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Commissioners Corner
Parade and festival season begins
May has been a very interesting month. It started out a lot like
April, wet and cool, and now it is warm and humid, and setting up for
bad weather. The good news is the farmers have had a chance to
get the planting done, and it is finally feeling like summer.
Summer always makes people feel better, and with the sunshine and
warmth, it is a good time to complete those projects we thought about
last winter.
Here in the Commissioner’s Office, we have had a flurry of
activity. This month we have had the first and second hearings of
the C.D.B.G. (Community Development Block Grant). This year, we
have even less money to disperse, ($104,000) than last year, and we can
only go up to 4 projects. We are in the process of deciding where
the money will do the most good. This is always a very hard
decision, as the needs of the communities are all valid. It is
pretty obvious that this program will get less and less each
year. Along those lines, we are in the process of doing mid-year
budget hearings with all of the department heads. Right now, we
are still holding the line on budgets. It is hard to decide on
budgets at this time, as things can change before the end of the
year. So far, things look good for the county but we prefer
to take a cautious wait and see attitude. We will know a lot more
by November. Our Department Heads are all doing a great job in
holding down costs, and at the same time not losing efficiency.
If you meet a person who works in the Courthouse, thank them for a job
well done.
We also have several big projects that we continue to work on, and we
hope to have some news on them in a short period of time. One
other project is the re-lining of the plumbing at the Sheriff’s
Department. We are in the process of asking for quotes on the project,
and by this time next month, it is possible this process could be
completed. This needs to be done, as the plumbing has been a
problem for years, and is hindering the work at the County Jail.
As you travel into downtown Greenville, if you look at the Courthouse
and the Commissioner’s Office, you will notice new signs in front of
both buildings. There is also a new sign in front of the Law
Library. These signs, indicating not only what they are, but when
they were built, should help people to find what they are looking
for. You would be surprised at how many people stop in and ask
where these buildings are, or are they in the right place. The
signs are made of recycled material, and were put in by Coletown
Signs. The signs also indicate where the Building Regulations and
the Zoning Offices are located, in the basement of the Administration
Bldg./Commissioners Office. Thanks to our Solid Waste Department
for providing the funding for these signs. New signage is just
one of the many upgrade projects we have planned for our county
buildings this year and in the future. We realize the importance
of maintaining buildings that you, the people, have provided for us,
and we will take the utmost care with them so they remain functional
for a good, long time.
This month starts the parade and festival season in Darke County.
The Arcanum Old Fashioned Days Parade was attended by the
Commissioners, and we thank the people of Arcanum for their
hospitality. Next month things get into full swing with Poultry
Days. Also in June is the OALPRP (Ohio Association of Litter
Prevention and Recycling Professionals; that’s a mouthful!!), Summer
Conference to be held in Greenville. This conference will bring
in people from all over the State for 3 days, June 19th thru the 21st,
for tours, meetings and discussions on solid waste management.
Congratulations to Krista Fourman, the Darke County Solid Waste
Director, for securing this event for Darke County. May is also
the month of Memorial Day, which is Monday the 27th. There are
several services in the county to honor those who are no longer with
us. Please take time to commemorate those who have passed
on.
On the economic front, Darke County continues to hum along very nicely.
According to Marc Saluk, our Economic Development Director, some
counties are experiencing a slow- down in activity, but Darke County
still is in full go mode. Our Workforce Development program is
coming together very well, the Manufacturing Readiness class is looking
at expansion to include high school seniors, and our companies have a
lot of projects in the works. On May, 21st, the Partnering for
Progress Group held a “Meet and Greet” for the new plant managers in
Darke County at the Bistro in Greenville. Four of the
managers attended, Billy Bryant from F.P.E. in New Madison, Rocky
Harrison of Continental Carbonic, Gene Dura of Fram, and Ken Hossler of
Whirlpool. These four gentlemen employ about 1500 people in
Darke County, and their commitment to our county is very much
appreciated. One thing will be clear when you meet these men, not
only do they have a great desire to move their companies forward; they
really are true gentlemen in every sense of the word. Thanks to
Marc Saluk, Melanie Nealeigh, and Commissioner Delaplane for arranging
this get together that approximately 100 people attended. Also,
we would be remiss if we did not say a big “Thank You” to Ted Abney at
the Bistro for hosting this event. With leaders of this caliber
running our companies, Darke County should remain in the forefront of
economic development for a long while.
The summer season is in full swing, and as you can see, a lot of good
things are happening in Darke County. Do you have any suggestions
to make things better? If you do, why not attend a Commissioners
meeting? We meet every Monday and Wednesday publicly at 1:30 in
the Commissioner’s Office located at 520 S. Broadway in Greenville,
just south of the Courthouse. Hope to see you there!!
The Darke County Commissioners
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