‘Getting to know you’ first approach on ambulance

The initial meeting between Allen County commissioners and Iola Council members to discuss ambulance service will be a time to get to know each other better. They will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Bowlus Fine Arts Center’s Creitz Recital Hall.
“I think at the start we should just have some light issues,” Iola Administrator Carl Slaugh told commissioners.
A committee that met off-and-on for several months in efforts to reach consensus on a recommendation disbanded last Friday. It’s only proposal was for the two governing bodies to meet face-to-face to discuss how ambulance service might be improved.
Commissioner Gary McIntosh recalled when he was a USD 257 board member, the board and teachers reached impasse on contract negotiations. A mediator then met with each side in executive sessions, and an agreement was reached, he said.
Maybe a similar approach would work with Iola and Allen County, McIntosh offered.
Not so quick, said County Counselor Alan Weber, saying he knew of no basis for having executive sessions — meetings closed to public scrutiny — to discuss ambulance service.
Slaugh said he would identify a moderator for meetings, to keep discussion focused and on track.

COMMISSIONERS will appoint a new hospital trustee to replace Tom Miller who resigned from the board two weeks ago.
They asked recommendations be made by calling County Clerk Sherrie Riebel, 365-1407.
David Lee was appointed as the county’s representative on an advisory board to help with economic development, encouraged by Iola Industries and funded by $15,000 each from Iola and the industrial group and $10,000 from the county. Lee, of LaHarpe, is an employee of LaHarpe Communications.
Efforts will be affiliated with Thrive Allen County, which, as a non-profit, will trigger opportunities to attract grant money.
David Toland, Thrive executive director, told the Register Tuesday afternoon no movement had occurred yet with the economic development initiative and that the county’s appointment of an adviser was the first.
Weber said a recreation center had been proposed for the vacant warehouse north of the Allen County Critical Response Center, 410 N. State St. The warehouse roof leaks, heating is uncertain and he is unsure what to ask for rent, he added.
“It’s my impression it would cost a lot” to bring it up to snuff, he said.
Commissioners asked that he ask a real estate agent about the building’s worth and also get an idea on cost of upgrades.