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saturdAY, september 14, 2013
Volume 130, Number 184
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an award-winning Civitas Media newspaper
Edison: A pioneer in academia This is the third a five-part series of stories highlighting Edison Community College as it celebrates its 40th year of service. Focusing on Edison’s academic programs, information technology, and student services, this piece was written and is being submitted on behalf of Dr. Patti Ross, David Gansz and Scott Burnam, who serve as senior administrators at Edison in those three areas, respectively.
PIQUA — As Ohio’s first general and technical college, Edison Community College was a pioneer in a number of areas, beginning with its academic programs. When the college opened in 1973, six technical programs were developed that led to Associate of Applied Business (Electronics, Drafting and Design, and Architectural/Civil Construction Technology) and Associate of Applied Science
(Accounting, Secretarial Science, and Retail Marketing/ Mid-Management) degrees. Thirty different evening courses were offered in support of these six initial programs when the doors first opened. Today, Edison runs more than 800 course sections to support more than 30 associate degrees and one-year certificates. We now offer degrees in areas that include: Accounting, Business, Computer Information
Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Electrical, Mechanical and Industrial Management Technologies, Nursing, Paralegal, Physical Therapy Assisting and Social Services. Edison’s academic programs undergo systematic reviews, which utilize both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that our programs are See EDISON | Page 2
New firefighter joins PFD Will E Sanders
Staff Writer wsanders@civitasmedia.com
PIQUA — The newest addition to the city’s fire department says he’s not even been on the job for one month and he already loves it and the city of Piqua. Daniel Hollatz, 22, who grew up in Enon, is still settling in to his new job as the latest firefighter and medic to join the ranks for the Piqua Fire Department. Hollatz, a 2012 graduate of Sinclair Community College, worked with the Beavercreek Township Fire Department for one year before coming to the city’s fire department. Hollatz decided to apply with the department about two years ago after a member of the department, Capt. Chad Kennedy, told him about it back when he was in high school. “I heard nothing but good things,” Hollatz said. “I’ve always been interested in this. There are a lot of things that go into it; wanting to help people, flexibility of See HOLLATZ | Page 2
Mike Ullery | Staff Photo
Piqua newest firefighter, Daniel Hollatz, drives a department Gator during his shift on Thursday.
Troy man pleads to attempted child molestation Staff report
TROY — A Troy man entered a plea of not contest and was found guilty Friday in common pleas court to two felony charges of attempted gross sexual imposition in a plea agreement with prosecutors. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Ed Cotrell, 61, of Troy, on Nov. Cotrell 12. Cotrell, who was scheduled to take his case to trial next week, was originally charged with two counts of rape, a firstdegree felony, last October stemming from interaction he had with a child under the age of 10. For his conviction of attempted gross sexual imposition Cotrell faces up to 18 months in prison and will be labeled as a tier II sex offender, which means he would have to register as such in the county where he resides, works or receives an education bi-annually for a period of 25 years. Authorities said Cotrell committed the crime at a county park twice in the last two years. Deputies with the Miami County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cotrell after police began investigating allegations of sexual misconduct. Sheriff’s Detective Dominic Burnside, who made the arrest and conducted the investigation, said Cotrell knew the victim. “This was not a stranger assault,” he said. According to his indictment, Cotrell committed the offense against a female child between Nov. 16, 2010, and July 3, 2012.
Collaboration effort to study 99 miles of the Great Miami River Bethany J. Royer
Staff Writer broyer@civitasmedia.com
PIQUA — Benton MacKaye, one of the founder’s of the Appalachian Trail that spans an approximate 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine and took the hard work of hundreds if not thousands of volunteers to develop, implement, and continually maintain, once expressed
Index Classified.................... 14-15 Opinion.............................. 4 Comics............................ 13 Entertainment................. 5 Milestones........................ 7 Business........................... 6 Local................................. 3 Obituaries........................ 2 Sports........................... 9-11 Weather............................. 3
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the trail as being, “larger than any single personality.” In other words, it takes team work and team effort to see the fruition of an enormous vision, a mindset mirrored and echoed by 15 local governments who have come together, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or USACE, to study a 99-mile span of the Great Miami River. Their vision — to aid one another in the development and utilization of the river’s many amenities. “It’s probably the best example of a regional collaboration on a project that has the tremendous potential to impact
the quality of life in this region,” said Chris Schmiesing, city planner and point-of-contact for Piqua in their part of the USACE study. At a cost of $250,000 and due to take an approximate 12-months, and will take a close look at what participating communities already have to offer in terms of existing parks, waterrecreation opportunities and connections. “Then figure out how we can better leverage what one community is doing with the next community,” Schmiesing said. The idea is to create synergy, or a sum of all parts creating a great-
er whole so that each community is not only enhancing the river at a local level but packaging it in such a manner as to be marketed in a regional aspect. So if the city of Miamisburg makes a contribution to their portion of the river, hthe cities of Piqua, Sidney, or Troy, as an example, can either contribute in respects to —or benefit from— in return. The Ohio’s Great Corridor Association (OGCA) is the” lightening rod agency” behind the study, according to Schmiesing, with the city of Piqua a member. “They are the core group that’s really brought forth this idea on
regional focus of development,” said Schmiesing of the OGCA that has four river corridor goals: To develop city waterfronts, promote recreation and tourism, perserve farmland, and protect open spaces, with a focus to better connect one community to the next.”If you do something in Piqua on the river, then float down to Troy, you want to be able to do something there.” With passage of a resolution earlier this week to become a contributor, Montgomery County joins the following communities or agencies in the study: Sidney, Piqua, Troy, Dayton, Riverside, West
Carrollton, Miamisburg, Franklin, Middletown and Hamilton, along with the Miami County Park District, Fiver River MetroParks of Butler County, and the Miami Conservancy District or MCD. MCD will be providing $25,000 towards the study, and $12,000 inkind services as USACE’s local sponsor. Montgomery County will be contributing $50,000, with local communities and metroparks together contributing $38,000, according to information provided by Brenda Gibson, public relations manager, MCD. USACE is contributing $125,000 in services.
US 36 Beautification project to begin PIQUA — The U.S. 36 (E. Ash Street) Beautification Project from just west of Scott Drive to Looney Rd. is scheduled to begin Monday. This project will include the installation of concrete curb along the existing medians, the installation of trees
and plantings throughout the corridor, the upgrading of the pedestrian crossing at the Scott Drive/E. Ash Street intersection, and the installation of new decorative street lights. At least one through lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at
all times throughout the duration of the project. The anticipated completion date is Nov. 30 with some seeding and plantings to occur next spring, depending on the weather. The contract was awarded to Double Jay Construction, Inc.
out of Englewood. To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone area.
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