1. At our insistence, the county engineer finally agreed to allow us to hire a third-party professional engineer who specializes in historic covered bridge restoration to come and evaluate the existing condition of the bridge and make recommendations.

Jim Barker of J.A. Barker Engineering, Inc. came here Saturday afternoon and did his site visit to evaluate the covered bridge. He will write his report and have it to us in time for our meeting with county engineer Pat Manger Friday Feb. 24th.

Mr. Barker stated that this bridge is in pretty great condition. Most importantly, the bottom cords (which support the trusses)

DO NOT need to be replaced, just reinforced from the bottom. This greatly reduces the cost and time of restoration. The county engineer’s plan had these cords being replaced. There are some metal rods that do need replacing as well as some other recommendations. We will be able to get you more specific information when we get Mr. Barker’s report this week. Check his web site http://jabarkerengineering.wordpress.com/.

2. A core group of supporters will meet with the county engineer on Friday of this week. This will be the first working meeting to hammer out differences and come to an acceptable compromise that everyone can live with. We will let you know how this progresses. Unfortunately, this will not be able to be attended by everyone (hard to get a compromise by too large a committee), but 8-9 key bridge supporters will attend. We will keep you posted.

1. Keep sharing our efforts with everyone via flyers, web site, FaceBook.

2. Please get me all signed petitions by tomorrow 2/21/12. I will copy them and turn in to the Commissioners Wednesday.

3. Keep e-mailing the engineer and commissioners…this is making a big difference.

4. Attend the next commissioners’ meeting on Wednesday 2/22/12 at 10am in Batavia…keep up the pressure.

Tim and Catherine Rush-Ossenbeck

I am sending this email to encourage each of you to contact the Engineer, Mr. Pat Manger, with instructions to delay the bidding on the Stonelick Covered Bridge project until the will of the people of Clermont County can be heard.

I attended the January TID meeting and the agenda for February was put forth.  Mr. Manger said the bids for the bridge project would be put out in February and construction would start in March (?).

I deeply believe the citizens of Clermont County have not had their desire/will heard on the bridge issue.  I attended several meetings, both public and private with Mr. Manger and Mr. Gadsbury and NEVER were we given the alternative of restoring the bridge.  It was stated the Engineer was required by law to maintain the minimum bridge limit of 12 tons when repairing bridges.  I do not believe this is accurate.

Clermont County can “restore” the damaged bridge to its naturally constructed state!  This should be done to preserve our treasured bridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Rush-Ossenbeck have researched this issue and have valuable information which must be considered by all; the Commissioners, the Engineer and all of the Clermont County citizens.

I would request the Commissioners instruct the Engineer to delay any actions toward the Stonelick Covered Bridge and schedule a public meeting immediately for your ability to weigh all the information and take comment from the public.

Respectfully in service,     Faye E. Miller