Earlier this year, owners of six downtown Swanton buildings, submitted applications to the Village of Swanton’s Downtown Façade Enhancement Program (DFEP), which would be, as explained on the Village’s website, “A 50% reimbursement of expenses directly related to qualifying building improvements, to front facades, of properties within the downtown target area up to a match of $10,000.”
All six applications were rejected with an explanation given by DFEP Committee member Kevin Young. “After reviewing them, the consensus was that they were all maintenance related, not enhancement related. And it didn’t really meet what we’re intending and wanting for the program to achieve,” said Mr. Young.
Since that time, the applicants and the DFEP Committee met in person to discuss the intent of the program and what requirements the Committee was looking for. They also discussed how the words “enhancement”, “improvements” and “maintenance” were interpreted by the applicants and the Committee. It was determined the wording on the application had some flaws and it would be modified for future applications.
Ultimately, all applications were reconsidered and accepted. Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle sent a letter to the six applicants which stated “Congratulations on this selection; we believe this project will continue the momentum of downtown development.”
Pictured: Parapet wall restoration project in progress at Benfield Wines on Main Street
Despite all the challenges that the Swanton Middle School (SMS) faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic, school administrators and faculty were still able to hold the Amazing Shake Competition with a condensed version delayed by a year, for the seventh-grade class (2025) as part of the Swanton Seven Initiative (SSI). The Amazing Shake is a competition that focuses on building soft skills in students, placing strong emphasis on manners, discipline, respect, and professional behavior.
The event was inspired by the National Amazing Shake Competition that is held every year at the acclaimed Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. To demonstrate these skills, students worked their way through “The Gauntlet.” There were seven stations in “The Gauntlet” and each put students’ abilities to the test. Each student had to show great poise and confidence in personal interactions as well as exhibit effective management skills.
The student that came out on top after all the intense competition was, now incoming high school freshman, Riah McAllister who received a Commendation from the Swanton Board of Education for her achievement during the Board’s June meeting. “I was scared because our first round, when we were in seventh-grade, I went up against the entire class, all my peers. It’s a lot of pressure,” said Riah. “But they don’t pick you because they think you’re cool. They pick you because they think you’re ready.”
The lessons learned in the SSI and put into practice during the Amazing Shake Competition tend to quickly raise the maturity level of the students as well as instilling a strong sense of confidence. Riah was a prime example of this. “She came from being super shy to now being open and outgoing. It’s really great. I’m very proud,” said her mother.
Riah will soon begin a new adventure when she enters Swanton High School this Fall. “I’m nervous but I’m also excited because it’s the start of a new chapter for me. It’s pushing me more towards my future and who knows what the future is going to bring,” she said.
Pictured: Swanton Middle School Assistant Principal Leigh Pancoast presents Riah McAllister with a Board Commendation
This is a reprint of a Village Reporter article from May 4, 2020, The firetruck is now in place at Sauder Village’s 1920s Main Street Exhibit.
Antique Swanton Fire Truck Being Donated to Sauder Village
By: Bill O’Connell
A 1923 Model T Fire Truck, once owned and operated by the Swanton Volunteer Fire Department, is in the process of being donated to Sauder Village in Archbold with the expressed intent to be displayed as part of Sauder’s 1920’s Streetscape Exhibit. Currently, the Swanton Fire Department (SFD) houses the Model T Fire Truck and has for many years.
Representing the Taylor family, owners of the vehicle, Terrance L. Taylor, now of Fort Wayne, Indiana, wrote a letter to SFD Chief Anthony Schaffer giving the Village of Swanton permission to donate the historical fire equipment.
The letter read, in part, “On behalf of the late Swanton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Floyd L. Taylor (1949-1961) and Chief Lewis W. Taylor (1961-1999) families, we hereby authorize and permit the Swanton Fire Department and Village of Swanton, Ohio to donate to Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio the 1923 Model T Fire Truck of the Swanton Volunteer Fire Department in their 1920’s Streetscape so that the public can view Fulton County and Swanton history. It is our understanding, from speaking with Mary Smith, that Sauder Village is very interested in the 1923 Model T and will transport, restore, maintain and display it as appropriate.”
“I have fond memories of riding in the 1923 Model T when I was on the Department as a Cadet in 1968-1972. It made many trips on a trailer to be in the Annual Northwest Ohio Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention Parade,” wrote Mr. Taylor.
Chief Schaffer said his department supports the effort for several reasons. “We just don’t have the resources to get this vehicle back to what is was and Sauder Village does,” he explained. “We’re going to know where its at, a part of Fulton County. We’re cautiously excited for what this donation, not only for what it does for Swanton but for Fulton County and Sauder itself.”
Legal documents will still need to be prepared including the reissuing of long lost the title. Additionally, if sometime in the future, Sauder Village no longer has a use for the Fire Truck, the Village of Swanton will contractually be given the first right of refusal to get it back.
Swanton Village Photo: Swanton Fire Chief Tony Schaffer and Swanton Mayor Neil Toeppe
Early in last night’s (6/14/21) Swanton Village Council meeting, in front of family, friends and colleagues, Swanton Firefighter Kate Cleland, was formerly recognized for her promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in the Swanton Fire and Rescue Department (SFRD). Lieutenant Cleland, a six-year veteran of the SFRD, was sworn in by Mayor Neil Toeppe. Her brother, Army Staff Sergeant Ben Cleland, made the almost 800 mile trip from Fort Benning, Georgia and had the honor of pinning the Lieutenant Insignia on her uniform.
Chief Tony Schaffer read a statement regarding Lieutenant Cleland’s promotion. “On May 12, a fire-based assessment center was conducted to determine the knowledge, skills and abilities of a candidate being considered for promotion from Firefighter to Lieutenant. Firefighter/EMT Kate Cleland has learned the promotion based on her passing scores and favorable performance as Shift Lead for 10 months. In addition to leading her shift and preparing for the assessment center, she also successfully completed Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II course work.”
In offering his personal congratulations, Chief Schaffer said, “She has earned this and I believe she will do a really good job as an officer for our department and the citizens of the Swanton community.”
Of the millions of boys and young men who begin a journey with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), only a small percentage, a number hovering in the mid-single digits on average from year to year, will attain the BSA’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. It takes years of hard work, dedication, perseverance and discipline to meet the rigorous requirements to become a member of this very exclusive and highly respected class of American citizens.
Just several weeks after receiving his diploma from Evergreen High School, Sam Napierala was officially recognized as an Eagle Scout in a ceremony held in the banquet hall of the Swanton Sports Center. “When I first started I kind of just went because all my friends were there and I got to hang out with people,” said Sam, explaining his initial motivation to be involved with scouting. “But once I passed my first class (swimming) I realized that Eagle Scout was something I wanted and I really pushed myself to do it. And I’m glad that I did.”
Following the ceremony, a combined Graduation/Eagle Scout Achievement celebration was held for family, friends and fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 167 of Metamora. “Sam has worked very hard to earn this rank. I’m very proud of him,” said Jason Napierala, Sam’s father and Scoutmaster.
“He was a bit shy. He’s grown quite a bit,” said Joe Blanchard, Sam’s Cub Scout leader, commenting on his maturation in the program. “I only had him for a year and a half before he crossed over to the Boy Scouts. It’s awesome to watch the boys go from little to big and turn into young men.”
Another Scout leader, John Schwab, affirmed Sam’s growth from when he first joined the Boy Scouts. “I saw him from probably a Tenderfoot all the way up to Eagle today and I saw his progression on how he changed from a kid to an awesome reliable young man,” he said. “He is a true leader.”
With his education from Evergreen Schools and the life skills he has acquired in the Boy Scouts, Sam is well-prepared and ready to begin the next chapter of his life. He will be attending Owens Community College later this year and will be studying for a job in the electrical industry.
At the end of the May 25th Swanton Village Council meeting, following an executive session when most of the public had left, Council President Craig Rose asked to bring something up that was not on the agenda. He proposed to his fellow Council members to have Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle look into purchasing video recording equipment to record Council meetings and place the recordings on the Village’s website to “give the public access to what we do here.” Mr. Rose added it would involve one camera and “some” audio. No comment was made about possible editing.
As a group, the Council had a positive reaction to the recommendation. “I think it’s a great idea and it will help us move further, especially from the discussions that have created a lot of animosity throughout the community,” said Councilman Tony Stuart.
Unsurprisingly, this proposal into increased transparency came with several stipulations. “What I’m proposing is we have a video. It’s going to be not a live feed at all. We kind of looked into possibly doing it on the website. We’re not going to be sharable. Somebody can go to the website to view this video. It won’t be anything where people can sit there and do live comments or anything of that nature,” said Mr. Rose explaining the restrictions of his proposal.
To be clear, this suggestion would be a major step down from live-streaming which was made necessary when state-mandated COVID-19 procedures prevented in-person Council meetings and left live-streaming as the only option to keep the meeting available to the public as required by the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). Because it was then realized that live-streaming made the Council proceedings available to so many more people regardless of where they may be located or when they were able to watch, it was recommended by Mayor Neil Toeppe and supported by many citizens to continue with this method once in-person meetings were allowed again.
From then on, every time the issue of making live-streaming standard operating procedure for all Village meetings was placed on the meeting agenda, it was summarily rejected by Mr. Rose and not allowed to be brought to a vote. Initially, he said there was not enough interest by the public. When that was disproved, he said it was too costly. Later, when Council was informed the cost would be covered by a private citizen or COVID Relief funds, Mr. Rose cited liability issues and a concern the Village could be sued for defamation, even if the alleged “defaming” remarks were spoken by someone in the audience. When Village Solicitor Alan Lehenbauer found no concrete examples of that ever happening in the State of Ohio, Mr. Rose garnered enough votes from Council to remove the mayor’s report as a standard item on the agenda, thereby eliminating Mayor Toeppe’s ability to bring up live-streaming in the future.
This really begs the question “Why the near reversal in Mr. Rose’s stand on an issue he so vehemently opposed in the past?” Does he now see the light or does he feel the heat? With Mr. Rose’s council seat up for election this November and the growing clamor for more accountability from our elected officials, my money is on the heat. I cannot believe he has suddenly experienced an epiphany and finally realizes the importance of transparency in local government. It is more likely he was made aware of a petition being circulated to put the issue of live-streaming on the ballot this next election, letting the Swanton voters decide and not the Village Council. A voter approved ordinance would remove that authority from the Council. Mr. Rose may have also heard that the group behind the petition is also soliciting for qualified candidates to run for the four open Council seats this Fall. More specifically, his and Councilman Mike Rochelle’s.
Regardless of his motivation, what the citizens of Swanton would do well to keep in mind is what Mr. Rose and the Council will allow in one meeting can just as easily be taken away in the next. As we witnessed this past January when Mayor Toeppe had his report removed from the agenda and his advisory position on several committees eliminated, the Rules of Council can be conveniently manipulated to serve only the Council rather than the people of Swanton.
Are we to believe Mr. Rose is sincere in bringing transparency, although limited, to the Swanton Village Council or is this just a smokescreen that he hopes will help him retain his seat and his control of the Council for the next four years? For the Swanton constituency, it will come down to a matter of trust. Will you trust Mr. Rose enough to follow through on the transparency issue as well as any other promises he may make between now and November? Then ask yourself this. How has he been working for you so far?
Pictured: Swanton Village Council President Craig Rose
The Delta Village Council convened on Monday, June 7, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. for their regularly scheduled session in Memorial Hall. However, when the roll was called, three councilmen, Art Thomas, Chad Johnson and Mike Tanner were absent.
With three of the six members not present, the Council could not reach a quorum and was unable to conduct business. According to Section 3.02 of the Delta Charter, a quorum for Council shall consist of a majority of the members of that body. In this case, four Councilmembers were required to proceed.
Mayor Frank Wilton called for a motion to adjourn which was approved. All absent Councilmembers had been excused from attending prior to the meeting. The short proceedings were conducted for documentation purposes.
The next meeting will be held on June 21, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
Prior to every election, whether it be local, state or federal, the public is inundated with media advertisements encouraging us, even pleading with us, to exercise our right to vote. Unlike direct political ads, these specific messages do not tell us how to vote, only urge us to do so because voting is the bedrock of a democratic society and gives us a voice on how we are governed.
The counter to this, a reason or excuse voiced by many eligible voters, is that their vote, their one and only vote, is insignificant and will not make a difference in the grand scheme of things. Without going into a long listing of why this does not hold up, let’s take a look at the May 2021 election ballot for Fulton Township voters.
On that one-issue-only ballot was a 1-mil fire levy that, if passed, would have allowed the double taxing for fire service for Swanton residents also living within the Village limits to be eliminated. This “double taxation” issue has been a point of contention for decades between the Village and the townships that share jurisdiction with Swanton.
When the votes were counted at the end of election night, the levy was losing 74-72. When the count was deemed “official” it was tied at 74 votes apiece. A recount was taken with the same 74-74 result which meant the levy failed to pass and the double taxation would continue.
The result of this election, pass or fail, pales in comparison to the weight a single vote could have had if only it had been cast. If just one more Swanton/Fulton Township voter had taken a few minutes to stop in their voting precinct and cast a vote, their tax bill for fire protection for the next five years may have been smaller. Truthfully, we will never be sure. But it makes you think “what if”, as it should, for future elections.
For example, in November, there will be four seats on the Swanton Village Council up for election. The actions and decisions of the Council, as it is now seated, have received a great deal of negative backlash and publicity. Many residents are unhappy and want to see a change. The first step is to find acceptable candidates willing to run for those seats and step two is for the voters to get to the polls.
In village elections, the number of registered voters is small but the impact of a single vote can be large. In Fulton Township this past May it made all the difference. The next election is still about five months away. But let me be the first to say it. Please Vote.
Derek Sheridan, Delta High School’s Head Boys’ Basketball Coach for the past three (3) seasons has been advised to take a year off of his head coaching duties due to health issues.
Coach Sheridan has served as a teacher and head boys’ basketball coach for well over two decades. Sheridan has struggled with chronic lumbar spine and knee pain since the early 90’s. This past November he spent a week in the hospital due to an infection in his right-lung and hasn’t been able to fully recover. After several appointments, tests, and procedures he was advised by his Pulmonary Specialist to take a year off coaching.
“I was very much looking forward to coaching next season for Delta High School, I had all of our summer schedules, camps, and workouts already planned prior to learning that I needed to take a year off. Over my career I have never missed a season, so this will be a big adjustment for my wife, Stephanie, and I. It was important to me that Matt Brighton (DHS varsity assistant who also teaches math for Delta Middle School) took over for me. Additionally, I wanted Adam Conrad (DHS JV coach) to return with Matt. The administrative team at DHS, Doug Ford; Principal, Andrew Hange; Athletic Director, and Ted Haselman; Superintendent, have been very supportive and have made this transition as seamless as possible. More importantly, they have been ultra-supportive. The Delta administrators are extremely loyal and supportive of their coaches. That alone made this decision much more difficult. The most difficult aspect of this situation is my respect for the players. They are a great group of young men whom I thoroughly enjoyed coaching & getting to know. Hopefully I can get healthy and return to coaching in a year – I’ve got a lot of work to do in order for that to happen. I have a lot of years left in me to coach, I just need to get my health issues straightened out. I will be working closely with Matt and Adam from behind the scenes. Selfishly, it will be hard to not be around the players and coaches on a daily basis. I want them to be successful.”
Sheridan has forged a reputation over his long career for building fundamentally sound teams who play hard and strong, long-lasting relationships with his players and coaches. Prior to being Delta’s head boys’ basketball coach, Sheridan served as the head coach for the Maumee Panthers for nine (9) years, and several other schools in Ohio and Indiana. Coach Sheridan will continue to teach physical education for Maumee City Schools and will also continue to serve as the Clinic Director for the Northwest Ohio District VII Basketball Coaches Association.
Matt Brighton, who is replacing Sheridan, stated, Coach Sheridan has been a great mentor to me, and I have really learned a lot from him in our three years together. Coach taught me how to scout, game plan, and organize practices; those are definitely things that he is very good at. He has put a lot of time and effort into the program, and it has made my transition much easier. I am very excited for this opportunity, and I am ready for our players to have a productive summer.”
Andrew Hange, Delta High School’s Athletic Director said the following regarding Coach Sheridan, “First off, thank you to Coach Sheridan for his dedication and commitment to the Delta Boys’ Basketball program over the last three years. We fully support Derek’s decision to step away to prioritize his health. Delta was very fortunate to have a coach of his caliber and experience to lead our program. I am excited for Coach Brighton to take over the program, and I want our players, and parents, to buy-in and put in the work starting this summer.”
Chad Burt, Wauseon’s head boys’ basketball coach stated, “Having coached against Derek for a number of years, a number of things stand out. Derek’s teams are always well-prepared. He gets the most out of his players, and his players always know their roles. Derek is excellent in molding a program in such a way to maximize the potential of teams.”
Fulton County Ohio Media 