NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2006

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Board of Defiance County Commissioners, 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512 on Monday, December 18, 2006. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Richard L. Cromwell, Otto L. Nicely, County Administrator Becky Wagner, Clerk Lyla Gurwell and Deputy Clerk Joanne Goerlitz.

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.

Greg Reinhart, Director of the Defiance County Wastewater Department came in for his monthly update with the Board. Greg did not note any significant problems or deficiencies in his department.

Defiance County Engineer Warren Schlatter came in for his weekly update. Warren mentioned a modification in his waste agreement. Any person wanting wood or dirt from a county project sight will need to sign an agreement, which grants permission for the Defiance County Engineer or any employees, agents, or independent contractor’s permission to enter upon their land to dispose of the requested material.

Signing the agreement releases Defiance County and their respective officers and employees from any present and future claims for property damage, personal injury or liability due to the receipt of any material.

Bruce Clevenger and Teresa Johnson with Ohio State University Extension Office came in for their end of the year report.

Bruce discussed several issues with the Board of Commissioners such as their new web site, which is www.defiance.osu.edu. Visitors are able to view newsletters and fact sheets as well as email questions to the extension office.

Bruce also discussed the Defiance County Farmers Market, which began June 1 following a spring vendors meeting and mentioned the guidelines for registration forms and a list of contractors can be found on their web site.

Bruce then discussed the results of a three-year study titled Gypsum as a Soil Amendment for Economic Crop Production. The results were presented at the 2006 American Society of Agronomy and the 2006 Ohio No-till Conference. Gypsum has positively affected several soil quality measures but has not show an economic benefit in this study.

Teresa discussed 4-H Camp Palmer participation. Teresa mentioned this year’s 4-H Camp had its highest participation with 180 campers. 67% of campers received a $50 scholarship to attend 4-H Camp. 4-H Camp Counselors increased 58% with 38 youth committing to the five-day four-night experience at 4-H Camp Palmer.

Teresa also discussed career education. 4-H students in the five County areas were offered a daylong career day camp. It is becoming more and more important for our youth to become equipped with the needed skills to not only survive, but to thrive in the workforce.

Commissioners met with Defiance County Elected Officials to discuss Courthouse Issues. Commissioners will consider elected officials comments and continue to study options to improve the safety issues at the Courthouse and continue to review options to find additional space for the departments.

Commissioners intend to meet again with the Elected Officials after they have had time to review their options and obtain cost estimates.

The Commissioners also attended a Planning Commission meeting at Defiance County East.

News Release Approved: __________________________________________________

Commissioner/ Chairman – Thomas L. Kime