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Friday, February 05, 2010

Flood help focus of trip to D.C.
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By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

Findlay and Ottawa officials will travel to Washington, D.C., next week to continue flood control lobbying efforts.

According to Jeff Loehrke, community development director for Ottawa, he and the mayors of both towns, some other municipal administrators and Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership representatives will be meeting with B&D Consulting.

The Washington firm has, since 2008, lobbied Congress on behalf of Findlay and Ottawa, in an effort to obtain money for flood studies and projects.

Ottawa and Findlay share responsibility for paying the firm, which they consider their flood lobbying linchpin. Each pays $3,000 per month.

Since the August 2007 flood, this will be the third trip officials have taken to the nation's capital for flood control efforts. Some did not attend last year for budget reasons, including Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert.

Loehrke said talks with B&D Consulting will be about combining Army Corps of Engineers "general investigation" studies of Findlay, Ottawa and rural areas into one big study.

That must be done before the federal government will consider paying up to 65 percent of flood control project costs, he said.

The studies will detail existing and historic topographical, water flow and economic conditions in flood-ravaged areas. The government requires the studies before it will assist with project funding and construction.

The studies were begun in three parts so the Corps could commence work on them more quickly, without congressional approval, said Tony Iriti, Partnership president. But if they remain separate, Congress could allocate only about $7 million for each area studied. That's a fraction of the projected $100 million cost for Findlay's flood control project.

Government funding will hinge on getting the studies combined, and getting Blanchard River watershed flood control plans as a line item in the next Water Resources Development Act bill.

Politics play a big part, and lobbying efforts include getting the word out to those who can make funding available for particular projects.

The last time the Water Resources Development Act was renewed was 2007. Although lawmakers on both sides of the aisle hailed many of the included projects as laudable and necessary, the law's passage was controversial and required a House override of a presidential veto.

Then-President Bush claimed the bill lacked "fiscal discipline" and said it did not adequately "set priorities." Other critics contended it contained too many "pork barrel" projects for congressional districts that did the most lobbying.

The law is supposed to be renewed every two years, but Loehrke and Iriti have said that does not always happen.

Legislators are now accepting and championing project proposals for an anticipated Water Resources Development Act renewal in 2010. Findlay and Ottawa officials are doing all they can to make sure their flood control proposals will be included.

Loehrke said officials also have been told there may be money available for Blanchard River watershed projects under a federal transportation bill.

"Through this, we could possibly obtain funding to help with bridges that go across the river" that are creating unwanted dams, causing floodwater backup.

"We really depend on this consulting firm to uncover areas where money could be available to help us," Loehrke said of B&D Consulting.

In a whirlwind of meetings that will primarily take place in one day, officials will also be meeting with Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. George Voinovich, Rep. Bob Latta and Rep. Jim Jordan.

Sehnert said no sightseeing will be in store, other than the view from the airplane window. He is paying for his trip out of his own pocket.

"We need to meet with them periodically to keep these (flood control) projects in the forefront of their minds, and to let them know that we still really need their help" in securing funding, Loehrke said. "There needs to be continued funds available for the Army Corps to do their studies, too."

Brown: 419-427-8496,

Send an e-mail to Joy Brown


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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.

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

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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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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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The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

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Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

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