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November 2008 |
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By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
A former Wapakoneta law enforcement officer’s future is now in the hands of seven state Supreme Court justices.
Former Wapakoneta Police Chief Dave Harrison’s 6-year-old sex crime case reached the pinnacle in Ohio’s court system Wednesday, as justices heard arguments from Harrison’s attorney Dean Boland and state prosecutor Scott Longo.
Each party had 15 minutes to present their case to the justices. After both attorneys argued their cases, a single word in Harrison’s sentencing entry and a grilling delivered to Longo by justice Maureen O’Connor left Boland optimistic about his client’s future.
In June, 2003, Harrison plead guilty to a six-count bill of information after child pornography was found on his computer. After entering his plea, the man who served as police chief from 1988 to 2002 was sentenced to one year in jail.
Seven months after he completed his sentence, it was discovered by county prosecutors that Harrison should have been sentenced with an additional five years of mandatory post release control, or probation.
During a court hearing, Harrison was given the option to either be re-sentenced or withdraw his plea. Harrison chose the latter, taking things back to square one.
With the plea withdrawn, the state of Ohio slapped Harrison with a 23-count indictment which he was ultimately found guilty of and sentenced to six years in prison.
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Locals flicker flames of love, service |
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Thursday, 07 August 2008 |
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
Three local women are joining forces, not to help people across the country or world, but to give to those in their own back yards.
Mandy Tangeman, Cindy Colaprete and Freda Bowersock raised money for different causes as they saw the need for more than five years. What they said they felt like they were not doing was reaching the people who needed it the most living in their community.
“We decided we wanted the money to stay here in Auglaize County,” Tangemansaid Tuesday afternoon in Belcher Park after presenting $200 checks to four county agencies.
“All this money will,” she said. “It’s not a lot, but there is more to come. We wanted to let these groups know we are serious about what we’re doing and about the great things they are doing in our community.”
Tangeman said fundraisers for the new county-wide non-profit Candlight Missions may vary but already some events are planned to include monthly barbecue chicken dinners in downtown Wapakoneta and an annual cropping (scrap booking) marathon.
Colaprete said what is important is they have the resources and will make the time to try to get assistance for agencies providing help to Auglaize County families.
“What we get in return is being able to see their smiles and hear thank you, to know there are families
whose lives they are touching and we are helping,” Colaprete said. “It goes back to the Bible. What you give, you get back 10-fold.”
The women said past experience raising money for other broader causes prepared them for what they are about to tackle.
“We plan to start small and grow,” Colaprete said.
For those who can’t commit to giving monetary donations to the mission, the women said they would gladly accept in time devoted to the cause as they are the three sole members of the group at this time.
A four-time cancer survivor, Bowersock remembers growing up in a large family that needed assistance one Christmas after their home was destroyed by fire.
Colaprete said that’s just who their group wants to help — the everyday person living next door in Auglaize County.
The women met with several Auglaize County agencies — Loaves and Fishes Community Meals, the Cancer Association of Auglaize County, Auglaize County Crisis Center and Mercy Unlimited — providing services to residents and decided to start by donating to them.
“God expects us to share,” Colaprete said. “It may not be much but we want to share what we have.”
Shirley Longworth, director of the Auglaize County Crisis Center, said she was inspired by their passion.
“It’s amazing that three individual women would commit themselves to the needs of the community in such a diverse way,” Longworth said. “It truly is about passing it on.”
B.J. Hansbrough, executive director of the Cancer Association of Auglaize County, said Candlelight Missions was an answer to her prayers.
“We depend mostly on individual donations and people can’t afford to give as much,” Hansbrough said. “I wish big companies would see what individuals are doing to help.”
Glenna Bair, food pantry manager for Mercy Unlimited, said with prices and the economy the way it is they are seeing people who have given in the past coming in now and needing help themselves.
Steve Sadler, president of Loaves and Fishes Community Meals, said they are serving twice as many meals as they did in 2007.
“It’s humbling to have our efforts chosen by you to receive aid,” Sadler said. “It adds credence to where we stand in the community.”
The women said they hope to continue giving to those organizations as more money comes in to the mission, but also will evaluate other needs and groups as they come up.
Thinking back to some of the stories the directors of those groups told, tears started to well up in Colaprete’s eyes as she thought about what those people would have done without the agencies services.
Increasingly difficult economic times have led to even more people needing the services and a stretching thin of the resources with which to provide those, said the directors of the groups to which checks were presented.
“This town is so small with so much going on all the time, but we hope people and businesses will see the need for this and join us in our efforts,” Colaprete said.
Proving funding for food, shelter, clothing or natural gas bills versus research or salaries with national groups, Colaprete said it’s the small things that can truly make a difference in someone’s life, and that’s what they are hoping to do.
“We’re excited about doing this,” Tangeman said. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 08 August 2008 )
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