group couldn't agree to working for Hickman. Joe Soladano came forward as the ORC issue surfaced and has stayed involved. Randy Allmon has vowed his support to the group and John McMahons position over the past several months has been unclear. The tension that has mounted over time is the result of a building that needed repairs - and that's been taken care of and an ACO with problems that would eventually rise to the surface, and they did. As St. Francis volunteers are walking the streets in the cold with a petition to retain the group, (hoping the wishes of the residents may have an impact) It's safe to say that the situation hasn't been easy for anyone involved. Tuesdays council meeting will address the issue and determine the future of St. Francis in the village.
I WOULD RATHER EAT IN SALEM ANYWAY, THERE IS AT LEAST 4 OR 5 GOOD PLACES TO EAT, IF NOT MORE,. THE ONLY DECENT PLACE TO EAT IN THE VILLE IS THE A.M. RIVERGRILLE, I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD PUT IN A GOOD PLACE TO EAT.
Walking the streets, kick them out of SAVE A LOT, and quit bothering people.
I was on Wellsville Council back in the late 70's and early 80's. I have watched Councilman come and go. I have followed every administration since Wayne Rose. Surace has to be by far, the worst Mayor Wellsville has seen in years. Some of the people on Council are trying, others don't care, or are yes people. We need a man or woman to step forward in 2012, who is honest, and cares about the Village, unlike Surace who is all about himself, and what can I get out of this. I respect Nunzio Lombardozzi, but come on Nunzio, you shoul;d have known better than to back Surace, it's the only way he won by those 4 votes. It is time for new blood, the way I see it, there are only 2 people on Council now that can do the job honestly, and for the good of the Village. Also there are 2 people who are not on Council Dave Lloyd or Diane Dinch. Now maybe there are other people out there, but somebody needs to come forth. Please for the good of the entire Village, please do not put anther jackass like Surace in office, lets bring Wellsville back, it can be done. Nunzio, Iknow you, you regret the day you took Surace around town like a little boy.
The A & M Grille is gone, sold, Smiths Gone, Roadhouse gone, keep eating in Salem, they support your town, your schools,your churches, your kid's sports programs. Good for you asshole, were waiting for you to put that nice place to eat here.
Wellsville voter..You are right and we the people need to make it happen. We need to organize and make sure we put someone in there who is a progressive thinker with some vision and not keep voting for the same few people over and over again.
I am sorry you can't take the truth, but there is no good place in town to eat asshole, maybe you own one of them. Take a poll, I bet Wellsville people all eat out of town when they can. Facts are facts, people don't like to spend money on food in town, when there are so many other good places to eat elsewhere. By the way, the A.M. Rivergrille was sold to a new owner, I hope their food is as good as the old owners was, if not, then close the door, cause nowhere else in town is worth spending money at.
HELL IT WOULDN'T TAKE MUCH TO GET SOMEWHERE BETTER IN TOWN TO EAT, COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAVE. GIVE ME A BREAK, WHEN MCDONALDS AND THE DAIRY QUEEN QUEEN HAVE MORE BUSINESS THEN ANYBODY ELSE, THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING.
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