NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008

 

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 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 James E. Harris, Jr. and Otto L. Nicely, Laura Howell, Administrator, Joanne Goerlitz, Acting Clerk and Julie Voll, Deputy Clerk. 

 

The Commissioners met in General Session and approved and signed various resolutions, contracts and documents.  The Commissioners also reviewed the calendar of events and discussed upcoming meetings.

 

Russ Herman, Defiance County Assistant Prosecutor, updated the Commissioners on various issues pending at the Prosecutor’s office.

 

Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, met with the Commissioners for his weekly update.   Warren updated the Commissioners on current road closings.  Warren noted that Stever Road will be opened on July 29th.  Stever Road, south of Evansport Road, was closed for Bridge Deck Replacement.  Warren submitted to the Board a Job Cost Accounting Report for the Defiance Williams County Line Road Project .35 miles east of Openlander Road.  Defiance County made concrete box beams on geosynthetic reinforced soil abutments.  Total Project cost was $73,941.38.

 

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 Clevenger reported on Agriculture Natural Resources Community Development.  Bruce noted that OSU provided weed control strategies for over 27 landowners with Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts.  CRP contracts pay landowners to convert cropland to various soil and wildlife conservation plantings.  Bruce also reported that the Master Gardeners continue community gardening and activities throughout Defiance County.  Activities include Defiance City Parks, Defiance Depot property, Sherwood Memorial Park, Hicksville Community Garden Plot Projects, Lilac Festival and plant sale.

 

Barb Rohrs reported on Family and Consumer Sciences.  Barb noted that five families completed homebuyers education classes.  The 8 hour program covers the steps involved in purchasing a home from getting finances in order, applying for a mortgage, closing and understanding responsibilities in owning a home.  The Family Nutrition Program presented 50 educational sessions with approximately 370 participants.  The Family Nutrition Programs and information is available at Defiance County Department of Job and Family Services, WIC, Senior Center sites, low income housing sites and food pantries.

 

Teresa Johnson reported on 4-H Development. Teresa noted that April was the enrollment period for Defiance and has 585 4-H members; 33 4-H Clubs; 104 Volunteers and 109 Cloverbuds.  Teresa also reported that Experiences That Count is a Juvenile Diversion Program and is offered to first time offenders ages 9-14.  The youth attend 8 meetings where they participate in educational activities to foster positive social and life skills.  There is also a weekly radio program on Defiance AM 1280 WONW 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.

The Commissioners traveled to Ottawa County to attend the Northwest Ohio Commissioners and Engineers Quarterly District Meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Release Approved:   ____________________________________________________  

                                                Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner