BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS"From the Desk of Commissioner Pat Geissman"
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~ About Commissioner Pat Geissman ~ Pat was elected in 1992 as Medina County's first female Commissioner and was re-elected in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Previously, she was elected to Lodi Village Council in 1977and served 4 years. She later was requested and agreed to return for one year in 1985 to finish an unexpired term. She also served Medina County as Executive Director of the American Cancer Society for 8 years during the 1980's. Pat was a licensed Realtor for 20 years and also served over 20 years volunteering with the Lodi Fire Department as an Emergency Medical Technician. Commissioner Geissman is a Board Member of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio and served as President of this state organization in 2003. She also PAST President of the Ohio County Risk Sharing Authority, an insurance pool for 66 Ohio counties that are self-insured. In December of 2003 she was selected by Attorney General Jim Petro to serve on a 2004 Elder Abuse Task Force to bring awareness of elder abuse to Ohio communities. Commissioner Geissman has been recognized by many organizations and agencies for her commitment and dedication of service to Medina County. This year Pat was selected as the Buckeye Central High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame recipient. The Hands Foundation of Medina County honored Commissioner Geissman for her Contributions In Enhancing The Quality Of Life for Senior Citizens in Medina County. Also the Medina County Railroad Task Force presented Pat a bronzed rail Spike as a thank you for her work in organizing the task force and for her Leadership in their accomplishments. In 2002 Pat was recognized by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association and was given the Outstanding Community Leadership Award in advancing the county school systems of Ohio. The local YWCA honored Pat as a Woman of Distinction in 2000 for her Leadership in the County. These are just a few of the more recent honors that Commissioner Geissman has received. Pat is a member of several local Chambers of Commerce, Farm Bureau, Township Trustees' Association, Medina County Arts Council Trustee, YWCA Trustee, Leadership Medina County, Lodi Ruritan Club (Past President), a Hospice Volunteer, member of Lodi Methodist Church, several boards & committees, and she is involved in many community activities. Commissioner Geissman has a long list of projects she has worked on, including establishing Medina County's first Battered Women's Shelter, a Juvenile Detention Center, and the Medina County jail to name just a few. In 2002 Pat formed a railroad task force to evaluate and prioritize grade crossings to get foundation and state funded grants for gates and lights at dangerous crossings. 13 crossings have already been approved for funding with 9 of those completed and in operation. The task force is working on their next request for safety enhancements. She also started a free Farmers Market for low-income Seniors who use vouchers to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. The program was first supported by Pat's share of funds from the Commissioners Charity Ball. The program is now in its 6th year serving over 300 seniors. The Hands Foundation has officially adopted the program and funds it. Pat and her husband Lee, live in Lodi. They have 4 sons and daughter-in-laws and 5 grandchildren.
When Commissioner Pat Geissman served as President of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio in 2003 most of the following articles were written by Pat for the Association's state magazine. The Acceptance and Thank You speeches and the topics of concern she wrote about reflect who Commissioner Geissman is and what Commissioners, not only locally but across the state, are faced with. Provided in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. |
