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THE BROWN COUNTY PRESS Serving Brown County, Ohio since 1973
Vol. 38 No. 9
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Wildlife officials get win in court BY Wayne Gates The Brown County Press The case against five Ohio Division of Wildlife officials facing felony charges in Brown County has been dealt a serious blow by Common Pleas Judge Scott Gusweiler. Division of Wildlife Chief David Graham, Assistant Chief Randy Miller, Law Enforcement Administrator James Lehman, Human Administrator Resources Michelle Ward-Tackett and Division of Wildlife District Five Supervisor Todd Haines all face felony Obstruction of Justice Charges. Following the Sept. 2 hearing, Gusweiler has ruled that statements made by the five during an investigation by the Ohio Inspector General’s Office were compelled under threat of dismissal from their jobs, violating their right against self-incrimination. Gusweiler has suppressed those statements and may dis-
miss the case entirely. He has ordered a transcript of the Grand Jury proceedings that led to the indictments of the five be forwarded to him. In his ruling, Gusweiler writes “The law is clear if these statements were used in Grand Jury or a witness to the statements...testified at grand jury, these cases must be dismissed.” The five have been on paid administrative leave since April of this year while the case is pending. Ohio Division of Wildlife Public Information Officer Heidi Hetzel-Evans said that the five would return to work if the case is dismissed. Brown County Prosecutor Jessica Little has said she plans to appeal Gusweilers ruling to the 12 Ohio District Court of Appeals. “I disagree with the finding of facts and conclusions of law in the ruling”, Little said. Little said a ruling from the appeals court could take six
months to a year. She added “If this kind of ruling is allowed to stand it will have a grave effect on any further interviews conducted by the Inspector Generals Office.” Gusweilers ruling is based on the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Garrity v. New Jersey. That ruling states that public employees cannot be threatened with their jobs or other punishments to force them to criminally incriminate themselves during an administrative investigation. The case stems from 2006 when when Division of Wildlife Officer Allan Wright was accused of letting South Carolina Wildlife Officer Eric Vaughn use Wright’s home address to purchase an instate hunting permit. That action allowed Vaughn to save $106.00 by paying $19.00 for the license instead of $125.00. Wright also allegedly tam-
pered with official state records by recording his own address on deer tags used by Vaughn. Little decided to charge the five individuals above Wright in the Division of Wildlife chain of command after an investigation by the Ohio Inspector General’s office said the five ignored alleged criminal activity by Wright in violation of state policy. Wright was originally
The Brown County Press/ SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Brown County Press/ SUBMITTED PHOTO
ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief David Graham.
ODNR Division of Wildlife Assistant Chief Randy Miller.
The Brown County Press/ SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Brown County Press/ SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Brown County Press/ SUBMITTED PHOTO
ODNR Division of Wildlife Law Enforcement Administrator James Lehman.
ODNR Division of Wildlife Human Resources Administrator Michele Ward-Tackett.
ODNR Division of Wildlife District 5 Administrator Todd Haines.
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- 2010 BROWN COUNTY FAIR -
Veterans honored at Fair ceremony
Aberdeen Council gives thumbs-up on new water plant BY Martha Jacob The Brown County Press In 1995, it was projected that a new water plant for Aberdeen could cost as much as $3 million. But during the Oct 4 village council meeting, it was reported by Dallas Hurt, Sweney Cartwright and Co., that the project is going to be much less. According to Hurt, the village has been awarded allocations, which will help subsidize up to 45 percent of the interest on any debts related to the water plant project, pending approval by council. "With as well as things are going with our water department there's no reason we can't pay for this water plant," Councilman Jerry Applegate stated. "For the last few months we've heard all kinds of stories and rumors about this project, like how our bills are going to go up, and that's just not true, but I think it's important to keep our water company in our own village." Other council members expressed like views on the upcoming project.
Councilman Jay Castle stated that he had originally voted no on the project, but after getting all the facts, has now changed his mind. "I have heard and read all the facts about this venture and we all, as council members, want to do what is best for the people of Aberdeen, and I believe keeping our water company in our hands is what's best for this community. The current well-site application has been filed and submitted and will be accepted pending Ohio Environmental Protection Agency approval of the site. Several members of council brought up the possibility of naming the new facility after Louis "Junior " Bramel, a city employee who died suddenly of a heart attack on Oct. 2. Council passed a resolution to begin all steps leading to the construction of the new water plant. In other business, residents in the Aberdeen area will be voting in November on allowing the council to negotiate with current electric and natuCONTINUED ON PAGE 11
B R O A D S H E E T O D D
County Commissioner Margery Paeltz running for re-election BY Wayne Gates The Brown County Press
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Index Classifieds ..Pages 19, 20 Court News......Page 16 Death Notices ....Page 7 Education ..........Page 8 Opinion ..............Page 4 Social..................Page 8 Sports ........Pages 13-15
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Sun Group NEWSPAPERS
Road work on US 68 in Mt. Orab BY Martha Jacob The Brown County Press Drivers in Mt. Orab were moving a little slower on North High Street (US 68) this week as a three part improvement project began. According to Mayor Bruce Lunsford the work being done on High is the second phase of the project which also include Mill Street and Front Street. "We are widening the road there on High Street so we can extend the turn lane to Elm Street," Lunsford said. " It currently stops at Apple Street." Lunsford said that about four weeks ago work began on Mill Street and is nearly complete with the exception of some curb and dirt issues. The High Street work should
be finished by the end of next week, weather permitting, at which time work will begin
on Front Street. Cox Paving, Highland County was contracted for the project.
The Brown County Press/MARTHA JACOB
Work to widen North High Street to lengthen the turning lane for Apple Street continues in Mt. Orab
The Brown County Press/ SUBMITTED PHOTO
Margery Paeltz
for County Commissioners and Engineers. “We’ve accomplished a great deal in my first term as Commissioner”, Paeltz said. “Times are tough and money is tight, so decisions require prioritizing and daily communication. In this race to serve Brown County as Commissioner, I’m not running against anyone. I’m running for you.” Paeltz faces Rick Eagan in the November 2 General Election.
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The Brown County Press/KELLIE DAY
World War II veteran Gene Round is assisted by State Rep. Danny Bubp as he speaks during the veterans ceremony at the fair. Round will be 100 years old next month.More fair pictures can be found inside this edition of The Brown County Press.
Brown County Commission President Margery Paeltz is seeking another four year term as Commissioner. Paeltz said “I’ve been so very proud to represent Brown County during my first term as Commissioner as I’ve traveled through the state participating in numerous project areas, building relationships to promote Brown County and seeking much needed funding.” Paeltz went on to list some of the regional and state organizations she serves on in her capacity as a Brown County Commissioner. She is a member of the State Board of County Commissioners Association and serves on the Board of Directors for the County Risk Sharing Authority (CORSA). The County Risk Sharing Authority is a property and liability self funded pool established by the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) in 1987. Paeltz is also on the Executive Committee for the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission and serves as chairperson for the South West Ohio Division