Notes From Last Week

Where is this summer going? It's hard to believe that when I look at the calendar we're already approaching mid-July. They say time flies when you're having fun.

In covering last week's Council meeting I noted Covenant Presbyterian member Mr. Waggle addressing Council about the 18th Street Playground. That congregation has put a lot of time, effort & money to make that playground a nice place for our village youth. I simply can't figure out why some are determined to undo all the good they have done. It's probably just a few trying to ruin it for everyone else. I just don't understand it but right now the residents in that neighborhood need to step it up with their own crime watch efforts. That's the only involvement that is necessary. If you see something call the WPD. You don't even have to give your name. Just call & let the police check it out. Thankfully the good folks of Covenant haven't given up but the frustration is evident.

Something else I learned at that meeting I didn't know is that the Village Pound only keeps animals for 72 hours. If not claimed by then they are sent to the county who tries to place them with one of the animal rescue leagues.

The condition of our flood wall and the gates is worrisome to say the least. Those three gates in our system are one of a kind in the nation. With two of the six pumps not working, if those gates would fail to hold rising flood waters it would be disastrous for our village. If this isn't a priority for use of stimulus money to save our infrastructure it surely should be. A couple of million spent now to prevent many of millions in potential future flood damage is a good investment in not only our tax dollars but those at state & federal levels too. Look at the state & federal money spent in Louisiana to recover from the levies failing down there with Hurricane Katrina.

I think it's tomorrow - the 14th - that the politicians take another look at the new state budget. Strickland offered to supply pizza & pillows until they get it worked out. It came out in this morning's papers that the cut in library funding would be reduced by two-thirds of what the governor originally proposed. That reduction in cuts may just be enough to save the libraries that would be serious trouble. I surely hope so.

In the mean time the Wellsville Library keeps plugging along. Tomorrow's "Be Creative @ Your Library" activities for area youth is called Music Everywhere. It starts at 10 A.M. and is free. This is the sixth week of the summer programs designed for the young ones. It's just one of the many services provided by our library.

Another agency plugging along is the Community Action that provides the CARTS transportation around the county. In spite of cuts in state funding and increased prices they are maintaining the level of service they provide according to a Tom Giambroni story last week. They give rides at a small fee to folks that would otherwise have no way to go anywhere. Their vehicles are often seen in town.

From what I see in the Morning Journal with editorials and Letters to the Editor folks are favoring the Landmark Foundation's solution to repair the courthouse clock in Lisbon. I have to agree with them. As long as it looks like the antique clock from all outward appearances what difference does it make?

The ordinance for the amusement fee that was amended by Council last week is retroactive to January 1, 2009. If you have already paid the higher fee contact the Fiscal Officer's office for details on your options.

Don't forget the "Nite Golf" fund raiser sponsored by the WVFD. It's at the Par 3 on Saturday, July 25. There is still time to register at the Fire Station. You can call 330-831-9061 for more info.

Kudos should go out to Village Street Dept. workers Kevin Fullerton & Dave Rossen for doing all the grunt work getting things ready for the big fountain to be moved last week. They also handled the clean up chores getting things ready for the new cement later that afternoon. It's evident they take pride in doing the job right.

The 2009 Elks Riverside Reunion videos are now downloaded & ready for your viewing. Hootch2 & Susie did a bang up job of getting them on there for everyone to see from here to the far reaches of the world. All you have to do is go to www.theriversidereunion.com , skip the intro and click on "photo album".

If you missed the street car program yesterday at the Riverside Museum, you missed a good one. Just seeing some of the pictures of the ville in those days was interesting. The Historical Society's next program will be about the rail roads. Did you know Wellsville had rail service before East Liverpool? Next to river boats the rail roads played an intricate part in the history of the ville's progress. The program will be presented by Historical Society members Bob Lloyd & Frank Dalonzo on Sunday, August 2, at 2 P.M. Bob was telling me yesterday that he recently got a huge treasure trove of historical railroad pictures to add to his extensive collection. As always the program is open to the public and free of admission.

See you around the ville...

ole nib