November 2017

50th Anniversary Concludes
in a Stately Manner
It has been an exciting year
celebrating the 50th Anniversary
of County Boards in Ohio,
made even more so because
I have been working for county
boards for more than half of
that time.
So to be able to attend the
Anniversary Celebration at the Ohio Statehouse a few
weeks ago with many who have been with me on this
journey was very meaningful.
Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger, who is serving
his fourth term, drafted and presented a poignant resolution
which was passed during the recent session, taking
place the same time as our celebration. I didn’t
have a chance to fully read his resolution until a few
days later, but I was moved by much of what it stated.
Here is an excerpt:
WHEREAS, We are certain that as Ohio’s county
boards of developmental disabilities maintain their dedication
to service, they will carry on the tradition of excellence
that has long been their collective hallmark. We
are proud to note that it is through the unceasing efforts
of such agencies that the State of Ohio will continue to
provide people with developmental disabilities complete
access to housing, education, employment and recreational
activities, allowing them to pursue fulfilling lives;
therefore be it RESOLVED, that We, the members of
the House of Representatives of the 132nd General Assembly
of Ohio,, in adopting this Resolution, commend
Ohio’s county boards of developmental disabilities on
their Fiftieth Anniversary and extend best wishes for the
years to come.
When I saw that the resolution used the phrase
“pursue fulfilling lives,” I was struck by just how closely
that resembles our own mission statement at Fairfield
DD. I don’t think it is a coincidence that the efforts we
make every day to abide by our mission mirror the observations
made by our elected officials.
We have made a difference. We continue to make a
difference. We will always have more work to do because
we will always be moving forward.
Spending my career in this field, in turn, has given me
a fulfilled life.
Happy Anniversary to you all!
- John Pekar, Superintendent
In 2017, the Ohio Association of County Boards of DD
celebrated the 50th Anniversary of County Boards of
Developmental Disabilities with the Always There Ohio
campaign, which culminated in the Always There Day
of Celebration and Advocacy at the Ohio Statehouse
on October 24, 2017 – the eve of county boards' official
anniversary date.
Dean Fadel, OACB Board President and Franklin DD
Board Member, and Jeffery Fadel, Dean's brother,
served by Franklin DD, served as co-masters of the ceremony
as representatives from all Ohio County Boards
shared in the celebration. A resolution sponsored by
State Representative Michael Duffy and Speaker of the
House Cliff Rosenberger was taken to the floor and
passed. In addition, all Boards contributed to the Always
There time capsule which was then sealed and
will be opened in 25 years. Fairfield DD’s contribution
included current
brochures, statistics
of people
served, several
promotional items
and photographs.
Locally, we will
end our celebration
with a live,
free concert at Art
& Clay on Nov.
17th at 7 pm. See
page 5 for more
details.