Opinion

It is entering the last half of the summer again. Where did it go? Seems like I have been so busy during the week and my wife has kept me busy most weekends. Nothing to complain about, but I have seen several this past week...  Read Story.

This past weekend makes me proud to be an American. Whatever our differences or anxieties, it always seems people come out and have fun on July 4. As it was a weekend this time, the fun extended two to three days. I have had many comments on the Byesville fireworks Friday night. Most said it was much more than they expected and since it was in the park this time; they were able to set in their yards and watch the display. My hat goes off to Jay and the park people for all their hard...  Read Story.

I have been doing some work around one of the hottest areas in America when it comes to oil and gas. Being in the business for 30-some years, I have developed many friends and contacts. They call occasionally and need work...  Read Story.

I was tempted last week to buy up all the Mason jam jars I could find and fill them with half oil and half salt water. After sealing them, I was going to put a logo on them: "Vacation 2010, the Gulf of Mexico." I think they would sell like hot...  Read Story.

My first thoughts are to thank everyone that voted last week. Whether you voted for the levy, or against it, you got out and voted. I have received several comments since we started this campaign and more this week now that the vote count is completed. A lot were supportive, while some were negative. Like any campaign, you will have that. There were the usual mailings to my office, unsigned of course, venting personal attacks at me. I see these each time and they get the ceremonial circular file. If you don't have enough guts to sign your name, I won't play your game and even bother to read...  Read Story.

To follow up on last week's article, I would be remiss not to mention the Derby Races held at the Stop Nine Church of Christ for the cub scouts. I spent several hours there, met several nice people and especially a young boy by the name of Dominique. Seems he had won the race the night before and his enthusiasm was unbounded. It made me feel real good to see such laughter and fun being had by all. Also, on other matters, I have been writing about here recently. I have been dogged in my insistence that the streets get the pot holes filled and water leak holes corrected as quickly as possible. Though, if you had been at the last council meeting, you would have heard an ear full. First, a non resident, wanted to chide me on Glass Avenue not being fixed yet. (Something I will write about next week.) Also, give me the speed limits all the way to Dunning. Why? I don't know why? But, I...  Read Story.

Sometimes in the job of mayor, you have to attend events that you never heard of before. Or, give of your time to represent the village, marry someone or be a part of a board. I made the decision many years ago to do this...  Read Story.

Sometimes when you are involved with projects as they are formulated or even talked over, it gives you a particular insight that no one else has when you read about them in The Daily & Sunday Jeffersonian. Such a project...  Read Story.

Don Gadd Mayor of Byesville During the meeting this morning with the water and sewer guys, I made the remark about how lucky we were to be this far along with the things the EPA had been shooting darts at us about all those years. Not that I wanted...  Read Story.

Don Gadd Mayor of Byesville Easter was upon us once again. The bulbs we planted last fall were starting out in full force. The grandkids were marveling over their plants and dressed up in their beautiful Easter dresses and bonnets. A couple of the girls...  Read Story.

Last Friday, I witched a water line for the crew. All had tried and were without success, as the group of holes testified to. I took off my shoes, grabbed the divining rods and commenced to walk across the area where the line...  Read Story.

Focus in the village has now turned to the second part of winter as the crews have been out steadily patching holes and cleaning the streets. I have learned over the last several years that cleaning and patching are essential...  Read Story.

Thursday was a historic day in the Village of Byesville. That was the last day for the police department. In some ways, it came and went without much fanfare. The sheriff took over the duties and some comments over the...  Read Story.

Seems we just get cleared of snow and here comes the next round. For most people that is the extent of battling the winter and its climate gyrations. For the village, its just the beginning of many months of work. If the...  Read Story.

Don Gadd Mayor of Byesville This article is being posted late Monday evening, which means we have now had our council meeting on whether or not to abolish the Byesville Police Department. After a deadlock vote of 3-to-3, I cast the deciding vote to...  Read Story.

Things are happening in Byesville. If you have been down around Hope Avenue lately, you may have noticed some activity at the new sewer plant site. Stanley Miller Construction Co., the general contractor for...  Read Story.

Don Gadd Mayor of Byesville The frozen tundra is the best way to describe our current condition. With mounds of snow all piled up and frozen-like blocks of an Eskimos home, you don't want to inch your way off the narrow plowed path. And on top of it,...  Read Story.

The dire forecasts of the last several years are upon us. With some to the wire forecasting, we were able to close out 2009 in the general fund (tax side). As was forecast, we lost a great deal of ground from the...  Read Story.

In the last week I have experienced the sayings, "But you said that" and "I don't really pay attention to what you say anyway." Both expressions are common to this office as well as many others. In talking with Mayor Orr...  Read Story.

Not unlike other years, 2009 had its ups and downs. For the most part it was a stable year in that we had lost a lot of jobs the previous year and there wasn't that much farther down we could go. On the up side, we were in...  Read Story.