Capital Improvements Plan Calls For Almost $2 Million For Parks

A proposed $20 million city Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) that would span a decade calls for almost $2 million in park projects, aquatic center spending and park vehicle/equipment purchases.
In addition to the estimated $1,974,000 of projects and equipment staff identified as minimum “needs” as opposed to wants, the proposed plan includes $149,322 for the aquatic center in 2013 in the separate debt plan. The debt plan totals around $5.7 million over the 10 years.
Final Payment
The $149,322 would be the final payment on the borrowing done by the city to build the Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center and the baseball quads at Kyle Park.
The 0.25-percent, 10-year income tax approved by voters in 2002 was intended to cover costs of the projects, but tough economic times intervened, city Manager Jon Crusey said.
“The reason the 0.25 percent will not cover the full expense of the aquatic center quads debt in 2013 is due to the economy and income tax receipts not keeping pace with projections that were made in 2002-03,” he said.
Whether renewal of the parks income tax will be sought remains to be determined.

Man Who Fled To Tony’s Gets Plea Deal

A New Carlisle man faces up to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty Aug. 30 in a Miami County court to felony attempted failure to comply after leading a state trooper on a chase that ended in Tipp City.
Steven A. Hall, 27, originally was charged with felony failure to comply following the March 11 pursuit.
A trooper from the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported he tried to stop a car driven by Hall after checking its speed as 67 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone on State Route 571.
The trooper reported that the vehicle continued westbound on 571 into Tipp City going between 83 and 85 mph when entering the city. The car eventually stopped on Dow Street, east of First Street, and the driver fled on foot.

Tipp A Townie For A Good Cause!

Do you know someone in Tipp City who always looks completely together, always well-dressed with every hair in place? Did you ever wish that, just once, you’d could see that person looking just a little disheveled?
The opportunity to not only see that person come down to earth, but to put him (or her) there yourself, may come your way on Friday night of the Mum Festival, Sept. 24.
From 5 to 8 p.m. on that night, some normally well-dressed Tipp City “celebrities” will sacrifice their dignity to the “Tipp A Townie”dunking booth, which will be set up in the parking lot behind Harrison’s Restaurant. The cost to see someone get soaking wet is a $5 minimum donation.
A New Fundraiser
This new event is a fund-raiser for the Downtown Tipp City Partnership, with any funds raised going toward the organization’s projects, said President/CEO Matt Owen, who will be one of the victims…er, volunteers sitting in the chair of honor in the booth.
“Other dunkees so far are City Manager Jon Crusey; Mike McDermott, owner of Bash Foo Social Media; Mark Mabelitini, Rotary President; and Tippecanoe High School athletic director Matt Shomper,” Owen said.

Nick Noone Headed To Hungary

So what makes 16-year-old sophomore Nick Noone tick?
He follows a strict regimen of swimming, biking and running. Not just for a few days. Virtually every day he either swims, bikes or runs. After all, he has developed into an elite triathlon competitor.
“Nick has a killer work ethic,” said fellow Tippecanoe cross country teammate Sam Wharton.
Like the Energizer Bunny, Noone is always ready to toe the line, according to cross country coach Bryon Kimmel.
“Nick has a motor that doesn’t stop,” Kimmel said. “He’s highly motivated…always strives to do his best. He’s a hard worker who has the endurance to battle pain and fatigue.”
Good thing, too.
Noone, the son of Vince and Maggie Noone of Tipp City, has taken his triathlon game to the international stage. His first-place triathlon finish in his age group three months ago in Davenport, Iowa, earned him an invite to an elite event on the other side of the globe.

Devils Douse The Green Wave

Both coaches agreed the story of the game was turnovers.
Tippecanoe coach Charlie Burgbacher and Greenville coach T.J. Powers could see the football game turn on a dime time and time again.
By the end of the game played in Greenville, the Red Devils had taken full advantage of six Green Wave turnovers — four fumbles and two interceptions — to claim a 21-0 victory for their second straight road win.
“They were coming at us and taking it to us,” Burgbacher said. “The bottom line is they didn’t score.”
On the other hand, Tipp scored three times on the ground in the first half. Jake Polansky tallied two long touchdown runs and Casey Clack added a short TD run, giving Tipp a 21-0 lead at the intermission. Neither team scored again as the second half was clearly a battle for field position that did not culminate in a TD or field goal.
An Inconsistent Effort
“We were inconsistent on offense and defense,” Burgbacher said.
To underscore his point, he only had to look at the stat sheet. For example, Greenville mounted a 12-play opening drive that consumed seven minutes off the clock but ended on downs at the Tipp 27. However, Tipp’s first drive stalled when quarterback Jake Watkins threw an interception at the Green Wave 13-yard line.
Late in the opening quarter, a Greenville fumble on their second play from scrimmage was recovered by Alex Baker, giving Tipp a short field.
Two plays later, Polansky bolted to the right side for a 26-yard score. Kyle Pignatiello tallied his first of three extra points, and the visitors held a 7-0 lead at the end of the opening period.

PLUS…Great features, letters to the editor, a guest column, Liz Ball’s Hidden Treasures…and SO MUCH MORE. Pick up a copy today!

Nancy Keen
(Died September 5, 2010)

Keen, Nancy Elizabeth age 68 of Tipp City passed away Sunday September 5, 2010 at 12:55 pm at her residence. Born June 17, 1942 in Tipp City, Ohio to Howard “Brownie” and Dora {Snyder} Brown. Preceded in death by her parents, brother; Floyd Brown and sister; Donna Selby.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 49 years; Theodore “Jr.” Keen, son; Theodore Keen III and his wife Teri of Tipp City, daughters; Katrina and her husband Robert Mowery of Greenville and Sally Keen (Sal Chirico) of Hillsboro, 5 grandchildren; Josh Anderson, Kyle (Laura) Mowery, Tyler Mowery, Ashley and Anthony Chirico, 3 great grandchildren; Lily, Robbie and Allie Mowery, sister; Joan (Mont) Cook of Youngstown, Ohio, and 2 brothers; Samuel Brown of Tipp City and James Brown of Fletcher, many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Nancy provided child care in her home for several years and later retired from Springhill Nurseries in Tipp City. She was a member of the Eastern Star for many years and the Monroe Grange for over 50 years. Nancy enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the family reunions she helped to plan. She most enjoyed the time she spent with her grandkids. Nancy had many hobbies including; fishing, camping, reading and her favorites; crocheting and knitting. Funeral service 2:00 pm Thursday September 9, 2010 at FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME 327 W. Main St. Tipp City, Ohio 45371.

Visitation noon until 2 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery, Tipp City. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Nancy’s name to Hospice of Miami County. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Vicki and Jean from Hospice for giving of their time and support in helping Nancy through her final hours. www.fringsandbayliff.com

Pictured are Jerry Hauer (left), Chairperson Kimberly Carter, and Jerry Farley

Jerry Farley Superintendent of Improved Solutions for Urban Systems (ISUS) and Jerry Hauer owner of Hauer Music and chairperson for the Dayton Rotary ISUS both spoke at the September 1, 2010 Tipp City Rotary Club meeting.  The organization began in 1992 to work within systems to develop more effective ways to educate and train underachieving, dropout and court-involved youth.  The ISUS concept is high school plus.  For a student, the plus means industry certification, apprenticeship, college credits, real work experience and a life changing perspective.

Students alternate between hands-on, academic and post-secondary coursework. Healthcare students volunteer in hospitals and nursing homes, computer students refurbish computers; advanced manufacturing students fabricate wall panels for construction students who rebuild entire neighborhoods – now “building green” and installing renewable energy systems. Both student and community outcomes are crafted to be impactful.   Pictured are Jerry Hauer (left), Chairperson Kimberly Carter, and Jerry Farley.

For us veteran residents of the South side of Tipp City’s Downtown district the odor is very familiar. As a part of the canning process each evening the employees of Tipp Top Canning empty out the sludge from the boiler vats and drain them behind the driving range at Kyle Park. The watery tomato sludge is not toxic, however the aroma does smell something like… wait for it… raw sewage.

The foul smelling aroma was particularly strong today and was reported to the City by residents and businesses several miles away. When the wind is just right, the smell comes right across town. During the late summer months there are many aromas that come from Tipp Top Canning based on what they are working on. Sometimes there is a strong odor of tomatoes and garlic, or onion, or even basil (my personal favorite downtown aroma).

Tipp Top Canning, in business since 1924 on South First Street, Downtown has not changed anything that they have been doing for decades, it just so happens that this morning the winds were coming from the south-east, driving the foul smells across the residential and business district instead of the cornfields to the east.

Thanks to the numerous reports to local TV stations, Tipp City will make the nightly news on WHIO Channel 7. Check it out!

Pictured are Kevin Day (right) and Chairperson Anthony Day.

The speaker at the August 25, 2010 Tipp City Rotary Club meeting was Kevin Day.  Kevin is the Vice President of Market Research for Big Lots, Inc.  Kevin graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelors degree in Geography and an MBA from The Ohio State University.  Kevin began his career with the Kroger Co. and then for Big Lots in the real estate division.  Kevin has been with Big Lots for 22 years all within the Real Estate division.  Kevin’s presentation gave a brief history of Big Lots, and described the changes Big Lots has seen through the 80s to now.  Kevin finished by describing the current business model that Big Lots follows and how the vision for the future is both bright and expanding.

Marianne Bettag (Died August 30, 2010)

BETTAG, Marianne age 58 of Tipp City passed away Monday, August 30, 2010 at Miami Valley Hospital after a hard fought battle against leukemia. She was born November 20, 1951 in Piqua, Ohio. A graduate of University of Evansville, Marianne joined the US Navy, serving as a Navy nurse. Marianne completed her Navy service as a reservist and was a Commander at the time of her death. Returning to the Miami Valley after her active duty, Marianne worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree and moved to the Prenatal and Women’s Health Clinic at the Montgomery County Combined Health District, where she worked for twenty-nine years. Marianne was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Eugene Bettag. She is survived by her daughter, Megan Bettag, son David Bettag and daughter-in-law Lindsey (Poffenberger) Bettag. She is survived by her parents, Harold and Myrna Lou (Bader) Warner of Bradford, OH and Willcox, AZ. Also surviving are her 4 siblings: Julia and Glen Vickery, David and Marge Warner, Emily Warner and Mike Moutoux, and Dan and DeeDee Warner. Other survivors include mother-in-law Irene Bettag, brothers and sisters-in-law Dan and MaryAnn Bettag, Ron and Dianne Bettag, Tony and Annie Bettag, Bill Bettag, Joan and Chuck Caldemeyer, and Gerald and Beth Bettag. A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews survive. The family wished to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Miami Valley Hospital, especially the staff of the Bone and Marrow Transplant Unit and Dr. Tarek Sabagh and Associates for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202, or the National Marrow Donor Program at BeTheMatch.org or to a charity of your choice. Visitation will be at the FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME, 327 W. Main St., Tipp City, Ohio at noon, Friday September 3, 2010. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00PM.

Alfred Psczulkoski
(Died August 29, 2010)

Age 92 of Tipp City went to be with the Lord on Sunday August 29, 2010 after a brief illness. Alfred was born to Ferdinand and Agnes on February 6, 1918 in Dayton, Ohio. He was a member of the Saint John’s Catholic Church as well as a life member of the American Legion Post 586 and VFW Post 4615. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Genevieve of Tipp City, daughters Nancy Ferguson of Dayton and Carol (Eric) English of Tipp City, grandchildren Norman and Michael, Jenny, Andrew, Evan and great grandchildren Aiden and Grace and daughter in law Terri, of Tipp City. He was preceded in death by his son Alfred J Psczulkoski JR. Alfred was discharged from the Army in 1946 after serving in the Pacific theater in WWII and later reenlisted in the Air Force Reserves. He retired from Wright Patterson Air Force Base where he worked as a civil servant until 1978. He and his family are proud of his lifetime of service to his country. After retiring he moved to Florida with his childhood sweetheart where he was an active member in his neighborhood watch program as well as the Air Force Sergeants Association. Alfred will be missed by those whose lives he touched. A celebration of Alfred’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME 327 W. Main St. Tipp City, Ohio 45371 www.fringsandbayliff.com

TIPP CITY, Ohio – The Downtown Tipp City Partnership’s current Board members, committee Chairs, and past Board members all gathered on Friday, August 27 for a strategic planning session with Ohio Heritage. Jeff Siegler, Director of Revitalization at Heritage Ohio, traveled to Tipp City to learn about the mission of the Downtown Tipp City Partnership (DTCP) and help guide the organization toward more successful opportunities.

After a review of the strengths and weaknesses of the organization and downtown Tipp City, the group was able to determine specific goals to focus on for the coming year. Each committee of the DTCP, Organization, Promotions, Design, and Economic Restructuring, will be centered on specific projects that will continue to fund and strengthen the group.

“Our team of volunteers are focused on enhancing and preserving the downtown area, but it is always important to take a step back and reevaluate the direction and projects of the group,” said Matt Owen. “We want our retailers, restaurants and other businesses in downtown Tipp to know there is a strong focused group of individuals promoting the area to bring people inside the stores and enhance the image.

One area of focus as an overall Board will be fundraising, so we can expand our reach and communications within the region. The Organization committee will continue to focus on the internal functionality of the group including recruitment of board members and volunteers, as well as the financial status. Additionally, Promotions will work toward a better web presence during the coming year and an evaluation of our overall events. The Design committee will continue to focus on building enhancements with the Façade Improvement Program and work closely with the City of Tipp City to be sure we are enhancing the visitor experience via signage and historical preservation. Finally, Economic Restructuring will turn their focus toward building relationships with the local merchants and understanding how the DTCP can retain these businesses for the long-term of the community.

The Downtown Tipp City Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Heritage Ohio with the mission to enhance, preserve, and promote downtown Tipp City. The DTCP meets on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month, 9 a.m. at Tipp Monroe Community Services. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Matt Owen, Executive Director, at 937.667.0883 or visit www.dtcp.org.

Ohio Heritage is the Statewide Main Street Coordinating Program in Ohio, as designated by the National Main Street Center. More information available at www.heritageohio.org.

Tipp Monroe Community Services is offering the following classes:

Babysitting Training Class for 11 year and older

Learn child care and first aid basics and gain the confidence to make smart decisions and stay safe in any babysitting situation. This class will be offered on September 11 from 9 am – 4 pm.  Sponsored by the American Red Cross and TMCS.

ACT Test Preparation

Are you ready for the ACT Test?  The next class is on September 7, 8 & 9 from 6 pm – 8 pm.  Emphasis is placed on timing, test makeup, questions to avoid, creative guessing, reading techniques, and frequent errors in English.

These classes occur prior to the release of the 2010 fall Community Connection. Sign-up today for either of these classes by calling TMCS at 937.667.8631.

You will find these news stories and more in this week’s Tippecanoe Gazette.

You can pick up a copy of the Tippecanoe Gazette at CVS, Foodtown, Clark’s, Bob Evans, Miami Valley Wine & Spirits and Grounds For Pleasure.

City Unveils A Multi-Million Dollar Needs, Not Wants, List

A proposed 10-year capital improvements plan identifying items city administrators say are needs versus wants includes more than $3 million in spending for fire department-related equipment and projects.
The big-ticket items – a new aerial ladder truck and West Main Street fire station improvements – would cost more than $2 million, according to current estimates.
The proposed 10-year capital improvements plan, which is under review by the City Council, carries a total estimated price of around $20 million.
City officials said current sources of revenue should bring in more than $7 million, leaving a $12 million funding gap.
Where that money would come from remains to be determined, possibly with the assistance of a citizens advisory committee. Among options suggested have been increases in the income tax or property tax.

I Swear! And The Board of Education Does Not Like It!

People who feel the need to swear at Tipp City schools’ staff during phone calls could end up on the phone alone.
“We would ask citizens of our district to be respectful when they call in,” Kate Johnsen, Tipp City Schools’ Board of Education president, said during the board’s Aug. 23 meeting.
During her remarks to fellow board members and the public, Johnsen discussed staff reports of people calling a school office, apparently angry and “not treating staff with courtesy.”
“On several levels, that’s wrong. It is not appropriate behavior,” said Tom Merritt, Tipp City schools’ board member.
Staff members have been told they can hang up the phone on someone who insists on swearing, Johnsen said.

The School Year Is Off To A Good Start For Bethel

Bethel students returned to school last week to find a new superintendent in place who is learning the ropes just as they are in this new school year.
“I’m too new to know what’s new,” said Superintendent Jeff Cassell, former basketball coach and math teacher at Franklin-Monroe High School, who began his position Aug. 1.
So, talking about the first week of school that began Aug.23 fell to junior high/high school principal Tim Zigler and elementary principal Jodi Petty.
“We made it through the first week okay,” Zigler said. “It was a pleasant week. We had good weather for it.”
Last Friday, he was looking forward to the first football game that same night.
“It’s also Senior Recognition Night, with parents there. And we take special photos,” Zigler said.
“In the past, we’ve done Recognition Night at the last game of the season – we thought we would try it at the first game this year,” he said. “We’ve not had that good of weather on the last night. And we wanted our football players to start out the year excited.”
Zigler reflected on other first-week successes. “Our soccer has gone well this week. Girls won two games this week and the boys won one,” he said with pride.
“One soccer player, senior Chelsy Swackhamer, has signed on at Ohio State. She got six goals in two games this week,” Zigler said.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the golf team, which started competing in August, has had seven straight wins as of last Friday, he said.

Tipp Middle School Acquires A Little Character

Character education has made its entrance at Tipp City Middle School. The new program, developed by the school’s Character Education Committee, was introduced with Character Ed Kick Off Day for the school’s more than 600 students Aug. 24.
“The activities were phenomenal,” said teacher Mandy Myers.
The yearlong program will feature quarterly traits or “pillars” beginning with tolerance, followed by respect, leadership, and perseverance. Activities each quarter will focus on one of the pillars.
Kick-off activities included students viewing a video to gain a better understanding of character education and making tolerance trees and locker signs for the school. In the afternoon, students participated in a variety of leadership/ice breaker activities. Among the activities were a celebrity ID game and a hula hoop pass.

SPORTS

Feathers Fly When Red Devils Face Falcons!

Nothing like putting your best foot forward to start the season.
That’s exactly how the Tippecanoe football team opened its season on the road Friday with a convincing 30-7 non-league victory over Graham.
The tone of the game was set on the Red Devils’ first play from scrimmage. After a touchback on Graham’s opening game kickoff, Tipp had possession on their 20-yard line.
Senior running back Dylan Bourelle, who tallied 119 yards on just seven carries, made his first carry a tone-setter as he took the handoff from quarterback Jake Watkins and sprinted down the right sideline for an 80-yard score. Senior Kyle Pignatiello added the extra point, giving the Red Devils a 7-0 advantage in the game’s first 20 seconds.

EDITORIAL:

Finding The Good In A Bad Economy

The economic news last week was as bleak as it has been for a while. Those of us who are students of history – or who lived through the infamous “Great Depression” of the 1930s – are seeing unsettling similarities. It seems the old maxim “those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it” may very well be true, at least at the federal level.
But living in a small town during tough times does have its advantages. We have the ability to insulate ourselves a bit, and to protect and support each other. That is something we can learn from our Tipp elders who still recall last century’s economic woes. The stories they share about Tipp citizens and Tipp businesses looking out for each other during lean times are heartwarming and motivational.
The Gazette is a big advocate of the “Shop Tipp, Support Tipp” concept. Of course, as a Tipp-based business, we naturally gravitate toward initiatives that encourage people to spend their money locally, but, more important, we believe that “taking care of Tipp” is the key to encouraging and maintaining growth, even in the harshest economic climate. If Tipp City is growing and thriving, its citizens will do likewise.
A bad economy forces people back to basics. We hunker down and hold on to the things and the people that truly matter. In so doing, we discover – or rediscover – a perspective we may lose sight of when times are good and all that we desire is plentiful. It is during the toughest times that we not only learn to depend on others, but to look out for others, as well. It is during times like these that, instead of going out to dinner on a Tuesday night, perhaps we pitch in at a local food pantry instead. Or maybe we begin teaching our children the value of thrift shopping, or we make a point of donating time or resources to a worthwhile cause, or helping out at a community event. Why? Because during hard times we become acutely aware that the fortunes of others are intrinsically tied to our own well-being.

Defining Our Greatness

Yes, we are living in a time of uncertainty, but it is times like these that ultimately define our greatness, NOT our misfortune. Americans – and small town folk in particular – have the unique ability (born of freedom) to rise above their circumstances. There is a stubborn optimism and a passionate belief in individual achievement that set us apart from the rest of the world. What Europeans call our “cocky arrogance,” is really just that stubborn, age-old determination to “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps,” both individually and collectively. That mind-set  – the very mind-set that saw our Tipp elders through the Great Depression – is still deeply ingrained in our community psyche.
While the news at the national level is grim, we are blessed with a sturdy life preserver that will see us through the worst of times. That life preserver is called “community.” We saw vivid evidence of it in August when the American Legion drew so many people to its benefit for Tristan Bowling that it ran out of food. Tristan’s family had hoped – but not expected – to draw that kind of crowd. They were overwhelmed and deeply grateful. We see and hear similar stories every time someone in this community is in need. So, as we face these tough economic days, we must take a good look around this amazing little town. We should never be too proud to accept help if needed, nor too self-absorbed to offer it. Help a neighbor, reach out to a stranger, support your local civic clubs and community groups, make it a point to shop your local businesses (have you really taken the time to see what Tipp City has to offer? Why not spend a day peeking in all the shops and retail establishments? You will find treasures you never expected!)
There is no storm that we can’t weather together. If recovery is just around the corner, then we’ll come out of it quicker and stronger than the disjointed, detached big cities. And, if it takes a little longer to regain our economic vitality, then at least we will be sharing the load and drawing on the same strength and unity that served our ancestors so well. We have a unique opportunity to show our children what it means to be an American and what it means to be part of a community. In so doing, we hand them the same tools that our parents and grandparents handed us – the tools of self-reliance, compassion, and cooperation. The tools of freedom.