Fulton County Ohio Media

In April of 2021, a group of concerned Swanton citizens and business owners met to discuss the issue of a Swanton Village Council heavily populated and led by anti-business and anti-transparency members, most notably, the Council President.  With four of six Council seats up for reelection in November, this group began a grassroots effort to find four candidates to challenge the incumbents and bring the Village of Swanton forward through difficult pandemic-related economic hardships.  The group was also determined to keep the citizenry as informed as possible by increasing the transparency of their actions, a concept that the sitting Council was vigorously fighting against.

By the time the August deadline for filing with the Fulton County Board of Elections to run for office had arrived, the grassroots effort had produced four candidates, Mikey Disbrow, Sam Disbrow, Derek Kania and Patrick Messenger.  Their shared platform was simple in its message, but powerful in its potential impact, Economic Development and Transparency in Government.  Unsurprisingly and wisely, the four incumbents chose not to run.

Soon after being sworn in, the 2022 Council, which also included Dave Pilliod and Dianne Westhoven, began to fulfill their promises to the constituency.   At their very first Council meeting they modified the Rules of Council to allow individuals the opportunity to address Council without needing to contact the Village Administrator more than four days in advance to be placed on the agenda.

The new Council voted unanimously to live-stream all Village public meetings.  Equipment was soon ordered and installed and today anyone, anywhere can watch the meetings on Facebook live or at a more convenient time within the 12 months following each broadcast.

From there, the 2022 Council focused their attention to economic development in an effort to attract more business to Swanton and increase the tax base to ease the tax burden on its citizens while still maintaining strong Village services.  Legislation was enacted to form an Economic Development Commission that would serve as an advisory board to the Council and Council members have pledged to work closely with business owners and business leaders to improve the local economy. 

Currently, Village officials are working on potentially establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) surrounding the Main Street business district.  The DORA concept is designed to expand foot traffic in an area with several types of businesses, not just those that serve alcohol, and to expose and promote all the businesses within. 

Technically, no public hearing is required before acting on the DORA legislation.  However, this Council has shown it does not intend to do only what it is obligated to do, but what is right for its citizens.  A public hearing was conducted and people’s voices and concerns were heard and will being considered.

The Railroad Project, which will consist of a two-tiered observation deck close to the tracks between Chestnut Street and Zeiter Way, is moving along at a faster pace now, with the hope it will also bring people into the downtown area who will patronize local business, downtown and Airport Highway as well.

Obviously, not every decision made by this Council will be popular with the voters.  Many decisions, such as the Sewer Separation Projects, are mandated by State and/or Federal Government agencies and others are sometimes painfully necessary.  However, judging by the first nine months in session, the 2022 Swanton Village Council has been a strong and productive voice for the people, unlike its predecessor.

At the October 3^rd meeting of the Delta Village Council, seven pieces of legislation were approved including two Ordinances and five Resolutions.

Ordinance 22-14 Second Reading – Amending the boundaries of the Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) established in 1992 for the Village of Delta. 

The need for the amendment is a result of annexed property since the creation of the CRA.

Resolution 22-11 Second Reading – Authorizing the Mayor and Village Administrator to sign the roadway dedication plat establishing Fox Drive with Quiring Real Estate 1 and Fulton County Properties, LLC.

The official identification of the new roadway and future extensions to the west has been recommended to be Fox Drive in recognition of Mr. Ed Fox who served as President of North Star Bluescope Steel at the time of its decision to locate in Fulton County.

Resolution 22-12 Second Reading – Authorizing the Village Administrator to sign a Drainage Improvement petition with the Fulton County Commissioners addressing surface water flooding at and around the intersection of Taylor Street and Eastwood Drive.

The Village of Delta dealt with flooding of residential properties and streets for numerous years created by surface water naturally draining from farmland directly to the north.  The Village retained the professional services of Jones & Henry Engineers to review, evaluate options and provide cost estimates to minimize flooding in this area.

Ordinance 22-15 First Reading – Accepting petitioned property for annexation filed with the Village of Delta and establishing the zoning classification for same.

Fulton County Commissioners approved the petition addressing the 534 acres and no appeal of the Commissioners’ decision was filed by the expiration date of September 18, 2022.

Resolution 22-13 First Reading – Authorizing the Village Administrator to execute property lease for the Delta Community Fire Department with York Township. 

The current lease, for an annual amount of $6,000 is due to expire December 31, 2022.  Annual expenses for the five years of the current lease averaged $6,095.  The recommendation is to maintain the current rate as there are provisions in Section 11 of the lease that allows the Village to charge the Township should major repairs or work be needed.

Resolution 22-14 First and Final Reading – Agreeing to alternative plan of apportionment of local government funds for the Village od Delta and declaring an Emergency. 

In year 2023 the Village is expecting to receive $93,376.03 into its General Fund. 

Resolution 22-15 First and Final Reading – Accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor and declaring an Emergency. 

This resolution will allow the Village of Delta to receive $153,961 through the general levy and this amount goes into the General Fund.  This is the same amount as received in 2020. There is $67,232 collected that goes to the Park Fund, $232,959 that will go to the Police Fund and $58,240 that will go to the Pool Fund.

The next Council meeting will be held on October 17, 2022 at 5:30 PM in Memorial Hall.

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The Archbold Blue Streaks jumped out to leads of 21-0 after the first quarter and 35-0 at halftime in route to a 42-14 victory over the Swanton Bulldogs. Archbold’s win moves their record to 4-1 in the NWOAL and 7-1 overall. Swanton drops to 0-5 in the league and 1-7 on the season.

Next Friday the Streaks entertain the Wauseon Indians who are also 4-1 in the league, tied for second place with the Streaks. Swanton welcomes the Bryan Golden Bears with a 2-3 league record.

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Pictured: Carson Dominique runs for a score.

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On Friday night, Swanton High School crowned their 2022 Homecoming Queen, Katie Floyd, and King, Drew Smigelski. Returning royalty, 2021 Queen Riley Bellner and King Reese Oberheim did the crowning honors.

Click on the link above to access photos from the ceremony. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

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Click on the link above to access photos from the parade. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

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The Swanton Lady Bulldogs defeated the Delta Lady Panthers in four sets, (25-12, 25-17, 21-25, 25-14), to move record in the NWOAL to 5-1, one game behind the 6-0 Archbold Lady Blue Streaks. Both teams have one league match remaining, both next Tuesday, with the Blue Streaks traveling to Evergreen and the Bulldogs hosting Bryan. An Archbold loss and a Swanton win would result in a tie for the NWOAL Volleyball Championship. Archbold controls their own destiny.

Delta’s league record drops to 0-6 and 3-16 overall. Swanton’s record on the season now stands at 17-2.

Pictured: Swanton Seniors – Sophie Taylor, Morgan Smith, Katie Floyd

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

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One of the best art exhibits in Northwest Ohio returns this weekend at Valleywood Golf Club where the Swanton Chamber of Commerce will hold, for the eight time, its Fine Art Exhibit and Sale (FAES).

As explained in their program:

The Swanton FAES was founded in 2014 with a five-fold purpose in mind. 

Develop and promote achievements of artistic talent in the Swanton area and beyond.

Encourage greater visibility and interaction between schools and institutions of higher learning through the awarding of scholarships to our youth.

Enrich the cultural life of our community and its larger community through our open juried fine art exhibit.

Serve as a liaison with the private sector in support of our annual exhibit and build strong relationships among Swanton Chamber members, individuals, corporations, businesses and foundations.

Strengthen and promote visual literary skills with opportunities for get-togethers and sharing of expertise with local and regional innovators and art experts to increase fluency in the language of images.

This year’s exhibit features 137 pieces of artwork by 58 artists from 20 different communities competing in six separate categories, Acrylics, Oils, Water Colors, Drawings, Photography and Mixed Media.

The artwork will be adjudicated by a panel of highly knowledgeable, experienced, talented and well-respected judges.  The judges include:

Swanton’s own Robert Gilsdorf, who has recently graduated from the University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Art History.  His concentration is i9n 2D studies with a focus on painting and printing.  Robert’s work is both privately collected and displayed publicly at the University of Toledo’s Carlson Library.

Ashley Pryor Geiger, who is an interdisciplinary artis and scholar with a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Pennsylvania State University and lives and works in Toledo.  Dr. Geiger’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at the Merz Gallery in Sanquhar, Scotland.  She was the recipient of a 2021 Arts Commission Merit Award.

Derica Sisung, who mis a DK-5^th Grade Visual Arts Educator in the Blissfield Community Schools and holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts Education from Eastern Michigan University.  This past Spring Ms. Sisung received a National Art Education Leadership from Artsonia, a provider of on-line student art portfolios.

The exhibit is open to the public on Saturday, October 8^th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Sunday, October 9^th, from Noon to 5:00 PM.

ADMISSION IS FREE

Click on the link above to view photos from the 2021 Exhibit

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The Swanton Lady Bulldogs and the Delta Lady Panthers teamed-up on Tuesday night to help fight breast cancer and raise awareness of a disease that will be diagnosed in over 287,000 women this year according to an estimate from the American Cancer Society.

Each team recognized and honored family members or close friends that were a cancer survivor, currently battling cancer or had lost the battle, by walking onto the court with those person or carrying a pink rose in their memory.  The event, organized by Swanton parent Nikki Walborn along with a host of volunteers, included a fund-raising raffle for items donated by local businesses and community members.

“Many people are affected by breast cancer or cancer itself and without a cure we’re losing people, unfortunately,” said Nikki.   “I know it means a lot to do this and we’re raising funds for the Susan G Komen Foundation.  It gets the girls involved and let’s them give back to the community.”

Both teams wore special game jerseys, Delta had white with pink font and Swanton had light pink with a darker pink font.  Coaches and parents wore black jerseys with pink font and even the match officials wore very pink shirts with black font.

The Lady Bulldogs won the first two games of the match.  The Lady Panthers won the third game and Swanton took game four to win the match 3-1.

Click in the link above to access photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call to begin the October 3^rd Delta Village Council meeting, Mayor Frank Wilton read a letter addressed to the Council from Councilman Michael Tanner.  The letter read:

“It has been my honor to serve our community and be a part of this council.  Regrettably, I must resign from this council as I have purchased a home outside of our village limits.  I would like to thank all the village staff, all members of council, our mayor, and all village members for the opportunity to serve and knowledge I have gained from this experience.  I leave with the utmost respect for the village and complete confidence in our council’s direction for it.  Sincerely, Michael Tanner.”

Speaking after the letter was read, Mr. Tanner commented, “I’d like to thank all of you for everything I’ve gained from this.  It has meant a lot to be a part of the leadership of this community for the time that I have.  I’ll be around if anybody needs anything.”

With the resignation of Mr. Tanner, who also served as the Village’s Vice-Mayor, Law Director Kevin Heban informed the Council that a new Vice-Mayor needed to be elected.  Councilwoman Lynn Frank nominated Councilman Art Thomas for the position.  Mr. Thomas was elected unanimously.

The resignation, which was effective immediately, creates a vacancy on the Council that must be filled.  The Village will be soliciting for qualified individuals to replace Mr. Tanner.

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Photos are from the Fall Ball match-up in Swanton yesterday between the home team Mad Dogz and Defiance. Click on the link above to access the photos. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for FREE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.