Fulton County Ohio Media

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Amy Walter, who resides at 604 Linwood Street in Delta, spoke before the Delta Village Council at their May 17^th meeting to relate her concerns about the condition and appearance of the property at 611 Linwood Street, labeling that residence “quite an eyesore” and listing some of the issues.

“Junked cars, debris in the yard, garbage on the porch, chickens and a rooster and now, a 300-pound pig.  The value of our property on Linwood and throughout the Village of Delta are directly affected by this.  It angers me that residents who owe more than $4,000 in unpaid property taxes are allowed to influence the value of our homes.  Through a mutual contact, I have been made aware that they are delinquent in (land contract) payments to the property owner as well.  They have no vested interest in maintaining the property as they don’t pay taxes and they don’t pay rent,” she said.

“In addition to this, they have shown complete lack of respect for Delta’s elected officials, Delta police, Delta school system and neighbors.” Ms. Walter went on to say the resident had posted online social media comments that were “vulgar, inappropriate and demeaning to Delta and its residents”.  “Recently, I was told that matters were being reviewed by legal counsel.  As an escalation of my growing concern, I appear in front of you tonight for an update and to know what course of action will be taken to resolve these issues,” she said in conclusion.

Brad Peebles, Delta Village Administrator, was the first to respond to Ms. Walter.  “As Ms. Walter indicated, we have had conversations.  There have been reports filed with the Police Department.  I know the Chief (Nathan Hartsock) has been actively working on the situation,” said Mr. Peebles.  “This office has been in communication with Mr. Heban (Law Director).  One of the challenges we have is our zoning code does not prohibit swine.  Unfortunately, pot-bellied pigs are considered, by Ohio Statute, a domesticated animal and our zoning code allows domesticated animals.  We are looking at options to address this.”

Mr. Peebles said he has had conversations with the home owner about the pig and she claims to have documentation to indicate it is officially a 4H project.  However, the local Extension Office said it had no record of the animal being registered as a 4H project. 

“It’s ongoing although it’s not happening as quickly as Ms. Walter would like it.  We are trying to do our due diligence to make sure it’s addressed,” explained Mr. Peebles.  “We agree.  It is not attractive nor is it conducive to any neighbor who would live in that area.  We agree whole heartedly.”

Chief Hartsock said his department had taken enforcement action on the “junk” vehicle and did verify with the Extension Office that the pig was not a 4H project.  However, Mr. Peebles said the pig would still be allowed to remain on the property regardless of its status as a 4H project, “Unless we take action, which would take a zoning change or some type of ordinance to prohibit it completely within the Village limits.”

Several Council members recalled dealing with domesticated animal issues in the past but could remember exactly what came out of those discussions.   Mr. Peebles reminded the Council that those discussions never led to a vote being taken on the issue.  “It’s something we need to be working on,” he said.  He also said the home owner is looking to relocate outside the Village limits which would be an acceptable resolution.

Pictured:  Delta resident Amy Walter addresses Village Council

At their May 10^th meeting. the Swanton Village Council voted 6-0 to lease property located on Chestnut Street to the Swanton Historical Society (SHS) to be used for a Railroad Park project which, when fully completed, will include railroad depot and a two-tiered railroad observation platform.  The length of the lease will be 15 years and the charge to the SHS will be $1.00 per year. 

Currently, the Village and the SHS is waiting for the results of a survey and the Phase I EPA-mandated environmental study which both entities are splitting the cost on.  If it is determined a Phase II study or possible site cleanup is required the project may be delayed and grant funding may be necessary.

In other news, Council discussed the Annual Liquor Permit Review.  No objections were raised to the renewal of all liquor licenses located within the Village and the review was waived.

Bid opening for the 8 & 9 Sewer Separation Project was May 18^th.  A public meeting will be scheduled once the contract is awarded.  The work required is expected to be a major inconvenience to anyone living in or traveling through the affected area.

General updates.  Phase 2 Meter Project is underway.  More than 500 appointments have been scheduled to have the new water meters installed.  There were eight water shut-offs on May 3^rd.  Brush will now be collected on the second Mondays of the month until October.  Per the Memorial Park Master Plan, drainage, seal coating and striping are still scheduled for this year.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 24, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber Room at the Village Office Building.

A large contingent of the Swanton Local School District’s Band Program supporters, including faculty, parents and boosters, attended the May meeting of the Swanton Board of Education (BOE) to express their concerns over the possibility of having to share or even lose the opportunity to earn funds the program receives from running the concession stands at home football games.

The concerns arose following the April meeting of the BOE where Swanton head football coach, Denton Saunders, addressed the BOE members, asking that they consider allowing the football team to be involved in the running of the concessions and sharing in the proceeds.  The back story that created the issue began during the pandemic-affected 2020 football season when the band boosters chose not to run the concession stands, citing worries about the health and safety of students and parents, and the football team supporters took it over for the four-game home schedule.

Coach Saunders recommended three options to the Board.  One – have the football program assume full control over the concessions and keep all proceeds.  Two – have two separate concession stands run by the respective programs, each keeping the funds they generate.  Three – have the two programs work together and divide the proceeds accordingly.  Mr. Saunders did tell the Board he favored the third option.

Early in the May meeting, the BOE allowed the public to make comments and Pam Kazmierczak, retired Band Director at Swanton, spoke first.  Ms. Kazmierczak handed each Board member a four-page document which contained over 20 questions, along with explanations, regarding the challenges and considerations any volunteer group would need to work out before taking over including logistics, scheduling, record keeping, maintenance and, most importantly, the impact the change would have on the District’s entire band program which extends down to the fifth grade.

In closing, Ms. Kazmierczak, who had a son play on the Bulldog football team and in the Bulldog Marching Band, said, “I think both band and football have a lot to offer the students of Swanton and I would like both programs to continue to flourish.  However, one should not flourish at the expense of the other.”

Later in the meeting, the current Swanton High School and Middle School Band Director, Samantha Preisner, addressed the Board.  She listed some of the many programs, services and scholarships offered to the students through the Band Program and Music Department, much of which is funded by the Band Boosters including contracting with other sectional-specific instructors. 

Ms. Preisner also reminded everyone, that being involved in the band is virtually a year-round commitment which includes band concerts, marching band adjudicated competitions, basketball pep band, seasonal parades, summer band camp and graduation as well as the football halftime performances.  She pointed out, by way of Swanton Local Schools supplemental contracts, that estimated per pupil spending for band is $104 and for football is $376.

Others speaking in favor of maintaining the current arrangement were former Swanton student and band member Haylee Pelland and band parent and long-time Band Booster member Dawn Santchi.  Ms. Pelland related how important the band activities were to her during her high school career and how they should continue to be adequately funded.  Ms. Santchi, who has had two sons in the program, took exception to Coach Saunders’ request to tap into the band’s fund-raising program to benefit his football team.  “If the football team is over their budget, they need to be creative and hold more fund raisers.  Not take money away from our band,” commented Ms. Santchi.

At the end of the evening the Swanton School Board ruled in favor of the Band Program and denied the request by Coach Saunders.  Additionally, the BOE allocated more funds to pay for sectional coaches.

Pictured:  Swanton Band Director Samantha Preisner addresses the Board of Education

After spending a short time operating their CBD Business on Swanton’s North Main Street, Marquis and Ebony Kimble moved to a new location on the other side of the tracks and on the other side of the street, on South Main Street, and will be holding a Grand Opening next Saturday, May 29, 2021.

“I tried for about two years to get into Swanton with the idea of CBD and it wasn’t until this past year that we were able to break ground in Swanton,” said Mr. Kimble, formerly the Finance Manager at McNeill Chevrolet Buick on Airport Highway.  “I tried very hard to get into Swanton because I knew Swanton sitting in the finance chair at McNeill’s for seven years.  It helped tremendously.  I know the community and I know a lot of people.”

The HCV Store is a CBD business that opened in November of 2019 after President Trump signed the Farm Bill into law. This made CBD/Hemp completely legal across federal lines. CBD is not marijuana, but contains some of the same cannabinoids that are in THC, but not enough to make you feel “high”. It works with your body causing relief for those experiencing pain issues, sleep issues, anxiety, etc. The HCV Store carries several products including salves, tinctures, edibles, lotions and capsules. Some customers almost feel instant relief of their specific issue.

The HCV Store is located at 108 S. Main Street in Swanton, just a few yards from the railroad crossing which Mr. Kimble sees as an asset.  “This is a beautiful spot and a gem that a lot of people don’t realize because of that train right there,” he explained.  “That’s a blessing for me.  Customers will stop there all day long and look right in the window.”

Mr. Kimble encourages everyone to stop in next week and see what his store has to offer. You may also find them and their latest products on-line at www.hcvstores.com

Pictured:  Business owner Marquis Kimble, with his wife Ebony, cuts the ribbon at the HCV Store along with Swanton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Neil Toeppe and Rob Benfield of Benfield Wines.

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To be clear, voter “voice” suppression is not the same as voter suppression but they are very similar in nature and intent.  Both use a set of rules, regulations and requirements designed to limit opportunities and rights granted by the United States Constitution, the right to vote and the right to free speech.  Voter suppression is a controversial issue that has been a hot-button part of American politics since before the founding of the country and has intensified tremendously in the aftermath of the 2020 election.  Voter “voice” suppression, on the other hand, is accomplished in more subtle ways and can include everyone in the country, not just the registered voter.

The Swanton Village Council has no authority to restrict voting but they do have the authority, under the Ohio Revised Code, to restrict and even eliminate the public’s voice during Village meetings.  They can and do use this power at their wont and convenience.   This year they found they had the power to suppress the Mayor’s voice during meetings by removing the “Mayor’s Report” from the agenda and did so by a 5-1 vote.

As for the public at large, to address the Swanton Village Council on any topic, you must follow the procedure laid out and approved by the Council within their “Rules of Council” at the beginning of the calendar year.  First, contact the Village Offices by noon on the Thursday prior to the meeting on Monday to be placed on that meeting’s agenda.  Second, the agenda must be approved by the President of the Council, currently Craig Rose, before it is published on that Friday.  If you clear that hurdle, and it is not a given, you are placed towards the end of the meeting agenda and are allowed to speak only on your designated topic or issue.  Council may also decide to limit the length of time you have.  They also have the right to suspend their own rules at any time if it serves their purpose.  Now you may speak.  Now you may not.

By comparison, here is the way the Delta Village Council treats anyone wanting to address their members at a meeting.  After the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, the Mayor will ask, “Is there anyone here who wishes to address the Council?”  No call to the Village Office needs to be made.  No speaker’s names need to appear on the agenda.  No hoops need to be jumped through.  The speaker is then asked to step to the podium and give their name and address for the record. 

Occasionally, a brief discussion will take place between the speaker and Council members.  Once finished, the Mayor will ask, “Is there anyone else who wishes to address the Council?”  If not, the meeting proceeds.  Prior to adjourning, the Mayor will ask, “Based on what was discussed during this meeting, does anyone have any comments or questions?”  In the over four years I have attended the Delta Village Council meetings, I would estimate that half of the meetings will have a speaker from the audience, usually at the beginning, and it will generally add approximately ten minutes on average to the length of the meeting.

The citizens of Delta will have their own assessment of the overall performance of their Council and their Village administrators, but in this area, they are the beneficiaries of good and progressive policy.  Their voices are not only heard by everyone in attendance at the Council meeting but can also be heard in the next day or two when the Village places the unedited audio recording on the Village’s website under Council Minutes.

The Swanton Village Council does not offer their citizens the same benefit and opportunities for their voices to be heard and for the rest of the constituency to listen to those voices.  In fact, under the current leadership of this Council, the rules have become more restrictive.  The voters of Swanton will have their chance to change the rules but will need to begin by changing the Council in November.

Pictured:  Delta citizens who spoke to Village Council as “walk-in” speakers.

Delta resident Kathy Moore spoke before the Village Council at their May 3^rd meeting regarding the status of a donation of $290 that was left to the Village by her late husband, Robert, to be used for sidewalks in the Delta Community Park.  Ms. Moore said the money was donated in April of 2018 but had not been used for the specified purpose, repairing current sidewalks in the park and installing new sidewalks to make the park more handicapped accessible, allowing easier movement of wheel chairs and other handicap walking aids to get from one field to another.  She also offered to match the donated funds if it would help move the project along.

Village Administrator Brad Peebles responded to Ms. Moore’s comments.  “She’s absolutely correct.  The $290 is part of the fund,” he said.  “But, quite honestly, the Planning Commission has recommended that we also connect the walks to create continuity.  I don’t know that it’s going to totally accomplish what Ms. Moore is hopeful of accomplishing, but it is our intent to construct walks between those areas that are not currently connected so you could continue to walk around and throughout the park without having to walk across the grass.  The cost of that project right now is likely going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000.  It is on our docket to do.  It is something that we can, hopefully, accomplish this year.”

Mr. Peebles also discussed the status of Village properties that had been put up for sale.  He said the Wood Street at Eastwood Street property has an accepted bid and he was waiting on the title search to be completed and anticipated the closing to be within a week or two.  The Madison Street property, approximately 8.5 acres, also had an accepted bid of $17,500. 

There was also talk about the Village constructing a shooting range for law enforcement on the Madison Street property but it was agreed that the funds to prepare the land as well as the construction would be cost prohibited.  Councilman Chad Johnson recommended the proceeds from the sale be used in collaboration with other county communities to construct a law enforcement training facility for all agencies to use.

Mr. Peebles informed Council he had talked with Council members Johnson and Mark Tanner along with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department and the Villages of Archbold and Swanton regarding Mr. Johnson’s recommendation.  “I think that there is a consensus that there is a need for more than just a shooting range,” he explained. “There is need for actual training facilities that are scenario based.  I think that with the current climate in this country and the issues going on surrounding law enforcement and the interaction with the public, you’re going to see a growing demand by the Federal Government to mandate training levels.  And I think that a complex that could be used by all agencies collectively makes a lot of sense.  When it comes to training, if we can do it with six or seven agencies versus trying to do it independently, it also becomes very effective.”

A motion was made to place the funds from the sale of the Madison Street property into a line item specifically designated for the proposed law enforcement training facility.  The motion carried 5-1 with Tony Dawson casting the dissenting vote.

In other news:  The three-year agreement for electric power supply for Village operations has expired.  Energy consultant Palmer Energy has sought quotes obtaining prices and agreement for two years to expire May 2023.  The rate had dropped from $.0455 cents per KWH to $.0338 per KWH.  It is projected, based on a three-year consumption history, the Village will experience a cost savings of $11,000 over the two-year term of the agreement.

Replacement of the Helvetia water tower, which was given a life expectancy of 10 years in 2017, needs to be addressed.  Funding assistance and finance options must be reviewed and pursued in the next couple of years.

With the stats from pool usage reflected a continued decline and recognizing the need for significant investment being needed to maintain and update the complex, careful consideration must be given to the future needs and investment.  With a growing concern over the funding received to maintain the park, the possibility of a Park District was discussed and should be reviewed further.

Review of available grave plots has revealed that based on the current rate of usage, within 10 years Greenlawn Cemetery will be fully sold.  Options for the future should be considered in the next one to two years.

The next scheduled Council meeting is Monday, May 17, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

Pictured:  Kathy Moore addresses Council