Rhoades named Republican of the Year
By Bob Robinson

GREENVILLE – Darke County Commissioners issued a proclamation Oct. 22 at its regular public meeting congratulating Commissioner Mike Rhoades for being named 2013 Darke County Republican of the Year.

“They messed with me,” said Rhoades, grinning. “Diane and Mike (Commissioners Delaplane and Stegall) had me sign a proclamation for someone else.”

During the Darke County Republican Pig Roast on Oct. 21 Rhoades said he thought it was strange two of his relatives were there… they are Democrats. Then as the “recipient’s” accomplishments were being noted he knew he’d been “had.”

Rhoades is in his third term as Darke County Commissioner.

On Oct. 23 commissioners accepted $300,000 in casino revenue for the third quarter of 2013. The money will be used for sewer lines in need of repair at the Darke County Jail. This money was not anticipated by the commissioners in their 2013 budget.

“Some counties, believe it or not, balanced their budgets on anticipated revenue,” said Rhoades. Then they got in trouble when it didn’t appear as promised

Stegall said they decided to balance Darke County’s budget without planning on any revenue.

“We knew it wouldn’t be what they promised, and it wasn’t. We just didn’t know how much it would be,” he added.

On Oct. 16 commissioners signed a renewal contract with Environmental Enterprises, Inc. for Darke County’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day scheduled for Oct. 26.

Commissioners tabled approval of apparent low bidder America’s Decorative Concrete (ADC) recommendation on a Mote & Associates Union City project for Deerfield Road Water Line Improvements to await more information. On Oct. 21, Susan Laux of Mote & Associates provided it.

She noted ADC had limited experience on the type of construction required but added the company is comfortable with the bid with additional supervision.

“The second bid exceeds our limited budget. We can add the additional supervision and still have room to play with the recommended bid,” she said. Commissioners approved the bid award to ADC for $78,600.

On Oct. 23 commissioners accepted a revenue increase of $9,000 for Concealed Weapons licenses. Of that $9,000, $6,000 goes to the state. Commissioners moved the balance of $3,000 to Machines and Equipment Supplies.

Published courtesy of The Early Bird