In western Pike County, people do what it takes

Dec. 4, 2011, Chillicothe Gazette

Story by Jessica Alaimo and photos by Heather Cory and Frank Robertson

CentralOhio.com

Brock Brewster’s truck dominated the single-lane road in western Pike County and rumbled over an extension cord.

This extension cord has been strung across this Latham road for two years. It powers the lights of a white-and-brown trailer, using the electricity from a home across the road. It’s the only source of electricity for the trailer’s owner, who said she uses it to power her lights. She uses a wood stove to stay warm.

Her property and her sister’s across the road are cluttered with stuff, but it is packed up and placed under blue tarps. There’s an order to the chaos, with items appearing sorted and walkways clear. Four big dogs and a puppy run around loose outside. “I have severe arthritis, which is why this place is such a mess,” said the owner, who wouldn’t give her name.

“I’ve driven over that extension cord a hundred times,” said Brewster, the principal at Western Local High School. “Those people probably don’t think a thing about running their home with an extension cord. ... They’re survivors. They get up every day and do what they’ve got to do.”

Surviving is tough in Pike County. The county has the state’s highest unemployment and poverty rates. Earlier this year, cabinet-maker Masco closed, putting 1,200 people out of work. The uranium enrichment plant that once held hope for 2,000 new jobs instead issued a notice that 450 pink slips might be coming.

Although the going is tough, nobody seems to be going anywhere.

“I was born here, my dad lived here, and I guess this is where I’ll die,” said the trailer owner. “I try to stay here in my own place, and let other people stay in theirs.”

Deal opens competition for AEP Ohio customers

Nov. 29, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

A pending settlement could change the way AEP Ohio does business.

The subsidiary of Columbus-based American Electric Power is preparing for more competition in the marketplace, so it is planning on billing separately for wiring and distribution, a change from past practices.

The settlement could mean an increase of $2 to $3 per month for the average household using AEP Ohio services over the next three years. It is up to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to approve the settlement.

Election 2011: Endure campaigns. Cast your ballot. Repeat.

Nov. 11, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Elections are a constant cycle. As one ends on Tuesday, campaigning for the next has long since started, and 2012 will be a big year.

To complete the 2011 cycle, Ohioans head to the polls this week to vote on three statewide issues. They also will decide on local candidates and issues specific to where they live.

The new voting rules passed by the Legislature earlier this year will not take effect because signatures were filed for a referendum campaign to repeal them.

Union support kills Issue 2

Nov. 9, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

CentralOhio.com

If voters weren’t in a union themselves, many of them were close to someone who is.

Strong union support at the polls was one of the reasons Issue 2 was defeated 1,330,013 to 2,115,404 Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

The ballot issue sought to seriously curtail collective bargaining rights of public employees, including teachers, police officers and firefighters.

It was an emotional issue for many voting no, and either a fairness or a budgetary issue for many voting yes.

CentralOhio.com reporters fanned out around 11 counties Tuesday as voters left the polls, collecting thoughts and opinions from 138 voters.

Union membership rules could change

Oct. 30, 2011, Marion Star

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

CentralOhio.com is examining the most important facets of Issue 2 in a 10-day series. Our goal is to dive into the specifics of the bill so you will have the facts when you go to the polls.

Topic: Who can join a bargaining unit

Currently: Lower-level supervisors are able to join a bargaining unit, along with department heads in colleges and universities. To dissolve a union, 50 percent of its members must petition for decertification.

What Senate Bill 5 would do: The bill would prohibit some people from joining unions. These include lower-level supervisors in police and fire departments, and department heads in state colleges and universities. The bill also states that supervisor pay cannot be tied to union contracts.

Law would require merit pay

Oct. 29, 2011, Fremont News-Messenger

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

CentralOhio.com is examining the most important facets of Issue 2 in a 10-day series. Our goal is to dive into the specifics of the bill so you will have the facts when you go to the polls. You can read other parts of the series and view related videos at TheNews-Messenger.com/elections.

Topic: Merit pay

Currently: Much of the current public employment compensation system is based on seniority. The longer you're there, the more you get paid. Public employee pay also has built-in longevity increases – added boosts for sticking around. There also are increases built in if an employee attains more education. If there are layoffs, the last hired workers are the first to be fired.

» What Senate Bill 5 would do: Senate Bill 5 dictates that pay increases for all bargaining unit employees be based solely on merit. Automatic disappear.

PETA turns out to protest Ohio’s exotic animal law

Oct. 27, 2011, Zanesville Times Recorder

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — Birgit Nazarian, of Granville, never has been involved in animal rights activism before, but the tragedy in Zanesville was enough to get her out to protest on a busy Columbus street Wednesday.

It bothered her that law enforcement officials killed 48 wild animals near Zanesville, but it also bothered her the animals were owned legally.

“It doesn’t seem appropriate for a private citizen,” she said. “It’s like having that many loaded weapons. I was shocked we didn’t have a law.”

Nazarian participated in a small, last-minute protest thrown together by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in front of the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday.