MOUNT VERNON – The Area Development Foundation of Knox County (ADF) has been doing some extraordinary work in workforce development activities, Mayor Matt Starr told the Mount Vernon News.

A supervisory training workshop scheduled on Feb. 16 had local employers signing up 100 people before registration closed, so he said it’s going to be a packed house.

The training is valued at $240, but with partnerships with Ohio Means Jobs, the Knox County WorkDev program and several Knox County companies, the cost per individual was cut to $35.

The Knox County Internship Fair is coming up on March 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the ADF, which will be free for any Knox County employer offering internships or individuals attending.

Each business can get a table to promote internships.

Students from Central Ohio Technical College, Kenyon College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University and other schools will participate, according to the ADF website.

They seek internships in business, computer science, design, education, engineering, environmental studies, finance, government, healthcare, mathematics, marketing, social services and other fields.

The main goal of the internship program is to help local companies gain an advantage by increasing their access to talent, Starr said. It also creates more opportunities for students to see if Knox County is a good fit for them to live and work.

“Obviously when they graduate, we would like to see more people stay here,” he said.

They don’t want so much of a brain drain with college graduates leaving the county.

“And then with that, we get the added benefit because then they can also do other things like coach baseball or be in the church choir or run for city council,” Starr said.

Businesses can call Julia Suggs at 740-507-4108 or email julia@knoxadf.com to participate, or use the employer registration form online.  

The ADF, in partnership with the Kenyon and MVNU Career Development Offices, also offers expert internship creation guidance for businesses that don’t currently offer internships. 

Fire, police departments battle over blood (drive)

In February, the Mount Vernon Police Department will be pitted against the city fire department in a Red Cross Blood Drive.

The blood drive will take place from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, in the conference room of the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel at 12 Public Square.

Community members can take part in the blood drive and tell organizers if they want the credit to go to the police or fire department in what Starr called “a long-standing battle of the badges.”

Community members can call Dianne at the Mount Vernon Police Department at 770-393-9530 or email her at dbennett@mountvernonohio.org to make an appointment.

Civil Service Commission certifies hiring lists

The Civil Service Commission certified its hiring lists for the customer service specialist I and the firefighter/paramedic positions. Those interviews will start soon, he said.

Four candidates were certified for the customer service position in the water department office and 10 candidates were certified for the firefighter/paramedic positions. The latter candidates not only passed the written, but also the agility test for the position with the fire department.

Community celebrates MLK holiday

Starr called the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday ceremony breakfast at Kenyon College "a wonderful time." It was started 20 years ago by Jim Singletary, who was at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. At that time, both institutions began working in tandem to create the annual event, holding it at each university every other year, he said.

“It was nice to see so many students and other members of the community there and it was an honor to attend,” he said.

Youth Leadership Council learns about taxes, packs lunches

The Mount Vernon Youth Leadership Council met on Thursday and heard from City Council President Bruce Hawkins on council activity and responsibility.

City Treasurer David Stuller explained how his office functions and how taxes pay for the amenities, activities, equipment and everything else in the city.

The ADF spoke about how they serve as the city’s economic development partner, performing tasks such as preparing information to send out, troubleshooting issues for companies and offering the city advice that helps in making decisions.

They also packed lunches for the Winter Sanctuary, which were delivered that same night as one of their community projects.

Residents in four counties can dispose of household hazardous waste

Residents in the Delaware Knox Marion Morrow Solid Waste District (DKMM) can make appointments to dispose hazardous waste twice a month from April through September at a Mount Vernon site.

Appointments will be available on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month during that time. Call 740-393-4600 to schedule an appointment.

Only residents are eligible to participate, with no businesses, governments or institutions allowed. Residents must bring proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill.

Containers holding the waste will not be returned. Residents will be charged $1 per pound as a disposal fee.

DKMM will limit residents to 10 cans of latex paint in 5-gallon containers or smaller, with no empty containers accepted.

Other acceptable items include:

• Adhesives— roof tar and driveway sealers.
• Automotive fluids— antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, brake fluid, etc.
• Batteries— alkaline, Ni-Cad, lithium, rechargeable, lead acid. All batteries must have ends taped.
• Fire extinguishers and fluorescent bulbs.
• Household chemicals – pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides, etc.
• Mercury and mercury-containing items.
• Paint and paint-related materials – aerosol, latex, oil-based paint, varnish, sealers, primers, thinners, turpentine, stains etc.
• Propane cylinders – 20 pounds and under.
• Smoke alarms – only if it contains a radioactive symbol.