Mental Health Board hopeful for facility in Harrison County

Mayor Brenda Roski then spoke about village ordinances. She began with the problem with dogs in the village. “If you have a dog, it is under the Ohio Revised Code that it cannot be barking all night and all day long,” she said. “People work and sleep. It’s called a nuisance.” She is also concerned with dogs running loose and the safety of the residents and the pets themselves.

Due to all the recent snowfall, Roski addressed the ordinance stating that it is up to the residents to shovel their own sidewalks and property. If an injury occurs on the sidewalk, it is the resident’s responsibility. There has also been vandalism at Bedway Park and instances of street signs stolen. If the person(s) involved are discovered, the village plans to prosecute.

Council has big plans to bring better utility services to the village. They are working towards getting involved with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio to help regulate providers of utility services and to secure better rates for residents. Council is also working to receive funding to cover the cost of new water meters and their installation. With the new meters comes an ordinance for a rate increase of 3,000 gallons a month minimum which is typical for villages this size. Council is planning to speak to the water board about billing every month instead of every three months with the new meters.

BY CORNELIA GRACE Harrison News-Herald Reporter

CADIZ—The Mental Health and Recovery Board has a long history of helping others. It started in 1969 with the first director of the Belmont county board, Martha Vanmeter. She was not only the first director of this branch but the first female director in the entire state. By 1974, coverage had expanded from Belmont into both Harrison and Monroe counties. The board focuses on connecting with local agencies and securing funding to distribute to areas of need.

Executive Director Lisa Ward said, “To really simplify it, we are here to develop behavioral health services in partnership with community organizations, so individuals have a better quality of life … that is truly our goal, to work towards people having access to services to improve their mental health.” org/. The board just recently completed a community needs assessment of all three counties. “That was very helpful,” Ward said. “In hearing what they see as their top needs. Now we’re working on a strategic plan for 2025 to try to address the individual county needs.”

Ward has been working with those with mental health issues since the 90s when the recovery movement was picking up speed. “They are not their illness. There are many different roads you can take to recovery; that’s always been my passion,” Ward said.

The board doesn’t provide mental health services directly, but they are integral in funding and making decisions about mental health care in Harrison County. “What we do is contract with other provider organizations, so we help build the system of care for our counties through those partnerships,” Ward said.

Most of their funding comes from the state; some comes through federal grants, and several counties have mental health levies that help. Organizations can reach out for more information on how to partner with the board and also to see how mental health needs differ across counties. For more information on becoming a partner, visit https://bhmboard.

Ward regularly helps the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office with situations involving mental health aid. Captain Mark Touville has been an invaluable point of contact for Ward and was recently awarded the Community Champion Award for his help with the board.

“I really value that working partnership,” Ward said. “He’s very helpful in identifying needs that we aren’t aware of.”

The partnerships are far-reaching around Harrison County, “We have a partnership

See FACILITY Pg.- 3

Street Supervisor Mike Reynolds spoke a bit about street projects that are going to be happening soon. With the help of Sebring Excavating, they will be working on getting flood water off of the streets and fixing the draining system. Sebring Excavating is also doing some road work on Elm Street. Council, along with the road team, is working on projects to fix some alleyways and doing some patch work. They are looking into equipment to improve and maintain streets and make repairs to the old bridge from Township Road 153 to the waste plant, with future hopes of a total bridge replacement. Also, they are working on the replacement of the waterline on Blairmont Road, where all the breaks keep happening.

Mayor Roski commended the council for making good use of funds to pay off village debts and village improvements. She is also proud of how well the council has worked together for the village. They’ve put effort into fixing buildings, fixing parks, working on roads, working to fix landslips, and making a better place for the residents to live. She spoke about helping each other in the community. Working together is important, communication about projects is important, and attending events and meetings is important. The council has high hopes that 2023 will be another good year. The winners of the Christmas decoration contest are:

#1 Joe & Nancy Scovronski, #2 Jay & Cinda Vargo, and #3 David & Cindy Yanok.

Obituaries

Gayle Bradley

Michael aBel richard “rick” Nichols

JaMes craMBlett Jr

Jack (PaPs) davia

Marsha Greer scott