NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2008

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 17, 2008 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Otto L. Nicely and James E. Harris, Jr., Laura Howell, County Administrator, Cara Brown, Clerk, and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

Jerry Hayes, Economic Development Director, met with the Commissioners to discuss Job Ready Sites in Defiance County. Jerry advised that in the fall there will be $48.5 million dollars awarded to Job Ready sites in Ohio. Jerry requested permission to begin the pre-application process and begin meeting with civil engineering firms to narrow the Job Ready Sites down to just a couple. The Commissioners gave Jerry permission to move forward with the process.

Laura Howell, Administrator, gave her weekly update to the Board of Commissioners. Laura advised that there is a water tank set up out at the Animal Shelter to help with their water issues. Also, Judge Ruyle requested permission to install a new countertop in the law information room at the Records Center. The Board agreed to allow Judge Ruyle to have the new countertop installed.

Laura also advised that she and Rhonda Casler, Records Archivist, traveled to Williams County Records Center to meet with Linda Scott about their digital imagining. Laura provided the Commissioners with information on the implementation and use of the digital imaging equipment and costs associated with the service.

Lorraine Andrews and Herb Delventhal, NW Ohio River Council, met with the Commissioners to discuss canoe launch sites in Defiance County. Lorraine stated she would like to see more in the area. The Commissioners advised her that the plan is to eventually put more in, but finding appropriate sites has hindered the process of putting in new sites. The Commissioners asked Herb to look at the Maumee River and make a recommendation to the Board on where he thinks new launch sites should be placed.

Tina Mohring, Family and Children First Coordinator, met with the Commissioners to provide an update. Tina advised that the first round of Way to Go Kids has been concluded and there was very positive feedback. There will be a second session this Spring and a follow-up focus group with the kids and parents from the first round.

Tina advised that Family and Children First has partnered with Chief Supermarket to highlight a healthy, kid-friendly recipe each month. A table will be set up at Chief’s with a recipe and all the ingredients right there together. Also, there will be billboards going up around the county for the next few months encouraging kids to eat healthy and be more active.

There will be no session on Monday, January 21, 2008 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner