Thursday, October 11th, 2007

Land feud settled, felony charges dismissed

By Shelley Grieshop
The discovery of a property line error led to the dismissal of felony charges against a Celina man accused of illegally removing trees and brush near farmland he owns in rural St. Marys.
Indictment charges of breaking and entering and theft, which were filed in April against Thomas Schmitmeyer, 39, 3154 Goettemoeller Road, were dismissed this week by Auglaize County Prosecutor Ed Pierce. Pierce told The Daily Standard the parties involved in the case had reached an agreement and that he felt "substantial justice" had taken place.
According to court records, Schmitmeyer last year asked his neighbors, George Wiss and Marilyn Kuenning, to remove branches, trees, brush and rusty barbed wire fence that hung across a crooked fence dividing the two properties. The debris in question reportedly encroached on Schmitmeyer's 100-acre parcel of farmland in the 2000 block of Waesch Road.
Wiss and Kuenning, who describe their property as wetlands, denied the request. Schmitmeyer then asked the pair if he could remove the debris for them, but they again turned him down.
In January, Schmitmeyer allegedly took matters into his own hands and trimmed the fence row so he could farm his entire field. His attorney, Robert Kehoe, later argued in court documents that it was his client's right to protect his land under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which says a homeowner cannot be deprived full use and enjoyment of his/her property.
Wiss and Kuenning reported the trimming of their property to the Auglaize County Sheriff's Office who contacted the prosecutor.
After a grand jury indicted Schmitmeyer for the act, land surveys were performed at the request of Kehoe and Pierce. The surveys reportedly showed the fence row was not the true dividing line after all. After months of discussion and evaluation by surveyors and attorneys, it was determined that most of the debris Schmitmeyer removed was actually from his own property, Kehoe said.
And, oddly enough, because the fence row and tree line had been the property line for so long, Schmitmeyer, Wiss and Kuenning agreed to make it the official boundary of the properties, Kehoe said. It was officially recorded as so with the county. The parties also agreed to share the cost of the surveyors and property cleanup, Kehoe added.
Although the landowners solved the civil problem, Schmitmeyer's felony charges remained pending and Schmitmeyer's case was subsequently left to the discretion of the prosecutor. Pierce said the unusual facts and circumstances of the case led him to dismiss the charges.
Schmitmeyer had faced up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
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Subscriber and paid stories on this date
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Three Coldwater residents are vying for two at-large seats on the Coldwater Village Council, and two Coldwater area men are seeking one open Butler Township trustee seat in the Nov. 6 election.
NEW BREMEN - Some residents of the Teton Subdivision have reason to fear heavy downpours but that is likely to change as New Bremen village councilors look toward storm sewer reconstruction next year.
Residents will vote on 6.9 mill 28-year bond issue on Nov. 6
ST. MARYS - The levy campaign steering committee on Wednesday updated school board members on its plans to get out the facts on the school facilities bond levy set for vote in November.
NEW BREMEN - Enrollment at the school district has dropped again this school year, as an official student count was taken in October, according to Superintendent Ann Harvey.
NEW BREMEN - School officials this spring may have to decide whether to accept, reject or defer possible funding from the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) for a school renovation or construction project.
Incident occurred during Celina Lake Festial weekend
A Celina man has pleaded not guilty in Mercer County Common Pleas Court to charges he assaulted police officers during Lake Festival weekend.
Mark
COLDWATER - A worst case possible scenario of school finances could have school board members considering a new operating levy in fiscal school year 2010, according to Treasurer Sherry Shaffer.
Belly dancers, musicians, artists will entertain during all-day event
A Celina downtown rejuvenation effort will close down some city streets on Oct. 27 as part of the first annual Fayette Street Days Block Party - an all day celebration of community, business and local art.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
With three weeks to go in the season, St. Marys has a couple of items on its plate.
Not only are the 5-2 Roughriders still in the hunt for a playoff spot, they hold a share of the Western Buckeye League lead at 5-1.
If Matt Klenke would have gotten one of the several 10 pins left up on a few frames, he might be a national champion.
Then again, being third out of a few thousand in the nation isn't too shabby.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Celina boy's soccer team improved to 8-4-2 on the season in defeating Bellefontaine, 2-1, on Monday.
The Chief
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Bath Stadium
Last Game: Celina took six weeks of frustrating losses out on the Elida Bulldogs, winning the Homecoming matchup 49-6. ... Bath's attempt to pick up a second win on the season was struck down by Ottawa-Glandorf in a 52-0 blowout.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. H.B. Hole Field
Last Game: Coldwater compiled 452 yards of offense in defeating Minster 60-0 at Cavalier Stadium. ... Versailles snapped a four-game losing streak in beating New Bremen 33-17.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Booster Field
Last Game: Parkway snapped a nearly 22-year losing streak to St. Henry, winning 28-21 to keep its playoff hopes alive. ... Anna bettered its playoff spot placement with a 25-10 win at Stadium Park against St. John's.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Memorial Field
Last Game: The Redskins had a solid game, but Parkway held on for the 28-21 win. ... The Wildcats dropped to 0-7 with a 60-0 drubbing at Coldwater.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Stadium Park
Last Game: Marion Local improved to 7-0 with a 42-10 win over a determined Fort Recovery team. ... St. John's dropped to 1-6 with a 25-10 loss to Anna.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Barrenbrugge Field
Last Week: Staying close in trailing 14-10 at the half, New Bremen could not keep the momentum going in losing 33-17 to Versailles. ... Fort Recovery stayed with Marion Local for the first 21 minutes of the game before a Flyer surge sent the game toward a 42-10 decision to drop the Indians to 4-3.
Car Care Guide
ST. MARYS - When the snow's more than a foot deep and the temperature outside is frigid, a well-maintained car battery could be critical.
Experts agree that having a vehicle battery checked prior to winter is one of the smartest things motorists can do.