ARTSNCT (and a bear) made front page headlines in The Times-Reporter
Commissioners honor ARTSNCT, organization's director
NEW PHILADELPHIA — Commissioners have honored ARTSNCT and its executive director, Michael Wise, for improving the fabric of the Newcomerstown community.
Commissioners approved a resolution Monday honoring the arts organization on its fifth anniversary.
More: ARTSNCT showing work from middle school, high school students
Commissioner Kerry Metzger (left); Michael Wise, the organization’s executive director; and Commissioner Al Landis.
Commissioner Kerry Metzger told Wise that what he has done with the organization is great.
"What makes the fabric of the community is not just necessarily jobs," Metzger said. "A mix with the arts really helps define what a community is all about. I really appreciate your work, especially with the kids."
ARTSNCT, located at 304 S. College St., offers a place for community events, art galleries, plays, and an arts and crafts club that is free of charge to all students from kindergarten through the 12th grade.
It features local artists in monthly art and photography exhibits and established the Manuel Yingling Music Award which is presented annually for superior musicianship and outstanding dedication.
Wise, who was a member of the Marine Corps band, lived and worked in Washington, D.C., for many years after leaving the service. He laid the groundwork for ARTSNCT before he moved back to Newcomerstown.
"I wanted to do something for the community, especially the kids," he said "They had nothing. They had their art classes at the schools, their music classes but when that's done, there's nothing."
He said he loves working with the kids.
"If we reach just one or two kids with this, it's going to improve their lives," Wise said.
Mayor Pat Cadle noted that ARTSNCT is just one of the good things happening in Newcomerstown.
"We're this close to busting out now," he told commissioners. "Everything that we've done has set things up for where we are now. We have more businesses looking at the industrial park."
He pointed out that Wise is also a member of council.
"I can honestly say the arts and culture in Newcomerstown was probably non-existent except for the school until Michael came and he's changed that," the mayor said.
Added Wise, "I, like Pat, believe that we are right on the edge of something great happening."
He said that when it happens, it will happen quickly.
In other business, commissioners voted to advertise for bids for a project to relocate 0.46 miles of Waterworks Hill Road south of Uhrichsville.
The road, which follows the banks of Big Stilwater Creek near the former water plant of the Twin City Water & Sewer District, has been closed for nearly two years since about 1,200 feet of the pavement began to crumble. The slip was noticed a day after a dam on the Big Stillwater was removed in Uhrichsville.
The dam, which was owned by the water and sewer district, was removed on the recommendation of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The county has sued the district and two companies involved in the dam's removal.
Bids for the relocation project will be opened Aug. 3. The project will be funded in part with Ohio Public Works Commission funds.
SOURCE: https://www.timesreporter.com/story/news/2022/07/11/commissioners-honor-artsnct-organizations-director/10027073002/