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What may be unprecedented in the history of Swanton politics, a grass roots movement took seed just less than a year ago, organized by Swanton citizens and local business owners, as a response to a Village Council that was too often unresponsive to the concerns and needs of the Swanton community. This is a Village Council whose all six members gained their position by either running unopposed or being appointed and voted to strip the mayor, who did actually defeat an opponent and was truly a choice of the people, of most of his authority, his voice and his influence.
However, we need to be honest with ourselves. The good people of Swanton bear some of the responsibility for allowing certain Council members, who do not have the best interest of the Village at heart, to occupy those seats of power. No one stepped up to challenge them. But those days look to be over if this well-organized and committed group of community activists are successful in educating the voters on the real issues and provides them qualified choices at the ballot box. All indications are that the citizens of Swanton have awakened.
With four Council seats up for reelection this November, this group is petitioning to place four candidates, Derek Kania, Sam Disbrow, Patrick Messenger and Mikey Disbrow on the ballot to help bring the Village of Swanton forward as a community with a focus on economic development and transparency in government. There are also two petitions being circulated that will create ordinances to establish an all-volunteer Economic Development Commission (EDC) as an advisory board to the Council and to make the live-streaming of Council meetings available to the public.
At a recent petition signing event sponsored by Benfield Wines on Main Street, a large number of voters showed up to sign all six of the petitions which will eventually allow them more control in November over how the Village is run and how their lives are affected. “I think it’s time for change,” said long-time Swanton resident and military veteran Rick Maynhart who attended the event. “This whole community has been stifled the last two years. We need to move forward, not backward.”
Mr. Maynhart’s sentiment was echoed by Tara Shaver who lives and works on Main Street. “I think it’s important for us to be embracing change right now within the Swanton community. We’ve had so much positive change,” said Ms. Shaver referring to the increase in downtown economic activity generated in large part by the Swanton Small Business Group and the Swanton Chamber of Commerce. “There’s a lot more that could be done if we had some open minds and updated opinions.”
What might help the stimulate the local economy and expand the tax base to help counter rising costs would be an EDC as mandated by the voters on one ordinance petition, not the Council, which would work to bring in new businesses into the Swanton community. The second ordinance petition, the live-streaming of Council meetings, would allow all citizens to view Council proceedings and ensure their concerns, interests and overall welfare was being taken into consideration by Village officials.
“We are circulating the petitions in order to give our residents a chance and a voice as to how things are run within the Village Council and the Village,” said Swanton resident and Federal employee John Schmidt who is spearheading the committee working on the two ordinance petitions. “Council refuses to have an economic development commission. The Mayor, Neil (Toeppe), has advocated for that for a number of years. They continue to refuse and they will not video live-stream Council meetings. We want to see it where everybody has the opportunity to participate including the elderly and disabled.”
If all six petitions make it on the ballot it will then be up to the people of Swanton to go to the polls and vote their conscience as it represents the changes they support. Just as important will be for unregistered voters to register and exercise their right to help shape how they will be governed. August 4, 2021 at 4:00 PM is the deadline for all petitions to be filed. After that, the voters of Swanton will decide their future.
Pictured: John Schmidt (center) discusses Village petitions with Council candidate Derek Kania (left) and resident Rick Maynhart (right)
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At the final June Swanton Village Council meeting, Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle presented Council three differently configured playground options that would be included in the Memorial Park Master Plan upgrade. Ms. Hoelzle and Village Finance Director Jennifer Harkey have been working with DWA Recreation Works on playground equipment and layouts that will replace the equipment currently in Memorial Park.
“One of the things we really wanted to ensure that we encompass was the ability for all ages to enjoy it. That was, for me, the most important. I want anybody and everybody to be able to use this park, whether you have a disability, whether you’re in a wheelchair, whatever.” remarked Ms. Hoelzle. “You will be able to come and enjoy ‘your’ park.”
There will be two separate sections for the playground equipment, a larger area for the older children and a smaller area for the younger children. The overall area encompassing the playground equipment will be more condensed than the current layout, a security measure allowing parents and guardians to simultaneously stay within close proximity to both age groups.
The Village is conducting a public survey to assess what option the community prefers. The survey can be found on the Village’s website under ‘Announcements’. Based on which option is ultimately chosen, the estimated cost of the larger section will be $150,000 TO $175,000 and the small section will range between $40,000 and $50,000. The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2022 following the completion of the drainage project slated for the northwest flood-prone portion of the park.
Pictured: Swanton Village Administrator presents Memorial Park playground options to Council.
Generally regarded as the one of the best fireworks display in Northwest Ohio, big city or small town, the Village of Swanton had the bombs bursting in air on Saturday night after cancelling the 2020 show to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Once again, as in past years, the Village turned into one big tailgate party as vehicles and their passengers, many from surrounding communities as well as Swanton, filled the grounds around Swanton High School, empty fields, front yards, back yards and the sides of many roads trying to position themselves for the best view of the pyrotechnic extravaganza. Great job by the Village Administration and Swanton’s Police and Fire Departments and a great way to celebrate America’s 245th birthday. Click on the link and check out the photos.
The Village of Swanton is giving residents a unique opportunity to learn much more about the management of the Village through a program called the Swanton Civic Engagement Academy (SCEA). Anyone interested in this program is encouraged to apply through the Village’s website or call 419-826-9515 for more information. Details of the SCEA program provided by the Village are below:
Swanton Civic Engagement Academy participants will learn about the many responsibilities and functions of their local government, the relationships between Village Departments and Divisions and the community, and how services are provided. The Academy’s goal is to educate the public through interactive sessions, increase awareness about what their local government does for them, and provide an inside look into government operations.
To apply for the Civic Engagement Academy program, you must: Be at least 18 years of age. Be able to attend seven classroom-style sessions for two hours (6:00-8:00 p.m.) per week from August-October. Have an interest in learning more about your local government.
There is no cost to attend. The program is limited to 15 participants who will be selected based on the order in which applications are received. The seven classes will be held in the Swanton Community Center located at 217 Chestnut Street, adjacent to the Swanton Municipal Office Building and are scheduled as follows:
August 26, 2021 – The Structure and Roles of Swanton Village Government
September 2, 2021 – Budgeting, Finance, and Governmental Accounting
September 9, 2021 – The Art of Community Development: Planning, Zoning, Code Enforcement
September 16, 2021 – Fire and Emergency Medical Services
September 23, 2021 – Police Services, Prosecutorial Services, Village Solicitor
September 30, 2021 – Water Treatment and Water Resource Recovery
October 7, 2021 – Public Service
October 12, 2021 – Certificate in Village of Swanton Governmentology during Village Council Meeting
The Second Reading of Ordinance 21-09, authorizing the Village Administrator to make an application for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant/loan funds for the construction of a water tower to replace an existing structure determined to have a life expectancy of five years or less was unanimously approved by the Village Council. The water tower in question is located south of Main Street, on Helvetia Street and has an estimated total project cost of $2,500,000.
Village Administrator Brad Peebles proposed scheduling a Rules and Ordinances Committee meeting to the Council to potentially amend an ordinance. “This is to discuss proposed legislation for addressing animals, as we’ve discussed, whether they be chickens, pot-bellied pigs or whatever,” said Mr. Peebles. “Mr. Heban (Law Director) has proposed a modification to our codified ordinances but, we need to review it before going to a full Council meeting.” It was decided to hold the Committee meeting immediately following the next Council meeting on July 12, 2021.
Mr. Peebles also informed Council that approximately 8500 linear feet of already deteriorating curbs on Main Street were destroyed during the recent milling and repaving project. Initially, the Village was hoping to make curb replacement as part of the project but were unable to secure a contractor to do the work. The curb replacement project is expected to take place withing the next couple of years at an estimated cost of $200,000.
Council approved the Third and final Reading of Ordinance 21-08, establishing weight limits on any dedicated alley within the Village of Delta. The ordinance will amend Section 339.02 of the Codified Ordinances to include Subsection (d), “No person shall, operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight of five (5) tons upon any alley within the Village except when such operation is required to facilitate business within the Village, which shall require a permit as identified within subsection (b) of this Section addressing streets.” The goal of this ordinance is to control the access of heavy vehicles and avoid undue damage to alleys within the Village.
Also approved was the First Reading of Resolution 21-07 which will allow the Village Administrator to execute an agreement employing contractual services of Jones and Henry Engineers LTD, to complete the design and cost estimates for a sanitary sewer extension east from State Route 109 to Nova Steel & Tube, serving an additional area along County Road H and State Route 109 at a proposed cost of $67,600 plus incidental expenses.
Taylor Excavating has replaced approximately 100 feet of 8-inch sanitary line along Maplewood Ave at Wilson Street that collapsed. Fulton County Engineers office has been onsite with a contractor to begin repairs and maintenance to the eroding banks of Bad Creek along the north boundary of the Greenlawn Cemetery. This project is expected to take a couple of years to complete as work can only be performed with low flow levels in the stream.
Pictured: Aging water tower on Helvetia Street
This coming Monday morning, on the 5th of July, the Swanton community will be welcoming Twisted Nutrition, a business offering healthy and delicious drink choices for anyone looking to get their daily recommended servings of vitamins and minerals without sacrificing great taste. Proprietor Rustina Gochenour, who has worked for the past four years at a nutrition club in Wauseon, decided to branch out on her own and chose Swanton to begin career as an entrepreneur.
“I really loved what I did, making health nutrition that tastes like dessert. I’m a little bit of a chocoholic myself so, having something that tastes like dessert and is healthy is kind of a win-win for me. We just loved creating a positive atmosphere in the community so we’re looking to do that in Swanton as well,” said Rustina explaining her motivation for opening her store and selling a wide variety of nutrition-packed teas and shakes.
Providing help and moral support will be will be Rustina’s husband Brian and her two children Cheyenne and Shawn. Twisted Nutrition is located at 14249 Airport Highway in Swanton, in the strip mall with the Verizon Store and Subway. Their hours will be 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday. They will be closed on Sunday.
Pictured: Rustina Gochenour, with family, friends and the Swanton Chamber of Commerce, cuts the ribbon to open Twisted Nutrition.
The Village of Swanton is conducting a survey aimed at selecting one of three playground packages for Memorial Park as part of their overall Master Plan for the Park. A short video has been posted by Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle on the Village’s Facebook page explaining what the survey is looking for and presenting three different playground layout options. The survey is set to run until the end of July or early August.
What option do you have when your concerns, brought to the attention to your local elected officials are ignored, your voice left to fall on deaf ears, your vested interests in the community dismissed without consideration? You move forward and raise your cause to the next level by stepping up and becoming more involved.
Frustrated by the Swanton Village Council’s blatant lack of support for economic development, transparency in government and many other Swanton-enhancing initiatives, a large and growing group of Swanton residents and business owners are stepping up to bring positive changes to the growth-inhibiting decision making of the current Council members. To enact these changes, they will be using the most powerful tools available in our democratic tool box. The ballot and the vote.
On this November’s ballot, four Council seats will be up for election. Craig Rose, Mike Rochelle, Kathy Kruez and Tony Stuart currently occupy those seats. Four Swanton residents, Derek Kania, Mikey Disbrow, Patrick Messenger and Sam Disbrow have been soliciting for petition signatures and plan to run for those seats.
Additionally, there are two other petitions, being circulated by John Schmidt, to place two ordinances on the ballot for the consideration of Swanton voters. One ordinance calls for the live-streaming of all Council meetings which will allow everyone access to the meetings in real time or whatever time is convenient for the viewer. In other words, full transparency as allowed by law.
The other ordinance will allow for the creation of an all-volunteer Economic Development Commission which would work towards attracting new businesses and business growth to Swanton to increase the tax base and reduce the tax burden on the residents. Voting on these ordinances will let the people decide on two issues the Village Council has voted against several times.
Many people live in the Swanton area or the Swanton Local School District but not within the Village limits and therefore, cannot vote on Village issues. However, they can support the candidates and other ballot measures by working on campaigns, carrying the message or contributing financially to the cause. Change will happen if we step up.
Pictured: Swanton resident and registered voter Amy Spurgeon signs petitions for candidates and ordinances.
Fulton County Ohio Media 