Honoring Our Veterans

from Veterans Service Commission

Veterans Day is November 11. Here are a few of the activities planned to honor our men and women who serve in uniform:

- Governor Bob Taft inducted 20 new members into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame on November 2nd at 11:00 a.m. in the auditorium of Franklin County Veterans Memorial in Columbus. The ceremony was open to the public and was be preceded by a public reception beginning at 10:00 a.m. and attended by Franklin County Commissioners to present ceremonial resolutions in recognition of the inductees' valor and achievements.

- The 2006 Veterans Day Parade will be held in downtown Columbus on Thursday, November 9th starting at noon. The parade will begin at Nationwide Plaza and will march south on High Street to Main Street.

- A new memorial for Medal of Honor winners is under construction at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens on East Broad Street. The 2.2-acre site will feature a black granite star engraved with the names of Franklin County’s 22 recipients. The dedication ceremony is scheduled for November 11.

Veterans Day Holiday

Franklin County offices will be closed Friday, November 10 in observance of Veterans Day.

• Veterans Day Parade
• Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame History
• Press Release [PDF]

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Tax Lien Sale Scheduled

from the Treasurer

The Treasurer’s Tax Lien Sale is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on November 9 in the press room at the County Courthouse, 373 S. High Street. The current portfolio involves 1497 parcels with a value of $6.6 million. Owners may avoid the sale of their properties by paying in full in cash or cash equivalency, or by entering into a payment plan.

• Press Release [PDF]

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November is National Adoption Month

from Children Services

In November, Children Services will unveil the 2007 foster and adoption calendar. This beautiful yearly calendar features adoptable children, along with foster and adoptive families.  The first complimentary calendars will be available at the play, and distribution will continue as supplies last.

Children Services has partnered with COSI: Center of Science and Industry to showcase the foster and adoption calendar. Portraits from the calendar will be on display at COSI from November 8 through December 31. COSI will hold a community open house on November 22 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and will be all of COSI's exhibits / films will be free that day. Parking is at a reduced cost.

For more information about adoption and foster care, the play, or for a free adoption calendar, call (614) 341-6060.

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Land Bank Deals With Problem Properties

from the Treasurer

The Treasurer’s Land Bank Program, an initiative to develop abandoned properties, will focus on a gas station in Canal Winchester and a residence in Harrisburg, with a view toward improving appearances and strengthening the local economy.

• Canal Winchester [PDF]
• Harrisburg [PDF]

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Sheriff’s Tip of the Month

from the Sheriff

November is famous for two very important days—Thanksgiving, of course, but also the day that follows it. "Black Friday" is a name coined by retailers because it officially opens the Christmas shopping season and puts them "in the black." By following some tried and tested tips, you can enjoy your shopping experience without falling victim to crime:

- Before leaving the house, take inventory of your purse or wallet. Take only the cash and credit cards you will be needing that day, and leave the rest at home.

- When arriving at the shopping center parking lot, park in well-traveled areas. The more people passing by your vehicle, the less chance it will be broken into. If shopping at night, park in well-lit areas.

- Never buy more than you can safely carry. Criminals like to target people who are preoccupied with their purchases. While pickpocket incidents are rare, they can occur. Men should carry their wallets in their front trouser pockets, and women should carry their purses in front of them.

- Place your purchases in the trunk of your vehicle, out of sight. If you don't have a trunk, put them in the back of the passenger compartment on the floor and cover them with a blanket or a sheet.

A criminal needs only the intent, the opportunity, and a victim to commit a crime. You can take away two of the three elements just by using common sense. Now go enjoy that turkey!

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Telephone Emergency Notification System

from Emergency Management and Homeland Security

The Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) has been in service since 2004 in Franklin County. It is a high-speed notification system that was developed to alert residents in the event of an emergency, threat, crisis, as well as to check on health and safety. The system can reach thousands of people instantly and calls can be tailored to a specific street or set of blocks.

The system uses a commercial database of more than 450,000 county residents, but currently does not include cell phone and unlisted numbers. If you would like to add your cell phone or unlisted number to the database to ensure you are contacted when the emergency notification system is put into operation, please visit our website at www.emafc.com.

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Outdoor Emergency Warning Sirens

from Emergency Management and Homeland Security

There are 142 sirens in the County. Each community purchases their own siren through our agency and works with us on the best locations for installation.

This year the city of Columbus purchased six new sirens. Brown Township purchased three. Grove City purchased one. We still need approximately 115 more sirens to completely cover the county.

On October 11, 2006, during the severe weather warning, there were three sirens already known to be out of service. They are located at:

* Sullivant and Eureka Avenue
* McNaughten and Main Avenue
* Atwood Terrace and Oakland Park

Currently there are two additional sirens out of service.

* Mifflin Alternative School (Agler Road)
* Grandview and Ida Avenue

Datacom Electric contracts to service and repair the sirens and does so when weather permits. To view operational status of the outdoor emergency warning sirens, please visit www.emafc.com.

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Grant a Child’s Holiday Wish

from Children Services

Franklin County Children Services Holiday Wish program offers a way for you to reach out to troubled children and help make their holiday a little brighter. More than 5000 children under the care of Children Services count on this program to provide gifts for the holidays. You can sponsor one or more children, or make monetary or new toy donations. All donations are tax deductible. Call 275-2525 for details.

• View Flyer [PDF]

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Weather-Damaged Properties Could be Eligible for Tax Relief

from Auditor

If you are the owner of a home or business that has been damaged by the recent flooding or hailstorms, you may be eligible to receive a reduction on your annual real estate tax bill.

Franklin County Auditor Joe Testa confirmed that state law gives County Auditors the authority to reduce real estate values for properties that have been damaged or destroyed. A substantial reduction in property value will result in lower real estate taxes for the property.

Property value reductions can be applied to real property – including manufactured homes. Personal property such as furniture and other personal belongings that have been destroyed are not considered in granting a reduction in real estate property value.

“We want to underscore the importance of utilizing the potential tax savings through this program,” said Joe Testa. “Submitting the forms in a timely fashion will, in most cases, allow appraisers the opportunity to assess the damage before any repairs are completed.”

Applications for a property value reduction and additional information are available on the Auditor's web site.

Property owners without access to the Internet can request forms by calling the Franklin County Auditor's Office at 462-HOME (4663).

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Board of Health Offers Flu Shots

from the Board of Health

With financial backing from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and hard work from the Franklin County Board of Health, adult Flu Shots are now available to anyone 18 years of age and older. The cost is $25 per shot. Flu shots are also available for children at BOH’s monthly immunization clinics; the cost is a $10 administration fee. No one will be turned away if unable to pay. Click here for further information.

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National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

from the Animal Shelter

Your local Franklin County Dog Shelter works tirelessly all year round to help dogs and puppies in your community. This year, don't miss your chance to tell them how much you support their work and appreciate all they do. National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is November 5-11, and it's the perfect opportunity to stop by and say "thank you." Check out these four simple ways to help:

1. Collect newspapers, clean old blankets and towels, dog toys or treats and deliver them to the shelter.

2. Volunteer your time to help out at the shelter. You can walk dogs, bathe or groom dogs, assist staff and customers, or help with fundraising and events.

3. Donate to Friends of the Shelter. Your dollars will support dogs that need additional medical treatment, behavior programs and training for the dogs, as well as educational programs that encourage responsible pet ownership and spaying or neutering to control overpopulation.

4. Adopt your next pet from the shelter.

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