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

Local News

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Merger discussion continues
Findlay Inn & Conference Center -Downtown Findlay
By LINSEY MAUGHAN

STAFF WRITER

A merger of the Findlay City and Hancock County health departments could provide an immediate savings, the Hancock County District Advisory Council was told Wednesday.

The Board of Health Combination Subcommittee met with members of the District Advisory Council to present new information on the potential merging of the two departments.

The advisory council, which oversees operation of the county health department, rejected a merger request last year, but later agreed to the creation of the subcommittee to study the issue further.

The subcommittee has met a total of 22 times since February to develop a proposal for the combined health department.

Among information presented to the council Wednesday were details on the new health department's potential immediate savings of $48,100, not including operational savings, for 2010, as well as the promise of a more efficient health department that would be able to serve residents better while also providing new services.

But advisory council members had concerns about how the combined health department's health board would be structured, as well as exactly how funding would work between the city and county in a joint health department.

"We're going to work with you in any way possible to make this successful," subcommittee and Findlay City Council member John Urbanski told advisory council members.

Karen Jones, a subcommittee member and registered nurse from the county health board, said a lot of benefits could come from a merger between the health departments.

"I think we all work well together, and that we could work even better," she said.

By the end of the meeting, council representatives agreed that once the new information was shared with all township and village council members, the advisory council should vote on whether to move forward. Its next step would be to agree to create a draft of a contract for the merging of the health departments.

The finalized contract would require the approval of the advisory council as well as the city.

"I think we need to move to the next step," said Gene Barker, a Portage Township Trustee.

Barker said he supports the efforts of the committee to keep moving toward a workable plan for a combined health department.

The advisory council plans to meet in December to consider a draft of a contract for the merger, although an exact date has not been set.

Maughan: 419-427-8417,

Send an e-mail to Linsey Maughan


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.
   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...
Dave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Suspect chose the outcome
“ This loser knew how this little incident was going to end! He knew EXACTLY what was gonna happen when he pretended to level a w... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:49:00 PM
disgusted in Findlay wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
speaking the truth
“ Thank you "just saying" and "Ykfm" I to am getting tired of grandpa Tony trying to paint his grandson as a victim, whenhe was ac... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:39:40 PM
just sayin wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
drugs
“ sick of the whiners...kenton has more drugs than findlay ?how would you know that unless your involved in the drug scene?I love... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:08:35 PM
tired of this wrote in article "Shooting video":
benton ridge shooting
“ Well leave it to the courier to keep sterring the pot. The video that the courier itself posted clearly shows the suspect jump o... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:03:53 PM
just sayin wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
the courier
“ what good does it do to blog on the couriers web site when the courier only post the blogs they want you to read how about posti... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 12:02:38 PM
retired OH cop in MT wrote in article "Shooting video released":
shooting
“ Nate.....after reading your comments, you wouldn't live long on the street as a police officer. I was involved in two shootings... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:30:30 AM
SICK OF THE WHINERS wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
DRUG BUST
“ Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:19:09 AM
The Layman wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Out of control
“ I'm sorry but there are way too many personal attacks allowed on this forum. You invalidate your point when you stray from the f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:08:44 AM
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
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Bennett's Furniture Town
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.