Walk celebrates 30 years of Gorusch Fitness Trail

ZANESVILLE -- On any given day, people of all ages can be seen getting fit by walking the Gorsuch Fitness Trail behind Genesis Hospital. Members of the community gathered Saturday to celebrate 30 years of the trail and to promote health and well being through physical activity.

The Genesis Lifestyle and Fitness Center conducted the Family Fitness Walk on Saturday at the trail and offered families and individuals a walk filled with activities and prizes. Zumba, raffles and a 50/50 drawing were available. Children's activities included a balloon toss, cornhole, face painting and a scavenger hunt along the path. Proceeds from the event will go toward repairs and maintenance of the trail.

"A lot of us utilize the trail to get exercise. This is a fun way to raise funds for future growth and maintenance. It's also a great way to get families out and about," said Brooke Smith, exercise physiologist with the Genesis Lifestyle and Fitness Center and co-chairwoman of the walk.

Smith explained the trail's soft, shock-absorbing surface is durable but occasionally needs repairs and resurfacing. She said the upkeep of the trail is vital to provide a safe, low-impact workout.

"Childhood obesity is on the rise and more people are overweight. These are reasons we want to promote the trail."

Planning for the Gorsuch Fitness Trail began in 1981 as a way to encourage community members to develop active lifestyles. Funding was provided through donations to the former Bethesda Hospital Foundation, now named the Genesis HealthCare Foundation, and area businessman Charles A. Gorsuch.

Kathy Hatfield, of Duncan Falls, came out to enjoy the event with her co-workers and family.

"It's been a great walk and a lot of fun," she said.

Her grandson, 5-year-old Nicholas Hatfield, of Cambridge, added that he had fun participating in the scavenger hunt.

"I found all of the letters on the hunt, and I got past the finish line first," Nicholas said, as he headed for the balloon toss.

Beth Chapman, director of the Genesis Lifestyle and Fitness Center, said the trail is well-maintained through donations to keep it in good repair for the public.

"This is a nice event showcasing a trail that is highly-utilized by the community. We are celebrating the trail and encouraging families to get out and get active," she said.

Smith agreed.

"You do not have to have a structured program. Just get out and get moving," Smith said.

County commissioner seat to be vacant for a few weeks | Zanesville ...

ZANESVILLE -- It will be a few weeks before the Muskingum County Republican Central Committee will choose a replacement for the vacant commissioner seat.

Seven applicants put forth their names for consideration for the seat Brian Hill vacated this past week. Hill was sworn in as the 94th Ohio House representative, replacing Troy Balderson.

Those who applied are Joseph Goldsmith, David E. Lewellen, Kevin Upton, J. Todd Sands, Ronald S. Fitz, Steve Strauss and Ernie Bruns.

Pat Hennessey, county chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, said interviews with the applicants will not be for a few weeks. The commissioner seat does not have to be filled until Sept. 5.

Goldsmith, 29, is a student at Ohio University majoring in business, communication and economics. Goldsmith works as a power lineman for Gilmore Brothers Inc., of Lancaster, and thinks a commissioner needs to be fiscally responsible and would like to help strengthen the infrastructure throughout the county.

"I'd like to see the Internet and cell phone service available throughout the county so we'd become more viable to big corporations," Goldsmith said. He said he would like to reduce property taxes in the county and generate more revenue by reaching out to bigger companies for jobs.

Lewellen, 50, spent 28 years working for Coca-Cola Co. and the past 17 years running the operation in Zanesville before being downsized. Not wanting to leave the area for another position, Lewellen said he thinks the community needs to continue to prosper and wants to establish consistent communications with the city government and work closely together with city officials.

Lewellen said he would work hard to continue to establish the hard work the Zanesville Muskingum County Port Authority has done and wants to attract jobs to the area.

Upton, 56, is the former owner of White Chevrolet Co. and thinks that with his strong business sense, he would be fiscally responsible with county money.

Upton said he is familiar with the concerns county residents have at this time and has worked closely with the commissioners through the County Projects Department.

Upton also said at this time he has "no other irons in the fire" and would be a "full-time commissioner."

Sands, 48, said he would bring his business experience to the position and wants to make a brighter future for county residents.

Sands, owner of JT Sands Corp., said the county has financial issues with tax revenues falling and money will have to be watched carefully.

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