Quality of Life

Last week, we took a closer look at what community members had to say about public safety in Crawford County. This week, our focus has shifted – now, we’re talking about quality of life.

But what exactly is quality of life? During our eight community meetings, we found that the term resonates differently with people.

Here’s a sample of some of the comments we recorded during our eight community meetings:

-“We forget that we have great things here, such as lower cost of living”
-“We need to improve entertainment options”
-“We have to make Crawford a place where people want to be”
-“There’s too much apathy”
-“School systems are one of our greatest assets”
-“We need better wages for sustainability of our communities”
-“We have a ‘poor man's mentality’”
-"Crawford is known for welfare benefits - people are referred here from CA and other states"
-"We should capitalize on our agrarian heritage"
-“Our young people need to feel more connected”

Key themes identified during the meeting reflect the comments above.

Themes included: affordability of living, location (“we are in the middle of everywhere”), lack of cultural/diversity/arts opportunities, excellent park system, ‘brain drain’ (keeping young people in the county after they go away to college), strong community values, small town atmosphere, the need to address poverty issues, lack of networking opportunities for professionals and a difference in perception of quality of life between generations.

The term may hold a different meaning for different demographics, but many comments and themes were consistent during phase one of the Vision initiative. On Aug. 16, a focus group will take a more solutions-minded approach to the topic to address some of the challenges and concerns which have previously emerged.

Until then, all community members are invited to participate in this short survey – especially those who were not able to attend our first set of community meetings. The responses from the survey will help shape the development of a plan to guide the future of quality of life in Crawford County.

Public Safety

This week, Crawford: 20/20 Vision is focusing on public safety – including drug related issues. Throughout the course of our eight general community meetings, we surveyed and listened to the thoughts and opinions of community members concerning the state of Crawford County’s public safety.

Here’s a sample of what they had to say:

-“I can hardly find anyone to pass a drug test”

-“No one wants to talk about the excessive heroin use”

-“Heroin use is underreported”

-“Law enforcement needs more funding”

-“There’s a culture of drugs, we need increased money for patrolling”

-“We need Crime Watch”

-“Drugs are related to bad economic times”

-“There’s a lot of theft due to drug use”

-“We have a lot of agencies ready, willing, and able to help”

-“We need more drug awareness education”

Key themes during the community meetings reflected the emotions and perspectives listed above.

Themes included: issues with employee drug use (citing specifically second and third shift), drug use in schools, the connection between drugs, crime and the economy, county budget impacting criminal justice services, hard drug usage and high mortality rates, duplication of services, a need for better support from the judicial system, and a general consensus of the issue of drug and alcohol abuse in the county.

Although many comments during our first eight meetings focused on problem identification, a number of community members voiced that they feel safe in Crawford County and that they appreciate the relatively low crime rates.

As part of Crawford: 20/20 Vision’s “Public Safety Week,” we’ve developed a short online survey to allow as many community members as possible to give input and offer their own perspective (take the survey here).

The challenges are clear. Our focus has shifted from problem identification to solution building. We must now look to the future and collaboratively form a plan to combat drug use, crime and other issues in the county.

One anonymous survey responder said: “We can't bury our heads in the sand and ignore this topic. The drug use issue is part of the downward cycle. When quality jobs are available, families become important, good schooling is important, drug use should decline. We have to start some place.”

Criminal Justice Services Levy

Our county is experiencing significant economic challenges. The following is an endorsement letter that is intended to provide citizens, elected officials, and community and civic leaders and organizations within Crawford County with information about the criminal justice service levy.

THE CHALLENGES

All revenue streams to support core government services and public safety have been negatively impacted by the downturn of the economy, which has escalated the rate at which the cash reserves of the county are depleting.

-Sales tax revenue declined by 13% in 2009 – projected to decline an additional 12% in 2010. This 25% decline in sales tax revenue since 2008 affects both the General Operating Fund and the Jail Operating Fund which is supported by sales tax revenue.
-Interest revenue is projected to decline by 65.35% in 2010.
-Other revenue sources have declined by more than 37%.
-Revenue collections have not kept pace with inflation. (1.9% since 2006 as compared to 2.4% inflation)
-Changes in state mandated incarceration requirements have increased local costs.
-Crime rates and drug activities are increasing, putting additional financial pressure on the county’s criminal justice system.
-Since 1994, the inmate population has increased from a daily average rate of 27 to a daily average rate of 115 in 2009.
-Since voters approved a jail levy in 1994, all cities have closed their jail facilities, thus obligating the county to house municipal prisoners and assume all financial responsibilities for incarceration.
-Loss of approximately $200,000 in annual jail housing revenue from other counties due to jail being filled to capacity with local inmates.
-Drug related crimes have doubled and thefts and burglaries have increased by 48% since 2003.
-The drug of choice in Crawford County is now heroin with approximately one-third to one-half of the average daily jail population being addicted to heroin.
-Over the last several years, Crawford County has consistently ranked in the top ten in the State of Ohio for the number of heroin related deaths.

THE EFFORTS
Crawford County’s elected leaders have worked diligently to maintain the cost of providing core government services. Since 2006, the actual cost of providing core government services has only increased by 2.9%. PRIOR to asking taxpayers to approve additional revenue to support public safety and criminal justice service, in our county the following financial reductions and changes were made:

-General Fund budgets were reduced 17% lower than actual expenditures for 2009.
-Elected official salaries were frozen in 2008 indefinitely.
-County General and Jail Fund employee salaries were frozen in 2009.
-All NON-MANDATED financial support was reduced or eliminated for agencies such as: OSU Extension, Soil and Water, Regional Planning & Economic Development, and the Fair Board.
- Employer contributions for health care were frozen at 2009 expenditure levels.
-Health insurance contributions by employees increased in 2010.
-Health insurance deductibles were imposed for 2010.
-All NON-MANDATED travel was eliminated, and all equipment, capital improvements and facility maintenance budgets were reduced and/or deferred.

THE IMPACT
Because government agencies are so interrelated, any further reductions in budgets or workforce will result in significant delays in providing government services from ALL COUNTY GENERAL AND JAIL FUND DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INCLUDING ALL COURT SYSTEMS, THE COUNTY AUDITOR, CLERK OF COURTS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY PROSECUTOR, COUNTY RECORDER, COUNTY SHERIFF, COUNTY TREASURER.
With ever increasing unfunded state and federal mandates and given the fact that current employment levels of the county are 12% lower than employment levels nearly a decade ago and with a declining tax base and revenue streams, providing core government services in a timely manner is becoming nearly impossible.

Again, the challenges our county faces are significant. We must come together as a community to take charge of these issues to ensure a brighter, safer future for the place in which we live and work. Please join us by endorsing and supporting the five-year, 2.75 mill property tax levy on August 3rd.

Sincerely,

County Commissioner, Gary Miller
County Commissioner, Mo Ressallat
County Commissioner, Doug Weisenauer
County Treasurer, Gary Cole
County Prosecutor, Stan Flegm
County Auditor, Robin Hildebrand
County Engineer, Cecil Newcome
County Recorder, Karen Scott
County Clerk of Courts, Sue Seevers
County Sheriff, Ron Shawber

“CREATE A COUNTY” CONTEST

Show us your vision for Crawford County!

We’ll be holding some important meetings mid-August to sort through everything we learned thus far in the Vision initiative. In the four weeks prior to these meetings (beginning July 19), Crawford: 20/20 Vision is holding a “create a county” contest as part of our weekly series.

Community members of all ages are invited to share their vision of each topic in Crawford County for each respective week (listed below). Our emphasis is on seeing Crawford County from your perspective -- we're even throwing in some prizes for winners!

The weeks and topics are as follows:

-July 19 – 23: Public Safety
-July 26 – 30: Quality of Life
-Aug. 2 – 6: Workforce Skills and Education
-Aug. 9 – 13: Business Success and Job Availability

For example, during Public Safety Week: paint a picture, snap a photo, build a diagram, write an essay – show us your vision of public safety in Crawford County now or show us what your vision is for the future of Crawford County. Use your imagination! There is no limit on creative medium. The guidelines are specifically set for interpretation to allow for the most creativity.

Submitted works will be presented during issue-specific meetings to represent all ages and perspectives in the community.

Entries must be submitted by Friday at 3p.m. of each week. You must include your (or a parent/legal guardian’s) name and contact information.

Winners will be determined by the Crawford: 20/20 Vision Steering Committee.

Options for submission:

Email: crawford2020@crawford-co.org
Mail or Drop-Off:
Crawford County Economic Development Partnership
112 E Mansfield St
Courthouse – Suite 208 (located on 2nd floor)
Bucyrus, OH 44820

We want to see the Vision through your eyes.

Care For Your Fair.

For many residents of Crawford County, the thought of the Crawford County Fair evokes memories of summer days, 4-H, animal shows, competitions, demolition derbies, horse races, concerts, friends, delicious foods and carnival rides. Crowds of people attend annually to relive memories of the past and to create memories for the future – to continue the traditions that have persevered on the Crawford County fairgrounds for so long.

There are three main components that contribute to the success of the fair every year: the people, the animals and the buildings that house them.

While the people and animals stay for just fair week, the buildings stand year-round. Since many of the structures on the fairgrounds were built before WWII, there is a dire need for new facilities. Many of the buildings are almost beyond repair.

As a result of that need, a plan to improve the future of the fair has been developed. A fund has been established in cooperation with a private donor to build a new multi-purpose livestock facility on the grounds where the old goat barn and maintenance barn currently stand in less than optimal condition.

The benefits of the proposed 100’x200’ steel building are immeasurable. Not only will the facility house goats, hogs and llamas, but it will also provide opportunities for open class shows, farm and agricultural expos, state-wide livestock shows and sales, home and garden shows, flea markets and farmer’s markets, DARE rallies, auctions and winter storage. The building will also be safer and more eco-friendly than current facilities.

The official cost of the building has not yet been determined, but an estimation of $300,000 - $350,000 has been set for materials, labor and pens. Funds raised that exceed the cost of the building will not contribute to any fair operating costs – financial surplus will go directly to an endowment fund held through the Bucyrus Area Community Foundation for maintenance for the entire fairgrounds. Finances will be handled by Projects, Inc.

All county community members are invited to participate in the effort. Contributions and support will benefit the fair both now and in the future. Participating donors will receive recognition that will be preserved in the new facility.

The levels of donation are as follows:

Showmanship Award: $5,000

Grand Champion: $1,000

Reserve Champion: $500

Pen Sponsor: $250

Blue Ribbon: $200

Red Ribbon: $100

White Ribbon: $50

Donations of any value are welcome and greatly appreciated. For more information or to find out how you can help, visit the Fair Board Office during fair week, July 18 – July 24, or call 419-562-7936. Informational fliers and donation envelopes will be readily available.

You can make a difference in the future of the Crawford County Fair. Care for your fair.

TANF Summer Youth Program

NEWS RELEASE

The Crawford County Economic Development Partnership (CCEDP) and Crawford County Jobs and Family Services (CCJFS) are teaming up to make a positive impact on county youth and on the local economy.

Recently, the CCEDP signed a contract in cooperation with CCJFS that will allow the CCEDP to manage the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Summer Youth Program.

The program is already underway. It began June 14 and has already placed 40 young people in summer jobs with 15 local employers. The $265,000 program will continue until Aug. 31 with sights on employing roughly 50 more Crawford County youth throughout its duration.

The main goal: to partner with local businesses and help 14 to 24 year olds (who meet eligibility requirements) gain workforce skills and life skills. To qualify, applicants must live in a household with a minor child and meet household income limits. Youths will be paid by the employer and will learn aspects of the employer’s trade while participating in mentoring and guidance programs.

The main challenge: finding more participants. In addition to looking for more youths, the program is in need of local employers who are seeking summer help. Employers will be reimbursed for the youth’s wages and benefits up to $10 per hour through federal funding, and employers who wish to continue employing participants beyond Aug. 31 may do so.

The benefits of the program are immeasurable for all who are involved: the CCEDP, CCJFS, local employers, county youth and the entirety of the Crawford County community.

The CCEDP leads Crawford: 20/20 Vision – a county-wide initiative to take hold of challenges and turn them around to shape a better future for Crawford County. In discussions generated through the Vision project, community members identified jobs as the number one pressing issue.

A consistent problem within the realm of jobs is the ‘brain drain’ the county is experiencing. Local young professionals go away to college and do not return to apply their education in the county’s workforce.

While that is a valid concern, there is an additional percentage of youth who are bound by financial hardship, teen pregnancy and parenting and other issues. Their talents and potential must also be cultivated and retained.

The summer youth program gives young people the tools to succeed as employees and as productive members of society. The TANF program is of equal opportunity, provided by equal opportunity employers and providers.

Young people are the future of Crawford County.

Employers interested in participating in the TANF Summer Youth program are invited to contact Dave Williamson, director of the CCEDP, at 419-563-1809 or JFS Jobs Coordinator Tina Snyder at 419-562-8066, ext. 301. To learn more about the CCEDP, visit www.growcrawford.org.

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