It's been said that alcohol not only impairs your body it also impairs your thinking. Guess Columbiana County Sheriff Dave Smith experienced this first hand Thursday evening when he was trying to come home from a Buckeye State Sheriffs Association dinner in Columbus. Allegedly speeding and weaving along I-70 Sheriff Smith was pulled over by a State Trooper near Cambridge. The trooper said he detected booze on the sheriff's breath and administered sobriety tests. Apparently with blood shot eyes the sheriff didn't do too good following the pen and he reportedly registered .13 on the breathalyzer.
Thankfully the trooper did his job and took our sheriff off the road. Smith tried to influence the trooper with the "good old boys" defense begging that he be let go since he was a fellow lawman according to the papers. Smith was charged with OVI, speeding and failure to stay with-in marked lanes. His only hope now is that the pee test comes back favoring him. He's scheduled to be in court next Wednesday.
Smith of all people should have realized that he apparently had one too many to get behind the wheel. It's too late now to wish he had spent the night in Columbus to sleep it off. He's not the first person to get busted for enjoying a cocktail hour and maybe later on having one for the road but it looks like he was in denial that he was impaired. Now he has brought down a whole raft of crap on himself and his political career.
According to Tom Gaimbroni, of the MJ, Smith is up for re-election next year and is expected to be opposed by Wellsville native and Leetonia Police Chief John Soldano. We will have to wait to see what develops but right now it looks like there is a good chance to see a Democrat as our next elected sheriff. It's been decades since we've witnessed that.
ole nib
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Tragic End
In both our morning papers today was news of the death of James "Billy" Yost who was found hanging by a bed sheet in the County Jail. As you all know Billy Yost was being held on a murder charge for killing his father here in Wellsville last June. He was being mentally evaluated to see if he was competent to stand trial. He had plead not guilty by reason of insanity on the murder charge.
Billy was isolated in a single cell and was on 20 minute checks by the staff at the jail. Within 15 minutes of his last check, when he asked to see an officer, he apparently hung himself. Obviously Billy had some serious issues going on and I'm guessing that would have come out when they went back to court in November. Now Billy has other demons to face.
My condolences go out to the surviving Yost family. With-in four months they have lost a father and now a brother. Hopefully the good Lord will provide them solace in their grief. Some will say that Billy did the honorable thing in bringing an end to this tragic story but I don't believe suicide is the right thing to do in any circumstance. Suicide is a selfish act in itself.
ole nib
Billy was isolated in a single cell and was on 20 minute checks by the staff at the jail. Within 15 minutes of his last check, when he asked to see an officer, he apparently hung himself. Obviously Billy had some serious issues going on and I'm guessing that would have come out when they went back to court in November. Now Billy has other demons to face.
My condolences go out to the surviving Yost family. With-in four months they have lost a father and now a brother. Hopefully the good Lord will provide them solace in their grief. Some will say that Billy did the honorable thing in bringing an end to this tragic story but I don't believe suicide is the right thing to do in any circumstance. Suicide is a selfish act in itself.
ole nib
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Heads Up Ladies
There was a small article in this morning's MJ reporting that WPD is looking for a man who has been trying to get women to get into his car. Apparently we have some guy driving around trying to pick up women. It's happened two different times so far.
According to the paper the man appears to be in his late forties, wears a baseball cap, has thin rimmed glasses and drives a silver four door car. The two different times he tried to pick up women he told them his name was "Rick". If this rings any bells call the police at 330-532-1522 even if you're not sure it's related. It may be the lead they are looking for.
The paper said calls will remain anonymous.
In the meantime if you're out walking go with a buddy and put that phone number on speed dial on your cell phone. There is safety in numbers. If this guy tries to grab you scream bloody murder and do whatever is necessary to get away - kick, gouge or whatever. Try to get a license plate number but more importantly get out of there. I seriously doubt this guy is just trying to be friendly.
Although this is negative publicity for the ville someone needs to be thanked for releasing this to the public. Unfortunately we're not immune to creeps like this guy. I'd rather have things like this come out than take a risk on someone being attacked.
Thanks to whoever...
ole nib
According to the paper the man appears to be in his late forties, wears a baseball cap, has thin rimmed glasses and drives a silver four door car. The two different times he tried to pick up women he told them his name was "Rick". If this rings any bells call the police at 330-532-1522 even if you're not sure it's related. It may be the lead they are looking for.
The paper said calls will remain anonymous.
In the meantime if you're out walking go with a buddy and put that phone number on speed dial on your cell phone. There is safety in numbers. If this guy tries to grab you scream bloody murder and do whatever is necessary to get away - kick, gouge or whatever. Try to get a license plate number but more importantly get out of there. I seriously doubt this guy is just trying to be friendly.
Although this is negative publicity for the ville someone needs to be thanked for releasing this to the public. Unfortunately we're not immune to creeps like this guy. I'd rather have things like this come out than take a risk on someone being attacked.
Thanks to whoever...
ole nib
Monday, October 8, 2007
In Response to Holly Smith
In Sunday's The Review there was a letter written by Holly Smith Jr. of Loganville,Georgia. Miss Smith said she was a "marshal" in Georgia although she didn't specify what type of marshal. We can only presume she is in law enforcement. Do they call police people marshals in Georgia? I don't know nor do I know if she is a native of the ville.
In her letter she made comments on the appearance of our fair village with the over grown weeds and how this appearance could be discouraging for new business to locate here. She was also critical of our village officials for not using law offenders as free labor to clean up some of the areas in need of attention. What she did not mention or failed to take into consideration was the economics of not only our village but also that of the whole area.
If memory serves me correctly council and our mayor considered using law offenders as free labor but it was tabled because of the liability insurance issue. Also it would take away from our established labor pool such as village employees. Someone would have to supervise these indentured laborers which would take them away from their regular jobs. In short it would cost money to go this route.
I don't know Miss Smith but she could be too young to remember what life was like back when the steel mills, potteries and brickyards were booming in the area. Although we're going back years, in those days people had money to support local businesses. They bought cars. They bought houses and lawn mowers and other implements to spruce up their properties. That was back in the days when local businesses - the mom & pop stores - were our only choice. There wasn't a Wal-Mart underpricing every little speciality store in the area putting them out of business.
Considering all we've been through over the years I think we have done fairly well to maintain what we have left. Overall the appearance of the ville is in darn good shape for the budgets we are working with. Yea, there is room for improvement and that will come in time when we have money to pay for it. Our industrial base in the local area is next to nothing but we are expecting big things in the near future. The downward cycle is about to take a swing upward for our area economics. Miss Smith must have overlooked the contributing factors in her short sighted comments to the editor. I see Loganville is a suburb of Atlanta. Wouldn't it be nice to be in that economic base. I guess Miss Smith came to town to kick us around a bit and play up the way things are much better where she's living. They may be better down that way but it ain't home.
ole nib
In her letter she made comments on the appearance of our fair village with the over grown weeds and how this appearance could be discouraging for new business to locate here. She was also critical of our village officials for not using law offenders as free labor to clean up some of the areas in need of attention. What she did not mention or failed to take into consideration was the economics of not only our village but also that of the whole area.
If memory serves me correctly council and our mayor considered using law offenders as free labor but it was tabled because of the liability insurance issue. Also it would take away from our established labor pool such as village employees. Someone would have to supervise these indentured laborers which would take them away from their regular jobs. In short it would cost money to go this route.
I don't know Miss Smith but she could be too young to remember what life was like back when the steel mills, potteries and brickyards were booming in the area. Although we're going back years, in those days people had money to support local businesses. They bought cars. They bought houses and lawn mowers and other implements to spruce up their properties. That was back in the days when local businesses - the mom & pop stores - were our only choice. There wasn't a Wal-Mart underpricing every little speciality store in the area putting them out of business.
Considering all we've been through over the years I think we have done fairly well to maintain what we have left. Overall the appearance of the ville is in darn good shape for the budgets we are working with. Yea, there is room for improvement and that will come in time when we have money to pay for it. Our industrial base in the local area is next to nothing but we are expecting big things in the near future. The downward cycle is about to take a swing upward for our area economics. Miss Smith must have overlooked the contributing factors in her short sighted comments to the editor. I see Loganville is a suburb of Atlanta. Wouldn't it be nice to be in that economic base. I guess Miss Smith came to town to kick us around a bit and play up the way things are much better where she's living. They may be better down that way but it ain't home.
ole nib
Saturday, October 6, 2007
While I'm Wondering
I was wondering when I read yesterday's Review how Jeremy Lydic ever finds his way to the ville? No one answered my question asking if Mr. Lydic was Ms. Huston's replacement but it's becoming apparent he is. Now with a couple of articles published this week I'm wondering if he is real sure where we are located.
In yesterday's paper he had a story about the 140 foot long part of the new crane for the Port Authority coming to town and getting off at the wrong exit. According to Mr. Lydic the driver "was heading north via state Route 14 and took the wrong exit". Well if that driver was on Route 14 he sure as hell did take the wrong exit for Wellsville. Route 14 doesn't even come close to the ville. Route 11 is a little closer but it doesn't go through the ville either. Were you thinking of Route 7 Jerry? I know those four lane highways can get confusing.
This story came along after his reporting on this week's council meeting where Jerry told us "the fountain pumps along Main Street" are getting shut off later this month. At least those pumps won't be damaged this winter. Are they going to shut off the ones on Broadway too? I was also wondering about that.
Seriously Jerry if you're heading to the ville on Route 14 turn around. You're going toward Akron. You need to head southeast from there. Hopefully you have a direction finder gizmos for your car. Maybe in your spare time you can come down and get to know us a little better. We are a friendly lot and would be glad to point you in the right direction. Once you're in town it's easy to figure out where you are with the new street signs. Just don't ask about the flood wall on 7th St.
In yesterday's paper he had a story about the 140 foot long part of the new crane for the Port Authority coming to town and getting off at the wrong exit. According to Mr. Lydic the driver "was heading north via state Route 14 and took the wrong exit". Well if that driver was on Route 14 he sure as hell did take the wrong exit for Wellsville. Route 14 doesn't even come close to the ville. Route 11 is a little closer but it doesn't go through the ville either. Were you thinking of Route 7 Jerry? I know those four lane highways can get confusing.
This story came along after his reporting on this week's council meeting where Jerry told us "the fountain pumps along Main Street" are getting shut off later this month. At least those pumps won't be damaged this winter. Are they going to shut off the ones on Broadway too? I was also wondering about that.
Seriously Jerry if you're heading to the ville on Route 14 turn around. You're going toward Akron. You need to head southeast from there. Hopefully you have a direction finder gizmos for your car. Maybe in your spare time you can come down and get to know us a little better. We are a friendly lot and would be glad to point you in the right direction. Once you're in town it's easy to figure out where you are with the new street signs. Just don't ask about the flood wall on 7th St.
Just Wondering
Here's an item that came out in the newspapers this past week that to me just raises more questions. I've commented in the past that there is a lot of information pertaining to this matter that hasn't been made public. Consequently it is frustratingly difficult to figure out what is exactly going on and why. Personally I think it originated with the botched Craig Robert's murder investigation and has just gotten worse since then.
Suspended Wellsville police officer Ed Wilson has filed a slander law suit in County Common Pleas court against Mayor Joe Surace and the Village. Wilson was put on paid suspension right after the Yost murder this past June. According to the papers Wilson had already gone home when the police learned of that murder in the early morning hours. Since then Village Council and the mayor hired a Cleveland law firm to investigate the police department. In commenting to reporters from Channel 9 Joe was quoted as saying Wilson was suspended for "not going to the scene when ordered to". I believe Joe was talking about the Yost murder scene when Channel 9 was looking into the independent investigation. Now Wilson alleges he was "exposed to public hatred, contempt, ridicule, shame or disgrace that has adversely affected him..." to quote the article in The Review. According to the MJ's Tom Giambroni the "alleged slander occurred because Surace made these comments without "ascertaining the truth or veracity of the statements" and as a result "Wilson has been slandered and harmed emotionally and financially by the impact on his personal and professional reputation".
Both papers stated that Wilson left the morning of the Yost murder some three to three and half hours early and called it a night. They also indicated that Wilson was called and refused to come back to work. If I remember correctly someone commented on an earlier ORL post that they had seen the police log for that night and Ed was not called. Earlier accounts stated that the dispatcher called the vacationing Chief instead. Was Wilson called that night? Did he actually go home that early, a little less than half the scheduled shift? Did he get paid for those three or so hours? Is it common practice with WPD to allow that kind of dereliction of duty? If he did indeed go home that early it is a whole lot different that leaving ten or fifteen minutes early. Was he called or not?
This whole thing is becoming a campaign issue. Dave Lloyd commented on the Wellsville Forum yesterday that the investigation is just the Mayor's way of looking for someone to blame for all the trouble with our police force. The Mayor keeps telling us he is still waiting to hear from the Cleveland lawyers on their findings. And it goes on and on leaving one wondering...
I'm wondering if the filing of this slander law suit is a preemptive move on Wilson's part? Did he pick up on something in the investigation and is trying to sway possible actions before they take place? How has he been hurt financially when he's still being paid? Is he just playing dirty politics? Why didn't he and/or his lawyers include WTOV in the suit? Just so many questions and we are not getting any answers.
This frivolous law suit has made it a campaign issue and Dave Lloyd has stated that the WPD is one of the goals on his list to things to do. Surace needs to get this investigation completed and get any corrective actions started before the election. Joe could very well lose the election just on this issue alone. We people of the ville need a police force that is not distracted with all these rumors and innuendos. We also need some answers to just what our tax dollars are being spent for.
ole nib
Suspended Wellsville police officer Ed Wilson has filed a slander law suit in County Common Pleas court against Mayor Joe Surace and the Village. Wilson was put on paid suspension right after the Yost murder this past June. According to the papers Wilson had already gone home when the police learned of that murder in the early morning hours. Since then Village Council and the mayor hired a Cleveland law firm to investigate the police department. In commenting to reporters from Channel 9 Joe was quoted as saying Wilson was suspended for "not going to the scene when ordered to". I believe Joe was talking about the Yost murder scene when Channel 9 was looking into the independent investigation. Now Wilson alleges he was "exposed to public hatred, contempt, ridicule, shame or disgrace that has adversely affected him..." to quote the article in The Review. According to the MJ's Tom Giambroni the "alleged slander occurred because Surace made these comments without "ascertaining the truth or veracity of the statements" and as a result "Wilson has been slandered and harmed emotionally and financially by the impact on his personal and professional reputation".
Both papers stated that Wilson left the morning of the Yost murder some three to three and half hours early and called it a night. They also indicated that Wilson was called and refused to come back to work. If I remember correctly someone commented on an earlier ORL post that they had seen the police log for that night and Ed was not called. Earlier accounts stated that the dispatcher called the vacationing Chief instead. Was Wilson called that night? Did he actually go home that early, a little less than half the scheduled shift? Did he get paid for those three or so hours? Is it common practice with WPD to allow that kind of dereliction of duty? If he did indeed go home that early it is a whole lot different that leaving ten or fifteen minutes early. Was he called or not?
This whole thing is becoming a campaign issue. Dave Lloyd commented on the Wellsville Forum yesterday that the investigation is just the Mayor's way of looking for someone to blame for all the trouble with our police force. The Mayor keeps telling us he is still waiting to hear from the Cleveland lawyers on their findings. And it goes on and on leaving one wondering...
I'm wondering if the filing of this slander law suit is a preemptive move on Wilson's part? Did he pick up on something in the investigation and is trying to sway possible actions before they take place? How has he been hurt financially when he's still being paid? Is he just playing dirty politics? Why didn't he and/or his lawyers include WTOV in the suit? Just so many questions and we are not getting any answers.
This frivolous law suit has made it a campaign issue and Dave Lloyd has stated that the WPD is one of the goals on his list to things to do. Surace needs to get this investigation completed and get any corrective actions started before the election. Joe could very well lose the election just on this issue alone. We people of the ville need a police force that is not distracted with all these rumors and innuendos. We also need some answers to just what our tax dollars are being spent for.
ole nib
Joe's Prescripton Discount Card
In a story Matt Stewart broke this past Monday on ORL it was brought to light about a prescription discount card that the ville's mayor got his picture on. From all I've read the card is legit and probably is sponsored by some drug companies. If I'm understanding it correctly the mayor got wind of it when the ville's union employees were given them over a year ago and it is honored at our two drug stores. The union that represents the ville employees got the cards for their members. According to the MJ's Casey Barto when the card is used to pay for a prescription the drug store checks on the computer what they have agreed to charge for that drug and the agreed upon discount is then taken off the price. Actually the discount card simply boils down to another benefit for paying dues to their union. The mayor got it for us and we don't have to pay any dues to use it.
The comments to Matt's question, and there were many, covered a wide range going from suspicion of conspiracy theories, to scorn, to folks investigating it and skepticism. Joe says it had nothing to do with his campaign. He only did it to benefit Wellsville residents. There are many people that can't afford insurance and make just a little too much for the freebies. There are people on fixed income that are hard pressed to pay for needed medicine. Every little bit helps.
So we can take Joe for his word and believe his only motivation behind the card was for the welfare of Wellsville residents. However, I'm a tad skeptical that politics had nothing to do with it. It is just too much of a coincidence to have his mug on the card and the timing of getting it out to us. Getting your name and likeness out to the voters is one of the necessities of campaigning. At any rate you got to give Mr. Surace credit for being unique. You see a lot of gimmicks used by politicians. This is the first time I've seen a discount card.
ole nib
The comments to Matt's question, and there were many, covered a wide range going from suspicion of conspiracy theories, to scorn, to folks investigating it and skepticism. Joe says it had nothing to do with his campaign. He only did it to benefit Wellsville residents. There are many people that can't afford insurance and make just a little too much for the freebies. There are people on fixed income that are hard pressed to pay for needed medicine. Every little bit helps.
So we can take Joe for his word and believe his only motivation behind the card was for the welfare of Wellsville residents. However, I'm a tad skeptical that politics had nothing to do with it. It is just too much of a coincidence to have his mug on the card and the timing of getting it out to us. Getting your name and likeness out to the voters is one of the necessities of campaigning. At any rate you got to give Mr. Surace credit for being unique. You see a lot of gimmicks used by politicians. This is the first time I've seen a discount card.
ole nib
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