News-Journal from Mansfield, Ohio • 11

Shelby resident wins Rotary speech contest Crawford losing people 2000 census results show decline continuing By Russ Kent News Journal SHELBY The Bucyrus Rotary Club hosted its annual Four-Way Speech and Essay Contest on Feb. 20. Shelby resident Ashley Heuberger won the speech contest. Ashley, a junior Pioneer Career and Technology student, is in the media tech prep program, which is held at Bucyrus High School. She received $100.

The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis for worthy enterprise and through the "Four-Way Test" in the things that are thought, said and done. The students were to incorporate the "Four-Way Test" into their presentations Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? All speeches were between four and six minutes, delivered with no note cards, displays, props or podium. "The 2000 numbers don't show the impact of the recently annexed areas to the city. There is growth that has occurred since the census was taken within the community. "We added about 100 single-family units in the 10-year period of the census, which was not enough to make up for the decrease in persons per household.

It shows we need some space in which to grow, which the recent annexation areas provide." Crestline now has 5,088 residents, making it officially a city again. It lost that designation following the 1990 Census. Crestline Mayor Rita Middleton said an opportunity is available for the city to market itself more aggressively in the future. "We're a city again, that's a plus," Middleton said. "But it's only the start.

In the next 10 years we hope for more positive growth. U.S. 30 is going to be very close to our industrial park, we have new housing developments being built, we've got the railroads running through here and we're not that far from Lake Erie." Crawford County's population decline concerns commissioner Carl Watt. "It is a concern," Watt said. "It's something we've discussed among ourselves and at the regional planning meetings.

"I'm not sure what we can do about it. Some new industry coming into the county would help. But I think the main problem is that so many of our young kids are going to college and once they graduate, we don't have the right kinds of jobs for them." In Morrow County, the population grew from 27,749 to 31,628. Richland County grew from 69,330 to 73345 while Huron County grew from 56,240 to 59,487 and Knox County grew from 47,473 to 54,500. Reporter Russ Kent can be reached at (419) 521-7274.

His e-mail address is rkentnncogannett.com. CRESTLINE Crestline is officially a city again, thanks to the addition of 163 residents in the past 10 years. However, Crawford County as a whole continues its population decline while other counties in north central Ohio continue to grow. The county population declined from 47,870 to 46,966 residents since 1990, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Bucyrus and Galion, the two largest cities in the county, lost residents as they did in 1990.

Bucyrus' population dropped from 13,436 to 13,224 while Galion's dropped from 11,859 to 11,341. New Washington, the fourth-largest community in the county, showed similar figures, dropping from 1,057 to 987. "It is always important to talk about what the census doesn't show as well as what it shows," said Galion City Manager Phil Honsey. LASER VISION CORRECTION 2 firms may lose tax incentives News Journal City says companies have not submitted required reports 0 KJer Limited Time Offer Based on both eyes, Hyperopia Higher. ed canceling the personal property portion of a tax incentive for Sabo Fastener Supply in Lexington, since the company has gone out of business.

Village officials said keeping the rest of the tax incentive would help the owners sell the building. Similarly, the council recommended canceling the personal property portion of a tax incentive for National Recreational Shooting Supplies of Mansfield, which has filed for bankruptcy, but keeping the rest of the tax incentive. Reporter Dan Kopp can be reached at 521-7273. His e-mail address is dkoppnncogannett.com. MANSFIELD Two area companies may lose their tax breaks.

At least that is the recommendation of Richland County's Tax Incentive Review Council, which held its annual meeting Wednesday to look over 114 existing tax breaks. The council recommended canceling tax breaks for HS Automotive and Karger Enterprises both of Mansfield. Officials said the companies have not submitted reports as required. The council also suggested canceling tax breaks for three other companies if they don't submit reports within 60 days. Most area companies that have tax-incentive pro grams are in compliance, the council said.

Some may not be in complete compliance because they are tied to the auto industry, which is experiencing a slowdown. The council had recommended canceling the tax incentive for Karger Enterprises Inc. a year ago, but the city took no action. Karger does business as Culligan Water Conditioning. The Tax Incentive Review Council is advisory only.

It consists of representatives of Richland County cities, villages, townships and school districts. It is up to the municipalities in which the companies are located to take action. Reports are needed from Plastics, Shelby Plastics Inc. and Brobst Foundry Ledgebrook Corp. in Mansfield, the council said.

The council agreed to withhold any recommendation for 60 days. Reports from some companies reportedly were delayed or incomplete because of changes in personnel. A recommendation on Citation Mansfield was deferred, since records aren't available. The company, formerly Mansfield Foundry, announced recently it will close the Mansfield plant this spring. The council recommend WNCO FM WQIO KCOUNTRY WGLN WNCO AM WMVO OHIORADIO.COM March "Bridal" Join us for the Madnes run MES iru 6 months Interest Free Financing Save 30 on Diamond Solitaire Engagement Rings at the Richland Mall Mansfield, Ohio MfiAY, March 23 rd 110 Ct.

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