Board of Elections receives praise

NORWALK — Huron County's Board of Elections received praise when the Huron County Commissioners were visited by the Secretary of State's northeast Ohio regional liaison. ShoMore DeNiro, regional liaison, said Tuesday morning the county's board of elections did a fantastic job during the 2020 general election. DeNiro said Cecelia Blevins, board director, and Ben Kline, deputy director, are a great team. "They work really well together. I'm thankful to them and what they did, even though it was a rough time," she said. "We had a very smooth election due to the guidelines Secretary (Frank) LaRose put out." DeNiro said for the upcoming primary election, the previous guidelines will stay in place. Polling booths will be cleaned after each voter, social distancing will be observed and face masks will be required. She said after the election last year, the secretary of state received numerous calls from other states to find out how it ran so smoothly. DeNiro said Huron County's 75 percent voter turnout was impressive. "There was a lot that was going on which made people really want to come out," she said. In other commissioner business, the board will also be applying for and administering the Community Housing Impact & Preservation Program, partnering with Norwalk and Willard. The program helps provide new construction, housing rehabilitation and repairs, rental assistance and other housing services to those in need. The commissioners approved an agreement with Great Lakes Community Action Partnership. They also approved an application for surety bonds for underground storage tanks stored at the Huron County Airport and Highway Department. The commissioners approved the advertisement and letting of bids for the Huron County pavement marking project. They also will be seeking bids for the Huron County Job & Family Services and Jail re-roof projects. The board hired Caleb Riley as a full-time custodial worker for the Huron County buildings and grounds department.