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Local News

Monday, August 17, 2009

Weatherizing efforts to be expanded
Diamond Mine Direct
By MARY KATE MALONE

Staff Writer

BLUFFTON -- The Peralta family, surviving on part-time wages and a tight budget, spent many winters shivering in a poorly insulated, century-old Bluffton home.

As the furnace purred, icy air would seep through the walls, the attic, doors and windows, aggravating 7-year-old Nephi's chronic bronchitis.

The winter heating bill, sometimes reaching $700 monthly, nearly consumed Rebekah Peralta's wages from the Hallmark gift shop.

"I was desperate," said Peralta, who lives in a four-bedroom, two-story house. "I didn't know what to do or where to turn."

Peralta's problem was solved last November by a free government program that stuffed her attic with insulation and halved her heating bills.

The Home Weatherization Assistance Program insulated 169 homes in a five-county area last year, Peralta's being one of its largest undertakings.

This summer, the federal government pumped $5.25 million into the local program, doubling its capacity.

The government also relaxed eligibility standards, allowing anyone who makes 200 percent of the poverty line to qualify.

"Many people who may not think they are eligible, actually are," said Bob Pepple, director of energy and facilities for the Community Action Commission, which is administering the program.

For example, a family of three with an income of $36,620 or less would qualify.

Weatherizing includes an inspection, insulation, sealing of windows, attics and crawl spaces.

For larger homes, like Peralta's, the insulation work could cost a homeowner up to $3,000. In some cases, crews work for eight or nine days on a single home.

"It's hard for me to put into words what they have done for me," Peralta said.

Her heating bill this past winter was closer to $200 a month, she said, and her son's bronchitis complications were noticeably less frequent.

The $5.25 million will fund weatherization projects from July 2009 through March 2011 for households in Hancock, Hardin, Wyandot, Putnam and Allen counties.

Officials hope that means 15 households per month, said Lucy Valerius, Community Action Commission director of health and transportation.

The commission hopes to especially target Allen County with the additional funding. The need there is "tremendous," Pepple said.

The additional money has allowed the commission to hire four, three-member crews to do the work.

Inspectors go to a home and determine what insulation is necessary, then the crew arrives with supplies.

The state is receiving $266 million for weatherization work from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ohio leads the nation in weatherizing homes, and "did a lot of leg work early on" to attract more stimulus money from the government, Pepple said.

The Community Action Commission is using "aggressive outreach" to make the community aware of the program, Valerius said.

"The need is great, but people don't know about us and we don't know about them," Pepple said.

The relaxed requirements could mean that those in less dire circumstances than Peralta's could apply and likely be accepted.

Consider 69-year-old Gene Brengartner, who had his Kenton house insulated last week. With an annual income of $27,000 for his family of three, he said he is not hurting financially.

He even purchased a new efficiency furnace for his home last October for $2,500.

"But if someone comes up and says, 'Hey, we'll check your house and see if it needs insulation,' and if they found out it did, then gee, at that price I can't afford not to," he said.

Applications for weatherization services are available at the Community Action Commission's Web site at www.hhwpcac.org/weatherization.html

Applications also can be obtained by calling the commission at 419-423-3755 or 1-800-423-4304; the commission will then mail the caller an application.

On the Net:

Community Action Commission:

www.hhwpcac.org/weatherization.html



Malone: 419-427-8417,

Send an e-mail to Mary Kate Malone
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2 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Kyle wrote:
Come on...
“ I don't think anyone is arguing in this story that the money for it is appearing out of thin air. I am positive that it's the US taxpayers. That's how things work. Just try to appreciate the positive story without criticism. I know that's very difficult for Findlay residents. ”
Monday, August 17, 2009 12:50:09 PM
Interested observer wrote:
No such thing...
“ While stories like this are great to read and these families are very deserving receiptiants I'm sure, there is absolutely no such thing as a "free government program". Get real. Someone's paying for this program and I'm pretty sure it's us, the U.S. taxpayers. ”
Monday, August 17, 2009 10:56:38 AM
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

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With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

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The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.