Seneca County Commissioners hear from several guests at Aug. 8 meeting
By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
The Seneca County Commissioners hosted several guests during their Aug. 8 meeting, including the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties Executive Director, Mircea Handru; Destination Seneca County Director of Marketing, Marisa Huss; and Pleasant Ridge UMC Pastor Virginia Park.
Handru gave an update about Ohio One Recovery Foundation grant requests for Region 17’s portion of the Ohio opioid lawsuit funds. Handru is Seneca County’s representative to Region 17, and he was chosen to be the Region 17 representative at the state level. Seneca County is one of eight counties in Region 17.
Local organizations submitted 51 grant requests totaling about $9.6 million. Handru said 18 of the 51 applications totaling about $1.6 million in requests were recommended for funding by the Region 17 Board. The OneOhio Expert Panel and OneOhio Grants Committee reviewed some of the applications and a full OneOhio Board review and possible approval can take place as early as next week. Under Handru’s leadership, Region 17 was the first region in the state to complete the review process.
“Mircea is not only the representative for Sandusky County, but he’s the representative for the region. That’s a compliment and a thank you to you, Mircea,” Commissioner Anthony Paradiso said. “You’re very transparent and very good at what you do.”
Huss attended the meeting to talk about America 250-Ohio, Ohio’s statewide initiative to celebrate the country’s semiquincentennial in 2026. Huss asked the commissioners to sign a resolution making Seneca County an America 250 community, which will give the county nationwide exposure as a semiquincentennial celebration destination; gives the county the opportunity to connect with a liaison who will work with Huss as she plans local events; and opens the door to funding opportunities.
Park talked about the upcoming 200th anniversary of Pleasant Ridge UMC and formally invited the commissioners to attend the church’s celebration on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. The anniversary of the church, which is also known locally as Egbert’s Church, coincides with Seneca County’s 200thanniversary.
Park has been planning the celebration for months and received substantial help from Seneca County Recorder Michael Dell.
“He looked up original deeds for me and other interesting things I needed to do a good job on this,” Park said.
During his commissioner’s report, Commissioner Paradiso talked about his opportunity to honor local educators that morning at the Educators Appreciation Breakfast at Tiffin University. He said it was “a very nice event.”
Commissioner Bill Frankart, who also attended the event, said that Dr. Laura Kagy was very deserving of receiving the Above & Beyond Award at the breakfast.
“I’ve known Dr. Kagy a long time. She will definitely be missed in the world of education,” he said.
Seneca County Administrator Barb Patterson, who also attended the event, recognized the exceptional work the chamber did as hosts of the events.
“Marisa (Huss) and Bryce (Riggs) did a great job bringing all the educators together. They have a thankless job,” Patterson said. “We have a lot of new educators. I wish them luck.”
Commissioner Frankart announced that the commissioners signed a memorandum of understanding moving Regional Planning responsibilities to the office of Seneca County Auditor Julie Adkins.
“Regional planning as an entity and a board still exist,” Commissioner Paradiso said. “Julie Adkins is just taking the administrative and accounting piece of it.”
Commissioner Paradiso announced that a ribbon cutting will be held for EMS station #4, located at 9428 E. US 224 in Bloomville, on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. The public is invited.
Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson stopped by the meeting to give updates on the city. With the political season underway, he wanted to remind residents that political signs cannot be placed in boulevards. He announced that street paving in the city is complete, but utility work is still ongoing. Wilkinson also said that the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is in desperate need of volunteers.
The Seneca County Commissioners honor the long, colorful history of Seneca County, which celebrates its 200th birthday in 2024.