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Boaters reminded to stay safe during festivities

Written by Michael P. Garrity
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 19:25
LAKEVIEW – During each of the three major summer holidays, the July 4 holiday period tends to draw larger than usual numbers of boaters to the waters of Indian Lake. Frank Giannola, regional park manager for Indian and Kiser Lake state parks, offers his suggestions to those visitors venturing forth on the waters of Indian Lake during this holiday weekend. “Along with the usual things we tell people, make sure you have all the proper safety gear on board your boat, that includes having a personal flotation device (PFD) for each person aboard and not operating your boat while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. People also do need to be extra cautious since we have so many boats out on the lake,” said Giannola. Giannola advises that all children under age 10 must be wearing life preservers at all times while aboard a boat. He also suggests that before setting out on the lake, make sure your boat is in good working order and you have plenty of fuel in your tanks. To make sure that people do follow the “rules of the road” on the water – over the course of the holiday period – both of the state park’s patrol boats will be out doing patrols alongside those of the Ohio Division of Watercraft. Backing up these law enforcement patrol boats will be boats manned by members of the Indian Lake U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an organization made up of civilian volunteers who back up the duties of the active duty and reserve components of this branch of the U.S. military. Auxiliary members have no law enforcement powers, but they do serve as additional eyes and ears out on the water for law enforcement. Most importantly though, they are there to serve the boating public by offering services such as boating safety courses, courtesy safety inspections that make sure your boat is properly equipped with the required gear and to provide assistance to boaters in distress. The local Auxiliary flotilla runs safety patrols on the lake on most weekends and conducts safety inspections at locations around the lake. The local unit also has something rare for such groups – they have their own “station” located adjacent to the Moundwood State Park boat ramp. During their working hours on weekends, auxiliary personnel monitor marine VHF Channel 16, the specified channel for boaters to relay distress and other emergency radio calls. “We used to monitor Channel 16, but don’t any longer,” said Giannola. “Since most people carry cell phones these days, if they have a real emergency they can dial 911, but that number is not for situations such as they have run out of gas.” Giannola said that if you wish to contact one of his patrol boats for non-emergency situations, call the campground commissary at 937-843-3553 or the Logan County Sheriff’s Office local non-emergency number at 937-843-3871. Perhaps the greatest concentration of boats each year on Indian Lake takes place each time the July 4 holiday fireworks are fired from the shores of the lake. With estimates of between 20,000 and 30,000 people watching the fireworks from spots all along the lake and an estimated number of boats totaling around a thousand or more on the lake, extra care must be taken when going out to watch the display. “One of our big problems on that night is that in their rush to get out on the lake and back home when the fireworks are over, people tend to go too fast. They have to be aware that after dark the speed limit on the lake is no more than idle speed,” said Giannola. Before and during the fireworks display, Giannola said park boats and boats from the Ohio Division of Watercraft and Coast Guard Auxiliary, secure an exclusion zone just off Old Field Beach to allow the remnants of the fireworks to fall safely into the water. Giannola said that once the fireworks are over, the patrol boats then begin to fan out enforcing the boating laws and writing citations for violations of those laws should that be necessary. While watching the fireworks, many people anchor their boats out in the lake. Giannola offered his suggestions for doing that safely. “Before you go, make sure that you do have an anchor or anchors and make sure they are in good working order. You don’t want to have your anchor not hold and your boat drift or swing into another boat,” he said. Giannola also said to make certain required running lights are functioning properly as well. His officers and those from the Division of Watercraft will issue citations for non-working navigation lights. Other than people speeding on those nights, the biggest problem Giannola finds that takes place is that, “People go out on the lake and they get lost. At night things don’t look the same, especially for first-time visitors,” he said. In those cases, his park patrol officers, the Division of Watercraft officers and the Coast Guard Auxiliary boat crew members are more than happy to assist lost boaters find the way back home. “Perhaps one of the worst situations we face during one of these events is if we have a thunderstorm come up. In those cases, everyone wants to rush back to the ramps and try to pull their boats out. I suggest that if this happens, pull into the nearest state marina or other dock and get off your boat. They are not safe places to be in a storm. Certainly don’t try to ramp your boat out in a bad storm. That is very dangerous,” said Giannola. Giannola is thankful for one thing. “As many boaters as we have had come out for the firework shows over the years, we have never had a serious accident take place. We can be grateful for that,” he said. To sum up Giannola’s suggestions for safe boating on the lake during these crowded conditions: make sure your boat and all its systems are in good working order; you are carrying the proper number of PFDs for each person aboard your boat with children under age 10 always wearing their PFDs and don’t drive your boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Also, be extra patient in returning to your dock or boat ramp. If pulling your boat out at one of the state park ramps, bear in mind it will take much longer than usual to do so due to the large numbers of people doing the same thing.

Indian Lake to host numerous July 4 events

Written by Michael P. Garrity
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 19:24
By MICHAEL P. GARRITY Current Correspondent LAKEVIEW – The Fourth of July holiday marks the height of the summer season for the Indian Lake area, and as in past years – there is a large slate of events planned by the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce designed for family fun during The Beach Spectacular and Fireworks event to be held on Saturday. Indian Lake State Park’s Old Field Beach is the focal point of the holiday activities with a car show kicking off the day’s events when registration opens at 10 a.m. for the show. According to Pam Miller, executive director of the Indian Lake Chamber, the show is open to not only cars, but also just about every type of wheeled-motor vehicle. “In past years we have had not only cars and trucks, but motorcycles as well,” said Miller. All types of cars and motorcycles are welcomed at the show with vehicles appealing to all ages, ranging from classic and historical cars like Ford Model A’s and T’s, hotrod roadsters, 60s- and 70s-era American muscle cars and modern customized import models that are a favorite of today’s generation. The show runs a good part of the day. The next official series of events are beauty pageants for children of all ages up to young adults. At around 11:30 a.m., the “Beach Baby Contest” is scheduled to begin for babies from age 0 to 2. The babies should be dressed in patriotic clothes and one adult is allowed on stage with the baby and a second adult in front of the stage to help get the babies to give a big smile. Around 12:30 p.m., there will be a second beauty contest for girls ages 2 through 5. The winner will be crowned “Miss Firecracker.” Once again, children participating in this event must be dressed in patriotic-themed clothing. From 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., there will be even more beauty contests, beginning with the “Little Miss Indian Lake Contest” for young ladies, aged 6 to 8. Next in the contest lineup is the “Junior Miss Indian Lake Contest” for girls aged 9 to 12 beginning at 1:30 p.m., and the pageants culminate with the “Miss Indian Lake Contest” for young women age 13 to 18. With all of these events, the participants begin their respective contest dressed in patriotic attire and move to formal wear. RV Wholesalers of Lakeview is providing two recreational vehicles for use as dressing rooms for contest participants. At 2 p.m. for those in the audience who wish to compete in a contest of another kind, sign up for the Cornhole Contest for all ages and test your skills at getting the corn bags in the center hole. Registration for the event begins at 11 a.m. and closes just before the scheduled start time for the event. At 3:30 p.m., lake area residents who have become finalists in The Indian Lake’s Got Talent contest, get to show off their stuff onstage for cash prizes. Since early in the year, residents have performed at “Talent” preliminary events held at area bars and clubs and now will vie for the title of “Best Indian Lake Talent.” Participants in the contest will compete in age classes. Those contestants age 12-18 have a chance to win $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for the show position. Adult competitors have a chance to win $300 for first place, $175 for second, $100 for third, and $50 for finishing in fourth place. With the completion of the competition, Bellefontaine radio station WPKO-FM takes over the entertainment with live remote broadcasts taking place from the beach and station DJs taking requests from those both at home and in the Old Field audience. WPKO also continues its tradition of broadcasting a simulcast soundtrack to the day’s premier event – the annual fireworks display. “If you plan to watch the fireworks from the beach, you had better find your spot pretty early,’ said Miller. “We estimate that anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 people come out to watch the fireworks either at the beach area itself, from spots all around the lake and from the many boats that come out on the lake. We have one of the largest and we think, the best fireworks display in the state of Ohio,” she added. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Zambelli Fireworks of New Castle, Pa. returns for another year to provide the great “SkyFire” show they put on. Miller also advises that if you and your family watch the fireworks show from the beach, also expect to sit there a while after the fireworks are over. “It can take quite a while to clear out all the people from the area,” she said. Miller added that while some area companies provide some funding to support the fireworks display, she said the bulk of the money needed to put them on comes from the public. “It takes about $26,000 to put on the display, and thus far we have raised less than half that amount,” she said. Donation boxes can be found at stores and restaurants all around the lake or people can stop into the chamber offices located in the Aries Building on State Route 366 just east of the spillway during business hours to make a contribution. “We take donations from the public right up to the time the fireworks are shot off, and we even continue to take donations after the fact and every little bit that people contribute is welcome and needed,” said Miller. If your tastes for entertainment run along different lines, there will be a new event taking place this year at the Fisher’s Special Event Center located on the grounds of the Fisher Flea Market at the intersection of County Road 87 and State Route 235. The facility hosting this event is just across State Route 235 from Old Field Beach State Park. The Fitness Center of Lakeview is hosting and sponsoring the ACC Absolute Cage Combat Event with doors opening for at 6 p.m. and the fights beginning at 7:30 p.m. with an intermission taking place during the duration of the fireworks display. The event will be a regional cage-fighting event and will draw fans and participants of that sport from all over the state and elsewhere. For more information on this event, ticket prices and purchasing of tickets, visit their site on the web at www.absolutecagecombat.org. Along with the official events taking place at the Old Field Beach, many families will be gathering at places all around the lake to celebrate our nation’s birthday to do things like having cookouts, playing cornhole games and throwing horseshoes; heading out on the lake and many other activities, proving that Indian Lake is a great place for families to enjoy their leisure time and to celebrate one of our nation’s great holidays. For more information regarding the list of Indian Lake Chamber July 4 holiday events, event registrations or to make a contribution for the fireworks, visit the Chamber’s Web site at www.indianlakechamber.org. or contact them by phone at 937-843-5392. There will be no rain date for the fireworks.

West Liberty Lions Club hosting July 4 activities

Written by Editorial
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 19:21
WEST LIBERTY – The West Liberty Lions Club is sponsoring the Independence Day weekend events at Lions Park with a fish fry, softball tournaments and Quarter Midget races. The festivities will start on Friday with the softball tournament. The first game will be at 6 p.m. The tournament will be for girls 16U and 14U teams and will feature teams from all over Ohio. The Quarter Midget race this year will have between 150-200 cars racing to qualify for the National Race. On the race track Friday, kids between the ages of 6-16 are invited to tryout the quarter midget race cars. Participants need parental consent and supervision. On Saturday, the fastpitch softball tournament will start up again between 8-9 a.m. The Quarter Midget race cars will begin their National Race qualifier at 9 a.m. The Lions Club will set up shop for their fish fry at the main concession stand. Bologna Express will be doing the frying. They will have available a fish dinner which includes fish, green beans, coleslaw, roll, cookie and a choice between ice tea and lemonade, or patrons can simply purchase a fish sandwich. Proceeds from the fish fry will go toward helping the Lions Club with various projects. The tournament and races will finish up on Sunday starting at 11:30 a.m.

Pachmayer resigns, Riverside BOE approves energy project

Written by Joshua Keeran
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 19:22
DEGRAFF – For the first time in five years, Riverside Local Schools will be under the leadership of a new superintendent after the Board of Education accepted the resignation of Superintendent Bernie Pachmayer during its regular meeting on June 25. “I believe there is always a time to leave, and this is my time to leave,” Pachmayer said. “I wanted to move closer to home for sure, and closer to my grandson. I also wanted the opportunity to work in vocation. “I came from vocational education many years ago. I started my career that way, and what I would like to do is work in vocation until I’m ready to retire,” she added. Pachmayer will continue her career in the education field as the superintendent of the Knox County Career Center in Mount Vernon, although she will always have a connection to Riverside. “I’ll miss the interaction with all the people here at the school district,” she said. “We have a very fine staff, we have great kids and it’s just been a lot of fun to be here.” Pachmayer’s resignation becomes effective on July 31. The board took a small step toward filling the void as it passed a motion for the intent to hire Dean Pond, Ph.D., as interim superintendent. BOE President DeeDee Harshbarger reiterated that Pond has yet to be hired by the board, but that he is the frontrunner for the interim position if everything falls into place. Pond is currently an education professor as well as chair of faculty at Urbana University. “I think he’ll be amazing for the school system,” Pachmayer said.
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Council hires Link Construction to handle roofing on Town Hall Project

Written by Editorial
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 19:19
Special to the Current (Editor’s Note: The following was compiled from the minutes of the West Liberty Village Council’s regular June 22 meeting and June 29 special meeting.) WEST LIBERTY – Roofing bids were opened for the Town Hall Project during a recent West Liberty Council meeting. Mayor Greg Hostetler and Mike Bow of M & K Engineering read bids for the project, estimated to cost $45,000. The following bids were received: E. Lee Construction, $36,390; Mark Neer Restoration, $43,844; Niebert Enterprises, $41,500; Kastra Painting, $34,300; Link Construction, $34,000; Geuy Construction, $49,400. Bow reviewed all of the bids and presented his recommendation during a special meeting on Monday. During that meeting, council awarded the bid to Link Construction and work is expected to begin this month. Andy Shuman of Choice One Engineering explained to council the federal stimulus package from the Ohio Public Works Commission, which is for road and bridge projects. The application for it must be in to Logan County by July 1 and is for $300,000. The village’s proposed project is West Columbus Street which would cost $615,000 plus $49,500 for engineering cost, for a total of $665,000. The village intends to split the work into two projects and is requesting funding for engineering for the entire street but reconstruction of only half of the street, for a total request of $357,300. The local portion the village needs to come up with would be $57,300, of which $28,300 would come from residents’ responsibility for curb and gutter repairs. During Monday’s special meeting, council passed a resolution for the street superintendent to prepare and submit an application for the OPWC $300,000 grant. It was noted at the June 22 meeting that he has applied for grants for eight years and has not yet been successful. In other matters, council: •Heard from Grayson Atha of the Town Hall Project that the committee will purchase its own Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for volunteers and those volunteers intend to sign waiver forms. •Heard that the Madden Company has chipped the brush at the dump and shredded the leaves. Village residents may contact the street department to get access to the dump to haul away compost. •Heard that the Lions Club has hired H & S. Asphalt to resurface the walking track in the amount of $14,668. Council agreed to pay for the project with money from the contingency fund and will be reimbursed by the Lions. •Was reminded that the Lions Club allows parties, reunions and other functions at the shelter houses in Lions Park, but that club members ask residents to pick up trash and decorations after each use.

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