PORTSMOUTH NATIVE TO BE NEW ADENA CEO:

CHANGE COULD HELP SOME: As state Sen. John Carey and his colleagues on the Finance Committee continue their review of the next two-year state budget that includes the tax reform package, they will be looking at a change made in the House version. Previously, the tangible personal property tax was going to see the elimination of machinery and equipment only. The bill now also includes the provision for furniture and fixtures in a five-year phase-out period. As it stands now, the machinery and equipment tax would be phased out in two years beginning July 1 this year, the inventory tax would be phased out in three years beginning in 2007 and the furniture and fixtures tax in five years beginning July 1 this year. What's not clear yet is how the $450 million brought in by the furniture tax will be made up. The commercial activity tax of all sales in Ohio over $1 million at a rate of 0.26 percent continues to draw the most debate. As noted in last week's chamber Legislative Luncheon, the Senate is expected to approve a budget version by early June, then it will go to a conference committee for final details then will go to Gov. Taft for his signature by June 30. To make your views known, Sen. Carey can be reached at sd17@mailr@sen.oh.us.

NEW FURNITURE HEADED TO WINNERS' HOMES: Four lucky winners from the 185 who attended Wednesday's Business After Business at Globe Furniture will be picking out new items for their digs after their names were drawn by Herb Friedman for the $250 gift certificates. Mike Hall of Aadvantage Tent Fittings, John Schwemlein of McDonald Investments, Kim Huddleston of Ohio University-Chillicothe and Lorinda Wisecup with the city of Chillicothe visited each of the six stations to qualify their cards for the drawings. Globe had furniture and memorabilia from many eras of its 100-year existence for guests to enjoy. Next month's BAB will be at Nourse Chillicothe AutoMall on North Bridge Street Wednesday, May 18. Photo album from Wednesday's BAB

APARTMENT DOWNTOWN AVAILABLE: Having a great landlord is one good reason to rent a two-bedroom apartment only one-half block from the crossroads of Chillicothe. The second-story apartment overlooks Main Street, has a private entrance, a fully equipped kitchen, full bath and a spacious living room area. Rent is $450 per month. Inquire by calling the chamber at 702-2722 or email mjones@chillicotheohio.com.

DOWNTOWN SPACE AVAILABLE: The former home at 25 E. Main St. of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau (now in the chamber building) is available for lease. Call Lissa Cleary at 702-7677 or email her at lissacleary@horizonview.net.

TIME TO SEND NOMINATIONS: At least three businesses will be honored in the inaugural year of the chamber's Great Seal Awards, but to win, businesses need to be nominated. And the process is very simple. A paragraph or two would suffice in many instances. To learn about the awards and categories and other details: Great Seal Awards. If you want to check back later, just go to the chamber's home page at www.chillicotheohio.com.

A FIRST-CLASS CAMPAIGN: No, your eyes won't be deceiving you when you come across advertisements while watching your cable TV in the next two weeks. Those really are local people promoting passage of the Chillicothe City Schools operating levy on the May 3 ballot. Seth Stark of Horizon, working with Mary Elsass, Randy Davies and other professionals, pulled together the spots that feature people such as Ed Kunzelman of Petland, Bill Herrnstein, Dona Smith of the CIC, Dr. Tim Nusbaum, Greg Smith and others. They are top-notch ads with a powerful message done in a Madison Avenue style. Next: Make sure to get to the polls that Tuesday and vote for the chamber-endorsed levy.

LITTLE PROGRESS AT CROSSROADS: It seems an ongoing dispute about the disbursement of grant money continues to slow any progress at the Carlisle Building at Paint and Main streets. Some interior work is being done, but it seems any real progress is delayed for maybe even another month.

NEWS FROM MEMBERS:

• Dewey Price of Price Real Estate, Auction and Insurance Service was one of only three honored by Grange Insurance for earning a Personal Lines Profit Center award from the 1,250 independent agencies with Grange.
• Chamber members get free delivery if they order a gift basket from The Gift Post for Administrative Professionals Day Wednesday. The baskets are $29.95 or $39.95. Mention you saw it in this newsletter. Details are available at 773-7368 or giftpost@horizonview.net.
• The CiCi's Pizza company is celebrating its 20th anniversary April 25-30 with drawings for a vacation to Naples, Italy and one free pizza a week for a year. Details are available at the local CiCi's on North Bridge Street.
• The Chillicothe Paints have added three to the front office: J.J. Hale as regional marketing representative, Julie Hess as group sales coordinator and Lori Watson as administrative assistant.

U.S. 23 NARROWING: From Crouse Chapel Road north to Blackwater Road, U.S. 23 is down to one lane in each direction for a bridge repair project. Once that's done, the same will be true from near the State Highway Patrol station to the Pickaway County line as it is resurfaced. Oct. 31 is the completion date.

VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:

• U-Go Auto Sales, 160 W. Main St., by Teressa Brust.
• Oozin Ink, 7078 County Road 550, Frankfort, by Rocky Rowan and Jesse Tinsley.
• Lloyd and Brenda Free , 8485 Ohio 138, Frankfort.
• Events with Elegance, 94 E. Second St., by Michele Rout and Melinda Sheets.
• Hearts of Adoption, 1350 Massieville Road, by Sheri Lyn Fallis.
• Smartstyle, 85 River Trace Lane, by Regis Corp.
• Cortney Uhrig, 4244 Upper Twin Road, South Salem.
• G&K Recovery, 2171 Patton Hill Road, by George E. Daniel.
• Corrie Johnson, 4600 Dry Run Road.
• All Wired Up Handcrafted Silver & Gold, 3364 Cattail Road, by Sean Duffy.