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On a mission to help Wounded Warriors |
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Written by Joshua Keeran
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Wednesday, 22 May 2013 19:53 |
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HUNTSVILLE – On Memorial Day, Americans throughout the country will pay tribute to those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and for those soldiers injured while in service who were fortunate enough to make it home alive, Huntsville resident Jerrod Harris is doing all he can to make sure these veterans are not forgotten no matter the occasion. Earlier this year, Harris started a nonprofit business called Wounded Warrior Landscaping & Pressure Washing with one goal in mind – to help a nonprofit organization close to his heart. "After I pay overhead, I'm hoping to give $5,000 at the end of the season to the Wounded Warrior Project, which is my whole reason for doing this," he said. "The Wounded Warrior Project is for soldiers who are disabled in the line of duty. Sometimes, these people wait a year or two for benefits to kick in from Uncle Sam, and that's the tough part. Those who are disabled are dealing with enough emotionally, but to come home broke just adds to it." Harris, who served in the U.S. Army for eight years, knows this situation all to well having gone through it himself. In 2006, he returned home a disabled veteran after being injured while deployed in Afghanistan. Upon his return to civilian life, Harris received little help and struggled to readapt to life outside the military, and he doesn't want other disabled veterans to go through what he did. "I didn't have much help when I got out, so this is why I'm doing this in hopes of helping make the transition easier from being GI Joe to broke," Harris said. "I've always wanted to do something to help others in the same situation as I was in, so I thought about what I could do to help." After recuperating from the injuries he suffered while in the military, Harris received a business degree from Rhodes State College in Lima, Ohio. While brainstorming ways to help the Wounded Warriors Project, Harris thought about his brother, Jason, and the idea of Wounded Warrior Landscaping & Pressure Washing was born. "Even though I am new (to this type of work), my foreman (Jason) has got like 15 years experience, so it's not like I'm a disabled vet grabbing a rake and raking leaves," Harris said. "I figured we would go on Jason's back and my knowledge and make a team out of it." |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 May 2013 19:56 |
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Several village vehicles in need of repair |
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Written by Editorial
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Wednesday, 22 May 2013 19:51 |
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Editor’s note: The following was compiled from the West Liberty Village Council regular meeting minutes from May 13. WEST LIBERTY – Council learned during its May 13 meeting that three village vehicles could be on their way to the repair shop. Street Commissioner Phil Holycross informed council that the problem with the village’s street sweeper doesn’t appear to be the clutch as first suspected. Instead, Holycross said the issue is with the back end of the sweeper. In order to fix the problem, Holycross stated the parts would cost between $8,000-$10,000, while the labor would run about $2,000-$3,000. He also said the conveyor belt needs replaced at a cost of $900. According to Holycross, the street sweeper was bought in May of 1997 and was used at the time of purchase. With that in mind, Holycross informed council he received two quotes from Lacal Equipment for used street sweepers in the amount of $24,995 for a 2005 Elgin and $17,500 for a 2002. Holycross told council he will get a few more quotes, and it was suggested the cost of a used sweeper could be paid for out of the State Highway Improvement Fund since the village uses the sweeper on U.S. Route 68 and state Route 245. In a related street department matter, Holycross said the transmission went out on the 1997 dump truck and will cost approximately $3,000. He said this repair can wait until the fall if need be. As for the West Liberty Police Department, Chief Shane Oelker stated the brakes on the Dodge Charger cruiser need to be replaced at a cost of $500. |
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Saying ‘neigh’ to disability |
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Written by Lee Jones
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Thursday, 16 May 2013 13:40 |
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ZANESFIELD – While the dog has long been called man’s best friend, many locals with special needs may put the horse in that category. Logan County-based Discovery Riders hosts many horse-centered therapy classes and programs throughout the year to help improve the lives of those with a wide variety of needs. The organization was started in 1999 by a group of parents and a physical therapist determined to make a difference on the local level. Today, the programs offered by Discovery Riders focus on goal-setting and getting participants to focus on what they can do. Discovery Riders Director Linda Hauck said horses make an incredible impact on their special needs riders. She recalls having non-verbal participants say their first words while riding a horse. “It’s cause and effect,” she said of communication with horses. “(Participants) get a response and they understand how to start communicating.” “We group similar needs together,” Hauck said of the group’s programming methodology. “We put the same developmental age together.” Some program participants receive private lessons, while others work together in groups. Hauck said they work with individuals with many kinds of special needs: autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and youths with low confidence who become socially isolated and bullied. “They feel appreciated and they need that feeling,” Hauck said. “We concentrate on what they can do. People underestimate individuals; we enable them to develop as people.” Discovery Riders’ 11 horses and two mini horses take part in all the programs the non-profit offers, but they are not just ridden. “(Participants) start by grooming the horse, picking out their feet and getting them in shape to be ridden,” Hauck said. “Groundwork is how they communicate and ask them to go through obstacles on the ground.” |
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Local firms to be given chance to win over council |
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Written by Editorial
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Thursday, 16 May 2013 13:44 |
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Editor’s note: The following was compiled from the Russells Point Village Council post-meeting notes from May 6, which were submitted by Mayor Robin Reames. RUSSELLS POINT – Council decided during its May 6 meeting to consider switching the village’s tax administrator if presented with a better alternative. Mayor Robin Reames informed council that two local firms have expressed interest in presenting themselves as prospective tax administrators for the village. Currently, Central Collection Agency (CCA) of Cleveland serves as the village’s tax administrator. While discussing the issue, former Village Clerk/Treasurer Sue Leonard gave a bit of background information to council. According to Leonard, back when the village first implemented a 1 percent municipal income tax, Leonard stated there were no local firms capable of handling the task, and the village couldn’t justify hiring additional personnel to handle the job in-house. After meeting with CCA and the Regional Income Tax Agency, council elected to bring on CCA to handle the task of tax administrator. Leonard did reiterate the clerk/treasurer or fiscal officer of the village is the local contact for any municipal tax questions or concerns from residents in regard to the tax. Following discussion, council agreed with Reames’ suggestion to allow local firms to present themselves at a future meeting. It was noted council is not dissatisfied with the services of CCA, but Reames believes anyone wishing to approach council pertaining to a product or service used by the village should be given the opportunity to do so. Also during the meeting, Reames advised council that the village received notice of a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) now available. She suggested that the village apply for the grant to help provide funding to improve the stormwater sewer system in the village. During discussion on the matter, it was noted the village can make more than one application for a CDBG. With this in mind, council suggested that the village also apply for funding for a farmers market and street paving. |
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Kids playing in road becoming an issue in Quincy |
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Written by Editorial
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Thursday, 16 May 2013 13:39 |
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Editor’s note: The following was compiled from the Quincy Village Council regular meeting minutes from May 7. QUINCY - Child safety and property maintenance within the village were discussed by council during its May 7 meeting. Council talked at length about children playing in the street after several complaints were received regarding kids not moving out the street in order to let motor vehicles pass through the village. Council asked that parents or legal guardians of children be aware of where kids are playing and teach them that vehicles have the right away on village streets and alleys. Members then took a moment to remind all drivers that children are out and about during the warmer months and there is always the possibility they might dart out in front of moving vehicles. As for monitoring the situation, council noted the Logan County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of the problem and will be doing as much patrolling as the village finances allow. Residents that encounter any individuals walking or playing in the street who refuse to move out of the flow of traffic are asked to call the sheriff’s office to file a complaint. Also during the meeting, the condition of various properties throughout the village was brought to the attention of council. It was noted tall grass is a problem at several vacant lots, while some properties were reported to have litter and trash stored on them. Council noted June is the month set aside to take care of property issues, and an ordinance is in place that allows the village to move in and take care of trash and litter on any property and place the costs for the cleanup on the property owner’s taxes as a lien against the property. Mayor Dan Robinson will be contacting property owners regarding maintenance issues. In other business: •The Quincy Annual Yard Sales will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 1. The cost for yard sale signs are $5 each and can be purchased at Champaign Bank, Hair We Go and Quincy Handi Mart. All residents having a yard sale are requested to purchase the signs to help with advertising expenses for the sale.
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