Commissioners proclaim Domestic Violence Awareness Month
By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press
The Highland County Board of Commissioners proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Highland County during their Sept. 30 board meeting.
Commissioners Tom Horst and Jeff Duncan presented the proclamation to Alternatives to Violence Center Director Julie Brassel, her staff and board members.
Commission President Shane Wilkin was not in attendance. He was attending an economic development forum in Gahanna.
According to the proclamation, "Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time for all communities to learn about domestic violence and promote laws, policies and programs to improve services to victims; hold offenders accountable; and do their part to help prevent domestic violence within their communities. It is vital that communities raise awareness of domestic violence and also reflect on the cost of this crime to society."
The Alternatives to Violence Center has several events planned to commemorate and observe National Domestic Violence Month, beginning with a ladders display from Oct. 1-9 where local businesses are encouraged to decorate their storefront or lobbies with the ladders campaign theme.
Purple is the national color for domestic violence, and the center encourages purple decorations on the ladder, such as flowers or balloons.
In addition, the center is hosting its fifth annual Trivia Night fundraiser 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at the Hillsboro Elks.
The Alternatives to Violence Center assists approximately 2,000 area residents each year, with services such as temporary shelter, 24-hour crisis line coverage, court/medical advocacy, support groups, individual sessions and safety planning.
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Commissioners state
opinions on ballot issues
Commissioners passed three resolutions on Ohio Issues 1, 2 and 3 that will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The board followed an earlier announcement by the County Commissioners Association of Ohio’s Board of Directors and endorsed:
• State Issue 1 – which would change how the state draws its legislative districts. The amendment would end the partisan process for drawing Ohio House and Senate districts and create a bipartisan redistricting commission.
• State Issue 2 – an amendment proposed by the Ohio General Assembly that will prohibit the establishment of economic monopolies.
Commissioners voted in opposition to State Issue 3 – which would legalize both the growth and sale of recreational and medical marijuana in Ohio while granting exclusive market grants to 10 investment groups.
"Coming from a law enforcement background, I see marijuana as a 'gateway' drug," said Commissioner Horst, who previously served as sheriff of Highland County. "(Drug users) have gone from marijuana, to crack cocaine, to meth to heroin. I see some of the same people in court today that I picked up for pot in the 1990s."
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JFS updates
Commissioners have received approximately a dozen applications for the new assistant director's position at the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services. Interviews will begin next week.
Commissioners also announced a proclamation to be presented to Susan Roades, Highland County Department of Job and Family Services Social Service supervisor.
She is retiring with 30 years of service to the community in adult protective services with JFS. The board thanked her for her service to the community.
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Resolutions
Commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 2-0 vote:
• A request from Probation for additional appropriation from unappropriated funds to Probation Budget, Advances Out, in the amount of $7,000 and an advance from Probation Budget, Advances Out to Jail Diversion in the amount of $7,000.
• A request from the Engineer for a modification of funds within the Engineer Budget in the amount of $50,000.
• A request from the Sheriff for additional appropriation from unappropriated funds to the Sheriff Budget, Employee Salaries in the amount of $7,369.87.
• A resolution to support Issue 1.
• A resolution to support Issue 2.
• A resolution to oppose Issue 3.
• A resolution for additional appropriation from unappropriated funds to Dog & Kennel in the amount of $7,000 and an advance from Dog & Kennel, Advances Out to Spay and Neuter, Other Expense in the amount of $2,000.
• A resolution for additional appropriation from unappropriated funds to Rolling Acres, Sewer, Contracts-Services in the amount of $5,000.
• A resolution for modifications within the County Maintenance and Operations Budget in the amount of $16,000.
• A resolution for modifications within the County Budget in the amount of $5,000.
• A resolution for modifications within the County Budget in the amount of $26,000.