Published by the Franklin County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities“Helping people to live, learn and work in the community”

January 2008

ProbateCourtJudgeLawrenceBels-kishasappointedGalenStoveramemberoftheFranklinCountyBoardofMRDD. Mr. Stover co-founded and chairedthe board of the Children’s Center forDevelopmental Enrichment, commonlyknownasOakstoneAcademy.Thenon-profit organization works primarily with children with Autism Spectrum Disor-ders. He is Assistant Vice-President withNationwide Insurance, where he devel-ops long-term strategy for agency anddistributionmodels. He previously served as a volun-teer readerwith theCentralOhioRadioReading Service, and as a member ofthe board of the Central Ohio ArthritisFoundation. AresidentofWesterville,Mr.Stoveris a 1979 graduate of Ohio State, andholdsanM.B.A. fromLoyolaCollegeofMaryland. Mr. Stover succeeds Bruce Burns,who served on the board for twelveyears.

Galen Stover named to board

Franklin County’s first MRDD levy insevenyearswillbeontheballot inthe primary election to be held Tues-day,March4th. The levy would allow FCBMRDDtocontinuebasicservices. The levywouldhave theeffectofreplacing two existing levies. A 1.65mill levywouldbereplaced,and1.85would be added. A 2.32 mill levy set to expire in 2008 would not be renewed.

Levy to go before voters March 4 The owner of a $100,000 homewould see an increase of approxi-mately $23 in his or her semi-annualrealestatetaxbill. FCBMRDDhasservedover14,000people in2007 through itsearlychild-hood,school-ageandadultprograms.That number is expected to grow infutureyears. “Wemusthavestableresourcesinordertomeetourclients’needs,”saidSuperintendentJedMorison.

“At the same time,” he added,“weowe it to the taxpayers tobeveryresponsibleintheuseoftheirmoney.” FCBMRDD’s total staff has beentrimmed from 1,675 in 2001 to 1,429currently. Also, the agency hasattempted to secure as much federalfundingaspossible.

21/2008

A vital part of being a citizen is helping to choose elected officials and decideballotissues. OnTuesday,March4th,an issueofgreatimportancewillbeontheballotinFranklinCounty. The MRDD levy will allowFCBMRDD to continue to providebasicservices.(Seestoryonpage1.) In order to vote in the March 4thelection, you must be registered tovotebyFebruary4th. Thefollowingisadditionalinforma-tionyoushouldknowaboutthevotingprocess.

How can I find out if I’m registered to vote? ContacttheFranklinCountyBoardof Elections by calling 462-3100, orvisiting the web site at http://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/boe/, or visit-inginpersonat280EastBroadStreet,Room100.

Feb. 4 is voting registration deadlineHow can I register to vote? Youmaygoinpersontoanypub-lic library, any public high school, ortheBoardofElections.Youmayalsoobtain a registration form from theBoard of Elections either by mail oronline. ToregisteryoumustbeaU.S.citi-zen, at least 18 years old on or before thedateoftheelection.YoumustalsohavebeenaresidentofOhioat least30daysbeforetheelection.

Must I declare my party affiliation when I register? No. Your party affiliation is deter-mined by the ballot you request in aprimaryelection.

What if I’ve changed my address? If you are already registered andhave moved, you must report thechange of address to the Board ofElections.Youmaydothisbymail,inperson,oratanypublichighschoolor

library.AformmaybeobtainedattheBoardofElectionswebsite.

If I have a developmental disability, can I still vote? Yes. Citizens with developmental disabilities have the right to partici-pate in the political process. This isexpressly stated in Section 5123.62(W)oftheOhioRevisedCode.

Can I obtain help in casting my vote? Yes. Anyvoterwho tells thepollworkers that he or she is unable toactuallymarktheballotduetoilliteracyor physical infirmity may receive help. Also, if a physical infirmity is apparent to thepollworkers, thevotermaybeaidedbyanearrelativewhoispermit-tedtobeadmittedtothevotingbooth.Apersonwho isblindmaybeaccom-paniedinthevotingboothandassistedbyanypersonofhisorherchoice.

Franklin County Flyers basketballteamswillparticipateinthe2008FlyerPreviewtobeheldatBixbyLivingSkillsCenter,2400BixbyRoad,onSaturday,January12th. Startingtimesforgameswillbe9a.m.,10:45a.m.,12:30p.m.,2:15p.m.

Cagers to preview at Bixbyand4p.m.Fansareinvitedtoattendanyorallgames.Admissionisfree. “We’re excited to have five teams participating,”saidDeeHively,DirectorofFranklinCountySpecialOlympics. “It will be fun to see them inaction.”

Aconcessionstandwillbeopentothepublic. Formoredetails,pleasecallDeeat342-5984.

DAY DATE TEAM TIME OPPONENT LOCATION GAME

Tues 1/8 1 7:00 PM Delaware Bixby home

Sat 1/12 4 9:00 AM Columbus Gray Bixby - Flyer Preview home

Sat 1/12 2 10:45 AM Columbus Gold Bixby - Flyer Preview home

Sat 1/12 1 12:30 PM Columbus Black Bixby - Flyer Preview home

Sat 1/12 5 2:15 PM Columbus White Bixby - Flyer Preview home

Sat 1/12 3 4:00 PM Columbus Green Bixby - Flyer Preview home

Mon 1/14 3 7:30 PM Delaware Bixby home

Mon 1/14 2 7:00 PM Pickaway Brook Yates School, Circleville away

Thur 1/17 1 7:00 PM Northwest Weaver Middle School, Hilliard away

Thur 1/17 4 7:00 PM Delaware Bixby home

Tues 1/22 1 7:00 PM Richland Bixby home

Tues 1/22 5 7:00 PM West Licking West Central home

Sat 1/26 4 5:30 PM Columbus Gray Northland High School, Columbus away

Mon 1/28 3 7:00 PM Northwest Memorial Middle School, Hilliard away

Mon 1/28 2 6:00 AM Fairfield Bixby home

Wed 1/30 5 7:00 PM Madison Fairhaven School, West Jefferson away

TherestoftheFlyers’scheduleisavailablethroughDeeHivelyat342-5984.

3 1/2008

Good For YouNotable Achievements in the FCBMRDD Community Career Milestones

The Pale Imitations,an improvcomedygroup,with guest Simon Dowd, performed at a fundrais-ing luncheon held at Administration on November30th.Patricia BatdorfoftheEmploymentServicesDepartment also performed. All of the performersdonatedtheirtimeandtalentforagreatcause--theCitizens Committee for Persons with MRDD.

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Bob Konkle recently celebratedhis23rdanniversaryasanemployeeofPaul’sPantryinGrandview.AccordingtoownerPaul Panzera,Bob ismorethan an excellent dishwasher. “He’smybestPRman...infact,heisPaul’sPantry.”Congratulations,Bob,onyourlongcareerandstrongworkethic.

*************** StaffmembersCarolyn Earnhardtand Keith Ogle helped in the recy-clingofover1,000outdatedtelephonebooks. While delivering inter-office mail, the pair picked up old WhitePagesandYellowPagesatallagencyfacilities and then dropped them off

at recycling bins at Northeast SchoolandBixbyLivingSkillsCenter.ThanksCarolynandKeith,foryourextraefforttohelpourenvironment.

*************** GoodlucktothefollowingathleteswhomadetheFlyersbasketballteamsthis year: Bryan Fox, Jerry Friley, John Graham, Jason Gregory, Craig Green, Walter Hampton, Darryl Kel-ley, Brandon Leeper, Bobby Legg, Mike Mascari, Kevin Roddy, Hugh Brunney, Rodney Byrd, Chad Callo-way, Craig Doles, Will Hart, Shawn Lemmerhirt, Kevin Ramsey, Joe Rob-inson, Rashawn Smith, Alvin Tolliver, Bryan Wingo, Bruce Amstutz, Marty Berniker, Ryan Blanton, Mike Bohn-lein, Shawnta Bowman, Ray Dillon, Paul Griffin, Maurice Harris, Evan Ichrist, Lee Mullins, Erich Smith, Darlene Farley, Shanae Gray, Cindy Grubbs, Devin Hall, Victoria Har-ris, Robin James, Tomnica Lowery, Nicole Oliver, Jodi Rock, Donnice Ross, Nikei Tyler, Katie Watts, Chris Ahlers, Chad Contreras, Joe Cook, Nick Genton, Shon Gibbs, Percie Gray, Lucas Grayson, TOny Keith, Richard Kolodgy, Mark LaRue, Tony Moncrief, David Nutt, Jason Rob-bins, Bob Smith, and Bill Stattmiller.

30 years

Stephanie BlevinsMary Morris

Janet Pollard

25 years

Walter ChappelearPatricia Glick

Pam Hager

20 years

Theresa CohagenDonnie Fleure

Pamela Hickman

15 years

Rhonda MillerDeborah Rinto

10 years

Aleila Kelso

5 years

Victoria AmaduEthan Grant

Tracy HamiltonPamela Lett

Erika NienbergMarcy Samuel

Jennifer SchuenemanSharon Skaggs

Scott SmithLeslie SummerMelissa Wren

Calendar

“Quotable quotes”

InformationaboutFCBMRDDisalwaysavailableontheinternetat:www.fcbmrdd.org

TheFranklinCountyBoardofMentalRetardationandDevelopmentalDisabilities

BenW.Hale,Jr.JerrySaunders

MildredBlumenfeldPaulS.Coppel

DeanFadelHelenNinosGalenStover

SuperintendentJedW.Morison

FCBMRDD does not discriminate in employment or services on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, or handicap.

ThefollowingFCBMRDDstaffcontributethemonthlypublica-tionanddistributionofDateline.JedW.Morison CarlScott MaryLindenMichaelDavis AmyMagginis MartinKerscherJenniferCunningham

DatelineDateline

Newsreleases,storyideas,andsuggestionsshouldbesenttoMartinKerscherat: 2879JohnstownRoad Columbus,Ohio43219 (614)475-6440FAX342-5001

“Thegoodneighborlooksbeyondtheexternalaccidentsanddiscernstheinnerqualitiesthatmakeallmenhumanand,therefore,brothers.”

--MartinLutherKing,Jr.

January, 2008 1 NewYear’sDay--allcountyfacilitiesclosed.

2 FCBMRDDadultprogramsresume.

3 FCBMRDDschoolsandECEresume.

7 NationalChampionshipGame,OhioState Buckeyesvs.LSUTigers,NewOrleans,8p.m.GOBUCKS!

8 FranklinCountyResidentialServicesBoardofTrusteesmeeting,11a.m.Pleasecall844-3800forlocation.

8-9 YouthwithDisabilitiesJuvenileJusticeConfer-ence,EducationalServicesCenterofFranklinCounty,2080CitygateDr.Pleasecall445-3750fordetails.

16 ParentLeaguemeeting,2879JohnstownRd., 9:30a.m.

16 FCBMRDDHumanResourcesCommitteemeet-ing,2879JohnstownRd.,4:30p.m.

21 MartinLutherKing,Jr.Day--allcountyfacilitiesclosed.

24 FCBMRDDFinanceCommitteemeeting,2879JohnstownRd.,4p.m.

24 FCBMRDDBoardmeeting,2879JohnstownRd.,5p.m.

26 “FortheFunofIt”bowlingtournament,ColumbusSquareBowlingPalace,Rte.161andClevelandAve.,12:30p.m.-4:30p.m.Pleasecall342-5960fordetails.

28 ARCIndustriesBoardofTrusteesmeeting,Holi-dayInnOn-the-Lane,11:30a.m.

The third annual “For theFun of It” bowling event willbe held at Columbus SquareBowlingPalaceatRte.161andClevelandAvenue onSaturday,January26th. Bowling will run from 1:30p.m. to4:30p.m.,with registra-tionbeginningat12:30p.m. Agency staff members, divided into teams of four, willsquareoffinafriendly,fun-orientedtournament.Trophieswillbeawarded,butthemainobjectistohavefun. Proceeds will benefit FCBMRDD’s Special Olympics pro-gram and the Citizens Committee for Persons with MRDD. The registration fee of $20 per person will cover threegamesandshoerental. Formoreinformation,pleasecallJackBrownley,DirectorofSchools,at342-5960.

Bowling fun set for Jan. 26