This was Preble County Fair week and the commission Monday meeting was short. It was however noteworthy for multiple issues:

Preble County Sales Tax Comes Up Short

Sales tax came in under estimate by $60,053. Most of that was due to a refund of almost $50,000 but even then it was off in the range of $10,000.

Goose Creek JRS Application Rejected

The JRS Grant application for Goose Creek was rejected. The commissioners hope to get an onsite briefing on what the short comings were and hope of a more successful bid next time. The best truth is the best areas for retail development in Preble County are the Stateline and Eaton. The best places for industrial development are the Camden and Eaton areas with access to railroad. Goose Creek is a political vanity play by elected officials trying to leverage development in an area lacking not only infrastructure but the ability to compete with other areas of the county or region. Those responsible for the continued incompetence should be voted from office at the earliest possible date.

OSU Extension and 4H

Dr. Wright from OSU Extension made a visit to the Preble County Fair and was given a tour. Commissioner David Wesler mentioned the ongoing efforts of the recently formed Friends of Preble County 4H. This group recently became a 501C3 non-profit and the intent is to have a dedicated 4H agricultural person in the county. The reality is that in all probability any money raised for this effort will result in further cuts in the financial commitment of Preble County Commissioners to the local OSU Extension office. The well meaning people raising these funds should make use of the “Search” feature on this website and review previous on the record statements by this set of Commissioners. If money is being raised under the assumption that it will be added on to what is currently being spent by the County there is ample reason to reconsider that belief and expect cuts by the Commissioners. This group just put almost $50,000 in escrow for property at Goose Creek. They did so knowing that Soil & Water may not have enough money to get through the year without additional funding.

Commissioner Stonecash Lectures on Criticism of County Economic Development Efforts

File 9 has on the record lecturing by Commissioner Stonecash  with regard to the kick-off meeting of the Preble County Development Partnership on July 29, 2010 and to those as he put it: "Those that choose to criticize and not attend the meeting to educate themselves.. in that process. I am sorry they did not take the time or exert the effort to educate themselves so that they know, that they know there is a concerted effort going on by all of Preble County for that."

This was a “public” meeting that most of the public, the Citizens of Preble County were totally unaware of.  I cover the audio cds which are the “OFFICIAL MINUTES” of the Preble County Commissioners and make them available to the public. Commissioner Stonecash mentioned this Preble County Development Partnership “kick-off” at the July 28^th meeting. On a fairly regular basis the cds of weekly meetings are made available on Thursday’s but the meetings of both July 26 & July 28 were not made available until August 2. I can assure Bob Stonecash that had I been made aware of that meeting I would have gladly skipped a meeting that night of a Committee that I chair to attend it. Having not been notified it is extremely difficult to attend or be held accountable for not doing so.

I will also take this opportunity to again call into question the commitment of this endeavor to the development of Preble County as a whole. The Preble County Development Partnership is the creation of the Preble County Chamber of Commerce. The Preble County Chamber of Commerce was formally the EATON Chamber of Commerce.  New Paris has a chamber and is in an area of the prime RETAIL & COMMERCIAL potential at the Stateline, an area that has major development on the Indiana side. Camden was bypassed for a leachate line that would have opened up the area south of the Preble County Landfill to INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT with RAILROAD ACCESS. To put it mildly this is not a good start and there is already ample evidence that what this Preble County Commission says one day does not hold true the next.  I wish the Preble County Development Partnership success but if the lone representative from the northwest sector of the county is to be someone who resides in Ross, Ohio, then that is unacceptable. I ask readers and audio listeners to review a couple short sound clips of the way these Commissioners treated Camden: Here is a short audio clip from November 20, 2009 of the Camden leachate proposal numbers being released in Commission Chambers and giving Lakengren an unfair advantage: http://citizensforpreblecounty.com/audio/nov3009/7-Camden.mp3

Here is a short audio clip from January, 26, 2009 and the mention of a $1,500,000 loan with both Commissioner Dave Wesler and Commissioner Day leaving not only the impression but a presumptive commitment to that leachate line going to Camden. This is a commitment that Commissioner Wesler claimed goes back to 2003, a commitment that was broken.  http://citizensforpreblecounty.com/audio/jan2609/68.mp3

Here is an off the cuff comment made March 3, 2010 alluding to having digital copies and the ability to “change” the numbers and response by someone in attendance “that’s what our customers used to do.”

File 9A

2 hr. 16.8 minute mark    Preble County Commissioner Chris Day – one of the things for Bob and Dave is that we requested that we have the digital copies to these so that we do have the ability to go in and make a lot more money by just changing numbers… Room erupts in HAHAHA

Kleingers Rep – It’s real easy.

Someone – Good idea

That’s what our clients used to do. More hahaha 

_______________________________________________________________

I am all for “POSITVE” but even more so accurate information and a sense of integrity, now how about the Preble County Commissioners providing some before lecturing others?

Fourth, let’s close with the shattering of the façade of a united Commission and take a look and listen to File 10A from this week’s meeting (August 2, 2010). This audio clip occurred at the adjournment of the meeting.

Commissioner Stonecash – “Noting that Commissioner Wesler is already gone.”

Evil laugh by someone

Commissioner Day – “Commissioner Wesler” (sarcasm)

 

Preble County, Ohio

County Commissioners

August 2, 2010

Meeting audio and review

All three Commissioners in attendance

Commissioner David Wesler leaves before meeting is adjourned

File 1

I. OPEN MEETING

II. CALL OF ROLL

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. PRAYER

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE JOURNALIZATION & NOTE RECEIPT OF THE CD RECORDATION BOTH AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FOR THE JULY 28TH REGULAR SESSION MEETING

VII. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE VOUCHERS AS SUBMITTED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR

End 5.03 minute mark on CD – 1.15 MB

File 2

VIII. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #401-10-146

RE: AUTH. PAYMENT – FELONY SUBSIDY ($472.63); CSEA ($170.00); SHERIFF ($750.50 & $432.00); CONCEALED HANDGUN ($595.00); HELP ME GROW ($1,737.61 & $400.46); ENGINEER ($300.00)

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #402-10-146

RE: AUTH. EXPEND. – $9,700.33 FOR PURCHASE OF REBAR – ENGINEER

C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #403-10-146

RE: REQUESTING COUNTY AUDITOR TO CERTIFY TOTAL CURRENT TAX VALUATION FOR PREBLE COUNTY & AMOUNT OF REVENUE TO BE GENERATED BY A 0.3 MILL RENEWAL TAX LEVY & A 0.1 MILL ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY

D. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #408-10-146

RE: REQUEST FOR FUND APPROVAL TO AUDITOR OF STATE – PROS. ATTY. DIVERSION PROGRAM FUND

IX. CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ADDENDUM TO BID SPECS

RE: ADDENDUM TO LEWISBURG-HORN ST. IMPROVEMENTS, PH. 2 BID SPECS – FY09 CDBG

9.6 minute mark on cd  

4.36 minutes – 1.05MB

File 3

9:15 A.M. – MINDY ROBBINS (GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL UPDATES)

10.75 minute mark      Cash Balance July 30, 2010  $1,500,000 (roughly) waiting on Treasurer for more accurate number

Sales tax came in at less than estimate by $60,053, in part because of an almost $50,000 refund.

Advised that Darke has been hit with two fairly large refunds in the last couple months.

20.5 minute mark on cd  

10.57 minutes – 2.5 MB

File 4

X. BID RECOMMENDATIONS/ AWARDS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF A BID RECOMMENDATION & CONSIDER AWARDING THE BID AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PREBLE CO. SANITARY ENGINEER

RE: LANDFILL CONSTRUCTION, PHASE 2A-3 King Development Limited DBA King Environmental Group of Arlington, Ohio – $413,500

B. NOTE RECEIPT OF A BID RECOMMENDATION & CONSIDER AWARDING THE BID AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER

RE: SUPPLYING & ERECTING A STEEL TRUSS BRIDGE ON PRICE’S CREEK ROAD OVER PRICE’S CREEK  U.S. Bridge of Cambridge, Ohio. $397,317

23.6 minute mark on cd  

3.08 minutes – 736KB

Talking about the body mass, it is buy generic viagra slovak-republic.org a critical problem standing in the age of science.
File 5

XI. AGREEMENTS & CONTRACTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AMENDMENT

RE: AMENDMENT TO IV-D CONTRACT W/ MARY DITMER – ADDITIONAL SERVICES – INCREASE $10,398.60 – CSEA

24.5 minute mark      XII. TRAVEL REQUESTS

NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING TRAVEL REQUESTS:

A. RES. #404-10-146 – MICHAEL L. SIMPSON – FOJ Cost not to exceed $966

B. RES. #405-10-146 – LESLIE THOMAS – JFS Cost not to exceed $10

C. RES. #406-10-146 – CAROL AVERY & DANIELLE PIERATT – JFS Cost not to exceed $20

D. RES. #407-10-146 – MICHELLE DAVIS, JODY ROBERTS, CINDY LEE, KRISTINA BURLESON – TASC Cost not to exceed $40

27.2 minute mark on cd  

3.36 minutes – 847KB

File 6

Commissioner Stonecash – Kim do you have anything else?

27.3 minute mark      Kim – I am sure you have all read your emails by now that we were not awarded the JRS funding.

28 minute mark      Commissioners would like an onsite debriefing as to short coming in application. If unable to get onsite debriefing the Commissioners will make trip to Columbus.

Commissioner Wesler has Public Records training on August 18.

30 minute mark      Commissioner Wesler & Commissioner Day – Ohio Rural assistance program on August 24 & 25.  

Chris Day will be gone all week, brought surprise from David as it is only a two day conference.  Last year about this time Chris Day took the week off for his water certification that he uses at West Alexandria. Commissioner Day will make the Monday meeting but be leaving for his training Monday evening.

30.75 minute mark on cd  

3.36 minutes – 847KB

File 7

Auctioning of County property on website, mentioned previously

30.75 minute mark on cd  

3.36 minutes – 847KB

File 8

9:30 A.M. – JOHN KROCK (PERSONNEL)

EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE DISCIPLINE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE

OUT OF SESSION

BACK IN SESSION

No action taken.

36 minute mark on cd  

3.36 minutes – 847KB

File 9

Commissioner Stonecash – "Anything you want to talk about the OSU – 4H meeting with the advisors? "

Commissioner Wesler –  "I thought it went well. It was nice to have Dr. Wright down here and see what a good Fair we have and how important agricultural is to the residents of Preble County. I think it was nice that you the the Friends of Preble County 4H was able to meet with him also and show how their getting..just kicking off the dollars needed to have dedicated agricultural person here in the county. I think Dr. Wright really enjoyed it."

36.75 minute mark      Commissioner Stonecash – Well I would ahh thank you for your efforts and ahh trying to get the 4H community involved as much as you have with OSU and trying to work out there concerns. The fact that we have been moving forward trying to get this done.

Dave Wesler – Thanks Bob

Commissioner Stonecash – Anything else?

37.3 minute mark      Commissioner Stonecash – A couple things that I would mention. The Preble County Development Partnership had its kick-off Thursday night. at the Eaton Country Club. It was well attended; it was open to the Public, for everyone to become educated as to what's going on. It has very good make up, very good support. Those that choose to criticize and not attend the meeting to educate themselves.. in that process. I am sorry they did not take the time or exert the effort to educate themselves so that they know that they know there is a concerted effort going on by all of Preble County for that.

Commissioner Wesler – I apologize I could not make it Thursday.

Commissioner Stonecash – It was very well attended.

Commissioner Wesler – Great

Commissioner Stonecash – We has some representatives from Darke County that were interested enough to come down, Diane ?? was here and their economic development director and Marty from the Dayton Development Coalition along with others so.

Commissioner Wesler – Great

Commissioner Stonecash – The area is also ahh concerned and interested enough at what we are doing. Comments were made that it is a very good effort and they are impressed by what is going on. Other than that the developmental.. the economic development applicants are in and we will be reviewing those. Going from there.

Commissioner Stonecash – Anything else?

39.7 minute mark      Commissioner Day – I would make a motion to note receipt and give Bob the authority to sign the Issue 2 applications for Goose Creek in regards to the ahhm water and wastewater projects that we are submitting for. I know that we passed a resolution authorizing Bob to sign all documents but these are the actual applications that I just got here from Frank Leon.

Commissioner Wesler – I'll second that.  Can I ask, when was the deadline when was the deadline to put it in and when will we hear if we are successful?

Commissioner Day – The deadline is to get these to the county today. Springfield, I think is the 9th and from there on out I don't have that information in front of me David but it is probably another month. We probably won't hear anything until September sometime. Ahhh from the District, once it goes to the State.  I can get that I looked at that timeline and ahh the problem is it is a whole page long.

Commissioner Wesler – Well the District will look at all the applications and prioritize by number the recommendations sent to the state.

Commissioner Day – We will know going out of the District ahhh in September sometime.

Commissioner Wesler – Ok, then will the State make their determination?

Commissioner Day – "Ahhhh I am not real sure ahhm because they this is just a they're going back to the ??? last year it was a double round. They had double the amount of funds. They kind of sped things up a little bit try to get things moving but I am assuming that we will tentative notice maybe in November but awards won't actually come until first of the year. The actual dollars I mean the ahhh ahhm notice to proceed in April – May which normally means you can use the get started in July. June – July depending on but the is to my knowledge those dates have not been set. Because they are going back to the way it was before trying to trying to restructure after that double amount of funding that was last year where they kind of fast tracked if you remember we were getting some of these projects in the county approved ahead of time so they got to they are trying to get all the paperwork and things lined up Dave."

Commissioner Stonecash – Anything else?

42.75  minute mark      Commissioner Stonecash – Ok at this time we will recess until such a time as we hear from Marty

42.75 minute mark on cd  

3.36 minutes – 847KB

File 10

43.25  minute mark      

EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE DISCIPLINE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE.

John Krock and Marty Votel present.

No action taken.

********************************************

File 10A

Commissioner Stonecash – noting that Commissioner Wesler is already gone.

Evil laugh by someone

Commissioner Day –  Commissioner Wesler (sarcasm)

********************************************

ADJOURN

45.25 minute mark on cd  

2.33 minutes – 600KB