June 18, 2014
June 18, 2014
June 18, 2014
cloudy
today with
a chance
of showers
and thunder-
storms today
and tonight.
Highs in the upper 80s and
lows around 70. See page 2.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
DELPHOS HERALD
The
75 daily Delphos, Ohio
Telling The Tri-Countys Story Since 1869
St. Johns scholarship winners,
p4
ACME action,
p6
Upfront
Forecast
Obituaries 2
State/Local 3
Next Generation 4
Community 5
Sports 6
Business 7
Classifieds 8
Comics and Puzzles 9
World News 10
Index
www.delphosherald.com Vol. 144 No. 241
Have we seen the last of new Van Wert County wind farms?
BY ED GEBERT
DHI Media Editor
news@delphosherald.com
VAN WERT Within the past
few days, the future for wind energy
in Van Wert County has taken an
almost 180-degree turn. Whereas
land deals were signed and in force,
plans and maps were drawn up and
it appeared that Dog Creek Wind
Farm in the eastern half of the
county would soon join Blue Creek
Wind Farm to the west, two recent
changes from Columbus may have
reversed the momentum locally.
Last Friday, Senate Bill 310 was
signed into law by Ohio Gov. John
Kasich, putting a two-year hiatus on
renewable-energy standards in the
state. Then Monday, Kasich put his
signature on House Bill 483 with-
out using a line item, which would
have eliminated stiffer requirements
for setbacks of wind turbines from
property lines.
While no announcement has
been made about the specific future
of any further wind projects local-
ly, Iberdrola Renewables Project
Developer Dan Litchfield said on
Tuesday, We are disappointed with
the two recent changes in Ohios
energy policy, both their substance
and the process by which the set-
back requirements were changed.
The setback provision specifically
had no opportunity for public com-
ment or input.
Concerning the immediate
future of Dog Creek Wind Farm,
Litchfield would only say, We
are currently assessing our options
for future investment in Ohio but
theres no question that more invest-
ment in Ohio just became a much
riskier proposition. Its frustrating
that were now less likely to work
with our dozens of local landowner
partners and Lincolnview Local
Schools to add new revenue to the
community.
A statement directly from
Iberdrola Renewables was harsher in
tone, quoting American Wind Energy
Association CEO Tom Kiernan as
saying that Kasich and the legisla-
ture are creating an unfriendly busi-
ness environment in Ohio.
Kiernan went on to say,
Legislators rammed through
restrictive rules without due pro-
cess and millions of dollars already
invested based on the previous set
of rules may now be lost without
any public debate. This will force
clean-energy developers and manu-
facturers to move to neighboring
states with similar resources and
friendlier business climates.
The new law changes requires
wind turbines to be at least 1,300
feet from the nearest property line
instead of the nearest house. Senate
Bill 310 changes the renewable
electricity standard for two years.
Ohio Sen. Cliff Hite, a wind
energy-backer, explained that with
changes in the marketplace, perhaps
having 25 percent of the states
energy coming from renewable
energy by 2025 needed to be re-
examined.
Council
formally
OKs income
tax increase
BY GREG SCHERGER
DHI Media Correspondent
news@delphosherald.com
DELPHOS Delphos City Council met
in regular session Monday evening for the
second time in the month. However, due to
the fact that two councilmen were not pres-
ent Joe Martz and Andy Knueve all of
the matters presented on first reading and the
majority of the legislation on second reading
carried over to a quickly-scheduled special
meeting to be held at 6:15 p.m. today at coun-
cil chambers on Canal Street.
With only five council members pres-
ent, the attendance was insufficient for vot-
ing on first and second reading ordinances.
Legislation on third reading was addressed
by those in attendance and all third reading
ordinances were unanimously passed.
On third reading, council passed an ordi-
nance to formally adopt the quarter-percent
income tax increase passed by Delphos vot-
ers on May 6. The tax increase will go into
effect as of July 1 on all qualifying wages,
commissions and other compensation earned
or received by residents of the city and upon
non-residents of the city for work performed
or services rendered within the city.
The quarter-percent increase raises the
city income tax from the present 1.5 percent
to 1.75 percent and is in effect until June
30th, 2017, unless amended by council at
that time. The new tax increase is expected
to raise approximately $400,000 annually
for the city and is earmarked for the Parks
Department.
See WIND, page 10
Children see drawings come to life at library
Children saw their artwork come to life in 3D last week at the kick-off of the Summer
Reading Program Fizz! Bang! Read! at the Delphos Public Library. The program contin-
ues for the next five weeks, culminating in a pool party on July 22 for those who turn in
a reading record of 500 hours. (Submitted photo)
See CITY, page 10
Chief Cook warns of aggressive door-to-door sales
BY STEPHANIE GROVES
DHI MEDIA Staff Writer
sgroves@delphosherald.com
SPENCERVILLE Spencerville
Police Chief Darin Cook reported a
group of people had been canvassing
the town selling Kirby Sweepers who
were very aggressive and pushed their
way into homes to try and sell vacuums
a few weeks ago.
After getting calls regarding the
individuals, I had three separate conver-
sations with them and each time they
said they did not have a permit with
them, he told council Monday. We
took names and other information
none of them had a drivers license
and ran background checks.
The people were all from different
states and had criminal histories
criminal records of bank robbery and
other felonies and they were run-
ning through the neighborhood to catch
up with each other. Cook said their
actions were alarming. After the last
conversation with two individuals deliv-
ering something to a resident, Cook said
he stopped them, checked for drivers
licenses which neither individual had
and told them to leave town.
I told them Id like to have a face-to-
face with the business owner and pulled
their permit, Cook said. There is a
Southwestern Educational Books sales per-
son in the vicinity who has a clean record
and showed me his permit up front.
Village fine
tuning prep
for Fort Fest
BY STEPHANIE GROVES
DHI MEDIA Staff Writer
sgroves@delphosherald.com
FORT JENNINGS
Jennings Mayor Jim Smith
spoke to Park Board Vice
President Kari Amstutz about
preparations for Fort Fest, the
annual celebration set for Aug.
16-17, during Tuesday nights
council meeting.
As discussed at the May 20
meeting, Amstutz spoke with
council about road closures for
the event and asked if it would
be possible to close Water
Street Thursday night to set up
the entertainment tent early. She
said last year, it was very rushed
to try and set it up on Friday.
We will send a letter to
residents notifying them of the
road closures Second and
Water streets starting at 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 14 through
midnight Sunday, Aug. 17, he
explained. I thought we would
add a flyer to the mailing.
Smith asked Amstutz if she
would like to get a flyer ready
to be stuffed into the mailing to
residents. He said she could do
something in black and white or
color. He estimated there would
be close to 190 letters mailed.
See WARNING, page 10
Green Thumbs
get lesson in
arranging
Elida resident Jane
Daniels gave a presen-
tation of fresh cut/tra-
ditional flowing arrang-
ing using Burning Bush,
Campanula Superba
and Daisies during the
Green Thumb Garden
Clubs monthly meeting
Monday at the library
annex. Daniels has been
showing her arrange-
ments at the Allen
County Fair for 20 years
and has won many blue
ribbons. She said visual-
izing the design before
beginning the actual
design process, is ben-
eficial. (DHI MEDIA/
Stephanie Groves)
Jefferson Band
Boosters set
Purse Bingo
Jefferson Band Boosters
will hold a Designer Purse
and Clutch Bingo on June
27 at the Delphos Eagles.
Doors open at 5:30
p.m. and play, including
20 games, starts at 7 p.m.
The entry fee is $30
and includes bingo
cards and dinner.
For tickets, contact
Sue Truesdale at 567-
242-9581 or Julie Kramer
at 419-234-1068.
Annual softball
games set
Beyond Expectations
has announced several
upcoming events for the
special needs community.
It will hold its annual
softball games from
6-8 p.m. July 3 at the
Little League diamonds
at Stadium Park.
See FEST, page 3
BY ED GEBERT
DHI Media Editor
news@delphosherald.com
VAN WERT A Delphos
man was ordered held on a
$100,000 cash bond Monday
in Van Wert County Court
of Common Pleas. Kiel
Martin, 28, Delphos was
arraigned on five counts of
second-degree burglary, one
count of theft from an elderly
person, a fifth degree felony
and one misdemeanor count
of theft. Martin is currently
incarcerated in the Putnam
County Jail on charges from
incidents occurring around
the same time as the events
in Van Wert County.
Martin pleaded not
guilty to all charges. His
attorney asked to be heard
on bail on another date. A
pretrial hearing in his case
is scheduled for June 25.
Delphos man
jailed on
$100K bond
2
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79
By Bil Keane
Comics & Puzzles
Barney Google & Snuffy Smith
Hi and Lois
Todays
Horoscope
By Eugenia Last
Answer to Sudoku
Crossword Puzzle
lope
5 Monsieurs
pate
6 Aerie builder
7 Entice
8 -- out (is
ecstatic)
9 Feedbag
tidbit
10 Humor
11 Hogs spot
13 Minor cleric
19 Stonehenge
frequenters
20 Ignited
22 Wont com-
mit
24 Pantyhose
shades
25 Spellbound
26 Jean Auel
heroine
27 Check for
fngerprints
28 Dilly
29 Pet adoption
org.
34 Cannoli flling
36 They have
pseudopods
ACROSS
1 Young
screecher
6 Jostles
12 -- over
(fainted)
14 Cafe -- --
15 Relaxed
16 Like sand-
paper
17 Teachers
org.
18 Guitarist --
Paul
19 Family
member
21 Ernesto
Guevara
23 Sault --
Marie
26 Pound
sound
27 Mother rab-
bit
28 Props
30 Mr. Brynner
31 German
conjunction
32 Take over
33 Polygraph
funkers
35 Guys date
37 Felt boot
38 Own up
39 Nonfying
bird
40 Clean air
org.
41 Just a --!
42 Avail one-
self of
43 Dallas hrs.
44 Oolas Alley
--
46 Phooey!
48 Free
51 Cover
stories
55 Spice
grinder
56 Digestive
fuid
57 Stunned
58 Add lanes
DOWN
1 Approves
2 Small
3 Guided
4 Large ante-
Mondays answers
42 In a foul
mood
43 -- con
carne
45 Fixes a
squeak
47 -- -- unto
itself
48 College
stat
49 Avg. size
50 Cigar
residue
52 Make an
offer
53 -- had it!
54 -- An-
dreas Fault
Wednesday, June 18, 2014 The Herald 9
www.delphosherald.com
10 The Herald Wednesday, June 18, 2014 www.delphosherald.com
TODAYS
SMILE
Jack Maag
(Continued from page 1)
It was time to have another
look at exactly what we were
doing with our in-state stan-
dards and making sure that the
average Ohioan is getting the
best bang for their buck, Hite
shared. That was the purpose
of this. Things have changed
since we set up those stan-
dards. We didnt know about
natural gas and the supply that
exists today. That has kind of
changed the game a little bit as
far as what does give the best
bang for your buck. Its a com-
petitive game and its a market
game and we have to look at it
and try to find out what is the
best we can do for Ohioans. So
to have a pause for a couple of
years is not a bad thing.
Both pieces of legislation
were recent considerations for
lawmakers in Columbus. It is
likely that protests by those
opposed to new and current
wind farms helped to inspire
both the setback changes and
the two-year halt on advancing
renewable-energy standards.
In April Iberdrola held a town
hall meeting at Lincolnview
High School in which some
vocal demonstrators sparred
with company representatives.
There was a lot of talk in
Van Wert County during the
primary that was very anti-
expansion of wind projects,
Hite noted. That discussion
became a part of our discus-
sion as well.
Sarah Smith, Van Wert
County economic develop-
ment director, who testified
earlier against the changes
and wrote Kasich to urge him
to use the line item veto to
omit the new setbacks, told the
Times Bulletin she believed
the anti-wind sentiment was
too strong and cost Van Wert
County a large investment.
Susan Munroe, CEO/pres-
ident of the Van Wert Area
Chamber of Commerce, also
testified in Columbus against
the two changes.
Its my belief that Iberdrola
could have dealt with (Senate
Bill) 310, although that still
provides legislative uncertain-
ty which sends up red flags
for companies like Iberdrola
who are ready to drop $200
million in this community
and understandably so, she
said. But the setback provi-
sion was the real project kill-
er, from my understanding.
Maybe there is a way to get
around that. I hope so because
our community has way too
much at stake when you look
at Lincolnview Schools being
able to reap another $600,000
for their school system each
year. With the impact of
decreased educational funding
out of Columbus, this is even
more important that we are
allowed to pursue these pri-
vate investment opportunities
to develop our economy with
no new taxes.
The new setbacks will
make any new wind farm dif-
ficult to design. Of the 150
turbines at Blue Creek Wind
Farm, only 12 would adhere
to the new law. But even with
the new setback distances in
force, Hite stated that property
owners could still proceed if a
waiver was signed.
If somebody wants to
waive that stipulation, they
may. (You would only lose
that many turbines) only if
nobody waives their rights,
Hite pointed out.
Every other entity that
involves setbacks uses that
to the property line except in
Ohio when we did the setback
rules for turbines. (Previously)
I was the one who did the
amendment that doubled the
size of the setbacks but that
still wasnt acceptable for
many, and definitely to those
who sponsored the amend-
ment that was put into (House
Bill) 483. They felt we needed
more setback to be consistent
with other law. Their motives
behind all that, you can discuss
with them.
Hite noted that Blue Creek
will be grandfathered in to
the new rules. Actually, any
wind farm approved by the
Ohio Power Siting Board cur-
rently qualifies to be built but
any changes to the specifics
of the development cannot be
changed without being brought
under the new measurements
for setbacks.
Hite concluded simply,
Im not as optimistic for new
projects as I was a year or two
ago.
This is an Ohio job killer,
pure and simple, wrote Mark
Goodwin, president of Apex
Clean Energy. With the set-
back requirement, he wrote,
Apex will have no choice but
to take its investment and its
business elsewhere. Given the
need to find new carbon-free
sources of electricity in Ohio,
we cannot imagine a worse
time to send wind energy com-
panies packing.
Whether Iberdrola comes to
the same conclusion remains
to be seen but its complaints
about the process makes their
position clear. In a company
statement, Iberdrola states,
The American wind industry
has generated major economic
benefits for Ohio, which ranks
first in the nation for the num-
ber of wind energy manufac-
turing facilities with more than
60 in the state. Yet there was
no opportunity for the regula-
tors at the Ohio Power Siting
Board, nor a single wind com-
pany operating or developing
in Ohio, to comment or pro-
vide testimony on this mat-
ter during its short one-week
consideration in the General
Assembly Gov. John Kasich
and the Legislature abandoned
$2.5 billion in current wind
energy projects, which now
face cancellation along with
jobs, leases, payments to local
governments, and orders for
factories, over a needlessly
restrictive setback requirement
that Kasich signed into law.
(Continued from page 1)
Council also passed an ordinance to pro-
vide 22 non-bargaining full-time employees with
additional sick leave time for the period of 2008
through November 2013 to conform with the
Ohio Revised Code. In this time frame, the accu-
mulated sick leave time had been calculated at a
rate lower than provided by the ORC; the adjust-
ment brings the compensation into compliance.
Additionally passed on final reading was
authorization for Mayor Michael Gallmeier and/
or Safety Services Director Shane Coleman to
enter into agreement with Lakeview Farms to
extend the current water and sewer rates to the
expanding entity at current rates for a period of
three years, and authorization for the administra-
tion to dispose of surplus assets, including one
car, one truck and miscellaneous items through
Gov.Deals, an online auction service.
Council read but could take no definitive
action to first- and second-reading legislation due
to a lack of quorum to the adoption of the 2015
city budget, contract with Stolly Insurance for
general property and liability insurance, establish-
ing a new fund for the parks income tax revenue,
a separation agreement for dispatchers from the
city as the dispatch service within the city comes
to a close, as well as proposed increases to cur-
rent water rates of five percent, and a 10-percent
increase in current sewer rates. These items will
be addressed at todays meeting. Time is of the
essence for the budget and insurance contract.
The budget needs to secure approval by July 7,
the present insurance contract expires June 30.
Councilman Mark Clement stated his intent
not to support the proposed water and sewer
increases, suggesting that the proposed increases
be cut in half, and further to extend to Bunge NA
a water rate deal similar to that just extended to
Lakeview Farms. Clement indicated the water
and sewer rates for Delphos customers have, in
his opinion, reached a critical limit with con-
cern that such additional rate increases will drive
residents and businesses out of town.
Council received positive news regarding the
proposed paving of East Second Street from
Main to Douglas streets. The project had an
estimated cost of $188,757 with 20 percent of the
cost shouldered by the city, the total low bid was
said to be $157,140, including ODOT-approved
striping. The low bidder for the project was not
announced and is expected to be revealed at the
first July council session.
(Continued from page 1)
Cook said they have devel-
oped a suspect on the back-
yard thefts.
We are fairly confident
we have the right individual
and that he knows we know
who he is, Cook said. The
thefts have stopped, for now.
Cook cautioned people out
walking at night need to use
the public sidewalks rather
than alleyways or they will
be stopped and questioned by
officers.
As discussed at the
June 2 meeting, Village
Administrator Sean Chapman
is continuing his work on the
Trail Project.
I removed all of the stakes
indicating the proposed loca-
tion of the trail and met with
Beth Seibert of the Allen
Soil & Water Conservation
District regarding a Storm
Water Pollution Prevention
Plan, which is required for
this project, as per the Ohio
Environmental Protection
Agency (OEPA), Chapman
reported.
Seibert stated that she
would be able and willing to
put a plan together at no cost
to the village.
This would otherwise cost
the village a few thousand
dollars if we had to hire a con-
sultant, he said.
In addition, Chapman
checked with Douglass
Degen of the Allen County
Engineers office to see if
there is any permitting needed
through his office.
Once I receive the com-
pleted plan from Beth, I will
complete all necessary paper-
work and applications and
submit to the OEPA for their
review and approval, he said.
Ohio Department of Natural
Resources (ODNR) will then
be able to begin the work.
Chapman gave his report
on the progression of the
Water Treatment Plant. The
interior block walls have been
completed and the top precast
slab has been delivered and
installed. All building door
frames have been installed,
the filter media has been
delivered and will be installed
into the nano-filters when they
are delivered this week. The
structural steel for the building
was completed last week and
the siding for the building is
close to complete.
As the building nears
completion, the HVAC and
electrical contractor will move
in and complete their portions
of the project, Chapman said.
The building will be secure
by the end of the week.
Chapman said the plant
start-up is still on schedule for
August/September and final-
izing the control mechanisms
will occur prior to start up.
He said many people have
asked how much the new
Water Treatment Plant is
going to cost them (raise their
bill) and he responded with
there will be no increase since
the debt service was covered
beginning in 2013.
During the May 19 village
council meeting, Chapman
and council members spoke
of the possible construction
of a sidewalk on East Fourth
Street which would extend to
the Dollar General store.
Recently, Chapman said
he was able to look at the
proposed sidewalk area lead-
ing up to Dollar General.
Although the project can be
completed, there are a few
concerns, including obtaining
Dollar Generals permission
to pour a sidewalk onto their
property; working with Dollar
General on cutting out exist-
ing curb for zero entry to
parking lot from sidewalk and
lowering the grade of the sur-
rounding ground leading up to
the curb cut and on relocation
of existing irrigation system
and there are sprinkler heads
along the back side of the
curb.
We may also need to
install a catch basin on the east
side of Hemmelgarns drive-
way and connect the outlet to
the existing storm sewer on
the same side of the road,
Chapman explained. This
may need to be completed
in order to promote positive
drainage.
The total cost of the con-
crete project is in the neighbor-
hood of $3,080 and includes
seven yards of concrete.
Chapman has contacted
Dollar General property own-
ers GBT Realty to dis-
cuss the proposed project in
the field and has sent them
a drawing of the proposed
work.
Additionally, Chapman
spoke of a $20,000 Storm
Water Plan which he will pro-
pose for 2015. He said he
would work with the Finance
Committee to check the feasi-
bility of implementation.
The next council meeting
will be held at 7 p.m. July 7 at
the Municipal building.
Wind City
Warning
2
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