Hillsboro FFA students deliver presentation on food waste to county commissioners
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Hillsboro High School FFA students Bryana Buerkle, Samantha Fender, Breanne Fender, Kaleb Harp, Lana Grover and Mikala Waller met with the Highland County Board of Commissioners Wednesday, April 20 and completed a presentation on food waste.
Commissioners Jeff Duncan and Shane Wilkin praised the students on their insightful – and, at times, alarming – presentation.
The FFA (Future Farmers of America) students pointed out that food waste occurs at many levels: From the farm, due to crop loss or untimely harvesting; to transportation and storage issues; to the consumer level.
The considerable food loss leads to higher prices for consumers, students said.
"Most consumers are not educated about food waste," the students said, adding that "one-third of food produced for human consumption is wasted. Fixing food waste would feed malnourished people around the world."
In addition to identifying the problem, the FFA students also presented a solution entitled "Think. Eat. Save."
"Be a smart shopper. Be aware of how much food you throw away," they said. "Don't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach."
The Hillsboro FFA students will make their presentation on food waste at the state convention on May 5.
Commissioners thanked the students and adviser Elizabeth McNeal for the presentation.
* * *
• In other business, commissioners voted, 2-0, on a motion for an amendment to the Highland County Sheriff's Office Policies and Procedures that will provide law enforcement officers with guidelines, instructions and procedures to administer Naloxone (also known as Narcan) for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose.
Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera was present at the April 20 commission meeting and said the county policy is based on similar policies approved by Ross County and CORSA (the County Risk Sharing Authority).
"This policy is a combination of theirs with input from Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and Rhonda Smalley (county commission clerk)," the sheriff said.
Commissioner Wilkin said he will be attending a conference on the opioid addiction issue with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio on May 2 in Columbus.
"Fortunately – or unfortunately, we are not alone with this problem, it is pretty widespread," Wilkin said.
Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Todd Wilkin, who attended Wednesday's meeting, said he learned at a previous forum on the heroin epidemic that "one of three people who are hit with Narcan get off heroin completely."
Wilkin said the city has had similar discussions with the Hillsboro Police Department and local EMS on the use of Naloxone.
Following discussion, Commissioner Duncan made a motion to approve the motion and it passed by a 2-0 vote.
* * *
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• Commissioner Wilkin provided an update on the Phase 1 progress at the Greenfield Industrial Park and the Leesburg Industrial Park.
Wilkin said once the sites receive certification, it enhances the possibilities of attracting new business.
"Having a site certified is very important," Wilkin said. "It doesn't mean that a year from now it will be full. It's to get us on the radar and be prepared."
* * *
Resolutions
Commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:
• A request from the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services for a reimbursement of funds from CSEA Administrative Account to Public Assistance Account in the amount of $6,746.91 for Child Support Enforcement Agency Program shared cost distribution March 2016.
• A transfer from Transfers Out to Soil & Water in the amount of $17,000 for Grant Match Contributions.
* * *
Sales tax
Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley reported the county's permissive sales tax revenues for April (for February sales) were $471,938.72, up from $437,386.19 from the same period last year.
The March revenues were $640,112.72.
Fawley said the April revenues typically are among the lowest of the year.
In addition, the county's second quarter casino revenues were $134,509.67.
* * *
Legal correspondence
Anneka P. Collins, Highland County prosecuting attorney, submitted the following letter to Emerson Babington of Spruance Road.
Dear Mr. Babington,
In 2009, Babington LLC entered an agreement with Highland County for the construction of sewer facilities for Babington Camping and Mobile Home Park. Payments were to begin on January 1, 2010 and continue monthly until the principal amount of the loan was paid in full.
The total loan was for $360,300.
Babington LLC has defaulted on this loan, as well as the sewer user fees. Currently, Highland County holds a mortgage against property owned by Babington LLC. Pursuant to the loan agreement, failure to pay the past due amount in full within 30 days will leave the County no choice but to foreclose on the property.
The County sincerely wishes to come to an agreement on this matter. To avoid further legal action, contact my office immediately.
Sincerely,
Anneka P. Collins
Highland County Prosecuting Attorney
Commissioners Jeff Duncan and Shane Wilkin praised the students on their insightful – and, at times, alarming – presentation.
The FFA (Future Farmers of America) students pointed out that food waste occurs at many levels: From the farm, due to crop loss or untimely harvesting; to transportation and storage issues; to the consumer level.
The considerable food loss leads to higher prices for consumers, students said.
"Most consumers are not educated about food waste," the students said, adding that "one-third of food produced for human consumption is wasted. Fixing food waste would feed malnourished people around the world."
In addition to identifying the problem, the FFA students also presented a solution entitled "Think. Eat. Save."
"Be a smart shopper. Be aware of how much food you throw away," they said. "Don't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach."
The Hillsboro FFA students will make their presentation on food waste at the state convention on May 5.
Commissioners thanked the students and adviser Elizabeth McNeal for the presentation.
* * *
• In other business, commissioners voted, 2-0, on a motion for an amendment to the Highland County Sheriff's Office Policies and Procedures that will provide law enforcement officers with guidelines, instructions and procedures to administer Naloxone (also known as Narcan) for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose.
Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera was present at the April 20 commission meeting and said the county policy is based on similar policies approved by Ross County and CORSA (the County Risk Sharing Authority).
"This policy is a combination of theirs with input from Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and Rhonda Smalley (county commission clerk)," the sheriff said.
Commissioner Wilkin said he will be attending a conference on the opioid addiction issue with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio on May 2 in Columbus.
"Fortunately – or unfortunately, we are not alone with this problem, it is pretty widespread," Wilkin said.
Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Todd Wilkin, who attended Wednesday's meeting, said he learned at a previous forum on the heroin epidemic that "one of three people who are hit with Narcan get off heroin completely."
Wilkin said the city has had similar discussions with the Hillsboro Police Department and local EMS on the use of Naloxone.
Following discussion, Commissioner Duncan made a motion to approve the motion and it passed by a 2-0 vote.
* * *
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• Commissioner Wilkin provided an update on the Phase 1 progress at the Greenfield Industrial Park and the Leesburg Industrial Park.
Wilkin said once the sites receive certification, it enhances the possibilities of attracting new business.
"Having a site certified is very important," Wilkin said. "It doesn't mean that a year from now it will be full. It's to get us on the radar and be prepared."
* * *
Resolutions
Commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:
• A request from the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services for a reimbursement of funds from CSEA Administrative Account to Public Assistance Account in the amount of $6,746.91 for Child Support Enforcement Agency Program shared cost distribution March 2016.
• A transfer from Transfers Out to Soil & Water in the amount of $17,000 for Grant Match Contributions.
* * *
Sales tax
Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley reported the county's permissive sales tax revenues for April (for February sales) were $471,938.72, up from $437,386.19 from the same period last year.
The March revenues were $640,112.72.
Fawley said the April revenues typically are among the lowest of the year.
In addition, the county's second quarter casino revenues were $134,509.67.
* * *
Legal correspondence
Anneka P. Collins, Highland County prosecuting attorney, submitted the following letter to Emerson Babington of Spruance Road.
Dear Mr. Babington,
In 2009, Babington LLC entered an agreement with Highland County for the construction of sewer facilities for Babington Camping and Mobile Home Park. Payments were to begin on January 1, 2010 and continue monthly until the principal amount of the loan was paid in full.
The total loan was for $360,300.
Babington LLC has defaulted on this loan, as well as the sewer user fees. Currently, Highland County holds a mortgage against property owned by Babington LLC. Pursuant to the loan agreement, failure to pay the past due amount in full within 30 days will leave the County no choice but to foreclose on the property.
The County sincerely wishes to come to an agreement on this matter. To avoid further legal action, contact my office immediately.
Sincerely,
Anneka P. Collins
Highland County Prosecuting Attorney