Minutes of the April 24, 2025 meeting

Attendance

Those present: Nate Bailor, Nakia Bailor, Alyssa Barnecut, Samantha Bett, Jay Boyd, Marilyn Boyd, Vince Carpico, Lydia Coakley, David Foltz, Toni Harper, Sue Henwood, Laura Kennedy, Rich Lines, Ray Meisse, Dee Mowry, Kristy Peck and Nala, Billy Robinette, Sue Schmitz, Linda Ward, Heather Yontz, and speaker, Fairfield County Commissioner Jeff Fix.

Program

President Rich Lines welcomed the group to the meeting at the Bremen Community Methodist Church and led them in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Linda Ward offered the invocation, and the ladies of church served lunch.

Commissioner Fix gave an update on the county’s efforts to partner with the villages and townships in working to eradicate generational poverty. That requires removing barriers to workers, as well as aiding those disabled by emotional and mental problems.

• Employers state their employment needs; Workforce takes high school students who are without direction and exposes them to 6 trades. The first semester of their senior year, they choose an area to study, second semester gives them apprenticeship in it and, by graduation, they have a job.
• Workers need a place to live, so the townships and villages are helped to develop plans for housing growth. Partnerships and plans make controlled growth more likely to be instituted. What has been done has been recognized by a National Planning Association Award.
• To enable workers to get to the job, the county purchased the Lancaster-Fairfield Transit Company with some funding from employers; development of routes and timetables is a work in progress.
• Child care is a concern as it may cost workers as much as a mortgage. A pilot program called Tri-Share would have the worker, state of Ohio and employer contribute equally to day care.

In summary, Commissioner Fix feels his job makes a difference to the quality of life in Fairfield County.

Business meeting

Minutes of the March meeting were approved as e-mailed on a motion by Toni Harper and seconded by Dee Mowry. The treasurer reported the following:

Treasurer’s report — account balances

checking:	$4 555.65
money market:	9 222.11
CD:	13 139.43
CD:	14 504.64
CD:	5 416.53

After a year of persistent phone calls and refiling of paperwork, the treasurer received a refund check from the Ohio Department of Commerce for $633.79 in unclaimed funds - well done, Sue Henwood! This was deposited in the money market account. Sue also reported that the chamber’s annual reports have been forwarded to Penny Wasem for filing with the state of Ohio for a fee of $50. Dee Mowry moved to receive the reports; Marilyn Boyd seconded the motion, and it was approved.

In old business, there has been no up-date from APG Media on progress on the Chamber Directory; Rich will check on this. There was no new business brought forward.

Announcements

• The village is seeking sponsors for this year’s Oktoberfest and additional vendors; Dave Foltz moved that the chamber donate $1 000, seconded by Heather Yontz and carried.
• The bank is having a diaper drive through the month of May.
• Fairhope Hospice volunteers will hold their annual Trash to Treasurers at the fairgrounds June 13 and 14 and are now accepting donations - no clothes or books!

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Dee Mowry, seconded by Rich and carried.

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Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmitz, secretary