E-Mail
Print
A messy situation involving the Crawford County Commissioners’ lease of Children’s Services offices including Keller Hall became even more confusing Thursday.
Two of three Crawford County Commissioners met Thursday afternoon and voted to void the contract leasing the property to Together We Hurt Together We Heal. The third commissioner and the lone representative on the board from Galion, Mo Ressallatt, was not in attendance.
Together We Hurt Together We Heal was scheduled to be at the meeting Thursday afternoon with the commissioners but did not show up. Instead the group issued a press release saying its board had rejected a proposal from the Commissioners to void the five-year lease. However the balance of the statement reads as though the group will look for other opportunities to develop a transition house.
Commissioners Doug Weisenauer and Jenny Vermillion refused to answer any questions, but would only read a prepared statement explaining the county’s decision to terminate the lease.
Both the Commissioners’ prepared statement and the press release from Together We Hurt Together We Heal are shown below.
Together We Hurt Together We Heal press release dated Oct. 6, 2011.
On Wednesday, October 5, 2001, the Together We Hurt, Together We Heal Board of Directors met in an emergency meeting to discuss a proposal received from the Crawford County Commissioner’s Office to mutually rescind the lease of the property at 865 Harding Way West in the City of Galion. After much discussion, the Board voted 5 to 2 to reject the Commissioner’s proposal.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank the Crawford County Commissioner’s Office for all their efforts in helping those in this county who are suffering from addiction. Our decision was neither based on animosity nor hostility to the Commissioners or the City of Galion; rather, our decision was made with a mind toward those who are suffering from addiction and those who have graciously given to our cause.
Our purpose has always been to provide love, support and education to those who find themselves trapped in the binds of addiction and their families. It is our belief that these efforts—to help our citizens live in a more excellent way—transcend politics. It is our belief that these efforts to help the least among us are consistent with our moral obligation to all mankind. And we remain resolute that whatever the ultimate consequence of our decision may be, we will persevere and find a home for our wayward friends and children. Even in the wake of this decision, our hearts are moving forward.
We say to those who have contributed to our cause, the funds you gave are being held for the very purpose to which you contributed. We say to those who seek to serve: we have not given up and, in the words of the poet, Dylan Thomas, we “will not go quietly into that good night.” If you are suffering from addiction, please hold on to some hope, and remember that we will continue in our efforts to help you and be there for you as you travel down a most dangerous and treacherous road to recovery. We will not give up on you, so long as you do not give up on yourself.
Again, we thank the Crawford County Commissioner’s for all that they have done. We completely understand and appreciate their position, and do not begrudge them at all. They are to be commended for their efforts and commitment to create a better and stronger Crawford County.
Statement from Crawford County Commissioners dated Oct. 6, 2011. Each Commissioner has individually consulted with the County Prosecutor regarding the lease of Keller Hall. The purpose of the meeting today is to consider the termination of the lease agreement with the organization Together We Hurt, Together We Heal, which was previously approved by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners on September 13, 2011.
The County does not agree with recent statements which have asserted that the Ohio Sunshine open meeting law was violated. However, the county does not wish to impose on the residents of the City of Galion a lease which allows what Galion City officials believe is an unacceptable and improper use of the property.
County officials recognize the severe drug problem facing our community and will continue to exercise every effort to cooperate with law enforcement and other civic organizations or governmental bodies for the betterment of the entire county. As such, in the spirit of county-wide unification, the County has determined to terminate the lease. On behalf of the citizens of Crawford County, the Board of County Commissioners and other county officials, pledge to continue to work with any civic organization or governmental body who wishes to take positive action to address the on-going heroin problem in this county.
