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Commissioners give show of support to GM

LISBON — After meeting last week with commissioners from Mahoning and Trumbull counties, county Commissioner Mike Halleck asked his fellow commissioners to join him Wednesday backing a resolution in support of the General Motors Lordstown facility and the people in the area which will be affected by the projected idling of the plant in March.

Halleck noted while there is only so much commissioners can do, they are encouraging the GM employees, shareholders and families to all come together, no matter what their political differences may be, to support automotive jobs and the economy in the area.

The resolution passed unanimously.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, commissioners also focused on getting financial matters settled in several funds and resolutions regarding the Department of Jobs and Family Services.

The commissioners appropriated $1.58 million for the December billing of the jail and both certified and appropriated $1.54 million in Issue 2 money, which is being paid through the Ohio Public Works and federal money paid through the Ohio Department of Transportation.

At the request of Eileen Dray-Bardon, JFS director, commissioners appointed six members to the Job and Family Services Planning Committee — Tom Andrews of the Community Action Agency; Bert Cene of the Mahoning Columbiana Training Association; Lori Colian, the Family and Children First Council; Dray Bardon; James Ford, Community Legal Aid; and Marcy Patton, Mental Health and Recovery Service Board.

Additionally, the board appointed Stephen Vega to finish the unexpired term on the planning committee vacated by the retirement of Eloise Traina of the Family Recovery Center.

The board also voted to allow a retired social worker, Elizabeth Williams, to serve a three-year term on the Senior Citizens Services Levy Board.

Halleck asked Dray-Bardon about the services provided by the senior services levy, which she said can include a whole array of services including having case managers go to the home and see what services the senior citizen requires to stay safely in their home. Other assistance is based on levels of poverty and providing senior citizens with another resource to obtain what they need if no other resource is available.

The commissioners also approved a contract allowing county sheriff dispatchers to again answer after hours crisis calls for the JFS. The cost of the contract is $32,000, which until this year went to the Help Hotline outside of the county.

The next regular commission meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 26 has been canceled. Instead commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Dec. 31 to conclude the county business for the year.

djohnson@mojonews.com

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