Perry County Board of Commissioners: the Scott Transition and the Veterans Year

The record. The Commissioners' minutes are born-digital PDFs on the county's site; the window's minutes (December 2025 through October 2026) were downloaded and read whole. The Board meets Mondays at 10 a.m. in the Commissioners' Conference Room, 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield - the Veterans Memorial Building - with a salary board following at 10:30; the roster: R. Franklin Campbell, Chair; Brenda L. Watson, Vice Chair; William G. Lyons, Secretary; Shannon Hines, Chief Clerk; William R. Bunt, Solicitor. The veteran items, in order: - December 15, 2025: "Commissioner Campbell recognized Jim Scott, Veterans Affairs Director, for 10 years of service. Mrs. Scott stated that he thoroughly enjoyed his position and working with all the County employees and veterans. He said if you enjoy your job you'll never work a day in your life." The same meeting approved "the proposal from KIT Communications for crash bars at the Veterans Memorial Building at a cost of $3,442.24 ... Commissioner Campbell stated that this was dealing with a security issue." - December 22, 2025: "Commissioner Lyons said that he and Commissioner Campbell had attended a veteran pinning event at Perry Village. He said there were eleven present and two Vietnam veterans were recognized. Commissioner Campell commented that it was great to recognize veterans ..."; and on the new probation officer: "Michelle Orris, Chief Probation Officer, stated that Mr. Dively was a veteran and would be a good addition to her department." - December 29, 2025: "Commissioner Lyons said that he and Commissioner Campbell had attended an Eagle Scout Ceremony for David Taggart ... He further noted that David's project was finding and identifying veteran's graves in the New Bloomfield Cemetery." - February 23, 2026: "Employee Status: Commissioner Lyons made a motion to accept the retirement of Jim Scott, Veterans Affair Director, effective June 5, 2026. Commissioner Watson seconded the motion. Commissioner Campbell thanked Mr. Scott on behalf of the Commissioners and veterans of Perry County for his service. Jim Scott stated that it had been a privilege and an honor to serve Perry County. ... Commissioner Watson recognized Mr. Scott's work for veterans and thanked him for always making her laugh. Commissioner Lyons also acknowledged Jim Scott for his service and said he can take time to use his tractor." Scott's post-comments: "on April 19th the America250 Celebration would take place in Perry County at the Family Life Center." - March 30, 2026: "Commissioner Campbell presented a proclamation designating March 29th as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. He noted that over 3 million individuals served in the Vietnam War and noted that upon their return they did not receive the respect they deserved for their service. Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a Vietnam veteran were in attendance to accept the proclamation." - May 18, 2026: "Public Comments: Dave Magee read comments about Veterans Affair Director, Jim Scott as he noted that the appointment of a new Director was on the agenda. He stated that Mr. Scott exceeded his responsibilities and demonstrated exceptional communication skills. He said that Mr. Scott worked with his son to ensure he received the benefits he needed over the last three years of his life. Mr. Magee noted that his family and many others in Perry County will never forget Jim Scott's dedication to all veterans." And: "Commissioner Watson made a motion to approve the appointment of Brady Cramer to the position of Veteran Affairs Director in the Veteran Affairs Office effective May 26, 2026 at an hourly rate of $27.91. Commissioner Lyons seconded the motion. All agreed. Motion carried unanimously." - June 15, 2026: Chief Clerk Hines reported the county block-grant funding requests - "2. Disabled American Veterans Chapter 49 - $9,000 (Veteran's in Need Program and Transportation Program)" - among five requests totalling 53,500 dollars against the 50,000 dollars the county receives, "no action was required." No veteran benefit was adopted, narrowed or repealed; the year is the director's transition and the county's recognition. No veterans treatment court serves the county (the UJS treatment-courts list names no Perry veterans docket; Perry's certified specialized docket is the Court of Common Pleas' Mental Health Docket).