Commissioners, EMA director plan new direction
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer met with Jim Lyle of Highland County Homeland Security and Emergency Management during their Oct. 5 board meeting.
Lyle presented a proposal for appointments to the Highland County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and provided an update on the local EMA.
An EOC (Emergency Operations Center) seminar will be held Oct. 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. at 1487 N. High St., Hillsboro.
Commissioners asked Lyle about the funding and oversight of the EMA. According to Lyle, the state allows for the establishment of an EMA board in each county or the office can operate under the county commission.
The board, which has minimal local funding of 20 cents per capita (approximately $8,200 a year) has not held regularly scheduled meetings of late.
"Either the board has to meet (regularly) or we have to change," Wilkin said.
"Let's call a meeting, and get everyone together," Horst suggested. "I'd like to see it come back under the commissioners."
Lyle explained that on Homeland Security issues, he reports to the state of Ohio. On EMA, he reports to the EMA board.
"We need to get the structure right on the oversight," Shaffer said.
Lyle agreed and said he would report back to the commissioners to schedule a meeting with the current board members and commissioners.
Lyle then asked for a resolution for LEPC appointments.
Commissioners agreed to the re-appointments and new appointments to the Highland County Local Emergency Planning Committee as follows: returning members, James Lyle, Ronald Ward, Jeff Martin, Rory Ryan, Dean Otworth, Terry Britton, Bruce Frazer, Kyle Arn, Thomas Horst and Edward Puckett; and new members Bradley George and Kelli Christensen.
In other business:
• Commissioners read a proclamation in memory and honor of Gerald A. Newman at their Oct. 5 board meeting.
The proclamation recognizes "the life, service and accomplishments of Mr. Newman as a
person, family man and outstanding Mason and applauds the recognition being given to him by the Masonic Fraternity on Oct. 22.
Mr. Newman, a lifelong resident of Highland County, died on Aug. 21, 2010. He was a lifelong member of Belfast Methodist Church, a respected business employee and manager of Highland County Landmark and a beloved family man.
According to the proclamation, Mr. Newman was one of the most dedicated and involved
members of the Masonic Fraternity in the history of Highland County, having been a member of Highland Lodge No. 38 in Hillsboro; member, past high priest and secretary of Hillsboro Chapter No. 40 of the Royal Arch Masons; member and past illustrious master of Hillsboro Council No. 16; member and past commander of Highland No. 31 Knights Templar; member and Commander of the Red Cross of Constantine; and a member of the Ancient Accepted Members of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Cincinnati.
He received numerous Masonic awards and recognitions, including the Knight of York Cross of Honor and one of the most prestigious awards, the 33rd Degree of the Scottish Rite.
The Masonic bodies of Hillsboro will dedicate a plaque in memory of Newman at the Masonic Temple in Hillsboro on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.
Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss, Denver Conley and Ronald Cramblit attended the proclamation signing.
• Pat Moore, a deputy clerk for the Highland County Board of Commissioners, announced she was leaving the office to accept a position with the Help Me Grow program.
Commissioners and commission clerk Debbie Sansone thanked Moore for her service and congratulated her on her new job.
• Former Hillsboro resident Kathy (Wilson) Bruynis was announced as the county's new 4-H youth development education coordinator.[[In-content Ad]]
Lyle presented a proposal for appointments to the Highland County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and provided an update on the local EMA.
An EOC (Emergency Operations Center) seminar will be held Oct. 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. at 1487 N. High St., Hillsboro.
Commissioners asked Lyle about the funding and oversight of the EMA. According to Lyle, the state allows for the establishment of an EMA board in each county or the office can operate under the county commission.
The board, which has minimal local funding of 20 cents per capita (approximately $8,200 a year) has not held regularly scheduled meetings of late.
"Either the board has to meet (regularly) or we have to change," Wilkin said.
"Let's call a meeting, and get everyone together," Horst suggested. "I'd like to see it come back under the commissioners."
Lyle explained that on Homeland Security issues, he reports to the state of Ohio. On EMA, he reports to the EMA board.
"We need to get the structure right on the oversight," Shaffer said.
Lyle agreed and said he would report back to the commissioners to schedule a meeting with the current board members and commissioners.
Lyle then asked for a resolution for LEPC appointments.
Commissioners agreed to the re-appointments and new appointments to the Highland County Local Emergency Planning Committee as follows: returning members, James Lyle, Ronald Ward, Jeff Martin, Rory Ryan, Dean Otworth, Terry Britton, Bruce Frazer, Kyle Arn, Thomas Horst and Edward Puckett; and new members Bradley George and Kelli Christensen.
In other business:
• Commissioners read a proclamation in memory and honor of Gerald A. Newman at their Oct. 5 board meeting.
The proclamation recognizes "the life, service and accomplishments of Mr. Newman as a
person, family man and outstanding Mason and applauds the recognition being given to him by the Masonic Fraternity on Oct. 22.
Mr. Newman, a lifelong resident of Highland County, died on Aug. 21, 2010. He was a lifelong member of Belfast Methodist Church, a respected business employee and manager of Highland County Landmark and a beloved family man.
According to the proclamation, Mr. Newman was one of the most dedicated and involved
members of the Masonic Fraternity in the history of Highland County, having been a member of Highland Lodge No. 38 in Hillsboro; member, past high priest and secretary of Hillsboro Chapter No. 40 of the Royal Arch Masons; member and past illustrious master of Hillsboro Council No. 16; member and past commander of Highland No. 31 Knights Templar; member and Commander of the Red Cross of Constantine; and a member of the Ancient Accepted Members of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Cincinnati.
He received numerous Masonic awards and recognitions, including the Knight of York Cross of Honor and one of the most prestigious awards, the 33rd Degree of the Scottish Rite.
The Masonic bodies of Hillsboro will dedicate a plaque in memory of Newman at the Masonic Temple in Hillsboro on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.
Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss, Denver Conley and Ronald Cramblit attended the proclamation signing.
• Pat Moore, a deputy clerk for the Highland County Board of Commissioners, announced she was leaving the office to accept a position with the Help Me Grow program.
Commissioners and commission clerk Debbie Sansone thanked Moore for her service and congratulated her on her new job.
• Former Hillsboro resident Kathy (Wilson) Bruynis was announced as the county's new 4-H youth development education coordinator.[[In-content Ad]]