UPDATED: Vote now for Greenfield Products

Three products manufactured locally by Greenfield Products have been selected for round one of Walmart’s “Get on the Shelf” competition, it was announced during the Wednesday, Aug. 14 meeting of the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

In a letter from Ann Gessner Pence, president of Greenfield Products, Inc., it was explained that in order to move forward, the Walmart judges will use vote totals as an indicator of public support, to help give them an idea of a product’s commercial viability.

“We know it’s a lot to ask of our friends when life is so busy, but we would greatly appreciate your votes and any ideas that you might have to help us spread the word,” Pence said.

Voting runs from now through Sept. 2.

To vote for these local products, visit the pages below and click the “Vote” button.

• Sky Winch is posted at https://getontheshelf.walmart.com/product/1aec/Sky-Winch;

• Stretch N Slide is posted at https://getontheshelf.walmart.com/product/1af2/Stretch-N-Slide;

• Anchor Buddy is posted at https://getontheshelf.walmart.com/product/1af6/Anchor-Buddy.

Highland County Commission President Shane Wilkin encouraged citizens to vote for these local products.

“This could lead to more local product and maybe more local workers,” Wilkin said.

• In other business, Grow! Highland County representative Betty Bishop met with Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer. Bishop was available to answer funding questions in a followup session to the Aug. 7 commissioners’ meeting, during which Grow! Highland County made a $10,000 contribution request from the county budget.

“As far as Grow! Highland County, my thoughts are: No. 1, as we talk about economic development, the face of development is changing,” Wilkin said.

Referencing JobsOhio (the private, nonprofit organization that promotes job creation and economic development for Ohio), Wilkin said, “I like a lot of things about it. There are some concerns about oversight. I understand that as well.

“With Katy Farber as our APEG (Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth)representative, I know a lot of companies are going straight to the state of Ohio on the bigger end. On the smaller end, there is a need, too.

I’d like to talk a little more on the job creation associated with Grow! Highland County. For me to support it (funding), there would have to be some parameters with information coming to this office. I understand confidentiality, but I would like to see some monthly reporting.”

Shaffer added, “We know the program works, and there’s a lot of privacy for the users. If we fund it, will that privacy be compromised? Also, if we fund it, could there be more outreach to the community? Accountability is always a concern.”

“I understand your concerns,” Bishop said. “There’s a time when everything has to be confidential. I hope the public understands that. We’re very appreciative that you take the time to hear this request. We’re willing to be as open as we can. We’re trying to work to where Highland County is supporting this.”

Bishop said Grow! Highland County is also meeting with local businesses for monetary support.

“On funding, we’ve got two things going on,” Horst said. “Our contributions to the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, for years, was free space at the Hi-TEC Center. We had discussed helping to supplement their rent. I don’t believe, with our monies now, we can do both. I’d like to find out if there’s thinking down the line of actually making this program funded by the end users.”

“That’s a concept,” Bishop said. “Hopefully, that can happen.”

Bishop referenced two local businesses that have said if not for Grow! Highland County, they wouldn’t be here.

“We’re trying to tie local people into working together,” she said.

“I’d like to know an end date for when you’d need this funding,” Horst said.

“We’d like a three-year commitment ($30,000),” Bishop said.

“Starting in 2014?” Horst asked.

“Yes,” Bishop said.

According to Wilkin, “There are still some things we’d like to consider. We’re not ready to make a commitment today, plus we have other county agencies coming to us for funds.”

“We understand this,” Bishop said.

Shaffer then asked Bishop if Grow! Highland County would consider a lesser amount than the $10,000 annually for three years.

“Yes, anything you can do,” Bishop replied. “The Chamber of Commerce is as important as we are. All these other agencies are equally important. We understand that.”

Wilkin closed that portion of the meeting by saying commissioners would get additional questions together and “see what we can figure out.” Bishop replied that she would get the answers they need and thanked commissioners for their assistance.

• Commissioners discussed a proposed salary increase for the director’s position at Help Me Grow.

Wilkin explained that the local Help Me Grow program now serves Adams, Brown, Clinton and Highland counties. Director Heather Gibson is seeking an adjustment in her salary, Wilkin said.

“I think it’s a little excessive, myself,” Horst said. “I know there are added responsibilities, but as a percentage increase, it’s a little high.”

The director’s request was approximately a 17-percent increase to $52,000 annually.

“I think we need to consider it (some increase),” Shaffer said.

“I agree,” Wilkin said.

“I would not be in favor of this as presented,” Horst said.

Commissioners agreed to look at area salaries for a comparable position. No action was taken on the request.

• Commissioners received an estimate of $66,500 from The Durable Slate Company for repairs at the Highland County Courthouse.

Wilkin reported that he has been in discussions with Judges Rocky Coss and Kevin Greer and Clerk of Courts Ike Hodson about using money from the court’s special projects fund.

“My thought is to put this in a specific line item just for the courthouse,” Wilkin said.

• Shaffer reported that specifications for a new commercial-grade mower for the county have been put together with various options. Horst suggested that before starting to gather estimates that the county check with CORSA (County Risk Sharing Authority) regarding possible mandates for the rollover protection feature.

• Kim O’Madden of a local Down Syndrome support group met with commissioners for a proclamation in support of Highland County Picnic Day Saturday, Aug. 24 from 4-8 p.m. at Rocky Fork Lake State Park’s South Beach.

O’Madden shared with commissioners, “When I came home from the hospital with a child with Down Syndrome, I was lost. There needs to be more awareness in Highland County.”

O’Madden became involved with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati and a regional support group, the BACH (Brown, Adams, Clinton, Highland) Group in an effort to provide more awareness and support for families.

The Aug. 24 event will serve as an opportunity for not only families affected by Down Syndrome, but all families to connect and talk about their respective “trials and tribulations,” O’Madden said.

The event will include food, games, swimming, fishing, music by One-Piece Band. Volunteers will be on hand for those needing assistance. The event is free.

O’Madden thanked all the area businesses and individuals who have contributed to the event. For more information about the Down Syndrome Association, go to www.dsagc.com.

• Bid packets for the Annex Building sale will be available Aug. 21 at the commissioners’ office.

• Commissioners entered into an executive session for personnel matters prior to adjourning.