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Local News

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Decision upsets Findlay officials
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

Findlay administrators on Monday said they are angered by the Ohio Department of Transportation's decision to close the Western Avenue crossing on Ohio 15, even though the agency is citing motorist safety as its reason.

The closing will increase the time it takes firefighters and police to reach the Spring Lake Subdivision on the west side of Ohio 15, city officials said.

"It's going to have a huge impact on response times," said Jim Barker, Findlay's safety director.

Barker said he, Fire Chief Tom Lonyo and Acting Police Chief Greg Horne learned of the state decision from The Courier's Web site Monday afternoon.

"We were kind of blindsided by this. We were never made aware that this was happening," Barker told Findlay City Council members at the end of a special meeting held Monday night to address other topics. "ODOT never asked for Findlay's input."

The city's main concern is also with safety, but administrators are viewing it from a perspective that is different from the state's.

According to Barker, city firefighters have conducted trial runs to see how long it would take to reach the Spring Lake Subdivision if the Western Avenue crossing is closed. The answer was eight additional minutes in good weather, Barker said.

"It's going to have a huge impact on response times," for fire and police, said Barker. "In 16 seconds, a fire can double in size."

"My understanding is that many of the residents of Spring Lake are not in favor of that closure," said Barker.

When they heard the news, the two chiefs and Barker quickly convened and began making phone calls, only to be told the state's decision had been made and would not change.

"Chief Lonyo called an ODOT guy, tried to ask him some questions and was just short of being hung up on," Barker said. "We contacted (State Rep.) Cliff Hite and he says it's a done deal."

Hite said he spoke with Leonard Brown, the state agency's District One director, for about half an hour. The agency's decision, made during a meeting that included no Findlay or state government representatives, "seemed very unilateral to me," Hite said Monday night.

"It's real interesting how this all kind of worked its way out," Hite said. "It looks like it's (closure) going to happen."

"I just don't believe this is the best solution," Hite said.

Hite said he had attended the last hearing the Ohio Department of Transportation conducted with Findlay residents, and most people railed against the idea of closing the Western Avenue crossing.

"I understand where they're (the state agency) coming from. I just wish we could've come up with something better," Hite said.

Hite said he remembers residents wanting a different solution, such as an overpass or a stop light on Ohio 15. Hite said he has repeatedly suggested the agency consider a traffic light, with a flashing sign warning oncoming drivers to prepare to stop for a red light, as occurs on U.S. 23 in Delaware, just north of Columbus.

But the agency told him the Ohio 15 curve by the airport prevented that, as did average speeds clocked at nearly 70 miles per hour at the intersection, Hite said.

Hite said he is concerned not only about delayed firefighter and police response times, but also about increased Spring Lake commuter traffic on roads those residents don't normally use.

Findlay and Hancock County may have to discuss realigning jurisdictional boundaries, or come up with other alternatives to maintain Spring Lake's safety, Hite said.

City administrators said they intend to resume making calls today, and want to reach State Sen. Steve Buehrer, R-Delta.

Meanwhile, firefighters will be planning more trial runs to see how long it will take to reach Spring Lake now that the weather is bad.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

Send an e-mail to Joy Brown


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22 Comments (3 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
j wrote:
It is done
“ It is done, The State has made it decision, get over it. On the bright side this is now truly a rural area, if enough people live in the area, they should look into forming a volunteer fire brigade like many small towns do when they are to far away from a professional fire department. It time to stop complaining and look for solutions. But the residents will more than likely have to finance the bulk of any thing that they come up with, the City and State just don't have the revenue anymore. ”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:04:03 PM
Another Critical Thinker wrote:
Use Flexible Posts to Close Intersection
“ I agree with with Critical Thinker. If the concern is emergency vehicle access, then simply install a wall of flexible posts at the closed intersection. This will effectively block regular traffic, but the emergency vehicles can drive over them. These are used effectively in other areas. ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 8:44:52 PM
Independent Voter wrote:
I Support Cliff Hite
“ I listened to Representative Hite on WFIN this morning and it sounds like he is staying on top of this issue.

It is great to see Representative Hite paying attention and remaining knowledgeable about what is going on in our community. I'm proud to say that you represent us Cliff!

Every time I have called or e-mailed Representative Hite, he has called me back personally.

Thanks for representing common sense and the common man Cliff. Keep kicking butt and taking names!

You once again have earned my vote this year. ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:11:36 PM
Patrick wrote:
Allow access from OH 15 only, close median crossing.
“ I think crossing the highway should be prevented totally. Put in acceleration / deceleration lanes to allow access/egress to OH15. At least then the FD could use OH15 to access the subdivision.

It would at least allow fire to access the subdivision from OH15/US68.

Someone else mentioned that running a road along the highway to Lima Ave. That's not possible (use google earth) to see where that east west runway ends, just not possible.

The only other access would be from Twp Rd 80 and 67 (comes in @ Lima Ave next at the 75 overpass). ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:05:14 PM
Mark wrote:
Response times and closing
“ By closing this intersection it will cut down on the number of accidents that will happen there. In regards to increased response times, there would be no benefit to give that area to the Twp. That area is considered Liberty Twp, which their fire station is up on CR 140 near SR224, so they are even further away then Fire station 1 which services that area. Even for ambulances the time is still increased, having to either go out Lima ave to a county road, or SR 68 to a county road and back up. There is not even access from the off ramp from SR15 to SR68. This is just all in all a bad area. It would be nice though to see the actual times it would take different departments to get there. ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 5:59:46 PM
Spring Lake Resident wrote:
Keep fighting for our community Representative Hite
“ It looks like our state representative is on call for us 24/7 and thats the way all of our elected officials should be!

Our hard-earned tax dollars pay your salary and you are one of the few politicians who actually earn's their paycheck.

Thanks for fighting for our community Cliff. You have personally helped me with issues and questions before and I was pleased to read that you are trying to fight for what is right and what makes sense!

I voted for you in past elections and I can promise that you once again have my vote this year!

Keep up the good work! ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 5:37:29 PM
j wrote:
How many
“ How many people actually live in the this subdivision? Are we talking 1000 or more? Could the county supply fire and police protection in a more timely manner? But accept that the intersection is now closed and nothing is going to change that. I would require high level state administrators to admit they made a mistake, NOT going to happen. And you can thank the guy who threaten a law suit for getting the intersection closed so quickly. ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 5:00:56 PM
elwf4905 wrote:
closing
“ Seth, not "everyone" wanted something done. I went to the meetings held about this intersection while I was a resident of Spring Lake, and not a single resident of that neighborhood wanted it closed. The people who wanted it closed lived on the city side of Western, or on the West side of the airport on TR 67.

I agree that it's time for Mr Phebus' driveway to be declared unsafe. After all, it's impacted by that same dangerous curve and no on or off ramp to gain speed when pulling into traffic.

One last thing...to say residents should just move if they don't like it...why couldn't George Phebus and the other detractors just not use the intersection if they didn't like it? Who will want to buy a house in a City of Findlay neighborhood that is completely cut off from the city? ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 2:47:39 PM
Findlay Resident wrote:
Thank you Representative Hite!
“ Congratulations, Representative Hite, for being on top of this situation.

Thank you, also for caring about the people of Spring Lake and all others in the area concerned about this closing.

I was at the public hearing at Chamberlain Hill and saw you there. You have also shared with some of us, your plans to correct the situation and realized your plans have fallen on deaf ears.

At least we know that you are down in Columbus fighting for us the way we elected you to do. And, we know Councilman Schedel is fighting for us as well. Both of you keep up the great work for our district and keep fighting the good fight. We are grateful to have a representative like you!
 ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 2:04:11 PM
KMP wrote:
Dangerous Intersection or Careless Drivers?
“ I think the closing of that intersection is unnecessary and just a way to get out of spending money. I grew up crossing that intersection every day several times a day and never once got into an accident (nor have any of my family members who having been driving that route for over 30yrs). It all comes down to careless drivers. It's pretty simple. Stop. Look for oncoming traffic. Once it's clear you can procede across the intersection. Common sense would go a long way. Now the residents are going to be forced to use country roads that can and will be more dangerous in the winter time. ODOT should have properly investigated this and asked for Findlays input and not made such a hasty decision because of the threat of being sued. ”
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 1:14:20 PM
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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.

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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.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

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.