58°Lake Erie Commission will relocate to Sandusky
Jan 27
2012
The Lake Erie Commission is moving from Toledo to a new office in Sandusky, right next to Sandusky Bay.
The move will save the state money but also will locate the office at a more convenient location, in the middle of its service area, said Gail Hesse, executive director of the commission.
The moving van will pull up today at the commission’s office in Toledo, and the move is scheduled to be completed by Wednesday.
The new location will be at 111 E. Shoreline Drive, Suite C, inside the Murray & Murray law office building.
The new phone number will be 419-621-2040.
Two of the agency’s four employees elected not to move, so the commission will be advertising soon to fill two positions: An environmental specialist to manage grants from the Lake Erie Protection Fund, a full-time position, and a part-time job as a receptionist and public outreach coordinator.
Hesse said with the agency’s old lease expiring in Toledo, the commission was looking to cut costs by downsizing. The Toledo office has 1,400 square feet, and the new location will have 888 square feet.
But geography played a role in the decision, too, because the commission serves Ohio’s interests all along Lake Erie.
“The question came up, wouldn’t it make more sense for the commission to be more centrally located?” Hesse said.
Murray and Murray is pleased to be able to provide space to the Lake Erie Commission, said Charles Murray, a partner in the firm.
“We appreciate having the resource in our community,” Murray said. “This will bring jobs to downtown. I think it also reflects that Sandusky is at the heart of Lake Erie.”
One of the Lake Erie Commission’s main jobs is to dispense grant money from the Lake Erie Protection Fund.
Money from the fund comes from the sale of special Ohio license plates that feature a picture of the Marblehead Lighthouse, created by Marblehead artist Ben Richmond. Last month the fund awarded a $15,000 grant to the Erie County Health Department for monitoring algal blooms in Lake Erie.
Buying the Lake Erie license plate is a great way for citizens to participate in the restoration and protection of Lake Erie, Hesse said.
The commission also coordinates efforts to aid Lake Erie by six state agencies — the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Development, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
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06:59 AM
Captain Gutz says
One of the Lake Erie Commission’s main jobs is to dispense grant money from the Lake Erie Protection Fund.
Seems as though the Murrays will be a new dispensee
04:06 PM
NineMM says
Right next to a combined storm and sanitary sewer overflow...............Priceless!
07:16 PM
Fireside says
Welcome to Sandusky LEC !! Thanks Dennis!
03:22 PM
Unabasho says
More jobs, tax income
Sandusky's glass half empty
Again. Lord help us!
12:11 PM
Darkhorse says
FruGal: How much are the offices renting for? Good question. It is a matter of public record. Murray may be leaving office but he inked the deal before leaving. I expect that cheaper offices could have been negotiated somewhere in the downtown district. Maybe the Feick Building offices? I think when someone comes to town looking for office space there should be fair opportunity for others to be notified so they can submit a proposal, especially when dealing with the government agencies.
01:05 PM
tk says
In the first place, Dennis Murrary has already announced that he will not be running again. The Murrary building is ready to moved into. Would you rather have the commission find a property that has to be renovated at God only know what cost to the state? Don't look for problems where there isn't one.
08:45 AM
LivinOnTheLake says
So, the State of Ohio starts looking for a new office space for the Lake Erie Commission and lo and behold, they find space in the Murray & Murray building. I'm sure that State Rep Dennis Murray had nothing to do with this and he won't see a dime of the monthly rental monies paid to Murray & Murray. Sure....
However, no matter where the LEC would have moved to in Sandusky, it is a good thing for Sandusky to have this office, with its state employees, to have in Erie County now versus Toledo/Lucas County. Just don't like how it really looks like a conflict of interest. With all the vacant buildings in downtown Sandusky, I'm sure there would have been some other spot for the LEC to locate in.
01:11 AM
The Bizness says
So you all are saying that if they moved to a different building a block away you wouldn't have a problem. Plus I think you all are looking way to in depth at some one legally renting out a space, but I may be wrong.
10:06 PM
SimpleEnough says
Would this be Marcy Kraptur vote buying, she already has a lock on toledo.
07:22 PM
frizzlefrap says
to the people who need the money the most!
06:54 PM
goofus says
Probably allowed by the John Murtha law
06:19 PM
FruGalSpender says
Is this a conflict of interest for a State representative to be renting out offices in his building to Lake Erie Commission that deals with State agencies? that is a question worth an answer, darkhorse. how much does the state really have to pay?
05:58 PM
goofus says
Darkhorse, Hmmmm, very interesting!!! Trial attorneys in a possibly illegal operation?
05:50 PM
Darkhorse says
Is this a conflict of interest for a State representative to be renting out offices in his building to Lake Erie Commission that deals with State agencies?