Fulton County Ohio Media

As many of you know, I’m a York Township Trustee. Part of the duties I and my fellow trustees perform is to fund oversee the Delta Community Fire Department. The Delta Community Fire Department has developed a long history of outstanding service to our community and the surrounding areas we do not hesitate to help. We employ a full-time Fire Chief with over 20 years experience in this field. We also employ two full-time firemen between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week, along with over 30 volunteer firemen who are fully-trained to fight fires and handle other emergencies. We are the largest volunteer fire department in the area.

The Wauseon Fire Department has recently created an issue with a portion of our Township I used to cover for us until 2020. We took back over this area in 2020, when Wauseon dramatically raised their fees for covering this approximately 14 square mile area. We also took the area back because we are very confident, we can provide the best fire service possible for this area. We routinely have 8-12 firemen respond to our fire calls, a tremendous achievement. The City of Wauseon recently placed a press release in several area newspapers, detailing their side of this issue. York Township was able to provide a response to some of the newspapers but not others. Therefore, I wanted to place our response on my FB page to give those who only saw Wauseon’s response, our side of the story. Please share if you wish. Thank you.

Press Release Below:

The City of Wauseon recently offered a fire contract to provide fire coverage to York Township to cover an approximately 14 square mile area that covers the west side of Co. Rd. 11 to the east side of Co. Rd. 13, ranging from Fulton County Road H to Fulton County Road A (the Fulton/Henry County Line). Wauseon had covered this area until York Township did not accept a new coverage contract in 2019. Therefore, Wauseon’s coverage of this area ended on December 31, 2019.

York Township terminated this contract for two main reasons. First, the Wauseon fire department raised their contract cost from approximately $3,500.00 per year to over $40,000 annually. Second, York Township oversees the Delta Community Fire Department, and the Trustees determined this department was fully capable of handling this area of York Township.

There was no discussion between the Wauseon and Delta fire departments regarding this issue for over three years until a group of concerned citizens came to a York Township Trustee meeting on April 26, 2023. When the trustees gave this group their blessing to speak at the meeting, the citizens expressed their concern about the current fire coverage situation. There was discussion back and forth between the two parties. Many things were discussed, and the York Trustees agreed to meet with the City of Wauseon and its fire officials at a later date to discuss this issue.

Prior to scheduling this next meeting, Wauseon sent a letter containing a fire coverage contract offer to York Township on May 16, 2023. Wauseon offered to cover this area for $44,463.35 per year. This area averages eight accident/fire calls per year. This contract would pay the City of Wauseon $5,558.17 per call based on an average year. We feel this is an excessive amount to pay to a neighboring fire department when we are completely capable of servicing this area.

The City of Wauseon’s attorney, offered to have himself, The Wauseon Mayor, and the Wauseon Fire Chief to attend the May 24th York Township meeting to discuss the contract they proposed. We, in turn, emailed all the parties relevant to this issue, stating that anyone was welcome to come to our meeting, but that we wouldn’t be discussing this contract in depth. The trustees and I felt that the contract offered was not a good starting point for us. We felt and still feel we provide great coverage to this area. We also feel that any contract offer should come from us, since the area is in our township.

We have a few more points for discussion as well:

The Wauseon Fire Department feels the need to bill us for any mutual aid calls they help with in the Delta Fire District. Mutual aid calls are loosely defined as: When a neighboring fire department helps out another with a fire call when needed. According to the Fulton County Prosecutor’s office, no fire department is allowed to bill another fire department for fire services.

York Township was sent another Letter on May 24, 2023 from the City of Wauseon stating that if the entities could not come to an agreement by August 1, 2023, then the Wauseon Fire Department would terminate their fire coverage in this area.  The York Trustees were emailed a press release on June 13, offering a town hall meeting on June 21, to discuss the City of Wauseon’s Fire Department’s decision to terminate coverage to the citizens of this area, effective August 1, 2023. Citizens in this area should be very nervous about backing a Fire Department who would choose not to help, in the case of an emergency. Despite the strained relationship, the Delta Community Fire Department would not hesitate to help anyone in need of service in this area. We don’t apply conditions to our services.

Please share.

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This past Sunday a craft show was held at the Swanton Sports Center with the expressed goal of donating all proceeds to the Swanton High School Baseball/Softball Complex project. Renee Tufts, long-time craft artist and current Swanton resident, organized and coordinated the show with help from family members, friends and several members of the Bulldog football team.

The fund-raising efforts included a 50/50 raffle, a vendor-donated items raffle, along with several vendors donating a percentage of sales and the donating of the venue by the Swanton Sports Center. Once the basic expenses were deducted, the craft show was able to raise $1,140 to the new complex. A check will be made out to the Swanton School District and delivered to the Swanton Board of Education Office this week.

Photos from the show are available on the link above and can be downloaded for FREE.

Photo: Renee Tufts with her craft booth, A Little Bit Retro.

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The Metamora Chamber of Commerce held its Second Annual “Party in the Park” Celebration this weekend with three days full of food, fun, games, music, a craft show, a car show and a host of other festivities. This relatively new event began last year as a replacement for the village’s Parkorama. According to Kim Smallman, Metamora Chamber Vice-President, the primary goal of the event is to raise funds for downtown revitalization projects and for scholarships to graduating seniors of Evergreen High School.

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

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Texas born and Ohio raised, United States Army veteran Brandon Walberg of Swanton was recognized for his military service as a Hometown Hero by USA Insulation of Toledo.  Brandon was nominated by his wife Alyssa who sent in his story to the company’s nominating committee who then unanimously agreed he should be duly recognized.  With this honor came a free home insulation package from USA Insulation which was accomplished in just several hours by a crew of 12 skilled employees.  “We’re really happy to be here.  It’s been a really great experience so far,” remarked Christy Bacurin, USA Installation Representative.  “The first thing they’re going to notice when we leave here today is the noise reduction and then from there, they should be able to see 30-50 percent on their utilities back.  The return on investment is huge,” she added.  Of course, for the Walberg family, it is a gift that keeps on giving.

Brandon’s military story began almost immediately after he graduated from Sylvania Southview High School in 2008 when he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Fort Leonard Wood Combat Training Installation in the Missouri Ozarks.  Upon graduation he was assigned to Fort Hood (renamed Fort Cavazos in May of 2023) in Texas then deployed to Iraq for four months as an engineer.  “At that point we pretty much convoyed everywhere and built bridges,” said Brandon.  “We cross-trained with combat engineers and were either clearing roads or building bridges.  There are surprisingly a lot of bridges in Iraq.” 

He returned to Fort Hood for 18 months and was subsequently redeployed back to Iraq in May of 2011 for eight months, leaving to come home on Christmas Eve of that year.  “It was hot.  The temperature would reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Brandon explaining the summertime conditions he worked under.  After returning to Fort Hood, he was transferred to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and reassigned to a unit assisting with military funerals.

Six years removed from his enlistment, Brandon received his honorable discharge from the US Army, returned to Toledo and enrolled at Lourdes University, eventually earning a Bachelor’s of Education.  Following his student teaching at Pike-Delta-York Schools, he took a position as a math teacher at Rogers High School where he is still today.  Somewhere in between he married Alyssa Gombash and they now have two beautiful little girls, Renee aged three and Lyla aged six months.

USA Insulation does one Hometown Hero Giveaway in Northwest Ohio every year and they literally make it a community event, encouraging friends, family and neighbors to stop by and help celebrate the moment.  CK Sweets Coffee and Bakeshop of Swanton, owned by Kat and Derek Kania, provided a great assortment of pastries and coffee for the guests and the crew.  Just two years ago, coincidentally, Derek, a long-time and still active duty member of the Ohio Air National Guard 180^th Tactical Fighter Wing based at Toledo Express Airport, was the recipient of the this same generous gift.

Photo: Brandon and Alyssa Walberg with Christy Bacurin of USA Insulation

With the recent ending of the 2023 OHSAA Softball season, Macy Chamberlain of the Evergreen Lady Vikings received her last and most significant accolade when the junior, and Penn State University commit, was named to the OHSAA DIII Girls Softball First Team as a catcher.  It has been assumed, by many of those who have followed Macy’s career since she first stepped on the field as highly-touted high school freshman, that it was just a matter of time before she would be recognized at the highest level.  And now that times has arrived.  The All-Ohio honors came after Macy was named First team All-District, First team All-NWOAL and NWOAL Player of the Year. 

Obviously, what heavily factors when any choice is made by the selection committees, are the individual offensive statistics by the player.  Macy’s numbers this season were not just record setting, they were at video game level.   Her 2023 stats read like this:  Plate Appearances (75), At Bats (52), Hits (38), Batting Average (.731), Walks (23), On-Base Percentage (.813), Doubles (7), Home Runs (21), Slugging Percentage (2.077), Runs Batted In (44), Runs (32), Stolen Bases (8).  In one game she had three home runs, two of them with the bases loaded and nine RBIs. 

What may help put Macy’s 2023 performance at the plate in a better perspective are two considerations.  One, she played, debatably, the toughest and most physically demanding defensive position in softball, catcher.  Historically speaking, catchers are not often offensive statistical leaders due to the wear and tear the work takes on the body.  Two, Ms. Chamberlain come into this year already a well-known commodity.  In every game and every at bat, her reputation stepped into the batter’s box before she did.  Macy was feared as a hitter not just throughout the NWOAL, but by every opposing coach and every opposing pitcher who had to face her.  It was not surprising to see her issued a base on balls in almost one-third of her plate appearances, with many of those intentionally.

Macy Chamberlain has one more season of high school ball with her Lady Vikings before she packs her bags for Happy Valley and the campus of PSU.  She is a generational talent and one I know the Evergreen community appreciates and realizes how lucky they are to have been able to watch and be a part of.

Photo: Macy fires down to second base.

The Swanton Sports Center is hosting a craft show on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM with proceeds being donated to the fund-raising efforts for the new Swanton High School (SHS) Baseball/Softball Sports Complex to be located on the north side of the school’s campus.  The idea for this event is the brain-child of local craft artist, and one very busy lady, Renee Tufts.  Renee, who also works full time for Marco’s Pizza Distribution Center in Maumee and part-time as a cook for the Swanton Sports Center, has lived in Swanton for the past 15 years with her husband Kevin and daughter Tille (SHS ’22) and son Benjamin (SHS ’25).

She has been “crafting” for approximately 20 years, participating in many shows and decided to organize her own show for the benefit of Swanton Schools.  “I’m a non-profit girl at heart so, ’Who do I donate this to?’ My daughter played sports and my son is playing sports.  Being baseball and softball season, that was my first thought.  It was definitely a no-brainer that it needed to go back into the school system,” said Renee.

Ms. Tufts began her crafting career by sewing 1960’s and 1970’s vintage clothing items such as bell-bottom pants as well as doing a lot of patchwork art on purses and hand bags.  About six years ago she started working with an unusual and interesting type of material when she received a bowl made from a vinyl record.  “I repurpose old damaged vinyl records (33RPM and 45RPM) into everyday useful household items,” explained Renee.  “It’s everything functional, from drink coasters to coat racks and mail organizers.”

At this writing, there are 26 vendors that have signed on to be part of the show, guaranteed to bring a wide variety of crafts and artwork.  “There are so many different ideas out there and people’s passion flows right into their product.  It’s beautiful, it’s absolutely art in every form,” said Renee.

Also stepping up to the plate to help this event contribute to the cause and give the SHS baseball and softball players a much-needed updated sports venue, is the Swanton Sports Center, who is donating the hall and the Bulldog football team.  Renee’s husband is an assistant coach with the team and her son will be a junior for the Bulldogs this fall.  The players will be helping with the set-up and tear-down for the show.

In addition to all the wonderful crafts that will be on display, there will be a 50/50 Raffle and a Raffle Table.  For those who work up an appetite while perusing the tables full of craft items, there will be two food trucks. Cruising Cuisine, offering stir-fry, rice bowls, burgers and brats and Wanna Make ‘Er Loaded with wraps and salads. 

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

Photo: Swanton American Legion Murbach-Siefert Post 479 Commander Richard Maynhart salutes the flag during the playing of the National Anthem

Following an executive session during their May 22nd meeting, the Swanton Village Council voted to hire Swanton Police Officer John Trejo to fill the vacated position of Police Chief. The position became open when nine-year Chief Adam Berg resigned to take another position with the Archbold Police Department.

When the Village posted the opening, it received 15 applications and pared those down to three. After second interviews were conducted by Mayor Neil Toeppe, Administrator Shannon Shulters and Councilman Mikey Disbrow, Officer Trejos’ name was recommended to, and subsequently approved by the Council.

Chief Trejos spent almost 20 years with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, including some time serving with the K-9 Unit. He was then hired by the Village in February of 2019. He began his position as Chief on Sunday, May 28th and will draw a salary of $63,500.

Photo: Chief Trejo and Mayor Toeppe just prior to the 2023 Swanton Memorial Day Parade.

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The Swanton Lions Club held their annual golf outing last week at White Pines Golf Course in Swanton to raise funds for some of their charitable good works, including scholarships for selected Swanton High School graduating seniors. Once again, Co-Owner Karen Gerken and the White Pines staff were more than accommodating and served a great meal to the golfers at the end of the day. The course was in great shape despite all the rain from the day before. One hole, in particular, proved to be some what of a “drag” for many of the golfers but everyone enjoyed it.

The Swanton Lions Club would like to thank all the golfers who participated in the outing and all the hole sponsors who generously contributed to the cause.

Click on the link above to access over 400 photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Katlyn Floyd and Megan Haselman were each presented with the Joe D. Kahl Memorial Scholarship at the Swanton Lions Club meeting last evening.  The recipients of the $1,000 scholarships, named for long-time Swanton High School teacher and coach and founding member of the Swanton Lions Club, were selected on several criteria including community service hours, academic standing and level of extracurricular involvement during their high school careers.

Katlyn, or Katie, as she is known by to family and friends, volunteered well over 100 hours in various community activities over the past four years.  “Volunteering is an important part of my school and my community.  I enjoy volunteering my time and knowing that I make a positive difference in the lives of others in my community and as a member of society,” wrote Katie in her scholarship application essay.  She also was on the High Honor Roll 15 times, a member of the National Honor Society and was a Scholar Athlete in volleyball, basketball and track & field.  Katie will be attending Ohio Northern University and will be playing volleyball for the Lady Polar Bears.  She is exploring biochemistry as a major with a minor in business and has already earned her Cosmetology Degree from the Penta Career Center.

Megan has performed over 120 hours of community service and took on leadership roles in numerous volunteer activities.  “I believe volunteering is important not only for the benefits it gives to my community, but also for the valuable skills I gained from these opportunities.  All these volunteer experiences taught me life-long skills such as leadership and communication, both of which are extremely important,” Megan wrote in her scholarship application essay.  She also was on the High Honor Roll 16 times, ranking third of 105 in her class, a member of the National Honor Society, was a prolific goal scorer in soccer and played basketball and track & field.  Megan will be attending Kent State University and majoring in Business.

Both scholarship recipients, Ms. Floyd and Ms. Haselman, are role models for the Swanton Local School District and the Swanton area community.  The Swanton Lions Club is happy to help these outstanding individuals to achieve their life-time goals.

Photo: Katlyn Floyd (left) and Megan Haselman