Commissioners sign proclamations for Crime Victims Rights, Extension, Child Abuse Prevention
Commissioners proclaimed April 6-12 as Crime Victims Rights Week in Highland County. Accepting the proclamation were Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, Highland County Prosecutor's Victim/Witness Assistance Director Barbara Shoemaker, Administrative Assistant Teresa Wisecup and volunteer Candy Matthews.
Shoemaker reminded the community that the fifth annual Highland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program’s Candlelight Vigil will be held on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m., in the basement of Hillsboro Church of Christ, 155 W. Walnut Street.
This year's theme is: 30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice, in observance of the 30 years of the Victims of Crime Act and its critical mission of victim assistance programs across the nation.
For more information, go to: http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=21878&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=73&S=1
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• Commissioners also signed a proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The presentation was made to: Highland County Job and Family Services Director Deb Robbins, Wendy Setty, Tonia Farley, Carrie Turner, Alisha Doak, Samantha Grooms, Ronda McAdams, Melissa Anderson, Hannah Larrick, Melissa Wheaton and Katie Ross.
Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to increase community awareness for child abuse prevention while highlighting the successes of families, children and community professionals.
During 2013, nearly 363 children were served by Highland County Children Services. Some of these children were placed in agency foster care for a variety of issues, including physical abuse, neglect of care, sexual abuse, domestic violence and substance abuse. Highland County joins all 88 Ohio counties participating in Pinwheels for Prevention as a kickoff to Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. “Give ‘Em a Hug” is a county campaign that encourages you to make a difference for the families you touch by turning your influence into action. Make children a priority and take time to focus on prevention.
During the month of April hundreds of colorful pinwheels (235) will be displayed on the Highland County Courthouse lawn. Each pinwheel represents one reported case of child abuse and neglect in Highland County in 2013.
Highland County Children Services is also encouraging all Ohioans to join state child welfare agencies that will “Wear Blue to Work” on Wednesday, April 9 as a wide-sweeping show of support for the cause.
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• A third proclamation was signed for local representatives of the Ohio State University Extension, in recognition of the Extension program's 100 years of service.
County Director of 4-H Youth Development Educator Kathy Bruynis said this week that Ohio State University Extension is celebrating 100 Years of Extension in 2014.
As part of the celebration, the fourth annual Extension/4-H Dinner & Auction Fundraiser will be April 5 at the Highland County Fairgrounds. The guest speaker will be Dr. Andrew Londo, assistant director of agriculture & natural resources. Proceeds raised during the event help support OSU Extension Programming in Highland County.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act (May 8, 1914), which established Cooperative Extension, the nationwide transformational education system operating through land-grant universities in partnership with federal, state and local governments.
Highland County Extension is the outreach research arm of the Ohio State University. In 1916, Extension began in Highland County with J.P. Hershberger as the first Extension Agent. In the beginning the Extension Office shared space with Farm Bureau. By 1936, the office became independent and move to 120 West Main Street, Hillsboro. The office is currently located at 119 Governor Foraker Place in Hillsboro.
Early on, Extension recognized that Highland County’s future begins with assisting and educating the youth. The youth development program, commonly known as 4-H, remains a vital part of OSU Extension, Highland County today.
Over the years the responsibilities and titles have changed for OSU Extension Agents/Educators. In the 1940 the county commissioners had the Agent head up the Civilian Defense program outside the incorporated villages. The title has changed from Agents to Educators to better reflect what the employees do.
In Highland County, there is a 4-H and Youth Development Educator, that not only works with traditional 4-H Clubs but also with in-school programming. The Agricultural and Natural Sciences Educator covers a three county area of Highland, Adams, and Brown. Prior to 2014 there was also a Family & Consumer Science Educator (formerly Home Demonstration Agent) that also covered the three county area.
From 1916 to today, Extension has been addressing the needs of the community by teaching researched based educational programming. Educator’s efforts are further expanded through numerous volunteers that assist with programming.
The following is a listing of all known 4-H, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Family & Consumer Science Agents/Educators:
Walter Oats, 1959
J. P. Hershberger, 1916
Mary Ellen Miller Cox, 1945-1952
Don Seaman, 1960-1964
T. B. Foster, 1917-1919
Nora E. Florea Meredith, 1952–1955
Jim Winner, 1967-1969
W.H. Ford, 1922-1947
Ruth An Zachariah, 1955-1957
Dwight Crum, 1970-1972
Lowell R. Douce, 1948-1958
Mary G. Gallagher, 1959-1963
Robert Duane Rogers, 1973-1975
E. Ivor Jones, 1958 – 1970
Nancy Clute Ackerman, 1965-1968
Lynn Overstake, 1975 – 1978
Daniel L. Cowdrey, 1970 – 1992
Jennifer L. Sheets, 1968-1970
Nicola S. Eyre, 1980-2009
Jim Ginther, 1990-1992
Kathleen Black Levo, 1970-1973
Elizabeth McNeal, 2010-2011
Troy Putman, 1992 – 1997
Rebecca V. Long, 1973-1981
Nicola S. Eyre, 2011 - 2011
John Grimes, 1998 - 2010
Barbara J. Bick 1983
Kathy Bruynis, 2011 – present
David Dugan, 2011 - present
Beulah M. Hill, 1984-1986
Rose Fisher Merkowitz, 1987 - 2010
Kathy Jelly – 2011
Amy Habig – 2011-12
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Resolutions
Commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:
• A request from Help Me Grow for additional appropriations to Help Me Grow from unappropriated funds.
• A modification with the TEC Fund in the amount of $3,334.87.
• A request by Help me Grow for additional appropriations to Special Donations from unappropriated funds.
• The approval of an annexation of three properties to the Village of Greenfield.
• A modification of $5,000 to supplies.
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Community Development Block Grant
• Commissioners also announced that the county has proposed to undertake the following CDBG activities for Fiscal Year 2014 (completed in 2015):
• Hillsboro Street Improvements, Homestead Ave., $30,000;
• Lynchburg, Water and Sewer Facilities, replacement of three fire hydrants and six water main shutoff valves, $29,600; and,
• Jackson Township, Street Improvements, Burgess Road, $30,000.