Chillicothe Gazette from Chillicothe, Ohio • 3

Local and state news Thursday, January 5, 2006 Chillicothe Gazette 3A Lori MoNelly, City Editor imcnellynneogannettcom Briefs RDPrin Eg1111 6.6Elr AP looks at the Abramolf scandal and where i 'Local BOE plan -special sessions for next week Local school boards have announced meetings scheduled for next week The Western Board of Education will meet at 7:30 p.m. 'Monday at the board of office to organize the board for the coming term. 111 The Union-Scioto Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. Monday in the high school library Adena Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday for its organizational meeting, .6:20 p.m.

for a budget hearing and 6:30 p.m., regular meeting in the school auditeria. The board also is planning a work session for 11 am. 'hies-day, Jan. 17, in the board conference room. goes next former lobbying colleagues, congressional aides and members of Congress and look for any incriminating e-mails and other documents to see whether that's true.

Is there any reason the average American should care about any of this? Isn't Washington full of crooks anyway? The Abramoff scandal is shaping up to be one of the biggest corruption cases ever in Washington, sweeping in Republicans and Democrats alike. Some lawmakers are already calling for tougher ethics rules, including having pHvately sponsored trips vetted by ethics committees before lawmakers take them. Campaign watchdogs say that if nothing else, the scandal will shine a bright light on many politicians' business-as-usual attitude toward taking campaign money from those with business before them, and they hope it prompts lawmakers to think twice before they do it or not do it at all. whether members of Congress or the Bush administration knowingly took official action that benefited Abramoff's clients in exchange for campaign contributions and gifts such as golf outings, trips abroad and use of Abramoff's luxury skybox. If so, they could face federal corruption charges.

14: Any reason to think they did? Though many lawmakers and Bush administration officials deny knowing Abramoff, lobbying invoices for 2001 alone show more than 1,000 contacts between his lobbying team and members of Congress and at least 200 with the Bush administration in Bush's first 10 months in office. Campaign reports show hundreds of thousands of dollars flowing from Abramoff, his associates and clients to politicians' campaigns and political action committees, often around the time lawmakers took action on behalf of Abramoff's clients. A former Bush administration official already has been charged in the case. David Safavian, the By SHARON THEIMER Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON Lobbyist Jack Abramoff is talking to prosecutors, and many in Washington have reason to worry about what he will say. Abramo fl, a Republican donor and $100,000 I 71) fundraiser for President Bush, pleaded guilty 4 Mesday to con- spiracy, tax eva- sion and mail Abramott fraud.

He also agreed to help investigators trying to piece together the scope of his lobbying and fundraising activities. Here, in question and answer form, is a look at the Abramoff case: (I: Where does it go next? Prosecutors want to know what Abramoff gave and what he got in return. The big question is government's former chief procurement official, a former Abramoff lobbying colleague and a former aide to Utah Republican Rep. Chris Cannon, is accused of hiding from investigators the fact Abramoff was trying to get government business when Safavian, then a General Services Administration official, went on a golf trip with him to Scotland in 2002. How many politicians are involved? The corruption investigation is believed to be focusing on as many as 20 members of Congress and aides, including former House Majority Leader Tom De Lay, RTexas, and House Administration Committee Chairman Bob Ney, R-Heath.

The scandal has prompted many politicians to get rid of Abramoffrelated campaign donations. Bush and De Lay on Wednesday joined those turning the money over to charities. What did Abramoff's clients get? In the view of some, not much. Several Indian tribes who hired Abramoff accuse him and a lobbying partner of overbilling them by tens of millions of dollars and achieving little hi Washington for the money. ut congressional records and Abramoff billing invoices show Abramoff won federal money for one client, the Northern Mariana Islands, and lined up lawmakers including DeLay to fight off attempts to impose the minimum wage and other U.S.

labor laws on the territory's clothing factories. Abramoff and his lobbying colleagues also recruited members of Congress to help tribal clients get federal funding and try to block rival tribes from opening casinos, among other things. (I: Would Abramoff's clients have gotten help from lawmakers without the campaign contributions, skybox visits, trips and other largesse? Lawmakers say yes, and that the timing of political donations and official actions many of them took was just coincidence. Investigators will question Abramoff, his Paint trustees report ready for review HUMBOLT The Paint Township Board of Trustees Sunday at the township 'building for its reorganizational meeting. Township meetings will be 7:30 p.m.

the first and third Monday of each month, except 'for January, when the meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, and 'July, when the meeting will be -Wednesday, July 5, for the Fourth of July holiday. The 2005 financial report is available for review at the township office. lb review the report, contact fiscal officer Candy Black at (937) 981-4559. Kid-and-pony show Crisis Center rallies to aid 66 families Trustees to meet for annual session Liberty Township Board of will conduct its organi zational meeting at 5 p.m.

today at the clerk's office. Abut the center Political briefs 4, 4,, 4, 4..,..,, 4 4 1 I of 4 )1 i 440 I 1., 46., 34, io' s'' 10.e 4 -4 i 't. ...4,0" it It L. ail, 4 I "'4, 1 '144 The Crisis center, which has existed since 1978, is part of Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center and has recently taken on the added responsibility of being the 211 inforillation and referral service. The volunteers man the crisis phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provide walk-in services.

By SISTER MARY CABRINI For the Gazette The holiday season is a special time for giving, even for those who give all year round. There is a special group of people in Ross County who personify the season of giving the volunteers at the Crisis Center. They also work year-round to prepare for Holiday Cheer for Kids. This program's mission is to help children of the center's clients. As school began, volunteers furnished school supplies and shoes as needed.

As weather grew cold, coats and gloves were distributed. Volunteers maximize their efforts to help children ever year as Christmas draws near. This year, volunteers were able to provide gifts for 133 children from 66 families and gave 60 food baskets including hams and kitchen staples. One of the ways these items are collected is directly from the volunteer's home pantry. Over the last few months, when they came in to fill their shifts, volunteers also brought items.

There was "soup week," then "peanut butter and jelly week," and "cereal week." The food baskets aren't just for children. Young and old, the disabled, victims of accidents and victims of crime all benefit. These are a few notes out of many that were left behind when families came to pick up their gifts and food baskets Dec. 23: 111 "I just want to thank you all very much for helping us with this Christmas. I was in a house fire two years ago and lost everything, but my faith in God kept me going and still is.

You have made this Christmas oh so wonderful. Thank you for everything." 111 "God has been my friend for all of my life and now he has sent me an angel to help me in my time of need and I can't say nor write the words to say thank you." "We would like to give thanks for everything to my family Mom and Dad cannot afford nothing so my kids will be very happy. We are real low on food so it is a blessing to get this food." In turn, the volunteers at the Crisis Center wish tci thank the corn-'nullity for helping them make this project a successful reality. Preschool student Terra Neff, left, scratches the head of Riley, a UK Shetland pony, as Cecilia Zavala laughs with excitement Wednesday afternoon at the Pioneer Center. The Shetland was one of two companion ponies from the Reinstorm Therapeutic Riding Center visiting students at the school.

You'll need some extra bucks to rent the Scioto Township hall this year planning public meetings for residents 4 State Rep. Clyde Evans, R- Rio Grande, will conduct open-door public meetings for constituents in Wellston and McArthur next week. The Wellston meeting will be 9 am. Monday at Wellston City Hall in Jackson County. The McArthur meeting will at 9 am.

Friday, Jan. 13 at the Vinton County commissioners' office. Ney challenger inks gifts, dinner pledge Zack Space, the Dover law director and candidate for the 18th Congressional District, 'signed a pledge Wednesday he will not accept dinners, gifts or junkets from lobbyists if elected to Congress this November. Space is running for the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, who is closely linked to a criminal investigation into the lobbying practices of ik -Jack Abramoff.

ti Abramoff al- "ready has plead- 1 ed guilty to nu- 'merous charges including con- Space spiracy to bribe public officials, tax evasion and -mail fraud. Space is a graduate of Kenyon College and The Ohio State University College of Law. In addition to being the law director, he 'also practices law with his father, Socrates. Zack and his Judge Mary Wade Space, have two children Gina and Nicholas. Compiled from staff, wire reports "We won't be making more money than last year We're just trying to keep our head above board." MIStee Tom Straub By JANELLE RUCKER Gazette Staff Writer Scioto lbwnship's reorganization meeting Wednesday yielded few changes with Thistee Mm Straub continuing to act as board president and newcomer 'Thustee Brad Cosenza taking Russ Walkup's position as vice president Straub will continue to oversee the fire and EMT squads, 'austee Paul Corcoran will continue to cover township cemeteries and Cosenza will oversee township roads and scheduling at the township parks.

'lb cover increases in utilities and employee pay, Straub proposed increases in rental fees for the township hall on South Watt Street The rates for the hall will increase between $20 and $30 for Scioto Township residents. "We're not gouging people," Straub said. "We're just trying to absorb extra costs." Cosenza questioned the effect the increase will have on usage. Last year the township made $23,910 from rentals and Straub doesn't think the increase will affect usage or provide extra funds. "We won't be making more money than last year," Straub said.

"We're just trying to keep our head above board." The perks of the facility including the handicap accessibility features, are reasons why the increases won't detract renters, he said. "It's still one of the cheaper ones in town," said Clerk Jody Fry. The trustees passed the resolution with Cosenza adding the board will review the rates in a year to see how usage is affected. The old prices will be honored for all rental reservations already made, Straub said. In the regular meeting that followed, the trustees accepted the budget for 2006 that includes about $120,000 more than last year's budget, Fry said.

The extra money can be attributed to an increase in revenue from investments, she said. "I sit on the money, and I don't let them spend it," Fry said. "We've been cautious." Considering a new fire truck was purchased and an addition was made to the fire station, the extra money is good news, Straub said. (Rucker can reached at 772-9372 or via e-mail at jruckernncogannettcom) ..,1 -1k I I i 'yi'l tilt, 1 1 i liti' 4 1,:, 1 i', i lit, I 1 Pt) II i i 1 1 i ,.1 i.i Birth Man pleads guilty in death of infant in Pike Countycar crash BIRTH CHILLICOTHE LALLIER Josh and Kelly, of Chillicothe, boy, Hunter Edward, Adena Regional Medical Center, 7 pounds, 11 ounces, 2014 inches long. 0 Bainbridge Village Council, :7 p.m., city building.

Franklin Township Board of 5 p.m., Wilson Run Township Hall. I II Pleasant Valley Regional 'Sewer District, 7 p.m., 1822 Station Road. a Paxton Township Board of 'Trustees, reorganizational and meetings, 6 p.m., township hall. Deerfield Township Board of 'Trustees, regular meeting followed records committee meeting, 6 p.m., township garage, 285 Browns Chapel Road. IN Jefferson Township Board of special session, 7 p.m., Liberty Township Board of 5 p.m., reorganizational 'meeting, clerk's office.

0 Colerain Township Board of reorganizational meeting, 17 p.m., firehouse, Hallsville. Editor's note: 713 report meetings 2006 or changes or additions to the Agenda, contact Phil Foreman 772-9370 or The fax number is was questioned, Junk said. "We were able to show that his conduct was negligent but not necessarily rising to the level of reckless," Junk said. Lawless' license was suspended at the time of the accident for not paying a seatbelt ticket he previously received in Ross County, Junk said. The maximum sentence for vehicular homicide is 18 months, Junk said, adding that they felt the sentence he received was fair after the parents, Burton and Katherine McCoy, spoke at the hearing asking the judge to send Lawless to jail "Unfortunately, there's nothing anyone can do to bring the little girl back," Junk said.

(Rucker can be reached at 772-9372 or via e-mail at jruckernncogannett.com) By JANELLE RUCKER Gazette Staff Writer WAVERLY A Greenfield man will spend 14 months in prison and pay restitution after pleading guilty Dec. 28 to vehicular homicide in Pike County Wednesday. Jody Lawless' negligence left the infant dead after colliding with the vehicle in which she was a passenger in June 2005. Lawless, 25, was attempting to pass Dale Burton's vehicle on Ohio 772 when he hit the cat Burton's daughter, Brooklin Burton, was strapped into an infant car seat, but the car seat wasn't secured in the vehicle, said Pike County Prosector Rob Junk. i He originally was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide but pleaded to the lesser charge after the ability to prove recklessness Deputy killed while driving to help officer LANCASTER A Fairfield County sheriff's deputy driving to assist a fellow officer struck a utility pole and was killed, authorities said.

Deputy Ethan Collins, 29, died Tuesday afternoon about a half mile outside Lancaster, about 30 miles southeast of Columbus. The State Highway Patrol was investigating, along with Lancaster police and the sheriff's office. Submitted art A very special client in tears embraces Crisis Center volunteer Jeanie Dow ler. Dow ler said seeing the joy on the clients' faces is her Christmas gift..