By: Rebecca Miller
By no means was this carried out as a big event, or even with much discussion, but during the Williams County Commissioners Monday morning session on May 24, 2021, Resolution 188 was approved, declaring Williams County, Ohio to be a “Second Amendment Territory County.”
Commissioner Brian Davis clarified, “The resolution states the opinion of the Board of Commissioners. The resolution carries no legal weight. We have been asked to do this and our position is reflected in the resolution.”
The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America deals with “the right to bear arms.” The resolution begins: In the Matter of Declaration of Williams County to be a”Second Amendment Territory County”, the Board of WC Commissioners met in regular session on May 24, 2021 with Brian Davis, Terry Rummel and Lewis Hilkert present.
The resolution states: “Whereas,
– the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified in 1791, and is still the law of the land;
-Article 1 Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution states that ‘The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security;
-Article 15, Section 7 of the Ohio Constitution states ‘Every person chosen or appointed to any office under this state, before entering upon the discharge of its duties, shall take an oath or affirmation, to support the Constitution of the United States and of this state, and also an oath of office’;
-All three commissioners have taken such an oath and believe it to be binding on them orally, ethically, and legally;
-The WC Commissioners fully affirm their support of the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and stand firm against any law or ordinance on any level of government to remove that right from any law-abiding citizen without due process;
-The WC Commissioners wish to express its deep commitment to protecting the Williams county Citizens’ Second Amendment Rights,
Now therefore be it resolved, That the Board of Commissioners of Williams County, by its authority granted by the Board, by the laws of the State of Ohio, and the people of Williams County, Ohio, to stand and defend their rights and liberties, which are granted by the Constitution of the United States of America and the Ohio Constitution, hereby declares Williams County, Ohio to be a ‘Second Amendment Territory County.’”
In other business, the commissioners approved:
-Appropriations on behalf of WC Common Pleas Court and Hillside Country Living
-Resolution 189 Rescind Resolution 21-0154 in regards to OSU Levy as additional language is needed
-Resolution 190 Requesting the WC Auditor to certify the dollar amount of revenue pursuant to OSU Levy
-Minutes dated May 20, 2021 and Payment of bills
-Also signed were MVPO Environmental Review Documentation and Certification Form for General Administration, Fair Housing and Planning; Monthly expenditure credit cards for June on behalf of Commissioners office; Authorized clerk to sign off on Ohio Division of Liquor Control on behalf of Lakeside Cafe, LLC; and Special Hauling Permit #21-033
Following a twenty five minute recess, the commissioner returned for an Airport update from Brent Wilson. Mr. Wilson informed the commissioners of the following:
-The final extension of the taxi way is under way, with stone down, and they are hoping to have it done by mid to late June so it will be ready for the 4th of July Fly-in.
-The continued need for more hanger space as they have gotten a lot more traffic since they started expansions. Delta Airport Consultants have recommended the construction of a Dual Purpose building.
It would be big enough to hold four or five small jets and when needed, during catastrophes, would be used as an Emergency Management Building.
This would allow the National Guard and Red Cross to come in by air into the county if ever needed. The people with Corporate jets would pay a monthly fee to keep their plane hangered, which would help offset the cost to the county.
-The cost of this project would “be around a million dollars to do the whole” thing, but Wilson said he has a letter of intent from a company that wants to bring a corporate jet to Bryan, saying that he would donate a substantial amount of money to this projects, as long as his contracts go through within the year towards this project.
-Fuel purchases for the corporate jets would also help bring in additional revenue with tax dollars.
Following some lengthy discussion, the Commissioners approved a motion “that they approve up to $25,000 to enter into a contract with Delta Airport Consultants to look at this further and get more details.”
In the next session of the morning, Austin Serna from Maumee Valley Planning Organization, went over the Fiscal Year 21 CDBG Appropriations. In the next round of grants, the Villages of Edgerton, West Unity and Pioneer are applying for funds.
“So Williams County has $184,00 to work with. $154,000 will go to the project costs with $30,000 going to the administration for our office and any other fair housing responsibilities,” Serna said.
He presented details on each project and how much they would cost, for the approval of the commissioners. A number of specific were discussed, leading to the preparation of a resolution authoring the projects and the amounts for CDBG requests, which would be ready for the next meeting on May 27, 2021.
An Executive Session was held to consider compensation, with no action taken and the meeting adjourned for the day.
On Thursday, May 27, 2021 the Commissioners met for an Executive session to consider employment, with Fred Lord, Mindi Reynolds, Sharon Borthon and Susan Gonwick present for the Executive Session.
They came out of that session, with no action, and held a short regular session to approve the following:
– Resolution 191 Supplemental Appropriations on behalf of Williams County Capital Projects Construction Fund N00; WC EMA; Hillside Country Living; Sheriff’s Office; and Victims Assistance
-Resolution 192 To authorize and direct the WC Commissioners to select projects for Program Year 2021 Community Development Program Grant Applications for Small Cities Community
Development Grant Funds to the Ohio Development Services Agency
-Resolution 193 Entering into a Subscriber agreement with MARCS on behalf of WC Communications
-Resolution 194 Accepting the Ohio Public Works Commission Round 36
-Resolution 195 Rescinding Resolution 21-0175 due to the WC Public Library listing the General Election date incorrectly
-Resolution 196 Declaring it necessary to Levy a Tax in excess of the Ten Mil Limitation on behalf of the WC Public Library
-Also signed were the Dog Warden Report for the week of 5/17-23/21, and Certification of Access Manager for an Organization on behalf of WC EMS
-Minutes of the May 24, 2021 meeting and payment of bills
-Resolution 197 Approving and Support the WC Economic Development Infrastructure Fund Program
In a three minute Emergency Session held on Friday, May 28, 2021 the Commissioners signed a contract and documents dealing with the Bona Vesta Flood and Drainage Project.
There was no resolution required so they just signed the documents which were a contract and Notice to Proceed.
Austin Serna, from MVPO, said that the contractor wants to start moving on the project next week. With nothing further, the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
