Lynchburg Library May Close

I have been informed that if the State Budget is approved the Lynchburg Library may be closing. A library is very important to any community, especially ours. The signs are already on the library windows, do not take my word, go and check it out. It is imperative to contact our State Rep and Senator immediately, if you wait one day it will be to late. It is already to late to send a letter, you must call or email them. I will provide you with the letter I sent and the information for our State Rep. and State Senator. Please feel free to use my letter as a template.
Please help save the Lynchburg Library.
Thank you,
Jeremy R Shaffer, Mayor

Call or Email Below

David T. Daniels, State Represenative
District: 86
Term: 4th
Term Limit: Not eligible to run for another two-year term
Address:
77 S. High St
10th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Phone: (614) 466-3506
Fax: (614) 719-6986
Email: district86@ohr.state.oh.us

John Carey, State Senator
District:17
Senate Building
Room #127, First Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: 614/466-8156
Email: SD17@senate.state.oh.us

My Letter:
Honorable Sen. John Carey & Honorable Representative David Daniels,

I understand that economic times are tough and that difficult choices must be made, however cutting 227 million dollars from libraries in Ohio is not the right decision to make.

Libraries are more than places you can check out a book. Libraries have become the backbone of our community, providing many services to the entire community. The Lynchburg Library is helping everyday, bridge a huge technology gap that is happening in society by offering the extensive use of computers and other forms of technology enabling citizens to educate and market themselves.

Your constituents rely heavily on their local libraries to provide educational and entertainment needs. People in your district are using the library to apply for jobs, learn how to build a resume and set up email accounts.

As the Mayor of a small Village, it is important for local growth and development. Our Library is part of a crumbling foundation that I work hard to repair and build on everyday. It is hard enough to attract business to a small community, which would provide for a local tax base and jobs. With the Lynchburg Library possibly closing, due to the proposed budget, it will be much harder to attract residents, and provide for the future of this small community. As you know, this area has been hit the hard with job losses due to the DHL relocation to Kentucky. My community needs to retain its library in order to make Lynchburg, Highland County, and Ohio strong again. Do not let our Governor’s Budget put another nail in the coffin of small communities.

Denying Lynchburg and your voters the use of their public library is not going to bring them up to speed with the challenges in today’s economy. I would like you to oppose the proposed budget cuts to the Public Library Fund. It’s wrong for libraries and wrong for Ohioans.

Respectfully,


Jeremy R Shaffer, Mayor

Sidewalks Bring Communities Together

What is a Sidewalk:

"A sidewalk (chiefly North American English), pavement (British English, South African English and Philadelphia dialect), footpath (Australian English, Irish English, Indian English and New Zealand English), platform (chiefly Indian English) or footway (Engineering term) is a path for pedestrians that is situated alongside a road or a paved pathway (such as a concrete footpath through a park). A sidewalk may accommodate moderate changes in grade. However, "walkway" is a more complete term for support of walking, and includes stairs, ramps, paseos (passageways) and related off-street tools that provide for a developed pathway.

Sometimes, a sidewalk is next to its street or road with perhaps only a curb in between. Sometimes, there is an area called a parkway or tree lawn in between the sidewalk and the street." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidewalk)


Walk to meet your neighbors,you will save money and the environment.

Sidewalks

I have had several questions about sidewalk maintenance over the last year. I will address it to the best of my ability, from the information I have up to today.
This leads back to right-of-way, which I discussed in a similar forum last year. A property owner has the privilege to maintain and use right-of-in which their property connects. That is different from owning the right-of-way. Most improvements are prohibited in the area of right-of-way, due to the fact, that most of these areas are located/plotted for streets and alleys. Improvements and encroachment may cause potential safety problems, in which everyone would be potentially legally liable for damages.
Sidewalks are usually placed in the right-of-way. When this occurs, the property owner has the responsibility to maintain it. If an public access through a sidewalk or waterway is established then whether on private property or not, it must be maintained for safe use and function.
The specific question asked was “would the local government be willing to repair sidewalks and assess it to the property tax if the property owner did not have the money?’ It is the responsibility of the local government and community to have and maintain safe sidewalks. So you could say, that the local government has the power to do this if safety is a problem. At this point, I believe it would be reasonable if a person would like to proceed in this manner and the local government repair or add a sidewalk and assess it, it could be done. AT this point there is not funding or a requirement for the local government to do it without reimbursement from the property owner. Though there may be a time when sidewalks are required to be repaired, maintained, or reconstructed.
Sidewalks are important; they make neighborhoods more livable, cleaner, and safer. They are appealing to the eye, and finally they reduce traffic accidents, and even speed. “Sidewalk presence had a risk ratio of 0.118, which means that the likelihood of a road with a paved sidewalk being a crash site was 88.2 percent lower than a road without a sidewalk” .(Wikipedia.com)

Wastewater Treatment Phase I Online

Friday the June 13th, the pumps and headworks, which is phase one of the sewer plant upgrade, was brought online. It has worked for the last week and there have been no problems. Phase one will still continue throughout the next few weeks. The Engineer, Floyde Browne, has made a preliminary punch list. The contractor, Sunesis, will be wrapping the project up. I encourage the community to contact the office and take a tour of the Lynchburg water and sewer utilities. The utilities we operate are important to improve the quality of life within the community,improve property value, improve health; and the operations are regulated by the EPA, as well as many quality controls the certified operators maintain. Lynchburg has two licensed operators. Rick Ludwick and Mark Suitor, both have the proper certifications for water and wastewater (Sewer).
The wastwater plant, phase two will be fast tracked due to the money that Lynchburg will receive through stimulus funding process. The PTI, permit to install, has been approved by the Ohio EPA. In August, Lynchburg will be applying for additional 0% loans for the remaining balance. These loans will be through DEFA, which is the funding branch of the EPA. DEFA, will also be on sight throughout Phase II to assist Lynchurg, and make sure the project is being done properly. DEFA does this when the loan money, and when certain government grants are obtained. The balance of Phase II will be around one million dollars, after the 2.1 in grant money Lynchburg has received. It is imperative that the Council come up with a way that this will be paid back before the project is complete, or it will be added to the utility invoice in 2010. I do want to remind everyone that the sewer plant upgrade is mandated by EPA, this started in 1997, Lynchburg is under Findings and Orders (which is a legal binding document specifying environmental hazards caused by the current plant), the plant was overflowing and polluting the watershed, the plant was outdated, Lynchburg was fined, and this is a very important problem that deserves attention.

Maintenance is Getting Done around Lynchburg

In an effort to share how some money is being used for maintenance, I figured I would post a picture and an update.
Drainage:
We have successfully repaired drainage throughout the entire Village in the last two years. Drainage is important to keep water from laying on roads. When water lays on a road instead of going into a drain or ditch, it breaks up the road over time. It cause soft spots, cracking, bulges, pot holes, etc. In the last few months there have been two catch basins found, and cleaned, with new grates on N. Sycamore.
A very old drain was found on High Street and Broadway. After digging 6 feet deep it was opened. An eight in. was ran with a very small catch from the corner of Broadway to the newly opened basin on High St.
The top of the Catch basin at Short Street and Eastern was poured and a new grate. Many of us remember an old plate and sink hole there.
Recently part of the road started caving in at the Board of Education on Pearl. The drain line was made up of clay tile, steel, and plastic. It had been repaired and patched quite a few times. 140 feet of new culvert line was put in before the entire section fell in.
Stop Signs:
In 2008, the State of Ohio mandated that all STOP signs were to be high reflectivity. Many of the signs around the community were installed on the poles wrong, and faded. In an effort to make the community safer and meet the suggested mandate, all Stop signs are now high intensity reflective signs. Please let me know if any were missed during the replacement this year.
Trees:
Trees are an important part of our community. They give it a quaint small town feeling. Trees provide shade, a place for wildlife, and they assist in saving energy by protecting our homes from the elements. Some though are rotten and need to be replaced. There was a little money in the State Hwy fund that can only be used for 134 and 135, and its right away. The total is several hundred a year. Usually it has to be added with other monies in order to do anything. This year it was used to cut down a couple rotten trees, that have had trouble in the past. In an effort not just to cut down, I have developed a plan to plant a few in the same areas. In addition, I would like to see some trees planted in our park areas.I am working toward this because I feel trees are an important part of our community and lives.
Street money:
The levy money has been used to prep streets for blacktop, snow removal, salt,drainage, and much more. I want to see the money at least pave a street or so every year. Blacktop is very expensive, however are streets need help. In an effort to start somewhere, Linn-Kar Drive will be paved, it has not been done since the 1970's and Bayless, from High Street - North is on the agenda to be paved, which has not been done since about the same time more around 40 years. It is something that has to be done. I hope to blacktop a couple streets a year.

Show Me the Money!!!!

Good News
Myself, and many of you in the community fought to receive grant funding for the second phase of the Waste water Treatment Plant Project. We wrote letters to Senators, State Representatives, Congressman, and the Governor. I petitioned for community support, and lobbied all the agencies I thought could help.
The numbers are in and the Village of Lynchburg will be getting $1,602,000 in a grant for the project. This grant came through the stimulus funding program. In addition, we were able to secure $500,000 in a grant earlier this year. That is a total of $2,102,000 in Grant funding for the project which totals $3,204,000. The project will still cost something, however this is a huge burden that we will not have to bear. There is a light at the end of the Tunnel, 2014 here we come. The Community will get a brand new state of the art sewer plant that will be ready for the future.
Follow this link http://www.epa.state.oh.us/defa/stimulus.html
The Click on the Amended 2009 Program Management Plan
The Project count number is 159, on the Adobe page 44
Congratulations Lynchburg $$$

Is Crime Lower Now, Then it was One Hundred Years Ago?

Understanding the history of Lynchburg and it's Police may give us an insight to the importance and value our predecessors placed on law enforcement. I have spent much time reading older Council minutes to seek out the evolution of the Police Department, and to try to grasp how the community arrived at the point we are at.
Between 1830 and 1890 there became a need for protection. The events leading up to this are relatively unclear. However the community elders did see fit, and endorsed a Village Marshall and a Village Jailer. The Village of Lynchburg had its own law enforcement agents and a local jail. Most likely the Marshall, which means Police Chief today, was an elected rather than appointed position. The Jailer was a separate position and he employed help, separate from the Marshall.
In the early 1900's to 1920's records show the Marshall employing special Police and night Police. It seems Special Police were officers on day shift and Night Police or watchmen, were employed specifically to serve as law after dark. These officers were law officers under the Marshall. Through the years it seems the Village maintained around 4 law enforcement officers and up to six, including the Jailer at time throughout history.
Sometime in the mid 1930's, there is a gap in records, the Police Department was formed and the Marshall became a Chief of Police. This Chief was an appointed position under the Mayor and was confirmed by the Village Council. This is much the same as it is today. Things seemed to run about the same with a jailer, and an assistant who cleaned and maintained the jail, along with other Village offices. The Police Department stayed steady with the Chief and never less than two additional officers.
The Village had a Police Chief, which many remember, Harold "Windy" Shaffer, who had a long run as Police Chief, about 20yrs. His retirement commenced in 1985,and "Windy" started in the 60's under his predecessor Chief Chester Elam. Everything seemed very Mayberry like. The Village had one cruiser and one town maintenance truck, an excellent tax base which brought in a few thousand dollars.
Then came 1979, which is a year that has unclear minutes about several problems.This seems to be the beginning of the road that led us to where we are today. Two deputies under Chief H. Shaffer, quit or resigned that year. The Village Council were in the process of purchasing a new Police cruiser from Brose Chevrolet which was the local Chevy dealer in Lynchburg. It seems one of the officers brought false charges and or lied in testimony. At a special meeting in latof e 1979 that was called to "Discuss Police Problems" the Village legal counsel ,Mr Hapner, informed the Council that the Highland County Prosecutor informed him that charges would be filed against the Village and or Officers if they were put back on duty.
Later on that year the Council decided to keep Chief Shaffer on until his retirement in 1985, and contract with the Sheriff for Protection. This contract was for a Deputy Sheriff to be here from late evening to early the next morning, the times are explained in the minutes, seven days a week.
Since, 1985 there were many Police Chiefs that tried to rebuild a proper Department, however still leaned on the crutch of the Sheriff's Department for the majority of support. The perception of the Police Department from its former glory was no more. This was due to the fact that a scandal had destroyed it. The community has been in an unstable whirlwind since then. From 1990 to now there have been around 12 Police Chiefs. This in itself show instability and lack of leadership among the Department, Government, and Community. Much of this can be contributed to lack of funding in the last twenty years. The Police did not need much funding with only one Chief, and a Sheriff contract, which did cost something and was not free. Initially in 1979 it was over $15,000 dollars for Sheriff Dept. coverage.
With the challenges we all face, which include: lack of funding, rising crime, lack of protection, I believe we need a Police Department more than ever. A local Police Department that understands the Lynchburg Community. I think it is time to put the focus here at home. It is time to rebuild a local Police Department that understands and cares. With your help, myself, and Chief Wooton, can give us all the protection we deserve. Now, this will not be free, it will not be easy, however it is the responsible thing to do, in order to protect our families and property.

Police Department Days Numbered

After the Special Council Meeting on May 26,2009 regarding the budget of the General Fund and Police Fund I'am at a loss. The meeting started at 6:30pm and I managed to get home by about 10:30. Sheriff Ward was present. He addressed some concerns regarding the Safety of the community. He said he would try to help within his means, however the very best Police Protection would only from a local Lynchburg Police Department.
I covered a history of the Department, and statistics relevant to the budget from 2004 to 2009. Police Chief Wooton addressed manpower, crime Statistics, call records, and the situation regarding decreased Police around the county and how that has affected the Community. He even explained the large amount of administrative duties that have to be done in order to have a Police Department. A breakdown of an officer pay was handed out so that everyone could clearly see what it took to pay an officer from an expenditure and revenue standpoint.
The Council Members had no ideas on what to do and how to assist in protecting the community, though they did say they felt it was a serious problem. They only came up with three solutions which were borrow money, impose a 1% income tax, or run the levy again and hope it passes.They each made it clear that the Police Department might in fact not exist in a few months.
I also explained the severe deficit in the General Fund which pays for many of the Village Services and the fact that in the past the water deposit money had been tapped into and needed to be re payed. It seems the water deposit money may have been depleted between 2003 to 2008. Several documents show the needed amount, one was the Glenavy Sewerage Project match in 2007. Others include transfers between 2003 and 2007 the General fund. With these shortfalls, the Police could not use any money from General to make up for its budget the way it had apparently been done in the past. I will cover the information in the next several days through a series of entries. I will express some of the issues, with substantiated information about the serious situation that is playing out.
I cannot solve this problem alone. The Governing Body is the 6 Council Members, and they have the power to appropriate, budget, and legislate. I warned in January of 2008 that I believed the Village was on the verge of a fiscal watch or even a fiscal emergency, and I still believe that we are not clear from that. The ORC requires me to inform Council on Budgetary issues and I have. I do not feel that the Council are being proactive in solving any problem. I feel they continue to wait and time is running out on several levels and with several issues. As some stand by and watch, problems are worsening. There are no easy answers, however it will take some serious thinking and work to find solutions and understand the problems. I believe we really have a chance to take the problems and turn them into opportunities. With work, we could emerge in a better position.
Last, I will tell you what the Council voted unanimously to do. They approved borrowing $20,000 from the last tax draw from the Police in October. Have that advanced through a bank to be used now. In addition they voted to have the Auditor Certify the amount of properties for another Ballot issue in the Fall. They had missed the deadline to add a ballot issue at a special election, which would have been August.