Commissioners proclaim October Agent Orange Awareness Month

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners approved a proclamation at the Oct. 6 meeting recognizing and honoring the victims of Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. The board officially declared October 2025 as Agent Orange Awareness Month in Carroll County.

Surviving family members and those affected appeared before commissioners, including Sandra Jones Babe, Jim Newbold and Chiyoko Weaver.

The proclamation acknowledged the sacrifices of U.S. veterans, particularly the more than eight million Americans who served during the Vietnam War, many of whom were exposed to toxic herbicides.

Agent Orange, used extensively from 1961 to 1971 under the U.S. military’s herbicidal warfare program, contained dangerous dioxins that caused severe health effects. The proclamation detailed the long-term consequences of exposure, including leukemia, lymphoma, soft-tissue sarcoma and cancers of the throat, prostate, lung and colon. It also addressed genetic damage that has affected the children and grandchildren of veterans.

Today, an estimated 600,000 Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange remain alive, yet about 557 die each day from related illnesses. The board emphasized the need for annual recognition of these veterans and their families, many of whom have endured decades of suffering.

“I believe this is our second annual proclamation and I would like to continue to see this on an annual basis because it really made me aware of the effects of Agent Orange,” said Commissioner Chris Modranski. “And a lot of people forget it is not just the soldiers themselves who suffer, but the families as well.”

“I just would like to thank all of the servicemen and their families,” said Commissioner Donald Leggett II. “I have someone in my family who suffers from this mildly, but I have deep thoughts for everyone who has to deal with it.”

In an unrelated matter, commissioners opened and tabled bids for the 2024-03 WPCLF Septic Installation Project. Three bids were presented: Streamline Excavating LLC of Malvern at $20,751.54; Jon Stewart Excavating LLC of Cadiz at $15,000; and JB Milner Complete Septic of Minerva at $13,500.

The bids will be reviewed further and are set to be revisited at the Oct. 9 meeting.

In other business, commissioners: 

—APPROVED Change Order 11 for the annex building renovation. The order includes $292,814 in electrical upgrades and $330,428 in heating and cooling work, totaling $623,242. The upgrades will prepare the second phase of the building for use, including office space for the OSU Extension. Commissioners emphasized that no general fund money will be used; instead, funding will rely on grants and outside resources. 

—APPROVED a $7,400 small-purchase contract to clean, seal and polish the floors at the Dellroy Community Center. 

—HEARD county offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 13, in observance of Columbus Day. 

—PAID bills totaling $452,803.06.