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Copyright 2008
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722
City Council faces a variety
of options for courts, offices
By Marvin Jones
President and CEO
Given all the information provided Thursday evening at the town hall meeting on the downtown, it will take Chillicothe’s City Council quite awhile longer than the May 31 deadline to sort through the data and opinions to decide on possible new housing for the courts and administration offices. The potential for the former AEP and Carlisle/Howson buildings provide opportunities galore.
May 31 is the date the city’s option to purchase the former AEP building expires, but Realtor Bob Evans said Herb and Don Friedman would entertain “reasonable offers” for yet another extension. Two already have been granted from when the contract was signed last September.
Thursday’s forum by the Chillicothe Ross League of Women Voters revealed the many potential options available to City Council and the administration. What council needs next are the financial estimates for each option in order to make the best possible decisions. Those estimates are expected to be available in a couple weeks.
The options available to the city include:
- Relocating only the Municipal Courts to the AEP building. Architect Dan Marsh pointed out Thursday few renovations are needed to accommodate the courts as the building is in pristine shape.
- Relocating administration offices to the AEP building and building an adjacent 20,000 square foot structure on the Mulberry Street side to accommodate the courts. A price tag of $7.1 million has been used for this scenario.
- Relocating only the courts to a portion of a renovated Carlisle/Howson building. The remainder of the space could be used for a mix of retail, office or housing. The city presumably would pay only for its portion of space used.
- Relocating the administration offices to a portion of the Carlisle/Howson building. Again, the city would pay only for the space it uses in the 50,000 square foot structure, of which 40,000 square feet is above ground.
- Or any combination of the above. Or none of the above if it turns out the city can’t afford any of the moves.
Once all the numbers are revealed, council will have some tough decisions to make, decisions that will impact the community and downtown for decades to come. One or two special meetings of council that allow for maximum input from the public would seem to be in order before any legislation is introduced. This could very well serve to blunt a future voter-initiated referendum if that input isn’t sought.
Senators keep unionizing efforts alive in Congress
Knowing full well the current version of the Employee Free Choice Act has no chance of passage, Democratic senators, led by Tom Harkin of Iowa, are trying to forge compromises that will sway a few of their colleagues to provide the 60 votes it will take to win approval. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who switched parties to become a Democrat, indicated he might favor a compromise.
The potential compromises in the card check legislation include a “quickie election” which would keep the secret ballot, but give companies only a month to communicate with employees who will have been lobbied by the union months before. Another would be to allow for baseball-style arbitration in contract disputes where both sides present proposals and an arbiter chooses one or the other.
“Here is the bottom line: unions and their congressional allies are trying to cobble together an alternative to the Card Check bill that could get past the 60-vote hurdle in the Senate – but so far, the proposals on the table are just as harmful to workers and employers,” says Bill Miller, national political director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
New member wows the BAB crowd
Connie Blackburn Pruitt gave everyone at Wednesday’s Business After Business a great opportunity to get an up-close look at her new business, 1855 Unique Room Rentals at 1855 Western Ave., the former home of her Southeastern Business College. With co-sponsor Janet Dean of Home Helpers, they put together a relative feast in every one of the brightly decorated rooms that are available for rent for receptions, showers, meetings or any occasion. For a flavor of the décor and the BAB itself, check out the photo gallery: 1855 BAB
Sick days proposal goes nationwide
Legislation requiring employers of 15 or more to provide seven paid sick days a year to employees is now before the Congress. You’ll recall a similar proposal set to go on the ballot in Ohio last year was pulled months before the election when Gov. Ted Strickland promised to heartily support it at the federal level.
The bill as introduced in Congress this week calls for allowing employees to accrue paid sick days at one hour for every 30 worked, use of the leave to recover from incidents related to domestic violence and use of the leave for preventive care to provide care to a sick family member.
Leadership Chillicothe Ross has 12 new alumni
Following completion of its project renovating the visitation room and playground at Children’s Services on East Second Street, the Class of 2008-2009 wrapped up the program year a week ago with the last session followed by the graduation dinner in the Ross County Heritage Center. Bob Gallagher, chief of the Ross County Department of Job and Family Services, was the featured speaker. Now would be an excellent time to consider signing up for the next class that begins in September: Leadership information
This year’s graduates, in front row, from left: Cathy Forshey of Theta Pro2Serve Management, Pamela Sprouse of USEC, Erin Reuter of Ross County Children’s Services, Toni Gillette of Children’s Services, Andrea Davis of USEC and Krista Rickey of Horizon Chillicothe Telephone. Back row: Casey Stewart of Ross County Community Action, Bernie Davis of Kenworth Truck Company, George Robinson of the VA Medical Center, Dr. Deborah Meesig of the VA, Roger Carter of Theta and Joe Moore of Theta.
Tidbits worth sharing:
- The Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library is feeling the pinch of the state government’s fiscal woes. A $220,000 budget cut by the board means cuts in hours for employees and pay cuts for managers as well as no Sunday hours in the fall at both the main and branch libraries. If the situation doesn’t improve, more cuts could be on the way.
- State Farm Agent Dave Strickland was recently recognized as a Chairman’s Circle agent for 2008, based on production of all lines of insurance as well as profitability of his office at 22 E. Water St. It’s the second straight year he has qualified for the award. www.davestrickland.com
- The Boy Scouts are taking entries and sponsors for the annual golf scramble on Friday, June 26 at the Chillicothe Jaycees Golf Course. Former OSU basketball great Jerry Lucas will be playing. Call 772-6887 to register to play or become a sponsor.
- It will be free baseball for veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom on Wednesday, June 17 when the Chillicothe Paints celebrate Veterans Night. Game time: 7:05.
- The secondary education newsletter of the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center is now available online: Periscope
- Manufacturing businesses might want to explore the Lean Purchasing Cooperative Workshop Wednesday (May 27) at the Christopher Conference Center. Sponsored by the OSU South Centers, Ohio Cooperative Development Center and the South-Central Manufacturing Network, the workshop runs 9:30-3:30 and costs $25. Topics include lean purchasing, employee assistance programs and collaborative training. To attend: Joy Bauman at jbauman@ag.osu.edu or 740-289-2071 Ext. 111.
Newest members of the chamber:
- Wills Painting, 782 Hanna Lane, by Jeff Wills.
- Fort Rapids, I-70 at Hamilton Road, Columbus, indoor water park,877-337-7527, www.fortrapids.com.
Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:
- Sharon’s Fine Art Studio, 181 Allen Ave., by Sharon Eley.
- Thompson Nourse Chevrolet Buick Pontiac GMC Cadillac, 60 N. Plaza Blvd., by Chillicothe Automall.
- Cambria’s Cottage Stained Glass, 145 Pin Oak Drive, by Sharon Holloway.
- Memories & Crafts, 2524 Mingo Road, by David Castle.
Two newer members cut ribbons
Huff Realty: Marsha Wagner, with the scissors, officially celebrated the opening of the Huff Realty office at 12 S. Paint St. in the Foulke Block this week.
Bernie & Max Stained Glass Art: Bernie Evans, with scissors, and Serelle Laine (right) are joined by her mother to open their store on North Paint Street.
