NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2007

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, April 30, 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 and James Harris, 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, reviewed and updated the calendar of events.

Warren Schlatter, County Engineer, met with the Board. Warren informed the Board that the Engineer's office will be auctioning a large rubber tired excavator via the Internet with GovDeals. Information on this item can be found on www.govdeals.com.

The Commissioners awarded the 2007 Bridge Materials-Beams Bid to Fort Defiance Construction & Supply, Inc. in the amount of $35,000.00 for Huber Road W. of Cicero Road and to R.G. Zachrich Construction, Inc. in the amount of $123,788.00 for Bostater Road W. of Mulligans Bluff Road.

Bruce Clevenger, Barb Rohrs, and Teresa Johnson from the Ohio State University Extension Office updated the Commissioners on several programs offered through OSU Extension.

Bruce noted that 84 area farmers recertified their Private Pesticide Applicators License by attending a local training session. Over 170 farmers are licensed in Defiance County and must obtain 3 hours of recertification every three years. Bruce also mentioned that 212 area farmers participated in Corn/Soybean Day held at Founder's Hall at Sauder Village. Farmers were updated on renewable fuels, insect and weed management, soil fertility and pesticides, and health issues.

Bruce informed the Commissioners that a weekly radio program on Defiance AM 1280 WONW is every Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. The radio personality interviews the Extension Educator regarding current crop and livestock conditions and additional topics about agriculture and natural resources in Defiance County.

The 2007 class of nine Master Gardeners started March 1st and will be finishing their 50 hours of horticulture training May 3rd. Master Gardeners volunteer 50 hours of community service by assisting in community gardening projects and staffing a horticultural hotline. After completing the volunteer hours the class will be certified in December.

Barb reported that 11 parents attended and completed a parent enrichment program. The program covers Ages and Stages of Development, Preventing Problems, Goals of Misbehavior and Encouraging Positive Behavior. Certificates are awarded to families who complete the program. There is also a family enrichment program (H.O.P.E.) that is offered to families interested in strengthening their family or experiencing problems that need to be addressed.

Barb also reported that Defiance Extension received a grant from the Ohio Department of Health to provide "Dining with Diabetes" to help people newly diagnosed with diabetes control their blood sugar levels to avoid damage to organs. 32 people attended the program.

Teresa reported that 68 4-H Advisors and 139 4-H youth received training regarding their specific role as an advisor or 4-H club office. Also reported that 4-H was promoted by the annual Mall Show at the Northtowne Mall in Defiance. Ten 4-H Clubs were represented by their members and over seventy 4-H projects were on display. An after school program was started with the YMCA Childcare program. 4-H Camp counselors are teaching line dancing to 40 youth in grades K-6.

Teresa mentioned that a weekly radio program on Defiance AM 1280 WONW is every Friday at 7:45 a.m. The radio personality interviews the Extension Educator regarding current 4-H and youth development topics in Defiance County.

Information and programs offered through the Ohio State University Extension Defiance County can be found on their website at www.defiance.osu.edu.

The Commissioners traveled to Paulding County to attend the Four County Joint Solid Waste District meeting.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner