|
MINUTES
April 9, 2009
The Gallia County
chapter of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association met April 9, 2009 at the Nazarene Church Family Life Center. The meal was
catered by Parkfront Diner. The menu was deep-dish lasagna, green beans, bread sticks, salad and raspberry torte. Henry Dillon
gave the blessing.
President Barb Shelton welcomed all. Three guests were present…Anne and Aida Borch who
are the daughter and granddaughter of Gene and Sara Spurlock. The other guest was the speaker for the day, Sheriff Joe Browning.
After introductions we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. We signed a card for Jake Frowine who is celebrating
his 100th birthday. Jake is a former district director who with his wife June attended many of our meetings. Many will remember
him for his eloquent recitation of poetry and his great jokes. We also signed a get well card for Wil Church who is in the
hospital and a sympathy card for the Deel family.
Marlene Hoffman introduced the speaker for the day. Sheriff Joe
Browning is originally from Dayton and moved to Gallia County in the 4th grade. It was quite a shock to move from the big
city to the country. He said his 4th grade teacher Dallie Forgey was a great help to him in making this transition. He gave
an interesting and informative talk about the various services and programs encompassed by his department. The sheriff’s
department has a budget of $1.8 million which seems like a lot money…that is until you know what all has to be paid
for from this budget. Fuel, uniforms, cars, full time and part time staff as well as jail expenses come from these monies.
The jail was built in 1956 and is woefully outdated. Originally there were two beds per cell but because of government regulations
only one bed per cell is now permitted. That means there are only spaces for 22 inmates. Therefore many prisoners must be
housed in surrounding county facilities. That costs money, for transportation as well as the cost of housing the inmate. Currently
$9000 is paid to Scioto County for this purpose. Prisoners have to be fed ($93,000) and given medical care, psychiatric care…and
the list goes on.
Some of the programs that are espoused by the sheriff’s department are:
•
2 resource officers, vocational and alternative schools
• 2 detectives, major crimes investigators
• commissary for inmates
• all county grand jury indictments
•
“concealed carry” applications (900)
• TRIAD (SALT) program for seniors
•
crime watch meetings
• child safety programs
• NRA sponsored gun safety
programs
• ABLE program (school for inmates who show interest in education)
•
Ride along program for teachers which has been scaled back due to budget restraints
Deputies do more than drug
busts and patrol. They do a lot to contribute to the community and contrary to popular opinion do not sit around and eat donuts
all day. Law enforcement in Gallia County is efficiently run. The budget is not levy supported as in many counties, Sheriff
Browning is not in favor of adding a tax burden to the citizens of the county, especially senior citizens. He would like to
see a new jail built but does not see it happening in the foreseeable future because of the financial burden.
There was a brief Q&A. There were questions regarding the concealed carry law requirements, also the “Castle Doctrine”
regarding self-defense. Also mentioned was a program of mediation espoused and paid for by the municipal court, an effort
to resolve civil claims, petty crime, property disputes, etc. through mediation rather than the court system.
Wanda
Willis, chair of the scholarship committee, reported that applications for the RTA scholarships have been distributed to the
schools. The deadline has passed with only one school responding. There was discussion about whether to give multiple scholarships
to one school. Traditionally and according to the by-laws the scholarships have been awarded to one student from each of the
three high schools. It was decided to check stipulations that may be included in the gift from K. Williams that originated
the scholarship fund. Henry Dillon made the motion to award the money to the most worthy applicants and that it is okay if
there are two from one school considering the fact that all the schools did not respond. This is to be applied to this year
only. Ellen Schopis seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The treasurer reported the scholarship fund will not have enough
money to fund scholarships next year because the interest is so low. We will have to decide whether to dip into the principal.
It was also mentioned we might have a fund-raiser for this purpose. It was suggested we advertise in the newsletter and on
the website for donations to the scholarship savings account.
Marlene Hoffman read a thank you card from Janet
Wetherholt for all the kind words, cards and prayers for her during her recent illness. Marlene also gave a short report on
the federal withholding tax change that took effect with our April checks. The tax cut DOES NOT APPLY to pensions. The government
however required STRS to change the deductions even though the tax cut does not apply to pensions. To make a change in the
withholding, call STRS or make the change through the STRS website. Bottom line: get a little more money each month and pay
more next April 15th…OR contact STRS and make a change. One might also consider consulting a tax consultant.
Proudly displayed today was the Gallia County Chapter banner, which has been “lost” for a year. Barb asked Irene
Clark to be the “story sharing” member today and tell the story of the banner. The banner was made by Janet Wetherholt
and presented to the chapter. Irene stored the banner in a closet and like we all do at times…forgot about it. She
recently found the “lost” banner while looking for something else. We are all members of the “What did I
do with that?” club.
The raffle today netted $66 and consisted of six bird houses handcrafted by Wil Church
and a bunny cake made by Barb Shelton. Norm Snyder and Herb Moore went together to buy their raffle tickets. Their pact was
if one of them won the cake, the other would get half. Norm’s number was called and he chose the cake. After listening
to Sheriff Browning talk about all the many ways his department contributes to the community Herb and Norm decided to donate
the cake to the sheriff’s department. Way to go guys!! Happy Easter! Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marlene Hoffman
Secretary
|
