NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012

 

 

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 11, 2012 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512. Chairman Otto L. Nicely called the meeting to order.  Also present were Commissioner James E. Harris, Jr., Laura Howell, Administrator, Stephanie Metz Clerk, and Arica Smith, Deputy Clerk.

 

The Commissioners met in General Session and approved and signed various resolutions, contracts and documents.  The Commissioners also reviewed the calendar of events and discussed upcoming meetings.

 

The Commissioners are beginning to review the appointments that they make to the eighteen boards and commissions. They are also beginning to review the 51 Boards and Commissions that each Commissioner individually serves on.

 

In the next week or two, the Commissioners will be reviewing the projects completed in 2011 and 2012.

 

The Commissioners are starting to look at the 2013 budget. The Board is hopeful that the 2012 revenue will match the expenditures. There will be additional state budget cuts to the Local Government Fund in 2013.

 

C. Patrick Dille, Defiance County Manager, Ohio Department of Transportation, met with the Commissioners to introduce himself.

 

Laura Howell, Administrator, met with the Board to provide her weekly update with various department and project updates.

            Maintenance: Ron Cereghin reported that the Record Center restroom has been completed and the floor will be waxed on Friday. Weather permitting, Maintenance plans to clear the growth behind the Senior Center fence on Friday. Ron also reported that Maintenance crews plan to begin exterior window washing the rest of the week – Annex first then Courthouse.

            Senior Services: The Defiance County Senior Services recently had a nutrition services monitor visit. No findings were noted at the time of the visit. The letter from Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio, Inc. stated, “…I was very impressed with the friendliness of the staff, cleanliness of the kitchen, organized records, and the beautiful grounds. Defiance Senior Center truly is a beautiful, welcoming facility!” The Commissioners want to commend the Defiance County Senior Services staff for the outstanding work involved in achieving these good reviews.

            Neighborhood Stabilization Program: Demolition is complete at the Vine Street (Sherwood) and 8097 Independence (Jewell) sites. Demolition is anticipated next week at 1988 West Street in Evansport. Asbestos abatement should be completed next week at 1944 West Street in Evansport.

            2012 Household Hazardous Waste Day: In response to the need for households to dispose of potentially hazardous waste in a safe and convenient manner, Johns Manville,

 

LaFarge Corporation of Paulding, Environmental Recycling Group (ERG) of Bowling Green, Scrap Metal for Kids, the Defiance College Baseball Team, Joint Solid Waste Management District of Defiance, Fulton, Paulding and Williams Counties, and the Defiance County Environmental and Administrative Services are sponsoring a collection drive on Saturday October 13, 2012, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. You may bring your hazardous waste to the south parking lot of Johns Manville’s plant 8, 925 Carpenter Road, Defiance, OH. The HHW drive is for residents of the Four County Solid Waste District (Defiance, Paulding, Williams and Fulton Counties). No materials from businesses or government agencies will be accepted. If your business needs to dispose of hazardous waste materials, please call Ohio EPA at 419-373-3059. The following will be accepted, provided they are in original containers with manufacturer’s labels:

 


·         Paint

·         Thinners  

·         Turpentine

·         Lighter fluid

·         Polishes

·         Used Oil

·         Gasoline

·         Kerosene

·         Antifreeze

·         Fluorescent bulbs

·         Mercury/Mercury containing devices

·         Electronics

·         Computers/monitors/printers

·         TVs

·         Batteries

·         Scrap metal (limit of 50 lbs per vehicle)


 

 

Bruce Clevenger and Teresa Johnson, Defiance County OSU Extension, met with the Commissioners for a quarterly update.        

            Agriculture Natural Resources: During July, August and September, over 150 phone calls and/or personal visits were made to the county agriculture/natural resources educator. These calls were requesting information on crop production, pond management, insect-pest problems, and/or farm management. Master Gardeners and extension support staff assisted with an additional 26 calls and visitors.

            Family Nutrition Program: The Family Nutrition Program present 80 educational sessions with 371 participants attending. Topics included: Fit & Fab, Hydration Station, Don’t Drink Your Calories, and Build a Better Snack.

            4-H Youth Development: The junior fair had 740 exhibitors with 1,957 entries from youth representing both 4-H and FFA. 4-H Camp participation was at 137 total campers and 7 adult volunteers. 61% of campers received scholarships totaling $2,500.00. Over 563 youth 4-H members participated in one or more forms of formal evaluation in 2012. 221 youth with still (non-livestock) projects completed project interviews and evaluations. 351 youth completed one or more specie segments of the Livestock Skillathon Contest.

 

The Commissioners attended the Senior Services Informational Luncheon, which served as an educational component of a grant from The Promedica Foundation, at the Defiance Senior Center. Senior Services Director Tina Hiler presented the Defiance County Senior Services Nutrition Program to approximately 80 individuals. Attendees enjoyed a Senior Services lunch while hearing about the congregate meal, frozen meal, therapeutic meal, and hot home delivered meal programs. Also presented in detail were the Commodity Supplemental Food, Farmer’s Market and Volunteer programs. The Promedica Foundation also provided funding for two new ovens for the Defiance Senior Center as part of the grant. A tour was of the Senior Center was provided after the luncheon.

 

Release Approved:  ____________________________________________________  

                                                Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner