News briefs: Pleasantville Music and Street Festival looking for charitable group
PLEASANTVILLE - The Pleasantville Music and Street Festival is on the hunt for this year’s recipient. The third annual festival, which takes place on Saturday, Aug. 26, will donate proceeds of the event to a local non-profit organization.
Last year, the Pleasantville Music and Street Festival raised $6,000 that was donated to Fairfield Union Local School District.
To be considered: Submit a letter to the Festival Committee indicating why your organization should be the beneficiary of this year’s festival proceeds. How does your organization help the community? What would the funds, if chosen, be used for? What does your organization need? Submissions must be received by March 1.Please send letters of consideration to festival@villageofpleasantville.com.Or mail it to:Village of Pleasantville Music & Street Festivalc/o Sam McCreeryPO Box 193Pleasantville, Ohio 43148
Violet Township Moody’s bond rating changed
VIOLET TOWNSHIP - Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Violet Township, Ohio’s general obligation limited tax (GOLT) rating from Aa2 to Aa3. This action concludes a review that was initiated by Moody’s Investors Service on Nov. 3, 2022 in conjunction with the release of its revised Cities and Counties rating methodology.
Among other measurements, Moody’s states the downgrade of the issuer rating to Aa3 reflects the township’s elevated leverage and considers the risk that the Township’s reported fund balance may not provide an accurate representation of available resources due to cash basis reporting.
Nearly all townships in Ohio, including Violet, maintain financial reporting on a cash basis. Moody’s believes cash basis balance reporting may not provide an accurate representation of available resources because cash basis reporting does not include information on non-cash assets and liabilities.
Violet Township Fiscal Officer, Vanessa Niekamp states, “the new requirement by Moody’s forgovernments to maintain financial reporting on an accrual basis in order to maintain certainhigher ratings, in our opinion, is not cost beneficial to our taxpayers. The cost to convert theTownship’s financial statements can run in the tens of thousands of dollars.”
Notwithstanding Moody’s opinion on the Township’s accounting procedures, the rating agencyextolls the Township’s cash position as “very strong”.
Moody’s also comments, “The rating also incorporates the township’s healthy economic basewith very strong resident income levels. The economic growth rate of the MSA is just above thenation and expected to continue anchored by the city of Columbus (Aaa ratings under review).The township’s full value per capita is solid and adjusted household income is very strong at about171% of the nation. Available fund balance is very strong with net unrestricted cash at 93% ofoperating revenue as of fiscal 2020 (December 31 year-end). Violet Township serves nearly43,000 residents and is among the highest rated and largest townships in Ohio."
Buffalo Wild Wings offers discount to January blood donors
LANCASTER – The American Red Cross and Buffalo Wild Wings® are calling on the community todonate blood throughout the month of January. Those who come to give blood during the month ofJanuary at any Fairfield County Red Cross blood drive will receive a $5 Buffalo Wild Wings gift card,courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings!
Although an estimated 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, less than 10%actually do each year. This incentive to donate is in the spirit of National Blood Donor Month and theincreased need for blood donation after the holiday season.
“We are proud to make a tangible contribution to the community in a way that helps to savelives – especially through this program, which underscores the importance of partnership,” said LarryTipton, Buffalo Wild Wings franchise owner. “I hope we will help the Red Cross not only meet, butsurpass, its local blood collection goal in January by providing a little something extra for those whoare willing to brave the cold to donate.”
An appointment is not necessary in order to donate blood and receive the gift. However,appointments are strongly encouraged and those with an appointment will be taken first.Appointments can be made online at http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Supporters can easily locate the nearest drive or American Red Cross center online.This opportunity will only be available at participating Fairfield County blood drives
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: News briefs: Pleasantville Music and Street Festival looking for charitable group
