By Wayne Allen
The Scioto County Commissioners accepted communication Thursday from The Counseling Center, seeking a lease renewal for the use of county property.
Since 2011, The Counseling Center has leased the former Juvenile Detention Center located at 526 5th St., in Portsmouth, from the Scioto County Commissioners. The Counseling Center operates the facility as a Second Chance Center.
According to www.thecounselingcenter.org, “The Second Chance Center is a quality supportive housing program. Our recovery messages, experiences and services promote dignity and hope in our clients. We share with the clients what we know about alcoholism, addiction and maintaining a long term recovery lifestyle.”
The Second Chance Center (and Compass Point Housing) employ eight full-time employees, plus eight part-time employees. Jail Diversion clients demonstrate reduced criminal recidivism after receiving treatment for addiction. Employability is enhanced (after completing treatment with help from our Job Training program) and family relationships are repaired with improved quality of life and enhanced community involvement. According to program officials, residents of Second Chance Center have volunteered with area organizations working in the community, such as the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Main Street Portsmouth, Notre Dame High School Athletic Association, Operation Christmas Child and the Second Presbyterian Church Food Pantry.
The Counseling Center is seeking a renewal of the lease for one year, July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. When the original lease was signed in 2011 an option was written into the agreement, allowing The Counseling Center the option to renew the lease for five additional one year terms.
At the commissioner meeting on Thursday the commissioners accepted the communication from The Counseling Center and said it would be under review.
Chairman of the Scioto County Commissioners Mike Crabtree said Commissioners Bryan Davis and Doug Coleman had not had a chance to review the agreement and wanted time to look it over. Davis explained that just accepting the communication does not mean the commissioners are against renewing the lease; they just wanted additional time to review it.
No indication was given when the renewal would be considered by the commissioners.
Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 1933 or on Twitter @WayneallenPDT
