County honors emergency services personnel with appreciation coin

Carroll County commissioners honored emergency services personnel with commemorative coins at the Dec. 8 meeting during their second annual Emergency Services Appreciation Ceremony. Commissioners highlighted the dedication and sacrifice of the county’s first responders, noting they safeguard the community every hour of every day and can never be fully repaid for their service.

A special 2025 appreciation coin, designed in-house by deputy Casey Kuester, deputy Sean Mullen and assistant EMA director Dustin Lucas, was introduced. Funding for the coin came entirely through donations from Encino Energy, the Carrollton Rotary Club and anonymous contributors.

Emergency services receiving coins included the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Carrollton Police Department, Amsterdam Fire and EMS, Augusta Township Fire Department, Carrollton Fire Department, Dellroy Fire Department, Fox Township Fire Department, Great Trail Fire District, Leesville Fire Department, Loudon Township Fire Department, Perry Township Fire Department, Sherrodsville Fire Department, EMT Ambulance, Regional Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management Agency, Ohio Division of Natural Resources and Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Rangers.

“They are responsible for safeguarding our people and protecting our property every hour of the day, every day of the year,” said Commissioner Robert Wirkner, who oversaw the coin project.

This year, commissioners also recognized employers of first responders for allowing emergency services workers the flexibility to respond when necessary.

The commemorative coin features symbols representing emergency service disciplines and the courthouse, with a message of thanks on the reverse.

Commissioners also presented a formal proclamation honoring 6-year-old Mitchell Tasker for his heroic actions Nov. 4, when he witnessed his grandmother collapse and become unresponsive. Mitchell immediately activated her life-alert device and calmly communicated the emergency to dispatchers. His quick thinking ensured a rapid response that provided potentially life-saving assistance.

The proclamation, read by Wirkner, praised Mitchell’s bravery, composure and sense of responsibility, noting that his actions show heroism has no age limit. Mitchell received a framed copy of the proclamation and a First Responder Coin.

Recorder Patti Oyer, Auditor Staci Brady, Judge Sean Smith, Judge Michael V. Rapella II and Judge Gary Willen were present for the ceremony.

In other business, commissioners:

– Approved a permit requested by CESO Inc. to install video cameras for traffic counting in Washington Township.

– Approved Job and Family Services’ request for an adult education and workforce training contract totaling $79,400, along with foster child placement contract renewals of $400,000, $300,000 and $310,000.

– Approved Change Order 13 for the Moody Avenue Renovation Project, resulting in a $9,100 credit to the county by eliminating late-season landscaping and removing window film costs already covered in Phase 1. Commissioner Donald Leggett II noted maintenance staff can handle landscaping in spring at a lower cost.

– Approved Change Order 1 for the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Project (2024-03), adding $2,500 for a gray-water line omitted from original specifications, bringing the total to $16,000.

– Approved Change Order 1 for the FY24 Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, authorizing $3,870 for limestone finishing at the Hale property instead of grading and seeding, increasing the contract to $26,670 with no extension of time.