Sheriff’s office to undergo renovations

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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Administrative Office is likely to be renovated to improve both efficiency and safety.

Delaware County commissioners on Monday approved a $21,750 contract with Shremshock Architects to develop construction documents for the project.

“Not only would it improve work flow and efficiency, but I really think it will improve security up there, which has been missing for a long time,” said Sheriff Russ Martin.

One of the main problems with the facility is that both suspects and victims must walk through an area where about a dozen civilian employees work to get to another area of the office where detectives are housed.

“For security reasons alone, this is important to do,” said Commissioner Barb Lewis.

Martin said earlier this year that he would only seek to move forward with the renovations if the architect determined they could be done in a cost-effective manner, likely for $140,000 or less.

“I’m convinced this is a necessary and appropriate step,” said Commissioner Gary Merrell.

Hunger Action Month

Commissioners on Monday also recognized September as Hunger Action Month in Delaware County.

According to Brandon Feller, president of the United Way of Delaware County, nearly 18,000 county residents are classified as “food insecure,” which means “consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Delaware County is known as a wealthy county, and it is — but not necessarily for everyone living here,” Feller said.

Through the Hunger Alliance, a group of several county organizations formed in 2012, more than 1 million pounds of food was distributed through Delaware County food pantries in 2014.

“The food pantries just provide an absolutely essential service for people – especially the working poor,” Lewis said. “It’s so important.”

Delaware County Commissioners Gary Merrell, left, and Barb Lewis, right, hae recognized Hunger Action Month in Delaware County with Brandon Feller, president of the United Way of Delaware County.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/09/web1_Hunger-Alliance-Proclamation-8-15-2015-08-31-001.jpgDelaware County Commissioners Gary Merrell, left, and Barb Lewis, right, hae recognized Hunger Action Month in Delaware County with Brandon Feller, president of the United Way of Delaware County. Courtesy photo

By Dustin Ensinger

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Dustin Ensinger can be reached at 740-413-0902 or on Twitter @EnsingerDG.

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