Fulton County Ohio Media

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EL4niJxjK179fbBd8

For the second consecutive meeting, the Delta Village Council held their regularly scheduled session in front of a large and emotionally charged audience mainly composed of residents anxious to hear what the next step Council members would take regarding Ordinance 21-14; an ordinance allowing for the issuance of permits, licenses and approval for marijuana cultivation, processing and/or sale of similar businesses within the Village of Delta and declaring an emergency.

At the October 18^th meeting, Council members did not approve of suspending the Rules of Council to allow the ordinance to go into effect on an emergency basis but did approve its First Reading by a vote of 4-1.  Prior to any discussion on the ordinance, Mayor Frank Wilton informed the public that, “in an effort to conduct this meeting in an orderly fashion”, other non-marijuana Village business would be conducted first and the members of the audience would be allowed to address the Council and other Village officials.  He also said that after discussions with Village Administrator Brad Peebles and Village Solicitor Kevin Heban, he believed the “decision on this controversial issue be left in the hands of the Delta voters.”

Once the other business was finished, seven individuals spoke before Council, all in opposition of bringing any type of marijuana-related business to Delta.  Collectively, they questioned why the growing, processing and selling of marijuana was grouped into one piece of legislation for the voters to decide instead of being voted on separately.  They wanted to make sure the social and health impact and the accessibility to the area’s youth versus the economic impact was being fully considered as well as noise and light pollution.  Much of what was spoken was addressed the meeting before.  No one spoke in favor of Ordinance 21-14.

In a letter from Mr. Peebles to Mayor Wilton and Council members, specifically regarding the marijuana issue, he stated: “Having recognized the immense pressure placed on members of the Village Council relative to the ban/approval of permits and licensing for cannabis cultivation, product manufacturing and dispensaries, this proposal outlines a measure allowing the voting public of Delta to render the ultimate decision.  The attached proposal (Ballot Language) outlines an initiative that could be placed on the general election ballot in May 2022.  With the review and direction of Delta Village Council, the process completing legislation for placing an initiative on the ballot must be completed and filed with the Fulton County Board of Elections before February 3, 2022.”

Following public comments, the Council voted to table the Second Reading of Ordinance 21-14.  They passed Ordinance 21-18, prohibiting the cultivation, processing and/or wholesaling, retailing and dispensing of medical marijuana in the Village of Delta until May 31, 2022 which will be after the election.  Council also voted to direct the preparation of legislation and ballot language be prepared for the December 6, 2021 meeting.

Pictured:  Delta resident addressed Council on medical marijuana

Photo Link:  Photos from the 11/1/21 meeting

https://photos.app.goo.gl/T2P7KfAxCuN47qG59

As they have all season long, the Archbold Blue Streaks scored early and often and held their opponent to single digit scoring and romped to a 42-7 victory over the Collins Western Reserve Rough Riders to move on to the next round of the DVI OHSAA State playoffs.  Blue Streak quarterback DJ Newman threw four touchdown passes, three in the first half, and ran for one score in the easy win.

Newman began his aerial assault on the end zone with a 37-yard pass to Gavin Bailey with just 2:15 into the game, giving the Streaks a 7-0 lead after Krayton Kern’s successful PAT.  Newman followed that up with a 22-yard pass to Carson Dominique for another touchdown at the 4:41 mark and added an 18-yard scoring toss on the first play of the second quarter, putting Archbold ahead 21-0.

The Blue Streaks’ defense held the Rough Rider’s offense in check until late in the first half when Western Reserve put together a 72-yard scoring drive, culminating with a five-yard run up the middle into the end zone by Jude Muenz with 35 seconds left on the clock.  The teams headed for the locker room with Archbold on top 21-7.

The Streaks forced a punt on Reserve’s opening possession of the second half then proceeded to march down the field and reclaim their 21-point advantage when Dominique ran in from eight yards out with 9:55 showing on the clock.  Karter Behnfeldt hauled in a nine-yard Newman pass in the end zone in front of a fallen defender and Newman finished the Archbold scoring with a 27-yard run to pay dirt before the third quarter ended. 

The last touchdown put the Blue Streaks up 42-7 and triggered the running clock by virtue of a 30 or more-point lead in the second half.  Western Reserve was unable to score again and the game quickly ended.

Newman finished his night with 16 completions on 21 attempts for 205 yards and the four touchdowns.  He also led the Streaks on the ground rushing nine times for 109 yards.  Hunter Cullen Lemely caught six passes for 89 yards and Dominique rand 17 times for 75 yards.

With the win, Archbold moves their record to 12-0 and will now meet fellow NWOAL member Liberty Center, a 21-13 victor over Columbus Grove, on November 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM at Defiance High School in the Division VI Regional quarter finals.  The Streaks defeated the Tigers 41-7 earlier in the season.

Click on the Google Photos link above to access all photos from this game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for no charge courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

With the increased presence of mobile food trucks within the corporate limits of the Village of Swanton, the Public Safety Committee of the Village Council is recommending that legislation be drafted to establish a set of rules and guidelines to be followed.  Currently, there is no local ordinance that Village officials can refer to when food truck vendors inquire what to follow before setting up business in Swanton.

The legislation would include registration as a means to ensure the food truck(s) have a Health Department License, fire inspection as well as registering with the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA).  Locations where food trucks can operate may also be included.

Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle has contacted several local communities regarding this type of legislation and has received information from Archbold and Perrysburg which both have instituted regulations for food trucks.  “Hopefully, down the road, we’ll have some kind of language in place,” said Councilwoman Kathy Kreuz.  “We don’t want to discourage them from coming into town.  They seem to be quite popular.”

Pictured:  LuLu Fare Food Truck owned by Heather Williams

https://photos.app.goo.gl/onzPe7WJf2S3jdt38

Swanton High School product Gunnar Oakes and his Eastern Michigan Eagles visited the Glass Bowl at the University of Toledo to take on the Rockets this past Tuesday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN. It was an evening for offenses as the teams combined for 1,162 yard of offense and 101 points in a 52-49 EMU victory. The win makes the Eagles bowl-eligible with a 6-3 record and three games to play in the regular season. Toledo falls to 4-5 but still has a chance to qualify for a bowl if they can pick up two wins in their next three games.

Oakes had a great night on the field with a number of key blocks and a couple of pass reception, one that put EMU just short of the goal line. It was the second week in a row Gunnar returned to Northwest Ohio to play football and left victorious. Before the UT game EMU traveled to BGSU and beat the Falcons 55-24 with leading the Eagles with 79 receiving yards on four catches and a touchdown.

Click on the Google Photos link above to access some of the photos I took of Gunnar, some of his teammates and some random shots as well.



https://photos.app.goo.gl/GQNVixuYhnrTTLYx6

Recent Delta High School graduate and former Panther Cheerleader Dakota Swicegood is now a member of the University of Toledo’s Dancing Rockettes. Here are a few photos of Dakota performing at UT’s nationally televised football game against Eastern Michigan University on Tuesday night.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AqiUiusbyRjpfg8w7

The Archbold Blue Streaks scored 28 points in the first quarter and went on to defeat the Delta Panthers 44-7 to advance to the next round of the tournament.

Click on the link above to access all photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1vySyX4sWJ7EiNeE7

The Archbold and Delta band members dressed in Halloween costumes and played a great combined rendition of the National Anthem. For Archbold’s last halftime song they chose Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper”. It took several attempts before they were able to get just the right amount of cow bell sound for the song to work.

Click on the Google Photos link above to access all photos from the performance. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for no charge courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJZhWLRs6h9SC89fA

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 Swanton Halloween Hoopla presented by the Swanton Lions Club, nobody was more disappointed than the Lions Club members themselves.  When the Club began to plan for the 2021 event, Chairman Scot Lawson wanted to make this year’s Hoopla the biggest and best so far.

This past Saturday, downtown Swanton was swarming with a crowd estimated to be in the thousands with children, teenagers, adults and even some pets, dressed in ghoulish, ghastly and glorious garb roaming Main Street and its many shops in search of tricks, treats and tremendous fun things to do.  In other words, it was MISSION ACCOMPLISHED for Mr. Lawson and the rest of the hard-working members of the Swanton Lions Club.

Up and down Main Street, from Garfield to Church, revelers enjoyed the five bouncy houses, the mini fighter jet from the 180^th Ohio Air National Guard, the giant snow plow from ODOT, peddle carts and other attractions during the two hours of Hoopla.  As always, a crowd favorite was the firefighters from the Swanton Fire and Rescue Department passing out delicious donuts along with apple cider, hot chocolate and coffee.

The Lions handed out popcorn and hot dogs and cookie decorating kits were available inside the Swanton Board of Education building.  It was difficult to decide but what may have been the highlight of the day was Julie’s Dance Studio dancers from Bowling Green, dressed as zombies, performing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and dancing to other songs as well.

Many of the small businesses and other organizations offered candy in front of or inside their stores during the Hoopla which ran from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  There was just enough time for everyone to head back home, catch their breath and venture back out for the Village’s Trick or Treating which began soon after. 

Click on the Google Photos link above to access all photos from this wonderful event.  Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for FREE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hnqv8JzKtmp1mfkd9

The Evergreen Vikings lost a tough 2-0 decision to the undefeated Genoa Comets in the DIII District Semi-Final game held at Ottawa Hills High School.

Click on the Google Photos link above to access all photos. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for no charge courtesy of fultoncountymedia.com website.

The following was taken from a recent posting on the Facebook page of Swanton Mayor Neil Toeppe:

FIRE LEVY – Fulton Township (Village Residents)

On Monday, October 25, 2021, Village Council discussed and approved Fire Service contracts to be entered into with Swancreek and Fulton Townships.  These contracts assume that the additional new Fulton Township 1 mil Fire/EMS Levy passes on November 2, 2021. Should this levy pass, it will go into effect on January 1, 2022.

Should this levy pass Village Council has committed to cease collecting the Village Fire tax.  While I am not a fan of the double tax, i.e., the townships taxing village residents for fire service and the village taxing these same residents for fire service.  We need to take a serious look at the implications of this potential change.

There are some philosophical differences that should be reviewed.

There are two ways that the double tax can be eliminated: (1) The plan as proposed to eliminate the village tax and have only the township taxes.  This directs all Fire levy funds to the two townships and contracts are entered into between the village and the townships for financial support to the Swanton Fire Department.

Or, (2) Conform the boundaries of the townships and the village and eliminate the overlapping taxing authorities.  Townships strongly oppose the conforming of the boundaries and will not entertain this discussion.

So, what happens should the contracts as proposed be executed?

Let’s look at the specific language in the proposed contracts.

“…In recognition of this financial support said village agrees not to petition to alter the boundaries of the township pursuant to Section 503.07 of the Ohio Revised code during the term of this agreement. The parties further agree that the cost of extraordinary fire or rescue equipment purchased during the term of this Agreement shall be shared upon additional agreement of the parties.” 

Question: Why is the conforming of boundaries language included in a fire agreement?  This limits the statutory authority of the village should they ever want to petition to conform boundaries.  Second: Since all of the tax levy revenue will be collected by the townships, they will have significant control over how those funds are expended. Should the townships disagree with a recommendation from the Fire Chief regarding the purchase of a new or used major apparatus, the townships have total control over approval or disapproval of the purchase. Village Council has no authority to override this decision.

The townships make the argument that since it is “their” money they should have control over “extraordinary” expenditures.

Swancreek Township makes the case that since the levy in Swancreek Township provides the greatest amount of tax revenue that they should have a significant say in how the expenditures are made.

Let’s take a look at this claim.  Swancreek Township (un-incorporated – or outside the village boundary) will generate $192,967.  Swancreek Township (Incorporated – or inside the Village limits – Swanton Village residents) will generate $246,268.  The combined Swancreek township tax levy contribution will be $389,225.

This is the number that Swancreek Township is working off of. They are discounting that Village residents generated $246,268 or 63% of those dollars. Yet Village Council will not have the final word on “extraordinary” expenses, even though village residents are contributing 63% of the fire levy funds.

Let’s take a look at what the Fulton Township levy will generate.  Fulton Township un-incorporated – $100,821.  Fulton Township Incorporated (inside the village limits) – $204, 248.  A combined Fulton Township levy will generate $305,069, of which 66% comes from Village residents.

So, if you are a village resident that lives in the overlapping Fulton Township you have a serious decision to make. When you vote you are deciding on two things while also making the decision for the entire Village of Swanton: (1) To eliminate the double tax and in doing so reduce your fire taxes, and (2) To cede control of the Swanton Fire department “extraordinary” expenses to the Swancreek and Fulton Township Trustees.

Should the levy fail then Swanton residents, through their Village Council, maintains continued control over the Swanton Fire Department and taxes remain as they are today.