Rotareminder for September 8, 2020

A moment of silence was had on the recent passing of Ron Burbick.

 

Kelly Tremaine – guest of Shawn Gordon

 

Anne Moneypenny was welcomed

 

Kathy Myers – Stay right at home Facebook page info.  There have been many great items donated.  The virtual event starts Sep 17 and continues through Sept 24.  For more information go to:  Colemanservices.ORG/rah2020

 

History moment – Jim Myers -- see below

 

Kathy Myers introduced this week’s speaker Portage County Commissioner Kathleen Clyde

Kathleen Clyde is a Portage County Commissioner. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Portage Development Board, working with regional public and private sector leaders to help create and retain quality jobs in Portage County. Working across the aisle with County Auditor Janet Esposito, Commissioner Clyde created a Portage County Complete Count Committee to ensure Portage County has full participation in the 2020 Census and receives its appropriate share of federal funds.

She served for four terms in the Ohio legislature representing Portage County, focusing on education issues, economic development, voting rights and government reform. In 2018, she was the Democratic nominee for Ohio Secretary of State. 

Kathleen graduated from Wesleyan University and earned her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. A native of Garrettsville in northeastern Portage County, she has lived for the last 10 years in Kent.

 

Kathleen Clyde is the current President of the Portage County Commissioners.  As President, Kathleen first worked to establish county administrator for the county.  Portage County is the largest population not to have a county administrator.  11 departments report to the administrator to gather information for the commissioners.  She worked to establish telework policy for county enable to provide services to residents as safely as possible.  Currently about ½ of the workforce is working from home.  The lead agency for responding to Covid pandemic is the health department which does not fall under the Commissioners purview.  However both the Commissioners and the health department have worked together to get the best result for all residents.  The Commissioners had to make many changes to allow safe interaction between everyone whether that is their commissioner meetings or meeting with residents in need.  The commissioners are working with local non-profits to develop programs to meet the needs of county residents.  To date no furloughs or layoffs have happened as the county’s financials are still strong.  Also, the board is working hard to address the racial disparity as it relates to the pandemic.  The County did receive CARES funding which is greatly helping but more is needed.  The Census has had low numbers, 20-30% of the county has not been counted.  The low response can be partly contributed to the pandemic.  Board of Elections has purchased equipment to process the paper mail in ballots and PPE to protect the volunteers.  Overall, she has been very busy in dealing with the pandemic, 940 positive cases and 65 deaths to date.  Hopefully, there will be a vaccine in the near future to protect and help everyone move forward.

 

Responder- Debbie Krutz

 

Rotareminder – Michael Lewis