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Local News

Friday, February 05, 2010

Merger talks continuing
Oiler's Lube Express - Findlay
By LINSEY MAUGHAN

STAFF WRITER

A draft of a contract for the merger of the Findlay City and Hancock County health departments will undergo further revision following a township trustee association meeting this week.

Members of a contract review committee, which consists of three city representatives and three members of the Hancock County District Health Advisory Council, were in attendance at the Hancock County Township Association meeting Wednesday, as were Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert and the mayors of several villages.

"The purpose of last night was to be able to present a draft of what a contract might look like if we tried to combine," Cindy Land, assistant county prosecutor, said Thursday.

Land has written the contract draft based on suggestions from the contract review committee and the Hancock County Budget Commission, which consists of the Hancock County prosecutor, auditor and treasurer.

In reviewing the contract, some concerns were voiced by both city and the county District Health Advisory Council representatives.

The 28-member council, which is made up of representatives of the county, villages and townships, has a say in whether the health department merger happens, and has rejected the idea in the past.

But in December, the advisory council approved drafting a contract for the merger, which the council would then review.

Land said the bulk of the concern over the contract draft Wednesday night came from a disagreement between city and county over how members of a new, united health board would be determined.

The city would like to have the authority to appoint its own health board members, according to Land, but the District Advisory Council would like to appoint the city's health board members, based on recommendations from the city.

"I don't think the two viewpoints are so far apart that we won't be able to find some middle ground, or a compromise that will make them both comfortable," Land said. "We just have a few more steps to do. I think that's the big thing that still needs to be worked out.

"There's any number of ways the board can be determined to be set up. At this point, I'm going to put together several other options for how a board can be put together."

Other contract concerns pertained to the "apportionment of financial responsibility," Land said; questions about city employees becoming county employees; and about budget carryover.

"Not all of it is in the contract, but it's just logistical things that need to be sorted out," she said.

Sehnert was outspoken at the meeting about not wanting "something as trivial as semantics or a minor point to cause problems," Land said.

Land and the contract review committee will be revising the contract in coming weeks, as the District Advisory Council plans to vote on the contract at its March 1 meeting.

The contract will be mailed out to officials involved prior to the March 1 meeting, giving them an opportunity to provide feedback in advance.

"Everybody wants to come back to the table and keep working on it," Land said. "So that's a good sign."

"It's just still a work in progress, and I think both sides are still very eager to keep talking."

Maughan: 419-427-8417,




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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.