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September 2008 |
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By WILLIAM LANEY
Managing Editor
Confirmation of West Nile Virus in the area is concerning to local health officials, an Auglaize County health authority says, but all their advice to area residents is to remain vigilant.
Since West Nile Virus was first detected in the state in 2001, Auglaize County Health Commissioner Charlotte Parsons said county departments have been placed on alert by the state. She is more concerned now with a positive identification in Allen County.
“When we know it is this close, we just try to remind people to try to prevent contact with mosquitoes if at all possible,” Parsons told the Wapakoneta Daily News Friday in a telephone interview. “We don’t conduct any sprayings and I think most of the municipalities that do conduct sprayings are finished for the year.” |
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
Warton resident to replace outgoing fiscal officer in August
By KRISTIN REICHARDT
Assistant Managing Editor
A new treasurer is slated to take the helm of the Waynesfield-Goshen Schools finances in August.
In a special meeting Monday, Waynesfield-Goshen Schools Board of Education members unanimously voted to hire Douglas Passet, of Warton, to replace outgoing Treasurer Debbie Pierce effective Aug. 1.
Pierce was hired as the treasurer at the Parkway Local Schools District, in Rockford.
The decision to hire Passet came after board members and administrators interviewed more than a dozen candidates, calling a handful back for second and third interviews since the process started in May.
“I’m very excited,” Pierce said. “It seems like it’s
taken us a long time to find the right person, but I think we finally have.”
Pierce said Passet, who obtained his treasurer’s license in January 2007, “is very well-spoken, very genuine and very knowledgeable.”
She said the 47-year-old Passet, who works as an accountant with First Ohio Credit Union, combines the technical financial knowledge needed for the position with the interpersonal skills that board members desired in the new treasurer.
“I feel comfortable leaving the position in his hands,” Pierce said. “I think he’ll do a really good job with it.
“He’s very easy to talk to, very approachable, so I think he’ll be a good fit,” she said.
Passet will have a transitional training period with Pierce beginning in the middle of July before taking over Aug. 1. His annual salary is $52,500.
Passet said he originally applied for the treasurer position with the Parkway Local Schools District — which Pierce herself filled — but district officials forwarded his name to the Waynesfield-Goshen School administrators.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Findlay in 1985 and his master’s degree in organizational leadership in December 2007.
Passet said his interest in working as a school district treasurer piqued nearly four years ago when a colleague obtained his treasurer’s license.
Passet worked as an accountant with Marathon Oil Company when his department was outsourced to an IBM-branch based in Tulsa, Okla., four years ago.
While he began a three-year tenure with First Ohio Credit Union, Passet said he began looking into obtaining his treasurer’s license after leaving Marathon.
“My accounting background for the financial end will help,” Passet said of what skills he will bring to the school district. “I use people skills here at work, and working with people on the phone about their accounts, and I am sure those will come into play as I work with the board and work with the superintendent on a day-to-day basis.”
Passet interned with New Regal Schools, located between Fostoria and Carey, for more than a year, where he received hands-on training in the differences between fund accounting, which he will do with the school district, and general ledger funding, which he does now.
While he said he is excited and feels prepared for the task, Passet said he has some apprehensions due to the new atmosphere and duties.
“It’s my first time as a treasurer, so it’ll be a new setting,” Passet said. “The culture can be different, as well as just the nuances of a new job.”
From a rural community himself, Passet said he is used to the smaller setting of districts similar to Waynesfield-Goshen, and looks forward to being part of acclimating to the new school building.
“You’re working for a good reason,” Passet said. “It’s public education and what you’re doing is important for the stewardship of the school districts’ resources.”
His initial goals as he enters the position are straightforward — maintain Pierce’s standards to protect the resources of the new school, continue applying for grants, and maintain timelines in applying changing state legislation.
“Initially I just want to keep up what Debbie has done,” Passet said. “She’s done a really good job.”
Superintendent Earnie Jones said Passet made an exceptional impression during his second interview.
“He seemed to be very budget conscious, which we are and every school district needs to be,” Jones said. “He was very genuine. He comes across and his references refer to him as a man of integrity.” |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 )
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