The Lawrence County Buzz

Dean Cooper

3/11/1930-3/26/2021

Community Spotlight…

Remembering HERO Dean Cooper

Dean Cooper was a member of Rome Church of Christ and retired from Huntington Publishing Company “The Herald Dispatch” as an Advertising service manager, printer and carpenter after 44 years of service. He also served as a Lawrence County Adult Probation Officer from 1997 to 2000.

Dean was very active with many Veteran’s advocacies including, being a U.S. Army Korean Veteran serving from 1951 to 1953 and Army reserve from 1958 to 1966, member of American Legion 1958 to present, a member of the Ironton, Ohio Legion for 60 years and a Lifetime VFW member. His love for God and Country led him to many different memberships and accomplishments for Veterans Services. He joined Robert T. Hall Post in Huntington, WV in 1969, transferred to the Chesapeake, Ohio Post and then reorganized and moved his membership to the new Proctorville V.F.W. Post 6878. He has participated in the Honor Guard for 45 years, attending over 1000 funerals, numerous flag raisings at local school functions, dedications to openings of local establishments, yearly Memorial Day activities- visiting over eight cemeteries yearly. Dean participated in all monthly duties of the Post, served as Commander of Post 6878 from 2000 to 2002.

Dean continued his support of Veterans, when he was appointed to the Veteran’s Commission, in Lawrence County, Ohio for over 43 years. On the Commission he helped other Veteran’s and their families with their care and needs, he was successful in getting the Courthouse square named to “Veteran’s Square”, September 27, 1982. He assisted with obtaining a Soldiers Plot Section in Miller Memorial Gardens, Miller, Ohio and erecting the memorial wall and flag pole in January, 1986.

Dean and his family were very honored and proud when he was inducted to the “Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame” in Columbus in 2018, 20 individuals were chosen out of 300 applicants for the honor in the State of Ohio. He was also named “Veteran of the Year” in Lawrence County, that same year. Dean also served the area politically, as a member of the Southern Ohio Republican Club, officer of the Eastern Lawrence County Republican Club and he served as Rome Township Trustee for 33 years (1982 to 2015) where he served the Rome Township in many areas.

Dean had many community contributions as a member of Tidy Up Lawrence County, a Rome Volunteer Fire Department supporter for 30 plus years, KYOVA planning, advocated for naming bridges after Danny Hayes (Veteran), Robert Dalton (Architect) and Judge Kenneth Ater (Veteran). He was President of Fairland High School Band Boosters 1970-1974; President of FHS Athletic Boosters 1974-1977, Coached Senior League Boys Baseball Team 1967-1972, Senior League All-Star Coach 1970-1972, and assisted in building FHS stadium bleachers.

If Dean was asked if he has ever won an award he would say “No” but would explain that every time he succeeded in life and made a positive contribution to society, it was an honor and award. He did not seek glory for his efforts but chose to remain quietly in the background supporting others.

 Commissioners Corner 

Memorial Day marks a very special time of year. It is important to pause, reflect, memorialize and say thank you to the brave men and women who have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedoms.

We are living proof the American Dream is alive and well! We are thankful to those who have given so much to keep our country and county safe and free.

Please take time this month to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for each of us. ~Commissioner Freddie Hayes, Jr.

Freddie Hayes

County Commissioner

Volunteers for County Cleanup

 Project First Impression

You may have heard … 

“You never get a second chance to make a  first impression.” 

There is so much truth in such a simple statement. 

Support and collaboration from Elected County Offi-cials, Township Trustees, City/Village Mayors, Council Members, Community Service Crews, Civic & Faith Based Organizations, Schools & Volunteers provide an opportunity to make Lawrence County shine! 

It is our civic duty to clean, beautify and promote safe and welcoming neighborhoods for families & businesses. 

We are calling on you to help make a positive statement. Take pride & join our team! 

For more information on how you can be part of this exciting effort & opportunity call (740) 533-4300, please reference Project First Impression 

Lawrence County Emergency Medical Service

LCEMS was established January 1, 2011, replacing the Southeast Ohio EMS District which served Lawrence County since 1973. Since inception, it has been nationally recognized multiple times as the recipient of the American Heart Association’s Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award. This places LCEMS in the top one percent of EMS agencies in the nation, for their expert treatment of patients suffering from a heart attack and or stroke. Using cutting-edge protocols and training provided by our proactive medical director, our agency has become a model for many in the region.

During the last year, our providers have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic daily. Our staff lead the charge to care for the citizens with professionalism and compassion through uncertain times and constantly changing guidelines. Presently, our providers are assisting the Lawrence County Health Department with administering vaccines and medical oversight.

We serve the citizens and visitors of Lawrence County from six (6) stations: Ironton, South Point, Chesapeake, Rome, Aid, and Rock Hill.

Thank you LCEMS for your service to our County!

EMS WEEK is May 16-May 22nd!

EMS WEEK

May 16th-22nd

Show Your Patriotism! Festive Fridays!

Express your love & respect for your country! Wear RED, WHITE & BLUE each Friday in May. Patriotism unites people, it shows solidarity and appreciation for each other and our country! Veterans and families of those who have paid the ulti- mate sacrifice for our freedom will feel supported.

Respect, reverence, and support for veterans and military families are among the most precious things in the life of a patriot. Such a simple gesture to pay tribute to those who have served for us.

The Ironton Memorial Day Parade will be Monday, May 31st at 10:00 am!
For more information please contact Lou Pyles, Event Organizer (740) 533-7104.

Community Spotlight…

Home Town Love

In 2019 a group of volunteers came together with the hope to be part of the solution to en-hance, beautify, and unveil the charming small town of Chesapeake, Ohio. 

Over the past two years Hometown Love, along with local businesses have helped with litter control, restored historical buildings, hung boulevard banners, created beautiful flower pot groupings, cleaned the stone bases and painted the light pots on the Symmes Creek Bridge, among many other projects. 

Hometown Love, Chesapeake encourages other villages, towns, and townships throughout Lawrence County to organize their own Hometown Love groups, there is no better compli-ment than to recognize the groups work & gain enthusiasm to do the same wherever you call HOME! 

Whether you bleed Green, Purple, Red, Orange, Black or Blue, Hometown Love is something we can all do!