The Lost and Found reports on WJER are a service of Petz Place in their all new location at 118 Commercial Avenue SW in New Philadelphia.

CURRENT ENTRIES:

5/9/08 - LOST CAT - fluffy, light brown, 3 yrs old. name: Danza. May have been injured on E. Iron Ave between hospital & Domino's Pizza. 330-343-2356

5/8/08 - LOST DOG - male (nuetered), big red dog. Dover Ave. area. 343-9161

5/8/08 - LOST PUPPY - 2 month old German Shepherd puppy wearing a camo collar. Name: "Dozer". rt. 800 outside Uhrichsville/Dennison. 740-922-0232

5/7/08 - LOST DOG - Chihuahua, brown with white on face. 4th St., NP Welty Middle School area. 330-407-8705

5/3/08 - LOST DOG/PUPPY - Shiba Inu puppy. white with orange ears & orange on hind legs. Curly Tail. Name:"Mugen". Dover area. 330-316-4665

5/2/08 - FOUND DOG - male rotweiller/german shepherd mix. young, friendly, housebroken. Purple collar & draggin red leash. 800 block W. High Ave, NP 330-340-6339

5/1/08 - LOST DOG - Gray poodle. Rt. 212 Bolivar. (ran away from an accident scene). 330-874-3806

5/1/08 - LOST DOG - white boxer with brown speckles, named Titan, one year old, silver chain collar, lost 4/30/08 in Sugarcreek, 330-407-1180.

4/30/08 - LOST DOG - male boxer mix, reddish brown, white chest and feet, one blue & one brown eye, no collar or tags, 11st Street, Dover, 330-339-2565.

4/30/08 - (2)LOST DOGS - male beagel & male black lab. Irish Run Rd, Dennison. *REWARD* 740-922-1327

4/29/08 - FOUND DOG - male beagle, east end of Dover near stadium. 330-343-9439.

4/27/08 - LOST IGUANA - male, green iguana. half of his tail is brown. 2 to 2 1/2 feet long. E. 10th St. Dover. 330-987-0599 or 330-602-2842.

4/23/08 - LOST CAT - male, fluffy, cream-colored, golden eyes. Answers to "Kitty" or "Kid Rock". Dover/NP area. 330-339-2536

4/22/08 - LOST DOG - male german shepherd, may be dragging a chain. Dover/NP area. 330-204-1329.

4/17/08 - LOST CAT - nuetered male, large, gray cat. Older (10+ yrs.), declawed front paws. Parrall area, may be headed toward Navarre. 330-343-9304

4/16/08 - FOUND CAT - grey & white. Broadway/2nd St. NW, NP. 602-4369

If you want to play...sign up at any of the four First Federal Community Bank locations in Dover, New Philadelphia and Sugarcreek or at WJER Radio. You can also send a postcard to “Grand Slam” contest, c/o WJER Radio, 646 Boulevard, Dover.

You can pick up a copy of the rules at any of the four First Federal Community Bank locations in Dover, New Philadelphia or Sugarcreek, WJER Radio, or on-line at www.wjer.com.

2. There is a limit of one registration per person per visit to any of the three offices of First Federal Community Bank or WJER Radio. First Federal offices are located at 321 North Wooster Avenue, Dover; 902 Boulevard, Dover; 244 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, 1047 West Main, Sugarcreek. WJER Radio is located at 646 Boulevard, Dover.

3. You may also enter by sending a post card with your name, address and phone number to : Grand Slam c/o WJER Radio, 646 Boulevard, Dover, Ohio 44622.

4. You may register more than once. You may be selected as a contestant only one time.

5. All contestants will be selected by random drawings from entries received at the First Federal Community Bank offices and WJER Radio.

6. Employees of First Federal Community Bank, WJER Radio, The Cleveland Indians, and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.

7. By entering the contest you agree to allow your name, voice and likeness to be used for promotional purposes.

8. For our purposes a Grand Slam is defined as: If the Indians are at bat in an official game and the bases are loaded with Cleveland Indians players...and the Indians batter hits a Home Run which scores a total of four runs (the three base runners and the batter). If for any reason the play is ruled invalid, the Grand Slam will not count.

9. The Grand Prize. If the Cleveland Indians hit a Grand Slam in the 2008 season the selected contestant for that game will be entered in a random drawing for a one thousand dollar Savings Bond.

10. There will be a total of twenty contestants for the grand prize. This will be a combination of the Grand Slam contestants and a number of “Second Chance” contestants selected at the conclusion of the season from all remaining entries. The number of Second Chance contestants will depend on the total number of Grand Slams.

Gotschall brings a tremendous background in economic development and will be able to give great professional counsel and guidance at this most important stage in the continuing development of the Tech Park. Gotschall understands the pressing issues facing county governments. Having served as a County Commissioner in Columbiana County, he understands the realities that counties have in the very competitive battle to attract new business. His experience at the state government level will be invaluable. For 11 years he served Governors Voinovich and Taft as this area’s advisor on economic development issues. He knows how both the state and federal economic development programs work and can give great assistance to our county leaders in making sure that we have a well thought out strategy to attract new 21st century businesses to locate here.

We all have a stake in economic development. Gotschall said in an interview with WJER this week that he has always been impressed with the aggressive attitude and forward-thinking visions of so many of our community leaders. We all need to sign on to the idea that we aren’t going to sit on the sidelines and let business pass us by. We need to expound to our business associates, acquaintances and anyone we can get to listen why Tuscarawas County is a great place to live and do business. And if there is a business relocation, expansion or creation in their company’s future, let us make sure that Tuscarawas County is on their “places to locate” list.

The county’s new positioning statement, “Tuscarawas County: A tradition of creating the future,” fits quite well with how William Gotschall sees our county and why we need to see it that way as well.

As we look to the future for our county, it was great fun to look back at our history. This past Wednesday afternoon, as part of the yearlong celebration of the Tuscarawas County Bicentennial, our current county commissioners took on the identities of the county’s very first county commissioners. Chris Abbuhl portrayed Michael Uhrich from the Stillwater area, Kerry Metzger took the part of Philip Minnich from the New Phila area, and Jim Seldenright assumed the identity of John Junkins from the Newcomerstown area. Each was dressed in the 1808 style of clothing provided by Trumpet in the Land. They arrived at the courthouse for the first meeting by real horsepower. Abbuhl and Seldenright rode horses, while Metzger arrived in a horse drawn carriage. The reenactment of the historic first meeting of the Tuscarawas County Commissioners was held in Judge O’Farrell’s Courtroom, and both performances of the reenactment were presented to a standing room only crowd. The presentation was entertaining and educational. I can tell you that within that half-hour I learned a lot about our county that I didn’t know. I learned about some of the people who had a great deal to do with the early formation of our county, like the magistrate of the area named Abraham Moser, played by Judge Roger Lile, and Godfrey Haga Jr. the first clerk to the commissioners played by Auditor Matt Judy. Serving as the narrator for the reenactment was David Zeisberger, played by my friend Fred Miller of the Tuscarawas County Historical Society. Our current Clerk of Courts, Rockne Clark, played the part of the county’s first Clerk of Courts. Auditor James Clark and Treasurer Jeff Mammarella portrayed the first treasurer David Peter. There was even a decorated set to give the feel of how the first meeting on the second floor of a local tavern might have looked. Along with the reenactment there was an Open House of the Courthouse and annex with many interesting historical artifacts on display. I want to thank the county commissioners and everyone who took part in recreating this important moment in our history. As Fred Miller said, history is a story and the story of how our county came about 200 years ago is one that each of us should know. It looks like the aggressive attitude and vision that got us started back in 1808 is still alive and well in 2008. Let’s hope so. The Tuscarawas County Bicentennial Committee is working on a Homecoming Celebration that will be held at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds October 12. Mark your calendars, and we’ll give you more information here on WJER as the details for this event unfold over the upcoming months.

So far this season, a Cleveland Indians player has hit a grand slam during this game and our semi-finalist is now in the running for a $1,000 savings bond following the conclusion of the regular season.

There will be a total of 20 contestants for the grand prize. This will be a combination of the Grand Slam contestants and a number of “Second Chance” contestants selected at the conclusion of the season from all remaining entries. The number of Second Chance contestants will depend on the total number of Grand Slams.

For your chance to be a Grand Slam contestant, sign up at any of the four First Federal Community Bank locations in Dover, New Philadelphia and Sugarcreek or at WJER Radio. You can also send a postcard to Grand Slam contest, c/o WJER Radio, 646 Boulevard, Dover, Ohio 44622.

In a Special Report, Gerald Prante, Senior Economist, at the Tax Foundation, and Scott Hodge, President of the Tax Foundation, noted that Americans work a significant number of days each year to pay for things other than government, but that nothing else is so expensive. Americans will work longer to pay for government, this year 113 days, than they will for food, clothing and housing combined, which is 108 days. In fact, Americans will work longer to afford federal taxes alone, 74 days, than they will to afford housing, which takes 60 days. And people work for 39 days to pay for state and local taxes while working 35 days to pay for food.

Tax Freedom Day varies from state to state because residents of different states pay different amounts in state and local taxes. For example, Alaska residents will have the lowest average tax burden in 2008, due to low state and local taxes and more modest incomes. The report estimated their Tax Freedom Day was March 29th. Residents in Connecticut will celebrate their Tax Freedom Day on May 8th, because their per capita income is higher than any other state, so their residents pay higher federal income taxes. Next year when they are calculating the number of days we have to work to pay our taxes and to pay for food and housing, they should compute how many days we have to work to pay for gasoline to fuel our cars to get to work so we can pay our taxes. Oh, in case you wondering, Tax Freedom Day for those of us in the Buckeye State was April 17th.

For all of you who volunteer your time and talents this week, April 27th through May 3rd is National Volunteer Week. This week was created in 1974 when President Richard Nixon established the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with many groups and organizations and with many of the wonderful volunteers who work on behalf of these great organizations. Without the generous contribution of time these volunteers so willingly give to these organizations, they would just not exist and would not be able to provide the services to our communities and our residents. Volunteers truly make a difference from assisting all ages, and all walks. Volunteers are always needed. If you have a group you feel passionate about and would like to volunteer your time to help them in their mission, take the time take the step up and "Volunteer to Change the World."

The prize package includes:

$1,000 Deck Package
Sugarcreek Lumber

Deck Construction By
Birney Custom Carpentry

A Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor
Krocker’s Lawn & Garden / Rufenacht Ideal Grinding

Landscaping
Stutzman’s Garden Center—$500 Gift Certificate

Deck Party / Picnic Package
Strasburg Provision—$150 Gift Certificate

MHP Infrared Grill
Quaker Fireplace—New Towne Mall

Paint / Stain For Deck
Sherwin Williams—$250 Gift Card

Stihl Home Owner Series Trimmer
Scott Supply in New Philadelphia

To Use While Your Deck is Being Built
Texas Roadhouse—$250 Gift Card

Registration begins Monday, May 5, 2008 and concludes Sunday, June 15, 2008.

Registration locations:

Sugarcreek Lumber

Krocker's Lawn & Garden

Rufenacht Ideal Grinding

Stutzman's Garden Center

Strasburg Provision

Quaker Fireplace

Sherwin Williams

Scott Supply

Texas Roadhouse

2. Any building permits or excavation work is responsibility of winner.

3. Winner may not be employed by WJER Radio or any of the participating sponsors.

4. Dates of promotion. Registration begins Monday, May 5, 2008 and concludes Sunday, June 15, 2008. Winner announced Friday, June 20, 2008.

5. Winner selected by random drawing from all entries received.

6. By entering this contest, you agree to allow your name, voice and likeness to be used for promotional purposes.

7. Prizes are non transferable and have no cash value.

8. Each prize is courtesy of a specific participating sponsor. Questions about that prize should be addressed to that sponsor.

9. You may register as often as you like at each participating sponsor. Or send a postcard to “Deck Ya” c/o WJER Radio, 646 Boulevard, Dover, Ohio 44622.

I had the opportunity to once again be part of the Tuscarawas County Safe Kids Coalition’s 14th Annual Teen Driving Roadeo at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds. This program brings teams of area high school students together to participate in events that test their knowledge on Ohio Driving Laws and proper procedures. Tests include what to do at intersections, railroad crossings, passing other cars, speed limits, and other rules of the road that we should all know and practice. Then the participants test their driving skills in cars loaned by the Parkway Auto Group through different driving scenarios like parallel parking right, parallel parking left, backing into a parking space, and making an abrupt lane change to avoid a hazard, along with other maneuverability tests. Additionally, they had to write essays on two topics: “Teen Driver Responsibility” and “Are Teens Driving Safer?” The Teen Driving Roadeo program is important because it focuses on one of the most important things that these kids will do, and that is handling a vehicle properly and respectfully, and recognizing that driving a car is a privilege not a right.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. In 2005 an average of 12 teenagers died every day in motor vehicle crashes. Before you think that is because they were driving while intoxicated, it is interesting to note that most vehicle fatalities among teens were due to excessive speed, driver inattention, driving on the wrong side of the road, and then alcohol use. Basically it has been found that younger drivers just lack the experience on the roads to recognize risky situations. Driving with teen passengers while unsupervised is also a factor, and as the number of teen passengers goes up, so does the risk of a crash.

Schools that participated in the event were Tuscarawas Central Catholic, Claymont, Garaway, Indian Valley, New Philadelphia, Newcomerstown, Strasburg and Tuscarawas Valley. Each school had six students on their team. The driving skills events were handled by officers of the Dover and New Philadelphia, Police Departments, the Ohio Highway Patrol and the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's office. The participants also heard from representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Tuscarawas County coroner's office, and a mechanic from Humphries Auto City who talked about basic vehicle maintenance and how important it is to make sure the cars are safe to be on the road. The day is so valuable, it is too bad that all students of driving age can't participate in this program. Hopefully those who did will go back to their schools and discuss their experience with other students and get them to think of the benefits of being more skilled drivers.

A mock crash was held for Garaway students on Thursday afternoon to show them the tragic results of a deadly accident. Hopefully it was an eye opener for these younger drivers. A big thanks to the people who care enough to sponsor and put this yearly event together like: Lt. Eric Escola, Troopers Mike Maddock and Yvette Renicker of the Highway Patrol, Dover Police Chief Ron Johnson, New Philadelphia Police Chief Jeff Urban, School Representative Ron McConnell, Nancy Shaffer of the Tuscarawas-Carroll-Harrison Educational Services, Adam Bausch of AAA, Debbie Crank and Patti Maag of the Safe Kids Coalition, Barb Airgood of the OSU Extension, 4-H Carteens, and Ken Sopher of the Sopher Nationwide Insurance Agency of New Philadelphia who initiated the concept of the Teen Driving Roadeo fourteen years ago. All of these people are concerned about protecting your teen's health and safety when behind the wheel. However, never forget the important role you, the parents, play in keeping the kids safe. Whether it is your teen’s prom night, graduation night celebration or attending graduation parties, you play a key role in influencing your son or daughter's road safety behavior. As a parent you are in a unique position as a driving teacher, supervisor and role model. You make the rules about when, where, and with whom your teen can drive. Reinforce the messages of seatbelt usage and the risks of not exercising good judgement, following the rules of the road and certainly not to drink and drive. Let's develop skilled drivers that will lead to a long lifetime of safe and responsible driving.