NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2012 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 Commissioner James E. Harris, Jr., Laura Howell, Administrator, Stephanie Metz, Clerk, and Arica Smith, 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.

The Defiance County Commissioners will hold a viewing and public hearing on a request filed by Mark Township Trustees for the vacation a portion of High Street beginning at the East entrance of Main Street (Farmer Mark Road) running east, and Kyle Street from the South entrance starting at the East end of High Street running north, located in the Blocks of 12 and 17 in the unincorporated Village of Mark Center in Mark Township, Defiance County, Ohio. Said roadway will be viewed by the Board of Defiance County Commissioners on Monday, October 8, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. A Public Hearing will be held Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at the Defiance County Commissioners’ Office, 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512.

Laura Howell, Administrator, met with the Board to provide her weekly update with various department and project updates. Laura provided the following department update:

Job and Family Services: Corey Walker, JFS Director, provided a report detailing Food Assistance dollars (Food Stamps) distributed in Defiance County for the months of July and August, 2012: July total: $642,032.00 - 5,390 individuals received assistance; August total: $636,762.00 - 5,366 individuals received assistance.

Laura informed the Commissioners that 13 Purple Heart County Road signs were installed throughout the County.

Laura provided an update for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The contractor for the Vine Street project in Sherwood, Ohio was given permission to commence with demolition. The project at 8097 Independence in Jewell, Ohio should start and finish demolition this week. The project at 1988 West Street in Evansport, Ohio should be done with demolition within the next two weeks. The project at 1944 West Street in Evansport, Ohio was approved for asbestos abatement. The project at 21791 Parkview Drive in Defiance, Ohio is waiting on paperwork before demolition can begin.

Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden met with the Commissioners for an update. Randy reported investigating 134 calls during the month of August that resulted in 32 dogs taken to the shelter, 28 warnings issued and 19 citations written. There was 3,806 miles driven and $763.00 received in Municipal Court fines. Year to date collected for dog tag sales is $98,168.10, which is a decrease of $266.00 from 2011. Randy informed the Commissioners that the Auditor plans on pulling current dog tags out of the local pet stores (Pet Supplies Plus and Town and Country Pets) on October 1^st to prepare for the new dog tags that will go on sale December 1^st.

Tina Hiler, Defiance County Senior Services Director met with the Commissioners for an update. Tina reported that they had approximately325 people in attendance at the Defiance County Fair. Tina thanked Defiance Eagles, Defiance Mercy Clinic and Domino’s Pizza for their sponsorships during the Fair. Tina informed the Commissioners that the parking lot is complete. She also informed them of the Rib Fest which is to be held on September 29th from 1 pm to 11 pm in downtown Defiance. The Senior Services will be the sole provider of pop and water for the event. Tina would like to thank Thivent for Lutherans and Coca-Cola for their sponsorships for the event.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner