Local The Marion Star Friday, October 18, 1991 Page 3 PUCO sets hearing here on Columbia rate hike By DAVID SCHOLZ investigation, has recommended to its Staff Writer commissioners that Columbia Gas reCOLUMBUS Area residents will ceive a rate increase ranging from $7.5 have a chance to air their views on a to 11.8 million, or 0.69 to 1.08 percent. pending rate hike requested by Colum- The hearing begins at 6 p.m. in the bia Gas of Ohio, when a hearing is held Marion City Hall council chambers, by the Public Utilities Commission of 233 W. Center on the second floor. Ohio (PUCO) in Marion Oct.
29. Individuals wishing to speak may Columbia is asking PUCO to ap- give sworn or unsworn testimony durprove a 5.72-percent or $61,349,376 ing the proceedings presided over by an increase, as well as a rate of return of attorney examiner. 12.20 percent. However, only sworn testimony is In response to these requests, the included in the case as evidence. UnPUCO staff, following a five-month sworn testimony may provide a basis for a subsequent PUCO investigation.
for the expanded use of our cleanest Marion's hearing comes seven fossil fuel natural gas top the months after Columbia filed its requests company's reasoning for the increase. with PUCO Feb. 1, thus beginning a "We have been criticized in the past 275 consideration period. for filing a new rate case immediately While PUCO commissioners would after we receive an order from a previlike to make its decision within 275 ous case," stated Columbia Gas days, staff spokesperson Beth Van- Chairman and CEO Ronald Tilley, in dawalker said PUCO is not bound to response to the PUCO staff report. have a decision when the 275-day time "We do not want to file one case line expires.
after another, but inadequate rate relief Balancing inadequate rate relief, and that does not reflect the current operatthe development of environmentally ing environment of our company such sound gas-delivery equipment to allow as recommended in this report leaves us Local officials ask DeV Wine's help in fighting Bellpoint dam By LAURA K. ARTHUR Staff Writer Local opponents of the proposed Bellpoint dam are asking for state assistance to fight the battle against Columbus' desire for more water. Bellpoint is one of eight proposed solutions to create an additional reservoir for Franklin County. At a State and Local Government Commission meeting Thursday afternoon, Marion County Commissioner Chairman Kirk Moreland told Lt. Gov.
Mike De Wine the county plans to join Delaware County in stalling the project, and hopes state leaders will lend a helping hand. "This dam, if it is installed, will flood the Scioto up to the Hardin County line. We intend to fight this as long as it can be fought. And we'd like to have some Moreland continued, "'I have nothing against the people of Columbus, but I don't think Marion County should be the scapegoat for their water." Ken Blue, of Prospect, echoed Moreland's statements about the proposed dam, saying residents are angered about the possibility of even more flooding on their property. A wide variety of issues was covered during the meeting, held at The Ohio State University Marion branch.
DeWine listened, while two assistants took notes on local concerns ranging from House Bill 592, which made sweeping changes in Ohio's solid waste statutes, to a request for more money to -Crime From Page 1 But through the efforts of organizations like Turning Point and changes in Ohio's domestic violence laws, more people are reporting the offense, he said. "The laws have gotten stronger, and now domestic violence is not only a crime, it is an enforceable crime," he said. Butterworth said his department has an established procedure that officers should take when responding to domestic violence calls. an assault has taken place, an arrest is generally made," he said. an offender knows he will be arrested for spousal abuse, the repeat rate drops dramatically.
He knows he can't get away with it and he'll go to jail." Butterworth also said an officer can make the arrest without the spouse pressing charges if enough evidence warrants the charge. "Turning Point has done a magnificent job of increasing public awareness and providing support for victims of abuse in Marion County," Butterworth said. He was a member of the Turning Point board of trustees for many years and said he has watched the evolution of the organization since its inception in 1979. "The board and staff have worked very hard and have been very successful in getting women's lives back on track," he said. "Victims now have the opportunities and the resources in this community they didn't have 20 years ago." Autumn Attractions, KEEFERS 131 E.
CENTER ST CELBRATING 21 YEARS IN MARION! AHIO A TATE STY IN MARION-- Lt. Gov. Mike De Wine, left, and state Sen. Paul Pfeifer addressed local concerns Thursday afternoon at the Ohio State University's Marion campus. (Star Photo By Laura K.
Arthur) increase parking at OSUM. mandates local leaders complain about Host of the meeting, state Sen. Paul are necessary, and could not be cut. Pfeifer, I said local leaders Moreland said he held a different are concerned about the high number of state mandates, which are programs or services local governments are required by law to fund. Pfeifer said many of the opinion.
"I have nothing against mandates Paul. Just sent some money along with it," he said. Sheriff tells DeWine jails need state grants By LAURA K. ARTHUR Staff Writer It's rare. But this year, the Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Services has more money than it does grant application requests; and Ohio's Lt.
Gov. Mike De Wine wants to know why. During a meeting of the state and local Government Commission Thursday, De Wine and host state Sen. Paul Pfeifer, R-Bucyrus, both said the $50 million set aside for the renovation or construction of buildings to be used as jails for first-time or non-violent offenders went virtually untapped by local governments statewide. Pfeifer hinted perhaps it was because the requirements to win the 50 percent matching fund grants were so strict.
Marion County Sheriff John Butterworth confirmed that idea, saying the county didn't meet certain criteria in the application process. Earlier this year, city and county leaders looked into applying for state funds to turn a building, such as the Harding Freshman Building, into a facility to house DUI offenders. Ultimately, no application was made because local leaders believed the area wouldn't qualify. "The restrictions that the state places on the grants, and the hoops you have to jump through are the reasons why you're not getting applications," said Butterworth. "'It had nothing to do with standards.
It has everything to do with the application process." Crawford County Commissioner Tom O'Leary asked where a local community is supposed to come up with the 50 percent of the total project cost needed as matching funds. DeWine responded to all comments by saying he would take a look at the application, and work to find ways to make it more realistic. "We're looking to see what we ought to do to fine tune that," he said. Butterworth told DeWine the state isn't pulling its weight as far as corrections are concerned. "County corrections the money that comes from the state is abysmal.
We don't have enough jail space in any county in the state of Ohio," the sheriff said. Butterworth also told De Wine the state released money to local government in 1983 to build jails and renovate existing structures, and "'It's time to do that again." DeWine said he plans to talk further with Butterworth to resolve some of those financial problems. DeWine added he would do that soon, as Marion County's existing jail is a facility targeted in a lawsuit, alleging conditions in the jail are sub-standard. WARNING! YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR REPLACEMENT WINDOWS, SIDING AND AWNINGS. CALL BETTER HOMES CONSTRUCTION CO.
387-5320 How To Reach The Marion Star, 387-0400 Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays Got a News Wallace Abernathy Got a Wedding Report? Brenzo Star Wood School Slack Service Ustaszewski Sports Davis Church News, Senior Class? Donegan Placing a Classified Hook Placing a Retail Millisor Having Trouble With Home Seaman with few options other than continuing to file new cases.
"Clearly, many of the recommendations of the staff reflect the limitations and problems inherent in the current antiquated rate-making process," said Tilley. As Columbia Gas awaits its fate, another factor which already has put it in poor light with consumers was the view of company officials who said they needed the fees to also help offset country club fees. Vandawalker acknowledged that reasoning is part of the request, but it's only one of several issues to be considered. To date, no rate increase for purposes of country club fees has been approved, she said. However, in one case for an increase citing chamber of commerce fees was approved, because i it was deemed "a business expense." Columbia Gas serves 1.2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in 67 Ohio counties.
Chris Ritchie quits Elgin school board Moreland also asked DeWine and Pfeifer for assistance in interpreting House Bill 592. He told the Lieutenant Governor the county is attempting to move forward to solve its solid waste problems within the four-county district, but could benefit from expert advice on the specifics of the relatively new and complicated law. County commissioners from Wyandot and Crawford counties spoke, as well. Carl Turnbell of Wyandot County, said his area's priority is safety along U.S. 30.
He told De Wine a number of accidents west of Upper Sandusky illustrate the need for an overpass interchange near U.S. 23 and Ohio 67. Crawford County's O'Leary said chronic unemployment problems plague his area. O'Leary urged the state to set aside block monies or other funds to help get towns with high unemployment State Reps. Randy Weston, D-Marion, and Ed Core, R-Rushsylvania, briefly spoke about the importance of contacting their offices if local problems should arise.
By DARLENE SLACK Staff Writer Following a two-year term sometimes marked by heated debates at board meetings, Chris Ritchie has resigned from the Elgin Local Schools Board of Education. Ritchie submitted her letter of 1 resignation through another member during the board's regular session Thursday night. Ritchie's resignation, although unexpected, "was not a tremendous surprise because she had not been at any of our meetings since July," said Sheryl Rhoades, president. Ritchie walked out of the July meeting when Superintendent Donald Bumgarner and other board members were questioning comments she had written in a newsletter. Distributed prior to the May primary when the district was seeking a tax levy, the newsletter stated Ritchie's intention to resign and her reasons why, criticizing actions of the board and superintendent.
In July, Ritchie said she did not intend to resign. Other school officials questioned her newsletter's statements. "We thought if she had some valid points, she should have an opportunity to verify them. She refused to do Rhoades said. The board Thursday accepted her resignation effective immediately.
Ritchie's letter gave no reasons for the resignation and The Star could not reach her for comment this morning. Anyone interested in completing the remaining two years of her term should submit a letter of interest by Oct. 31 to Superintendent James Traveline at the Marion County Board of Education, 134 E. Center St. The Elgin board will interview everyone and make a decision as soon as possible in November, Rhoades said.
of things we're talking about with the tax levies is Elgin really is at a crossroads. Having a full board gives us five perspectives from the district as to what direction we should be taking," Rhoades said. Shelters face funding crunch By GLORIA BRENZO donations from individuals and com- this requirement could cause a problem Features Editor Making the public more aware of the problem of domestic violence can be a double-edged sword, according to Alice-Kay Hilderbrand, executive director of Turning Point. concern is that as important as it is to get law enforcement officials to respond and make victims aware that there is a way out for them, it is also important for resources to increase." Turning Point is seeing a vast increase in the number of victims seeking shelter. Comparing January through June 1991 with those six months of 1990, 26 percent more adults and 7 percent more children have been helped.
In-shelter client days is up 36 percent. Shelter volunteers have also responded to 8 percent more hot line calls. In the nonresident support groups in all six counties served by Turning Point, 46 percent more battered adults have been seen. With such drastic increases in the number of clients served, funding for shelters has not risen. In fact, some sources may be on the decrease.
"We want people to get out of abusive situations and have a place to go and services available," Hilderbrand said. "But the future looks pretty bleak." Turning Point is funded by United Ways, United Appeals, county commissioners, and mental health services boards in the counties it serves. It also receives money from Title XX, Crawford and Marion County Departments of Human Services, the Crawford County Children's Trust Fund Board, a Victims of Crime Assistance Grant, a state Victims Assistance Act Grant, and munity organizations. The problem with being funded by so many different bodies is that no stable funding base is established for the shelter. At any given time any of the sources could be withdrawn, causing a major deficit in the funds to run the shelter and provide services.
"I wish there were some funding source that would provide the majority of our budget," Hilderbrand said. Much of her time is spent seeking funding sources for the shelter. In February, the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) issued a mandate for all entities that are funded by local mental health boards. The mandate developed over a two-year period requires funded programs to meet certain certification standards. The state says it has the right to dictate where local mental health boards spend their money, Hilderbrand said, and that it can withhold all dollars from programs that do not meet its standards.
For Turning Point in Marion this could mean a loss of $142,500 annually. To comply with these standards which are ordered by Jan. 1, 1992, each facility must meet stringent licensing requirements including the of all staff members. For Turning Point, this could mean that no volunteer staff could answer hot lines or participate in group counseling sessions done outside the shelter. Another ODMH requirement states that all service plans and procedures must be made available to the community at large.
According to Hilderbrand, with the shelter's confidentiality of records. "For shelters this type of mandate is ludicrous," she said. "A policy and procedures manual would reveal safety plans for victims housed at the shelter." The Ohio Domestic Violence Network requested a waiver for shelters on the certification standards but has been denied by the ODMH. An appeal is now being sought. -Motives From Page 1 Hennard's parents are divorced.
His father, Georges, is an orthopedic surgeon who was born in Switzerland and lives in Houston. His mother, Jeanna, once sold antiques and is now a manicurist in Henderson, Nev. Hennard was born Oct. 15, 1956, in a Pennsylvania hospital where his father was then a resident. The family lived across the state line in Waverly, N.Y., in part of a house owned by Helen Abrams.
"They were fighting all the time, she and her husband were screaming, and the children were crying and so my husband had to put them out of the house," Abrams said. we had quite a time getting them out. We had to go through a lawyer." Hennard graduated from La Cruces High School in New Mexico in 1974 while his family was living on the White Sands Missile base there, according to school and Army records. Maplewood Nursing Centerme 11 Marion's Finest Nursing Center owned and operated while tucked ALL NURSES ARE RN'S INTERMEDIATE AND "Locally MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SKILLED NURSING CARE away in a pleasant residential area, CERTIFIED PHYSICAL THERAPY Maplewood Nursing Center is generously OHIO HEALTH CARE FULLY INCLUDING AIR-CONDITIONED INDIVIDUAL staffed to provide our residents with the most ASSOC. AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ROOMS personalized care in central Ohio." RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR HANDICAP 409 Beliefontaine Ave.
Marion ADMISSIONS AND PRACTICES CONDUCTED WITHOUT REGARD TO 383-2126.
