Byesville Rotary hears about Byesville Village projects

Pictured: Brennen Dudley, Byesville Village Administrator, and Phyllis Jeffries, Speaker Host.

 

Pictured: Phyllis Jeffries, new member sponsor; Debbie Mead, newest Byesville Rotary member; and Chuck Fair, Byesville Rotary President.

Brennen Dudley, Village Administrator for Byesville, spoke to the club about village projects aimed at improving life in Byesville. Dudley is responsible for overseeing day to day operations of the water, waste water, and street departments. He is also involved in other issues concerning the village. He considers it an advantage that he lives in the village. He lives in the village. Each decision he makes affects him just as it affects the lives of over 2400 village residents.

Dudley stated that major projects for 2015 involve maintaining and/or upgrading current systems. One project involves relining the waste collection system. Phase 1 will begin this year. Dudley pointed out that relining the pipes will cost ¼ of the amount needed to replace the sewage lines.

Dudley explained that villagers depend on his department to maintain 40 miles of roads in the village. Last year, he managed the 4^th Street paving project. By doing its own paving and resurfacing, Byesville cut the cost of the resurfacing project by 50%. Dudley pointed out that he is also responsible for clearing and salting village roads. Typically, he needs between 175-225 tones of salt each year. The rising cost of salt has posed a budget challenge since costs rose from $42 per ton in 2014 to $70 per ton in 2015.

Dudley has plans to tackle several other projects this year. He is working with other village administrators to develop a rehabilitation vision for the Byesville downtown. The police department, currently located in the front of the Village Hall, needs more room. This department is being relocated to the rear of the Village Hall.

Dudley wants to make it easier for Byesville residents to reach town officials. At this time, each department has a different number. Dudley wants to install a new, centralized phone system that would allow a resident to call one number. Once the phone is answered, the caller would be forwarded to the correct department.

Dudley concluded his update by reporting that construction at the Pomegranate site is still on course and will begin in spring. He also stated the Byesville will be hosting the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament this year.

Byesville Rotary welcomed a new member during their meeting. Jim Vaughan, Membership Chair, introduced Debbie Mead to members of the club. Ms. Mead works at Peoples Bank in Byesville.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.

Byesville Rotary learns 2015 is 150th anniversary of Grant’s victory over Lee

Pictured: Oziel Jeffries, Speaker Host, and Andy Warhola, guest speaker.

Andy Warhola, accompanied by Ron Fichthorn, spoke to the Byesville Rotary about the final battles of the Civil War and Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

Warhola explained that the South never expected to win the war. General Lee’s goal was to wear down the Union. He expected that sooner or later the Union would tire of the war and let the Southern states succeed.

Grant began the campaign leading to the surrender in Appomattox Courthouse in northern Virginia and marched south. In March of 1865, Grant took advantage of the confusion caused by Sherman’s March to the Sea and ordered Union troops to construct trench lines between Richmond and Petersburg. The trenches cut supply lines to Richmond and Lee’s army. Lee’s soldiers went without food and many began to desert.

Lee decided to move around Grant’s lines and link up with a second Confederate army located in North Carolina. He abandoned Richmond and Petersburg and retreated toward Appomattox Court House.

By the morning of April 9, 1865, Lee’s retreat was cut off. Lee launched an attack intending to break through Union forces and escape south. He expected to be facing Union cavalry, but the Union cavalry had been reinforced with two corps of Union infantry. Lee’s only choice was to surrender.

Lee and Grant began to negotiate. Lee hoped to prevent Confederate forces from being completely humiliated. Warhola pointed out that Grant was generous in victory. He required Lee’s soldiers to lay down their arms, permitted the men to keep their horses and allowed Lee’s officers to keep their arms. He also issued rations to the starving Confederates.

During business meeting, club members voted to donate $500 to Deputy Kerns who is the rolling Hills School Resource Officer for Rolling Hills. Kerns will use the donation to support a safety program on the topic of the dangers of distracted driving. Kerns hopes to reach all of the high school students in Guernsey County. The club also donated $200 to The Living Word. Club members were informed that the Registration has been paid for a student to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference. The club needs to invite a student to attend.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.