Commissioners proclaim Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Carroll County commissioners proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month during their March 9 meeting after hearing from Celeste DeHoff, COMPASS community engagement coordinator.

DeHoff told commissioners that April marks 25 years of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and said this year’s theme is “25 Years Strong: Looking Back, Moving Forward.” She said the observance honors progress made in supporting survivors while recommitting communities to prevention and awareness efforts.

“Together, we can continue to strengthen prevention, support healing, and create communities where everyone feels safe and valued,” DeHoff said.

DeHoff said COMPASS provides free services to survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking. She also shared statistics showing the widespread impact of sexual violence across different populations and said prevention starts by supporting one another, practicing consent and creating safe spaces rooted in care and respect.

Commissioners approved the proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

In an unrelated matter, commissioners heard from Board of Elections officials regarding internet service and cybersecurity needs at the county annex building. Board of Elections Chairperson Valerie Gardner, BOE Director Sherry Lucas, BOE Deputy Director Cheri Whipkey and BOE Regional Liaison Fiona Ruminiski said the office plans to continue using its own separate Spectrum internet line in addition to a state-required AT&T line to maintain security and direct control over election operations.

Officials said the dedicated line will allow the office to quickly address service issues and keep election-related internet access separate from the rest of the building. Commissioners said the installation should be coordinated with county maintenance staff to avoid unnecessary drilling and to follow an existing route into the building.

Commissioners also approved a resolution authorizing an Ohio Water Development Authority cooperative agreement for the design of the Stony Lake-Lake Mohawk sanitary sewer system. Pamela Ewing, a rural development specialist with RCAP, explained that the OWDA option would provide more flexibility because it would allow the county to finance future land purchases connected to the project.

Ewing said the design cost is estimated at about $735,000 and noted the county will also begin a sewer rate study in the coming weeks to review long-term costs and funding needs tied to the project.

In other business, commissioners:

—AUTHORIZED Carroll County Transit Director Sonya Turovich to re-advertise for a part-time driver and part-time dispatcher after the most recent hires accepted employment elsewhere.

—APPROVED a special hauling permit for Roy Troyer for Briar Road, County Road 40, in Rose Township. A $50,000 bond was provided as required by County Engineer Brian J. Wise.

—APPROVED LEPC officer appointments including Commissioner Robert Wirkner as chairman, Auditor Stacy Brady as vice chair, EMA Director Tom Cottis as emergency coordinator and Dustin Lucas as secretary and information coordinator.

—APPROVED new LEPC appointments for Lane Hartong of the highway department, Ann Raymond of the Red Cross and Matt Kelleher of Aultman Hospital.

—HEARD an update on weekend storm damage from Dustin Lucas, who said the National Weather Service confirmed the Carrollton area experienced straight-line winds of 58 to 62 mph rather than tornadic activity.

—HEARD that Ohio Severe Weather Awareness Week will be observed March 15-21 and that the statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, March 18.

—HEARD the weekly dog warden report for March 1-7 showing four dogs impounded, none adopted out, two redeemed, none euthanized, two citations for no license and one citation for dogs running at large.

—RECEIVED the February child support enforcement report from the prosecuting attorney’s office showing 997 open active cases.

—RECEIVED the February transit report showing 33,091 service miles driven, 1,609 total passenger trips and 17 declined rides, a 12.6% increase in passenger trips from the previous month.