Wednesday, September 12th, 2007

Enforcing smoking prohibition could get expensive locally

By Shelley Grieshop
WAPAKONETA - The smoke-free workplace law is causing financial and manpower woes for health departments trying to enforce it.
Recent amendments to the law will require county health departments to notarize punitive letters they send to violators and the inspection forms officials use. Fortunately, the Auglaize County Health Department has a notary public on site and neighboring Mercer County can borrow one from the commissioners' office.
Ohio's smoking ban in public places was passed by 58 percent of voters in November and took effect Dec. 7.
Also, another change in the law stipulates that businesses which are cited for violations can appeal their case to either the health board or a board member and an attorney, at the board's choosing.
"That has the potential of costing about $500 (to pay the attorney) to issue a $100 fine," Auglaize County Health Commissioner Charlotte Parsons told board members meeting Tuesday morning.
Parsons suggested appeal hearings be scheduled to coincide with the health department's monthly board meetings so the entire board can be present instead of hiring an attorney, when possible.
To date there have been about 400 fines issued to violators in Ohio and approximately 13,000 complaints filed against businesses and clubs, Parsons said.
Parsons said she is handling most of the investigative process herself to spare a conflict between sanitarians and businesses.
"I believe it conflicts with their relationship with the businesses they serve for food service (issues)," she said.
A portion of the sanitarians' duties is to issue food service plans and permits and inspect businesses throughout the year.
Parsons said she's found that most business owners are willing to comply in about 99 percent of the cases she's investigated. All investigations by health officials must be complaint-driven.
The majority of complaints lodged across the state so far are against veterans clubs and officials admit it's a result of unclear terminology put before voters last fall.
Additional online stories on this date
COLDWATER - High school students with reading disabilities are getting additional help this year with the school's recently purchased MP3 players, according to resource specialist Marge Hoops. [More]
ROCKFORD - A policy that would allow Parkway Local school buildings to be given names was narrowly approved by the board at Tuesday's Parkway Local Schools board of education meeting. [More]
MARIA STEIN - Even after a small break, Marion Local volleyball coach Amy Steininger had to compose herself.
Her Flyers trailed 12-6 in the fifth and deciding game against Anna before posting what she said was one of the best comebacks she had ever seen. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Parkway Local Schools Superintendent Doug Karst is retiring after heading the approximately 1,100-student school district for eight years.
"I just
Water samples taken Monday at two state swimming beaches on Grand Lake showed that E. coli bacteria levels are back below acceptable levels, park manager Craig Morton said Tuesday.
WAPAKONETA - Ryan Bollenbacher became the prime target of blood-sucking mosquitoes Monday as he performed his routine duties as a landscaper.
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ROCKFORD - Several parents are unhappy with the Parkway school district bus policy and voiced their displeasure at Tuesday's school board meeting.
The bridge on U.S. 127 over Beaver Creek on the south edge of Celina will get a new deck next year, but some city officials expressed disappointment this week that the bridge won't see further improvements.
Park would be located north of the intersection of state Routes 274 and 66
NEW BREMEN - Another park along the Miami and Erie Canal is in the works according to reports presented when New Bremen village councilors met Tuesday night.
NEW BREMEN - Village councilors welcomed a frequent guest Tuesday night and approved rezoning requests for designated lots in the Walnut Street subdivision.
WAPAKONETA - The Auglaize County Health Board was happy to hear that the department received a good grade on is recent state audit.
The audit, completed in July, revealed no findings of error or citations, county health Commissioner Charlotte Parsons told board members, who met on Tuesday.
Eatery featuring steak and seafood, family dining, opens at former Doc's Inn
MONTEZUMA - A new steak, seafood and family dining restaurant is now open after months of restoration and a chance meeting with a professional chef.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Celina took a big step in making a play toward a Western Buckeye League girls tennis title, beating Elida 4-1 in Elida to knock the host Bulldogs out of the ranks of league unbeatens.
Compiled by Ryan Hines
The Versailles volleyball team played its most competitive match of the early season on Tuesday evening at Celina, but the Tigers still emerged a three-game winner over the Bulldogs at the Intermediate Building.
ST. MARYS - The St. Marys boy's soccer team scored twice in the final five minutes to salvage a wild 4-4 tie with the Defiance Bulldogs in Western Buckeye League play Tuesday afternoon at West Elementary Field.