Post-meeting Release, May 9, 2024

Seneca County Commissioners introduce new Seneca County EMS director

By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator

The Seneca County Commissioners introduced new Seneca County EMS Director Chris Hafley during the May 9 commissioners’ meeting. Hafley, a lifelong Seneca County resident, served as the Clinton Township Fire Chief and brings 44 years of public service experience to the position.

Hafley replaces former director Don Ballah, who chose to step back from the position and will remain as a crew paramedic.

“I appreciate the opportunity to work with Seneca County EMS and the commissioners,” Hafley said. “My plan is to move forward and bring to Seneca County the best EMS possible.”

Katie Cole, Seneca County OSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator, provided an update on 4-H activities, including information on this summer’s camp. The 2024 Seneca County 4-H Camp will be held on June 11 – 13 on Kelleys Island. The camp is open to kids ages 8 – 13 as of Jan. 1. Cost is $190 for 4-H members and $200 for non-4-H members. The payment includes a t-shirt, ferry fees, meals and lodging. Registration is due on May 20.

Seneca County 4-H recently announced camp scholarship recipients who received funding for up to half the cost of camp.

“Fifteen youth were helped,” Cole said.

For more information or to register a child for Seneca County 4-H Camp, visit https://seneca.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/seneca-county-4-h-camp.

Seneca County Emergency Management (EMA) Agency Administrator, John Spahr, presented the Seneca County Commissioners with challenge coins that were given on behalf of Ohio EMA to express gratitude to those who were instrumental in developing a safety plan for the April 8 eclipse.

“The coins are for people who were instrumental in the planning,” Spahr said. “You went to the meetings and gave input and helped us devise a safety plan.”

Spahr also talked about the county’s plans to add villages and townships to the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS) that provides customizable, up-to-date alerts with a focus on disaster management. For more information or to sign up for WENS, visit www.senecacountyema.org/about.

Among the four resolutions passed by the commissioners was a resolution setting May 30 at 10 a.m. to open bids for the Crum Tile & Waterway Project. Bids must be received at the Seneca Conservation District office on May 28 at 4:30 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled Seneca County Commissioners’ May 23 meeting has been canceled and changed to Wednesday, May 22 at 10 a.m.