ODNR board appointments (Local folks make good)

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is relying on a number of Lake County residents to help it with various duties and commissions.

Scott Stauffer, a Madison Township resident, has been named the area supervisor of state boating programs for the Department's Division of Watercraft. He will continue to work out of the Watercraft Division's Ashtabula Harbor office.

As supervisor, Stauffer is responsible for coordianting law enforcement, boating education programs and public relation efforts in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties.

He also will supervise Watercaft Division field operations on Lake Erie and several inland waterways including Pymatuning, LaDue Reservoir and Punderson Lake.

Named to the 19-member Department's Coastal Advisory Council is Tom Szabo of Concord Township. Szabo owns his own business and is a certified master SCUBA diver trainer as well as photographer and also is a member of the Marine Archeological Survey Team. He fulfills the council's "historical underwater preservationist" role, the ODNR says.

Szabo said he sees his role as bringing an unique perspective to the council and thereby can aid the Council in better addressing the state's coastal resources, he said.

"Lake Erie is a wonderful resource," Szabo said.

Being reappointed to the Council as well is Dan Donaldson, head of the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com