Local
Seneca County Commissioners honor Eagle Scout for pet pantry project
Tiffin, Ohio — The Seneca County Board of Commissioners on Thursday recognized Charles Knight, also known as “Odin” among his family and friends, for the successful completion of his Eagle Scout Project. In a proclamation signed on Thursday morning, the board commended Knight’s remarkable achievement and his dedication to serving the community.
Commissioner Bill Frankart, accompanied by Knight’s family and friends, met with the aspiring Eagle Scout on Thursday afternoon at the Seneca County Dog Warden’s Office to personally acknowledge his project. Knight, only a few merit badges away from attaining the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, has already demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership.
Knight’s Eagle Scout project involved the construction of a sizable donation box at the Dog Warden’s Office, serving as a pet pantry for community members facing financial hardships. The donation box, shaped like a dog house, is stocked with essential items such as food, leashes, collars, and toys for dogs, cats, and other small animals. The initiative aims to provide temporary support to pet owners in need, with the goal of preventing pet surrenders and abandonment.
Motivated by his love for animals, Knight dedicated approximately 23 hours to constructing the project, with some assistance from his peers. Kelly Marker, Seneca County Dog Warden, worked closely with Knight throughout the project’s development. Marker emphasized that the donation box is accessible 24/7, allowing individuals to contribute or take items as needed.
The Seneca County Board of Commissioners’ proclamation highlights Knight’s journey towards the esteemed rank of Eagle Scout as a testament to his unwavering commitment, leadership, and dedication to scouting principles. Knight’s achievements reflect his profound understanding of the importance of serving others and showcase his remarkable leadership skills. The board expressed pride in commending Knight for his outstanding dedication to scouting and his invaluable contributions to the community.
“We are proud to commend Charles Knight for his outstanding dedication to scouting, his invaluable contributions to our community, and for setting an example for others to follow,” the commissioners stated in the proclamation. They expressed confidence that Knight’s scouting experience will continue to guide him toward achieving his future aspirations, including attending the Naval Academy and pursuing a career as a pilot.
In other news, the Seneca County Board of Commissioners received two sealed bids for the Seneca County EMS Station project during their recent session. The estimated cost of the project, including the installation of a generator, was $1,032,900 according to the engineer’s estimate.
The bids were received from two construction companies:
- Clouse Construction Company, based in New Riegel, submitted a bid of $1,140,966, including an alternate cost of $55,996.
- Alvada Construction, located in Findlay, presented a bid of $1,561,000, with an alternate cost of $72,000.
The planned EMS station will be situated on approximately 3 acres of land on the east side of Bloom Township along US 224. This station is the first of several planned facilities aimed at improving response times for Seneca County EMS personnel. The commissioners acquired the land in March 2022 at a cost of around $52,500. In February 2022, the board allocated up to $750,000 for the construction of the new EMS facility. The station will accommodate both paid and volunteer Seneca County EMS staff, enhancing emergency medical service coverage for county residents and those within the SCEMS coverage area.
During the session, the commissioners also reviewed their upcoming board meeting schedule, noting that the meetings scheduled for July 6th and July 27th have been canceled.
