DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2003

NEWS RELEASE

 

 

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Board, 500 Court Street, Defiance, Ohio  43512 on Monday, February 24, 2003.  The meeting was called to order by Thomas Kime, Chairman.  Present were Commissioners Thomas L. Kime, Otto L. Nicely and Richard L. Cromwell.  Also present were Becky Wagner, Operations Manager; Alison Grimes, Clerk and Joan Brown, Deputy Clerk.   

 

8:30 a.m.        Russ Herman, County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, met with the Board to review various documents pending his review and approval.  Mr. Herman is currently up-to-date on all documentation.

 

9:00 a.m.        General Session – First, Commissioners opened bids for a new 2003 County van.  Also attending the meeting was Wes Moats, Mark Moats Ford, Defiance and Dave Knipp, Beckman Chevrolet-Cadillac, Defiance.  The following bids were received:

 

Mark Moats Ford                              $24,980

Defiance, Ohio                                  $  8,980          with trade-in

 

            Ford Windstar SEL

 

            Beckman Chevrolet-Cadillac           $26,000

                                                                        $11,000          with trade-in

 

            Chevrolet Venture LT

 

The bids were accepted as presented and will be reviewed and awarded later this week.

 

Commissioners approved and signed various resolutions and documents, approved several travel requests, reviewed the agenda items and the calendar of events, discussed upcoming meetings and updated information for the calendar of events.

 

10:00 a.m.      Gaylon Davis, County Engineer, normally scheduled for this time period, was on vacation today and did not meet with the Commissioners.

 

10:30 a.m.      Due to human error, several county employees were not recognized for their years of service at the recently held County Employee Recognition Banquet.  They were asked to come in this morning to receive the congratulations of the Board and their certificate of appreciation.  The following received certificates for their years of service:

 

10 years         Ann Newberry, Clerk of Courts Office

Nancy Noffsinger, Auditor’s Office

 

15 years         Sharon Rathburn, Clerk of Courts Office

Linda Willitzer, Clerk of Courts Office

Marlene Goodwin, Auditor’s Office

 

11:00 a.m.      Family and Children First Council – Amy Murphy and Kathy Koch, Family and Children First Council Director and , met with the Board for an update of her department.  Also attending the meeting were Kim Moss, Health Department, Rick Edmonds and Barb Acomb, Good Samaritan and Susan Jackson, Job and Family Services.  Amy reviewed the various programs and the funding for each.  There was some discussion between Family and Children First Council and Job and Family Services in regard to receiving proper paperwork which is in the process of being resolved. 

 

Family and Children First Council is in the process of updating their by-laws and have instituted a monthly newsletter.  Radio spots are also being aired on WDFM, WONW and WZOM.  Amy noted that there was a 215% increase in activities when comparing January, 2002 to January 2003 data.      

 

1:30 p.m.        Economic Development – Jerry Hayes, Economic Development Director, met with the Board to present information regarding the SANC (Figley Stamping) Enterprise Zone Agreement.  SANC is located within the Defiance City School District.  $5,000 will be invested in real property improvements; $243,200 for new machinery and equipment and $160,000 for inventory, for a total of $408,200.  It will also create 4 new full-time jobs, resulting in approximately $83,000 in annual payroll.  SANC requested a tax abatement of 100% for 7 years.   The project will begin by February 28, 2003 and be completed by December 31, 2003.   Commissioners approved the agreement.                      

 

2:00 p.m.        Tourism Bureau – Karen Seigman and Kelly Worline, Tourism Bureau Director, met with the board to review upcoming Bicentennial events and information.  Deb Bloomfield, Deputy Clerk, resident bicentennial liaison, also attended the meeting.   They checked to see that various aspects of the bell casting event on June 14 and 15 were covered by either the Tourism Board or the County.  They also discussed options in case of inclement weather.  Activities will begin at noon on the 14th, culminating in the pouring of the bell around 5:00 p.m.  The bell ringing ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the 15th.    

 

The Ohio Chautauqua, scheduled for five days beginning July 16, 2003, is a traveling tent show that presents history in the form of first person historical characterizations.  A different characterization will be presented every day.  It is scheduled to be held at Pontiac Park.  After discussion, the Commissioners will help support the Tourism Bureau with various events, specifically the Chautauqua event.  The Tourism Bureau also noted that they would appreciate any monetary donations, volunteers or assistance for any of the Bicentennial events.

 

 

 

Today’s meeting adjourned at 3:28 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved for news release: _____________________________

                                                            Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner