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Commissioner News

Welcome to the official page for news about the Board of Commissioners. This section focuses on current events and accomplishments related to the Commissioners and their partners. Please visit our list of Commissioner Projects for detailed descriptions of what the Commissioners are currently working on.

Commissioners Award Certificate of Achievement

The Board presented a Certificate of Achievement to Dennis Cavanaugh, Chief Deputy Executive Officer. He was promoted on February 28, 2010 and has been a loyal dedicated officer of the Sheriff’s Office for over 36 years.

Chief Deputy Cavanaugh started his career in 1973 under former Sheriff Vernon Smith; he also worked for former Sheriff's James Mertz and Martin Mahony. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1979, to Lieutenant in 1981, and Captain in 1988. Chief Deputy Cavanaugh has also been instrumental and very successful in obtaining several grants to supplement agents at the Lorain County Drug Task Force.

He is a former Director of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Division, as well as the Director of the Lorain County Sheriffs Auxiliary. Chief Deputy Cavanaugh has been the Director of the Lorain County Drug Task Force at the Sheriff’s Office since 1990. Chief Deputy Cavanaugh is also the commander of the Lorain County SWAT which encompasses many departments throughout Lorain County. He also oversees the Northern Border Initiative in Lorain County via Ohio Homeland Security and the Joint Terrorism Task Force of Lorain County.
 
He will also oversee the three Captains' at the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office as some of his additional duties.

Commissioners Award Certificates to Lorain County Engineer’s Garage Scates & Milas

The Board recognized Jim Scates and Cevin Milas, Lorain County Engineer’s Garage for their quick thinking, knowledge and dedication in saving the day and getting the Emergency Management's Agency / Homeland Security Mobile Command / Communications Unit repaired and back in service on a moments notice during President Obama visit to LCCC on January 22, 2010.

Mr. Tom Kelley, Director-Lorain County Emergency Management Agency / Homeland Security Office stated this unit is a vital piece of the local response effort and all radio traffic and local coordination of resources with the Secret Service was accomplished through this vehicle. Mr. Kelley said it was a blown fuse and he appreciates anytime that he calls the Engineers office they are always willing to help in anyway they can.

Commissioners Meet the Civil Air Patrol

At the Commissioners Board Meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2009, the Lorain County Civil Air Patrol presented to awards of appreciation to each Commissioner. The Commissioners and all others present witnessed a performance by three color guards, and learned more about the mission of the Civil Air Patrol as an organization.

The Civil Air Patrol is located at Lorain County Regional Airport, 44050 Russia Road, Elyria. The C.A.P. is part of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, a national nonprofit organization that provides invaluable emergency services to the country while operating a youth program that develops young Americans into the leaders and professionals of tomorrow.

Civil Air patrol does missions for emergency services for the SAR/DR, Homeland Security, Counterdrug and Humanitarian Services. The cadet program trains for leadership, physical fitness and activities. The Aerospace Education is for CAP members and the general public.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program has a mindset to accept youths ages 12 thought 18 from any demographic background and any educational level into an intergenerational community-level organization that provides training and mentoring while fostering professional behavior, self-discipline, and attributes that would be welcomed by any employer.

For additional information about the Civil Air Patrol, please visit http://www.loraincountycap.org.

Four Chaplains Presented to the Commissioners

On Thursday, February 12, 2009, the American Legion Post #118, Amherst; Jack McNauton, Trustee, Sally Cornwell, President of the Ladies Auxiliary and Tom Hauck, Commander gave a presentation on the Four Chaplains.

The Four Chaplains were four United States Army chaplains who gave their lives to save other soldiers during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester during World War II. They helped other soldier’s board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out; 230 of the 904 men aboard the ship were rescued. Life jackets offered little protection from hypothermia, which killed most men in the water. Water temperature was 34 °F (1 °C) and air temperature was 36 °F (2 °C). By the time additional rescue ships arrived "...hundreds of dead bodies were seen floating on the water, kept up by their life jackets."[1]

The chaplains, who all held the rank of lieutenant, were the Methodist Reverend George L. Fox, the Jewish Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, the Roman Catholic Priest John P. Washington and the Reformed Church in America Reverend Clark V. Poling. They were sailing on the USAT Dorchester troop transport on February 3, 1943, when the vessel, traveling in convoy, was torpedoed by the German submarine U-223 in the North Atlantic. As the vessel sank, the four chaplains calmed the frightened soldiers and sailors, aided in the evacuation of the ship, and helped guide wounded men to safety. The chaplains also gave up their own life jackets.

On December 19, 1944, all four chaplains were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross. The Chaplain's Medal for Heroism was authorized in 1961 and posthumously presented by the President of the United States to the families of the chaplains.

The chaplains were also honored with a stamp, issued in 1948 and by an act of Congress designating February 3 as "Four Chaplains Day."

Goode, Poling and Washington had previously served together as leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.

A chapel in their honor was dedicated on February 3, 1951 by President Harry S. Truman to honor these soldiers of different faiths at Grace Baptist church in Philadelphia. In 1974, that congregation moved to Blue Bell selling the building to Temple University. The original chapel fell into disrepair and was eventually evicted by the university in 1991.

The foundation overseeing the chapel moved the chapel to a temporary space in Pottstown, Pennsylvania while it raised funds for a new chapel on land donated at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Zoning problems, neighborhood opposition, and a lack of money led the chapel to move to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 2001.


On February 19, 2009 Mr. Ronald T. Fradley, Lorain gave each Commissioner an envelope with the four chaplains and the 1948 stamp.

4^th Annual State of the County Address

The Fourth Annual State of the County Address took place on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at Lorain County Community College’s Spitzer Conference Center. The event was hosted by the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce, and featured presentations by the Lorain County Board of Commissioners; Ted Kalo, Lori Kokoski and Betty Blair.

During the luncheon, the Commissioners had the opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year. Each Commissioner also presented new plans and goals to implement in the upcoming year. To see their presentations firsthand, watch the 2009 State of the County Address for yourself.

VIDEO of State of the County Address

Ohio Statehouse Museum Project

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) have developed a design plan to create updated, high-tech, interactive exhibits and educational programs at The Ohio Statehouse. CSRAB and CCAO have partnered on this project and seeked assistance from all 88 counties.

The Ohio Statehouse Museum is scheduled to open sometime in June 2009. Each county was asked to participate by submitting 25 photos and biographies of individuals who have come to serve their fellow citizens and make a difference either as governors, legislators, business people, farmers, concerned citizens and even school children. View Lorain County's submission for photos and biographies of all the people selected for this special museum exhibit.


ARCHIVED NEWS

LCGP - Coming Together for Economic Growth
As Seen in Forbes: Outlook Northeast Ohio 2-26-2007

"The newly remodeled Fifth Floor of the Lorain County Administration Building provides local and prospective businesses with a one-stop economic development shop. The Lorain County Growth Partnership, an idea conceived by the Lorain County Board of Commissioners, houses The Lorain County Community Development, The Lorain County Chamber of Commerce, The Lorain County Port Authority, Team Lorain County, Lorain County Solid Waste and ancillary offices for the other partners.

Lorain County Community College and the Lorain County Joint Vocational School provide the educational component to the Growth Partnership..."

Read the whole article published in Forbes Magazine!

Lorain County Bicentennial Bell Casting