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Piqua Daily Call Commitment To Community

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Review: ‘12 Years a Slave’ Page 5

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Visit www.dailycall.com to learn more about the Virtual Costume Contest. Volume 130, Number 210 Monday, October 21, 2013

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Piqua continues to ride momentum Page 9 www.dailycall.com $1.00

an award-winning Civitas Media newspaper

What happened? Ohio GOP weighs budget defeat HEATHER RUTZ Civitas News Media

In a state that has long been viewed as a key swing state in presidential elections, Ohio Republicans are trying to come to grips with the stinging defeat the national party suffered over the raising of the debt ceiling last week. Polling shows a majority of Americans believe the GOP put its agenda ahead of the good of the country. For 16 days it tried to use President Obama’s signature healthcare overhaul as a bar-

gaining chip in the debate to raise the debt ceiling. Last-minute legislation was finally carved out the way Democrats wanted it, averting a default of the federal government. One party member who likes the fact that Adams the GOP played hard ball is Highland County Republican Party Chairwoman Kay Ayres. The former vice chairwoman of the Ohio Republican Party pointed out the GOP too often

has been criticized by its members for not taking a strong stance. “This time, they stood up,” she said, adding that it may have weakened the party in the short-term, but was the right thing to do. “Obamacare is a disaster. It’s the ruination of the best medical treatment in the world,” the southern Ohio Republican added. State Rep. Richard N. Adams, R-Troy, thinks the public’s criticism goes beyond just one party.

“In terms of the people I know, they are frankly irritated with the president, the Democrats and the Republicans. I think what has suffered is the image of government at the national level — what happened, how it was O’Brien resolved. People think we are not getting our money’s worth” from elected officials in D.C.” Some members of the Ohio GOP pointed out the timing of the Republican message –

more than the message itself – was problematic. When emo tions settle down, Darke County Commissioner Mike Stegall said, people will find the Republican Party is now stronger because it has taken a definitive posture. “I want the party to stand for what is right, no matter how much they get bashed. I want both parties to do that, and do away with this party loyalty stuff.” John “Bud” O’Brien,

the Miami County Republican Party Chair, looks for Republicans to now dig in harder on the local level across Ohio. “Republicans are strong-minded folks,” O’Brien said. “They’re motivated to help locally and nationally to fix those things in the government that needs fixed,” namely to “control spending at a federal level, make sure taxes aren’t raised to levels to hurt our economy, and to spur job growth to a level that it hasn’t been in the last four years.” See GOP | 2

Former Piqua teacher helps create support group for amputees Amputees in Motion ‘AIMs’ to assist others Sharon Semanie

For the Daily Call pdceditorial@civitasmedia.com

Provided photo

A lone pedesterian at the Looney Road/E. Ash Street interesection highlights the need for improvements to the corridor currently underway as the U.S. Route 36 (E. Ash St.) Beautification Project.

City discusses Phase II of Beautification Project Bethany J. Royer Staff Writer broyer@civitasmedia.com

PIQUA — The photo of a lone pedestrian standing at the intersection of Ash Street and Looney Road puts a lump in one’s throat, as the vehicle-heavy area leads to the question will he make it across unscathed? His precarious position emphasizing the need for improvements to the area as work is underway to the west, otherwise known as the U.S. Route 36 (E. Ash St.) Beautification Project. Phase I of the multiphase project began in mid-September and is estimated for completion on Nov. 30 —weather dependent— and will see to the installation of the following: *New decorative street lights *Concrete curbs along

Index Classified.................... 12-13 Opinion.............................. 4 Comics............................. 11 Entertainment................. 5 Next Door......................... 6 State/Nation................. 10 Local................................. 3 Obituaries........................ 2 Sports............................. 7-9 Weather............................. 3

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existing medians *New trees and plantings *Upgrades to pedestrian crossing at the Scott Drive/E. Ash intersection A recent work session held by commission members and city leaders, with an open invitation to the public, at the government complex consisted of discussions revolving around Phase II. This will see to a separate pedestrian/ bike facility (multi-use path) on the south side of the East Ash Street bridge moving east and a variety of potential re-developments to the banks along the corridor, among other features. “We’re entering the critical time period for applying to funding,” said City Manager Gary Huff at the time of the work session, which was followed by a resolution placed on the agenda for last week’s commission meeting. The resolution was adopted on a slim 3-2 vote after a lengthy back and forth discussion revolving around the multi-use path that could be funded through the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) via TA (Transportation Alternatives) dollars. The city must apply now in order to get in line for funding consideration that won’t be available until Fiscal Year 2019. Meaning no defiSee PROJECT |12

PIQUA — Forty-fouryear old Molly Null appears uncomfortable when friends or coworkers label her as an “inspiration” to others. The congenial brunette admits she struggles with the responsibility it places on her whether she’s speaking before the Piqua Rotary Club, shopping in a supermarket or working as a paralegal at her job in a local law firm. Yet the modest Greenville native epitomizes what inspires mankind most. Molly is a double amputee who lost her limbs five years ago following a horrific illness, which almost ended her life. A former teacher at Nicklin Learning Center, she has since moved on and is re-establishing her identity while admirably helping others along the way. As she sits on the sofa of her cozy ranch-style home, Molly is surrounded by her furry companions, a boxer dog, Bravin, and two cats, Bernie and Rascal. Dressed in a pair

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of jeans, a pink T-shirt and sneakers attached to one of two pairs of prosthetic legs, she proudly displays a number of scrapbooks which contain news articles and photographs highlighting events of her support group, Amputees in Motion (AIM). The group, founded by Molly and two “lost limb” buddies, Linda Lyons of Union City and Terri Lutz of Greenville, provides knowledgeable support, guidance, education, and “the latest information” for today’s amputee. From its first meeting, which attracted 10 individuals, AIM now has 195 names in its database, according to Molly, and is generating considerable buzz throughout southwestern Ohio and even Kentucky. Amputees and their family members are traveling from miles around to attend meetings held the second Monday of each month from 7-9 p.m. at the Darke County Health Department, 300 Garst Ave., in Greenville. Whether AIM members cajole each other with stories of their near mishaps — a prosthetic limb inadvertently falling off in the IKEA store — or latest technological advances for amputees, the group has become one big family. It’s Molly who schedules educational programs by

Sharon Semanie | For the Daily Call

Not one to bemoan her situation, Molly Null, 44, spent time recently raking her yard. Null, an amputee and former Nicklin teacher, has founded Amputees in Motion (AIM) along with two “lost limb” buddies.

professional clinicians, shares information pertinent to amputees and their families or anyone facing the decision concerning amputation. AIM members plan golfing and bowling get-togethers and often will meet in groups for dinner prior to their monthly meeting. And, best yet, there is “never a fee” to join AIM whose members include

diabetics, cancer patients and others faced by traumatic injuries and/or illnesses. Most recently, the local support group was recognized in the inMotion national magazine for its accomplishments and support to others. Molly, employed as a part-time paralegal the past three months by See AMPUTEE | 2

Police chase ends in arrest of Piqua man Mike Ullery

Chief Photographer mullery@civitasmedia.com

PIQUA — A late-night chase that began and ended in Piqua resulted in the arrest of a Piqua resident Friday night. Piqua police report that James Green, 26, faces a number of charges following the pursuit. Lt. Jason Preston said that Green’s girlfriend reported he had taken her car without permission earlier in the evening. As

officers responded to take the report, Green was spotted and an officer attempted a traffic stop. Preston said that Green took off at a high rate of speed, westbound toward Covington. Speeds reached upwards of 90 miles per hour as units from the Miami County Sheriff ’s Office Green joined in the pursuit. Sheriff ’s deputies set up stop sticks between

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Covington and Bradford, succeeding in deflating one tire, but Green continued to run. Piqua officers set up another set of spikes on U.S. 36 at the west edge of Piqua, deflating both front tires on the vehicle. Green managed to make it as far as Wood Street before the vehicle was stopped and he surrendered to authorities. No one was injured in

the pursuit which lasted 22 minutes and covered 26 miles. Green is incarcerated at the Miami County Jail and is facing a variety of charges, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, felony failure to comply with a police officer, driving without an operator’s license. Other charges will include several counts of speeding and stop sign violations. Green allegedly told officers that he ran because he did not have a driver’s license.


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