PC AREA HONORS
Locals recognized at Chamber-Main Street awards last week BUSINESS 1B On sale this week:
Nestle er 24 Pack Wat
$ 99
2
FREE
Volume 28 Number 11
www.thebeacon.net
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Standard Mail U.S. Postage Paid Port Clinton, Ohio Permit #80
MAY 4 PRIMARY
Electric aggregation up for vote BY ANGIE ADAIR Editor First Energy Solutions representative Emily Ochsenhirt made a stop in Port Clinton Monday to discuss the electric aggregation issue on the May 4 primary ballot. Though only a few showed up to learn about the plan, it could result in changes on the bills of most county consumers.
For a complete list of ballot issues, see Page 3A The program uses group buying power to save on electricity. “Ohio’s electric restructuring and natural gas laws allow local governments such as cities, townships and counties to pool residents and businesses together as a buying group for the purchase
of energy,” according to fact sheet released by the Ohio Consumers Counsel. “By buying in large blocks, aggregated groups may possess greater bargaining power than individual customers.” That buying power would result in a guaranteed 6 percent reduc-
Explore Ottawa County
tion on the generation portion of electric bills. “It’s generally not a huge savings. Thirty to $50 is standard,” Ochsenhirt said. But the savings are guaranteed for the life of the nine-year program. “I think it’s an opportunity that
For information Contact local officials or: • Emily Ochsenhirt, 330-3156733, eochsenhirt@fes.com • Ohio Consumers Counsel, 877-PICKOCC, occ@cc.state. oh.us or www.pickocc.org
See PRIMARY 11A
LAKESIDE DAISY DAY
Business expo full of family fun More than 50 local businesses will be represented at next week’s Explore Ottawa County event. The expo offers companies a chance to show what they have to offer and consumers a chance to check them out in a relaxed environment. The fun runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds and will feature live music, 50/50 raffles, demos, samples, kids activities, food and more. Inflatables — sponsored by Community Markets IGA and Tri-Motor Sales in Oak Harbor — will be set up for the kids outside and Truman, the mascot from Kidsville News, will be making rounds. Joe and Nancy Young have volunteered to perform and DJ Honda will keep things going throughout the night. Food will be available from the Lions Club and Community Markets IGA in Oak Harbor and Second Street Diner in Port Clinton. Beer and wine coolers will also be for sale. A variety of businesses have signed up from banks and insurance companies to a dive shop and mobile espresso business. Home-based vendors will be on site as well. The event was the brainchild of this year’s Leadership Ottawa County class. With a focus on improving the local economy, the group of 20 area businesspeople kicked off an education campaign, Live Here Buy Here, this winter. Billboards, flyers and more were spread around the county to remind people what a difference they could make by spending their money where
See EXPLORE 11A
Celebrate rare bloom May 8 Celebrate the blooming of the Lakeside Daisy at Marblehead’s seventh Daisy Day on Saturday, May 8. This annual event, held in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources open house at the Lakeside Daisy Preserve, showcases historical sites around the Peninsula as well as local businesses and activities at James Park. Start your day with the Marblehead Peninsula Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Marblehead
Mary Ann Market you will be missed
WHERE: Ottawa County Fairgrounds, Oak Harbor INFO: For information, call Angie Adair at 419-734-2154.
It is really starting to get interesting with Ottawa County’s
BUY
L
Join in the fun WHAT: Business expo featuring Ottawa County vendors, food, beer, raffles, live music and more. WHEN: 4 to 9 p.m. May 8
INSIDE SOUND OFF 3A
Various Sizes Available
See DIASY 11A
Tell Tales South Bass Island was festive Tuesday as the island businesses welcomed their vendors. However, it was a little on the somber side too, as just about everybody mourned the passing of Mary Ann Market, matriarch of the Market family, owners of the Miller Boat Line. Our prayers are with Julene, Billy and Scott and all of Mary Ann’s grandchildren. Like it was with the passing of Skip Duggan a couple of years ago, this is a time to celebrate a wonderful and generous life.
ERE H E V I
up for The Marblehead Bank 5K Daisy Run down Alexander Pike at 9 a.m. Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the fire station. The course runs past the Lakeside Daisy Preserve where naturalists from the ODNR in attendance to conduct tours and answer all your questions about the flower from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
By JOHN SCHAFFNER
unty ERE o C a w H tta
O
Fire Station from 8 a.m. to noon. Proceeds from the meal will be donated to local resident Karen Oglesbee for the purchase of sight equipment. Oglesbee has been diagnosed with macular degeneration. During the Pancake Breakfast, the members of the Marblehead Fire Department will be holding an open house. Tour the station, see the equipment or take a ride on the antique fire truck. Runners and walkers will line
nnn
n
BEACON BITS 4A
n
own Crystal Bowersox from Elliston. “Mama Sox” continues to wow the judges and all of America on American Idol, as she is definitely going to make it to the final few, and, according to a report on the Fox News Web Site, she is the odds on favorite to win it all. Wouldn’t that be something! I wonder when this is all over, if she would want to sing with the Lounge Lizards?!?!?!? nnn
We had 85 correct entries in our Find Wylie contest last week. Our winner is Tom Bryant, of Marblehead, who found Wylie in the FanMark ad on
CALENDAR 7A
n
page 5B last week. Tom wins a $20 gift card from Friendship Convenient Stores. We’ll hide Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop us a note at our office or click on the Find Wylie icon online at www.thebeacon. net. nnn
If you start seeing any strange looking people with binoculars, they are probably among the thousands of visitors who will be flocking to our area during the next few weeks for the Biggest Event in Birding. The Port Clinton Knights of Columbus are joining forces with United Way to co-sponsor two “Wel-
BOOMERS 8A
CATAWBA MINI STORAGE YOUR EXTRA ROOM!
Hours: 8:00 - 4:30 Monday - Friday • Heated Boat Storage • Mini-Storage • Business Units •
n
come Birders” Fish Fries at the Denny Bergeman Knights of Columbus Hall on East Perry Street May 7 and 12. The public is invited too. There will be beer, wine and other beverages served and a movie, “Opposable Chums,” will be shown afterward with popcorn. Dinner is $12, and a sandwich platter is $10. nnn
Don’t forget that Tuesday is Primary Election Day throughout Ohio. There are several very important issues on the ballot including a renewal levy
BUSINESS 1B
4789 E. Muggy Rd. Port Clinton, OH
www.catawbaministorage.com
See TALES 11A n
REAL ESTATE 4B