Notes From Last Week

Hey! Isn't nice to have water? As I mentioned the village was without water starting Friday morning until late Saturday night. The cause of the problem was aging water lines & valves. It was sorta an example of "Murphy's Law" - when you least expect something to go wrong it will. Only this was a case of when, at last, you think you got it fixed something else pops up.

The problem started on Wednesday with a leak in the main line. They repaired that and discovered a broken valve Thursday night which effected all of us in the village. They thought they were ready to go later Friday afternoon only to have "Murphy" point out another leak that he wanted taken care of. Late Saturday morning the water was starting to slowly come on & "Murphy" was there again. Finally by late Saturday night they got it on & back up to pressure. Keep your fingers crossed. That main line and probably most of the water lines in town are probably as old as our water system. Some of those lines go back to the beginning of the 1900s.

All considered I think the Water District did a commendable job. Some of their employees worked beyond the point of exhaustion. In a Tom Giambroni article in this morning's MJ it was reported that District Manager Al DeAngelis is convinced that Wellsville should be the next project for the district. They tried to get stimulus money for that and were shot down. I'm sure Congressman Charlie Wilson got an ear full when he was in town. Maybe this next round of doling out stimulus money will see some come our way.

There were a lot of stories of neighbor helping neighbor during the shut off. It sort of renews your faith in mankind seeing folks offering help. The funniest story I heard was the fellow that was seen taking a bath in one of the Broadway fountains Saturday morning. He did have swim trunks on but I wonder if that fabric softener made him itchy later on?

Open house for everyone to see the new BWD Treatment Plant is this Wednesday from 2 - 4 P.M. They will have guided tours with guides explaining things. It's interesting to see & hear. It's "state of the art".

Sixteen days until school starts up for students in the Wellsville School District on August 26. Teachers have a couple of in-service days the 24th & 25th. Where did the summer go? The missus used to get our kids off on the first day of school & then do cart wheels celebrating!

Got a new blog in the village. This one is called Dream Soup Village and was created to exchange thoughts and ideas on ways to improve our place we call home. It's an up-beat positive theme concentrating on working with what we got. As we have seen in the past few years things can get accomplished if you put your mind to it. Check it out at http://www.dreamsoupvillage.blogspot.com/.

Ran into Save-A-Lot owner Henry Nemenz last week at Mickey D's. They are still working on financing for the expansion plans here in town. Just like Baard this economy is slowing up some good things for the ville. They say it's starting to turn around. I hope those politicians aren't just pulling our leg.

Next Sunday at 2 P.M. the Historical Society will be presenting a special program on the history of Wellsville schools at the River Museum. Retired educator Jeff Weekley will be doing the honors. Jeff is a Wellsville native and retired a few years ago from Southern Local. Bet he'll be able to tell us about the Union School.

Our former congressman Jim Traficant is getting released from prison September 2. According to yesterday's Vindicator folks up Youngstown way are having a Traficant Release Night on that evening at a Mahoning Valley Scrapper's game. On September 6 they are having a Traficant Appreciation Dinner at Mr. Anthony's for $20 a head. The Rocky Chirchilia Band will be performing. That band just played at the Italian Festival this past week in the ville,

Can you believe the Sammis Plant at Stratton has been around for 50 years? According to newspaper reports they first opened August 3, 1959. Time flies when you're having fun.

The folks in East Liverpool changed their mind about shutting down their Municipal Court. Hope someone remembers to let State Senator Wilson know about that. As a cost saving move the ville's Village Officials applied to have our court cases transferred from the County to ELO. Last I heard Senator Wilson was waiting for a clarification on the situation.

I normally don't deal with rumors but I recently heard that someone was eyeballing that vacant lot across from Village Hall for storage sheds. Village officials recently bought that lot for delinquent taxes. If funding is available they plan to pave it for additional parking. It will be a far sight better than seeing it with over grown weeds and junk vehicles.

The Viet Nam Memorial Moving Wall is coming back to ELO. Opening ceremonies will be held September 4. This is the second time it's been here. As a fund raiser a "Rockin' The Wall" benefit concert will be held at the EL Motor Lodge August 15. You can get more info by calling the Motor Lodge or checking their web site.

County Commisioners are debating whether to put the sales tax issue on the ballot as either a renewal or replacement. If it's a renewal it will remain at the same rates. A replacement will be based on the latest determined real estate values. With the current economy I'm betting the best chance to get it passed next year is a renewal.

Speaking of the current economy it was reported last week that the housing slump is causing two lay-offs in the County Recorders Office. Believe that is the first lay-offs over in Lisbon other than the Sheriff's Dept.

It's not too early to start making plans for the 6th Annual Village Yard Sale. It's only a month away and will be held Saturday, September 5. It only cost a $3 donation to set up at Village Hall. All proceeds go to the Fix-up/Clean-up Committee. More info can be obtained by calling 330-532-4331 or 853-2010.



ole nib