Commissioners proclaim Red Ribbon Week; delay action on new HCSO patrol vehicles
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeff Duncan continued a years-long tradition and proclaimed the week of Oct. 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week in Highland County during their Wednesday, Oct. 12 board meeting.
(Prior to the start of the meeting, commissioners and those in attendance observed a moment of silence in respect for the family of former Lynchburg-Clay teacher and Eastern Brown school board member Vernon Creighton. "Mr. Creighton was a very good teacher and a fine gentleman," Wilkin said, noting that he had had Mr. Creighton as a history instructor in junior high school at Lynchburg-Clay. "Our condolences go out to his family.")
Accepting this week's Red Ribbon Week proclamation were: Hannah Allard, Joe Adray and Roger Cheesbro of FRS Counseling; Kevy Jones and Marilyn Butler of Fairfield Local Schools; Melinda Sheets of Paint Valley ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services); Heather Gibson of the Highland County Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition; and Sarah Cooper and Tori Priest of the Highland County Health Department.
Congress established Red Ribbon Week in 1988. Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs, and encourages parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles. Red Ribbon Week encourages the entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles.
Allard explained the various activities planned at local schools during Red Ribbon week. She said this year's theme is "YOLO:" You Only Live Once – So Make Good Choices.
For more about the Red Ribbon Week campaign, go to http://redribbon.org.
* * *
• In other action, Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera met with commissioners and presented estimates on two new patrol vehicles, a Ford Expedition Interceptor for $31,000 from Lebanon Ford and a Dodge Truck from Key Chrysler for $30,275.
Barrera explained that the HCSO patrol vehicles had more than 450,000 total miles in 2015, and he expects that to increase for 2016.
"We'll have to look at it," Wilkin said. "I'm sure you're aware of the potential cuts we're looking at. We try to keep up on vehicles; but where we sit right now, we'll have to wait. Department budgets were due last Friday. If we end up in the range of $2 million down, I'll venture to say that patrol cars will be very difficult."
"I know where he's at. I've been there myself (as a former sheriff)," Horst said. "A lot comes down to the Children Services levy. That will have a big effect."
Horst encouraged voters to support the additional levy for Children Services on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Horst also thanked Commissioner Jeff Duncan for saving the county "big bucks" by picking up the new tables for the Hi-TEC Center in Clermont County.
* * *
Bid openings
Commissioners received the following bids for the Hobart/Carl Smith Drive sidewalk project:
Dance Excavating – $269,378.
Fillmore Construction – $258,894.40.
Foill Inc. – $454,000.
Belgray – $277,322.
* * *
Resolution
Commissioners passed by a 3-0 vote a resolution requested by Job and Family Services for a reimbursement of funds totaling $6,502.71.
(Prior to the start of the meeting, commissioners and those in attendance observed a moment of silence in respect for the family of former Lynchburg-Clay teacher and Eastern Brown school board member Vernon Creighton. "Mr. Creighton was a very good teacher and a fine gentleman," Wilkin said, noting that he had had Mr. Creighton as a history instructor in junior high school at Lynchburg-Clay. "Our condolences go out to his family.")
Accepting this week's Red Ribbon Week proclamation were: Hannah Allard, Joe Adray and Roger Cheesbro of FRS Counseling; Kevy Jones and Marilyn Butler of Fairfield Local Schools; Melinda Sheets of Paint Valley ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services); Heather Gibson of the Highland County Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition; and Sarah Cooper and Tori Priest of the Highland County Health Department.
Congress established Red Ribbon Week in 1988. Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs, and encourages parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles. Red Ribbon Week encourages the entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles.
Allard explained the various activities planned at local schools during Red Ribbon week. She said this year's theme is "YOLO:" You Only Live Once – So Make Good Choices.
For more about the Red Ribbon Week campaign, go to http://redribbon.org.
* * *
• In other action, Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera met with commissioners and presented estimates on two new patrol vehicles, a Ford Expedition Interceptor for $31,000 from Lebanon Ford and a Dodge Truck from Key Chrysler for $30,275.
Barrera explained that the HCSO patrol vehicles had more than 450,000 total miles in 2015, and he expects that to increase for 2016.
"We'll have to look at it," Wilkin said. "I'm sure you're aware of the potential cuts we're looking at. We try to keep up on vehicles; but where we sit right now, we'll have to wait. Department budgets were due last Friday. If we end up in the range of $2 million down, I'll venture to say that patrol cars will be very difficult."
"I know where he's at. I've been there myself (as a former sheriff)," Horst said. "A lot comes down to the Children Services levy. That will have a big effect."
Horst encouraged voters to support the additional levy for Children Services on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Horst also thanked Commissioner Jeff Duncan for saving the county "big bucks" by picking up the new tables for the Hi-TEC Center in Clermont County.
* * *
Bid openings
Commissioners received the following bids for the Hobart/Carl Smith Drive sidewalk project:
Dance Excavating – $269,378.
Fillmore Construction – $258,894.40.
Foill Inc. – $454,000.
Belgray – $277,322.
* * *
Resolution
Commissioners passed by a 3-0 vote a resolution requested by Job and Family Services for a reimbursement of funds totaling $6,502.71.