By Haylee Pence
TROY – The Miami County Commissioners heard a presentation from U.S. Senate candidate Neil Patel following their general session meeting and a bid opening for the Piqua-Troy Road Resurfacing Project on Thursday.
Patel presented the audience with his background information from his family life to his professional life. According to Patel’s campaign site, “[he] immigrated to America with just $20 in his pocket.” Professionally, Patel stated that he’s owned and operated “a Dunkin’ Donuts” and a hotel. The campaign site states “[he] has started and run dozens of small companies in Central Ohio, hiring over 1,000 employees.”
Patel stated he is running for senate because “we have lots of homeless [persons] on the streets, and we are giving the money to all of the foreign countries [through] foreign aid […] our people are starving.”
Patel went on to say, “We should support our own people.” Throughout his presentation, Patel brought up religion stating, “We don’t want any other religions taking over our religion,” which he went on to talk about his Christian beliefs and how “America should stay Christian.”
Patel also stated “I was a former Democrat […] but I found out that Democrats don’t do nothing, which is why I decided to change myself [to Republican].”
Patel finished his presentation by thanking the commissioners for allowing him to speak at their meeting.
The bids for Piqua-Troy Road Resurfacing Project include the following:
• Wagner Paving – $800,298.50
• John R. Jurgenson – $721,694
• Barrett Paving Materials Inc. – $722,293.80
The awarding of the bid was deferred until staff could make its recommendation.
The commissioners heard several resolutions. The first resolution included acknowledging the monthly financial report for Jan. 2022 for the Auditor’s Department.
Next, the commissioners accepted the resignation of Alisha Lancaster as a telecommunicator for the Miami County Communication Center. The next resolution was to approve the release of an open job position for a full-time telecommunicator with a pay rate of $20.14/hour.
Then, the commissioners approved to receive statements of qualifications for design, engineering, and project management services for the Miami County Fairground Administrative All-In-One Building Project, which will be received Tuesday, March 8.
The next couple resolutions involved abolishing positions and creating new ones. These include the maintenance technician 2 and facilities maintenance specialist 2, which will be replaced by the maintenance utility worker position. It also includes the maintenance technician 3 and facilities maintenance specialist 3, which will be replaced by maintenance technician.
The final resolution appointed Todd. S Severt to the County Law Library Resources Board, which expires Dec. 31, 2023.
