Commissioners present SWCD 75th anniversary proclamation
Pictured are past and present employees and district supervisors who have been involved with the Coshocton Soil and Water Conservation District over the years. Holding the proclamation celebrating the organization’s 75th anniversary is Greg Waters, chairman of the board of supervisors. At his left is Commissioner Gary Fischer and at his right is Commissioner Curtis Lee. The commissioners honored the Coshocton Soil and Water Conservation District with a special proclamation to commemorate their 75th anniversary at their regular meeting on May 24. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton County Commissioners honored the Coshocton Soil and Water Conservation District with a special proclamation to commemorate their 75th anniversary at their regular meeting on May 24. District Supervisors Greg Waters, David Lapp, Adrian Garber and Beth Mullen accepted the proclamation.
“The Coshocton County Board of Commissioners wishes you continued success in your dedication to this agency and to the landowners of Coshocton County,” said Commissioner Gary Fischer.
Past supervisors John Powell, Fred Zimmerman, Vernon Mizer, Knox Porteus, Wendell Waters and Gerald Finlay also attended the ceremony along with SWCD staff Ryan Medley, Zach Wallace, Samantha Priest, and Deb Bigelow, and former employee Mary Thomas.
“We appreciated everybody who came today and took time out of their busy schedules to be here,” said Bigelow, program administrator for the Coshocton Soil & Water Conservation District. “It means a lot to us that you came to show your dedication to this program.”
The Coshocton SWCD is a legally organized subdivision of state government, assigned under law the task of protecting and improving soil and water resources. A 95 percent referendum vote of Coshocton County citizens created the Coshocton SWCD on May 25, 1942. This was the beginning of the one-on-one technical assistance of the local SWCD program that continues to this day.
The Coshocton Soil and Water Conservation District is directed by a board of supervisors made up of five local residents that are elected to serve a three year term. Coshocton SWCD Board members are public officials who serve without pay to direct the local program. During the past 75 years, 48 individuals have served their community as Coshocton SWCD Supervisors. These dedicated community members give generously of their time and talents, establishing work priorities to be accomplished in conservation education and technical assistance.
Board members hire capable employees to carry out the work of the SWCD. The first SWCD employee was Erma Hahn, hired in 1960 as clerk. Vernon Dreher was the first district technician hired in 1966. During the organization’s 75 year history, 14 others have been or are employed full time by the SWCD.
Something that stays constant throughout the SWCD’s history is the cooperation of Coshocton County landowners and the dedication of those who have served as supervisor or worked for the district. The objective of the SWCD program has always been to make the community a better place to live by working with landowners to wisely use soil and water resources.
Category: Government
