Bob Walton Sr. received an award from the OVRDC during its fall banquet Thursday. Pictured with Walton, left, is OVRDC Executive Director John Hemmings.
“I’ve been here 20 years and I can’t hardly think of a year that I haven’t worked with Bob in some way, shape or form. I felt like we needed to give Mr. Walton an award, and this was the first time we’ve ever given this award,” OVRDC Executive Director John Hemmings said.
He said Walton has always been involved with the OVRDC projects in Scioto County, such as Infra-Metals in New Boston, Portsmouth city waterlines, and most recently a grant for The Counseling Center.
“He just has a sense for the public good, and not just in Scioto County but for the surrounding area,” Hemmings said. “I have always considered it an honor to work with him, and we appreciate his involvement in our activities.”
Walton said he was equally honored to be the Committee’s first recipient of the Excellence in Public Service Award.
“Maybe for nothing more than longevity, over the years I’ve been a part of that organization for a long time,” Walton said.
He said the OVRDC was a key part in funding to develop the site in New Boston to attract Infra-Metals. He said the steel distribution plant is in development now and is expected to begin operations in spring 2012.
In addition to Walton, the OVRDC also gave its annual Outstanding Executive Committee Member award to Pike County Commission Harry Rider, the Outstanding Full Commission Member award to Jackson Mayor Randy Heath, and the Area Leadership award to Sen. Sherrod Brown, who did not attend the banquet Thursday evening. Instead, Brown accepted his award later at the Executive Committee Meeting.
The OVRDC is formed by 12 local counties — Scioto, Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross and Vinton — to assist in accessing federal funds from the Appalachian Regional Development for local community development projects.
More information about the OVRDC can be found at www.ovrdc.org.
RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.
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