Post-meeting Release, Oct. 17, 2024

Seneca County Commissioners hear update from Seneca County Master Gardeners

By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator

Seneca County Master Gardener volunteers provided an update on their impactful work throughout the county at the Oct. 17 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting. Seneca County Master Gardener Publicity Chairperson, Steve Detillion, invited the public to join the group’s 2025 intern class, which will include both online coursework and in-person labs. More information on the class can be found at https://seneca.osu.edu/program-areas/master-gardener-volunteers/join-master-gardeners.

Master Gardener volunteer, Sharon Losey, talked about some of the ideas the organization’s members have for future projects. Potential ideas include designing and maintaining the entrance to the new agriculture building that will open in the future, and the group hopes to find space to develop teaching gardens in the community. Losey explained that the possibilities could include a children’s garden, a native plant garden and a butterfly garden.

“We want to train people in horticulture,” Detillion said.

Losey said the Seneca County Master Gardeners maintain a library of horticulture-related books that are available for loan to the public. When the new agriculture building is constructed, they hope to enhance that program.

Volunteer Susan Nighswander talked about the many events and activities the group engaged in recently, and she announced that the Master Gardeners will participate in the annual Seneca County Family Fair Lights during the coming holiday season.

Mike Dittoe, a partner with High Bridge Consulting, provided an update by phone on activity at the Ohio State House. He said the Senate and House both plan to reconvene in November. Still under consideration in the House is Senate Bill 119, which has an end goal of providing more local oversight of landfill operations. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and is still active in the House.

“Senator (Bill) Reineke and Representative (Gary) Click have been very active on that bill,” Dittoe said.

Marisa Huss, Director of Marketing for the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce and Destination Seneca County, provided an update on the Seneca County Bicentennial Committee. Huss provided the commissioners with the design for a proposed hourglass sculpture that will create a lasting tribute to the county’s first 200 years.

The sculpture, which Huss referred to as a legacy project, will be placed at Opportunity Park. Huss said the total cost of the project, which includes manufacturing and installation, is about $6,500. The committee has sufficient money to fund the project. Huss attended the meeting to seek the commissioners’ permission to utilize the funds for the project. The commissioners voted to approve the request.

In her report, Seneca County Administrator Barb Patterson said the county is planning to host a public online auction of excess county equipment, such as bookcases and filing cabinets. More information will be posted at a later date.

During the public comment section of the meeting, local dignitary, Fourth Ward City Councilman Dennis Snay, announced that a new

Dunkin’ Donuts will be coming to Tiffin.