Mayor suggests creating board

A potential new board would aim to give long-term assistance in the aftermath of a disaster.
Dunkirk Mayor Dan Watson proposed Monday to Jay County Commissioners the formation of a countywide long-term recovery committee to deal with the lasting effects of disasters.
Currently working to help Dunkirk residents affected by the flood that hit the area in late August, Watson was approached by Jay County Emergency Management director Ralph Frazee to create such a board for the city. Watson, Frazee and representatives from several charities as well as Purdue University met to begin planning for the committee. After hearing what would be needed — including members to deal with finances and to act as administrators of donations, labor and damage assessment — Watson suggested it would be more beneficial to form a committee that could assist every municipality in the county in the event of future disasters.
“I mentioned to Ralph this seems like this ought to be something that’s done like a countywide plan, and that way, if there’s a flood in Bryant or Redkey or Portland, this group’s already there,” said Watson.
The proposed board would be put in place to account for finances that come in, whether through personal donations or charities, and to assess the damage done by the disaster. It would also help to organize any freewill labor provided by organizations or residents.
“This is just way over my head,” said Watson, adding that instead of pulling members from just one town, the new board could include representatives from throughout the county that specialize in accounting and contracting. “We have emergency response, but we don’t have any plans for long-term recovery. … We need something.”
Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. suggested Watson and Frazee meet with the commissioners in the future to discuss the situation.
In other business, commissioners Jim Zimmerman, Faron Parr and Miller:
•Hired Pat Frazee as the new director for Jay Emergency Medical Services. Frazee retired Aug. 29 as JEMS director, with Marla Grady acting as interim director. Commissioners decided to hire Frazee as a new employee in her previous position.
•Signed a resolution transferring the tax sale property at 521 Adams St., Dunkirk, to the city of Dunkirk. The commissioners then signed over the deed to the city.
•Received a thank you letter from The Portland Foundation for a $150,000 pledge to the Portland Water Park Project Fund.