Meeks called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. at the Jackson Township Hall with all Trustees, Fiscal Officer, Lyon, Fitzgerald, Neftzer, Ruwadi and Heck present.

Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Fire Department Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation) – Interview part-time firefighter applicant.

Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Police Department Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation) – Interview Property Room/Evidence Technician applicant.

Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Park Department Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation).

Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Management Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation).

At 6:00 p.m., Meeks called the General Session to order with all department heads present.  He requested that all cell phones and pagers be turned off at this time.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Public Speaks – None

Fire Department
RESOLUTION 07-142, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion whereas, Resolution No. 07-133 is incorporated herein and all persons on the attached list have successfully completed their required physical and psychological examinations and had a negative drug test.

Be it resolved that, pursuant to Step 5 of the Part-time Firefighter hiring policy and authority granted in ORC Section 505.38 “to provide for the employment of firefighters as it considers best”, we hereby appoint the attached listed persons to the position of Part-time Firefighter, effective December 19, 2007, who shall serve a probationary period of one (1) year.

Meeks administered the oath of office.

RESOLUTION 07-143, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to Step 5 of the Part-time Firefighter hiring policy and authority granted in ORC Section 505.38 “to provide for the employment of firefighters as it considers best”, we hereby appoint the attached listed person to the position of part-time firefighter, conditioned on his/her successful completion of required physical and psychological examinations and negative drug test.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 A
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to accept the resignation of part-time firefighter Chad M. Elser effective December 18, 2007.

RESOLUTION 07-144, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion whereas, on February 12, 2007, in Resolution No. 07-014, we adopted an amended policy for an ambulance and emergency medical services fee.

Be it resolved that, we hereby adopt the attached amended ambulance and emergency medical service fee policy and that Resolution No. 07-014 is hereby replaced by this Resolution.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 B
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 210.210.5387, Disc. & Cont., to account code 210.210.5210, Pension Pick-up, in the amount of $7,985.61, from account code 210.210.5387, Disc. & Cont., to account code 210.210.5212, Pension Emp., in the amount of $6,247.06, and from account code 228.210.5385, Other Expense, to account code 228.210.5210, Pension Pick-up, in the amount of $111.43.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 C
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve Budget Module 07-47A for Pension- Hazard Pay Contributions in the amount of $145,000.00.

Chief Heck reminded the Board that for seven years they have talked about getting a Distant Learning Lab in place for both the police and fire departments.  This hasn’t been done because of budget constraints but this year the funds are available to begin getting the Distant Learning Lab started at the Safety Center and one fire station.  This will enable companies to get training while remaining at quarters about 80% of the time instead of being at the central fire station.  It also allows for interaction with State and National training programs.  This request is to fund the module that was approved earlier in the year.

Meeks said he supports this project and this will complete the Safety Center project.  He said this will be a true asset for both police and fire.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 D
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 210.210.5387, Disc. & Cont., to account code 210.210.5385, Other Expense, in the amount of $145,000.00, from account code 210.210.5387, Disc. & Cont., to account code 210.2105958, Capital Fund, in the amount of $150,000.00, and from account code 228.210.5385,

Other Expense, to account code 228.210.5652, Inv. Equipment, in the amount of $45,000.00.

Police Department
RESOLUTION 07-145, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion be it resolved that, Resolution No. 07-010 is incorporated herein and pursuant to ORC Section 505.49 and 509.01, Richard J. Leon is hereby appointed to the position of full time Patrol Officer and Police Constable for the Jackson Township Police District Department, Stark County, Ohio, effective at 0001 on December 22, 2007 at the compensation rate and benefits contained in the Negotiated Agreement and we hereby accept the attached Oath Of Office.

RESOLUTION 07-146, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion be it resolved that, Resolution No. 07-037 is incorporated herein and pursuant to ORC Section 505.49 and 509.01, Tonya M. Marketich is hereby appointed to the position of full time Patrol Officer and Police Constable for the Jackson Township Police District Department, Stark County, Ohio, effective at 0002 on December 22, 2007 at the compensation rate and benefits contained in the Negotiated Agreement and we hereby accept the attached Oath of Office.

Meeks administered the oath of office and called a short recess to allow time for pictures.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 E
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to accept the resignation of Secretary 2, Susan Rollings, effective December 21, 2007.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 F
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to authorize advertising for the Secretary 2 position in the Police Department.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 G
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 209.250.5387, Discretionary, to account code 209.250.5968, Reserve Fund, in the amount of $350,000.00, from account code 209.250.5387, Discretionary, to account code 209.250.5240, Uniform Allowance, and from account code 209.250.5387, Discretionary, to account code 209.250.5526, Fuel, in the amount of $750.00.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 H
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to accept a $10,000.00 donation to the Police Department from the Fraternal Order of Eagles, North Canton Aerie #2223.

Chief Neftzer explained this would be used to purchase surveillance devices to put in temporary places throughout the Township to help with some of the crimes that have been occurring.

RESOLUTION 07-147, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion pursuant to ORC Section 505.49, we hereby authorize the hiring of Jacqueline Ecrement for the full-time position of Property Room/Evidence Technician in the Police Department at Level C of the Benefit Package for Management Personnel, and we further authorize compensation to be set at $29,985.03 per year, effective December 31, 2007.

Administration Department
ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 I
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve the Jackson Township Budget and Planning Document for 2008.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 J
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve the renewal from OTARMA for the Township’s liability and property coverage.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 K
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 101.110.5385, Other Expense, to account code 101.110.5432, Computer Consulting, in the amount of $3,560.00.

RESOLUTION 07-148, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to amend Resolution Number 01-240 to now authorize the Fiscal Office to issue checks, up to a maximum of $10,000.00 and not to exceed amount of purchase order, prior to a Board of Trustees public meeting if all the following criteria are met:

1. There is an approved and executed purchase order.
2. There is no Board of Trustees meeting scheduled prior to the payment due date.

RESOLUTION 07-149, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to re-appoint Ted Deremer to serve as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals for a five-year term, effective January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012, and set the compensation at the rate established by the Board of Trustees.

Be it further resolved that we hereby re-appoint Eric Oldroyd to serve as an alternate member of the Board of Zoning Appeals for a one-year term, effective January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, and set the compensation at the rate established by the Board of Trustees.

RESOLUTION 07-150, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to appoint James M. Conley to serve as a member of the Zoning Commission for a five-year term, effective January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012, and set the compensation at the rate established by the Board of Trustees.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 L
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to re-appoint the following members to serve on the 2008 Highway/Traffic Citizens Advisory Committee:

1. James Donze
2. Klaus Kuttrus
3. John Nedelk
4. Janice Spadone

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 M
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to re-appoint the following members to serve on the 2008 Park Citizens Advisory Committee:

1. James Bauder
2. Paul Biedenbach
3. Wanda Hinderer
4. Steve Rohr
5. Lawrence Rohrig
6. Millie Stergios
7. Steve Studer

Central Maintenance
ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 N
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 101.115.5524, Vehicle Repairs, to account code 101.115.5356, Equipment Repairs, in the amount of $1,611.00.

Highway Department
ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 O
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to request the attached speed zone study for University Drive from the Stark County Engineer.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 P
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 211.310.5387, Discretionary, to account code 211.310.5436, Engineer, in the amount of $3,014.75 and from 204.310.5387, Discretionary, to account code 204.310.5556, Salt for Snow & Ice Control, in the amount of $3,800.00.

Legal Department
RESOLUTION 07-151, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to attached ORC Section 5705.132, we hereby:

1. Establish a Reserve Balance Account used to accumulate currently available resources in the Fire Levy Fund for the cost of future employee’s salaries, benefits and other related costs.

2. Authorize the transfer of $150,000 from Account(s) 210.210.5967to be deposited in a special fund for Fire Department future employee’s salaries, benefits and other related costs named Fire Levy Reserve Balance Account Fund #421 which said reserve balance account will continue for five fiscal years, commencing fiscal year 2007 and the maximum total amount of money that may be credited to the account during its existence is $800,000.00 and the maximum amount of money to be credited to the account each fiscal year the account exists is $400,000.00 and shall be established, maintained and the monies therein to be invested by the Township Fiscal Officer.

3. Authorize the establishment of the following new codes in the accounting system:  Fund #421 – Fire Reserve Balance Fund; receipt #421.000.4990 transfers in from Fire Fund, and expense code #421.210.5951 – Fire Reserve Balance Fund, fire operations cost center, transfer to #210 Fire Levy object code.

RESOLUTION 07-152, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to attached ORC Section 5705.13C, we hereby amend attached Resolution Number 05-108, effective December 18, 2007, to now read as follows:

1. Establish a Capital Projects Fund #323, for the purpose of accumulating resources for the acquisition, construction or improvement of fixed assets for Fire Department services through the performance of the projects described in attached amended Exhibit A.

2. Authorize the transfer of monies set forth in amended Exhibit A totaling $350,000 from Accounts 210.210.5958 and 228.210.5958 to be deposited in a special fund named the Capital Projects Account Fund #323, bringing the total deposits to $2,379,445, which is the amount to be accumulated in the Capital Projects Account and which said amount shall be accumulated over a ten year period from the effective date of this Resolution and shall be established, maintained and monies therein to be invested by the Township Fiscal Officer.

3. Authorize the creation of the following new codes in the accounting system:  Fund #323 – fire capital projects fund, Receipt #323.4900 and #323.4990 – transfer in, Expense codes #323.210.5658, 323.210.5660, 323.210.5752, and 323.210.5951 – capital projects fund, fire cost center, various object codes.

RESOLUTION 07-153, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to attached ORC Section 5705.13B, we hereby amend attached Resolution Number 05-107, effective December 18, 2007, as follows:

1. Establish a Fire Department Special Revenue Fund for the purpose of accumulating resources for the payment of accumulated sick leave and vacation leave, and for payments in lieu of taking compensatory time off, upon the termination of employment or the retirement of officers and employees of the subdivision.

2. Authorize the transfer of $200,000 from Account 210.210.5962 to be deposited in a special fund named the Fire Department Special Revenue Fund #293, and can be supplemented if subsequently determined by the Board of Trustees and shall be established and maintained by the Township Fiscal Officer.

3.  Authorize the creation of the following new codes in the accounting system:  Fund #293 – Fire Special Revenue Fund, #293.000.4990 transfers in from Fire Fund, expense code #293.210.5140 – Fire Special Revenue Fund, Fire operations cost center, severance pay object code.

RESOLUTION 07-154, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to attached ORC Section 5705.132, we hereby:

1. Establish a Reserve Balance Account used to accumulate currently available resources in the Police Levy Fund for the cost of future employee’s salaries, benefits and other related costs.

2. Authorize the transfer of $750,000 from Account(s) 209.250.5968 to be deposited in a special fund for Police Department future employee’s salaries, benefits and other related costs named Police Levy Reserve Balance Account Fund #431 which said reserve balance account will continue for five fiscal years, commencing fiscal year 2007 and the maximum total amount of money that may be credited to the account during its existence is $1,800,000.00 and the maximum amount of money to be credited to the account each fiscal year the account exists is $800,000.00 and shall be established, maintained and the monies therein to be invested by the Township Fiscal Officer.

3. Authorize the establishment of the following new codes in the accounting system:  Fund #421 – Police Reserve Balance Fund; receipt #431.000.4990 transfers in from Police Fund, and expense code #431.250.5951 – Police Reserve Balance Fund, Police operations cost center, transfer to #209 Police Levy object code.

RESOLUTION 07-155, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to attached ORC Section 5705.13(C), we hereby amend attached Resolution No. 06-122 as follows:

1. Establish a Capital Projects Fund #325, for the purpose of accumulating resources for the acquisition, construction or improvement of fixed assets for Police Department services through the acquisition of Police Department cruisers as described in attached Amended Exhibit A.
2. Authorize the transfer of monies set forth in amended Exhibit A totaling $400,000 form Account 209.250.5965 to be deposited in a special fund named the Capital Projects Account Fund #325, bringing the total deposits to $660,000, which is the amount to be accumulated in the Capital Projects Account and which said amount shall be accumulated over a ten year period from the effective date of this Resolution and shall be established, maintained and monies therein to be invested by the Township Fiscal Officer.

3. Authorize the creation of the following new codes in the accounting system:  Fund #325 – Police capital projects fund, Receipt #325.000.4990 – transfer in, Expense code #325.250.5960 – capital projects fund, Police cost center, equipment object code.

RESOLUTION 07-156, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to attached ORC Section 5705.13B, we hereby amend attached Resolution Number 06-123, effective December 18, 2007, as follows:

1. Establish a Police Department Special Revenue Fund for the purpose of accumulating resources for the payment of accumulated sick leave and vacation leave, and for payments in lieu of taking compensatory time off, upon the termination of employment or the retirement of officers and employees of the subdivision.

2. Authorize the transfer of $200,000 from Account 209.250.5964 to be deposited in a special fund named the Police Department Special Revenue Fund #295, and can be supplemented if subsequently determined by the Board of Trustees and shall be established and maintained by the Township Fiscal Officer.

3. Authorize the creation of the following new codes in the accounting system:  Fund #295 – Police Special Revenue Fund, #295.000.4990 transfers in from Police Fund, expense code #295.250.5140 – Police Special Revenue Fund, Police operations cost center, severance pay object code.

RESOLUTION 07-157, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to attached ORC Section 5705.13(C), we hereby amend attached Resolution Number 06-121, effective December 18, 2007, to now read as follows:

1. Establish a Capital Projects Reserve Balance Account, Fund #324, for the purpose of accumulating resources for the acquisition, construction or improvement of fixed assets for Highway Department services through the performance of the projects described in attached Amended Exhibit A.

2. Authorize the transfer and/or receipt of monies set forth in Amended Exhibit A totaling $1,400,000 from Account 202.310.5959, 203.310.5959, 204.310.5959 and 211.310.5959 to be deposited in a special fund named the Capital Projects Reserve Balance Account Fund #324 bringing the total deposits to #13,555,312.08 which is the amount to be accumulated in the Reserve Balance Account and which said amount shall be accumulated over a ten year period from the effective date of this Resolution and shall be established, maintained and monies therein to be invested by the Township Fiscal Officer.

3. Authorize the creation of the following new codes in the accounting system:  Fund #324 – capital projects fund, Receipt #324.4990 – transfer in, Expense code #324.310.5604 – capital projects fund, highway cost center, road improvements object code and all expense codes on attached Amended Exhibit A.

RESOLUTION 07-158, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion pursuant to attached ORC Section 5705.13B, we hereby amend attached Resolution Number 05-109, effective December 18, 2007, as follows;

1. Establish a highway Department Special Revenue Fund for the purpose of accumulating resources for the payment of accumulated sick leave and vacation leave, and for payments in lieu of taking compensatory time off, upon the termination of employment or the retirement of officers and employees of the subdivision.

2. Authorize the transfer of $50,000 from Account 204.310.5963 to be deposited in a special fund named the Highway Retirement Fund #294, and can be supplemented if subsequently determined by the Board of Trustees and shall be established and maintained by the Township Fiscal Officer.

3. Authorize the creation of the following new codes in the accounting system:  Fund #294 – Highway Special Revenue Fund, #294.000.4990 transfers in from Highway Fund, expense code #294.310.5140 – Highway Special Revenue Fund, Highway operations cost center, severance pay object code.

Park Department
RESOLUTION 07-159, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to accept a $10,350 donation from the Jackson Baseball Association and authorize the receipt of said funds into the Park Department Capital Projects Fund #326 to be used for improvements to Fisher Park Field #5.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 Q
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 214.510.5114, Temp. Service payment, to account code 214.510.5210, Pension P/U, in the amount of $2,929.13, from account code 214.510.5114, Temp. Service payment, to account code 214.510.5212, Pension Employer, in the amount of $4,186.38, from account code 214.510.5114, Temp. Service payment, to account code 214.510.5214, Medicare Expense, in the amount of $152.94, from account code 214.510.5114, Temp. Service payment, to account code 214.515.5212, Pension Employer, in the amount of $514.25, and from 214.510.5114, Temp. Service payment, to account code 214.515.5214, Medicare Expense, in the amount of $152.94.

Fiscal Office
ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 R
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $686,880.09.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 S
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the November 27 and December 3, 2007 Board of Trustees meetings.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 T
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve the fund transfers in accordance with the reserve account resolutions at this meeting per attached.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 U
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to transfer the insurance premium account interest posted in 2007 in the amount of $1,309.54 from General Fund #101 to Self-Funded Medical Insurance Fund #727.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 V
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 101.150.5220, Hospitalization, to account code 101.150.5110, Regular salaries, in the amount of $1,825.00, from account code 101.150.5220, Hospitalization, to account code 101.150.5656, Inventoried equipment, in the amount of $7,000.00, from account code 101.150.5806, Election expense, to account code 101.150.5458, Professional services, in the amount of $3,613.63 and from account code 101.150.5806, Election expense, to account code 101.150.5816, Muni court, in the amount of $1,768.18.

Routine Business
Announcements

• Board of Trustees organizational meeting, January 1, 2008, 10:00 a.m., Township Hall.
• LOGIC, January 3, 2008, 9:00 a.m., Safety Center, Chiefs’ Conference Room.
• CIC, January 29, 2008, 5:00 p.m., Township Hall.
• Zoning Commission, December 20, 2007, 5:00 p.m., Township Hall.
• Board of Zoning Appeals, December 27, 2007, 7:00 p.m., Township Hall.
• Citizens Advisory Committee:
• Park, January 8, 2008, 6:30 p.m., Township Hall.
• Highway/Traffic, February 20, 2008, 6:30 p.m., Township Hall.

New Business
ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 W
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion not to request a hearing on the liquor license transfer to Spee D Foods, Inc., dba Spee D Foods 32, 4445 Portage Rd. NW, North Canton, Ohio 44720.

Public Speaks – Open Forum
No one came forward.

Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to adjourn.

ATTACHMENT 12/18/07 X
Meeks opened the Annual Records Commission Meeting with Mr. Meeks and Mr. Gonzalez present.

Meeks moved and Gonzalez seconded a motion to approve the following records retention and disposition forms and authorize record disposal in accordance with Record Retention and Disposal Regulations.

A. Administration Department and Fiscal Office

1. RC-2 Amended Schedule of Records Retention & Disposition.
2. RC-3 Certificate of Records Disposal.

B. Fire Department and Police Department

1. RC-1 Application for One-Time Disposal of Obsolete Records.
2. RC-2 Amended Schedule of Records Retention & Disposition.
3. RC-3 Certificate of Records Disposal.     2-0 yes

Meeks moved and Gonzalez seconded a motion to adjourn.

Cal Peters, WHBC:  Speaking as a member of the media who has covered this operation for a number of years, I want to thank everyone on the Board, especially Steve Meeks, who (indecipherable) very transparent in almost everything that we have questioned.  I just want to speak for the press and say thank you Steve, good luck.  We know you’ll do a heck of a job and we certainly appreciate you.

Meeks:  Thank you, Cal.

Chief Heck:  It’s been a long time I’ve been waiting to get out here, believe me.

Meeks:  I’m just tickled you came to the meeting, Chief.

Heck:  So am I.

Pizzino:  Would you state your name please?

Heck:  Alfred E. Newman.  I don’t know why I got chosen for this but the fellow members up front here have asked that I speak a few minutes about what we’ve put up with for the last 25 years or 30 years or however long its been.  With things that have been going on and, you know, its kind of interesting when a new Trustee comes into office that department heads, administrator, other Trustees, kind of sit back and figure out what’s going on and what’s he doing or she doing.  And believe me you were no exception to the rule.  We found out that if you haven’t eaten for at least 8 or 10 hours nobody wants to sit next to you while they’re trying to eat because you eat your food plus whatever else is around.  That enters the picture.  A couple of the department heads were talking, Ralph said he wants to drive some of the heavy equipment, what do I do with him?  You think that’s bad, he wants to go on fires wearing shorts.  Harley says, you think that’s bad, he wants a radio and a gun.  So where do we go with this stuff.  You look at Marilyn, gets here early in the morning, you’re here three hours before that, got half a day in.  We had a tornado go through, you tried to put up barricades.  We told you not to do that because that wasn’t going happen.  The way two of you were trying to put barricades up.  You tried to break up a fight, instead of leaving it to the Police Department.  I don’t even know if I want to talk about buying cowboy boots.

Gonzalez:  Worse yet, wearing cowboy outfits.

Heck:  And I don’t know Patty, does he wear them at all?

Mrs. Meeks:  No comment.

Heck:  No comment, okay.  But what we have found, in seriousness, is prior to the election as a Trustee you were involved in the Township and you were doing many things.  And you moved on into the arena of Township Trustee and for 8 years you have been a guiding light, a cohesiveness, that has brought this Township together and I think the years that I have been involved with the Township, and many, many different Trustees, I think the Township has been blessed to have this coalition that we have here and the way that they have put things together and where we’ve gone in the last seven, eight years here in the community.  I think the citizens of Jackson Township only have an inkling of how well that’s been when you start to look around at things.  You’ve worked on getting the intersections and streets improved out here and leveraging money with the highway funds that are available.  The Safety Center became a reality and it’s something that we desperately needed to do.  You got involved with the new maintenance facility.  You were bringing us not only the twenty-first century, you got everybody on the same page to work together.  Red Center got new facilities and there was coordination.  You did those types of things.  Served on the Jackson Board of Zoning Appeals, Township Economic Development Committee, Jackson Township Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, Community Celebration Committee, and some of these were long before you ran for Trustee.  Jackson Township Haunted Hayride and I don’t know about that, I understand there’s some police reports related to that.  Stark County Township Association, not only as a member and an active member but also as an officer in that association and bringing additional townships on board to be participants and make township government a truly county wide organization.  SCATS and that deals with our highways and roads and projects there.  Jackson Belden Food Fest, chairman and vice-chairman of that and working very closely with Ruthanne and the Chamber.  Jackson Belden Chamber of Commerce member, Jackson Youth Football, and boy, I can relate to that, the phone calls from that president.  Ohio Township Association Leadership Academy Graduate, CLOUT, which is the larger township membership in the State organization and becoming involved in that.

You did a number of things.  You were involved heavily with those things.  And then we did find out that you did put in 28 hour days and we still don’t know how you did it and still paid attention to your family.  When a granddaughter showed up, proud, beaming grandfather, we won’t talk about age but we’ll talk about that.  And we found that you put a lot of time into family membership and what it was about, not family membership, but family circle, the importance of it.  And you felt the same way about the Township and how the employees interact.  There were good days and there were bad days.  There was no doubt where we stood on issues with you, there was no doubt about where we were going, even though it may have been 4:00 in the morning when you wanted to get started.  You hit the ground running and you got that chance to get in that burning building because you went to Columbus and participated in a program, Feel the Heat, that’s a whole day program and ended up in a burning building.  You did those things that you were concerned about, I don’t know about the gun but the other things that you wanted to do and get involved with you did.

I think the Township Trustees, Administrator, Department Heads have been very fortunate to have you as a Trustee.  In light of that, and I could go on for hours as you know, we’d like to recognize Steven M. Meeks, Jackson Township Trustee, January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2007, in recognition of your dedicated service and commitment to the citizens of Jackson Township and in appreciation of your outstanding leadership in accomplishing numerous goals in a professional, financially efficient, and community minded fashion, our association has been a pleasure and an honor.  And it’s by all the elected officials, Administrator and Township Department Heads for a job well done.

Meeks:  Thank you.  Well, I have to tell you, first and foremost, it has been an honor and a pleasure to have been able to serve the people of Jackson Township.  When I decided to run to be an elected official, way back when, I wasn’t successful, my first attempt.  But I’ll tell you what, when things are worthwhile you learn from your defeats and it makes you a stronger person.  And I’ll tell you what, two years later I was successful.  And I have to tell you, I never thought I would love this job the way I do.  And the reason that I love it is because when you focus on bettering your community for the right reasons, it makes it all worthwhile.

When I came in as an elected official, I saw the Department Heads and the employees of the Township worried every day about their job.  They should never, ever have to worry about that, what they should worry about is how they can do their job better and make a difference to the residents of Jackson Township and I think with this great Board that I have had an honor to serve with we have changed that.  We have given them the pride back.  I know it was part of my slogan but I meant that.  It’s important to be proud, to know that you work in this great community.

We accomplished a lot of things but no one Trustee is more important than the other, we work as a team, each one of us has different strengths, but as we come together there is no one that can break those strengths because we are elected here by the people, we serve every day for the people, and the employees of the this Township.  We’ve made a lot of improvements.  But again, we couldn’t do that ourselves, we’ve been able to build the relationships with our local, county, State, and Federal officials.  That wasn’t there when I took office.  A lot of things that you see, road improvements, I know Chief alluded to a little bit of it, but you know what, we all need to be proud of being able to leverage about $11 million of Jackson Township money and turn it into about $72 million of road improvement completions.  This project that we’re so very proud and needed right out here at Wales and Fulton, the monies are in place.  The streetscape and listen to me Mr. Pizzino, the money is in place.  I went to work on any project that I truly believed in, rolled my sleeves up when Mr. Pizzino and Mr. Burger said no way, we got the funding.  Whether it was the basketball courts, we got the funding, whether it was the streetscapes, we got the funding providing the President of the United States signs the bill, we have the funding.  My commitment to this community is second to none.  I get involved in things that I know that I can help and if you ever followed me you know that I love children.  I do what I can to make it better for them.

One thing that I said early on in my career was that if at the end of my political career, that I could have made a difference for the positive for this community that would make me proud and hopefully it would make my family proud and I think with our many accomplishments with the Safety Center, Station 5, purchasing the ground for future Station 6, this room that we’re in, the renovation here, our Red Center, our numerous road projects.  The highway facility, adding and consolidating and making each worker more efficient, I’m very proud.  Very proud of the time here and if there was ever one other thing that I could do before I left, which I have a few days yet, is this.  We come to work every day, representing the people of Jackson Township but they don’t understand what we do, what we stand for, but that’s okay.  Because you know what, we’re doing it for the right reasons, and that’s for them.  It’s important to get involved in your community, it is important to get on that front line and protect your boundaries, because as a Township even though we are larger than 85% of the cities in the State of Ohio, we still are vulnerable to annexation.  So please I leave this with you gentlemen.  You have to be on that front line because once it’s gone and it starts, it’s gone.  We have been in constant workings with our neighbors trying to forge agreements so that we can protect our boundaries, that needs to continue.  And I truly believe that if we can do that we can make it much better for Jackson Township and take that fear away of being annexed.

But truly I do thank each and every one of you for the commitment you’ve put forth to me.  I know it’s not easy and Marilyn, you’ve seen it time and time again, you’ve seen the good and you’ve seen the bad.  People have asked me, why would you ever want to get involved with that.  And I say, you know what, there are no bad days, there are good days and better days.  And I’ll tell you, I hope that I’ve touched the lives and made it better of each and every one of you here.  And those, they may not realize it now, but the citizens of Jackson, we do live in a better place and working through you, Ruthanne, and the Chamber I tried to make it stronger for economic development.  But in my new position I can continue to do that even in a grander fashion, and believe me, we are going to continue to do good things for Stark County, as well as, if I’m involved in my five county region, you better believe that they will be better when I’m done there.  But again I want to thank each and every one of you, God bless you all, I want to congratulate you for your win and I do extend my hand to you if you ever need me to assist you, please don’t hesitate to call.  Thank you.