December, 2020

Watch for Santa on the Fire Truck from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on December 19th.

Local Business/Water Project
I am sure most people have seen TLV Services in town doing repairs to our water system
over the years, however I am not sure if everyone realizes that they are in fact a “Local Business”.
Their business is located at 4240 Morse Rd. Alexandria Ohio, 43001. In fact, if they were not a local
business with Alexandria ties and employees, they probably would not be doing this project. We
bid this project extremely tight; we wanted first-class long-lasting material installed at a fair price.
At least in our eyes we bid at a fair price, however we were so frugal no one would bid the project
at all. We met again with the engineers to figure out a way get our repairs finished without
changing our specifications or raising the cost of the project - I think everyone agrees that our
water bill is high enough. After meeting with the engineers and talking with the contractors that
picked up bid packets, we removed everything that wasn’t specifically repairs to the distribution
system, such as replacing the valves at the water tower, running water to the park - anything that
wasn’t a possible water leak was removed from the job description and then we resent the big
packets. Only TLV came to the bid meeting, they expressed that the work was going to be so close
to the maximum allowable bid that a contractor could lose money on the project. However, with
us having a long-term working relationship with TLV and being so close they were willing to try it.
I am sharing this again in response to some of the questions people have asked about the project.
They are trying to get as much work done as quickly as they can with as few workers as possible.
When you use public funds for a project you are required to pay prevailing wage to the workers. So
just by not using flaggers, it can save a tremendous amount of money. Doing as many as they can
as quickly as they can has also been good for the village. They have already found and repaired at
least a half dozen major leaks that we would possibly have never found. In addition to the repairs
they are running tracer wire so that in the future we will be able to find the service taps without all
of the digging. There is money in the project for asphalt repair rather than cold patch, I know the
speed bumps up main street are noisy, but it will get better. However, it will not be as good as it
was until the state paves again. There is also money in the project for landscape restoration - the
gravel around the pits protects the water lines and after it’s settled, they will fill the rest of the hole
with topsoil, seed and straw it.
Everyone should be prepared to be without water for a few hours during the work. TLV has been
doing this kind of work for a long time however when you are working close to a plastic water line
with big equipment there is always the possibility of a break in the main water line We should also
be prepared for a 24 to 48 hour boil alert in the event of an accident.
Floodplain Insurance
I know this is a major concern to our residents on Granville Street. Brett DeCenzo has spent
years trying to find a way to lower the cost and finally came across a company called Floodsmart

that saved him a considerable amount of money, and signing up was easy. They will only sign up
new customers as your current policy expires, so this is probably the time to start checking prices.
You can find them online at Floodsmart.com or 866-277-0055.
Creekstone Benefits
Another great local business that I only recently realized how helpful they truly are is
Creekstone Benefits. If you are lucky enough to make it to 65 years old you find yourself
bombarded with mail and email from Medicare, Medicaid, WellCare, Supplements A thru Z and I
don’t know what else. My solution was to throw it all way and plan not to get sick. That worked for
about a month before my wife found out and drug me (virtually) to Creekstone Benefits. They took
it from there, they treated me like they deal with grumpy stubborn old men every day, calm and
professional and signed me up for everything I needed. I do mean they signed me up for everything
I needed! I didn’t talk to anyone else; I didn’t fill anything out, Creekstone did everything. At which
point the grumpy old guy asked how much such an incredible service was going to cost? To my
total disbelief it was my favorite price, free! I literally did nothing, paid nothing and feel very secure
in my insurance coverage. Creekstone Benefits, 1400 Tharp Road Alexandria Ohio 43001,
(740) 967-0210. Tell them the grumpy old man sent you!
Notice to those of you who pay your water/sewer bills with a debit or credit card:
The process has not changed, but the name of the company has. The company name has
been changed from GovPay to AllPaid. I believe that for now the GovPay site is still working, but
you can go to allpaid.com to make payments going forward.
Covid 19
I have already lost two friends to the virus and fear I am losing another as I write this.
Others in town have lost friends and relatives. Please don’t let your guard down, the end is in sight.
Wear your mask, maintain a safe social distance and wash your hands. It isn’t expensive or difficult
and it makes people feel safer. After all it is the season of giving - have a great and safe Holiday
Season!

Sincerely, Mayor Jim Jasper