Friday, July 31, 2009

Caption contest

30 comments:
You write the caption for this photo (leave it in the comments). The funnier the better. We'll put the best ones here on the main page.


"OK! I admit it. Stupid is as stupid does! But, I got invited to the white house for a beer with the president."

"How in the Hell did you two get elected?"

"Beam me up Scotty. There is no intelligent life here"

"Badges ... we don't need no stinkin badges." [... bonus if you can name the movie that made that quote famous]

... and many more. Check the comments for all of them.

Greenville Farmers Market - Saturday

The biggest line-up of vendors so far! Downtown Greenville at 4th & Boradway, next to the courthouse. Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Francis Byers: Long time market favorite, Francis will bring his early season fruits and veggies. Arrive early to get the best selection of yellow squash, zucchini, red potatoes, okra, beets, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, cucumbers and more!

E.A.T. Food for Life Farm: Your local, grass-fed, Certified-organic family farm. Check out the weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) packages. Grass-fed chicken, beef, lamb, pork and buffalo. Grains such as rolled oats, spelt berries, crackers and flours. Try a sample of one of the varieties of hard cheese. For further information www.eatfoodforlife.com.

Cookie Bookie: Elizabeth Kniesly will be sharing her old family recipes to create a product that tastes just like Grandma's. Try the moist and flavorful banana bread, baked in mini bread pans or one of her many cookies, cobblers or cinnamon rolls.

Heather Kreider: Homemade baked goodies including cherry pie, rhubarb pie, old-fashioned sugar cookies (a market favorite), pecan tassies and mocha frosted drop cookies.

Indiana Honey: With a growing beekeeping operation in Union City, Indiana, Indiana Honey will be offering local honey, lip balms made from beeswax and honey straws in 10 flavors. New this year is creamed honey, a smooth, spreadable product! Great on biscuits and toast. Available in natural, blueberry, cinnamon pecan and strawberry. Check them out at www.indianahoney.com.

Woodsview Alpaca Farm: Bob and Michelle Dircksen own this farm that enjoys raising alpacas and grain. Alpaca fiber and yarn products, as well as fashions can be found at the market. Alpaca apparel, such as sport and dress socks or beautiful sweaters, gloves and scarves are a must see. The handcrafters will enjoy finding lovely alpaca yarn in natural and colorful dyes and mixes, rovings, battings and alpaca blankets in all their natural colors.

Ted Mangen: Fresh off the vine and out of the garden summer squash, zucchini, green peppers, onions, potatoes and cabbage, as well as honey and baked goods.

Tammy Klepinger: Stop by Tammy's table and check out her fresh cut flowers and herbs, homemade apple bread, muffins and fudge, and fresh picked organic produce.

Wolf's Produce: Fresh tomatoes, melons, beets, green beans and blackberries will be available this week, along with fresh baked cookies and cinnamon rolls.

Fred Worch: Pick up some fresh sweet corn for dinner tonight! Stop in and see what Fred has fresh out of his garden this week.

Prayer Preserves: Tabitha and family pray over every batch of jelly and preserves they create. Taste a sample of peach, red raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, red raspberry wine or hot pepper jam.

Check out the Communal Table hosted by Main Street Greenville...again this week is the homemade original recipe Celery Seed Dressing (former "House" dressing @ The Market Deli), made fresh with natural ingredients. Stop by for a sample and buy a bottle for dinner tonight! Also at the communal table, hand woven rugs, barn siding yard decor and whatever else shows up before 8:00 a.m.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Linguistics lesson for the Darke County Commissioners

6 comments:
The word "corps" is pronounced (kôr), like the core of an apple. The "p" and the "s" are silent.

The word "corpse" is pronounced (kôrps), and you do pronounce the "p" and the "s."

"Corps" means a group of people, while "corpse" means a dead body ... so it's kind of important, especially to the people in the corps, not to mix up the two.

Greenville EMS poll is closed (which means you don't click on the picture)

16 comments:
This poll was 2-to-1 the whole way. DarkeJournal readers say "no" to City of Greenville EMS. Any ideas for the next poll?

The Alice-in-Wonderland of local politicians

3 comments:
In the world of athletics, coming in third place is getting bronze instead of gold. In the world of love and business, third place means loss and despair. But not so with the politicos that visited The Andersons at their home in Maumee, Ohio. To them, coming in third, after investors and employees, means The Andersons are fine people – even though they only spoke to a “counterpart”. Their visit served to support their contention that their constituents are hysterical troublemakers that carry a disease that is causing the city to fester and if not cured, perhaps die. Whoever paid for their trip wasted their money. In the 21st century a simple email asking the Anderson’s, “If you are fine religious people, do you conduct your business by the “Golden Rule” or the “rule of gold” where Greenville comes in third?” would have been more productive. Other politicos are suggesting that Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is a partisan issue between Democrats and Republicans. According to the Darke County poll, conducted by the DarkeJournal.com, over 97% of the respondents were against CCS while less than 3% supported it. If this is a partisan issue, which of the two parties is claiming the 97% victory? Of course this is nonsense, but here in the Alice-in-Wonderland world of Greenville/Darke County such pronouncements are perfectly rationale and can spark a big rally of two or three people. The CCS supporting politicians believe that shaving off mountain tops in West Virginia to produce coal for smog belching electric plants that generate the power necessary for the 1500 psi sequestration, all at tax payers expense, is a good thing. Then if you oppose the scam (or as Greenpeace has labeled it, “ a boondoggle), they try to convince you that you are opposing the American way. Even more upside down is their belief that supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) will sit in a glob three thousand feet down under our aquifer without ever emerging into the atmosphere where it supports plant life and crop growth. This is their conviction although scientists working on CCS recognize there is “back leakage” and serious attending risks. They are totally unaware of the work coming from the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory that calculates over time the latent energy at a sequestration site can exceed approximate 20 kilotons of TNT contained in the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Although we live in one of two earthquake epicenters in Ohio further complicated by hundreds of abandoned oil and gas wells through which the CO2 can erupt with massively fatal consequences they regard such an event as the luck of the draw. They revel in being risk takers and regard the recent seismic tremor in April 2008 in Greenville as nothing more than a caution light that can be ran. Others, not given to scientific thought after over a year are still “studying the matter”.

Also in this Wonderland we must include the Darke County Chamber of Commerce that apparently has bolted from the National Chamber of Commerce whose position is against “Cap and Trade” under which CCS is the darling centerpiece. Ironically the local Chamber considers themselves Midwest conservatives and perhaps are unaware that CCS is straight out of the West coast California Pelosi-Waxman-Boxer-Feinstein playbook. Perhaps the Darke County Chamber would suggest, “Isn’t it nice to have a bit of California with a little Beach Boy music in the background here in Darke County?” Do they not realize that California has replaced the US dollar with IOUs?

To those politicians and public servants that have chosen to leave this Alice-in-Wonderland world, we offer our thanks, appreciation and support. Adding to this group are the Darke County Commissioners who in Resolution 200-09 politely asked the Anderson Marathon Ethanol plant to honor their request to halt the project (CCS).

[submitted by Rebecca Reier]

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Roundeye Bluegrass Festival - this weekend

Roundeye Family Park * 39th Annual Bluegrass Festival
Painter Creek, Ohio at 8805 Painter Creek-Arcanum Rd. Painter Creek, Ohio 45304
July 31st through August 1st 

ADMISSION: Friday $6.00 - Saturday $12.00 - Weekend $15.00

For information call (937) 548-7219 ... (937) 477-2422 ... (937) 839-4747 ... email: dmasters937@aol.com ... or click here to get the details on the free beans and cornbread (yes - really!)

Commissioners Reduce Employee Hours for a Second Time

14 comments:
At its regular session today, the Darke County Commissioners cut its staffs hours for the second time in three months. As of April 26, 2009, the commissioners staff was cut from 80 hours per pay period (2 weeks) to 75 hours per pay period. Today's resolution makes a further cut to 70 hours per week, and this cut also applies to the maintenance employees. Commissioner Haworth noted that these cuts are not pleasant but are necessary (paraphrased).

County Commissioners Adopt Resolution Opposing CO2 Sequestration

9 comments:
Here is the resolution in its entirety ...
____________________________

RESOLUTION
(R-200-09)

STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF DARKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REGARDING THE CO2 SEQUESTRATION PROJECT

WHEREAS, the Darke County Commission Board has found the Anderson Inc. to be a very professional and upstanding company; and

WHEREAS, the operations at The Anderson Marathon Ethanol (TAME) Plant in the Greenville Industrial Park has provided a great benefit to our area farmers as well as to the overall community; and

WHEREAS, the Darke County Commission Board realizes the importance and value of scientific research and that the Battelle Company is one of the premiere research groups in the country, if not in the world, and we have found their representatives to be very informative and professional with their scientific research addressing global climate changes and in producing clean affordable energy; and

WHEREAS, the Darke County Commission Board realizes that they can not legally stop the CO2 testing. However, due to the overwhelming opposition of the majority of our Darke County residents and the unknown risk factors of the CO2 testing compiled, with no known benefit, no guarantees of compensation and no knowledge of financial, business or growth opportunities for the County; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Darke County Commissioners are stating that they are in opposition of this scientific CO2 Sequestration Project and are asking the Anderson Marathon Ethanol Plant to honor our request to halt this project; and

WHEREAS, the Darke County Commissioners are joining in the ranks of our citizenry that they are in opposition of the CO2 project due to the unknown risks and the potential harm to Darke County; and

WE THEREFORE RESOLVE by motion to approve the signing of this Resolution; moved by Commissioner __________; seconded by Commissioner __________; and the Clerk called for a roll call vote as follows:

Michael W. Rhoades - Yes

Terry L. Haworth - Yes

Diane L. Delaplane - Yes

DARKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
July 29, 2009

Attorney General Candidate Dave Yost visits Greenville

5 comments:

Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney Dave Yost spoke to a small crowd this morning at Montage Cafe in Greenville. Yost recently announced that he would be running for the office of Ohio Attorney General in the upcoming 2010 election.

In addition to his work as prosecutor, Yost previously served as Delaware County Auditor - and has his own blog.

Our photographer got fired for the picture to the right. The photo below is from Yost's website.

Broadway got soaked Wednesday afternoon

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

This Wednesday at the Greenville Farmers Market

Francis Byers: Long time market favorite, Francis will bring his seasonal fruits and veggies. Arrive early to get the best selection of yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, red potatoes, eggplant, beets, broccoli, green beans, cabbage, wax beans, okra and more!

Woodsview Alpaca Farm: Bob and Michelle Dircksen own this farm that enjoys raising alpacas and grain. Alpaca fiber and yarn products, as well as fashions can be found at the market. Alpaca apparel, such as sport and dress socks or beautiful sweaters, gloves and scarves are a must see. The handcrafters will enjoy finding lovely alpaca yarn in natural and colorful dyes and mixes, rovings, battings and alpaca blankets in all their natural colors.

Homan Fresh Produce: New to the market, Tonya and family will be bringing in seasonal favorites as they come on the vine. This week enjoy a fresh selection of tomatoes, sweet corn, green beans, potatoes, zucchini, squash, onions, lettuce, broccoli, peppers and cucumbers. Home baked Amish friendship bread and zucchini bread will also be available.

E.A.T. Food for Life Farm: Your local, grass-fed, certified-organic family farm. Check out the weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) packages. Grass-fed chicken, beef, lamb, pork and buffalo. Grains such as rolled oats, spelt berries, crackers and flours. Try a sample of one of the varieties of hard cheese. For further information www.eatfoodforlife.com.

Prayer Preserves: Tabitha and family pray over every batch of their homemade jellies and preserves. Come sample one of the many flavors including peach, red raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, red raspberry wine and hot pepper jam.

And check out the Communal Table hosted by Main Street Greenville . . . again this week is the homemade original recipe Weesie's Celery Seed Dressing (former "House" dressing @ The Market Deli), made fresh with all natural ingredients. Stop by for a sample and buy a bottle for dinner tonight!!

Wednesday 2pm to 6pm @ 4th and Broadway next to the courthouse


God bless Stockton Shafer (December 20, 1921 - July 26, 2009)

2 comments:
Mr. (Jean) Stockton Shafer, age 87 of Greenville, Ohio passed away on Sunday morning July 26, 2009. Mr. Shafer was born in Muncie, Indiana on December 20, 1921, son of the late Max Reed and Helen (Parsons) Shafer. He lived in Greenville since 1950. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his twin sister Sara Peterson.

Stockton his survived by his wife Virginia, whom he married on New Years Eve in l964 and 3 stepsons—Freddie and David Dean of Greenville and Michael Dean of Troy.

Stockton retired from Checkers Theaters after more than 20 years during which time he managed theaters in Celina, St. Marys and Greenville where he will most likely be remembered as Mr. Shafer the manager of the old State Theater on West Third Street in Greenville. Before this he worked with his Dad in various areas of the milk business operating dairy stores in Circleville, Ashville and the Green Villa Confectionery on South Broadway in Greenville.

A Veteran of W.W. II serving in the U.S. Army and a graduate of Wilmington College of Ohio, he had been director of the Greenville Boys Club from 1958 to 1964 and helped Bob Hawes before it was moved from the basement of the Memorial Hall. He was the County Chairman of the Christian Rural Overseas Program (CROP) for six years and a member of the Greenville Rotary Club for more then 35 years. He was a member of the Greenville Masonic Lodge #143 and Fort Black Eastern Star for over 50 years and a member of the Greenville American Legion for that time as well.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday July 31, 2009 in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 201 S. Broadway Greenville, Ohio with Rev. Colin Barros officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 till 8 P.M. in the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home Greenville, Ohio and on Friday l hour prior to the services in the church. Full Military Services will be held at 4:30 P.M. Thursday by the Greenville Veterans Honor Guard and a Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 P.M. Thursday in the funeral home. The graveside service will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Spill gets traced back to Darke County farm

1 comment:
Officials in Miami County discovered a smelly black substance in the Canyon Run Creek on Sunday. The spill was traced back to Darke County, and the Ohio EPA answered a request for information with this response:

Please see the attached spill reports. Our investigator was called to Canyon Run to respond to a spill. He traced the material back to a field tile that lead him to David Ditmer Family Swine Farms, 4226 Red River-West Grove Road. The farm land applies liquid manure from lagoons; however, a broken pipe sent the liquid onto the ground. It then traveled into the stream causing a fish kill. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources determines whether penalties are warranted as a result of fish kills. I would encourage you to contact them for more information. Please let me know if there is anything else that you need.

Best regards, Heather Lauer, Media Relations Coordinator, Ohio EPA

The Spill Report doesn't add much to the discussion, but you can see it here. A request for more information has been sent to the ODNR. Sounds like an unfortunate accident - and hopefully there aren't any penalties.

Jill and Kevin's big day

12 comments:
Jill and Kevin will never forget their wedding day - nor will the 8.0 million viewers who've watched this video on YouTube. There are actually some sticks-in-the-mud out there who think this is a travesty. It's their wedding ... a celebration, remember? Good for them. If you've read this far, you absolutely have to watch this video.
 
Note: you now have to go to youtube to see this video. Link here.
_____________________________________________________

Update: Here's a different point of view from aubandmom ...

Its okay to do this in a dance hall or other commercial setting, but in a church a holy place of God, NO!! I am no stick in the mud but there are places for these types of events and a church is not one of them. You select a church for a reason, just like some people choose outdoors or on a beach in FL. This just ain't it folks it's not a frat party and those of you who find humor in this are just acting like children.

Any thoughts on that?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

More on the EMS issue: the raw documents

32 comments:
DarkeJournal has been provided with copies of Greenville's EMS Feasibility Study; Feasibility Study Response from Greenville Township Rescue; and a Cost Alternatives Table. Here are links to the documents.


New poll - the Greenville EMS issue

16 comments:
Given the activity from the prior article, there is either: 1) a ton of interest in this story, or 2) or small number of people engaging in a lot of discussion. The new poll to the left should answer that question. Once again, the poll is set up to allow one vote per computer.

If you have a comment, leave it here.

Why are the commissioner and mayor dressed like like women?

No comments:
Yes, that is Mike Rhoades and Mike Bowers below dressed in drag. And it was all for a good cause. But please ... guys ... don't ever do this again! Video stills are courtesy of WHIO - you should definitely go here to watch the entire video.


Saturday, July 25, 2009

Greenville Township launches new website

3 comments:
The new website has basic information on the township's rescue squad, fire department, cemeteries, and history. Visit the site here.

Mark Whittaker named new Chief Deputy

2 comments:
Long-time Darke County Sheriff Investigator Mark Whittaker was recently promoted to Chief Deputy. Congratulations Chief Deputy Whittaker.

CO2 Sequestration poll is closed

No comments:
The poll is closed. Here are the final results.

Annie Oakley parade goes forward through rain storms

No comments:
The Annie Oakley parade started this morning at 10am with menacing skies. Two short, but very intense, downpours pretty well soaked all the parade participants and spectators (unless you were lucky enough to be watching from a covered porch on Washington Avenue). Check out the photos carefully ... and you'll see the melodrama actors getting drenched. And there are no photos of Minority Leader John Boehner and his driver Lyn Bliss, who scrambled to put the roof up on Dave Knapp's hot blue Mustang convertible. [as always, click lower-right on the slide show to go full screen]

BRC has two great events in one big weekend

No comments:

Friday, July 24, 2009

Poll ends tomorrow

No comments:
The co2 poll will be closed tomorrow at 6pm. Make sure to get your vote in.

Check out JoJo Couture tomorrow at the Greenville Farmer's Market

No comments:

It's not just corn and cucumbers at the Greenville Farmer's Market this weekend. JoJo Couture will be in attendance with its line of hand crafted bags, baby, infant & toddler essentials.

If you can't make it Saturday morning (next to the courthouse), please go to the website and check out the inventory. These items are terrific - and great gifts for the girl in your life ...

Hansbarger All-Stars bring home the hardware

Thanks to Hansbarger Home Solutions for a great season ...

(Congratulations to Audrey, Hayley, Zoe, Kama, Heidi, Paige, and Mackenzie - not pictured Kayla, Mattie, and Logan)

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Annie Oakley Festival 2009 begins Friday

1 comment:
The Annie Oakley parade will begin Saturday at 10:00 a.m. A calendar of events can be seen here.

Dick Garrison wins "Best of Show" in Annie Oakley photography show

No comments:
Dick Garrison's orange sunset was judged the Best in Show at the Annie Oakley photography show today.


Tiffany Beumer won the blue ribbon in the students division, with Erika Jeffers as runner-up (Beumer left; Jeffers right).

Broadway sidewalk sales begin Thursday; BTO Yogurt also opens this weekend

If you hadn't noticed, a few storefronts have gone empty recently in downtown Greenville. Consider supporting the downtown retailers by visiting the Annie Oakley sidewalk sales - beginning Thursday. As of Wednesday afternoon, KitchenAid and several other retailers were already beginning their preparations.

Then - after walking Broadway - get yourself some yogurt at BTO Self Serve Yogurt ... a few doors down from Subway. BTO will open to the public on Thursday or Friday (with some final preparations pending). And by the way, BTO stands for "by the ounce" and should not be confused with this BTO.

Stupid cop!

12 comments:
[Warning: political discussion ahead]

A Boston police officer gets a call regarding a possible break-in of a residential home in progress. The officer approaches the house alone and figures out quickly that the person inside was the homeowner, who locked himself out and then forced his way into his own home. The police officer is then reassured - but still wants to see the identification of the homeowner to conclude the investigation. The homeowner (who is black) accuses the white police officer of being a racist. Rather than just hand over his identification, the homeowner acts like a horse's ass right up until the point he gets arrested for disorderly conduct. The homeowner - as it turns out - is a famous Harvard professor. And when asked about this incident in last night's press conference, the president of the United States said that he didn't know the details of what happened, but that the police "acted stupidly."

Here is the police report. Decide for yourself.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Free First-Time Homebuyer Class Offered

Does the thought of buying your first home leave you feeling overwhelmed or confused? Well, help is on the way. On Thursday July 30th, Wednesday August 12th, and Wednesday August 19th from 6:30 – 8:00 at Chestnut Village Center in Greenville, Leis Realty and National City Mortgage will be offering a free class for anyone wanting more information on the home buying process.

The timing for buying that first home could not be better with a large number of homes on the market, low interest rates, lower home prices, and of course the $8000 tax credit (which will end Nov. 30, 2009) offered to first-time homebuyers. Home ownership offers many advantages over renting. It is a strong investment (yes, even now), and it comes with many tax advantages. You also have control over your environment, pride of ownership, and independence. Since historically, homes appreciate in value over time, every time you make a payment you get a step closer to paying off your home and you build equity, unlike rent.

The process of financing and purchasing your first home can be overwhelming, frightening, and confusing. We will attempt to provide you with some valuable information to help you on your way to probably, your biggest investment. Topics covered will include:

  • Prequalifying and preapproval for a home loan
  • Credit rating
  • Using a realtor
  • Making an offer
  • Disclosures
  • Equal opportunity
  • The new stimulus tax credit
  • The steps to closing on your first home

The class is free, but you need to pre-register because seating is limited. To reserve your place call Todd Finch at Leis Realty at 937-548-5750 ext. 245 or Diane Hill at National City Mortgage 937-548-1300. If you prefer to email, contact Todd at trfinch@gmail.com or Diane at diane.hill@ncmc.com.  When registering please leave your name, address and phone number along with which class you’re signing up for. If you have questions, leave those as well and we will return your call.

Greenville will hold a public meeting on the EMS issue - August 7th

26 comments:
It's time for all you anonymous commenters to put up or shut up (respectfully). The next meeting is August 7 at 3pm in the city council chambers.

*comments are now closed

A new poll - co2 sequestration

13 comments:
The CEO of Anderson's reportedly said that the wishes of the Darke County community would have a bearing on the company's decision to proceed with the co2 sequestration project. So we have added a simple "yes or no" poll to find that answer. You can only vote once ... so cast your vote and then tell all your friends to come here and vote too. We'll email the results to the CEO.
_______________________________________________________________

Update: There have been several questions/comments on how many votes can be cast per computer, household, etc. The poll program reads cookies and i.p. addresses of everybody casting a vote - and attempts to limit each computer to one vote. The system is not perfect, nor is it foolproof (if you want to spend time busting the code to vote more than once). The poll will likely limit an office/household to a single vote, but it is more accurate than the other method of allowing multiple votes per person - as that method has resulted in unprincipled people voting over and over again to skew the results.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Darke County unemployment rates remain high during June

5 comments:
The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services has released unemployment figures for June. Darke County remained steady at 11.7%, where rates have hovered since a 5-percentage-point spike between October 2008 and January February 2009. Darke County's rate was the 37th best out of the 88 counties.

Other area counties: Mercer - 9.4; Miami - 12.7; Preble - 13.2; Montgomery - 12.4. Ohio's overall unemployment was 11.1% for June, while the national average was 9.5%.


City of Greenville press release - July 21, 2009

4 comments:
This statement is presented in response to the recent criticism directed at the City of Greenville for what is perceived by some as the City's "silent" approach to the growing controversy, involving carbon sequestration. It would be inaccurate to equate the City's cautious approach, with inaction, disinterest, or support for any particular position or philosophy relating to carbon sequestration. Quite to the contrary, since this matter arose, City representatives have spent much time and effort gathering information and meeting with legal counsel. Based upon that investigation and the legal advice received, a determination has been reached that no legally-sufficient basis, either in fact or law, presently exists to justify the City's intervention or other direct involvement regarding carbon sequestration.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Greenville's Council and Administration publicly and collectively state that the City does not support carbon sequestration in Darke County, Ohio. Such opinion is not founded upon specific scientific theory or the existence of established findings; rather, such position has been announced in an effort to heal the rift that has been created within our community, which, if allowed to fester most probably will result in serious and far-reaching negative consequences for the future viability or this community.

On July 20, 2009, several City representatives traveled to Maumee, Ohio to confer with their counterparts from Thu Andersons, to directly convey the City's sentiments regarding local carbon sequestration. As expected, based upon past experience with the company, The Andersons welcomed, and were receptive to, an open and frank discussion related to the possibility of carbon sequestration at the local ethanol facility. The Andersons indicated that no decision whether to drill a test well at such plant had been made, send, that no such decision is imminent. Recognizing that the Anderson's have every right to investigate all scientific applications and to consider all business alternatives which have relevance to their operations, The Andersons relayed that the company has no intention of sequestering CO2 on their premises unless they are confident that a sound scientific basis exists, involving the need for carbon sequestration, and, the manner in which such testing might be undertaken. The Andersons stated that no testing or sequestration will be allowed unless or until sufficient evidence exists that the same may be conducted in a manner which is safe for, and promotes the best interests of, all of the following: (1) its investors, (2) its employees, AND, (3) the residents of Darke County, Ohio.

Those within the City who, in the past, have had the opportunity to meet and work closely with The Andersons know that this company is honorable in its dealings, and, that the company has displayed a commitment to this community, both financially and practically. Simply stated, there is no reason to believe that The Andersons' statements made during the course of the July 20, 2009, conference, were disingenuous in content or merely rhetorical in nature. To be sure, the dictates of the federal and/or state, government regulatory process may change the dynamics which face the company, however, The Andersons is acutely aware that local public opinion is predominantly negative toward carbon sequestration. Undoubtedly, it will be influenced by such public sentiment in its future decision making.

For general discussion: Darke Journal reader Cookiebird has some questions ...

15 comments:
If it's not Congress, it's the State or Local governments complaining about budget shortfalls. Duh! It doesn't stop at the government level with budgets running short of funds. It's the local business, the residents and everyone else concerned.

One thing that I haven't heard anyone talk about especially on the government level is why don't they just take a percentage cut across the board on everything, including salaries, bonuses, programs and etc.

Wouldn't it make more sense for everyone to share a small percentage of cuts rather than demolishing entire useful programs? And that cut should only be made after all wasteful spending has been stopped.

Just a thought...what do you think?
 
[Leave a comment]

Dayton Serial Killer Marvallous Keene was executed this morning

1 comment:
Keene was the leader of the "Christmas killers" who went on a muderous rampage in Dayton during December 1992. He was executed this morning, sixteen-and-a-half years after he ruined the lives of six families. According to the Dayton Daily News, Keene died an obese man ... and was allowed to have a final meal of ... "porterhouse steak cooked medium with A-1 steak sauce, a pound of deep-fried jumbo shrimp, fries, onion rings, dinner rolls with strawberry preserves, two plums, a mango, a pound of white seedless grapes, two bottles of Pepsi, two bottles of A&W cream soda and German chocolate cake." Can we please put an end to this stupid tradition?

Monday, July 20, 2009

House's Meat Market closes its shop on Broadway

No comments:
House's Meat Market has ended its relatively short run on Broadway. The sign in the window reads (as you can see for yourself) that the owners are moving the business back to their family farm near Versailles. The meat market was located in the 600 block of South Broadway, Greenville, in the location occupied for decades by Suter Meats.

You can still contact House's Meat Market at 548-7583 - or visit the market at 6442 Beamsville-Webster Road.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

New email newsletters are coming soon

No comments:
There have been a fair amount of criticisms about the daily emails received by subscribers. These emails are currently administered by feedburner, which is owned by Google. There are two main benefits of using feedburner: (1) it's free, and (2) the emails are automatically sent out without any extra effort from the DarkeJournal staff!

Unfortunately, the quality of these emails is terrible. For some, the photos, videos, and external links can not be accessed. Sometimes the photos cover the text. And beyond all that, the layout is not visually appealing (and can not be changed). Given the [surprisingly] large number of subscribers, the lame feedburner emails just do not suffice.

Soon we will be switching over to ConstantContact.com for the emails. Existing subscribers will be switched over automatically - and a new sign-up box will be installed. If you want to subscribe now, just sign up in the existing box and we will switch you over when the time comes.

New Madison Chicken Barbecue set for August 1st

New Madison - The second of the two annual chicken barbecues that are sponsored for the benefit of the New Madison Volunteer Fire Department by the New Madison Fire Belles will be held at the firehouse on Saturday, August 1 starting at 11 A.M. and lasting until sold out.

The adult meal consists of a half of chicken, choice of two sides: baked beans, coleslaw, or applesauce, roll and butter, pie, and orange drink or coffee. The child's meal consists of one- fourth of chicken, choice of two sides, roll and butter, pie, and orange drink. Hot dogs and barbecue sandwiches can be purchased also. Soft drinks will be also be available to purchase.

Cost for an adult meal is $6.50 and the cost for a child's meal is $4.50. A half of chicken can also be purchased for $3.50.

Eat in or carry out is available. There will be no phone-in orders taken or deliveries available.

All proceeds go to help defray the cost of equipment and items for the New Madison Volunteer Fire Department. Thank you for your support!

This week's amazing performance by Tom Watson (and a note about political correctness)

2 comments:
With eight holes left in the British Open, Tom Watson is tied for the lead. This might not mean much if you are not a golf fan. But there's one thing about Tom Watson that makes this performance amazing ... he's 59-years-old.

Golf is a unique sports in that men well into their forties continue to compete - and win tournaments. Keny Perry almost won the Masters this year at 49. But it is unprecendented for a man on the verge of his 60th birthday to do what Watson is doing. Watson may not pull off the win (he's tied with two others at the moment), but it is still incredible.

Two points here. First, it is never too late ... to achieve a goal, to excel in your field, to make amends, etc.

Second, where has the media been on this performance? This story is barely getting any play outside the sports media. Why? It is annoying to have spent a week listening to ridiculous coverage of the death of Jacko. We are forced to hear about other ridiculous firsts, such as (qualified 6 times): Ohio's first black nonjudicial statewide officeholder. But there's little talk this week of Watson - who, being a successful older white American male, does not apparently meet the media's guidelines for a compelling story.

Go Tom Watson - you can do it! [photo credit to: Tillers1]
_____________________________________________________

Update: Watson played great down the stretch, but missed a 9-foot putt for the championship. Deflated by the miss, Watson has made a mess of the 4-hole playoff versus fellow American Stewart Cink. It's too bad that a late meltdown will overshadow the insanity of a 59-year-old tying the British Open after 72 holes. Truly inspiring.

Subscriptions & facebook

13 comments:
Thanks to everyone who has subscribed to Darke Journal so far. If you haven't subscribed ... it's easy, it's free, and you can cancel at any time. All you have to do is type in your email address in the box at the upper-left of this page. After you subscribe, you will be sent an email asking you to confirm. Since the confirmation email comes from an unfamiliar source, your email provider may direct the confirmation email to your "junk" bin. Make sure to check your "junk" bin for that email.

If you subscribe (and confirm), you will get a daily email updating you on that day's Darke Journal stories. While you may not think to visit the site every day, you won't miss any new stories with the daily updates. In addition, you may occasionally get an alert/breaking news update. You will never receive spam email from this subscription. You can also join our facebook page here. (remember to click and become a friend/fan)

One final note: the daily emails and facebook give you only a glimpse of the entire website. Community events, obituaries, story comments, etc., can only be accessed through the website itself.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Robert J. Cox (May 26, 1923 - July 16, 2009)

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Robert J. "RJ" Cox, 86, of Arcanum, died late Thursday evening, July 16th, 2009 at Rest Haven, Greenville. Mr. Cox was born in Darke County May 26, 1923, the son of the late Clark and Marie (Jones) Cox. RJ graduated from Franklin High School in 1941. He served four years in the US Army Air Corp during WWII. Mr. Cox graduated from Ohio Northern University College of Law in 1951. He practiced law in Darke County for 50 years. RJ was the founder and president of the RJ Cox Company/Cox Trailers. He served on the Franklin Monroe School Board for 32 1/2 years and was a former member of the American Legion and Lions Club. Mr. Cox was preceded in death by an infant daughter and two brothers RB Cox and Herbert W. Cox. He is survived by his wife Virginia L. (Ross) Cox whom he married December 2, 1951; 3 daughters: Barbara Brumbaugh (Mike Romer), Susan Kakatolis and husband Peter both of Arcanum, Kathleen Cowest and husband Tom of Hokah MN.; 3 sons; Jim Cox and wife Claudia of Hurley WS.; John Cox and wife Sue, Joseph Cox and wife Mary both of Arcanum.; 11 grandchildren: Jessica (Matt) Kremer, Jarrod (Jill) Brumbaugh, Clarisa (Phil) Gunder, Tyler (Lindsey) Cox, Allie Cox and fiancé Scott Oswalt, Brian Cox and fiancé Jennifer Pertuset, Kelli (Derrick) Selhorst, Justin Cox, Elaina and Kaitlyn Kakatolis, Richard Meeker. 6 great grandchildren: Presley and Vail Cox, Addison Selhorst, Brylee Kremer, RJ Brumbaugh, and Maggie Gunder: sister-in-Law Deanna Puterbaugh, Greenville. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 AM, Monday July 20, 2009 at the Kreitzer Funeral Home, Arcanum with the Rev. Samuel Hoeflich officiating. Burial will follow in the Newcomer Cemetery with the Greenville Veterans providing military graveside services. Family will receive relatives and friends 2 - 5 PM Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions to the Franklin Monroe Alumni Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be sent to KreitzerFuneralHomeInc.com.

Versailles farmers market is short of vendors, but big on inventory & customers

Only two vendors were selling at the Versailles farmers market this morning, but those two were loaded with goods - and there was a very steady stream of customers. Seems like a great opportunity for some enterprising ag-capitalists. The farmers market is open Saturdays through the summer.

East Main Street Church of God hosts bike rodeo

The East Main Street Church of God set up an obstacle course (plus other activities) today at the Greenville Junior High. Communicating bike safety was the goal, but a handful of kids had a great time along the way.

Relay for Life

The Relay for Life Memory Walk continued through the night and was still going strong Saturday morning. This is a great event - solemn, but mixed with plenty of fun events to celebrate the fighters who have beaten cancer. If you've never attended, make sure to mark it on your calendar next year.

More specifics on the county government budget cuts

1 comment:
A county official reported today:

  • Around April 1st, all the county offices were asked to cut 10% from their existing budgets
  • About two weeks ago, the same county offices were asked to cut an additional 10%
  • Each department head has the discretion as to how to implement the budget cuts - and that is the reason why some department are having layoffs, while others are not
  • The commissioners have implemented their cuts by going to a 35 hour work week, with flex time
  • Most county offices have reportedly cut 17.5% to 20%

Friday, July 17, 2009

Too funny not to post

These photos were part of a viral political email received today (with the political part removed). Enjoy!


[All of these photos are origin unknown - so if anybody out there has a copyright issue, please email darkejournal@gmail.com.]

Sherrod Brown will will not be in Greenville Saturday to discuss CO2 Sequestration

2 comments:
The meeting will take place on the third floor of the Greenville Public Library at 10:30 a.m.

[note: this information was received from a very credible source, but has not yet been confirmed by the library.]

***********************

UPDATE: Got some bad information. Brown will not be in Greenville, and it sounds like it is only a private meeting with Brown's representative. One of Darke Journal's tipsters is now on double-probation. Don't want to reveal who provided this information, but if you can't trust a former small-town newspaper editor/candidate for office, then who can you trust? ... :)

Activities this weekend ...

1 comment:
For all of you Darke Countians who say there is never anything to do ...


... and the North Star picnic Saturday & Sunday (parade Saturday @ 2pm)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Opinion from Ken Wombold, Greenville

6 comments:
So the Darke County Sheriff must cut his budget. Is he doing this by laying off good deputies and dispatchers while keeping a convicted felon? Something seems wrong with that. The Darke County Commissioners are strangely silent on this subject. Don’t they control appropriations? A little explanation would be in order. The Darke County residents deserve competent and professional law enforcement protection.

Progress at the Versailles school construction

The construction of the new Versailles school is slightly ahead of schedule, according to one of the contractors on the site. The basic construction of the elementary wing (left foreground) is complete and the finish work is underway. The main entrance (middle) remains unfinished - and the picture below does not show a significant portion of the building, including the gymnasium which is shielded from view. The target completion date remains set for May 2010.

No lanes on Wagner Avenue

A Darke Journal reader reported difficult driving conditions last night on Wagner Avenue - as all the lane markings were gone. Sure enough, the section between Rhoades Avenue and Russ Road (but not the intersections) has been stripped for resurfacing. With the lane designations gone, it's a free-for-all on Wagner - as any long-time Darke County resident can tell you that there have been several different lane configurations over the years. Be careful out there.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

1970 Darke County Cold Case Homicide Victim Identified

No comments:

After 38 years and nine months, Darke County's only unidentified homicide victim is positively identified.

On October 11, 1970 the body of a nude female was found in a corn field in the 1200 block of Frazers Road in rural southern Darke County. The manner of death was ruled a homicide by the Darke County Coroner's Office. In late October of 1970 the victim was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in the Darke County Cemetery. The Darke County Sheriffs Office and the Darke County Coroner's Office investigated the case for several months but the victim remained unidentified and the case grew cold.

In 1999 Investigators from the Darke County Sheriffs Office and the Darke County Coroner's Office reopened the case. Since that time the body of "Jane Doe" has been exhumed and forensically re-examined and DNA was extracted. In addition a forensic artist created a facial reconstruction using the skull of the victim. On October 9, 2008 the unidentified victim was laid to rest a second time and a press conference was held. The facts of the case were reintroduced to the public and photos of the facial reconstruction were publicized. A plea for assistance from the public was made to help us identify this homicide victim.

On October 14, 2008 Phyllis Nichols of Wayne Lakes in Darke County contacted the Darke County Sheriffs Office requesting to speak with investigators. Mrs. Nichols had observed the photo of the facial reconstruction and story in the local newspaper and believed that it resembled her niece that had gone missing in 1970. Mrs. Nichols reported that in late summer of 1970 her eighteen year old niece Jeanne Marie Melville of Green Bay, Wl was traveling to Darke County, OH to visit her. Mrs. Nichols and her daughter went to the bus station in Richmond, IN to pick her Jeanne Melville up but she never showed. Jeanne Melville was not seen or heard from again. Mrs. Nichols reported that she and the Melville family had reported Jeanne missing to various local police agencies but because she was age 18 there was little they could do and Jeanne's disappearance went uninvestigated. Based on this report the Green Bay, Wl Police Department was notified and their assistance was requested. The Green Bay Police Department agreed to open a missing person cold case and assist in this investigation. Investigators from both agencies submitted DNA standards from relatives in Darke County and Green Bay, Wl. The DNA was forwarded to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification for comparison.

On July 10, 2009 The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification notified investigators that the 1970 Darke County Unidentified Homicide Victim is positively identified as Jeanne Marie Melville of Green Bay, Wl. The identification was the result of conducting DNA analysis and comparison with Jeanne Melville's only living sibling and two aunts.

The Darke County Sheriffs Office and the Darke County Coroner's Office have reached one of its primary objective's in this cold case investigation. Identifying the victim has permitted investigators to learn more about the circumstances and events prior to Jeanne Melville's death that were previously unknown. This has created new leads in the investigation and we are now able to focus on solving the murder of this young girl.

* A detailed investigative summary/timeline is attached here. (takes a minute to load)

[media release from Chief Deputy Mark Whittaker, Darke County Sheriff's Office]

John Boehner Responds to Constituents' Concerns About co2 Sequestration

5 comments:
Darke County residents - and activists - Charles and Rebecca Reier recently contacted Congressman John Boehner to voice their concerns regarding co2 sequestration. Boehner personally responded to the Reiers with thorough and lengthy discussion on co2 sequestration.

A copy of the email (too long to reprint on the main page) can be seen here.

Huge crowd in Greenville for new Harry Potter

No comments:
Parking spots on Broadway were hard to find this afternoon as there was a huge crowd for the Wayne Cinema matinee opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The movie is currently showing at Wayne at the following times: 12:55 p.m., 3:55 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 10:05 p.m.

This movie is getting great reviews from critics and viewers alike - but get extra popcorn, as this show lasts two-and-a-half hours (or gets your teenagers out of the house for two-and-a-half hours, depending on your perspective).
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Update: Darke County's own Jeff Marker has reviewed the Half-Blood Prince and declares it to be "crucial viewing for Potter fans." See the full review here.

ARCANUM QUARTER CRAZE SUPPORTS ARCANUM FIRE DEPARTMENT LADIES AUXILLIARY

ARCANUM- As the economy is struggling for a recovery, non-profit organizations and commercial businesses alike are feeling the financial pinch. One group of professionals in Darke County however has found a way to help support local charities while getting some exposure for their businesses.

The Arcanum Direct Sales Network (ADSN), a newly established business networking group based in Darke County, will sponsor a Quarter Craze to benefit the local Arcanum Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. The group is made up of independent consultants from such companies as Longaberger, Pampered Chef, Gold Canyon Candles and many more who have donated over 100 auction items ranging in value from $10 to more than $100.

The first auction will be held from 1:00pm to 3:00pm on Saturday July 25, 2009 at the Arcanum Fire Department, 208 West Main Street in Arcanum. The doors will open early at 12:00 (noon) for a preview of the items being auctioned off. Admission is $1 per person and open to the public.

The quarter craze is a fast paced event where participants use quarters to bid on each item based on the value of the product. For example, if the retail price of an item is between $10-$25, the required bid is 1 quarter (25¢). If the item is between $26-$50, the bid would be 2 quarters (50¢), and so on. Attendees are encouraged to bring one or two rolls of quarters to participate in the auction.

Shannon Denniston and Kayleigh Parks coordinated the auction. “We are raising money for the Arcanum Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the auction gives us an opportunity to create a fun environment where we are raising money for a great cause while getting our names out.” The Arcanum Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary members will be present at the auction to speak with guests and answer any questions.

Proceeds from the July 25th auction will go to the Arcanum Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. The Arcanum Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary provides much needed support to the firefighters and the department. In addition to helping purchase needed equipment for the firehouse the ladies also provide refreshments at major fire scenes and emergency calls.

In addition to the auction, a basket will be raffled off to help raise additional charitable funds. The basket includes items that have been donated from area businesses.

Please no non-bidding children. Popcorn and drinks will be available for a cash donation provided by the Arcanum Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Seating is limited. For more information about the Arcanum Direct Sales Network or to RSVP for the event, please contact, Kayleigh Parks by calling (937) 336-1348 or email kayleigh45320@yahoo.com.

[submitted]

What could possibly go wrong?

1 comment:
Click on image to enlarge.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Ohio prisoner executed

1 comment:
John Fautenberry, serial killer, was executed by the State of Ohio today. Fautenberry destroyed the lives of five families in 1990 and 1991. Fautenberry's death was tragically unjust - in that it occurred painlessly, and 18 years after his Ohio conviction.

Back By Popular Demand---Brethren Retirement Community's Lunch To Go!!

No comments:
Brethren Retirement Community would like to offer you a great lunch at a great price for a great cause. You’ll enjoy a great lunch, plus dessert for only $5. And all proceeds will benefit the Resident Aid Fund. Brethren Retirement Communityi s a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, a national eldercare expert, and the only Eden Alternative™ Registered Community in Darke County.

But this special offer is available only on July 17th so place your order today! Fax or email your order to us and we’ll deliver to your home or office! Place your orders by July 15th. We will confirm your order with you - if you do not receive a confirmation, please call Holly at 547-7655. Email orders to: holly.hill@bhrc.org - or fax to: 937-547-8105.

Choose one of these three lunch options: (1) Ham/Turkey Wrap, Chips, Coleslaw, Peach Cobbler, (2) Club Croissant—ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce & tomato, Chips, Coleslaw, Peach Cobbler, (3) Chicken Caesar Salad and Peach Cobbler

Relay for Life in Versailles - this weekend

No comments:
Here is the schedule of events:

Friday, July 17

  • 6 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
  • 6:20 p.m. (approximately) - Survivor’s Lap followed by Caregivers
  • 6:40 p.m. – Parade of Teams
  • 7 p.m. – Survivor/Caregiver Dinner, Entertainment (Sponsored by Towne & Country Players – Deron Bell Band)
  • 7-9 p.m. – AAA Emergency Key Cutting/Safety Info, Miss Relay Purple Pageant, Games, Raffles, Food, Contests, Inflatables
  • 7:30 p.m. – YMCA of Darke County Gymnastics Demonstration, Magician, Tony Truitt Show
  • 8 p.m. – Diaper Derby
  • 9 p.m. – Frozen T-Shirt Contest
  • 9:30 p.m. (Dark) – Luminaria Ceremony
  • 10:15 p.m. – Live Entertainment Resumes, Games, Raffles, Food, Contests, Inflatables resume
  • Walking Continues ALL NIGHT LONG.

Saturday, July 18

  • 9 a.m. – Games, Food, Raffles, Contests, Inflatables, fun activities for kids, Kid’s Relay Races (over 3) and Toy Scramble (under 3)
  • 10 a.m. – Lowe’s Build and Grow Workshop
  • 11 a.m. - $10,000 Golf Ball Drop
  • noon – Fight Back Ceremony

There are many more details currently on the Early Bird homepage.

D. C. Granny celebrates her 90th birthday

No comments:
Irene Winterrowd was honored by the Darke County Republican Women’s Club on Monday, July 13, on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Mrs. Winterrowd has been a long time member of the GOP and has been active in the Darke County community. Many friends and relatives extolled her contributions to their lives. The club sang “Happy Birthday” and enjoyed stories about Mrs. Winterrowd. She received proclamations from Greenville Mayor Bowers, OFRW President Karen Skillings, State Representative Zehringer, Commissioner Delaplane, as well as Congressman John Boehner Darke County Women’s Club Margaret Muhlenkamp and Darke County GOP Chair Cindy Pike.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Response from Ohio Department of Transportation

5 comments:
Here is the very timely response received from the Ohio Department of Transportation (in blue):

Thank you for your recent public records request and inquiry to the Ohio Department of Transportation regarding the historic investments in Ohio's transportation system, made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As you suggest to readers of [darkejournal.com], ODOT is more than willing to provide information to the public we serve. If I read correctly, you have asked a series of questions, instead of making a public records request. I believe I can answer your questions, though:

The Ohio Department of Transportation continues to oversee and monitor more than $1.1 billion in transportation stimulus funds directed to Ohio through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). As part of a commitment to transparency and accountability, projects in Ohio that are funded with stimulus dollars are being recognized with signage that shows taxpayers where ARRA funds are being invested and where recovery is taking place.

The ARRA signs at stimulus-funded construction projects are paid for with stimulus funds only - not state funds. ODOT does not make the signs for the construction projects; contractors are responsible for producing and placing the signs, similar to how they are required to place construction, detour, and safety signs, along with orange barrels and cones, throughout a construction zone. The cost of producing and placing the signs is included in a contractor’s bid on a project, and is often included as part of the overall cost of producing and placing signage and traffic control devices.

The cost of each sign varies by project and by contractor, as the sign is produced at the contractor's expense. A contractor that can produce its own signs or is producing signs at more than one location would have a lower cost. It’s estimated that each sign is approximately $300 in materials. The signs were designed in consultation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in compliance with the national Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devises. The US Dept. of Transportation and FHWA have asked all states to recognize projects made possible by the ARRA with this type of signage.

Since the start of the stimulus, ODOT has been committed to an Open and Transparent, Consistent and Accountable Process for investing stimulus funds. These signs provide Ohioans with clear designations as to which projects are receiving stimulus funds. This use of stimulus funds to produce signs is putting Ohioans to work - similar to how the increased production of asphalt and purchase of steel for highway and bridge projects are putting people to work at many plants and factories. While difficult to measure, these indirect jobs are a significant element to the success of the Recovery Act.

If you need additional documentation, you may want to clarify those documents in any follow up records request you might have. Otherwise, please feel free to contact me with any question you or your readers might have.

THANKS, Scott Varner, Deputy Director/Communications Director, Ohio Department of Transportation

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OK - so the contractors prepare the signs themselves (or contract to have the signs created) at an estimated cost of $300 per sign, or possibly less if done in volume. And the cost is simply passed on through the contractors' bids to the federal stimulus funds. One new question might be: if the signs cost the contractor $300, do they mark up that $300 when billing the government, or charge labor for installation/teardown, such that the per-sign cost is even more? And even at $300/sign, the national cost for all these signs would still be very significant. Regardless, it does appear that we - the taxpayers - are paying for the signs, though indirectly through the contractors themselves.

Note additionally that one justification for having the signs was that the creation of the signs, in an of itself, is stimulus.

Does that raise any new discussion/questions?

A note on obituaries

Several questions have been forwarded regarding obituaries.

Obituaries are offered on this website by permission granted from: Storch Braund Funeral Home, Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Oliver Floyd Funeral Home, and Kreitzer Funeral Home. Obituaries are currently limited to these funeral homes for two very simple reasons: 1) these funeral homes all have websites which allow obituaries to be easily copied and re-printed, and 2) because of their physical locations, these funeral homes primarily serve Darke County residents. Therefore - as a service to readers - most of the local obituaries get re-printed here through the four funeral homes. If anybody wants an obituary listed (and the funeral is not through one of the businesses listed), just submit the obituary to: darkejournal@gmail.com and it will be added to the obituary page - and the index on this page.

Obituaries are typically updated on a daily basis.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Vint's management is at it again

7 comments:
The gang at Vint's had a tax day tea party on April 15th (with a big customer turnout), and here they are again advocating some sort of revolution! The tax & spenders might be offended by this message, but do those people even eat fried chicken?

For whatever it's worth, Vint's boasts of the "best spaghetti in town" on the other side of the sign.

Follow up on the stimulus projects

5 comments:
Several people have commented (on the website and by email) about the story below on the local stimulus road project. The main question is: how much are we paying for the "stimulus signs" that are posted at the project sites? The secondary question is: why are they needed? The answer to the second is easy (and you can figure it out for yourselves). The answer to the first is a matter of public record ... all you have to do is ask. Not only can any citizen acquire this (and similar) public information, it is your right to know. Always keep in mind ... they work for us. Below is a copy of the email forwarded to chief counsel for the Ohio Department of Transportation (later removed). We'll let you know of her response.



Saturday, July 11, 2009

Statement from Joy-FM (via facebook)

No comments:
The founder of Joy-FM, Dr. Vernon Baker has passed away. Many Joy FM listeners may not be familiar with Dr. Baker but he is the reason we have Joy FM on the air today. In fact, when we started we were the only Contemporary Christian music station in the area. His vision has lead to Christian radio stations being formed in at least 7 states. Please join us in remembering the Baker family in our prayers.

Flash flood warning for Darke County - Saturday

According to WHIO (and a couple farmer friends), parts of southern Darke County had as much as three inches of rain Saturday morning/afternoon. A flash flood warning is currently in effect (2:45 p.m.), but the most treacherous condition we could find was a flooded sand trap at the Beechwood Golf Course. On the positive side, the rain was badly needed in this area for crops and lawns.

Friday, July 10, 2009

So did he or didn't he?

9 comments:
You decide for yourself ... watch the video ... and leave a comment.

---------------------------------------------

More: The girl's parents were a little less forgiving than ABC ...

"If I were there, I would have boxed their ears," said Lucia Rodrigues, 37. "They should be ashamed of themselves." Patriarch Eduardo Tavares, after finally getting around to seeing the famous photo of his daughter from behind, quickly changed his tune from proud papa to furious father. "My daughter is not a model and she is not a sex symbol," he told The Post. "That photograph has ruined my whole family."

Stimulus arrives in Darke County !

4 comments:
Sort of. If you visit the federal stimulus website recovery.gov, you can drill down to Ohio - and then to Darke County, where you will find that our friends in Washington have bestowed upon us (with our own money) three stimulus-funded road projects.

The first project has just begun - and will be a welcome improvement. For those of you who regularly travel U.S. Route 36 East, you know there is a nasty little hill on 36 just west of Arcanum-Bear's Mill Road. If you are turning onto 36 (especially from the north), it can be treacherous. There have been a handful of accidents at the intersection over the years.

$150,000 worth of stimulus dollars (again, our money) will be spent removing that nasty little hill. The project has already begun, and here are the details from the Ohio Department of Transportation website:


  • Project Name US Route 36 Safety Improvement, Darke County (6028)
  • Community: Darke County
  • Project Description: The project will reconstruct and lower USR 36 just west of Arcanum-Bears Mill Road to improve visibility and intersection safety.
  • Due to the high accident rate at this intersection, the road grade will be lowered so visibility can be improved. According to accident, data, many of the crashes were caused by the hill just west of the intersection of U.S. 36 and Arcanum-Bears Mill Road causing drivers to not see other vehicles in time to turn onto U.S. 36. This project involves lowering the road to take out the hill that restricts driver’s view.
  • Project Sponsor: Ohio Department of Transportation
  • Community Economic Distress Factors: Darke County jobless rate is 11.8% and the median income is $39,307.
  • Economic Development Potential: US Route 36 is a considered one of the major, more traveled routes in Darke County. Improving the safety of this road will benefit all drivers including truckers hauling freight to and from several major manufacturers located in Darke County.
  • Jobs to be Created/Retained: create 12 jobs
  • Multi-modal Connectivity/Innovation Factor: In addition to reconstructing a safer intersection, the road will help connect motorists from and freight movement between communities and markets.
  • Work to Begin: 30- 60 days
  • Estimated Completion: 2009
  • Stimulus Investment: $150,000 Total Project Cost: $150,319

Two other projects have been authorized, but have not yet been started:


  • A $1.5 million road resurfacing on State Route 503 near Ithaca; and
  • A $500,000 road resurfacing on State Route 571 between Greenville and the county line near Laura.

In true government fashion, here is the description on the second project:
Darke County is home to several major manufacturers including Whirlpool, Mid Mark Corporation, the makers of medical and dental equipment and Greenville Technical, which manufacturers plastics for automobiles. State Route 571 is considered one of the major routes for the transportation of these goods to market.
Nice of them to screw up the names of two of our biggest companies.

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UPDATE: A friend added this unsurprising comment via email:

The route 36 project was in the works before Obama and didn't create any jobs. It's the same people who worked for the company before they got the bid. The only work created was the sign spinning the story about the project.

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