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Guard halts turbine project at Camp Perry
RESS February 3, 2014
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There are some seniors out there who are struggling to feed themselves each day. Justin Moor See page 6
Common People, Uncommon Challenges 50 stories of inspiration
Fire in Northwood
Firefighters from Northwood, Oregon, Lake Twp., and Allen-Clay responded to a fire last Tuesday, January 28 at 905 Gould, Northwood. One person was transported to Bay Park Hospital. The cause of the fire is under investigation according to Northwood Chief Joel Whitmore. (Press photo by Ken Grosjean)
Oak Harbor
Energy program draws fire at mtg.
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By Cynthia L. Jacoby Special to The Press A “green” opportunity for the Village of Oak Harbor turned faces red at a recent meeting of village council. Newly-seated councilmember Sue Rahm was upset that an Efficiency Smart Schedule program turned down by council late last year was once again on the meeting agenda for approval. When she asked why it was again on the agenda, Mayor Bill Eberle said he had it placed there. The three-year-old program grew out of Oak Harbor’s relationship with AMPOhio and its investment in a southern Ohio coal-fired plant, according to council members. As a result of a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, AMPOhio retired a coal-fired plant in 2010 due to violations of the Clean Air Act. After the settlement, Oak Harbor joined the Efficiency Smart energy program for $140,000 in 2011. That contract recently expired and the company had returned with a new proposed contract around $100,000. In exchange, the company provides energy studies, offered tips to residents for energy savings and hands out rebate coupons for various things such as replacing old refrigerators and washing machines
That’s the only fund we haven’t bankrupted yet.
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A letter of intent to sue the Ohio National Guard and an on-going petition effort were enough to convince federal officials to at least temporarily halt plans for constructing a wind turbine at Camp Perry near Oak Harbor. The American Bird Conservancy and Black Swamp Bird Observatory last week were praising the decision by the National Guard Bureau office in Maryland to withdraw a key finding to the project effective immediately. Last month, the organizations submitted a letter of intent to sue the National Guard, claiming the proposed turbine project violated the Endangered Species Act as well as other federal environmental and conservation laws. In response, the National Guard, in a letter dated Jan. 28 to a public interest law firm representing the bird groups, said it is withdrawing the Finding of No Significant Impact. “I have received your Notification of Intent letter, dated January 8, 2014. After carefully considering your objections to the August 22, 2013 Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), for the wind turbine technologies project at the Camp Perry Air National Guard Station, I have decided to withdraw the FONSI for the project effective immediately,” the letter from Col. Peter A. Sartori, Director, Installations and Mission Support, states. “Since the FONSI has been withdrawn, the project will not go forward at this time. “My environmental staff at the National Guard Bureau will review and coordinate the Environmental Assessment and all supporting documentation in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as compliance with other environmental statutes, including the Endangered Species Act.” Kimberly Kaufman, the bird observatory’s executive director, credited supporters who signed a petition opposing the turbine’s proposed placement for having an effect on the Guard’s decision.
with more efficient models. Rahm said most of those savings ideas are already common knowledge. She insisted the mayor did not have the legal right to put the item on the agenda, citing Ohio Municipal League rules as she turned over a handful of papers to Village Solicitor Jim Barney. Barney, who handed back the paperwork without reviewing it, sided with the mayor, saying he did have the right to place items on the agenda. But, Rahm countered, “It’s such as waste. We already voted it down.” However, the mayor said more information was available since that vote, including access to an $8,200 grant. That amount is paltry in comparison to the thousands the contract demands, Rahm
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Read about the heroes living in the homes next to you. In these 50 short stories, Press columnist John Szozda tells the stories of common people who have met uncommon challenges with vision, courage, passion and determination. These men and women include the Genoa grandmother who helped
by John Szozda
insisted. “My thought is we really need to watch our pennies,” Rahm noted. “Especially in lieu of forthcoming major expenses coming to fix the massive sewer problem throughout the village. The benefits to me do not outweigh the costs to the village.” The mayor insisted the program is an opportunity to help village residents save money. He added that “we have to move on” from a single focus on the sewer system and deal with other village business accordingly. “Can we afford it?” Councilmember Jackie Macko asked. “In that fund,” Eberle said, referring to the electrical fund. “That’s the only fund we haven’t bankrupted yet,” Councilman Jon Fickert interjected. Fickert moved to vote on the issue as an emergency measure in hopes of getting it off the agenda for good. “We voted on it a month ago and we need to move on,” Fickert told his peers. His move spurred a verbal spat between him and Barney on the legalities of the councilman’s motion. “I’m sensing a resistance,” Fickert told Barney. Ordinances and resolutions that come before council usually require three read-
solve her daughter’s murder, the Polish-American boy who survived gruesome medical experiments during WWII and the woman, once a victim of fear, who fought back against crime and founded CrimeStoppers. The
For your copy of John Szozda’s book, send $15 to The Press, Box 169-J Millbury, OH 43447 or call 419-836-2221.
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