Post-meeting release 1/19/23

Commissioners recognize Seneca County Dog of the year, announce EMS Director hire

[Tiffin, OH – Jan. 19, 2023] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners recognized Marquita and Jerry Smith and their rescue dog Buddy Thursday morning with a proclamation that made Buddy Seneca County Dog of the Year.
Buddy is a lovable rescue dog from Fostoria that was nominated to compete in the 2023 America’s Favorite Pet Contest.
According to the proclamation, he was found living in a pipe at a grain elevator in Fostoria, in poor health and covered in sores from ticks, but was rescued by Seneca County Dog Warden Kelly Marker and adopted by Marquita Smith and her husband Jerry.
Despite his initial shyness and mistrust of people, Buddy quickly adapted to his new home and became a beloved member of the Smith family, and his story serves as a testament to the resilience and love of animals.
In the signed proclamation the commissioners recognize the importance of the work of the Seneca County Dog Warden and the importance of animal rescue shelters.
“(We) were inspired by Buddy’s story and are proud to name him Seneca County Dog of the Year,” the proclamation states.
In other business, County Administrator Jaime Wolfe announced that the county had decided to hire Don Ballah to serve as the county’s new EMS Director. He is expected to start the position next month.
Ballah served as the Executive Vice President of North Central EMS, out of Milan, from 1986-2018.
NCEMS is a private ambulance service provider that has a history of working with county governmental entities such as Adams Township, Pleasant Township and the Village of Green Springs.
Ballah also was a flight paramedic for St. Vincent Mercy Life Flight from 2000-2015, and a paramedic for Lorain Community Hospital from 1985-1986.
Wolfe said Ballah comes with “a great deal of knowledge” of emergency medical services.
Also during the session, Doug Smith, of Blue Streak Project Management.
Smith, originally of Thompson Township in Seneca County, said he now works out of Columbus. He said his company offers no-cost construction project management services for public entities, available through a cooperative program with the state of Ohio. Construction management services could then be offered for a set fee based on construction dollars.
The commissioners asked Doug Smith for more information and will look over and consider what the company is offering.
In new business, the board approved all budget adjustments and resolutions, including an affirmative vote on moving forward with purchasing a new ambulance for Seneca County EMS for about $230,000.