Senior Services Levy and Laketran working to eliminate transportation barriers

Lake County, OH – The Lake County Board of Commissioners and Laketran, the regional public transportation authority, are partnering to improve transportation access for seniors to attend the plethora of activities offered at countywide Lake County senior centers. 

Effective January 2019, Laketran, with help from the Senior Services Levy, will be offering door-to-door, Dial-a-Ride transportation to and from any Lake County senior center free of charge for Lake County residents 60 years and older.  Free transportation will also extend to seniors traveling to and from volunteer activities with the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), after approval by RSVP.

“Removing transportation barriers for seniors is an important component in addressing social isolation by enabling individuals to more fully participate in an active community life,” said Alyea Barajas, Senior Services Coordinator for the Lake County Commissioners. “Lake County is fortunate to have many wonderful opportunities to be socially engaged at the local senior centers and with RSVP.  We are thankful for Laketran’s ability to help us offer this service to seniors in a manner that is convenient and easy to access.”

“Senior Centers are our third most population destination, after work and medical trips,” shared Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “In the past we have operated programs with individual senior centers, but by consolidating the program at the county level, not only will it be managed more efficiently, but the partnership will guarantee all seniors in Lake County have the same access.”

As the aging population of Lake County continues to grow, the demand for Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride service continues to do the same.

Transit trips to area senior centers has increased 25 percent between 2015 and 2017.  Last year, Laketran provided over 15,000 Dial-a-Ride trips to area senior centers, plus an additional 2,000 trips to RSVP volunteers.

“Men tend to outlive their driving ability by about six years and women, by about 10 years. It is just the beginning of a span of 25-30 years where the baby boomer generation will demand more transportation services and partnerships like this are vital to the quality of life for seniors in Lake County,” explained Capelle.

Capelle also pointed out the new partnership simplifies the senior transportation program, which makes it easier for the user as well as to manage internally. 

“What’s best about this partnership is it’s easy for seniors to understand. Simply, if you’re over 60, Laketran can get you to any senior center in the county and it’s free,” explained Capelle.

To make a reservation for Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride service, call (440) 354-6100.

LAKE COUNTY, OHIO COMMISSIONERS HIRE NEW EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DIRECTOR

Lake County will soon have a new Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director following a Resolution passed by the Commissioners at their November 29th meeting. 

Joseph Busher Jr. will start work on December 10th and receive training from current EMA Director Larry Greene who is set to retire on January 18th of 2019. The overlap will ensure a seamless transition by allowing time for Busher to become familiar with his new job responsibilities.

“I believe this is a tremendous opportunity for me to continue my career in public safety. This position gives me the ability to work with all public safety and private agencies collaboratively to prepare, plan for and mitigate against natural or manmade disasters. If an emergency should occur, using the Lake County Emergency Operation Plan to provide for the safety, response, support and recovery of all the citizens and communities of Lake County. It is truly an honor to have been chosen for this position,” said Mr. Busher.

A resident of Concord Township, Busher has over 35 years in public service, 32 of which were spent with the Mentor Fire Department where he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief.

“First of all, I want to thank Larry Greene for his outstanding performance as our county’s EMA Director during most of my tenure as Commissioner. He’s leaving some big shoes to be filled, but the Busher family has a long history of public safety service in Lake County, and I am personally confident that Joe’s experience and stellar reputation of dedication to duty will ensure that Lake County’s citizens will continue to be well served and protected from unforeseen emergency situations”, Commissioner Daniel P. Troy stated.

 Greene, who has over 45 years in public safety, worked for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office before being hired as county EMA Director in October of 2003. He and his family live in Leroy Township.     

The EMA, among other responsibilities, coordinates disaster response and preparedness for Lake County.  The EMA Director maintains the Emergency Operations Center in readiness and coordinates county programs with other first responders both locally and regionally.

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During the October 25, 2018, Commissioners Meeting, the Board of Lake County Commissioners proclaimed November 2018 National Adoption Awareness Month in Lake County, Ohio. The Commissioners presented the Director of the Lake County Job & Family Services Matt Battiato and Probate Judge Mark Bartolotta with a resolution. The Commissioners urge the people of our community to help raise awareness about the children available for adoption, recognize the valuable service of adoptive families in our community, and to focus our attention on recruiting and licensing adoptive homes in order to give these children forever families. 

Lake County Receives Favorable Audit for 2017

Lake County received a favorable opinion from the Auditor of State Dave Yost’s Office continuing a record of strong performance in financial management and reporting for the County.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners received an “unmodified opinion” from the State Auditor following its annual audit of government financial conditions for 2017, the highest rating awarded to a governmental entity.  The report is a testament to the County’s management of operations, practices and fiscal accountability.

Each year the State Auditor’s Office conducts intensive audits of financial statements of Lake County and randomly selects policies, procedures, contracts, journals and other records for review in order to test compliance with Government Auditing Standards and audit requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance).  The County’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with requirements of laws, regulations, contracts and grants applicable to federal programs.  According to the report, no material weaknesses in the measures in place to supervise its operations were identified.

Please click here to view the entire press release.

During the September 19, 2018, Commissioners Meeting, Ms. Mallory Babika, Program Manager of the Forbes House and Ms.Paige Wilson, were presented with a proclamation proclaiming October 2018 Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Lake County, Ohio, and urges the citizens of Lake County to raise their awareness and watch for signs of potential issues of the members of our community, remember the lives lost due to domestic violence, and give hope to those still living with abuse.

Please click here to view the proclamation in its entirety.

Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System to be Conducted on October 3, 2018

Lake County, Ohio residents wil soon begin to see much-needed improvements to roads under the jurisdiction of the Lake County Engineer. The Board approved an accelerated two and a half year road improvement program. To facilitate this aggressive program, the Board will consider bond financing strategies with existing revenues and a new $5 motor vehicle license fee. 

Please click here to read the full news release.

We congratulate the 2018 Broadmoor School graduates Thomas Grilly and Gabrielle Layton. The ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. 

During the May 17, 2018 Commissioners Meeting the Board accepted an Above & Beyond Award from United Way of Lake County on behalf of all the citizens, businesses and organizations in Lake County because they all went above and beyone during this year's Feed Lake County Campaign. This year the campaign brought in 75,277 lbs of food and $40,000. This will provide 220,000 meals for residents in need. Jodi Matsko and Jean Sency from United Way of Lake County presented the award to the Commissioners.

Out of over 350 students from 17 schools in Lake County, the Board of Lake County Commissioners presented the awards for this year's Clean & Green Poster Contest Winners during the April 26, 2018 Commissioners Meeting. Congratulations!

The High School and Overall Winner is Leah Stone from North High School in Eastlake.

The Elementary School Division Winner is Jade Omerza-Wells from Grant Elementary School in Willoughby.

The Middle School Division Winner is Gianna Cesari from Ridge Middle School in Mentor.

Here is the overall winning logo!