Latest news with #DavidThomas
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sea pool set to reopen after tide issues
An outdoor pool is set to reopen this weekend after bosses were forced to shut the attraction because high tides failed to refill it. Shoalstone Pool in Brixham, south Devon, relies on the tide for its water. But this week's calm sea conditions meant the water did not travel high enough. David Thomas, operations manager, said: "We had a pool clean on Monday, but the tide didn't come over as expected. "To address this, we've installed a sea pump to fill the pool at high tide and we're working hard to ensure the pool is ready for the weekend." Shoalstone Pool, operated by a charity, remains free for public use. The attraction will undergo significant renovations later this summer. "We'll be closing the pool in August for essential upgrades," Mr Thomas said. "Thanks to a government grant, we'll be installing a new deep end, a raised deck, replacing railings, and reinforcing the walls to ensure safety for future generations." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Mother nature blamed for empty seafront pool Funding boost for seawater pool repair project Councils pledge £120k to save Devon seawater pool Sea pool damaged by stormy weather Shoalstone Pool
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Brixham sea pool set to reopen after issues with the tide
An outdoor pool is set to reopen this weekend after bosses were forced to shut the attraction because high tides failed to refill Pool in Brixham, south Devon, relies on the tide for its water. But this week's calm sea conditions meant the water did not travel high Thomas, operations manager, said: "We had a pool clean on Monday, but the tide didn't come over as expected. "To address this, we've installed a sea pump to fill the pool at high tide and we're working hard to ensure the pool is ready for the weekend." Shoalstone Pool, operated by a charity, remains free for public use. The attraction will undergo significant renovations later this summer. "We'll be closing the pool in August for essential upgrades," Mr Thomas said. "Thanks to a government grant, we'll be installing a new deep end, a raised deck, replacing railings, and reinforcing the walls to ensure safety for future generations."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Mother nature blamed for Brixham's empty seafront pool
An outdoor pool in Devon has been left empty because "mother nature" failed to deliver at high tide, operators have Pool in Brixham was emptied and cleaned ahead of the predicted hot and sunny weekend but has yet to be refilled due to the tide not coming up high said: "Due to mother nature not playing fair, the pool will be closed due to not filling on the high tide after a pool clean. Apologies to all."They said they hoped the pump would be working and it would be full in time for the weekend. Operations manager David Thomas said the team only had "a very small window" of opportunity to clean the said: "The high tide did come but it wasn't quite high enough to fill the pool. "It was very benign, we didn't have any sort of significance of sea conditions or wind so we currently don't have a pool, we have just a big hole in the ground."Mr Thomas said the pool would be getting a refurbishment in August thanks to community and council will include the reconstruction of one of the corners of the pool and anchoring the base of the pool to the rock bed below.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio GOP property tax bill would provide $3.5 billion in relief, but at the expense of schools
File photo of homes in Ohio by WEWS. Ohio Republican lawmakers are proposing massive property tax reform, saying their plan could provide billions in direct relief to homeowners. Local governments and schools say it would come at their expense. We've been talking to homeowners like Debra Weygandt for years. She told us how her property values increased by more than 30% in the most recent reappraisals. 'It's the first time I've ever seen this big jump like this,' Debra Weygandt in Akron's Highland Square told News 5 in 2024. Homeowners in different areas across the state are seeing similar hikes. Like Ed Livernois, who was shocked when we spoke to him about his increase last summer. 'I just got a heart attack,' Livernois said. But state lawmakers say they have a solution. '$3.5 billion dollars of direct property tax relief to every property owner across the state of Ohio,' said state Rep. David Thomas (R-Jefferson). Thomas, with the support of state Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) introduced H.B. 335, a massive property tax relief bill. Among many provisions, the bill limits how much money school districts can get from rising home values — without going to the ballot. 'Eliminating inside millage means that when we see valuation increases, our property owners will not see their tax bills going up near what they've seen over the last five years,' Thomas said. Parma City Schools Superintendent Charles Smialek said that the bill would take away $1.5 billion from schools — with no replacement funding mechanism. 'How they anticipate we're going to continue to provide any type of services with $1.5 billion less than we collect right now is just unfathomable to me,' Smialek said. Lawmakers say that schools can go back to the voters for help. But Parma has already been struggling. It has had seven failed levies since 2018. 'We've been able to continue to provide a great education for students despite the fact that we haven't had new money since 2011, but we've reached a point where we can't continue to do that,' Smialek said. 'We will have to make very difficult decisions, and it's bad for kids.' Schools are also facing other funding challenges. State lawmakers have passed legislation slashing their expected budget by hundreds of millions. Schools will need to cut staff, classes and extracurricular activities, the superintendent said. Roemer said that there are other ways schools can save money. 'We want to use this bill as one facet of having those conversations, which could be hard conversations, about shared services, consolidation, mergers, so that costs can be reduced,' Roemer said. H.B. 335 is just the latest in property reform legislation. The General Assembly has been considering 19 bills. Because H.B. 335 is brand new, homeowners like Weygandt haven't gotten a chance to weigh in on it at the statehouse. But last year, she talked about her struggles. 'Just with everything going up all the last years, it's really hitting the pocketbook,' she said. A group of homeowners is taking tax relief into their own hands — fighting to get a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would abolish property taxes. This was put forward, in part, to get lawmakers to do something, organizers say. With reporting from News 5's Michelle Jarboe. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio bill would give counties the power to cut property taxes
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A new Ohio proposal would give counties the authority to lower property taxes if they determine the amount collected is more than needed. Every county in the state has a budget commission, made up of the county auditor, treasurer and prosecutor, which is tasked with overseeing the taxation process for local governments. As Fort Rapids sale looms, Columbus church eyes plan to redevelop waterpark House Bill 309, introduced by David Thomas (R-Jefferson) in May, would require the panels to review the budgets of taxing authorities annually. If a local government is collecting more money than a public entity — such as a school or law enforcement agency — needs, the legislation gives budget commissions the power to suspend or reduce tax rates. 'If the local government doesn't actually need the full amount of that revenue, or if they're providing the service for less, or can, why should the taxpayers still be charged a much higher tax rate?' Thomas said. Christopher Galloway, the Lake County auditor, testified in support of the bill at its first hearing. He said county prosecutors' different interpretations of legal precedents have resulted in budget commissions' responsibilities being unclear and varying across counties. Galloway claimed that while the Lake County budget commission has 'been a rubber stamp' on tax budgets for decades due to its prosecutors' legal opinions, its neighboring county of Geauga rolls back rates when an entity's budget does not require the full amount of taxes. He said he wants all 88 counties to have that ability. Chillicothe paper mill will close in August after stating it would remain open 'HB309 won't be talked about around kitchen tables like a statewide initiative to eliminate property taxes, but it is in fact a REAL and effective means of controlling property taxes in the State of Ohio,' he said in written testimony. The legislation comes as many Ohioans are expressing frustrations with the costs of property taxes, including a group of citizens who recently started collecting signatures to amend Ohio's constitution and eliminate property taxes altogether. 'Clearly, our taxpayers are telling us across Ohio that the current status quo is not working,' Thomas said. However, not everyone is in support of the bill, with some claiming it is an attempt to undermine the will of voters. The nonprofit League of Women Voters is among those who have criticized the legislation. 'House Bill 309 is just another example of this gerrymandered state legislature's effort to take power away from local governments and voters,' a spokesperson said in a statement. 'Slowly but surely, corrupt politicians in the Ohio Statehouse are trying to end local control and reduce the rights of Ohio citizens. What Ohioans need are real solutions to real problems, not this.' Dispensary reacts to Ohio marijuana limit changes Thomas disagreed with such concerns, stating if the legislation passed, voters would still have the 'full authority and say over the services they want.' The provision has also been folded into a larger property tax relief overhaul, House Bill 335, which combines multiple bills and would deliver $3.5 billion in property tax relief, according to Thomas. House Bill 309's second hearing will take place on Wednesday, when opponents of the measure will have the chance to testify. House Bill 335 was introduced last week and awaits its first hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
