February 2021
Your monthly news & updates
Corcoran chosen as board president
Claire Corcoran (middle) on Jan. 11 was elected President of the Board of County Commissioners by commissioners Bonnie Batchler and David Painter, who was chosen as Vice President.

The board established Wednesdays as well as the second and fourth Mondays of the month (for the first six months) as their regular meeting days.

Appointments were also made to various boards and committees, such as the Clermont County Board of Revision and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.
New commissioner brings wealth of experience
Bonnie Batchler feels well-equipped for her new role as Clermont County Commissioner.

She brings 19 years of experience as a Pierce Township trustee, the past eight as president of the Clermont County Township Association.

Her background also includes a 14-year stint as the EMS Chief of the Pierce Township Volunteer Fire Department. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Clermont County Community Services and the Senior Service Housing Board. She is a member of the Clermont County Law Enforcement Appreciation Selection Committee and the Ohio Public Works Commission grant committee.

“Somebody has to step up and do these things,” said Batchler, who joined the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 1. “To me, this is one of the ways I can help the community. That’s why I ran for this position. I like working with people, have a knowledge of local government and how it’s run, and want to step in and help the county move ahead.”

Commissioners hire dog warden for no-kill shelter
Caleb Peterson on Jan. 11 was appointed dog warden by the Board of County Commissioners. Peterson pledged to operate the Clermont County Animal Shelter as a no-kill facility.

“It’s our sincerest aspiration to make sure that every animal that comes into our facility leaves in better condition than it came in,” Peterson said.

Painter named president of regional board
Commissioner David Painter on Jan. 14 was approved as president of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) Board of Directors.

OKI is a council of local governments, business organizations and community groups committed to developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and economic development potential of the Tri-State.

“OKI has a national reputation for providing cutting-edge transportation solutions to our growing 21st Century mobility problems,” Painter said.

Where to get COVID-19 vaccine
Confused about when and where to get the COVID-19 vaccination?

Clermont County Public Health has compiled an easy-to-read list of locations, phone numbers and websites.

The brief listing also includes Ohio's rollout plan for those 65 and older.

Residents may recycle butter tubs, yogurt containers, fruit cups
Residents and businesses may now place #5 plastic tubs in Rumpke’s recycling containers. Bring on the butter tubs and yogurt containers, toss in those fruit cups! All of these items will find new life through Rumpke’s enhanced recycling program. All curbside and drop-off recycling in Clermont County is serviced by Rumpke so residents can now place plastic tubs, along with their lids in the recycling bin. Be sure to rinse the container and reattach the lid before tossing in the bin.

Rebates help pay for tornado safe rooms
The Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program is once again offering rebates to help Ohio homeowners construct/install tornado safe rooms on their properties. Ohio homeowners have until 5 p.m. March 5 to apply.

A safe room is a structure specifically designed to provide near-absolute protection in extreme weather events and can be installed in the basement, beneath a concrete slab-on-grade foundation or garage floor, or in an interior room on the first floor. A safe room may also be buried in the yard or be a stand-alone structure near the home.

Real estate tax bills due without penalty on Feb. 26
About 53,300 first-half real estate tax bills are scheduled for mailing on Jan. 29, 2021, said Clermont County Treasurer, Jeannie M. Zurmehly.

The deadline for payment, without penalty, is Feb. 26, 2021. Taxes can be paid by mail or in person at the Treasurer’s Office on the second floor of the County Administration Building, 101 E. Main Street, Batavia, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Taxes may also be paid by credit card or e-check, go to www.clermonttreasurer.org.

A night deposit is located at the Main Street entrance of the Administration Building for payment of taxes after hours. Taxpayers with questions may call 513-732-7254 or email Treasurer@clermontcountyohio.gov.
Wolf to lead statewide suicide prevention effort
Mary Makley Wolff has been named associate director for the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, starting Feb. 8.

Wolff, a Miami Township trustee, for the past six years has served as director of the Coalition for a Drug Free Clermont County.

“I’m proud of the work we are doing building the coalition in Clermont County, including getting funding for years 1-5 and now 6-10,” Wolff said. “And now I’m looking forward to helping build a robust statewide suicide prevention coalition.”

Virtual book clubs offer discussions via Zoom
Did you know the Clermont County Public Library continues to offer Book Club discussions during the global pandemic? The library has four clubs that continue to meet – virtually – every month to share their love of reading. Just visit the library website, click on the “All Events,” which will take you to the calendar. Find and click on the club you are interested in to will receive a link to the Zoom meeting. It’s that simple. During each meeting, people who love to read share their thoughts about the book read that month and they love to meet new participants who share their love for books.

The library offers the following groups. You can participate with more than one if you want.

  • The 2nd Tuesday Book Club meets the second Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. Offered by the Williamsburg Branch Library staff.
  • The Spinebenders, fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. Offered by the New Richmond Branch Library staff.
  • The Check it Out Book Discussion group, second Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Offered by the Goshen Branch Library staff.
  • The Bookends, third Friday at 12:30 p.m. Offered by the New Richmond Branch Library staff.
County prosecutor announces personnel moves
Mark J. Tekulve, who took office as the newly elected Clermont County Prosecutor on Jan. 4, has announced personnel assignments within the office.

Judge Birck begins duties at Domestic Relations Court
Clermont County Domestic Relations Court is pleased to announce the investiture of Judge Mary Lynne Birck. She was officially sworn in on Dec. 29, 2020, after being appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine. She succeeds Judge Kathleen Rodenberg.

Judge Timothy Hogan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio presided over the ceremony. Judge Birck worked for the Clermont County Prosecutor’s office for 26 years prior to her appointment.

Extension office offers online classes, more
Virtual Dining with Diabetes (Zoom) - Do you or someone you love have diabetes? With 30 million diabetics in America, you are not alone! Join OSU Extension’s Dining with Diabetes and learn how to incorporate good, healthy cooking techniques and other practices to help control your blood sugar through our cooking school and nutrition education program designed for people with diabetes and their family members or caregivers. There is no cost for attending, but participants must register at https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e3fRVdHZiUeFqcd.

Be In The Know! OSU Extension Clermont County produces a blog that features all our upcoming events and offerings…from 4-H leadership opportunities, to the Clermont County Fair and from Preserving the Harvest canning & freezing classes to the Southwest Ohio Perennial School. As programs, classes and events occur that may pique your interest, they will be highlighted here. Don’t miss out, click to subscribe to OSU Extension Clermont Blog.

What is OSU Extension? Can I sign up for classes? Well, kind of…Ohio State University Extension brings the knowledge of the university directly to you. OSU Extension has a presence in all 88 counties in Ohio, so no matter where you live, you can find people who are helped by the four major OSU Extension program areas: family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, community development and agriculture and natural resources. Here’s a quick video explanation.
Clermont County | 101 E. Main Street | Batavia OH 45103 | 513.732.7300 |
Office of Public Information | 513.732.7597 | mboehmer@clermontcountyohio.gov