Fulton County Ohio Media

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 245^th birthday. Click on the link and check out the photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KpomgRdWsP7C7S756

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 5^th 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.

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