By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

A chance call is leading Crawford County Commissioner Jenny Vermillion into a new direction. Vermillion has been appointed by Governor John Kasich to the Ohio Public Defender Commission and was sworn in to the position by Crawford County Municipal Court Judge Sean Leuthold Wednesday afternoon.

Vermillion said she had been contacted by the governor’s office to see if she would be interested in the commission. After reviewing the information on the website, she agreed to be a part of it. Vermillion said the commission was surprised to see her to say the least.

“I was quite an anomaly. They never had someone just show up (and) say ‘Hey, I’m being appointed,’” Vermillion said with her trademark humor.

County Commissioner Jenny VermillionVermillion will be on the commission to represent county commissioners in Ohio.

“To give that perspective as to how the public defender’s budgets impact the county,” Vermillion explained.

Vermillion believed she could take the experience she has gained as a county commissioner and be able to apply it to her new responsibilities.

“Being in contact with the judges and the local attorneys,” said Vermillion, “their perspectives will also help, being understanding and being able to help.”

Public defenders are a significant part of the county budget.

“It’s one of those things that are continuing to grow as the economy continues to do its death spiral,” Vermillion said. “We all are probably one paycheck away from being in that situation if we’re in trouble with the law. It’s a good thing to have and I’m very honored to be able to give at least a little bit of input.”

The Ohio Public Defender Commission is a nine-member board that is appointed by the governor and the Ohio Supreme Court to oversee the Office of the Ohio Public Defender. Vermillion will be only the second county commissioner in the state to serve on the commission. Her term will run until Jan. 12, 2018.