Ohio House Community and Family Advancement Committee Holds Summer Hearing in East Liverpool

The Ohio House Community and Family Advancement Committee held a hearing on the Kent State University East Liverpool campus yesterday, listening to testimony on how to help lift Ohioans up and out of poverty.

"Tuesday was a day dedicated to our effort to alleviate all types of poverty, including the rural poverty we see in Ohio's 5th House District,” said State Representative Tim Ginter (R-Salem), who represents Columbiana County and serves on the committee. “I was honored to host the Ohio House Community and Family Advancement Committee in Columbiana County and I appreciate all of the state representatives who traveled so far to visit our county. Additionally, I am grateful to all of the witnesses who took time out of their afternoon to testify. Finally, the number of individuals from the public who attended the hearing demonstrates our county's commitment to overcoming the trials of poverty. Together we will make a difference."

Individuals who testified were Kelly Darney of Columbiana County Career and Technical Center; Judge Carol Robb, representing Bridges to Sustainable Communities in Columbiana County; Eileen Dray-Bardon of Columbiana County Job and Family Services; Maureen Waybright and Kathie Chaffee of the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services; Columbiana County Health Commissioner Wesley Vins; East Liverpool Health Commissioner Carol Cowan; Ray Tavelline, owner of The Hot Dog Shoppe; Mike Mancuso of the Salem Area Sustainable Opportunity Development Center; D.R. Gossett of the Ironton-Lawrence Co. Area Community Action Organization.

Following the summer hearings, the committee will issue a report of its findings, testimony and recommendations that will be available to the public and will guide future legislative action in these areas.

This was the final of three summer hearings the committee held, the first two being in Cleveland and Cincinnati.