Saturday afternoon, March 26, myself and some 600 people attended a community rally at Green High School voicing our objections to the closing of the Ohio River Valley Correctional Facility at Franklin Furnance.
Employees, office holders and community supporters spoke of the economic devastation to not only Franklin Furnace but much of Southern Ohio because of the recently announced decision by Ohio Governor John Kasich to close the facility by the end of the year.
Several residents of the New Boston community currently work at the ORV. The impact of this closure will cost 368 people throughout Southern Ohio their jobs. There has been no logical reason given by the governor for this closure. ORV is the most modern and secure youth facility in Ohio.
As has been pointed out to Governor Kasich in letters from community members and employees, the infrastructure of the community, the neighborhoods will decline due to families forced to relocate, vacant businesses and homes, home foreclosures and the inability to improve properties. Tax revenues will decline which will put additional strain on already stressed city, village and township budgets.
State Representative Terry Johnson appeared at the rally and highly opposed the closing. He commented that, "politics should have nothing to do with our presence today..", but with all due respect to Mr. Johnson, the Governor is going to have to prove that politics has nothing to do with this.
I urge all citizens of Scioto County to continue to write Governor Kasich's office, Representative Johnson, and all local leaders. Pressure must be kept on the governor's office to change this devastating decision for our area.
Mike Payton
3-27-2011
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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