Service attempts to stay afloat

Youths in other counties are sending money to Columbiana County.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Cooperative Extension Service will squeak through 2006 while it tackles big projects on a shoestring budget.
The extension service has announced it has raised enough money to operate for the rest of the year.
The county commissioners didn't appropriate any money for the program this year because of the defeat of a sales tax. The commissioners gave the service $160,300 in 2005.
Extension Director Julie Herron said that the service had raised about $70,000 for 2006.
That's about $6,000 less than it needs, but extension officials are confident they'll be able to raise that amount during the rest of the year.
Helping out
The service is staying open with donations from within and outside of the county. The Columbiana County Republican Party donated $1,000. The Geauga County 4-H Junior Leaders Club donated $1,000 after the East Ohio 4-Hers in Trumbull County donated $100.
Donations may be earmarked for 4-H programs, or the service in general. But the donations mean that the extension service will continue to be involved in 4-H activities and the Columbiana County Fair, said Ernest Oelker, the extension educator in Columbiana County.
County law enforcement officials say the use of heroin and other drugs is rising in the county, and many county officials think 4-H helps youths to stay out of trouble. "We need it for our kids," Oelker said.
But the extension's involvement will be reduced at the fair, just as it has reduced its office hours, programs and staff. Two clerical workers were laid off.
The office is also involved in other, major programs that will affect the county's future.
Involvement
The county is beginning a comprehensive land-use study. Oelker, who is heavily involved in the plan, expects to be working through the end of 2006. He previously said he would retire or take a position in another county if the sales tax is defeated in May.
Oelker is also helping with Salem's long-range plan that is being conducted by the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service. Information on public comments about the shape of Salem's future are to be released soon. Committees will then turn those ideas into a plan that should be completed next year that will include economic development.
The county's agricultural community does $50 million a year in gross sales, Oelker said.
The service prepares newsletters about agricultural topics, and may send them out as often as each week during the growing season. About half the people who used to get the newsletters now download them off the service's Web site. Others began to pay $10 or $20 for the newsletters, which mostly covers the cost of paper and postage, Oelker said.
A dairy newsletter and programs, such as a pesticide program, have been cut.
Oelker said the county's programs, "Definitely suffer because of the roller-coaster ride."
The service's $70,000 budget included about $40,000 in accumulated funds from previous years. Those funds will be gone by the end of 2006. If the county doesn't provide revenue next year, the service will be in an even bigger financial problem, Oelker said.
wilkinson@vindy.com