Commissioners sign proclamations, welcome Scouts

With two members of Hillsboro Boy Scout Troop 171 in attendance, the Highland County Board of Commissioners held its regularly scheduled April 3 board meeting with all members present.

Commissioners began the meeting by proclaiming April 2013 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Highland County and urged all citizens to support the efforts of the Alternatives to Violence Center to raise awareness of sexual assault in the county.

Commissioners Jeremy Shaffer, Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst welcomed Alternatives to Violence Center Director Julie Brassel, Dara Gullette, Amy Bunting and Monica Bales for the proclamation signing and presentation.

The proclamation helps to raise public awareness about sexual violence, support victims and encourage survivors to seek public services.

For more information on services that AVC provides, contact the Hillsboro office at (937) 393-8118.

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Child Abuse Prevention Month proclaimed

Commissioners also proclaimed April 2013 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and presented a proclamation to Debbie Robbins, executive director of Highland County Job and Family Services and Children Services.

Attending the presentation were Debbie Robbins, Rhonda McAdams, Carrie Turner, Melissa Anderson, Ashley McKee, Samantha Grooms, Larry McGuire and Katie Ross.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and a time to increase community awareness for child abuse prevention, while highlighting the successes of families, children and community professionals.

During 2012, there were 233 reported cases of child abuse in Highland County, Robbins told commissioners. Pinwheels, arranged in the shape of a heart, have been placed outside the agency's office on North High Street in support of each victim.

"Pinwheels for Prevention: Pause for a Child" is a statewide campaign organized by the Ohio Children's Trust Fund to promote awareness and prevention of child abuse.

In previous years, the pinwheels have been displayed on the Highland County Courthouse lawn.

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In other business, Commissioner Tom Horst updated the board on the renovation project for the Highland County Administration Building elevator.

"Tim Hamilton and Randy Gilbert were in looking at the elevator fire alarm system," Horst said. "They will probably have a price for this next week."

Horst said that state regulations mandate that the building's elevator cannot be upgraded until after the fire alarm system is installed.

He said the county's initial estimate for the project was $60,000, but that will increase.

"The elevator was down twice last week," Horst said. "It is definitely in need of repairs."

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Commissioner Shane Wilkin updated the board on the county's current electricity provider.

"Our current energy representative (from Muirfield Energy) called yesterday and provided pricing to extend our contract," Wilkin said.

"He gave us a proposal for 12 months and 24 months, and could extend it to 36 months."

No action was taken on the proposal.

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Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer met with the Ohio Townships Association last week.

Shaffer said a primary topic of discussion was the state's new two-year budget as proposed by Gov. John Kasich.

"We're going to get some hard numbers in the next few weeks to share with the public," Shaffer said.

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Prior to adjourning, commissioners recognized Jayce and Reagan Cadwallader from Hillsboro Boy Scout Troop 171.

The Scouts were in attendance as part of their Troop requirements.

Both young men are working to become Eagle Scouts.