Lawrence County’s commissioners looked forward to Memorial Day during their meeting this week.

Sunday, December 09, 2001

Lawrence County’s commissioners looked forward to Memorial Day during their meeting this week.

The board officially requested that the Ironton Memorial Day Parade Committee consider selecting Gilbert Henry Shriver as its Parade Grand Marshal for next year’s annual event.

He’s an American hero who deserves the honor, said commissioner George Patterson, who heard Shriver speak recently at a lodge function.

In making its motion, the commission considered information submitted by Shriver’s son, as well as a letter by the Lawrence County Educational Service Center that also urged the parade committee to select the World War II veteran as grand marshal.

"He was a part of the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, where nine out of 10 did not survive. He received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star," the letter stated. "At a spry 88 years, Gilbert does not hesitate to discuss this part of history of which he is very proud of being a part."

Shriver served in the U.S. Army, 29th Infantry, from 1942 to 1946 in Europe.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, commissioners:

– Heard a request from Common Pleas Court employee Bill Dickens to help commissioners coordinate economic development activities.

"Since my job as CSEA (IV-D) coordinator for the Common Pleas Court affords me time to work on other projects, and since most of my working career has been in the area of industrial development, I am proposing that the Lawrence County Commission create the position of Economic Development Coordinator and appoint me as the coordinator," Dickens said in a written proposal.

Dickens said his current position is paid for through a combination of federal and state dollars, and he is not seeking salary for the economic development coordinator. He did ask for travel expenses.

Dickens stressed the position will not replace the Chamber of Commerce or the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation, which represent the county in industrial recruiting.

The coordinator can be used by the commission in a supporting role, as a liaison and contact person, a person to work in the area of job retention, seek new industrial sites or other duties, he said.

Commissioners said they would take the proposal under advisement, and said they would like to see a proposed budget of any expenses.

– Proclaimed Dec. 6, 2001, as Help Me Grow Day in Lawrence County on behalf of the Early Childhood Program.

– Approved the callback of a dog shelter employee Amber Depriest for temporary employment; shortage of employees due to compensatory time at shelter as recommended by dog warden Bill Click and Shannon Neal, president of AFSCME Local 3319D.