Sunday, March 27, 2011

OHSAA HONORS NEW BOSTON'S JON WICKLINE

I would like to congratulate New Boston native Jon Wickline who was recently honored by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) in being awarded the Friend of Youth Award for recognition of 34 years announcing sports events for the New Boston School District.

Over the years Wickline has been the "Voice of the Tigers" for high school soccer, basketball and football (which was discontinued in 1979).

The presentation of the award came at halftime of the high school tournament basketball game between Wheelersburg and Ironton at Athens Convocation Center on the campus of Ohio University.

It has been my pleasure to know Jon Wickline for over 30 years. He has always been helpful to not only the high school sports programs but the youth leagues as well. He is a valued asset of our community and I wish him the best.

Congratulations. The honor was long-coming and well deserved.

Mike Payton
3-27-2011

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

INFRA-METALS OFFICIALLY COMING TO NEW BOSTON

This past Monday afternoon, councilmen Dan Fetty, Ralph Imes, Terry Salyers, Junior Williams and myself along with Mayor Warren attended the official signing of the purchase agreement between the Southern Ohio Port Authority (SOPA) and Infra-Metals to construct and operate a new $13 million dollar steel plant in New Boston.

The plant is expected to add 100 jobs to Scioto County. According to SOPA Vice-Chairman Bob Walton, Sr., the plant could break ground in 60 days and be complete 90 days after that, depending on the weather.

Based in Wallingford, Conn, Infra-Metals (a subsidary of Reliance Steel) already ships steel to locations in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky and Michigan.

Infra-Metals will join SFI of Ohio, OSCO, and A & M Refractory in the New Boston Industrial Park.

The addition of Infra-Metals to our community is not only a major accomplishment for New Boston but for all of Scioto County and southern Ohio. A major industry locating in our area signals to other industry throughout the country that southern Ohio does have much to offer, in property, location, and trained manpower and is worthy of serious consideration for future investment.

Mike Payton
3-16-11

Saturday, March 12, 2011

NEW BOSTON SERVICE DEPARTMENT EARNS CONGRATULATIONS

I am always proud of all the men and women who work for the Village of New Boston. Through much criticism they come to work each day, do their jobs, dont get paid nearly what they should, and are always there when needed.

At this time I would like to offer special congratulations to the employees of the New Boston Service Department. For the last few days with the rains continuing to come down and the river continuing to rise, the service department has worked tirelessly, monitoring river's activity and staying ready to put up flood gates and operate all six pump stations if the water continued to rise. In addition local garbage pick ups and other service department routine duties were virtually uninterrupted.

So my personal thanks to Don Winters, John Whisman, Russ Horsley, Greg Law, Bob Caseman, Dean Hoover, Charles Vastine, Leonard Jackson and Steve Hamilton for their dedication to not only their jobs but the Village of New Boston as well.

Great job.

Mike Payton
3-12-2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

CAREER TECHNICAL CENTER IS MAJOR ASSET TO STUDENTS OF NEW BOSTON

It is with great pleasure that I offer my congratulations to the administration, staff and students of the Scioto County Career Technical Center for 40 years of service to our area.

In 1971, the Scioto County Joint Vocational School and Technical College opened its doors. I had the privilege of being one of it's first students and was in the first 2-year graduating class in 1973. Since that time, the school has changed its named to the Scioto County Career Technical Center and has made a major positive impact on thousands of lives.

Vocational education and training has been and will continue to be an avenue for our youth to be successful in our global economy. Among the programs currently offered are business, health care, transportation, industrial, public safety and also short-term programs in firefighter, nurse aide and phlebotomy.

Glenwood School Superintendent Mike Staggs informs me that an average of 10 students a year from the New Boston community have attended programs at the Scioto County Career Technical Center and moved forward with very productive lives.

I am very proud to have been associated with the Scioto County Career Technical Center and congratulate them on 40 years of excellent service to the students of not only New Boston but those throughout Scioto County.

Mike Payton
02-14-2011

Thursday, January 27, 2011

GLENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WIN STATE AMERICANISM & GOVERNMENT TEST

It is my pleasure to congratulate two outstanding Glenwood High School students on a very impressive accomplishment.

Sara Adkins, a sophomore, and Aaron Hannah, a senior, both at Glenwood High School, have won the State Americanism and Government Test. As state winners, both students will receive a free trip to Washington D.C. this spring.

Sara is the daughter of Raymond and Sherry Adkins. Aaron is the son of Charles and Elizabeth Hannah.

I am very proud of both of these young citizens and congratulate them and their parents. They have made our school district and community very proud.

Mike Payton
01-27-2011

Thursday, January 20, 2011

VILLAGE COUNCIL CONSIDERS BANNING PAIN CLINICS & SYNTHETIC THCs

New Boston Village Council is considering banning pain clinics and synthetic THCs (and other similar products) from within the village limits.

Village Administrator Steve Hamilton presented research from other communities at our January 19 meeting detailing "Fake Marijuana" users showing up in emergency rooms with racing heart beats, extreme anxiety, and halluncinations. The substance is called K2 and is a synthetic form of marijuana. K2 is often marketed as incense and sold in packets of herbs laced with synthetic marijuana at "head shops," gas stations, convenience stores and on-line for about $30 to $40 per three-gram bag.

K2 is legal in many states including Ohio although legislation is being proposed to ban these substances.

The Village Solicitor has been asked by council to explore the legality of banning pain clinics and synthetic THCs and similar products from the village limits. What we want to do is be proactive and try to stop a problem in the village before it begins. Pain clinics throughout the area have been closing down and the feeling is these people are going to start looking for alternatives and especially those alternatives that are easy (and legal) to obtain. We do not want those alternatives to be found in our village.

My feeling is that we will most likely adopt a moratorium on pain clinics similar to the one Portsmouth City Council adopted which in effect instituted a 180-day moratorium on the issuance of any permit, license and/or authority to establish any pain clinic, pain management clinic or pain management center in New Boston. Rather than 180 days, I will support a year-long moratorium if legally possible.

Within a year, our village staff, public agencies and departments throughout the state, and the state legislature will be able to further review regulatory options, rules and streamline ordinances for these clinics.

Mike Payton
01-20-11

Sunday, December 12, 2010

NEW BOSTON CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS IN BIG WAY

The Village of New Boston has went all out to celebrate the holiday season this year.

Saturday, December 4, the traditional Breakfast with Santa was once again held at the New Boston Community Center. This year's event had over 600 people served and provided fun and fellowship throughout the morning. The mayor, village council, police, fire and service departments all helped as did former village employees, council members and citizens. Santa Claus met with children in the community center lobby throughout the morning.

Saturday, December 11, the village put on its first annual Christmas Parade. The event had over 60 units, formed on the Vinyl Craft parking lot and marched to the school bus garage where hot chocolate and cookies were given out courtesy of New Boston Kiwanis and Cedar Street Church of Christ in Christian Union. Santa met with children to round out the evening. The parade had children in floats from Stanton, Oak and Glenwood Junior High and High School and Daymar College. The Glenwood band led the parade which also included floats from local churches, shriners, and many other local civic and public service agencies. All departments of the Village of New Boston participated throughout the parade.

Shortly before Christmas Eve, the New Boston Police, Fire and Service Departments will participate in the annual distribution of toys to children throughout New Boston and the surrounding area. This annual event is both fun and extremely rewarding.

I am so proud to be a part of this community. The Village of New Boston continues to show its concern for one another. My sincere thanks to everyone who participated in any of these events. It has been a wonderful and rewarding experience to be part of our community this Christmas season. The real meaning of Christmas is alive and well in our great village.

Mike Payton
11-12-2010