Snyder told he's ineligible to serve on Board of DD; Board later asks him to stay for executive session
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Highland County Press Staff Report
The Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities met in regular session Tuesday, June 28 at the Hills and Dales Training Center and just prior to the meeting, board member Sam Snyder was informed by Superintendent Chuck Biggert that he (Snyder) was ineligible to serve on the board.
As the board moved to go into executive session to discuss the employment of a public official, Snyder asked Board of DD Chairman Linda Allen if he could speak to the board.
"Today at 4:30 p.m., Chuck (Biggert) called and told me I was not eligible for the board," Snyder said. "He informed me that a board member must provide a written declaration of eligibility (per the Ohio Revised Code)."
Snyder was appointed in January by the Highland County Board of Commissioners and prior to his first board meeting, Snyder said he had had no notification of this paperwork.
"I was not aware of this in January," Snyder said. "I came in, turned it in to Sherry (Morrison), who put it in the file, I guess. I don't know why this hasn't been brought up before now."
"I think there needs to be a formal policy for any new board members on this," Snyder said.
Allen then asked newly appointed board member Karen Adams, who was sworn in on June 28 by Judge Kevin Greer: "Did you sign this document?"
"Yes," Adams replied. "Judge Greer provided it.
Allen then said, "I didn't fill it out when I was appointed."
Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst also were in attendance at the meeting.
Horst informed the board that Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins told the commissioners the "proper thing would be to re-appoint Sam to the board."
Biggert then said, "I didn't receive anything from the commissioners (prior to Snyder's appointment)."
"Chuck, why was this not brought to our attention; we heard about it 45 minutes before this meeting," Horst asked.
"Anneka said that we should move on," Biggert said. "There's nothing else to discuss, Tom."
Horst then asked, "Is it true that anyone who is asked by the board can stay for an executive session?"
Biggert responded, "We can call Anneka for an opinion on this."
Adams then asked Allen, "Is there any reason we could not invite Sam to stay in the executive session? I would prefer he go into executive session with us."
Biggert opposed having Snyder in the executive session, saying "He's not a board member."
Allen asked for the board's opinion, and it was agreed that Snyder, as well as legal counsel, who also are not members of the board, entered into the executive session at approximately 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Check back to www.highlandcountypress.com for further information.[[In-content Ad]]
The Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities met in regular session Tuesday, June 28 at the Hills and Dales Training Center and just prior to the meeting, board member Sam Snyder was informed by Superintendent Chuck Biggert that he (Snyder) was ineligible to serve on the board.
As the board moved to go into executive session to discuss the employment of a public official, Snyder asked Board of DD Chairman Linda Allen if he could speak to the board.
"Today at 4:30 p.m., Chuck (Biggert) called and told me I was not eligible for the board," Snyder said. "He informed me that a board member must provide a written declaration of eligibility (per the Ohio Revised Code)."
Snyder was appointed in January by the Highland County Board of Commissioners and prior to his first board meeting, Snyder said he had had no notification of this paperwork.
"I was not aware of this in January," Snyder said. "I came in, turned it in to Sherry (Morrison), who put it in the file, I guess. I don't know why this hasn't been brought up before now."
"I think there needs to be a formal policy for any new board members on this," Snyder said.
Allen then asked newly appointed board member Karen Adams, who was sworn in on June 28 by Judge Kevin Greer: "Did you sign this document?"
"Yes," Adams replied. "Judge Greer provided it.
Allen then said, "I didn't fill it out when I was appointed."
Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst also were in attendance at the meeting.
Horst informed the board that Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins told the commissioners the "proper thing would be to re-appoint Sam to the board."
Biggert then said, "I didn't receive anything from the commissioners (prior to Snyder's appointment)."
"Chuck, why was this not brought to our attention; we heard about it 45 minutes before this meeting," Horst asked.
"Anneka said that we should move on," Biggert said. "There's nothing else to discuss, Tom."
Horst then asked, "Is it true that anyone who is asked by the board can stay for an executive session?"
Biggert responded, "We can call Anneka for an opinion on this."
Adams then asked Allen, "Is there any reason we could not invite Sam to stay in the executive session? I would prefer he go into executive session with us."
Biggert opposed having Snyder in the executive session, saying "He's not a board member."
Allen asked for the board's opinion, and it was agreed that Snyder, as well as legal counsel, who also are not members of the board, entered into the executive session at approximately 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Check back to www.highlandcountypress.com for further information.[[In-content Ad]]