RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Thursday, December 03, 2009

County panel takes step toward health merger
By LINSEY MAUGHAN

STAFF WRITER

The Hancock County District Health Advisory Council, which last year rejected a request to merge the Findlay City and Hancock County health departments, on Wednesday agreed to have a contract for a merger drawn up.

The resolution passed by the Council also called for the creation of a committee to review the contract and propose changes as needed. The Council is expected to make a final decision on the merger in March.

After voting down the earlier merger request, the 28-member Council, which is made up of representatives of the county, villages and townships, agreed to the formation of the Board of Health Combination Subcommittee to further study the idea. Members of that committee have encouraged a merger between the health departments for more than a year, claiming it would improve operating efficiency.

Wednesday's vote was 17-6 in favor of the resolution.

Among those in favor was Hancock County Commissioner Phillip Riegle, who voted on behalf of the commissioners.

Voting against the resolution were representatives of Delaware Township, Jackson Township, Madison Township, Marion Township, Portage Township and Van Buren Township. Five voting members were not present Wednesday.

The contract for the merger will be written by the Hancock County Budget Commission, and the new committee reviewing the contract will be made up of three city representatives and three District Advisory Council representatives.

"I want to make sure that whoever we pick for these board members are good people," said Dick Fenstermaker, chairman of the Hancock County Township Association. "They have to be willing to get their feet wet and get involved with the health departments."

Later in the meeting, those tentatively named to the committee were: Findlay Service Director Bruce Hardy; Findlay health board President Gregg Cline; Findlay City Council member John Urbanski; Portage Township Trustee Gene Barker; Pleasant Township Trustee Kenny Bryan; and Vanlue Mayor Robert Wells.

Hancock County Board of Health President Gregg Henschen told the Council Wednesday that 55 percent of the budget for the new, conjoined health department would come from Findlay, while 45 percent would come from the county.

Further explanation of the budget came from Hancock County Auditor Charity Rauschenberg, who said the 2000 census revealed that 55 percent of Hancock County's population is in Findlay, as is 55 percent of the county's real estate valuation.

Some District Advisory Council members have expressed concern regarding the carryover of health department funds. While the Hancock County Health Department has an annual carryover, the City Health Department does not.

Still, other Council members did not see an issue there.

"What to do with the carryover would be hammered out in the contract," said Mark Miller, Hancock County prosecutor.

"The carryover would stay in the health department's pot," Henschen said.

Some of those opposed to Wednesday's resolution were also worried there would be no benefit to merging the health departments.

"Right now, I haven't seen the proof that it is going to operate cheaper," said one Jackson Township representative. "I think it's going to end up costing us more money in the long run, or less service."

Hardy said, "We want you all to be happy and satisfied that this is a fair deal. You're the group that we have to please."

If the contract is approved in March by both the District Advisory Council and the city, the merger of the health departments would likely take place six months to a year later.

Maughan: 419-427-8417




Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.

2 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Larry Huffman wrote:
Merger
“ Where, and how, does an "advisory council" get the authority to make these moves?? The worst of the tinpot dictators in this country come from the ranks of the health professionals. "Oh, it is for the 'public' health, so shut up and pay the price." ”
Thursday, December 03, 2009 10:21:35 AM
R wrote:
Merging the health departments
“ You say that the carryover of money's from the county health department will be put in the pot for the two when the merger is final. AHHH I don't think so. Why did the county save and have a carryover and the city had none? This was all voted on before and turned down. Why are we even bringing it up again. Let the people of the county decide, put it up for vote. To this point, it has proven that the county trustee's have been more responsible with county money than the city with there money. The Trustee's all voted in favor of not to merge before. Now with more information and some sugar coating some caved into the pressure. I commend the Townships that voted no this time. They are the ones that have the guts to stand up to FINDLAY and say NO. ”
Thursday, December 03, 2009 6:11:24 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
Ryan wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Research
“ It doesn't matter if there was a weapon found or not. An officer's job is based upon perception and their objective reasonablen... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:05:15 AM
Derek wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate......what???
“ Nate, first of all, police officer's don't carry mase. If they did, the would carry maCe. Now, if you did some research, you'd... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 4:02:04 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Subscribe to The Courier - Current Offers
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.