Seneca County Commissioners appoint Mircea Handru to OneOhio Region 17 board
By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
During the Feb. 15 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting, the commissioners passed eight resolutions, including a resolution appointing Mircea Handru as the representative for Seneca County to the OneOhio Region 17 Board. The OneOhio Recovery Foundation works to end the opioid epidemic across the state by partnering with local organizations and investing funds to support substance misuse prevention, treatment and recovery efforts.
Each county in the state appoints a representative to the OhioOne foundation, and that position is usually held by a county commissioner. Handru is the executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot counties.
“We have appointed Mircea to be our representative,” Commissioner Anthony Paradiso said. “He does a great job. We’re grateful that we’re well-represented.”
During the meeting, bids were opened for interior renovations at 40 Fair Lane and 541 W. Market St. One bid was submitted. The commissioners also passed a resolution setting March 7 at 10 a.m. as the day to open sealed bids for Sen-CR 62-12.51 bridge replacement.
During commissioners’ reports, Commissioner Tyler Shuff talked about his activity during the week, which included a visit to the EMS station under construction on State Route 224 near Bascom. He was pleased with the progress on the building.
Commissioner Shuff also had the opportunity to speak to about 20 youths during a Leadership Seneca County entrepreneurship event about his experiences as a commissioner and businessman.
“It was nice to talk to youths and talk about the lessons you learn in life,” he said.
Commissioner Paradiso also mentioned the EMS building near Bascom and thanked Bascom leadership for their willingness to support IT needs at the station.
“Bascom will run highspeed internet fiber to the EMS building by the end of April. We want to thank Bascom for making that happen,” Paradiso said.
Paradiso addressed the New Riegel sewer rate increase, saying that Seneca County Engineer Mark Zimmerman has “done a great job communicating” with residents as they express concerns over the change.
To further address the issue, Commissioner Paradiso and Zimmerman will attend the New Riegel Village Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.
During her report, Seneca County Administrator Barb Patterson expressed public gratitude for Seneca County Sheriff Fred Stevens and his staff for providing a police presence at the RTA building during tax season.
“I want to thank the sheriff and his department for their support in policing the RTA building during tax collection. They put together a calming environment and put employees at ease,” Patterson said.