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

Local News

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Health merger talks may end
By LINSEY MAUGHAN

Staff Writer

District Advisory Council Chairman Kenny Bryan said Friday he suspects a merger of the Findlay and Hancock County health departments is dead, but the issue will be discussed once more at a meeting next week.

Under the Ohio Revised Code, the 29-member District Advisory Council, which oversees the county health department, has the authority to decide whether the county agency will merge with the city health department.

Bryan sent out a letter July 13 to the voting members of the District Advisory Council, asking whether they would like the discussion of the merger idea to continue. He asked for responses by today.

Of the 28 townships and villages Bryan sought opinions from, only 14 responded by Friday to his letter. Seven were in favor of a merger and seven were opposed.

The Hancock County commissioners also have a vote on the District Advisory Council and are in favor of the merger.

But based on the lack of response to his letter, Bryan said Friday he is not optimistic about the merger's future.

"The sentiment of the county seems to be, 'We said no a long time ago, and what part of no don't you understand?' I think the county will probably regret it with time, but that's their choice. They're the ones who chose not to proceed with it," Bryan said.

Those who replied in favor of the merger were: Blanchard, Liberty, Pleasant and Washington townships, and the villages of Bluffton, McComb and Vanlue.

Those opposed to the merger were: Allen, Biglick, Eagle, Marion, Portage and Van Buren townships; and the Village of Arcadia.

Not responding to Bryan's letter were: Amanda, Cass, Delaware, Jackson, Madison, Orange and Union townships; and the villages of Arlington, Benton Ridge, Jenera, Mount Blanchard, Mount Cory, Rawson and Van Buren.

In a vote by the District Advisory Council in March, when the merger failed to pass by a count of 11 to 10, Cass Township and the villages of Benton Ridge and Jenera had voted in favor of the merger.

The villages of Arlington, Rawson and Van Buren, though not present for the March vote, all told The Courier they too had been in favor of the merger.

Amanda, Delaware, Jackson, Madison, Orange and Union townships all voted against the merger in March.

The villages of Mount Blanchard and Mount Cory, which were not represented at the March vote, did not indicate to the Courier a clear preference one way or the other on the merger.

If opinions haven't changed since March, it would appear the District Advisory Council has 14 of 29 voters in favor of the merger, 13 opposed, and two that don't have a clear stance.

Bryan hopes that by discussing the issue once more at next week's Township Trustee Association meeting, he can determine whether to drop the issue. He will contact the villages he's not heard from to get their opinions on the merger, as they are not required to attend the township trustee meeting.

Meanwhile, the city and county must decide where to house their health departments, which were both displaced by the 2007 flood and now share a leased building on Tiffin Avenue.

Today was supposed to have been Findlay's deadline for notifying the Federal Emergency Management Agency about how the city would use some money it was eligible for as a result of the city health department's flood damage. That deadline is what prompted Bryan to survey the District Advisory Council on the merger issue.

But Findlay Auditor Robert Sprague on Friday said the city's deadline has now been pushed back to March 31, 2011, because the city submitted a timeline to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for getting its plans together.

The city was originally eligible for $150,000 to be used for construction of a new health department, but that option no longer exists.

"That's just not a viable option for us given our financial position. With the cost to build it, it would make more sense for us, the city, to either buy or lease," Sprague said. "FEMA has recanted our eligibility for that as well, because we weren't going to rebuild it in the same location. We would argue with them that if we were building in the same location, we'd be asking for the same (flood) problem," Sprague said.

Some federal funding is still available.

The city received $37,500 to fund temporary housing costs for the health department, and is still eligible for $60,402 that can be used toward the purchase of an existing building.

The city could also use the money for a different project, but a 10 percent deduction would be taken. The $37,500 previously received would also be deducted, leaving the city with about $16,862 to use, according to Sprague.

Mayor Pete Sehnert said the city is looking at options for its health department, given the strong possibility the merger discussion is about to end, and hopes to use the federal dollars it is still eligible for.

"If they don't want to be combined, then I don't know if we want to stay together (in the same building). In the same building is OK, but if (the county health department is) going to cut back their hours and make more work for our people, I don't think that's fair. So I don't know how that's going to work out, really," Sehnert said.

The Hancock County commissioners are also trying to move forward with plans for the county health department.

"I think all three county commissioners are very concerned that the county health department has been cut down to the point where they're only operating four days a week," Commissioner Ed Ingold said. "We do not think that's acceptable, and we don't think it's acceptable that the county health department is not there on Fridays and the city is covering for them."

"We are at a point that the county has to move on, and we have to find a place for them to be. That's what we'll be focusing on," Ingold said.

The commissioners plan to relocate the county health department to a building they recently purchased at 514 S. Main St., but the building will need some remodeling first.

"We are working with the health department currently, and working to develop a layout for them, and I don't know what else we can do. We are by statute required to provide them housing. This is where we think it would best fit the rest of the county offices," Ingold said.

There is enough space for the city health department to be housed there as well, but Ingold said it doesn't appear the city agency will move there.

"We have not had discussions with the city; we don't know what their thoughts are other than indications from the city health department themselves that they are not interested in being in the building that we are looking at," Ingold said.

Ingold said the county intends to work out an agreement with the city for access to parking space in a city-owned lot behind the 514 S. Main St. building.

The Township Trustee Association will discuss the proposed merger of the health departments during its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hancock County Engineer's Office. The meeting is open to the public.

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.

3 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
j wrote:
Details
“ The county could have work things out with the city, if there was a guarantee (in writing)that no county employee would be eliminated or have their wages cut because of the merger. There is a lot of mistrust in the county about this being a city take over and that county employees would have been eliminated and/or be forced to accept other cuts. ”
Saturday, July 31, 2010 11:31:44 PM
A friend wrote:
Accusations
“ I am well acquainted with some of the employees at the county health department and from what I understand the city is not doing the county's work on Fridays.The city health department employees made a list of services that they provided on Fridays for county residents. The list included only 4 or 5 items that were minor. Splinter removal for a county resident; shot records printed for a county resident; check for head lice on a Seneca Co. resident. These are petty services that the city has provided on Fridays for the county. It is unacceptable that the county health department is closed on Fridays due to budget cuts, however I hardly feel that it's accurate to say the city is picking up the slack. I feel bad for the county health department employees that not only have they had to take a cut in their paychecks due to reduced hours but they also have to try to do the same amount of work in a shorter period of time! Give these people a break and quit making false accusations! ”
Saturday, July 31, 2010 10:16:57 PM
R wrote:
health dept merger
“ Maybe if you people drop the flood stuff they will join. ”
Saturday, July 31, 2010 6:58:32 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
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.