Post-meeting Release, January 30, 2025
Ron Lutz honored at Jan. 30 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting
By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
The Seneca County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Seneca County Weights and Measures Inspector, Ron Lutz, during the Jan. 30 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting to recognize his dedication to the county. Lutz was hired on May 6, 2013, and will retire on Jan. 31.
In that time, Lutz worked to ensure that businesses were accurately compensated for the products they sold and consumers were fairly charged for the products they purchased. Lutz oversaw about 300 scales across Seneca County, including food scales, wrestling scales at schools, animal scales at the Seneca County Fair and Attica Independent Fair, and gas pumps.
Lutz revolutionized the Department of Weights and Measures after he was hired by Seneca County Auditor Julie Adkins.
“He has taken that department to a whole new level. We now know what a Department of Weights and Measures can be. He set the standard high,” Auditor Adkins said.
Seneca County Administrator Barb Patterson worked with Lutz when she formerly worked at the auditor’s office.
“He was great. You did a wonderful job,” she said.
A full story on Lutz’s service to the county can be found at https://senecacountyohio.gov/seneca-county-weights-and-measures-inspector-is-scaling-back-from-the-scales/.
Seneca County Master Gardener Publicity Chairperson, Steve Detillion, provided the commissioners with a 2024 review update of the organization’s activities. There are currently 38 Master Gardener volunteers and nine interns. In 2024, the volunteers invested 907 education hours and 2,443 volunteer hours into the community. Among other activities, the volunteers sold over 900 plants to over 300 customers, hosted eight presentations at the Seneca County Fairgrounds, and answered over 100 horticulture-related questions from the community.
The volunteers invested over 200 hours beautifying the grounds of the Sorrowful Mother Shrine, and they presented two local students each with a $500 scholarship. Scholarships are given to students planning to study plant sciences. More information on the scholarships can be found at https://seneca.osu.edu/program-areas/master-gardener-volunteers/master-gardeners-student-scholarship.
The Seneca County Master Gardeners presented several educational programs throughout the year, as well as hosted programs led by horticulture professionals. This spring, they will plant and tend the flowerbeds at the commissioners’ office.
“Thank you, commissioners, for allowing us to come into your meetings and do presentations, and thank you for your continued support,” Detillion said.
Pressley Buurma, a Seneca County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator with OSU Extension, also provided a 2024 update on her work. Among other activities, Buurma hosted 203 educational programs that reached over 5,000 people. She offered training on a variety of subjects, including beef quality assurance, farm business, pesticide, fertilizer and invasive species. Her programs assisted a wide population, from farmers and 4-H kids to backyard gardeners and farmers market attendees.
Buurma shared information on the following upcoming programs:
- Beef Quality Assurance on Feb. 6
- Farm Accounting Workshop with Quicken on Feb. 20
- Pruning Workshop on March 1
- Regional Beef Cattle Feedlot School on March 19
Buurma provides Farm Business Analysis service for local farmers that helps them get a wide-view understanding of their farm’s business health and gives them tools as they plan for the future.
For more information on the Seneca County OSU Extension Office and upcoming programs, visit https://seneca.osu.edu.
In other business, the commissioners approved five supplemental appropriations and passed five resolutions. The next Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 6.