MHARS Board seeking levy

Issue will be 1.2-mill renewal on November ballot

Lorain County commissioners unanimously passed legislation at their meeting April 9 allowing the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County to seek a levy renewal on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

If voters approve, the 1.2 mills levy would be in effect for 10 years to support the MHARS Board, according to county documents.

In other news, Rudolph Breglia, an advocate for seat belts on school buses, proposed a $15,000 grant to one of the Lorain County school districts for the Seat Belt Pilot Program, a project he has worked on.

“After the courageous action by the Board of Lorain County Commissioners to pass Resolution (number) 24-167, I decided that the time was right to formally propose a $15,000 grant to one of the Lorain County school districts for a Seat Belt Pilot Program,” according to a letter Breglia sent to the commissioners.

The “competitive” grant was distributed to all districts March 25, Breglia stated in the letter.

“The application had almost no conditions and was meant to have sufficient funds to cover the additional cost of equipping one new school bus with lap-shoulder seat belts in one Lorain County school district,” the letter stated. “This funding approach was meant to avoid any possible objections by school districts to conducting a seat belt trial.”

Breglia stated he is fully committed to funding this grant to do what’s right.

“But, I’m hoping that another sponsor will provide the funds for some or all the cost of the grant,” he said.

Breglia also asked the Lorain County officials to consider

providing to a school district a partial or full donation to fund the grant.

“I’m hoping that with this incentive, a school district will take advantage of this funding opportunity to conduct a Pilot Program and serve as a model for other school districts,” he wrote. “Also, having a school bus equipped with lap-shoulder seat belts as a trial will allow the selected school district to gain practical experience, learn the benefits of seat belts and the needs for training and communications for a successful implementation plan.”

All grant applications are due Aug. 1, the letter noted.

Also, the commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation at the meeting declaring April 15-19 National Zone Workers Week in honor of roadway construction workers.

The commission board is scheduled to meet again at 9:30 a.m., April 12.