COLUMBIANA CO. Board wants bell cast in 2002

County officials want the county's bell to be available throughout 2003.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Columbiana County commissioners are failing so far in trying to have a bicentennial bell cast at the 2002 county fair.
The panel learned earlier this week that the state commission overseeing the project wants to cast Columbiana County's bell during the county's 2003 fair week.
Bells will be cast in each of Ohio's 88 counties to mark the state's 200th anniversary.
But the July 2003 date set for Columbiana County's bell casting is a year late, county Commissioner Jim Hoppel said Friday.
Hoppel said commissioners were hopeful that the county's bell would be made during the 2002 fair week, which is the last week of July.
That way, the county's bicentennial bell would be available throughout 2003 as a centerpiece for parades, observances and other festivities being planned for the occasion, Hoppel said.
He added that he's going to ask the state bicentennial commission to reconsider the county's July 29-30, 2003, date.
In arguing for the earlier date, Hoppel said he'll note that 2003 marks not only the state's bicentennial but Columbiana County's and Lisbon's.
If the state can't oblige, the county will make do with the later date, Hoppel said.
"I know the problems they have in setting this up," he added of the state's effort.
State funding project: The state is funding and undertaking the project, which entails casting 88 250-pound bronze bells.
The bells will be cast by a Cincinnati company hired by the state. The company will use a portable foundry to take the bell-casting effort to each county.
Each county can schedule events to coincide with the castings, which will take two days and be done in public.
Casting dates for all Ohio's counties have yet to be set.
Each county will be responsible for the cost of hanging and displaying its bell.
One option being considered in Columbiana County is placing its bell just outside the courthouse's main entrance on Market Street.