November 2013

Election Day is Tuesday! Don’t Make Excuses, Get Out The Vote!

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GetOutTheVote

Election Day is Tuesday, and the reason to come out and vote is particularly critical.

The ability to vote is one of the greatest rights given to U.S. citizens. It is the backbone of our democracy.  So get out of your bed on Election Day to cast your ballot. The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

To say you didn’t have the time or opportunity to vote is weak, and frankly, inexcusable.

Voter turnout is always an issue during any election. More people come out to cast ballots during presidential or statewide elections.

You should always make the time to vote whenever there is an election. Your vote can and does make a difference.

Don’t be lazy. Don’t make excuses. Don’t fall prey to cynicism.

People died so everyone can have the right to vote. Don’t belittle the sacrifices they made to secure that right.

Daylight Saving Time ends Sun at 2AM, set your clocks back 1 hour!!

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Fall Back

Don’t forget to set those clocks back 1 hour before going to bed this Saturday night. Daylight Saving Time comes to an end on Sunday morning at 2:00 am. This is a great time to change all your smoke detector batteries and replace any smoke detector that is more than 10 years old. Winter time usually marks an uptick in home fires. Gently clean dust from all smoke detectors with a vacuum cleaner and make sure each unit has fresh batteries and sounds an alarm when you press the “Test” button.

Outdoor emergency warning sirens in Nelsonville and The Plains will be tested at 12 noon, Wed 11/6/13

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Siren Test 

The outdoor emergency warning sirens in Nelsonville and The Plains will be tested at 12 noon on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, with a one minute sounding of the sirens. Local residents are asked not to call local emergency agencies inquiring why the sirens are sounding.

The outdoor warning siren system is normally tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 12:00 p.m. The monthly test will be cancelled if severe weather is threatening. If severe weather cancels the test it will be postponed until the next month.  There are three conditions that result in the warning sirens being activated in Athens County.

1)     Severe Weather

a)     When the National Weather Service initiates a Tornado Warning for an area that includes areas of Athens County.

b)     When the National Weather Service initiates a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (winds 58+ mph, large hail, severe lightening and heavy rains), for an area that includes areas of Athens County.

2)     When there is an actual enemy or terrorist attack against the United States has been detected and is threatening areas of Athens County and protective action should be taken immediately.

3)     When a public safety emergency occurs the sirens will be used to alert the public of emergencies such as hazardous materials incidents and civil disturbances.

When the outdoor warning sirens are sounded for an emergency they will be activated for five minutes. When you hear the warning sirens you should do the following;

DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 to ask why the sirens are sounding as this can overload the 9-1-1 emergency response system.

Remember, outdoor warning sirens are just that, out-door warning. The sirens are meant to be heard outside to signal you to go indoors and tune your radio or television station to the local Emergency Alert System (EAS) Station. As homes continue to become more energy efficient and sound proofing enhanced, outdoor warning sirens that once could be heard decades ago inside of a home can no longer be heard. That’s why other means of warning are in place.

Go immediately to a safe area in your home or building, if high winds, severe thunder and lightning are present.

If you are outside away from possible shelter, lie flat on the ground away from trees until the storm passes. If in a vehicle, get out and find a more substantial structure.

Carry a battery operated radio or NOAA all hazard alert radio to your safe area. You will know when the storm or emergency has passed and when it is clear to leave your safe area.

The Athens County SIRENS DO NOT identify specific types of storms or emergencies, therefore you should immediately seek shelter and tune to local television or radio for further information.