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Commissioners Corner…
Thanks to everyone for a great year

The end of the year is just around the corner for us here in the Commissioner’s office.  In our Commissioner’s Corner columns this year, and our radio appearances once a month on 95.7 F.M. the Tiger, we have tried to keep the citizens of Darke County informed as to what we are doing in the Commissioner’s office, in the courthouse, and throughout the county.  This had not been tried before, so we were unsure as to how it would be received by you, the public.  We have received many comments from you that these columns and programs are informative, very positive, and much appreciated.  Thank You! 

The main purpose of these is to help us connect with all of you, and insure that we are accessible, approachable, and open to you at all times.  We want to dispel the notion that we do things in secret, and without input from our employers, the public.  We will continue to work very hard to earn your trust, be as open as we possibly can, and to represent all the values that Darke County possesses when we are out to other places.  We are blessed in the fact that all of our media outlets are willing participants in getting information to you, and being careful watchdogs of what we are doing, to protect the people of the County.  Thanks to all of you for your continued diligence and watchful eye for the people of Darke County.

This column will be a little different in that we want to take the time to count the many Blessings that have happened to Darke County this year.  We are blessed with the fact that the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) has such a fine policy director in Cheryl Subler.  Cheryl is one of the sweetest people we know, and is always willing to help.  Cheryl is from Versailles and knows Darke County very well.  Thanks, Cheryl, you’re the best. 

We are blessed that we now have local Representatives, Senators, and Congressmen that do have a direct tie to Darke County. People such as State Representatives Jim Buchy and Richard Adams, whom we have contacted and met with several times this year when we have a problem, or just needed advice or information, have been more than helpful and always prompt to answer.   Thanks to both of you for your quick responses, your genuine concern for the people of Darke County, and your friendship. 

Senator Keith Faber is someone who can be contacted and he responds quickly and usually can answer your questions with one call.  Senator Bill Beagle, the newest member of the Senate from our area, is truly becoming a great legislator.  Senator Beagle truly does care about all of us here and spends a lot of time in our county talking to businesses and to us asking how he can help.  We are lucky to have such good relationships with our Senators.  Thanks to both of you.

Governor John Kasich’s office is represented to us by Sandra Brasington.  Sandra is one of the most conscientious people we have ever met.  She always asks us “What can the Governor’s office do to help you?” The Governor’s office is very quick to respond, and it is a pleasure to deal with them, and especially with Sandra whose smile and laughter is infectious.  

Representative John Boehner does not get up this way very often himself, but his representatives, Ryan Day and Frank DeBrosse, are here frequently to help us however they can.  Both of them are fairly young, and their enthusiasm is catching. Their assistance is truly appreciated.

The economy in the rest of the country has been fairly stagnant this year, but here in Darke County we have been blessed that we are on the rise.  We have added hundreds of jobs, retained as many, and have new businesses looking to move here.  The Jobs center has jobs available, and one of our areas of focus next year will be workforce development.  We have good paying jobs, but we need skilled workers willing to take them.  This will be a major focus moving forward.  All of this is possible because of several groups of people, Local Community organizations, service organizations, The Darke County Community Improvement Corporation (C. I.C.), the Darke County Economic Development office, and the Partnering for Progress initiative (P4P).  These groups of people have decided that in order to get ahead, we needed to start working more closely together.  The success that Darke County has had is because of this close collaboration.  We are blessed in that we all work as one for the betterment of the entire County, and all you need for proof is to look around at the many successes this past year, and for that we are truly blessed.  New and expanding businesses such as Integrity Ambulance, Continental Carbonic, Fram, Whirlpool, Ramco Motors, American Plastics Recycling, Specialized Castings, Klockner-PentaPlast, Greenville Technologies, Jafe Glass, Family Health, Wayne Hospital, and numerous smaller businesses have all decided that Darke County was the place for them to stay connected to.  

All of this has mainly been through the efforts of our Economic Development Director, Mark Saluk.  Mark has poured his heart and soul into making us the economic bright spot in the State, and he has been highly successful.  Darke County is being noticed throughout the State and the region as the “hot spot” to relocate or expand.  Words cannot express the gratitude owed to Marc and his assistant, Melanie Nealeigh. Countless hours have been spent by these two away from their families to make life better for us in the County.  We are blessed that these two are willing to sacrifice their own time to help all of us.  Many thanks to both of you!

The Commissioners know that it is an honor to serve all of you in Darke County.  We have been blessed that you have entrusted your well-being to us, and that honor is not given easily.  We realize that we have an obligation to serve you to the best of our ability.  We understand that we are responsible for spending your tax dollars efficiently, representing the values you possess, and have an obligation to be open and honest with each of you.  We take this seriously.  We also realize that we are human and we will on occasion make mistakes.  It happens.  We will do our best to rectify those mistakes, and do our best to not make them again.  That is the oath we took when you elected us and we hold ourselves to that standard.  The obligation to look after the well being of 53,000 people can be a severe challenge.  We accept that roll willingly. 

We enjoy being able to serve you and are blessed to have families that understand the time sacrifices we take from them to serve you, the citizens of the county. Thank you to our spouses for their understanding. 

We will resume our public sessions in January as always on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. here in the Commissioner’s office at 520 South Broadway in Downtown Greenville.   May all of you count your blessings this Christmas season, be thankful for what you have, be optimistic about our future, and continue to make Darke County one of the very best places to live!  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and may God bless you all!!

The Darke County Commissioners


 
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