Seneca County Commissioners honor local amateur radio enthusiasts

Tiffin, Ohio — The Seneca County Board of Commissioners paid tribute to the local amateur radio community by presenting a proclamation during a board session held on Thursday morning.

The proclamation designates June 23-24th as “Amateur Radio Weekend in Seneca County.” The initiative aims to recognize the vital role played by amateur radio operators in providing communication services during emergencies and significant events.

Mike Mastro, a dedicated member of the Seneca Radio Club, expressed gratitude to the commissioners for acknowledging the importance of amateur radio operators. He emphasized the essential contribution made by volunteer radio operators in supporting emergency agencies. Mastro remarked, “We do a lot of work with emergency agencies. It’s an honor and a pleasure to serve the way we do.”

The proclamation highlights the invaluable services provided by radio operators associated with the Seneca Radio Club and Seneca ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) to various organizations including Seneca County EMA, FEMA, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, healthcare facilities, the Community Emergency Response Team, the National Weather Service – SKYWARN, and others.

On June 24-25, 2023, the ARRL Amateur Radio Field Day exercise, a 24-hour emergency preparedness event, will take place. This exercise serves as a demonstration of the skills and readiness of radio amateurs to provide self-supporting communications without further infrastructure requirements. The Seneca Radio Club/Seneca County ARES will host the Field Day event at Meadowbrook Park in Bascom, commencing at 2 p.m. on June 24 and concluding at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 25. The board of commissioners expressed gratitude to the selfless individuals who provide these vital services.

In other news, the board approved the continuation of the Seneca County Façade Enhancement Program for 2023. Commissioner Tyler Shuff introduced the program in 2022, resulting in a remarkable local investment of approximately $23,800, which subsequently spurred an additional private investment of $44,309.80 into structures across Seneca County. The funds were allocated for eight distinct projects, with four located in Fostoria and four in rural areas of the county.

Businesses located in areas without a local façade enhancement program are eligible to apply for the program. The initiative aims to revitalize exterior facades throughout Seneca County by providing a 50 percent match, up to $5,000. It is worth noting that not all applicants request the maximum funding, which means that a minimum of ten businesses can benefit from the program.

The Seneca Regional Planning Commission will oversee the program’s second year, and details regarding the application process will be released in the upcoming weeks.

During the session, Pressley Buurma, an educator from the Ohio State University Agriculture Extension Office, provided an update on the office’s activities. Buurma shared plans to attend the Farmers Market scheduled for June 24th in downtown Tiffin from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature several informative and educational sessions led by guest speakers. The sessions, each lasting approximately 30 minutes, are as follows:

• Session One (9 a.m.): How to make goat milk soap
• Session Two (10 a.m.): Pop-up programming: Summer camp fun
• Session Three (11 a.m.): My plate: Eating a rainbow of fruits and veggies
• Session Four (12 p.m.): Which goat is right for you?

In new business, the commissioners approved:

• A $50,000 supplemental appropriation to the Ditch Maintenance Fund for contract projects.
• A $5,000 supplemental appropriation to the Ditch Maintenance Fund for supplies.
• A resolution authorizing the Seneca County Prevention, Retention and Contingency Plan on behalf of Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services.
• Appointing Eric Liebold to the CROSSWAEH Facility Governing Board, with term expiring Dec. 1, 2025.
• An agreement with the Village of New Riegel on behalf of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.
• July 20th at 10 a.m. at the Commissioners’ Office for the continuation of the public hearing regarding the vacation of two alleys in Springville, Big Spring Township.
• July 20th at 10:10 a.m. at the Commissioners’ Office for the continuation of the public hearing for the vacation of two alleys located in Alvada, Big Spring Township.
• July 20th at 10:20 a.m. at the Commissioners’ Office for the continuation of the public hearing concerning the vacation of an unnamed alley located in the hamlet of Caroline, situated in Venice Township, Seneca County, Ohio.