Commissioner Bill Frankart speaks at Biblical Citizenship class

By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator

Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart was the guest speaker at the Oct. 6 session of the Patriot Academy’s Biblical Citizenship in Modern America class hosted by Diane Dietz, Glen and Anne Ardner, and Don and Brenda Kuhn at Restoration Alliance Church in Tiffin. The class is designed to teach citizens about American liberties, the Constitution and the impact of civic involvement.

Frankart talked about his role and duties as a county commissioner, touching on subjects such as the county budget, the many committees he sits on, and the ongoing fight to gain more local oversight of the WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County landfill. He expressed grave disappointment in the Ohio EPA’s decision to grant the landfill a partial expansion permit, but he told the class that he and other local leaders will keep fighting.

“Needless to say, we’re going to be relentless,” Frankart said.

Integral to a strong community are competent, trustworthy leaders, and Seneca County is fortunate to not only have the Seneca County Commissioners working for them, but also State Senator Bill Reineke and State Representative Gary Click. Frankart encouraged the class to ensure the county maintains good leadership by exercising their right to vote this election season.

“You need to make sure you put the right people in the right spots who will do the right thing,” Frankart said. “I’ve talked with Senator Reineke at 7 in the morning and at 11 at night. He’s been relentless about the landfill. I think the landfill would have been granted the full expansion if it wasn’t for Senator Reineke. If you see Senator Reineke or Representative Click, thank them for working on the landfill.

Both Reineke and Click will be guest speakers at upcoming sessions of the Biblical Citizenship course. Other speakers include Seneca County Sheriff Fred Stevens; Seneca County Coroner elect, Dr. Zachary West; Fostoria City Council Member Bob Podach; and Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties Executive Director, Mircea Handru.

Frankart fielded several questions after his talk on topics ranging from the effect of illegal immigration on Seneca County to the integrity of elected officials. He encouraged the class participants to become involved in the county and to further their citizenship knowledge by attending a Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting. Meetings are held most Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the Seneca County Commissioners’ office at 111 Madison St. in Tiffin. The meetings are open to the public.

“I’d like to thank Diane and Brenda for inviting me to speak to the class,” Frankart said. “This is a great way for local residents to meet their elected officials and learn about the many ways they can impact local politics and the community.”