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From the 5/23/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Talks to start with Puller Group City Council passes motion to enter into negotiations for Water Works Park By CATHARINE HADLEY Staff writer City Council has voted to enter negotiations with the Puller Group to develop Water Works Park. Council members approved a motion at Tuesday night's meeting to allow the city to start talks with the developer, which wants to construct an indoor water park, hotel and conference center on the site. E-mail Catharine Hadley at [email protected]. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070523/NEWS01/705230305/1002/rss01

From the 5/22/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Questions about Water Works plan answered at town hall meeting By CATHARINE HADLEY Staff writer How much money will the city of Port Clinton gain if the Puller Group builds an indoor water park, hotel and conference center on the Lake Erie waterfront? E-mail Catharine Hadley at [email protected]. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070522/NEWS01/705220305/1002/rss01

From the 5/10/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Residents forming group to fight 'overdevelopment' News Herald reports PORT CLINTON --A new local group has been "launched in response to the proposed overdevelopment of Water Works Park." The lakefront and the park "should remain open and accessible for all to enjoy," according to a press release distributed by Port Clinton resident Don Finke of the Citizens Organized for Responsible Development. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/NEWS01/705100303/1002/rss01

From the 5/9/07 Port Clinton News Herald: City gets grant for Water Works study By CATHARINE HADLEY Staff writer The city may soon learn if Water Works Park is environmentally safe. Port Clinton Mayor Tom Brown said the Ohio Department of Development has sent the paperwork for a $227,683 grant for a Phase II property assessment for the area. He informed City Council of the development during the group's Tuesday night meeting. E-mail Catharine Hadley at [email protected]. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/NEWS01/705090306/1002/rss01

From the 5/3/07 Sandusky Register: Back to beginning for Port Clinton marina project By JACOB LAMMERS | Thursday May 03 2007, 10:23am PORT CLINTON Port Clinton council is back to square one. The city council adopted an ordinance repealing its attempt to negotiate with Puller Group, one of two developers for the marina district project. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/03/local_news/266944.txt

From the 4/27/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Water Works Park zoning change recommended By CATHARINE HADLEY Staff writer For the second time this week, residents on both sides of the Water Works Park controversy spoke their minds at a city government meeting. The Port Clinton Planning Commission held a public hearing Thursday afternoon to decide whether to recommend City Council change the zoning at the Water Works Park property. The meeting was held at Municipal Court, a larger venue than City Council chambers, where the commission met last month. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070427/NEWS01/704270303/1002/rss01

From the 4/25/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Plan for Water Works divisive Rift within Council, community on development By CATHARINE HADLEY Staff writer Emotions ran high at Tuesday night's Port Clinton City Council meeting. Several members of the community objected to Council's plan to repeal the ordinance allowing Safety-Service Director Rich Babcock to enter into negotiations with the Puller Group to build a hotel, indoor water park and conference center on the Water Works Park property. E-mail Catharine Hadley at [email protected]. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/NEWS01/704250302/1002/rss01

From the 4/18/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Measure could be repealed By CATHARINE HADLEY Staff writer City Council took the first step to repeal an ordinance allowing negotiations with the Puller Group to develop Water Works Park. http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070418/NEWS01/704180303/1002/rss01

From the 4/16/07 Sandusky Register: Port Clinton to vote again on waterpark By CHAUNCEY ALCORN | Monday April 16 2007, 6:07am PORT CLINTON A segment of the Port Clinton community is trying to put a stop to the city's recently approved waterpark project negotiations, but their efforts may be in vain. A petition with 318 signatures was collected in January and submitted to the city law director to force city council to repeal its ordinance to negotiate with the Puller Group on the construction of an indoor water park in the city's marina district. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/04/16/front/245674.txt

From the 4/12/07 Sandusky Register: Developers pass test for Port Clinton marina project By JACOB LAMMERS | Thursday April 12 2007, 6:32am PORT CLINTON Two potential developers have the wherewithal to back up their promises for the city's marina district, according to an investment banking group specializing in economic development. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/04/12/local_news/241712.txt

From the 4/11/07 Port Clinton News Herald: Council rethinking Puller plan By CATHARINE HADLEY Staff writer City Council may soon repeal the ordinance allowing negotiations with the Puller Group for developing the Water Works property. Port Clinton City Council President Linda Hartlaub said after Tuesday night's regular meeting that Council voted to hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17. "It is to do the first reading to repeal the ordinance 02-07," Hartlaub said. E-mail Catharine Hadley at [email protected] http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070411/NEWS01/704110302/1002/rss01

From the 3/28/07 Sandusky Register: Port Clinton explores feasibility study By JACOB LAMMERS | Wednesday March 28 2007, 7:05am PORT CLINTON Port Clinton City Council authorized the city's safety service director Tuesday to seek quotes on a feasibility study that would allow the city to move forward with the marina district project. Ken Puller of Puller Group, one of the developers for the project, suggested in a written report read by Mayor Tom Brown that the city order a feasibility study for the hotel/condos/waterpark/commercial areas. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/03/28/local_news/224684.txt

From the 3/21/07 Port Clinton News Herald: City to rezone area By CATHARINE HADLEY Staff writer The city is preparing to try to change part of the downtown zoning to make way for future development, according to a city councilwoman. E-mail Catharine Hadley at [email protected] http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070321/NEWS01/703210301/1002/rss01

From the 3/14/07 Sandusky Register: Port Clinton seeks counsel on proposals By JACOB LAMMERS | Wednesday March 14 2007, 8:01am PORT CLINTON The Port Clinton City Council is seeking professional counsel on two proposals for the marina district project. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/03/14/local_news/209374.txt

From the 3/7/07 Sandusky Register: Mayor: Port Clinton won't seek grant this year By JACOB LAMMERS | Wednesday March 07 2007, 10:57am PORT CLINTON Port Clinton Mayor Tom Brown said the city will not reapply for the $1.25 million Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant for the marina district project, which was rescinded Thursday. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/03/07/front/doc45ee9cf26315d960134741.txt

From the 3/2/07 Sandusky Register: Delays cost Port Clinton grant for marina project By CHAUNCEY ALCORN | Friday March 02 2007, 5:29am PORT CLINTON State officials say they are optimistic about Port Clinton’s marina district project even though, as of Thursday, the project is unfunded. Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant director Sean Logan ruled Thursday morning the $1.25 million grant awarded to the city in November 2005 must be rescinded because city officials failed to make sufficient progress on the proposal. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/03/02/front/doc45e801483c005372804618.txt

From the 2/22/07 Sandusky Register: Redfern: Port Clinton won't get grant From staff reports | Wednesday February 21 2007, 12:51pm PORT CLINTON The city of Port Clinton's inaction has cost it a $1.25 million grant for a transient marina, according to state Rep. Chris Redfern, D-Catawba Island. But Mayor Tom Brown said the city is still on track to receive the money. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/02/22/front/182687.txt

From the 5/30/07 DDN: Judge limits developer's claims against residents By Nancy Bowman Staff Writer Wednesday, May 30, 2007 TROY — A Miami County judge Tuesday denied a Troy developer's request to amend a lawsuit against eight Troy area residents who organized a successful 2005 referendum drive. Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Welbaum said Troy Land Development will not be allowed to add claims of fraud, breach of contract and destruction of evidence to its suit against Richard and Lori Usserman, Roger Argabright, Glenn and Patricia Honeyman, Brad Adams and John and Laura Scott. Welbaum said the request was not filed in a timely manner. He also said there was no evidence that the claims were based on newly discovered evidence. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/30/ddn053007rulingweb.html Group plans to develop city lot on Lagonda Avenue Springfield News-Sun, 5/30/07 Redevelopment of the former International Truck and Engine site on Lagonda Avenue could pump millions into the economy. Springfield city commissioners held a public meeting Tuesday on a $2.2 million Clean Ohio application to clean up the 65-acre site. The Community Improvement Corporation has committed to develop one of the 10 lots, said Shannon Meadows, executive assistant to the city manager. It will construct a $1.5 million light industrial building there and lease the space. That could generate 28 new jobs and more than $142,000 in property taxes and $27,000 in income taxes annually. Other lots could be developed for an office or light industrial park, creating 650 jobs, more than $963,000 in property taxes and $594,000 in income taxes annually. West Liberty town hall renovation tops $1.7 million Bellefontaine Examiner, 5/30/07 A price tag of $1,710,000 was put on the possible restoration of the West Liberty town hall, it was announced Tuesday by the West Liberty Historical Society and the Town Hall Restoration Feasibility Study Committee. Schooley Caldwell, a Columbus firm that specializes in historic restorations and was involved in the renovations of Ohio’s Statehouse, completed the restoration report. Consultants believe the village hall has enough activity and historical and cultural significance that it is worth saving, said Grayson Atha, who is part of the feasibility committee. Built in 1868, the hall is one of a few remaining first-generation town halls in Ohio. It is used by West Liberty’s village council, Board of Public Affairs and Liberty Township Trustees, as well as the fire department and the cemetery board. A 180-seat opera house comprises the top floor. Defense firm to build new local offices Dayton Business Journal, 5/28/07 A local government contractor will quadruple its space and dive into the commercial market with the opening of a new headquarters this fall. Wright Materials Research Co. recently purchased two acres in the Apple Valley Business Park in Beavercreek and plans to break ground in June to build a 12,000-square-foot facility. The company, which develops light-weight composite materials, will keep its current 4,000-square-foot building less than a mile away. President Seng Tan expects Wright Materials to more than double its staff of nine by the end of 2008. He wouldn't disclose construction costs for the new facility. The lot sold for $130,000 April 27, according to Greene County property records. Wright Materials makes items such as aerospace products and material used in body armor and blast protection gear for the military and other government agencies. Bob Evans getting tax break for distribution center expansion Business First of Columbus, 5/28/07 Bob Evans Farms Inc. will save $231,000 in property taxes as the company expands its Springfield-area distribution center. The Columbus-based restaurant operator and foods producer received a seven-year, 60-percent tax abatement from Clark County on May 22. The company is spending nearly $8 million on a 65,000-square-foot expansion of the center, which opened in 2002. The 55,000-square-foot facility sits on 25 acres in Green Township, six miles from the company's Springfield production plant and 15 miles from another plant in Xenia. Clark County Administrator Darrell Howard said the company employs 43 workers at the center and has agreed to add 20 jobs in the next five years.

Link contains photos. From the 5/29/07 Loveland Herald: Residents and developers clash over condominiums BY RICH SHIVENER | [email protected] LOVELAND - Developers of 92 condominiums say residents are trying to derail their plans with false accusations; emotions, not facts. More than 100 residents attended planning and zoning commission's May 21 meeting to protest the Summit Pointe subdivision, which would take up 27 acres east of Butterworth Road. The condo community would be a mix of ranch and two-floor dwellings, according to site plans, and marketed toward empty-nesters, said Glenn Brehm, a representative of Hills Communities, the company slated to build the homes. The commission could vote on the plans June 18. It agreed to table its decision on the condos May 21 due to a lengthy public hearing on the plans (more than two hours). MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20070529/NEWS01/705290312/

Pataskala votes to begin draftwork on income, property tax ordinances By CHAD KLIMACK Standard Reporter PATASKALA -- Pataskala City Council intends to spend the coming weeks debating whether to place an income tax or a property tax on the November ballot. On Tuesday, council unanimously voted to ask the city's law director to draft an ordinance placing a 0.5 percent income tax on the ballot. It also voted 5-2 to have the law director draft an ordinance placing a 2-mill property tax levy on the ballot. The levy, as the proposal stands, would run three years. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/NEWS01/705300310/1002/rss01

From the 5/30/07 Fairfield Echo: Fairfield will pay ODOT for Ohio 4 Bypass work By Michael D. Pitman Staff Writer Wednesday, May 30, 2007 FAIRFIELD — Although it is uncertain when Ohio 4 Bypass will be widened, the portion of the road in Fairfield will be resurfaced. The city won't be able to move on widening the road until an environmental study is completed, but resurfacing Ohio 4 Bypass may cut down on some costs. City Manager Art Pizzano said the city will have options when the decision to widen the highway can be made. "We'll be able to salvage a lot of the road and widen the road around it," Pizzano said. City council agreed Tuesday night to pay $325,360 to the Ohio Department of Transportation for its urban paving program to widen the highway. ODOT will pay the remainder of the $720,000 engineering fee. This stretch of the two-lane highway — from Ohio 4 to just south of Symmes Road — was slated to be widened ahead of the proposed Transportation Improvement District widening schedule. The TID is planning, with the assistance of the other jurisdictions along the bypass, to widen it to the northern end of Ohio 4. The city is anticipating spending $7 million to $8 million. The remainder of the widening project, with ODOT funding, has been projected to be $24 million. However, city Engineer Ben Mann said because of an environmental study, the project is being delayed. City officials had said they wanted to finish their portion of the widening by 2009 or 2010. The project may not begin until then, Mann said. "The engineering process will likely take a year, and we're still at day zero," Mann said. "Once we get our engineer cleared to go, the plans can be complete next summer, and (it) clears the way for the right-of-way (acquisition). The right-of-way could take another year." Mann said he anticipates the environmental study, which has been ongoing for 18 months, is likely to be completed this summer. Aside from widening the bypass to four lanes from Ohio 4 to Symmes Road, the city will add turn lanes at Ohio 4 and Port Union Road intersections and move the Ohio 4 Bypass about 500 feet north so it will no longer be aligned with Ross Road. Fairfield City Councilman Steve Miller said the resurfacing is not a waste of money, as some council members have heard. "If some day we are able to widen the bypass, this is something we can add on to," Miller said. "We're not wasting money at this point. We're utilizing the state money to resurface the road." http://www.fairfield-echo.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/29/hjn053007ffmeeting.html

From the 5/30/07 Enquirer: Florence, Boone get 'in same room' For first time in six years, officials assemble to talk BY BRENNA R. KELLY | [email protected] Residents of the 10th largest city in Kentucky are also residents of the 71st fastest-growing county in the U.S. Yet it had been more than six years since the governments of Florence and Boone County had met - until Tuesday. At Florence City Council's request, Boone County Fiscal Court members came to Florence to talk. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/NEWS0103/705300390/1059/rss13

From the 5/30/07 Enquirer: Surveyors' flags scare residents along road BY ELAINE TRUMPEY | [email protected] A survey crew stirred up a fuss last week when it began preliminary work for a road-widening project before property owners had received written notice of the study. Homeowners on the Warren County side of Butler Warren Road were buzzing when they noticed the survey flags. Land on either or both sides of the road will be needed if an $11 million project to widen a two-mile stretch between Tylersville and Bethany roads is approved. Preliminary plans call for adding a lane in each direction, plus turn lanes and curbs. The road handles 15,000 to 16,000 cars a day. The Warren County Engineer's Office halted the survey work until it could confirm that residents had received written notice of the study. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070530/NEWS01/705300406/ From the 5/29/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Auto supplier to build new plant in Springboro Cincinnati Business Courier - 4:12 PM EDT Tuesday, May 29, 2007 A company that makes tooling and parts for automotive companies is expanding in Springboro. Advanced Interior Solutions will break ground Thursday on a 70,000-square-foot plant, the Dayton Daily News reported. The plant will be built next to Advanced Engineering Solutions, which occupies a 44,000-square-foot plant on Advanced Drive in Springboro. It will be an expansion of the parts manufacturing business, which now shares space with the tooling business, Scott Paulson, vice president of Advanced Interior Solutions, told the newspaper. The companies have about 75 employees in total. http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/05/28/daily9.html?surround=lfn

From the 5/30/07 DDN: Recorder says he's stunned by scope of mortgage problems Blackshear says he has identified 3,180 high-risk loans made by eight subprime lenders. By Lisa A. Bernard Staff Writer Wednesday, May 30, 2007 DAYTON — — Since January, Willis Blackshear has eyeballed countless mortgage documents looking for loans that run the risk of becoming part of Montgomery County's growing foreclosure crisis. Last year, the county had the second highest foreclosure rate in the state — 9.4 for every 1,000 people. As the county recorder Blackshear's job includes managing mortgage and real estate filings. His work in recent months has left him astounded by the number of local loan agreements that have potentially devastating consequences written in the fine print. ... More at: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/05/29/ddn053007foreclosureprogram.html

Both from the 5/30/07 Hamilton JournalNews: School group lobbies for state funding Parents and school officials from Lakota and Mason addressed funding inequities at budget hearings. By Lindsey Hilty Staff Writer Wednesday, May 30, 2007 COLUMBUS — More than 50 parents, school board members and administrators from Lakota and Mason attended budget hearings at the Statehouse Tuesday, sporting bright yellow T-shirts that stated, "Fund Every Student." The local group traveled by bus to lobby for an amendment to House Bill 119. The bill is Gov. Ted Strickland's biennial budget, and area residents were lobbying for changes on the proposed funding for state education. http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/29/hjn053007stricklandbudget.html