Madison Messenger - August 18th, 2019

www.madisonmessengernews.com August 18, 2019 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 7
Lyme disease case confirmed in Madison County
Madison County Public Health has confirmed a case “When you look at all the data, it’s easy to see that
of Lyme disease in a Madison County resident.
all diseases spread by ticks are increasing in central
Lyme disease is a bacterial disease transmitted to Ohio,” he said.
people from the bite of an infected deer tick. Symptoms Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is another common
can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint disease spread by the American dog tick.
pain, muscle aches, fatigue or a rash. While not always “We can do a lot ourselves to help prevent these tickrelated
diseases,” Cook said. “There are some simple
present, a “bullseye” shaped rash is often seen at the
site of the tick bite. Lyme disease is not transmitted precautions we can take to avoid tick bites when working
or playing in wooded areas or places where there is
from one person to another by coughing, sneezing or casual
contact like shaking hands.
tall grass or brush. Always check yourself, your kids
According to Health Commissioner Chris Cook, cases and your pets for ticks when you are done outside.”
of Lyme disease have been increasing over the last six Some common and easy ways to avoid ticks are:
years all across Ohio; however, cases in Madison County • Walk in the middle of trails. Avoid tall grass and
are somewhat uncommon.
brush if you are in shorts.
“Over the last decade, we’ve had a total of 10 suspected
cases of Lyme disease. This is only our second caridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-men-
• Use approved repellents containing DEET, pi-
confirmed case in that time period,” Cook said.
thane-diol (PMD). Repellents that claim to be
Even though local cases have been infrequent, Cook all-natural or made of essential oils, or devices that you
said he is concerned about the trends across the area. wear, have not been proven to be effective.
Schools approve tax agreement
By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
Jefferson Local school board members gave the
thumbs-up to a CRA/TIF financing agreement for new
industrial development, albeit with a money-generating
twist for the district.
The board unanimously approved a Community
Reinvestment Area/Tax Increment Financing agreement
on Aug. 12, alongside a school district donation
agreement with Pizzuti Development.
The donation agreement–in the works for months
as part of an effort to recoup some of the money the district
loses with abatements in CRA/TIF development
areas–provides the district with one cent per developed
square foot of space.
According to David Harper, school board president,
the funds will be released to the district “when the (village)
issues an occupancy permit and notifies the district.”
Superintendent William Mullett previously said there
is a misconception about the amount of taxes the district
collects from West Jefferson’s industrial park TIF, which
is approximately $200,000. Because of the agreement,
the district also forgoes property tax for the area.
The agreement with Pizzuti is for space developed
during the life of the tax abatement.
The district recently passed a resolution approving
a 100 percent property tax abatement for an 840,000
square-foot speculation warehouse, which now could
generate $8,400 annually for Jefferson Local Schools
under the one-cent agreement.
Similar abatement legislation was passed for a 205-
acre Duke site at Park 70.
“School district taxable boundaries decrease with tax
exempt space,” Harper had said previously. “Examples
include Metro Parks expansion, the OSU vet farm, religious,
church and other such exemptions, the Enterprise
Commercial Park, Battelle and government
owned facilities.”
In other action, the board approved filling two teaching
slots–one at the middle school and another at the
high school in the English department. Mullett said the
positions were the only new certified hires for the 2019-
20 school year.
Extracurricular contacts were awarded to: Nick
Houk, high/middle school assistant athletic director;
John Koehler, physical fitness; Jennifer Siddiqi, mock
trial advisor; and Mike Harkleroad, Envirothon advisor.
Helping to feed hungry children
Madison County Farm Bureau board
members present a check for $1,600
to Tracy Kronk, founder of Sufficient
Grace, a non-profit organization that
provides school children in need
with food to take home. The organization
serves children in seven
school districts in Madison, Union
and Clark counties. On hand for the
check presentation were: (front row,
from left) Mary Griffith, Priscilla Powers,
Tracy Kronk, Andra Troyer, Dale
Rapp; (back row) Mike Vallery, Jared
Troyer, Kyle Young and Jonathan
Frances. The Farm Bureau donates
to several local causes using membership
funds. This year, in addition
to Sufficient Grace, the group supported “Ag in the Classroom” for 400 students at Madison-Plains Local
Schools, Breakfast on the Farm which fed 1,800 people, and youth exhibitors at the Junior Fair Livestock
Sale. Donations to Sufficient Grace may be sent to P.O. Box 92, West Jefferson OH 43162.
• Treat clothing and gear, such as pants, boots, socks and tents,
with a product containing permethrin, or buy permethrin-treated
clothing and gear.
• Wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks. Tuck pant legs
into socks.
• Wear light colors to make it easier to see ticks.
If you find a tick attached to the body, here are some tips for
safely removing it:
• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s
surface as possible.
• Pull it away from your skin with steady, even pressure.
• Do not twist or jerk the tick, which can cause the mouth parts
to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the
mouth parts with tweezers. If you are unable to do this easily with
clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
• Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or any
other “folk” remedies to remove a tick as these methods do not work.
• Dispose of the tick in a sealed bag and be careful not to crush
it with your fingers.
• If you have flu-like symptoms after finding a tick attached to
your skin, see a doctor immediately.
For more information about Lyme disease or ticks, contact Madison
County Public Health at info@madisonpublichealth.org or (740)
852-3065.
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