The Newark Advocate from Newark, Ohio • 3

Local Advocate Tuesday, August 14, 2001 Page 3A Have a comment, suggestion or story idea? Call City Editor Brett Lawrence at 328-8821, or send e-mail to advocatenncogannett.com (DWiSSi MM) IM School volunteers may have to face background checks Board avoiding repeat of last year's discovery of convicted sex offender Longaberger program educates, enriches have previously avoided facing the same scrutiny. The board has not determined how many volunteers will have their records checked with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification, but the board wants all volunteers to know the possibility exists. "I also see this as a preventative measure," said board member Jeremy Blake. "It's a deterrent to those who may not wish to have a background check." Board members did not provide a cost for the background checks, but Blake said it will be significant. "I think this shows a big step on the district's part because this will be a big chunk of change," Blake said.

Potential volunteers must fill out an application, which informs them of the possibility of a background check or a request for fingerprints. The form also asks the following question: "Other than a minor traffic offense, have you been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a crime, or released from prison in the last seven years?" If the answer is yes, applicants are asked to give a full By KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK Volunteers in the Newark City Schools may be subjected to criminal background checks, according to a policy adopted unanimously Monday night by the school board. The background checks may be run on any volunteer, but especially those who regularly come in direct contact with students, said board member Tom Hall. The board hopes to prevent a repeat of last school year's discovery that a convicted sex offender was working as a ticket collector at Newark High School football and basketball games. School administrators were unaware the volunteer had recently been convicted of sexually molesting a 13-year-old girl until notified by a student's parent.

"To best make our schools safe as we want to be, we need to know who is interacting with our students," Hall said. "We all want volunteers, but none of us want volunteers there for the wrong reason." Background checks are performed on prospective district employees, but the district's thousands of volunteers ftvclUiV- -V -v I If, i v. 1 By AARON KEIRNS Gannett News Service FRAZEYSBURG Deep in the sun-dappled woods of Black Hand Gorge, a fuzzy white caterpillar hangs by its silken thread above a narrow hiking path. Eight curious children crowd around the little creature as he appears to float in mid-air. With whispers and nervous giggles, the kids cautiously move in for a closer look, then, suddenly the caterpillar drops 6 inches, sending a sudden wave of shrieks and laughter through the group.

It's this kind of experience that The Longaberger Co. hopes will keep kids coming back to its Look, Think Do adventures. Although Longaberger is well-known as a multi-million dollar manufacturer of handmade baskets, the Look, Think Do program has little to do with making baskets or profits. It has everything to do with Dave Longaberger, the late founder of the company, who suffered from epilepsy and severe stuttering as a child. He spent two years in first grade and three in fifth.

"Dave had learning disabilities. Learning was very difficult for him," says Anita Rector, executive director of entertainment for the company. Rector says programs such as Look, Think Do grew out of Dave's desire to help children. "He wanted to help kids learn in a fun, engaging way," she said. This is the third year for Look, Think Do.

It began as a summer program designed for children visiting the Longaberger Homestead near Frazeysburg. While their parents shop or play golf, kids can have an adventure of their own. As the program has evolved, its scope has broadened. "We've branched out to include groups," says Jeff Wetzel, a company spokesman. Whetzel said a variety of groups now participate in the program, including schools, churches and youth groups.

Accompanied by adult "adventure guides," participants take five-hour excursions to places such as Black Hand Gorge, Longaberger Farms and the Longaberger Golf Course. "Some of these kids have never been in a woods before," says Diana Dickson, lead adventure guide for the program. "We get to see a lot of moments. They can watch nature on National Geographic, but they can't get slimed by a snail on TV. Here they can," she said.

Teaching kids about nature in a hands-on environment is a big part of Look, Think Do, but the program also seems to appeal to some participants for other reasons as well. Recently the program attracted a group of recovering battered women and a group from a hospice camp that catered to children who had lost a parent. On this particular morning, Dickson and two helpers are leading a group of eight at-risk children from Columbus. The kids are enrolled in a program called "Get Set," which is run by Catholic Social Services. They come from family backgrounds that raise their risk of getting involved in crime, violence and drug abuse.

Diana Dickson, lead adventure guide for the Longaberger Look, Think Do program, explains the history of a Black Hand Gorge canal lock to a group of at-risk children and adult leaders from Columbus. (GNS) Man involved in fatal tractor crash denies charges Newark resident says he struggles with driver's death A typical Look, Think Do day Starts at 1 0 am and ends at 3 p.m. Costs $25 per child and includes transportation and a picnic-style lunch Requires participants to be at least 8 years old unless accompanied by an adult Includes CPR-trained guides Can be scheduled by calling 322-5588 "Some of these kids have never been in a woods before." Diana Dickson, guide for Longaberger Look, Think and Do program Jay Pound, 80, was driving a Massey-Ferguson tractor south along Flint Ridge. Long was northbound on the road but allegedly swerved and hit the tractor. Sheriff's reports said Long went left of center, crossing the double-yellow lines.

Pound was thrown from the tractor and trapped underneath. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Although Long suffered only minor injuries in the crash, he said he has struggled to deal with Pound's death. "I've been in the hospital a couple of times with suicidal tendencies," he said. "I didn't mean for it to happen." Long is being represented by Newark attorney David Martin, who could not be reached for comment.

If Long is convicted of the vehicular homicide charge, he faces up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine. The manslaughter charge carries a three-month term and a $750 fine. The remaining charges carry only fines. By BRIAN GADD Gannett News Service ZANESVILLE A Newark man accused of causing a June accident that toppled a tractor and killed its driver denied the charges against him Monday. Daniel Long, 30, of Mount Vernon Road, pleaded innocent before Muskingum County Judge Kelly Cottrill.

Cottrill did not set bond, and Long agreed to return for future hearings on the case, according to court clerks. A trial date is scheduled for Sept. 20. Muskingum County Sheriff's spokesman Dan Marks said Long was charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter, both misdemeanors. He also is charged with excessive speed, passing in a hazardous zone and failing to drive in marked lanes.

The accident occurred June 22 near the intersection of Flint Ridge and Macedonia roads in Hopewell Township. they wouldn't get squashed by hikers' feet. The 10-year old's perspective at least about snails seemed to have changed. Recent layoffs at the Longaberger Company haven't had much effect on Look, Think Do. The program operates with a small staff, and other departments can provide extra help when necessary.

"We've had a lot of repeaters this year; for one boy it was his third time," Butler said. Dickson sees an expanding future for Look, Think Do. She says the ability to customize the program for specific groups helps reach a broader range of people. The program also is being considered as a team-building exercise for Longaberger consultants. For Homestead visitors, Look, Think Do is a summer program ending August 25th; for groups, opportunities are available all year long.

Leaders of the Get Set program see Look, Think Do as a way of exposing children to enriching experiences they wouldn't get at home. "These kinds of experiences teach children new things and spark their imaginations," said Freda Abbott-Ayodele, director of the Get Set program. "Kids need to play, to experiment and explore. It helps them learn how to solve problems," she said. In the group there were seven girls and one boy.

Most of the girls were Korean; the boy, Tianshu, was Chinese. "Every time I see something nasty, I feel sick," he said, referring to the bugs and snails he was encountering along the trail. An hour later, walking along the same trail, Tianshu was picking up snails from the footpath and placing them gently on plant leaves where Area briefs Fog may have been factor in fatal motorcycle crash Granville school officials pitch district to investors GRANVILLE Granville school officials were on Wall Street last week seeking a favorable rating for the sale of its $31.2 million school bond issue. A team made up of Superintendent Kathy Lowery, Board President Lewis Mollica, Treasurer Brett Griffith, David J. Conley of Seasongood Mayer, LLC, and bond counsel Greg Stype of the legal firm Squire, Sanders and Dempsy made the presentation.

The ultimate goal: a low interest rate for repayment of the school construction bonds. A new grade school, additions to the middle and high schools, and renovation the old section of the elementary school and the bus maintenance garage could be paid for with the funding. Conley said that a majority of Ohio school districts seeking bond ratings get A ratings. "The school districts that have characteristics like Granville tend to be rated in the higher echelon of districts in Ohio," he said, many of them getting AA ratings. County hosts disaster-readiness evaluation NEWARK The Licking County Emergency Management Agency is hosting a disaster readiness evaluation today and Wednesday.

The evaluation, known as the Ohio State Capability Assessment for Readiness or OSCAR, allows the LCEMA to determine the county's ability to respond to disasters. Almost 100 community leaders will participate in the workshop to analyze the roles their organizations play in working together during a disaster. For more information about the workshop, contact LCEMA Director Jeff Walker at 349-6437. Pataskala council rejects annexation requests PATASKALA Pataskala City Council has rejected one developer's request to be annexed from Harrison Township into Pataskala and refused another developer's request for water service. Mark Furlong, of Presidential Real Estate of Grove City, asked council to provide water to a tract of land on State Route 310 that abuts Beechwood Trails.

He said he planned to build 120 houses on 60 acres there. Because the land is located in Harrison Township, he told council he would be willing to annex into Pataskala or purchase water from the city. Council members also rebuffed Young-Duek Ahn, who asked council to annex a 58-acre tract of land on Ohio 310, north of Broad Street, from Harrison Township to Pataskala. He wants to build a subdivision on the land. pronounced dead on the scene, according to Mary Ann Township Fire Department reports.

He was not wearing a helmet, Damron said. Patrol officials were unable to estimate Duppler's speed, but Damron believes he was probably driving near the posted speed of 55 mph. Wet pavement and fog may have contributed to the crash. Damron said patrol officials don't know if Duppler was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; however, a blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for tests. Damron wouldn't speculate about when the test results would be available.

HANOVER A Hanover man was killed early Monday morning when he lost control of his motorcycle in Mary Ann Township. David R. Duppler, 44, of 825 N. Main apparently did not see a curve in the road as he rode south on Hickman Road near the corner of Banks Hollow Road. He continued straight off the left side of the road, striking a traffic reflector, said Ohio State Patrol Trooper Eric Damron.

After falling on its side, his bike slid into a tree. A passing motorist found Duppler and his bike shortly after 8:30 a.m., but highway patrol officials believe he crashed about 1 a.m. He was.