By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Pushing the strengths of the region instead of their township and trusting fellow township trustees were words of advice from Crawford County Township Association Winter Banquet keynote speaker John Carlisle Wednesday night.
Carlisle spoke about how Etna Township in Licking County had sold the idea to Amazon.com to build a fulfillment center in his township. Carlisle said that in order to sell Amazon.com on building in his township, his pitch was that over 50 percent of the U.S. population lives within 500 miles of his township, as well as enter tax increment financing and joint economic development zone deals in order to bring the fulfillment center to the township.
“You have to define what you have, partner within the region, and find what geographical amenities you have to offer,” Carlisle said. “You will go a lot further pushing the region rather than a township.”
Carlisle explained to the township trustees that they have to trust one another in helping each other out for the betterment of the area.
“It’s a trust like a marriage. You have to trust and get along with each other,” Carlisle said. “Find what strengths you have and work together. If you don’t trust your fellow trustees you will be in trouble.”
During the winter meeting officers for 2016 were elected for the Crawford County Township Trustee Association. Milton Underwood of Dallas Township was elected as president, Regis Jones of Holmes Township was elected vice chairman, and Eunice Collene of Holmes Township was elected as treasurer. Ron Miller of Holmes Township will remain Executive Committee chairman.
In old business Underwood reviewed the 4-H animals purchased from the Crawford County Fair and noted that $4,000 was donated towards the 4-H Scholarship Fund. Underwood noted in new business that ads for the 2016 roster book need to be in by the last day of January.
In his final report for 2015 as treasurer, Dale Garverick reported a balance of $4,056.12 for the CCTTA.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Kevin Schmidt along with his grandson Jordan.
Katering Kountry Style provided catering service for the event.
The next CCTTA meeting will be held March 16, 2016.