March 2010 Commissioner Update from Tim Bubb

March 29, 2010

Licking County Update

From…County Commissioner Tim Bubb

Officially, it is spring and the early flowers and greening grass support that notion! The old weatherman often described March as the month “when winter and spring slug it out, and in the end spring wins!” With temperatures predicted for the 70’s later this week it looks like we will end March with spring as the winner, and onto better weather in April.
Also, from my family to yours let me extend best wishes for a meaningful Holy Week this week, and a great Easter celebration this coming weekend!


Help Paint a New Portrait of America…

On behalf of the County’s ‘Complete Count Census Committee’ let me remind you this Thursday, April 1st is officially U.S. Census Day. Please fill out and return the brief 10-question Census Form. It is always fair to ask why it is important that every decade, by law, we count the population.
Each year over seven-billion dollars in federal funds comes into Ohio in support of homeless assistance programs, emergency and health services, local school lunch programs and housing programs. For our County and region we need to avoid an undercount, and make certain we don’t lose out on our share of these valuable dollars. In addition, census data guides local planning decisions; is the basis for reapportioning congressional seats; and allows business, social service and non profit organizations to have the data to make critical decisions affecting communities everywhere.
Participation is easy, important and safe. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form takes just a few minutes to complete.
*By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. Also, it does not ask for social security numbers or income information.
In May and June Census workers will be knocking on doors at homes where the residents don’t return the questionnaire.
For more information about the 2010 Census, visit 2010census.gov or census.ohio.gov


April 22nd is Earth Day and County Litter and Recycling is making good things happen…

Licking County Recycling and Litter Prevention has again secured a grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to clean-up Newark City Parks. To be held on Saturday, April 17th, the goal is to clean-up 15 Newark City Parks and a stretch of the bike path, to make the area safer and a more environmentally friendly place.
So, after a long winter, it is time to ‘get active’. Here is how you, and your family and friends can help! Call Larry Lloyd to sign-up at 670-5128 by April 9th. They will provide bags, gloves and t-shirts for volunteers. After the areas are picked-up, the debris will be disposed of safely.

Also, note in May the upcoming tire and appliance collection event sponsored by the CFLP Solid Waste District.
On Saturday, May 15th the County Highway Garage at 771 East Main Street in east Newark will be the site for the tire and appliance recycling collection. The time is from 8:00am till 12-noon.
There is a small recycling fee of $3 for non-Freon appliances and $5 for Freon-based appliances, allowing them to be properly recycled. This event will not take stereos, small electronics, computers or TV’s.
The fee for tire disposal is $2 per passenger tires, $2 for light truck tires, $5 for semi-tires and $10 for tractor tires. This is cash only and a $1 fee if the tire is on the rim. This event is limited to Licking County residents only, tires from commercial operations WILL NOT be accepted, and there is a ten tire limit.



Update on Positive Changes at Licking County Animal Control…

In recent weeks, one fulltime employee and two intermittent employees have been added to the staff at County Animal Control to begin returning the Department to full strength. In the weeks ahead, the new field staff will be training in the variety of disciplines and requirements for these law enforcement related positions. The addition of new personnel will also give the Department the flexibility to move forward with a continuing transition and improvement plan.
The additional staffing of the Department, and the pending training and certification of the new employees in the area of euthanasia by injection (EBI) will allow for changes in the method for euthanasia at the Licking County Animal Shelter. Effective March 31, 2010, EBI or direct injection will be the mandated method for humane euthanasia at the Licking County Animal Shelter.
The only exception would be vicious or dangerous animals that pose a serious risk to the safety of Shelter Employees, and such determination would require a consensus decision of the Shelter staff. The vision is to develop training, procedures and equipment to allow for EBI exclusively, and retire the carbon monoxide euthanasia option.
The Licking County Commissioners and the staff of Animal Control are continuing a process of moving forward to succession planning for staffing, as well as transition to ‘best’ management practices.


Thanks for taking time to read my Commissioner Update. Feel free to forward in any direction you would like.
Also, feel free to visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog. I will also post them on my Facebook Fan Page, so if you are on Facebook please visit Tim Bubb, Licking County Commissioner.
I can also be e-mailed at tbubb@lcounty.com, and my desk phone number at the Commissioner’s Office is 740-670-5118.

Best Regards…Tim Bubb
Licking County Commissioner