One year later, it's the TP employees who deserve the real credit for success story

Just over one year ago Fulton County Commissioners took a chance with the recycling program. The discussions centered around transferring operations to the Board of Developmental Disabilities' Triangular Processing. The commissioners made the decision and deserve credit for their choice.

At the time, commissioners weren't sure this was the route they wanted to go. However, they did make the decision to transfer operations at the same time they agreed with the City of Wauseon to take over its Linfoot Street operations.

The deal saved the city a program which cost over $100,000 a year; gained the county, which is required to provide recycling services, equipment and additional materials; and provided plenty of meaningful work for the employees of Triangular Processing.

While the commissioners do deserve ample credit for creating the opportunity, the employees of Triangular Processing are the ones who deserve the lion's share of kudos. The switch provided plenty of raw materials for its recycling work, but it also provided an opportunity to have meaningful and gainful employment - an opportunity that was seized by each and every employee.

Disabilities are not an insurmountable hurdle, in fact, they are really no hurdle at all. Human nature is to do the best job one can do, regardless of a disability or not. Gaining satisfaction and personal fulfillment for work is something we all strive for. This is no different for adults with disabilities.

Those adults have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt they could meet the demands of the county recycling program. In fact, they have met those needs and are capable of handling even more work and responsibility.

Commissioner Dean Genter initially had concerns about the ability to handle the workload; however, he admits he was wrong.

"They have proven me wrong by their ability to accomplish their tasks," he said. He also noted that expansion of the program might be a possibility. All because the door was opened in the first place.

And for that, the commissioners deserve some credit, but the real heroes of this story are the men and women working at Triangular Processing who have taken ownership of their jobs, work hard and with pride. They are the ones who deserve the credit for this success story.