NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2007

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, January 11, 2007, at 8:30 a.m., in the Conference Room of the Defiance County Commissioners, 500 Court Street, Defiance, OH 43512. Commissioner Otto L. Nicely called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Thomas L. Kime, James E. Harris, Jr., Becky Wagner, County Administrator, and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

General Session – The Commissioners were presented with various resolutions and documents for approval. The Commissioners reviewed agenda items, discussed upcoming meetings, and reviewed and updated the calendar of events.

County Administrator Becky Wagner submitted her report to the Board. Becky reported that she is working with Ron Cereghin, Defiance County Maintenance Supervisor, and Jerry Overmier from Beilharz Architects, to draw up preliminary plans for a deck at the old hospital site. The Defiance County Soil and Water Department took the old hospital building down this week.

Becky also reported that some of the lights are not working properly out at the Defiance County East location. Ron Cereghin will correct the problem.

Becky also discussed the lighting at the Sheriff’s Department - 911 parking area. The Commissioners are going to look at installing additional lighting at that location.

Becky mentioned speaking with Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, regarding the signage his crew is working on for the canoe launch sites. Warren indicated the signs are ready and he is waiting for a reply from the city to install them.

Sheriff Dave Westrick and Lt. Chris Clawson came in to open bids for four new 2007 Sheriff Cruisers. The Sheriff received three bids from the following dealerships: Integrity Chrysler, Defiance, OH - $21,690 each, Mark Moats Ford-Mercury, Defiance, OH - $19,798 each and Statewide Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Van Wert, OH - $19,972 each. The Commissioners took the bids under advisement and upon further review, will award the bids at a later date.

The Commissioners met with Josh O’Hara, Shelter Director, Nancy Porter, Board President, and Elaine Ostrander, Board Treasurer from the Defiance County Humane Society to discuss their annual plan funding for 2007 along with various other matters.

The shelter serves Defiance and the surrounding counties. In 2006, the shelter cared for 2,600 homeless, unwanted and lost animals; almost half of them were placed in good homes. Josh also pointed out that the adoption program is going very well and mentioned the spay/ neuter program is working out well.

Josh also informed the Board that they sent a letter to the Defiance Area Foundation requesting financial assistance to repair the kennels. There are many repairs needed to the kennels such as new tubing and chain link fencing on the doors. Josh indicated it would be more cost effective to replace all of the fronts on the kennels rather than try to repair what is there on a continual basis.

The Commissioners were also informed of upcoming fundraisers scheduled to include the second Annual Antique Show, which will be held on April 10, 2007 along with the Annual Monte Carlo, which will be held on April 7, 2007, and the Annual Telephone fundraiser will be conducted in the fall.

News Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner