THE END OF AN ERA
Virginia Park announces the end of ‘Beacon Bits’ after almost 28 years COMMENTARY 4A On sale this week:
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Volume 28 Number 51
www.thebeacon.net
Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011
Standard Mail U.S. Postage Paid Port Clinton, Ohio Permit #80
Future uncertain for MHPD Committee considering options to help struggling police force By ROBERTA REDFERN Beacon Correspondent Officials from Marblehead and Danbury Township are in discussions about the dire straits the village police department has found itself in, and what scenario will most benefit the community. A recently formed subcommittee has been discussing several different options, including whether to stick with retaining a
full village police force; contracting out some shifts to the township; or merging completely into one police department with Danbury. “We have found sometimes that we are a little bit of a training ground for officers. Our police department is a small department — a lot of times we get new officers in and we get them trained and they move on, and I
can’t blame them,” said Marblehead Mayor Jacqueline Bird. “Our wages are a little below standard. A lot of times when officers leave it’s because of wages. We have to consider how we can act in the best interest of the community. “ A full force at Marblehead in the past has meant four full-time officers, including the police chief. Recently, however, the force lost one officer to a bigger depart-
ment and more pay, and a second officer to a resignation last week amid pending legal troubles. That leaves Chief Greg Fultz and Patrolman Casey Joy, both of who have given “110 percent” in recent weeks given the situation, Bird said. But it leaves the peninsula short patrol-wise. For a temporary fix — or first step
See MHPD 7A
This eagle shot was taken by Beacon reader Ryan Lesnewicz in Wild Wings Campground along Ohio 2 in Oak Harbor. Lesniewicz is an avid amateur photographer who often captures shots of bald eagles. According to him, this is his best one yet.
By JOHN SCHAFFNER
Tell Tales
Welcome to Winter Wonderland!
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Here is some interesting news: the high school principals of the Sandusky Bay Conference schools voted to change the starting time for SBC football games next fall to 7 p.m. beginning next season. That is a halfhour earlier than in the past. nnn
Joan Subacz, of Marblehead, is our “Find Wylie” winner this
INSIDE RECORDS A2 Various Sizes Available
week. She was selected from 124 entrants who found our friendly fish in the ad for the American Legion Post 114 ad on page 4A in last week’s Beacon. Joan wins a $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, just drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place on Southeast Catawba Road, or click the Find Wylie icon at www.thebeacon.net. nnn
The Humane Society of Ottawa County board of directors will hold a special meeting tonight (Thursday, Feb. 3) for the third and final reading of the proposed bylaws and to allow members present to vote on acceptance of them. The meeting will be held in the Community Building at Port Clinton Pointe n
SOUND OFF A4
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Marblehead Mayor Jacqueline Bird encourages residents who have questions or comments about the village police department situation to come to an upcoming council meeting. Village council meets the second and third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the village fire department on Main Street (Feb. 10 and 17).
Poker tourney a hit
WILD WINGS
It’s the Groundhog Day Storm of 2011! If that little varmint sees his shadow this year, I think we need to think about making some groundhog stew! No doubt, you may be getting the hard copy of The Beacon a little later than normal this week. I certainly don’t want any of our carriers hurt in an attempt to get the papers to your house on time. No doubt, many of you are spending time at home to wait out the storm. Stay warm!
Questions?
Apartments at 1265 W. Fremont Road. nnn
Speaking of the Humane Society, the Danbury High School PAWS Club, which is the school’s animal lovers club, has started a “Pet Pantry” to be made available at the monthly Danbury Township Food Pantry. They are having a special pet food and supplies donation drive for the week of Feb. 14 at the school. Sherri Roth is the advisor for the group and reports that they are looking for cat litter, dry dog food, dry cat food, canned cat food, treats and toys. nnn
The Port Clinton Elk’s Lodge is hosting a special benefit dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday for Cerebral Palsy. Elks members and their guests are invited. It is an authentic Italian dinner featuring pasta and meatballs
and all the fixings. Donations will be taken at the door. For information, call the Lodge at 419-732-1900. nnn
The Red Cross of Greater Toledo reports an extreme blood shortage in our area. This Monday, you have a chance to do something about that. The Bloodmobile will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor from noon to 6 p.m. nnn
The Greater Port Clinton Arts Council will be holding an open meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the Ida Rupp Library. At this meeting, the group will review the mission and vision, hold election for board members and designate chairmen for their various projects. For information, e-mail them at info@ portclintonarts.org.
AROUND OTTAWA COUNTY A6
See TELL TALES 7A n
YOUR EXTRA ROOM!
See POKER 7A
Hot Jobs list for Ottawa County: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators (OH521728) $24.65 Deputy Dog Warden (OH522088) $12 Administrative Assistant (OH521998) $13 UPS Jobs www.upsjobs.com Job seekers must have OH numbers when calling or applying at The Job Store, 419-898-3688, ext. 270.
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The Port Clinton Elks Lodge No. 1718 played host to the Port Clinton area’s largest Texas Hold’em Tournament Sunday. A dozen or so spectators joined 107 players for an afternoon of table games, hot dogs and assorted beverages. Players from all over north central Ohio and as far away as Columbus came for an afternoon of fun to support the city’s Fourth of July Celebration. Tournament co-organizer Port Clinton Mayor Debbie HymoreTester was very excited about the turnout. “We had 46 preregistered and I was anticipating 80 to 100 total players. I was very pleased we surpassed my estimates,” she said. The mayor’s husband, Dennis Tester, served as both co-organizer of the tournament and Pit Boss overseeing all of the action. According to Tester, it’s a real juggling act at times. “Debbie and I have been organizing tournaments like this for a few years now. It’s a bit tricky keeping over 100 players organized ... they all realize this is for a great cause and emotions are kept in check. Allin-all it was a wonderful turnout and I thought a wonderful overall event,” he said. Looking at his wife, Tester commented with a big smile “I can’t wait to do it again!” The final table of 10 players included individuals from Fremont, Graytown, Old Fort, Gibsonburg, Columbus, Oak Harbor, Catawba and Port Clinton. Ottawa County
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