According to Paul Sorenson, Santa Claus asked him to stop by Tuesday’s county commission meeting and bring, “all the way from the North Pole,” packets of Christmas candy to each commissioner.
Another interested citizen, Dan Strunk, dropped in for less than a minute to “voice his opinion on supporting ACARF.”
“I’ve lived in the country for 32 years and since ACARF has been there, we’ve had no stray animals. Numerous people in the country, they feel the same way. So, I’d like to see some support from the county. I don’t mind my taxes being paid for something like that. I think it’s a really good deal and should be supported.
“Well, I’ve been heard,” Strunk said. “Thank you.”
Matt Kerr requested permission to place a “gate or fence” on an out-of-the-way road near his property at West Virginia and 2300 St. Commissioners alerted Kerr to the process by which his request would have to be evaluated, but promised to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
Marsha Storrer is helping to organize her upcoming reunion for the Class of 1970. Wanting to “give back to the community,” Storrer’s class is planning an auction. Proceeds from the auction could be used to purchase benches for the courthouse, Storrer said. Grounds director Ron Holman suggested benches like those being used on the rail-trail would be nice and that he would look into it.
County Attorney Alan Weber suggested the reappointment of Harry Lee and Debbie Roe to the board of trustees for Allen County Regional Hospital, which the commission approved.
Conversation then turned to the old hospital. “At what point,” commissioner Jim Talkington asked, “do we start discussions on demolition?”
“That’s up to you,” said Weber.
In the meantime, Weber asked the commissioners to consider how the old hospital will be insured going forward.
“Last year we paid $16,592 for the insurance. This year that same coverage will be about $13,338. If we only want liability, it would be $1,880.”
When asked, Weber said he could think of no reason liability insurance alone would not be adequate.
Still, the body elected to wait until next week, when Commissioner Dick Works would be there, before making their final decision.
Continuing the medical motif, Phil Dreasher and Stephen Euston, benefit consultants from Bukaty Companies, apprised the commissioners of the status of the county’s employee-wide health insurance plan.
The consultants did not say if rates would be going up or down in the future.
Dreasher complimented the commission — especially County Clerk Sherrie Riebel — on the number of county employees who are participating in a wellness program, which, according to Dreasher, will provide the single biggest savings to the county’s plan in the years to come.
Commisioners hear requests
