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Local News

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Proposed library levy headed for May ballot
Findlay Inn & Conference Center -Downtown Findlay
By MICHELLE REITER

STAFF WRITER

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library board voted Tuesday to send its 0.5-mill levy request to the county commissioners so it can appear on the May ballot.

"This way we are providing the public with an opportunity to make a decisive decision" about the library's services, said Gene McEvoy, the board president.

Last week the Hancock County Auditor's Office certified the millage amount and said the levy would generate about $707,000 a year, close to what the board estimated.

The levy would cost the owner of a home with an appraised value of $100,000 about $16 a year.

If the levy passes, it should provide the library with enough money to hire back some, if not all, employees and restore its hours.

The library branch in Arlington might be able to restore its hours, too.

Hours were reduced at the Findlay and Arlington libraries after state budget cuts carved $84.3 million from the state's library fund.

The state cuts mean the Findlay library will face about a 30 percent loss of revenue, or about $725,000 a year in 2010 and 2011.

The library's annual budget has been $2.4 million a year.

Board members said the next step is to launch a levy campaign.

"Between now and the election is going to be a busy time for us," McEvoy said.

The board hopes to raise between $8,000 and $10,000 for its campaign, and will receive some money from the Friends of the Library.

It will be the library's first attempt at a levy.

Separately Tuesday, the board discussed using insurance money it has set aside to rebuild part of the Arlington library that was destroyed in a 2008 storm.

Storm winds damaged the library's community room. The library applied for $750,000 in federal stimulus funds to rebuild the entire structure, but the application was denied.

However, the library has $57,000 in insurance money from the storm that it needs to use by May 30 or it will no longer be available, so the board decided to rebuild the community room.

The cost may exceed $57,000, said Ed Railing, the board's long-range planning chairman, but if it does the library has more insurance money set aside to use for construction.

Railing said reconstructing the community room, which would likely be used as a children's area, would not prevent the library from eventually constructing an entirely new building in Arlington.

The library continues to be well-supported in the village, he said.

The board is in the process of finalizing plans for the new room with RCM Architects.

Separately, Director Jeff Winkle will continue to take a 10 percent pay cut this year. Winkle first took the cut last year when the library staff was reduced.

The board also voted to keep other employee salaries unchanged this year.

Reiter: 419-427-8497,

Send an e-mail to Michelle Reiter


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7 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Doug wrote:
Think before you speak!
“ Melissa Humphress, please tell us you have no plans for political office? Your idea of only home owners voting on tax increases is stupid to say the least! With your thought process, if I own 5 houses than I should get 5 votes. Renters pay just as much property tax as home owners do. If you honestly think that the new property taxes aren't passed along to the renters you have your head in the sand right along side Jimmie boy Jordan! We've got enough poor decision makers in Government already, please tell us you have no political ambition! LONG LIVE AMERICA!!! ”
Thursday, January 14, 2010 8:52:34 AM
Sue wrote:
I will support the levy, BUT PLEASE treat patrons with respect
“ The library provides a vital part of any thriving community, including Findlay. Please support it.

I will add, however, that many of the ladies working at the checkout counter are surly and rude. I have noticed this for years now. Indeed, they act like you are coming into their home and taking their books.

They seem unhappy to be working there and helping the public. I even had one person who was checking out my books tell me that the woman who had just left (we both knew her and we all three had been talking together) never returns her books on time and has huge fines. I was shocked at her gossiping. This information was none of my business and I realized that the library is yet another hotbed of useless gossip.

Please work on customer service at the library, patrons don't deserve to be treated like scum.
 ”
Thursday, January 14, 2010 2:42:10 AM
Mike wrote:
Govt corruption
“ There's corruption at the highest levels of state government: Marc Dann, Tom Noe and Coingate, ODOT manager sent to jail, the Ohio Turnpike Commission.

And yet people will stomp their feet and throw temper tantrums over the pennies of support their local library asks.

Meanwhile real dollars ad up as crooks in higher government steal from your pocketbook everyday.

Don't take it out on your local library, one of the few institutions than squeezes the most out of its dollars and gives its citizens a good return on their investment. ”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 4:52:24 PM
Steve wrote:
Ridiculous idea Melissa
“ The next thing you know only the ruling elite would have their voices heard. Property owner or not everyone is affected by property taxes, and everyone reaps the benefits. I always insure this is clear to my renters everytime there is a proposed increase. It is written explicitly into my leases any such costs may be passed along. Stop whining and be happy you live where you have a voice. ”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 3:20:29 PM
neighborhood resident wrote:
civics lesson
“ To Melissa:

This is kind of why we had a revolution. Do you seriously think that people who do not own their own homes -- at the moment of election -- should have no voice in their public government?

What if you buy a home after the ballot is cast? You would be paying the tax then but would not have had any voice in deciding the issue.

What if you had a home when you cast the ballot but then moved into a rental? You no longer have to pay the property tax (although, hello, you are doing so for the landlord through your rent) but you were allowed to vote on the levy.

Your way is not fair, or even constitutional. ”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 3:07:42 PM
j wrote:
Why
“ Why would companies stay or come to Findlay which is developing a history of steady increase in the cost of doing business. Don't be surprise as more middle class and upper income people choose to live outside of Findlay and just work here. Findlay is becoming to expensive, compared to the benefits of living here. To bad it once was a nice place when the "Republicans" ran things. TAX and SPEND, Findlay new motto. ”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:49:01 PM
Melissa Humphress wrote:
more taxes?
“ Firstly, if homeowners are the only ones that are asked to pay, they should be the only ones voting to raise their taxes. With the tax bill that is sent out to every property owner, the ballot should be sent out, every piece of property that is in the taxing district would get one vote. That is the only fair way to tax properties.

These taxes are just riduculous. ”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 10:48:22 AM
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Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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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.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

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.

Owens announces holiday schedule
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.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
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.