Fulton County Ohio Media

The Swanton Village Council just voted to give employees of the Swanton Police Department (SPD) a significant raise beginning at the end of this November and incremental raises for the next four years after that.  The increase in pay was not only well deserved, it was years overdue but given, for the most part, to stop young police officers from treating the SPD solely as an apprenticeship program.

At the most recent Council meeting, Councilwoman Kathy Kreuz put it best.  “You all know the turnover we have.  We train them and they leave.  It would be nice to be able to keep them.” she said.  “But nine times out of ten they’re not leaving because they don’t like Swanton, they’re leaving because of the pay.  And you can’t blame them with the way the world is now.”

Council President Craig Rose agreed the police officers deserved more money but he was concerned that it would take away money from other Village needs and it may still not be enough to be competitive with other surrounding communities.

I completely agree with Mr. Rose’s concerns.  But where have those concerns been for all the years he has served on Council?  What solutions did he and other Council members recommend beside dipping into the pockets of Swanton taxpayers?  Our first responders, Police and Fire and Rescue have been underpaid for a very long time which goes a long way in explaining the revolving front door on both departments.

Finance Director Jennifer Harkey says the Village income tax, which funds the SPD, will be able to absorb the raises but that money will be diverted from the General Fund and not spent in other areas.  To help alleviate the burden on the General Fund, the Village is looking at possibly placing 3.0 mil police levy on the ballot, which is a property tax that would generate approximately $231,232 annually.  In effect, the solution to this problem is to again, raise taxes on Swanton citizens.  Who didn’t see this coming?  I am sure most of us did.

When Neil Toeppe ran for the office of Mayor of Swanton, a large part of his platform was focusing on economic development, new tax-paying businesses with new tax-paying employees and new homes that would help to properly fund Village services without having to raise taxes.

Soon after Mr. Toeppe was sworn in, he proposed several economy-boosting initiatives, including the formation of an all-volunteer Economic Development Commission (EDC) to attract new businesses into Swanton.  The Rose-led Village Council summarily rejected his recommendations. 

Mayor Toeppe brought his ideas before Council several more times without success as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and battered the national and local economy.  Frustrated by the Mayor continually bringing up the issue, Mr. Rose, with the support of Village Solicitor Alan Lehenbauer and several other Council members changed the Rules of Council and took control of the meetings’ agenda and eliminated the Mayor’s input in Council meetings.  Basically, there would be little, if any, talk of helping Swanton’s economy and generating more tax revenue.  Even pleas to the Council from local business leaders to consider Mr. Toeppe’s economic plans fell on deaf ears.

In fact, the Mayor’s voice was silenced within the Council Chambers on virtually all issues regarding the Village.  Mr. Rose had created a culture of blatant obstructionism and, as a result, the Village of Swanton is now two years behind an opportunity to reverse the image of the Swanton Village Council as an anti-business political body.  And two years behind finding a way to increase revenue without burdening the citizens.

I applaud the Council’s decision to finally begin to pay our police officers more of a fair wage but I will never understand their decision making of the past two years that has essentially forced them into a tax increase bailout. 

But now for the good news.  All four of the Council members with expiring terms, including the two Councilmen who led the obstructionism, have wisely decided not to run for reelection.  Whether it was to avoid a humiliating defeat at the polls next month or not, what only matters is they will be gone and the economic roadblocks they set up will eventually be gone with them.

The new Council will be met with major challenges beginning with the task of rebuilding the trust of the Swanton constituency.  Change for the better will not happen overnight and we will need to be patient.  But it will soon be on its way and we will all see it coming.

Submitted to fultoncountymedia.com website

On Saturday, October 9^th at noon on the Evergreen High School Softball Field, Evergreen Baseball and Softball will play a five-inning slow pitch game in support of Zach and his fight against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

A homerun derby will take place after the game.  We will be providing hot dogs, chips, popcorn, water and pop for a Free Will Donation.  We will have a 50/50 raffle with all proceeds going to Zach and his family.

Please contact Robin Mitchey if you would like to donate or volunteer.  Email:  RMitchey@manniksmithgroup.org or 419-346-2356.

Venmo Information:  @Laver74

T-shirt Information:  Melissa Marvin

Rain Date:  Sunday, October 10^th at 2:00 PM

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CBP3JASoyiLCzYXdA

The Archbold Lady Blue Streaks continued its march unabated towards an outright NWOAL Volleyball Championship with a three-set (25-16, 25-20, 25-18) road victory over a very talented Swanton Lady Bulldog team on Tuesday night. The win gives Archbold a 6-0 record and at least a tie for the crown headed into the final match of the season with Bryan. Not only do the Lady Streaks have a perfect league match record, they also have not lost a game in a league contest and stand at 18-0.

In the loss, the Lady Bulldogs dropped to 4-2 in the league. One bright spot for Swanton was junior Sophie Taylor reaching a major milestone in collecting her 2000th assist.

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

The following was submitted by Dawn Santchi of the Swanton High School Band Boosters.

The 2021 Swanton Marching Band Bulldog Bowl is back and scheduled for Saturday, October 23rd at the Swanton High School Football Field. Fourteen area bands have been invited to perform and compete for trophies and a spot to perform at the State Competition. Gates will open to spectators at 4pm with an adult fee of $7, students and senior citizens $5 and children five and under free with a paying adult. There will be concessions for sale as well as pie by the slice.

Parking will be at the Fisher Gym parking lot on Dodge Street with overflow parking at Swanton High School. All traffic for the event will be directed through the Dodge Street entrance of the high school. The Main Street entrance of Swanton High School will be closed to prevent non-event drive through traffic from 3pm-11pm to keep all participants safe.

Mrs. Preisner and The Swanton Band Boosters are still looking for volunteers to help the day run smoothly. If you are 18 or older and would like to volunteer for a shift, please contact Dawn Santchi at dsantchi@gmail.com. We would love to see alumni and alumni parents (we miss you).

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jzXsFAeB5MKYurP89

Cheerleader and Swanton Youth Football photos also included. Click on the Google Photos link above to access all photos. Photos are in jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for free.

Concerned with the high rate of turnover within the Swanton Police Department (SPD) in the past several years, the Swanton Village Council made several moves at their September 27^th meeting to improve the overall recruitment and retention rate including voting for a pay raise, establishing an Employee Compensation Schedule and placing a levy on the ballot to help fund the SPD.

The SPD compensation issue was explained in Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle’s Report stating, “Recruiting and retaining employees is crucial for any organization, the public sector is no different.  The Village of Swanton supports its public servants, and in this particular case, its police officers as best it can.  In 2017 there was an analysis of the SFRD wages, it is now time to do the same for the SPD.  The main point is providing our employees with the knowledge of what their compensation will be (barring any unforeseen issues such as a global pandemic) over the next few years.  We also would like to ensure we are staying competitive, relatively speaking, to recruit and retain good officers.”

Council voted unanimously for Emergency Ordinance 2021-XX, Establishing Swanton Village Employee Compensation Schedule for Swanton Police Division 2022-2025.  The pay raises will go into effect on November 28, 2021 and will range from $1.50 to $2.00 per hour based on years of experience.  There will then be incremental raises for the next four years ranging from 0.50% to 3.00% with the 4-6 and 7-9 years of experience groups heavily weighted  Finance Director Jennifer Harkey informed Council the initial raises would cost the Village just over an estimated $100,000 and another $30,000 after that.

Prior to the vote there was discussion on where the funds would come from and what effect is would have on the General Fund.  “It will be supported by the income tax right now,” said Ms. Harkey.  “As we forecast out over the next five years, we will be able to absorb it by our income tax as it stands right now.  Part of what is covering the $100,000 is what we are able to offset police wages with the COVID funds from last year.  That was about $54,000 that did not burden the General Fund.”

Ms. Hoelzle interjected with a clarification on the wording of the ordinance as it pertained to available funding.  “The way the ordinance reads, though, it states that ‘The annual wage increase will take effect only if appropriations are available.’  This is a difficult conversation to have when you have a high turnover.  Yes, of course it’s going to impact our General Fund, 100% it’s going to impact our General Fund.”

Police Chief Adam Berg quickly responded to Ms. Hoelzle’s comment.    “You can’t give a raise and then take it away because things aren’t appropriated properly,” he cautioned.  “That will cause way more harm than anything that this (pay raises) will cause good.”

Councilman Craig Rose said he supported the raises but questioned whether it would be enough to remain competitive with other communities.  “Even if we pass this, we still have work to do,” he said.  Chief Berg replied it would definitely help in recruiting.

“We’re closer to what Whitehouse is paying and we’re not too far off from what their income tax collection is based on the other entities that replied,” said Ms. Harkey relating information she received from a survey she sent out this past Spring.  She also said, and Ms. Hoelzle agreed, it would be “prudent” to present the compensation schedule before Council every year and weigh it against current financial conditions.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nLuMpKEq3faueTYy9

Josh Tresnan-Reighard had 13 carries for 116 yards and three touchdowns as the Delta Panthers emphatically laid claim to the Iron Kettle trophy with a 57-0 victory over the Bulldogs in Swanton. The Panthers scored early and often, roaring out to a 49-0 halftime advantage and amassed over 400 yards in total offense for the game. Jerrimiah Wolford added two touchdowns in the Panther win. The Delta defense held Swanton to just 46 yards of total offense.

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BZ4EJY1QmzD29Qb78

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

Delta resident Beth Thomas, representing Healthy Choices Caring Community (HC3), addressed the Delta Village Council on her concerns with the potential legalization of recreational marijuana in the State of Ohio and the possibility of a medical marijuana dispensary operating within the Village limits. 

Ms. Thomas, who is also an employee of the Fulton County Health Department (FCHD), focused her concerns mainly on marijuana use by the youth of the community (18 and under).  She cited results of a 2018 FCHD study which showed 20% of sixth to eight graders and 31% of high schoolers considered marijuana to be “readily available”.  Marijuana, she said, is considered to be a “gateway” drug by law enforcement and has negative long-term effects on young people with their decision making, reward seeking, impulse control, learning impairment, memory impairment and school performance.

“Delta is the only community in Fulton County that I’m aware of that does not have an ordinance against the use of medicinal marijuana or recreational marijuana,” said Ms. Thomas.  She voiced other concerns including pending legislation in Ohio to “double” the number of dispensaries for medical marijuana and potential federal legislation allowing both medical and recreational marijuana.

Ms. Thomas encouraged the Council to have the “conversation” about the issue she brought forward and said she would be willing to help in any way.

In legislation, the first Reading of Resolution #21-16, providing for the establishment of a new fund consistent with the requirements of ORC 5705.09 (F) was approved.  The new fund will be titled “Grant Construction Fund” and will allow to apply for available state funds to make a water connection with Fulton County.

Also passing was the First Reading of Resolution #21-17, declaring it necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill legislation.  This tax revenue will be used for the Delta Police Department.

Resolution #21-18, authorizing the Village Administrator to execute necessary documents and agreements to facilitate the purchase of vacant property located at 200 Main Street in Delta was approved.  It is understood the purchase price of this parcel shall be $40,000, comprised of the following payment:  $20,000 cash and documentation accepting a #20,000 charitable donation from the seller.

Council approved the date of October 31, 2021 and the time of 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for Trick or Treat Night.  Trunk or Treat at Library will also be held.

The next meeting will be held on October 4, 2021 at 5:30 PM in Memorial Hall.

Pictured:  Beth Thomas addresses Delta Village Council

The Swanton Bulldogs and the Wauseon Indians finished 1-2 in the Division II Boys Sectional Golf Tournament held today at Heather Downs Country Club in Toledo.  Swanton, led by Garret Swank’s runner-up medalist round of 80, won the Sectional Tournament with a score of 353.  Wauseon, led by Sectional Medalist Andy Scherer’s low round of 76, finished second with a score of 364.

Other Swanton scores:  Mazin Rukieh (87), Sam Betz (91), Lucas Bloom (95) and Ryan O’Shea (97). 

Other Wauseon scores:  Jackson Gleckler (85), Mykale Schneider (99), Zach Puehler (104), Riley Morr (105).

Both schools now advance to the Division II Boys District Tournament to be held at Catawba Island Golf Club in Port Clinton on October 7, 2021 starting at 10:00 AM.  Also advancing from the Heather Downs sectional were the Lake Flyers who shot a 370.

Joining Swanton and Wauseon in the District Tournament will be fellow NWOAL school and 2021 NWOAL Golf Champion the Bryan Golden Bears who won their Sectional Tournament at Moose Landing Country Club in Ottawa.

Pictured:  2021 Sectional Champion Swanton Bulldogs (Photo courtesy of Swank Photography)