Project Sciotoville

Project Sciotoville - Is Back in Full Swing!

2011-01-27T21:06:00.000-05:00

Two years ago, I started an idea of Sciotoville seceding from the city of Portsmouth. And, I began gaining support from the citizens of Sciotoville. Then, I was aked by a very intelligent; extremely courageous and bold lady, if I would reconsider my plans if things could change within our city government. I agreed with her, and a year later she became the mayor of Portsmouth, Ohio.

And, she gave a very strong and determined effort to make the changes within our city government for the citizens of Portsmouth. But, as you all know the next ten months was nothing but a complete brutal brawl. She was faced with conflict and hostility at every avenue and corner.

Then, with the hand-picked and selected, future SOGP Hall of Famers; John Haas and Nicholas Basham to council. The four horsemen were once again, back in control!

Now, since the recall by another sure to be Hall of Famer; Thomas Bihl. First time police chief; second time auditor. I and some others have decided to re-open and pursue "Project Sciotoville," and continue with seceeding from the city of Portsmouth!

Project Sciotoville is cleared for takeoff! ~~Houston~~ Portsmouth, you have a problem!

Public Works and Infrastructure Assistance

2009-02-02T12:12:00.002-05:00

The Center can assist local governments in preserving, repairing, and expanding their local capital infrastructure. Capital assets include all of the buildings, equipment, and facilities that are funded with local revenues. These are "big-ticket" items that require asset management, responsible operation, and long-range planning for repair and replacement. Center staff have been involved in the following infrastructure activities:

1.) infrastructure inventories
2.) capital improvement planning
3.) income surveys
4.) selection of design professionals
5.) funding strategies

Infrastructure Inventory - This is an assessment of every facility or infrastructure system that a jurisdiction is responsible for. The original cost, replacement value, and current condition of every sidewalk, curb, gutter, road, bridge, water treatment plant, storage facility, lift station, distribution system, sanitary sewer treatment plant, pump station, and collection system is evaluated and recorded. It is also recommended that one consider the designed-service capacity and remaining useful life of each component.

Capital Improvement Planning - This is a process for systematically planning for infrastructure improvements. Based on the information collected from the inventory process, a plan for future capital investments is made by balancing the infrastructure needs, availability of funds, and project management considerations (such as replacing water lines before street paving and the local capacity to manage the projects). Such a plan also allows local officials to defend funding decisions and plan for the future.

Income Surveys - Are often necessary to establish eligibility for local, state, federal and foundation assistance programs. The Center can serve as a third-party to conduct a uniform income survey and collect the data and provide confidential analysis and reporting to the appropriate agencies.

Selection of Design Professionals - The Ohio Revised Code now requires that the selection of design professional and construction managers be made on the basis of qualifications and experience. The Center can coordinate a qualifications-based selection process for entities that may not have done a major project recently or don't have a full-time staff to coordinate such a process. Design professionals can be contracted to develop a general plan or feasibility study, prepare bid documents, and oversee the management process.

Funding Strategies - the Center is an active member of the Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group which provides advice to those communities who are facing a significant infrastructure investment. Recent assistance has been provided to the villages of New Miami, Spring Valley, and Somerville.

In the above paragraphs, notice the word plan or planning is mentioned in the descriptions of how to maintain, preserve, repair and expand capital infrastructure. This strategy takes into consideration "remaining useful life of each component".

This is a very sound cost effective approach to assuring citizens that their tax dollars are being used resourcefully towards Infrastructure and Public Services to their community. This is exactly the type of plan that Sciotoville needs to consider when becoming a township of their own! If there is one thing that can be learned from the 88 years of being under the government rule of the City of Portsmouth is; we know how we don't want to govern our citizens of Sciotoville!

The information was from the following website: http://www.cpmra.muohio.edu/webprojects2/infrastructure2.htm

ORC 709.40 Apportionment of Property, funds, and indebtness.

2009-01-27T02:13:00.003-05:00

When territory is detached from a village in accordance with section 709.39 of the Revised Code, an apportionment of the property, funds, and indebtedness of the village shall be made between such village and the detached territory upon the basis of the respective tax duplicates in the village after such detachment and in the detached territory. All water pipes and sewers, laid either in such village or detached territory, shall be considered as property within the meaning of that term, as used in this section, in so far as such water pipes or sewers have been paid for out of the general funds of the village. If the village authorities and the public authorities in control of the detached territory are unable to agree upon such apportionment, it shall be made by the probate court, upon application by the authorities of either the village or the detached territory.

Effective Date: 10-01-1953

To plainly put it; when Sciotoville became a township of its own or joined with New Boston Village or Porter Township. The City of Portsmouth would have to give up certain properties and revenues to the new township or to New Boston and/or Porter Township! Properties that would more than likely become property of the detached territory could be; Sciotoville Fire Station, Cyndee Seacrest Park, Rose St. Park etc.

Sciotoville - Secessional Options Being Considered

2009-01-22T14:28:00.002-05:00

Sciotoville has for the last 88 years, been under the rule of the government of Portsmouth, Ohio. Since 1921, Sciotoville has went through many changes.

The primary reasons for Sciotoville annexing to the City of Portsmouth were for gas powered street lighting and cheaper trolley fares. For many years now, the trolleys and gas lighted streets are a thing of the past! Public transportation for the City of Portsmouth expired many years ago. These were things considered important to the Sciotoville residents of that time!

The times have changed and so have the concerns of the Sciotoville citizens. Many Sciotoville residents have expressed concerns with the quality of service provided by the City of Portsmouth, Ohio. If the past and present are to be used as indicators of the future of how the service and city government will be; then the future is very bleek!

Sciotoville in of itself, can have a very good future. A community that once again thrive within itself with good schools, neighborhoods and with the new proposed by-pass coming soon; good businesses as well!

In short, Project Sciotoville believes that in the best interest of the residents of Sciotoville to explore any and all options towards seceding from the City of Portsmouth, Ohio!