Chamber-of-Commerce February Luncheon

First off I want to apologize for not getting something written up sooner on this. I fully intended to do that yesterday but was under the weather and spent the better part of the day napping with my book. It was an interesting meeting with lots of information passed along.

The luncheon was once again at Tonda's Place. Chamber President Randy Allmon opened the meeting. He announced that the Chamber is in the process of getting a promotional brouchure put together. It's a multi-fold out thing sort of similar to a road map. An outfit from New Cumberland called DigiColor is putting it together. Allmon said the response to buy ads has absolutely taken off already exceeding their expectations. According to the handout it is intended to be an informative tool promoting the ville as a great place to do business and to live. For the life of me I can't figure out why they don't engage Wellsville talent for such things instead of going other places. Last year they went out of town to get their web site set up.

Allmon also announced that the Chamber Board of Directors voted to put an ad in the Business Review. That's a business journal that is put out up Youngstown way. The brochure & ad are both geared to attract new business that will be coming when Baard gets started.

The Board also voted to donate $200 to the WVFD to help defray the cost of their fire works display being planned for this years Homecoming coming later this spring.

New members welcomed this month was Janet Dunlap from Howard Hanna Realtors, Dr. Jeff Nolte from KSU-EL and Connie Carmichael from the ville's Alley Cat Aid Brigade. The business of the month was Air Waves. That's the Alltel & Dish Network agent located in half of the old Perpetual Bank building on Main Street.

Connie Carmichael of the ACAB announced that the "angels" are campaigning for an ordinance to ban the chaining up of dogs in the village. It's really deplorable how some dogs are treated being chained up outside in all kinds of weather often times without food or water. Once the novelty wears off of having a pet addition to a family some dogs end up chained up outside being neglected. It doesn't have to be that way. There are alternatives with the various rescue outfits. Being a living being dogs need exercise, nourishment and most all some loving attention. If you would like any additional information on this you can contact any member of the ACAB, our Animal Control officer or the folks with St. Francis Animal Shelter.

Connie also touched on their Trap-Neuter-Release program for wild cats. They are planning on doing another round up later next month. Did you know that in a six to eight year span one pair of cats can produce 420,000 kittens? As unbelievable as that sounds that's a fact.

Mayor Joe Surace introduced Leslie Dean to the members. She is the ACO for the ville. Ms. Dean has over 10 years experience from volunteering time with the CC Dog Pound and other groups that advocate ethical treatment of stray animals. Leslie said she too is planning to put a brochure together that explains what laws she has to work with & the limitations she has to deal with. The brochure will be a free handout available in local businesses.

Member Candy Bangor who is the President of the Revitalization Committee brought up the possibility of converting the old fire station next door to the library into a tourist center. She has visions of fixing the place up with office space for the Chamber and having a meeting room area available to various groups. That building is presently occupied by the Friends of the Old Fire Station. The mayor suggested they get together with them to see what they can work out.

The guest speaker was CC Sheriff Ray Stone pictured above. He recapped some statistics of the Sheriffs Dept. from last year. The Sheriffs Dept. is the police for all areas in the county that do not have their own police department. Locally in this area of the county that would include both Yellow Creek & Madison Townships. There are many other areas that they cover in the 532 square miles that make up Columbiana County. Stone related that it can take 35/40 minutes travel time for a deputy to get from one end of the county to another and that's with red lights and sirens. The biggest problem facing the Sheriff's office is the lack of funds to allow the addition of more deputies. He actually apologized for the short coverage in the county and vouched to "fight tooth & nail" to convince the commissioners to come up with more funding. Right now there are only 21 officers and that includes the sheriff and the Chief Administrator Deputy. Last year they went into the red with their budget and it is not expected to improve this year since they were given the same budget to work with this year.

Asked for his thoughts on the issue of additional disclosure he summarized it as being cost prohibitive with the current level of manpower. Quite simply they don't have enough people to do what is being asked for without blowing the budget out of the water paying overtime to get the job done. From what I'm reading in the papers on this issue that seems to be the common theme of all law enforcement agencies in the county.

Ray Stone has 25 years of law enforcement experience. He was appointed to the office following the resignation of Dave Smith last fall and then was elected to his own term in last November's general election. Paul Blevins said he is the first sheriff in CC that was not previously a sheriff's deputy. He has an uphill battle with funding. I wish him luck. I'm one of those that feels he should have more deputies.

ole nib

The Boy With The Boot

Here's a familiar site to anyone in the ville or from the ville. It's been around in the same location dating back to the WWI era. There was a period when he wasn't there after the original statue was destroyed in 1942 when it was run over by someone in a truck. The original statue was made of pewter and shattered into a million pieces when that accident occurred.

The Wellsville Historical Society presented a program on this statue at their meeting last week. Along with the ville there are a handful of other places in the country that have the same statue. Sandusky, OH, has two of them. One of them is the original and the other is a reproduction as is Wellsville's. The original statue along with other statues that use to be in the fountains on Broadway was purchased from a company called J.W.Fiske. Back in the early days of the 20th century the fountains on Broadway were a lot more elaborate than what they are today.

Legend has it that the inspiration that created the "Boy" is from a Civil War battle scene were wounded soldiers lying in the field needed a drink of water. The "Boy" used his boot to carry water to give them a drink. It is uncertain if this is a fact or myth.

In 1951 then Mayor Tom Leatherberry tried to purchase a new statue to no avail. After that Wellsville resident John Springer drew up a model from old pictures of the original and with the help of Clarence "Sonny" Phenicie they built a replica using a wire frame, burlap and plaster. However the plaster lasted less than a year in the weather and kids playing on it. There were many merchants in town that donated to this effort.

After that Wellsville realtor Pete Amato purchased a new statue. It was cast by Studio Foundry in Cleveland. I think they used a mold that Springer & Phenicie had made. On July 30, 1983, it was dedicated in memory of Pete's brothers Ralph & Fred. That's the statue that is in place today. The Historical Society has small replicas of this stature in their gift shop at the museum on Riverside.

The Historical Society is still looking for new members and if you are interested at all in history this is the place to go. Even the membership dues is historic. It's only $5 per year. Where else can you go now a days and be a member for only five bucks? As Jo Ann Bobby said in the MJ's Loose Ends last Sunday it is really "one cool place". Every time I'm over there I discover something new in that house.

The Historical Society meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. At the next meeting March 17, Wellsville's Bob Lloyd is going to do a presentation with pictures of Wellsville floods going back to 1884, 1907, 1913, 1936 & 1943. I saw some of those pictures at the WVFD open house last year. Even though they're flood pictures you will be amazed seeing some of the old buildings in those pictures that once graced the streets of the ville. Did you know that there use to be a church at 3rd & Lisbon where the B.P. station is now? I didn't. As far back as my memory goes there was always a gas station on that corner.

Other programs being planned is the history of the railroad in the ville. The railroad was a vital part of our growth in town. Back in the early years Wellsville grew in leaps and bounds as an important transportation center. Also being planned is a program on street cars and buses by author Wayne Cole. A PA resident Mr. Cole is the author of several books on those subjects. Then this season they are planning another event with the WWII Re-enactment Group that was here last summer. That event was hugely popular and I'm eager to see what they have on the agenda this year.

If you're interested in some of the things Grandpa use to talk about this is the place to be. All you have to do to join up is come to the next meeting. Membership is open to everyone. You don't have be a Wellsville resident to join. I'm sure "Windy" will welcome you.

ole nib

Primary Not Needed

News came out today from Tom Giambroni that one ville petetioner for one of the two council seats to be decided this year was disqualified by the Election Board. There were only three petitions filed for those seats and now with one being thrown out the need for a primary election is negated. There are no levy issues to vote on in May in Wellsville.

Rosie Goss was the only incumbent to file for re-election. According to the newspapers she had 54 signatures and three of those were disqualified for various reasons. That left her with the 50 that are required but one of those was additionally disqualified for a nick name being used by one signer that is not derived from her given name. According to Giambroni that's an election law. According to that law if someone is named Thomas and signed a petition as Tom that is a recognizable nick name and is allowable. Heck, I didn't even know Babe's real name is Angela!

The other two petitioners are both former councilmen. There is Demorcrat Jack Cataldo and Republican Bob Marcin. With no other opposition they both advance to the November General Election. Goss can still get on the November ballot if she decides to run as an independent. She can also run as a write-in. I was unable to contact Rosie today for her thoughts. We'll have to wait and see what develops.

Personally speaking I got the opinion that Ms. Goss is not easilly intimidated and stands up for what she believes is right. I like that kind of diversity on council. I hope she does run as an independent.

ole nib

Wellsville Angels

They don't fly around and have wings on their backs but they can truly be considered angels of mercy. For three months now I've been checking out their events and each time I walk away with more respect for the time they put into their efforts and their sense of duty despite the weather. In December they had Christmas for the animals with gifts and pet food give away in below freezing temperatures. Last month they had their first give away at their new donated location in the old Sterling Outlet building with snow falling. That building has absolutely no heat and with windows missing and holes in the roof it is in a word cold. This past week-end they did it again. To be perfectly honest I could only take it for about an hour. Call me what you will but my toes were going numb. These ladies toughed it out for more than four hours each Saturday & Sunday to make sure the pet food donations went to good use. That's not including the time they spent last week preparing for the give away. If that isn't considered devotion to fulfill the mission than my friend you have an agrument with me.

This past week-end the ladies of the Alley Cat Aid Brigade (ACAB) had their third give away. It was reported in the newspaper that they had more food available this time than the two previous occasions. They weren't lying! They had bins, bags and cans of the stuff. I got there Saturday a little after noon and their self proclaimed "maintenance man" told me people were lined up at 10:30 in the morning waiting. He said he counted around 65 folks by the time I got there. Even after the opening rush they still had plenty to last them Saturday and for two hours Sunday before it was all gone. When I got there Saturday I was thinking they were going to have left overs. I was wrong. Connie Carmichael told me every bit of it was handed out and they even went out and bought more cat food.

As a pet lover myself I would like to thank the Humane Society, the merchants, the private individuals and members of ACAB for their donations. It means a lot to a lot of people. Although they didn't keep an exact count Connie told me, conservatively speaking, she would guess they had somewhere near 150 to 160 customers for the give away for the two days this month. While I was there I saw a steady stream of folks. Also, I want to thank the people who generously dropped money into the donation can. One fellow dug loose change out of his pocket saying "it ain't much but it's all I got". As I said before every little bit helps and the ladies were tickled pink that they got enough to pay the electric bill. You would think they hit the lotto!

Next month is already in the planning stage. It will again be on the third week-end of the month. They are possibly thinking of only having it on Saturday, March 21, with extended hours from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. Also in the works is the Trap-Neuter-Release program.

Right now they are targeting two, maybe three areas, in the village were feral cats are a problem. They work with the Humane Society & Angels for Animals for this program. The number of places they get to depends on how much funds they have available. I've been told that non-domesticated cats breed on average of four times a year. Just doing the math you can imagine how easy it is for the ferel cat population to rapidly grow when each cat gives birth to a new litter.

Pictured above is Bella, a pretty mixed breed dog that was all gussied up with a red kerchief standing at attention for a treat from her master. Bella stopped by for some chow and to check out the action. The other picture is Angel Sharon Buswell getting things organized with puppy chow going here, big dog food going there and smaller dog food going over there.

If you would like to donate time, money or food to the program or just want some information you can call Connie at 330-532-9064 or Faye at 330-532-4331.

Thanks ladies for going the extra mile for our four legged friends. As one commenter said the ACAB is something Wellsville can be proud of. I couldn't agree more. Your halos may not be visible but I'm sure they are there.

ole nib

A Couple of Things

Two things I wanted to mention before it got too late:

First off is the Alley Cat Aid Brigade food give away. It's coming up again this week-end, Saturday and Sunday from 11 A.M. - 3 P.M. The article in this morning's papers jogged my memory. It will be at the same location as last month at their storage facility on Commerce Street across from the old Sterling China. It's the building that use to be the Sterling Outlet store.

According to the report Connie Carmichael said they have more food available this month than last. The food is mainly donated from the CC Humane Society, 3 Jacks, private donations and from members of the Brigade. These people are special to dig into their own pockets. It is aimed for those who are struggling toward the end of the month but is open to everyone. All you have to show is your face. No one is turned down. All that being said they will gladly accept any donations too. This is an all volunteer group and any donations received goes right back into the program. Last month they got $10 and were jubilant! Any little bit helps. Connie was quoted in the paper as saying their only expense is the zip lock bags & electric for the building. There's no heat in that building. I hope it's a little warmer this week-end than it was last month. Brrrr...

They will also have information available on low cost spay & neuter programs and their campaign against chaining dogs outside. They are looking for volunteers to help with the TNR program. They are starting to get ready to resume that when the weather breaks.

If you need any additional information you can contact Connie at 330-532-9064 or Faye Lombardozzi at 330-532-4331.

The second thing I wanted to mention is the Potter Players Community Theater. They are getting ready to perform the Female Version of the Odd Couple. The have performances scheduled for Friday and Saturday for the week-ends of February 27 & 28 and again on March 6 & 7. No dinners this time. All performances will be at their theater at 417 15th Street, the former Nazarene church. That's a unique building. For some reason it caught my attention.

We'll have more on the new play later. If you need additional information you can check out their web site at http://www.potterplayers.org/ or call 330-532-5540. I can tell you this though. Judging from the play last month with this talented group of folks you won't be disappointed. I'm still chuckling about Carol Channing.

Actually there were three things. I got a return call while typing this. The Sons of the American Legion Post 70 on Wells Avenue is doing dinners, sandwiches and salads tomorrow, Friday, February 20 at the Post. Proceeds go to sponsoring the AL baseball team and the scholarships they give away each spring at Class Day. It is from 5 - 8 P.M. for this worthwhile cause. I was told last year practically no one knew they had a baseball team. Lord, legion ball use to be huge.

Stay warm. In spite of the ground hog spring is just around the corner.

ole nib

February 17 Council Meeting

The meeting opened with the Call To Order, the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll call was taken with all council people present along with F.O. Dale Davis, Village Administrator Jim Saracco and Village Solicitor Andy Beech.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.

Under Public Speaking a Wood Street resident related the story of a loose dog dragging a chain showing up at her residence the night of the storm with high winds last week. She said it was a large dog and fortunately it was friendly. She said she attempted to contact the Village Animal Control three different times starting at 10:30 and only got her voice mail. Finally at 12:30 the WPD referred her to the St. Francis Animal Shelter folks and they promptly came and got the dog. She asked if there was an alternate contact and what the ACO hours were. Randy Allmon advised there are not set hours. The ACO is on call at anytime. He also said he couldn't speak for the ACO but would check into it. I'm wondering if the weather had anything to do with the phone?

Eric (hootch2) Shephard representing the Riverside Reunion Committee asked for permission to once again block off two blocks of Riverside for this year's reunion. That would be from 7th to 9th Street and a portion of 8th Street. This year's reunion is scheduled for July 2, 3 & 4. Joe Soldano made the motion to approve that request and with Don Brown's second the motion was approved. This is a fun event that is held annually, for what four years now, with entertainment, food & beverages, and just getting together with old friends. The folks from the Wellsville Elks on that committee go all out to guarantee a good time. As plans develop and announcements are made I'm sure we'll have more on this event in the future.

Bobbi Holt, Co-chair of the SFAS, read a prepared statement formally advising council of their decision to separate themselves from the Village Pound. See the related story on here earlier this week. She thanked council for their past support but said she felt the SFAS mission was different from the pound operation. As soon as another location can be found they look forward to once again serving Wellsville. Randy Allmon thanked the group and offered any assistance he can to help them to find another location. Joe Soldano agreed with what Allmon said and additionally thanked them for going beyond. He too offered any assistance he could as did Tony Cataldo and John McMahon.

A tanned Jim Saracco was the only village administrator present and having just returned from a few weeks in Florida had nothing under Administration Reports. Personally speaking I think Rick Williams did an admirable job filling in for Saracco while he was gone.

Mayor Joe Surace has been on medical leave following surgery. Speaking to him earlier in the week Joe said he goes for a follow up visit tomorrow, Friday, and hopefully the doctor will give him the green light to get back into the full swing of things. Under the Mayor's Report Council Pro-Tem John McMahon appointed Joe Soldano to replace him on the Tree Board. John said with his work schedule and other obligations he just doesn't have the time for it.

Under Committee Reports Tony Cataldo had nothing from the Finance Committee. Under the Streets, Lights & Parking Joe Soldano said we have more cold patch coming. The left overs from last year has been all used up. McMahon added that they have been trying to get to the major holes first. He asked that we be mindful that it is still winter, to be careful and try to be patient. Soldano also mentioned the Eagles donation for the new lights at the 18th Street playground. He brought up the usual hiring of a temporary part-timer for the Street crew and referred that to the Personnel Committee. Under Water, Sewage & Refuse Tony Cataldo said they are in receipt of a letter from United Water asking for some changes in the contract for the sewage plant operation. I think it was Allmon that advised the village has asked for a 90 day extension to renegotiate the contract. Under Property, Equipment & Cemetery the $21,000 bid to tear down six dilapidated buildings was brought up. They have had that bid for awhile now and was wondering if it is still good. Tony Cataldo said the first step is to get the buildings condemned. After that he wasn't sure what the next step would be. In a related newspaper article the Fire Chief was quoted as saying after the meeting the first step is for council to appropriate money for the project. When they do that he will then have to determine what he can do. The process includes title searches and going to court to get the tear-down order approved. Under Claims, Rules & Ordinances Rosie Goss made a motion under suspension of rules to adopt Resolution 09-01 to apply for funding assistance from the Ohio Nature Works. It we get rewarded that is the grant that is earmarked for the play ground equipment. That motion was passed without any nays.

Other than that there was no new legislation.

Under New Business Joe Soldano reported that he and F.O. Dale Davis met with a grant writer last Friday. Council decided last year to look for someone in that field. Soldano then made a motion to order legislation to engage the services of Grant Source Professionals for the village. According to Jo Ann Bobby Gilbert's report Soldano showed her copies where the application fees range from $450 to $1,000. She said Grant Source Professionals consist of a staff of four people and they work in four different states. She quote Soldano as saying "It's been a long time coming. I hope we can get some money". I hope you do too, Joe. Just don't neglect to consider what the village share will be.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:26. Next meeting is March 3. With all that you would think the meeting lasted longer than 26 minutes.

ole nib

Wanted: New Facilities for Animal Shelter

As of this past Friday the St. Francis Animal Shelter (SFAS) volunteers and the village have severed ties. After talking to folks from SFAS, the Mayor and the village Animal Control Officer there is one recurrent thought running through my mind. There is a difference of opinion on how things should be run.

From what I understood whatever animals that were brought in were to be turned over to the SFAS. That was per the agreement made when the new ordinance was drawn up before the new ACO was hired. The Mayor even had Bobbi Holt from St. Francis meet with his choice a couple of times before making his final decision to hire Leslie Dean. It seemed everyone was on the same page and I got the impression it was a pretty good deal. In that agreement the only cost to the village was the ACO wages and expenses. Mainly from donations the St. Francis folks paid for everything else. They paid for utilities, food for the animals, veterinarian expenses and maintenance of the building. They had fund raisers planned to get running water into the building and to install a water heater. The last time the village had to pay for dog food was in April of '06. In my opinion it was a win - win situation and especially so since we knew the animals were being humanely treated with a lot of love and devotion on the part of the volunteers. Those folks put in a lot of hours cleaning, making improvements to the building, taking care of the animals and they were available 24/7. In the three years they were there they made vast inroads taking care of any stray animals in town. It was a huge difference than what we had before SFAS came along.

As mentioned before the SFAS folks made every effort they could to arrange for pet adoptions for the animals with different rescue leagues across the country. There are many different rescue organizations around for just about any breed or mixed breed animals. According to Bobbi Holt they were very successful with that and sometimes it meant holding the dogs a little longer until arrangements could be made. In the mean time they took care of the feeding and care of the animals at no expense to the village. Dean felt the animals should have been turned over faster to the county.

Leslie Dean told me that according to village regulations they shouldn't be operating an adoption agency out of that building. She felt that the SFAS folks have different goals and guide lines than what she was obligated to follow. Then there arose the question of who owns what in that building. I was told the only thing the village owned inside the building was a ceiling mounted heater. All in all it was boiling down to a conflict of opinion and Dean felt it was time to reorganize and restructure the operation. After consulting the mayor she changed the lock on the building last Friday. The mayor more or less gave her free rein to do what she felt she had to do. Dean also expressed concern that some of the volunteers were bringing in animals on their own with out going through her. She said that was her job. I would be glad if someone helped make my job a little easier.

All in all they were butting heads when Dean decided to lock them out instead of taking the time to develop a working relationship and understanding. Here I thought the understanding was already in place and they were well on the way to building a mutual working relationship. It is upsetting that this was not the case. As a result of Dean's actions the SFAS folks decided it was time to part ways with the village. They pulled out all of their belongings and put it into storage. They are now looking for new facilities in town. Thankfully they are planning to carry on once they find a place.

The mayor and Dean both commended the SFAS folks on what they have accomplished and wish them well. I have to chime in with that. They are special people to undertake such a mission. It's sad it had to come to this and hopefully it will result in a happier continuance.

On a happier note I was told that after two years the "town dog" was captured just recently. Some people called him Sunny and others called him Nevada. He was abandoned when a family moved out of a Nevada Street residence and could be seen running all over town. All this time he was out and running free. He was very skittish of humans and wouldn't let anyone get near him until two weeks ago. Since his capture he got a sponsor to take care of expenses and just recently found a loving family to adopt him. Sunny seems to have a bright future.

ole nib