LISBON - Whether they're called ups and downs, highs and lows, or "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," about a dozen topics head the list of highlights for Columbiana County government in 2008.
The highlights reel includes, in no particular order: a Courthouse bomb threat, a jail break, a major power outage, wrongdoing by public officials, shooting deaths, the closing of a public facility, the courting of votes by political heavyweights, the payoff of a longtime debt born of scandal, a land purchase for the future, the activation of an emergency lifeline and approvals for a potentially large job creator and economic boon.
For some, the line between what's good and what's bad may blur a little, depending on who's talking.
Courthouse bomb threat
Two separate phone calls on March 27 alleging that bombs would detonate by noon resulted in the evacuation of four county-owned buildings in Lisbon, including the downtown Courthouse, the Charles A. Pike Juvenile Court Center on Lincoln Way, the county Municipal Court building on Saltwell Road and the county Department of Job and Family Services building on Nelson Street near the square.
A male caller threatened a courthouse in the first call, but didn't specify which one. About an hour and a half later, a second call came directly into a child support worker at the DJFS building.
No bombs were found, no arrests were made and no injuries were reported, but the incident brought county government to a temporary standstill for a half a day.
The incident also resulted in county commissioners reviewing their safety plans and updating the procedures to be followed in case of emergency, including how to evacuate, if necessary.
Jail break
On Aug. 19, in what could be described as a cheap imitation of "Escape from Alcatraz," four inmates of the maximum-security section of the Columbiana County Jail fluffed up their pillows under their blankets to make it appear as if they were sleeping, broke into a utility closet, broke through an access door, crawled through the utility duct work and then broke through a hatch to the roof. Once on the roof, they reportedly removed their signature orange jail jumpsuits and jumped to freedom. They stole a car and were caught the same day in Pennsylvania.
According to Commissioner Jim Hoppel, this was the first time anyone had escaped from the maximum-security area. In May, another inmate had broken through a window and left the minimum-security wing, only to be caught in West Virginia a day or two later.
An internal investigation resulted in three jail employees losing their jobs, changes to procedures for counting inmates and measures to close up security concerns with the building, such as placing locks on the outside of the roof hatches. Commissioners recently purchased a new camera system for the outside perimeter of the jail.
Public officials in trouble
History didn't exactly repeat itself, but the history of public officials exiting amid black clouds continued this year, beginning with former Sheriff David Smith withdrawing his petition to run for re-election January and then pleading guilty in April to driving under the influence of alcohol. The plea prevented any possibility of him continuing in his role as the top lawman of the county. He had been arrested for OVI in October 2007. After the plea and sentence, which included no jail time, he remained on the job, but resigned at the end of August to take a job in the private sector.
Also in April, one of Smith's former co-workers, retired Columbiana County Sheriff's deputy Thomas Smith of Lisbon, no relation, pled guilty to theft in office for possessing old drug case files and evidence in a Salem storage unit. He blamed the situation on bad record keeping. In July, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, the same place where he had sent many a bad guy during his lengthy law enforcement career.
More recently, former Columbiana County Health Commissioner Robert Morehead resigned his longtime position with the county General Health District earlier this month after pleading guilty to theft in office for using the district credit card for personal purchases several years ago. His sentencing remains set for Feb. 13. A conviction for theft in office prevents him from holding a public position or position of trust.
Investment scandal payoff
Commissioners didn't hold a mortgage burning party, but they no doubt celebrated, along with county Auditor Nancy Milliken, when they received word that the last payment on the $7.2 million loan which resulted from the 1993 investment scandal had been made. Another set of commissioners borrowed the money from the state in early 1994 to cover the nearly $10 million in tax funds lost when the son of the county treasurer at the time invested the funds in the stock market. The late Ardel Strabala, a longtime public servant, resigned and ended up spending a year in a state prison for allowing his son to invest the money. He died about four years later, while his son Stephen was still serving more than seven years in a federal prison for numerous charges. The loan payment each year cost the county about $356,000.
Calling 911
Commissioners reached another milestone in 2008 when they finally flipped the switch to activate the long-awaited countywide enhanced 911 on Sept. 11. For years, county officials had talked about enhanced 911, but the pieces started falling into place about five or six years ago when county voters agreed to have a 50-cent charge placed on their monthly phone bills. No major problems have been reported since activation, with officials noting a true test came shortly after coming online, when high winds cut off power to one of the answering points and the system worked without a hitch.
Power outage
The high winds which tested the 911 system in mid-September also tested the patience of a large number of county residents who were left without power for days on end. For some, the power outage was an irritation which meant they couldn't see the first Browns/Steelers matchup. For others, the lack of power also left them with no water. County residents forged bonds as they helped each other, with a few schools opening their doors for showers and food.
Political maneuvers
Once again, as the race for president played out on the nightly news and Saturday Night Live, the players came to Columbiana County looking for votes, an apparent testament to the area's importance for the election. Vice President-elect Joe Biden made a surprise stop in Lisbon at the Steel Trolley Diner in October, looking for a piece of pie recommended to him by fellow Democrat, Gov. Ted Strickland. On Halloween, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain rallied for votes at United High School, then traveled to Hanoverton for a sit-down with ABC Nightly News host Charles Gibson.
Earlier in the year, Michael Reagan, son of the late President Ronald Reagan, visited Salem for the second time in four years. He spoke at the Lincoln Day dinner hosted by county Republicans. Rob Portman, a Cincinnati attorney and former cabinet member to President George W. Bush, visited in June for a GOP finance dinner. He had been mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate for McCain before Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin got the nod. Perennial independent presidential candidate "Average Joe" Schriner of Cleveland also visited in April.
Land ho, closing woes
Dreams of a new building for the county Department of Job and Family Services came closer to reality when county commissioners purchased a plot of land on Dickey Drive, off of Saltwell Road, for the new location. They're in the midst of hiring an architect to do the preliminary drawings. The commissioners made the decision in April after spending several months weighing options which included rehabilitating the current DJFS location in downtown Lisbon which has been deemed inadequate. Commissioners are working on funding for the construction, which could cost several million dollars.
On a low note, though, DJFS closed the Kyes Group Home in East Palestine due to a lack of funding, with no plans to reopen the facility which served girls in the care of Children Services. The home had been donated to the county in 1957 specifically to serve children, but increased costs and funding problems forced the closure.
Job possibilities
Plans by Baard Energy to build the Ohio River Clean Fuels coal to liquid plant in Wellsville received favorable nods on the state and federal permits needed to proceed, bringing the project closer to construction. County and state officials have talked highly of the plant as a potential job producer for the area, with Baard officials saying the construction alone could require thousands of workers.
Shooting deaths continue
Two county residents lost their lives in shooting incidents which remain under investigation with no charges filed.
Tyler Unkefer, 20, of Lower Elkton Road, died after an exchange of gunfire with the host of a party on state Route 154 in June.
Sherry L. Ieropoli, 47, of state Route 45, Lisbon, died at her home from a gunshot wound in August.
Two murder cases involving shootings remain pending in Common Pleas Court against Jack "J.C." Amato Jr. of Wellsville and Eric Dillard, also of Wellsville.
A group made up of family members of murder victims continued to gain strength this year, launching a blog at www.victimsofhomicide.blogspot.com and holding several candlelight vigils. The Columbiana County Victims of Homicide group was formed last year by Lisbon resident Belinda Puchajda, whose cousin Mike Williams was murdered. His homicide remains unsolved.
Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net.
