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Rep. Arndt testifies on junk bill By Larry Limpf News Editor news@presspublications.com
Footloose
Courtney Hunt and Mason Gregory rehearse "Almost Paradise," one of the songs from Woodmore High School's upcoming production of "Footloose." Performances will be held at the Woodmore Elementary/Middle School on March 21, 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m. and March 24 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for preferred seating, $10 for adults general admission and $8.00 for students/seniors and are available March 18, 19 and 20 at the K-8 building in Woodville, 7-9 p.m. (Press photo by Ken Grosjean)
Oregon Foundation
Business retention program launched The Oregon Economic Development Foundation is helping launch a business retention and expansion program. Over the next several weeks, nearly 1,000 businesses in Oregon will have an opportunity to help better understand the issues facing companies in today’s economy. The first phase of the project will involve surveying nearly 1,000 businesses on and around the Navarre Avenue business corridor, according to Sommer Vriezelaar, executive director of the Foundation. The area has the largest concentration of Oregon businesses. “Our goal is to increase and open up the lines of communication between businesses, city government staff and local development officials,” said Vriezelaar. “Existing businesses create up to 86 percent of all new jobs in a community, so it’s important to examine the needs of those companies already committed to Oregon.” The Foundation, and the Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce, assisted by Ohio State University Extension in Lucas County and the Ohio Sea Grant
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College Program, is sponsoring the program to evaluate the local business climate and to assist existing businesses with expansion within the community. “I work with the county on economic development,” said Vriezelaar. “They work closely with us. They usually attract bigger industry and businesses. But if any business in Oregon needs to strengthen its workforce, or needs help finding someone with the right skills, the county can get
that business in touch with the right people to get help. They can also assist with grant funding. The county also provides job training.” Target focus A team of community leaders has been working since December 2018 to develop the survey. The group, with representatives from diverse segments of the economy, including business, government, education and health care, has identified the Navarre Avenue corridor as the target focus area. Navarre Avenue and its ancillary streets, including Coy, Dustin, Lallendorf, Stadium, Wynn and Wheeling, house most of the medium to small business establishments that will be targeted for this particular survey. After the survey data has been tabulated, the task force will examine the results and look for ways to assist businesses in Oregon with operations and potential expansion plans, according to Vriezelaar. Businesses are encouraged to complete and return the survey by May 24. “In the short term, we’ll be identifying immediate concerns and looking at community services that need improvement,” Vriezelaar said. “Ultimately, we want to Continued on page 2
State Representative Steve Arndt, R – Port Clinton, has provided testimony to a bill that would provide local authority over “junk” watercraft similar to that covering junk vehicles. Arndt told the House State and Local Government Committee that he’s sponsoring House Bill 74 at the urging of rural residents in his district. Under the bill, a junk watercraft vessel or outboard motor is defined as one that is at least three years old, is apparently inoperable and has a market value of $1,500 or less. “The idea for this legislation arose as I travelled throughout my district this past summer. Within one week I was approached by four different property owners asking me to address this problem as they had reached out to their township trustees and informed them that nothing could be done to address the issue,” he told the committee. “Today’s fiberglass boats, although structurally compromised, do not decompose like older boats constructed of wood. Fiberglass watercraft are left to decay in many communities throughout our state. Over time these become an eyesore and degrade property values.” According to an analysis of the bill by the Legislative Service Commission, it would prohibit a property owner from not complying with a notice from a local authority to “cover, house or remove a junk watercraft vessel or outboard motor within 10 days of receiving the notice.” A violation would be a misdemeanor. The bill also specifies that each subsequent 30-day period of violation constitute a separate offense. County sheriffs, chiefs of police or legislative authorities of a municipality, highway patrol troopers and township boards of trustees or their designee are authorized by the bill to send notices to property owners by certified mail. The analysis states it’s likely that municipalities with home-rule authority already may order junk vessels and outboard motors into storage through their own ordinances.
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