I’ll start by making another call on the Preble County Commission to install a video camera and make video of the commission meetings available online. Transparency is important and Mr. Creech is currently in opposition to his stated views made on video prior to being elected.  Here are Mr. Creech’s comments on the importance of transparency and trust from a meet the candidates meeting prior to being elected: Video link    

File 6 & 7 files standout as interesting.  Brenda Latanza gave a very good first economic development update. She took over in February and this is the first update in the commission chambers – listen to File 6.  It also takes place as the County Commission 5 year commitment of a $100,000 in-kind commitment expires see File 7.  I wish Brenda and the Partnership success.

File 7 is where things got contentious.  Commissioner Creech made a motion to continue the county commission’s annual $100,000 in-kind contribution to Preble County Development Partnership (PCDP).  The Commission eventually voted 3-0 to renew the $100,000 in-kind contribution to the PCDP for three more years.

Commissioner Creech appears to be questioning Commissioner Robertson’s honesty in this exchange:

 1 hr. 48.5 Minute mark    Commissioner Robertson – Do you know that this was sold to the Preble that once it has been up and running for a few years that it will be self sustaining?

Commissioner Creech – No I have just heard you say that.

For me the exchange had Rodney Creech sounding pretty condescending to Commissioner Robertson much in the way a number of viewers felt of a previous video I posted involving Rodney, Commissioner Robertson and Mary Bullen. Listen to the exchange and form your own opinion.

Regarding the Commission expectation at the time of agreeing to funding I ‘ll refer the public to June 24, 2009 and the File 6 audio file which I have put back online. Here are the comments of Chris Day that you can listen to:

Chris: "As you stated Bob, if we get to the point where economic development is self supporting, which I think we can. I think there are some other things going on out there that's maybe going on that can maybe assist us. Then we can use those funds elsewhere without having to go back through the process. Which, she's trying to say. I guess the best case scenario is in two years that economic development is self sufficient and standing on its own. And we wanted to utilize that for an Administrator or whatever, we don't have to go back in and tear that apart."

Rodney appeared to be at a minimum insinuating that the only time he had ever heard an expectation of the PCDP becoming self sufficient was from Denise – Commissioner Robertson.  In the fall of 2013 I received a call and request to meet with Rodney as he was seeking support for his challenge to David Wesler’s commission seat. Rodney mentioned that he would also be meeting with Jane Marshall that week. I know Jane and I said I would be happy to save him a meeting and meet with him at the same time as Jane.  What one of us miss in a discussion the other usually catches, plus a candidate meeting with two people has a greater difficulty denying a conversation took place.  My memory is that Rodney was very clear on the five year commitment and need for the Partnership to be self sufficient.  I will defer to whatever Jane’s memory is on the issue. If Rodney is right with regard to that meeting then so be it.

However I would like to draw the public’s attention to this exchange on St. Patrick’s Day 2014.  Rodney Creech owes Commissioner Robertson an apology and might want to invest in some memory exercises. The video link posted below clearly shows Rodney being asked about this issue.

VIDEO LINK TO QUESTION ON CONVEYANCE TAX

 

Preble County, Ohio

County Commissioners

August 10, 2015

Meeting audio and review

Three Commissioners in attendance

File 1

I. OPEN MEETING

II. CALL OF ROLL

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. PRAYER

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE JOURNALIZATION & NOTE RECEIPT OF THE CD RECORDATION BOTH AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FOR THE AUGUST 5, 2015 REGULAR SESSION MEETING

VII. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE VOUCHERS AS SUBMITTED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR

4.47 minutes – 1.09 MB

File 2

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #450-15-171

RE: AUTH. PAYMENT – SHERIFF ($2,083.73); LANDFILL ($1,068.15); JOB & FAMILY SVS. ($63,176.00)

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #451-15-171

RE: AUTH. THE USE OF A CREDIT CARD – DET. ANDREW BLEVINS – SHERIFF – ($3,000 limit)

C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #452-15-171

RE: AUTH. EXPENDITURE – $3,560.00 – ADD’L AGILE CONNECTION LINK & INSTALLATION FOR MARCS CONSOLE – SHERIFF ($620 a month)

D. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #453-15-171

RE: FILING A LIST OF DELINQUENT PROPERTY OWNERS TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH O.R.C. SECTION 6117.02 – PCSD #3 – (29 delinquent)

E. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #454-15-171

RE: FILING A LIST OF DELINQUENT PROPERTY OWNERS TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH O.R.C. SECTION 6117.02 – PCSD #2 (3 delinquent)

F. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #455-15-171

TRANSFER OF FUNDS – SHERIFF

G. NOTE RECEIPT OF (3) AMENDED CERTIFICATES

RE: FCFC ($21,000.00); CT. COMPUTERIZATION – CLERK OF CTS. ($25,000.00); FCFC ($22,653.00)

H. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #456-15-171

RE: SUPPLE. APPROPRIATION – CT. COMPUTERIZATION – CLERK OF CTS. ($50,000.00); FCFC ($43,653.00)

I. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #457-15-171

RE: AUTH. EXPENDITURE – $10,590.82 – METAL SIDING – ENGINEER

J. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #463-15-171

RE: MORAL OBLIGATION – CHILDREN SVS.

CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF (3) LETTERS FROM THE COUNTY ENGINEER

RE: RESIGNATION OF WILLIAM RITTER; MATHEW SULLENDER & AUSTIN SCHAAR – SUMMER HELP – ENGINEER

B. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A DISPLAY AD

RE: FY14 CDBG FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM

C. NOTE RECEIPT OF A & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING A LETTER TO THE AUDITOR

RE: CERTIFICATION OF DITCH ASSESSMENTS

AGREEMENTS & CONTRACTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AGREEMENT

RE: TEMPORARY LABOR AGREEMENT W/ MANPOWER RICHMOND – $13,000.00 – LANDFILL

TRAVEL

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING TRAVEL REQUESTS:

A. RES. #458-15-171 – MELISSA SMITH – MICROFILM Cost not to exceed $31.60

B. RES. #459-15-171 – KEVIN NELSON, JIM RAY, JIM WOOTEN, DALE NISIUS & BOB HANSFORD – ENGINEER Cost not to exceed $340

C. RES. #460-15-171 – SHANNON MUSKOPF & MICHELLE DAVIS – TASC Cost not to exceed $180

D. RES. #461-15-171 – MICHELLE DAVIS – TASC Cost not to exceed $50

E. RES. #462-15-171 – MICHELLE DAVIS & KENDRA BUELL – TASC Cost not to exceed $160

Commissioner Day – Sarah do you have any additional items at this time.

Sarah – No I do not.

17.5 minute mark on cd  

12.44 minutes – 2.91 MB

File 3

18 Minute mark   RECESS UNTIL 9:30

The Propecia claims are being dealt with by many good cialis uk seanamic.com lawyers.

Audio level is poor

Various conversations on multiple subjects of no real interest to the day's proceedings.

25.7 minute mark on cd  

8.09 minutes – 1.86 MB

File 4

GLENWOOD WORK SESSION

Chris Day mentions they are there to discuss the RFP.

Audio level is poor

Not reviewed

46 minute mark on cd  

20.22 minutes – 4.66 MB

File 5

Discussion in the background –  the audio level is poor.

52 Minute mark  Discussion of a landfill visit on Wednesday at 11:00.

52 Minute mark   Commissioners talking about blow holes in tile.

Causing crop damage.

56 Minute mark   Mention of Southwestern and a contract.

57 Minute mark   Commissioner Robertson ready to go with Randy's recommendation. Mentions resale and Caterpillar

Commissioner Creech mentions service.

3/4 of a million expense.

1 hr.  2  Minute mark   Public meeting and agenda…. 5 – 10 minute limit if anyone comes in to make sales pitch.

MHRB meeting August 24 at 6:30 – Chris Day will attend.

Chris mentions having CORSA in.

1 hr.  5.5  Minute mark   Charity Ball question?

1 hr.  6  Minute mark   Chris – lady from extension office…. position previously discussed. Chris has had a brief conversation with Brenda Latanza & Jeff Sewart independently of each other and they are saying they are looking at this as a possible option.

1 hr.  7  Minute mark   Discussion of County Fair.

Parking lot at courthouse was paved.

1 hr. 10  Minute mark   Derby Days this weekend.

1 hr.  10.75  minute mark on cd  

24.56 minutes – 5.7 MB

File 6

Bill Yorke in chambers. Bill is a founding member of the CHAT – Citizens Against Higher Taxes.

1 hr. 11.75  Minute mark   Jeff Sewart thanks the commission for their support of the Partnership. Mentions the support given five years ago to start the Preble County Development Partnership (PCDP). Five years ago the County Commission at the time agreed to a five year – $100,000 in-kind annual contribution to the fund the Economic Development Department that was for a time even under commission control before eventually being turned over to the Partnership (PCDP).    

BRENDA LATANZA & JEFF SEWART – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

This meeting at times again suffers from a poor audio level.  

Meeting turned over to Brenda Latanza. Listen to the audio and develop your own opinions of what is being said.

1 hr. 15.25  Minute mark    Work force turnover at Henny Penny put at only 2%.

People love working there and Bullens.

1 hr. 17 Minute mark   2010 unemployment put at 13.8 %, May 2015 unemployment is put at 4.5%.  A company is mentioned as having had 206 employees in 2010 and as of two weeks ago it had 344 employees.  120 new jobs at Pratt Industries. The two companies combined have added almost 260 new jobs in the county.  Claims the Partnership was a key player in getting Pratt. Video of Rodney Creech being asked about how the Pratt deal happened.

List of accomplishments with regard to retention.

Port Authority & manufacturing training center. These two are very good accomplishments.   

1 hr. 23.3  Minute mark   Mention of revolving loan fund and their first loan applicant.  Creation of a revolving loan fund was mentioned by the then Economic Development Director of Mercer County as the key to growth at an Economic Development Conference held in Lewisburg some years ago. Mercer County is usually the county with the lowest unemployment in the state.

1 hr. 25 Minute mark   Updating the community economic strategy – not updated since 2003 and the comprehensive land use plan – not updated since the year 2000.  Preble County Consolidated plan….

1 hr. 28.5 Minute mark   Working to update website links….

Maintaining the database….

1 hr. 33 Minute mark   The audio is poor but I recognize the background audio as part of an economic development promotional video I found posted online a few weeks ago. This video was done for the Preble County Development Partnership by a company that shows a Brookville address in Montgomery County.

1 hr. 36 Minute mark    Mentions having met Jane Marshall at the Community Partnership and she offered to show me around.  Also met with Rachel Vonderharr. Need for machine shop and something like the Carter Lumber that left.

1 hr. 38 Minute mark    Commissioner Creech offers his view.  Mentions networking and key contacts because of Partnership.

1 hr. 39.75  Minute mark    Jeff Sewart on the Commission and support making it happen. Heavy on the "support" which could be a play for extending the five year financial support agreement which is expiring.  

1 hr. 40 Minute mark    Commissioner Day offers his view. Mentions both Brenda and Sarah as doing good jobs.

1 hr. 41.75 Minute mark    Commissioner Robertson offers her view and support.

1 hr. 45 minute mark on cd  

34.18 minutes – 7.85 MB

File 7

Commissioner Creech motions to continue financial support of the PCDP. This has been an annual commitment of $88,000 of your taxes and a $12,000 contribution of office space in the annex across from the courthouse. Originally the Partnership was expected to be "self supporting" well within that five year initial commitment. See the June 24, 2009 post – File 6  transcription and audio comments of Chris Day on the issue.  Rodney mentions a new three year contract of support.  

Commissioner Day seconds for discussion.

Commissioner Robertson says they have not discussed anything about a contract.   

Commissioner Creech – We've done it for the last five years.

Listen to this audio as I am not going to transcribe it all – this is turning contentious.    

Commissioner Creech mentions that Commissioner Day apparently said a few weeks ago that he wished the commission could give more.  Lawn Plus is joining.

1 hr. 48.5 Minute mark    Commissioner Robertson – Do you know that this was sold to the Preble that once it has been up and running for a few years that it will be self sustaining?

Commissioner Creech – No I have just heard you say that.  Whoa –   See the June 24, 2009 post – File 6  transcription and audio comments of Chris Day on the issue.  It sounds here like Rodney is claiming no knowledge of a five year commitment and the Partnership having to be self sufficient.  I can tell you that I met with Rodney in the fall of 2013 with Jane Marshall at his place and my memory is that he was aware of it and commented it but ask Jane Marshall if she can remember who is right.   I would like to submit this video as proof that this topic did come up in the spring of 2014. Rodney was asked about the five year commitment and was for continuing support beyond the five years but his having no knowledge is not supported by the facts.

Commissioner Day offers his explanation on the beginning and not earmarking it for economic development. "And yes the goal is for them to be self sufficient as far as for their wages and things like that.  Quite frankly I don't think anybody thought the first five years that was going to happen."   Read the transcription and Chris Day's comments on June 24, 2009  and consider what he said then vs. what he is saying now. Better yet listen to the audio of him saying it.

1 hr. 51.75 Minute mark    Commissioner Robertson  would like to see any money brought in because of the Port Authority be taken on the County expense. This year that is $30,000 because of the Henny Penny expansion.

Commissioner Creech – See I don't look at it that way.

Commissioner Day – And I understand what you are saying that was the general concept initially. I don't think we are there yet.

Please listen to the audio and form your own opinion.

1 hr. 59.75 Minute mark    Vote held on continuing the funding of the Partnership at the same level for three more years. Passes 3-0.

2 hr. minute mark on cd  

15 minutes – 3.43 MB

File 8

The rest of this day's commission audio is made available below but has not been reviewed.

DAVE LINDLOFF & DR. MARK VOSLER, CORONER – PERSONNEL

2 hr. 30.5 minute mark on cd  

30.35 minutes – 7 MB