HARVEYSBURG — Patti Compton's post office is narrow and filled with folk art of Uncle Sam and the U.S. flag.

Patty Compton, Harveysburg postmaster. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        “You do a good job,” a young female customer said. “This place is like home. How long have you been here?”

        “Oh, it's been a year now,” Ms. Compton said. “It took me a number of years to get my own post office. I just really love this town.”

        She particularly enjoys Harveysburg's environment — on Caesar Creek Lake in northern Warren County — and dedicated people who haven't given up on their weathered town.

        Since the village encountered hard times some months ago, people have volunteered to serve on government boards and lent moral support. They say Harveysburg, a town challenged by the future, will survive.

        “The town has had a few problems,” Ms. Compton said. “It's hard to keep public officials because people work and have so little free time these days. But I think Harveysburg has received a boost and is coming around.”

        Problems? A few:

        • Former village administrator Kimble Grant, who left the job in January 2000, is to stand trial in May on felony charges of theft in office. He is accused of spending $7,821 of the village's money on himself, mostly through charges on village credit cards.

        When your annual village budget is about $100,000, $7,821 is a lot of money.

        • Last December, the state auditor's office declared the village — popula tion 563 — under fiscal watch.

        • Harveysburg also has suffered much turnover in officials. Late last year, the village was working on its third mayor in six months, and its second clerk. The seven-member council had two new faces and one empty seat.

        • Also last year, a dispute arose when the village owed the county about $62,000 in water reserve money stemming from a deal in which the county agreed to take over the village's $186,000 water debt.

        The turmoil led former Council man Rick Duvelius to say it may be time for the village to dissolve and become a part of surrounding Massie Township.

        Slowly, however, things are improving, said Clerk Jennifer Himes. “I think we're doing better,” she said. “We're lucky to have a good police department.”

        Police Capt. Charles Floyd, a 15-year veteran of the force, said: “In the last six months, the town has advanced 10 years.”

        For one thing, people talk more about the community. John Heisler, a lieutenant with the department, has even started a Harveysburg Web site (www.harveysburg.com).

        In addition, Lt. Heisler recently obtained a $12,500 grant to obtain a thermal imager, used in night surveillance, and a $12,000 grant for traffic enforcement.

        “We could use it because we've got everybody coming through here,” Police Chief Harold Adkins said. “We're between Caesar Creek Lake and the Ohio Renaissance Festival, so we catch both sides of it. We'd qualify as a bedroom community. The right people could come in here and develop things.”

        Harveysburg is not used to such talk. For decades it has been lucky to exist. The town seemed a relic of the 19th century, a reminder of the days when small towns ruled the nation.

        “After (World War II), it seemed like big businesses started taking over and the malls eventually came in and things started falling apart as far as villages were concerned,” said Lucy McCarren, a local historian. “In 1948, we had a bank, feed mill, clothing store, bookstore, supply store, a couple of restaurants — a lot was going on. But eventually the malls and supermarkets drove the small businesses out. ... I think you would find this was true in most small communities.”

        Today, visitors to Main Street find Massie High School, built in 1936. Its windows are boarded. An attached section is used as the Village Hall. Inside one room, the 13-member police department (all but six are volunteers) uses old student lockers to store uniforms.

        “This year was the first time that the village has had a carryover — $20,000,” said Mr. Adkins, chief since 1985. “That's outstanding for a small town. We're in good shape now. We have a mayor who cares. We have responsible people in charge.”

        He added: “I've been through quite a few mayors. I'm not sure I could count them all.”

        At Ms. Compton's post office, a sense of community can be appreciated. People talk.

        She is most enthused about the addition of some new homes. “A new resident came in here the other day,” she said. “I told her that she's come to the right place. Around here we've got a lake, a flea market, a Renaissance Festival and big cities not far away.

        “We're small but still on the map — and we hope to stay there.”

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