Post-meeting release 12/27/22

Commissioners thank county officials for public service during Kerschner’s final session

[Tiffin, OH – Dec. 27, 2022] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners met Thursday morning during Commissioner Mike Kerschner’s final board session.
Kerschner, who has served as a commissioner for eight years, leaves office on Dec. 31st.
Many of Kerschner’s colleagues spent time Thursday thanking him for his service and letting him know that his knowledge and experience will be missed.
Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff was among those in attendance to thank Kerschner.
“I’ve known him since 1980 when he gave me my first car loan,” Shuff said of Kerschner. “You have made our community better … I appreciate the eight years that you have been a county commissioner.”
Shuff said Kerschner never complained or blamed anyone.
“I think that shows your character as a leader. Thank you, you will be missed,” Shuff said.
In addition to Shuff’s comments, commissioners Tyler Shuff and Anthony Paradiso each also shared some words of gratitude.
Commissioner Tyler Shuff said he wished he had more time to work with Kerschner.
“It’s been a real privilege,” Commissioner Shuff said, complimenting Kerschner’s ability to use logic and his fairness.
Kerschner shared some words of wisdom for those in attendance.
“If we do just one good thing a day to help somebody, if everybody does that, it helps make us much better people,” he said. “I challenge you all to do something minor for someone every day.”
Kerschner ended his remarks by thanking everyone for their support.
Seneca County Public Relations Director Jimmy Flint played a 10-minute tribute video for Kerschner, which featured messages for Kerschner from several different local, state and federal officials. Congressman Jim Jordan, State Senator Bill Reineke and Seneca County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Jay Meyer were among those featured in the video. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ykcHFqBJeK0
In other action, the commissioners thanked two other county officials for their long and successful careers in public service as they enter retirement.
Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael P. Kelbley was in attendance to receive a proclamation recognizing his 34 years as a judge.
The proclamation states that the commissioners were “honored to have the privilege to work closely with Judge Kelbley over the years, as he has been a beacon of justice in the community, using his role as judge to ensure fairness and uphold the law.”
Kelbley has officiated more than 730 weddings, both in and out of the county, and he said he considers that one of the best parts of his job!
Kelbley served as the director of the Seneca County Public Defender’s Office and as the village solicitor for Attica, Bettsville, Bloomville, New Riegel and Republic. He is a member of the Seneca County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association and has served on the Supreme Court Magistrate Committee since 2011.
Kelbley also has made significant contributions to his community, serving on the Seneca County TB & Health Board, where he served as vice president from 1995 to 1996 and treasurer from 1998 to 2004. He has also been involved with various organizations, including the Sons of the American Legion, the New Riegel Moose, the United Services for Alcoholism and the Alcohol Intervention Program.
The commissioners also thanked long-time Seneca County Tax Map Office employee Dawn Fitch for her service to the county.
Fitch tirelessly ensured that legal descriptions and land surveys complied with state and local standards and oversaw the modernization of the Tax Map department, leading a transition away from hand-drawn plat maps to parcel maintenance on the county’s computerized GIS mapping program.
County Engineer Mark Zimmerman said Fitch is not usually a person who likes to be on the forefront but said she deserves credit for all of her hard work.
In new business, the commissioners approved all resolutions and appropriations from the meeting agenda, including a deposit of $725,000 to the county’s Budget Stabilization Fund. This deposit brings the “rainy-day fund” total to just under $2 million.