Health insurance rises for new part-time county staff
Newly hired Delaware County part-time employees will have to pay more for health insurance coverage in the future.
Newly hired Delaware County part-time employees will have to pay more for health insurance coverage in the future.

Delaware County commissioners sparred Thursday during a special budget meeting over proposed 2012 funding for the OSU Extension-Delaware County program, nearly derailing the entire budgetary process.

Pictured from left, Delaware City Vice Mayor Windell Wheeler, Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce Director Holly Quaine, Delaware County Convention and Visitor Bureau Director Debbie Shatzer, County Commissioner Dennis Stapleton cut the ceremonial red ribbon Thursday during the grand opening of the Delaware County Visitor Bureau’s new offices at 34 S. Sandusky St. The new site provides the bureau with more space and better visibility, Shatzer said.

In what has become an annual end-of-year tradition, the Delaware County commissioners clashed this week with the county sheriff over his budget request. Sheriff Walter L. Davis III is asking the commissioners for a $21.3 million budget for 2012, up from $17.8 million granted to sheriff’s office this year.

The grassroots citizen group, Friends of Concord Township, plans to fight FirstEnergy Corp. and American Transmission Systems in their placement of a new 138,000-volt transmission line.

Three Delaware County veterans have continued serving others even after completing their commitment to the military. In recognition of that service, they were each declared “outstanding veterans” during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Delaware County Center for Older Adults.

About a week after prying loose a $150,000 funding increase to pay employee salaries through the rest of the year, Delaware County Sheriff Walter L. Davis III on Monday asked county commissioners for a seven-figure bump for next year.
Former Delaware County Sheriff Al Myers is gearing up for a return to political life and intends to run for Delaware County commissioner next year, although past criminal convictions may prevent him from doing so.