COLUMBIANA CO. Workers to get raises in new pact

Commissioners want to bestow an honor on the county's oldest veteran.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Management and administrative support workers at the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services are getting raises.
County commissioners agreed Wednesday to a contract with the department's 28 employees who are not represented by a union.
The two-year pact grants a 4 percent pay boost this year and a 3.5 percent increase next year.
Cost of the agreement over a two-year period will be about $76,000, said agency Director Eileen Dray-Bardon.
Most the money for the department's salaries come from state and federal sources, Dray-Bardon added.
The JFS director's post pays $54,500 annually, not counting the raises. The lowest paying job -- payroll assistant -- pays $8.51 an hour not counting the raises.
There were no other changes to the contract, Dray-Bardon said.
Looking for a veteran
Commissioners, meanwhile, said they're looking for the county's oldest veteran.
To that person will go the honor of being the first to ring a bell to be cast this summer as part of the state and county's 200th anniversary observance.
The bell will be included in a granite monument to be erected in front of the courthouse.
Commissioners are asking anyone who believes they are the oldest veteran or who thinks they know that person to contact their office.
Commissioners approved annexing into East Palestine about 11 acres of private land in Unity Township.
The property is along Howell Road on the city's northeast side.