County's November ballot set - Saturday, August 22, 2009 | Courier Electronic Edition

Local News

Saturday, August 22, 2009

County's November ballot set

By MARY KATE MALONE

Staff Writer

For voters living in Findlay, the Nov. 3 ballot will include three major tax issues that officials say are crucial to the economic health of the city and Hancock County.

The county and city made last-minute reductions in their tax requests this week in hopes of winning voter support.

And the Findlay School District is trying for a second time to win support for a bond issue to build new schools. Voters rejected the bond issue in a special election Aug. 4.

Seven other tax issues will be on the ballot elsewhere in Hancock County: in the Cory-Rawson School District and the Appleseed Joint Ambulance District, in the villages of Arlington, Jenera and Mount Blanchard, and in Allen and Union townships.

Voters in two Findlay precincts will decide liquor issues.

The county's villages and townships also have council and trustee positions up for grabs, and in some cases, six or seven people are vying for four seats.

The filing deadline for issues and candidates to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot was Thursday.

Here are the tax issues on the November ballot in Hancock County. "Renewals" mean taxpayers are being asked to approve a tax for the same amount of money they are already paying. "Replacement" levies represent slight tax increases from what is currently being paid.

� Hancock County is asking voters to approve a 10-year, half-percent sales tax. The commissioners imposed the tax last September and it took effect in January. If voters do not approve it, the county will stop collecting it early next year.

The tax is expected to generate about $5 million annually. Half the money will support county departments and daily operations, and the rest will be saved for future flood control projects and county capital improvement projects.

� The City of Findlay is asking voters to approve a three-year, quarter-percent income tax to generate about $3.5 million annually for operating expenses. The tax would cost a person making the median income ($49,715) about $124 per year, according to city Auditor Robert Sprague.

� Findlay School District is asking voters to approve a 4.3-mill bond issue to help pay for construction of two middle schools and a career technical center. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay about $132 annually.

� Allen Township is asking voters to renew a 0.9-mill, five-year levy for its fire department. It would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $28 per year.

� Appleseed Joint Ambulance District in the Arlington area is asking voters to replace a 0.6-mill, five-year levy to provide ambulance services and support operating expenses. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay about $18.37 annually.

� Cory-Rawson School District is asking voters to approve a 4.95-mill, 29-year bond issue to generate $6.3 million to help pay for construction of a new pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade building.

Voters will also be asked to approve a 0.5-mill levy to pay for maintenance of the new building.

Combined, the taxes would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $165 annually.

The new building would be constructed at the high school campus at 3930 Hancock County 26, near Rawson. Cory-Rawson Elementary School, at 220 S. Main St. in Rawson, would be torn down.

� Union Township, southwest of Findlay, is asking voters to approve a renewal of a 2-mill, five-year levy for fire protection. It would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $61 annually.

� Arlington is asking voters to replace a 2.5-mill, five-year levy for fire equipment and firefighters. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay about $77 annually.

� Jenera is asking voters to replace a 4-mill, five-year levy for current expenses. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay $123 annually.

� Mount Blanchard is asking voters to renew a 5-mill, five-year levy for current expenses. It would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $153 annually.

Liquor issues

The Wal-Mart on Findlay's Tiffin Avenue is asking residents of the 2-F Precinct to approve the sale of wine and "mixed beverages" from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

The Wal-Mart on Trenton Avenue is asking residents of the 5-A Precinct to approve the sale of wine and "mixed beverages" from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

Candidate races

In Findlay, all councilmen seeking re-election face no competition except for K.C. Collette, in the 3rd Ward, and J. Randal Van Dyne in the 2nd Ward. Collette, a Republican, will face independent candidate James Routson. Republican Van Dyne will compete with Democrat Jeff Detmer.

Republican James D. Staschiak is running unopposed for city treasurer.

All villages in Hancock County have four council seats up for election, and all townships have two trustee positions up for grabs.

Arlington, Benton Ridge, Mount Blanchard, Mount Cory and Rawson also have one seat open on the Board of Public Affairs, which oversees the sewer system.

Benton Ridge has a crowded ballot, with six people seeking four open seats on Village Council.

Longtime Benton Ridge Mayor Marvin Kennedy said some in the village of 315 may think "it's time for change."

Council members illegally voted to increase their pay in 2004 and 2005 to $100 per regular meeting and $75 per special meeting. The state auditor's office later ordered the six council members to repay $5,075 to the village.

Seven people are running for four seats on the councils in McComb and Arcadia, but only three candidates are seeking the four council seats in Arlington.

In one of the township races, three people are seeking to unseat Allen Township Trustees Kevin Flanagan and Ed Huffman. Both voted against an 85 percent, 15-year property tax break for a Home Depot warehouse on Aug. 4, to the disappointment of county and city economic leaders.

But last week they approved a less generous, 60 percent, 10-year tax break for Home Depot.

The three vying for the posts are Stacy Bishop, Tony Hiatt and Robert Wisner.

School boards

Every school board in Hancock County, except Findlay, has three seats up for election this year.

Findlay has two seats open and three candidates. Incumbents Barbara Dysinger and Shane Pochard will be competing with E. Jeffery Stephani.

Arcadia School District has seven people seeking three board seats, and Cory-Rawson School District has six people running.

The three incumbents on Liberty-Benton school board face no competition. But five people are seeking three seats on Riverdale's school board.

On the Net:

Visit www.thecourier.com for a PDF of the Nov. 3 ballot.

Malone: 419-427-8417,

Send an e-mail to Mary Kate Malone

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2 Comments

Latest comments listed first.

J wrote:

Federal Money

Lets not forget how dependent the city is on Federal money that most likely will not be available in the future. How is the city going to make up this lost revenue? Job,wage and benefit cuts for government employees or more taxes on home owners and the middle class.

Sunday, August 23, 2009 12:46:30 AM

JimC wrote:

Unbelievable

So in Findlay, we will get hit with three quarter's of a percent sales tax increase AND roughly 1.1% increase in property taxes. Let's not forget that Obama's social program bills will come due soon!

Saturday, August 22, 2009 11:13:07 AM

VIDEO

LITTLE ROCK NINE: Jefferson Thomas, who was among nine black students initially barred by the Arkansas governor from attending Little Rock Central High School in 1957, spoke to Findlay students as part of Black History Month. The crisis was a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights.

VIEW VIDEO

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LOCAL NEWS

LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...

Kyle wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

To Tim

It's a very good possibility that a plow with it's blade up was not a City of Findlay plow. Many people have their own plows and...

2/9/2010 1:17:57 PM

SNOW REMOVAL wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

SNOW REMOVAL

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE SNOW REMOVAL CALL MIKE (419) 236-9474...NO NEED TO PICK UP A SHOVEL OR CRANK UP THE SNOWBLOWER...

2/9/2010 12:42:55 PM

HLB wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

That's really sad...

You know, people are rude enough most of the time in this city and this last storm when random folks pulled together and I saw t...

2/9/2010 12:32:18 PM

rob wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

pile of snow

I cannot believe someone would call up and complain that a pile of snnow was blocking their view. What is this world coming to....

2/9/2010 11:38:49 AM

tim wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

put the blades down this time

Can someone please tell me why I see and saw several snowplows driving down streets that needed plowed with the blades up?

2/9/2010 10:39:25 AM

Jimbo wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

To Debbie..

I want to express that I understand where you are going with your post, but be practical. If a level 3 is called, that means no...

2/9/2010 10:35:28 AM

Steve wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":

unknown

That would be a personal responsibility choice. We all know what the winter situation is in NW Ohio and we all should be prepar...

2/9/2010 9:56:48 AM

J wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

Citizen........

Findlay is located in Hancock County..... Therefore, yes. If Hancock Co goes into a level 3 that includes Findlay....

2/9/2010 9:17:27 AM

Debbie wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

Level 3

Weathertech09~ would you like the hospital to be closed because no one is there to care for you or a loved one due to being cite...

2/9/2010 9:04:12 AM

STEVE wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

LEVEL 3

Citizen, Is the City of Findlay in Hancock County? I believe the article ref all the cars stuck in the snow Barker specifically...

2/9/2010 8:55:52 AM

U.S. Headlines

World News

Ohio News

News Briefs D.C. trip delayed
A trip to Washington, D.C. that Findlay and Ottawa officials were planning to make this week has been postponed because of the inclement weather.

Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert said officials have rescheduled the trip for Feb. 23 to meet with a lobbying group and congressional representatives regarding federal spending on flood control projects.

Fostoria requires clearing sidewalks
FOSTORIA -- Fostoria residents are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours of a storm, according to police Capt. Patrick Brooks.

The city code covers residential owners or tenants, and business owners of properties which abut a sidewalk.

An offense is a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100. Each day constitutes a separate offense.

Library in Forest reschedules event
FOREST -- Because of the expected inclement weather, the Forest-Jackson Public Library has rescheduled its Valentine luncheon planned for Thursday to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Reservations are required. Anyone with questions can call the library at 419-273-2400.

Disc golf tourney set for Saturday
The Ray Heverling Charity Ice Bowl Tournament has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverbend Recreation Area, off Ohio 568 east of Findlay.

Registration begins at noon.

The tournament was canceled last Saturday because of a snowstorm.

The Disc Golf Community Association, in cooperation with the Hancock Park District, sponsors the event. Proceeds go to the Family Center of Findlay-Hancock County.

For more information contact Nathan Buck at p_nate@thecatalystcc.com or 419-306-7405. Entry fee is $20. Additional donations are accepted.

Housing Authority meeting postponed
Because of an expected winter storm this week, the Hancock Metropolitan Housing Authority has canceled its regular board meeting scheduled for Thursday. It will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Family Center.

Fostoria library to close Monday
FOSTORIA -- Kaubisch Memorial Public Library will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Presidents Day.

Crime Of The Week
Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers is looking for information about a break-in at the Arlington Pharmacy, 200 Main St., at 12:51 a.m. Dec. 28.

A glass pane in the front door of the business was shattered, and entry was made. Once inside, the perpetrators took prescription medications and fled on foot.

Two white males were seen running from the business. The males were possibly in their late teens to early 20s, and possibly entered a vehicle.

People with information about this or any other crime that would lead to an arrest or indictment will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers can be called weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 419-425-TIPS or 419-425-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.

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Local News

Saturday, August 22, 2009

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