MOUNT VERNON — It has certainly been a fruitful year in 2008 for Knox County as it celebrated its bicentennial.
Activities were planned throughout the year to allow for countywide celebrations as well as smaller community-minded bicentennial festivities. Traditional festivals and gatherings incorporated the theme into the schedule and special events included celebrations at Camp Ohio, historic barn and log cabin tours.
One of the biggest surprises in 2008 was Knox County’s encounter with Hurricane Ike. On Sunday, Sept. 14, remnants of the hurricane swept through Central Ohio knocking down power lines and trees virtually everywhere.
The Knox County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency was told by the National Weather Service that wind gusts peaked in the county between 65 and 70 mph. Over 13,000 American Electric Power customers in the area were without power that night. The Energy Cooperative and Consolidated Electric Cooperative had customers without power as well. Residents were cautioned that it could take up to seven days for power to be restored.
The Knox County Commissioners declared a state of emergency throughout the county as the cleanup process began. Comfort shelters were opened throughout the county to give residents without power the opportunity to congregate, eat a snack or a warm meal in some shelters.
Centerburg residents pooled funds and offered hot meals at the elementary school to help those without power. Showers were opened to the public as well as the opportunity to fill water jugs.
Power was slowly restored to customers and by eight days after the storm, 99 percent of power customers in the county were back online.
County residents were quick to questions the rise in their property values. Nearly 2,000 questions and complaints were filed within seven days after notices were mailed to property owners. Then Knox County Auditor Margaret Ann Ruhl said the increase was due to the rise in property values between Jan. 1, 2005, and Jan. 1, 2008. She said the new values were about 9 percent lower than actual home sale prices.
Just over 71 percent of Knox County’s eligible voters turned out for the 2008 presidential election, many of which participated in the state’s early voting process. While Democrat Barack Obama came out ahead with national totals, Republican John McCain won Knox County. Zach Space (D) beat out local contender Fred Dailey (R) for the seat in the House of Representatives 18th District. Republican Margaret Ann Ruhl defeated Democrat Duane Grassbaugh for the Ohio House seat for the 90th District replacing Thom Collier. Allen Stockberger (R) held on to his Knox County Commissioner position while Teresa Bemiller (R) defeated John Booth for another commissioner seat. Incumbent John Lybarger (R) retained his position as Knox County Recorder over challenger Lea Gallogly (D).
The Knox County Commissioner Board continues its quest to create a decentralized sewer planning project for the hamlets in the county including Amity, Millwood, Bladensburg, Brandon and Mount Liberty.
Rehabilitation of the 42-units at Hillside Apartments has been completed. Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission purchased the 42-unit complex in 2006 and learned quickly the apartments were in disrepair. Improvements took much of 2008 to complete but by Christmas all units were remodeled and occupied. The organization is also building a new apartment complex called Heart of Ohio Homes in Centerburg.
The Pathways 2-1-1 system was implemented this year. Serving both Knox and Licking counties, the program is designed as a crisis hotline that offers assistance by connecting callers with information, referrals and crisis intervention. Those recovering or suffering from mental illness have also found the system beneficial.
Great strides took place in 2008 to extend the county’s public use of parks and green space.
Fredericktown acquired 43 acres of land for use as a community park. Included on the property are a home that will be used as an education center in addition to park offices. Adjacent to the Fredericktown Community Park at Sockman Lake, the culmination of the two properties will create a 70-acre park within steps of downtown Fredericktown.
The Heart of Ohio Trail connecting Centerburg with Mount Vernon continues to see improvements. In October, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded $150,000 toward the improvement of two bridges along the route.
Dog parks were built in Gambier as well as at Wolf Run Regional Park on Yauger Road so dogs can run freely.
Simpson Park in Howard was reopened this year after the park stood stagnant for many years.
Another issue which affected the county and generated much discussion was the controversy surrounding Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater. Freshwater was suspended from his teaching duties, and is contesting the board’s decision to consider firing him for alleged professional misconduct.
The board alleges Freshwater caused harm to a student during a science study, promoted particular religious beliefs, and overstepped his bounds as monitor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, among other things; Freshwater contends the board’s action is because he refused to remove a personal Bible from his desk.
As the new year begins, the controversy is not yet resolved. Hearings will resume Jan. 6, with an impartial referee presiding over the hearings.
