“This is the most important election in our lifetime,” said many people many times for as long as we have been a country. This hyperbolic statement is heard at least every four years and sometimes, like this year, in between presidential elections. There are always major issues to consider and which party or which candidate you believe offers the best solutions to America’s problems.
This election differs only in that it presents us with modified versions of the usual suspects; the economy, taxes, equal rights, immigration, the national debt, health care, abortion and foreign policy among the most debated. Except for one.
There is one issue that, at times, will be given some attention and occasional credibility, just not usually at the national level, until recently. Election integrity. Elections and election integrity are the foundation of our democracy. If the integrity of the election of the highest office in the land is lost, our democracy is lost with it.
We heard the integrity of our election system loudly questioned by Donald J. Trump during the Republican primaries of 2015 then viciously attacked it in the subsequent presidential election when he was sure he would lose to Hillary Clinton. Even when he won by way of the Electoral College, Trump screamed election fraud because he had approximately seven million fewer votes than Hillary in the general election.
Donald sang this song for the next four years, into the election of 2020 with most of his Republican colleagues, seeing how effective it was, singing along with him. Despite providing no evidence at any time, not just in the 60 plus court cases he lost claiming he actually won the election.
But it has become a means to an end. Election denialism has proved to be so effective for many candidates running in the Republican primaries for the 2022 midterm elections, we are now facing the prospect of putting these deniers in positions of authority to control the outcome of future elections. Ironically, they claim they just want to return integrity to our election system, to make it fair. In other words, it will only be fair if they win.
That is why I believe, with all the issues voters disagree on what the best course of action is to solve, giving politicians full control over election outcomes has the most potential to irreparably damage and eventually end our democracy. If these election deniers get into office, regardless of the party, we may never get them or their kind out.
All that being said, this may truly be the most important election in our lifetime. Please vote in this election while your vote still counts and to ensure it will count in the future.
These photos were taken at Friday night’s Liberty Center’s 41-7 victory over Liberty-Benton in the Division V OHSAA football playoffs.
Click on the link above to access photos. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
It was a battle of the Libertys as the Liberty Center Tigers played host to the Liberty-Benton Eagles in the second round of the Division V OHSAA Football playoffs. The game was tight only in the early minutes of the first quarter before the Tigers took control and steam-rolled their way to a 27-0 halftime lead on the way to a 41-7 victory.
The LB Eagles, who had put up 63 points the week before against the Archbold Blue Streaks, saw their offense stifled by a tough LV Tiger defense, and did not score until the waning moments of the game during a running clock. Liberty Center, meanwhile, used its strong running game to power up and down the field, reaching the end zone six times.
Liberty Center improves their record to a perfect 12-0 and will take on the 11-1 Coldwater Cavaliers this coming Friday, 11/11/22, at 7:00 PM.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Pictured Below: Colton Kruse rumbles toward the goal line.
Alva Conger of the Swanton Fire & Rescue Department was recently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was ceremoniously sworn in the October 24th Village Council meeting by Mayor Neil Toeppe. Lieutenant Conger graduated from the EHOVE Career Center in Milan, Ohio at the top of his class for EMT, Paramedic and Firefighter I. Beginning next year, he will be attending classes to attain a Firefighter II Certificate and will receive additional education “to further my ability to lead in the fire service.”
Lt. Conger lives in Port Clinton with his wife and three children and also works full-time for the Port Clinton Fire & Rescue Department as well as a Paramedic for the Firelands ER in Sandusky. “Joining Fire and EMS has been one of the best choices I’ve ever made,” said Lt. Conger. “It is truly the best job in the world and I would not trade it for anything.”
Pictured Below: Mayor Toeppe swears in Lieutenant Conger
It has become one of the most highly anticipated and heavily attended events on the Swanton family-oriented social calendar. And this past Saturday afternoon the Halloween Hoopla, once again, did not disappoint. The Swanton Lions Club members and Hoopla Chairperson Scot Lawson organized another spectacular two hours of fantastic entertainment for the Swanton community families with great cooperation from the Village of Swanton and many of the downtown Swanton businesses.
Kids and their parents and anybody else for that matter were treated to donuts and cider from the Swanton Fire & Rescue Department, hot dogs from Benfield Wines, popcorn from the Lions Club, cookies inside the Swanton Board of Education building and all sorts of candy from almost every business and organization on Main Street.
Five bouncy houses were set up throughout the area along with pedal cars, giant trucks from Bubba’s Towing and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The 180th Tactical Fighter Wings was there with their mini F-16 Fighter Jet and the Ohio State Highway Patrol brought a cruisier and a putting game for the kids. There were so many activities for everyone to do it would be hard to list them all.
Halloween Hoopla has grown every year in both fun activities for the families, businesses and organizations being involved and in attendance with the 2022 event setting another record. The Swanton Lions will now evaluate this year’s Hoopla to see where it can be improved. Next on their community service agenda is the Giving Tree Project to help disadvantaged families enjoy the Christmas holidays. If you would like to be part of this benevolent organization, talk to any Swanton Lions Club member you know or contact them through their Facebook page.
Click on the link above to access over 450 photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website and the Swanton Lions Club.
The Archbold Blue Streaks ran into a scoring machine on Friday night in the form of the Liberty-Benton Eagles, surrendering 63 points in a 63-35 defeat at the hands of the visiting Eagles. The Blue Streaks’ offense tried to keep up with the LB unstoppable offense, but three interceptions, including one for a touchdown, proved too much to overcome. Archbold ends the season with an 8-3 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 Below: Josiah Gomez (22) lead Carson Dominique through the defensive line.
The Evergreen Boys Soccer program reached new heights on Wednesday night when the Vikings beat fellow NWOAL foe, the Archbold Blue Streaks, 3-2 in a DIII District Semi-Final match at Ottawa Hills High School. Not only did the victory avenge a 5-4 loss to the Blue Streaks in Archbold during the regular season, it sent the Vikings to their first District Final in the school’s history.
The slim one-goal margin was not indicative of the dominating performance put on by Evergreen during the game. The Vikings kept constant pressure on the Streaks’ defense in the first half and finally scored on a close-in shot by Brodie Setmire at the 24:07 mark. Just 53 seconds later, it was NWOAL Player of the Year, Tyson Woodring, finding the back of the net at 23:14 to give Evergreen a 2-0 lead.
Archbold made several charges on the Evergreen goal but, for the most part, the Vikings controlled the action. Not long after Woodring’s goal, he scored again at 19:26 from about 30 yards out on a free kick, giving his team a 3-0 advantage with all scores coming in a less than five-minute span.
Taking the 3-0 lead into the second half, Evergreen stayed aggressive on the offensive end, just missing on several scoring opportunities. Late in the contest, the Streaks gained some momentum and began to pepper the Viking goalie, Walker Lumbrezer and finally scored on a Krayton Kern shot to put Archbold on the board with just 1:25 left in the match.
The 3-1 Evergreen lead seemed relatively safe, given how the game had gone so far, however, Kern scored again on a free kick with 0:55 seconds still remaining, putting the Viking faithful on the edge of their seats. Evergreen was able to regroup and work the ball into the Archbold end of the field where is stayed until the final whistle.
The historic victory sends the Vikings to the District Championship match on Saturday, October 29th at 3:00 PM against top-seeded the Ottawa Hills Green Bears at Ottawa High School. Archbold ends their season with a 12-7-1 record including the NWOAL Title and a Sectional Championship.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
The Swanton Lady Bulldogs soccer team saw their season come to a close with a 5-0 loss to the Ottawa Hills Lady Green Bears in a DIII District Semi-Final match at Genoa High School on Tuesday night. The Swanton offense was able to put a lot of shots on goal but were unable to put any into the net.
On the season the Lady Bulldogs ended the year with an overall record of 8-9-2, with a Sectional Championship and a third-place finish in the NWOAL.
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 NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountumedia.com website.
Pictured Below: Swanton’s Megan Haselman controls the ball against Ottawa Hills
Following a Public Hearing on October 11th to discuss proposed legislation for establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in downtown Swanton, the Swanton Village Council approved the first reading of the ordinance, but said they would take into consideration all the concerns and comments expressed by members of the public who voiced their opinions before the second reading came to a vote. In the State of Ohio, a DORA allows visitors aged 21 and older to consume alcoholic beverages outdoors and in participating businesses within the area’s boundaries, during designated hours, and according to DORA rules.
Given the opportunity to speak first were three people who were against the legislation as it was written. Collectively, they stated they were not diametrically opposed to the DORA, however, they all felt the boundaries encompassed too large of an area and it included the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks, servicing 100 or more trains a day, creating, in their opinion, a safety issue.
Speaking for the legislation, several business owners and residents emphasized the economic advantages the DORA would provide such as a growth in business in the downtown and a much-needed increase in the Village’s tax base to help maintain basic Village services without adding to the tax burden on Swanton residents.
When the Council reconvened on October 24th for their regularly scheduled meeting, a modified ordinance was presented which scaled back the boundaries to eliminate the railroad tracks and any residential housing. The revised boundaries would now include both corners of North Main Street and Zeiter Way, containing the Swanton Chamber of Commerce Building and adjacent park and parking lot on the South side and Benfield Wines, Hubbs Bar and a section of Fulton Street on the North side.
Prior to the vote on the second reading of the amended ordinance, Mayor Neil Toeppe solicited comments from the public. Six members of the audience spoke, all in support of the DORA. Last to give their opinion was Swanton resident Eric Butler who witnessed the previous Council meeting while it was live-streamed on the Village’s Facebook page and felt compelled to attend and speak out on the issue.
Mr. Butler spoke of recently meeting Patrick Lahey, a restaurant owner, who started the first DORA in Toledo on Adams Street and how it turned an economically depressed area into one that is now thriving in spite of early fears from the public it would lead to an increase in crime and bad behavior. “There are new businesses, there are things that have come along with an opportunity,” he said. “I truly think this town needs an opportunity.”
Mr. Butler cautioned to not give into the fears, some that were expressed at the public hearing, that having an open container of alcohol in downtown Swanton would turn the area into a “crime zone.” “It gives people the opportunity to see what we have to offer. I’m old enough to remember when the downtown area was vibrant. And, that’s lacking today,” he stated.
“Hopefully it brings things back. Hopefully, that gives life to an area so that we new businesses, we have fresh faces, we have an opportunity for people to say, ‘Hey that’s a nice place to live.’ Now we have a tax base. Maybe our schools will pick up on that. We’re doing everything we can right now to drive revenue for a new baseball stadium so our children will have a decent place to play baseball. That comes with people wanting to come to town. That comes with people wanting to be a part of what Swanton has to offer.”
Later in the meeting, Council unanimously approved the second reading of the DORA ordinance with Council members Dave Pilliod, Sam Disbrow, Patrick Messenger, Mikey Disbrow and Mr. Kania voting “YES”. Councilwoman Diane Westhoven was not in attendance. The third and final reading will be voted on at the next Council meeting on November 14, 2022. If approved, the legislation will become law 30 days from approval.
Prior to the regularly scheduled Swanton Village Council meeting on October 11th, a Public Hearing was held to allow members of the public to voice their opinions on proposed legislation to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) situated in downtown Swanton. In the State of Ohio, a DORA allows visitors aged 21 and older to consume alcoholic beverages outdoors and in participating businesses within the area’s boundaries, during designated hours, and according to DORA rules.
Mayor Neil Toeppe began the hearing by explaining its intent and abiding rules and informed everyone the legislation would be in the form of an ordinance and would require three separate readings and approval before it could be enacted. He then opened the floor to any individuals in the gallery who were opposed to the legislation to voice their concerns.
The first person to speak was Toledo resident Pastor Kenny Garland of the Swanton Baptist Church on South Main Street. Pastor Garland said he was concerned about the negative effects alcohol, alcohol abuse and alcohol advertising has on children, families and communities that he has dealt with in his profession. The Pastor also said he was worried the presence of open containers would “normalize drinking” and send the wrong message to our youth. “We’re showing the kids that drinking is cool, drinking is okay,” said the Pastor. Other concerns expressed by Pastor Garland were the train tracks that intersected the DORA boundary, inebriated people being struck by vehicles traveling through town and public intoxication. He also said he was not completely against it, but wanted it scaled back.
Next to speak was Swanton resident and owner of Epiphany Community Services located at 95 N. Main Street in Swanton, Deacon Dzierzawski. Mr. Dzierzawski asked Mayor Toeppe to re-clarify the legislation and also requested a copy of the ordinance, which was provided. He then disputed the DORA proponent’s claim that it would be good for downtown businesses. This doesn’t do anything for my business. Zero. If anything, it costs me,” he said, claiming he would be spending money to clean up his parking lot and to implement security measures. “I want to see it succeed as well, but I think it’s too big, too far, too fast.”
Pam Moore, owner of Club Salon on Dodge Street, addressed the Council stating that she was not against the DORA but believed it to be “way too big” and she was concerned about the relatively high volume of train traffic, estimated to be 100 trains per day, creating a safety issue. “On a trial basis, start out small and let it grow,” suggested Ms. Moore. “If it causes no issue then let it grow from there.”
Speaking in support of the DORA, Julia Benfield, owner of Benfield Wines located at the corner of N, Main Street and Zeiter Way, Chairperson of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Swanton Small Business Association. “There are a lot of things our small business group wants to do that would include all the businesses including your business (Club Salon), said Ms. Benfield, speaking of the economic development the DORA would potentially generate. “We’ve also had some pushback from business on the other side (South) of the tracks who don’t feel included in things that we do,” she added, explaining what was considered when establishing the DORA boundaries.
Ms. Benfield also pointed out that while the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) stipulates that a DORA ordinance needs to be reviewed every five years, Council has the right to review it at virtually every meeting and modify the rules and the boundaries. Furthermore, Council can, at any time, suspend the DORA during special downtown events such as the Lions Club Halloween Hoopla or the Corn Fest Parade for example.
Representing Younique Boutique, a vintage ladies clothing store at 117 N. Main Street, Joyce Berry spoke in favor of the DORA. In response to the concern that open containers would promote underage drinking, she said it would have no more effect than young people seeing their parents drinking at home or in restaurants or in other social settings. Ms. Berry also said the DORA would benefit downtown businesses by making people aware of what is available downtown and would like people coming into her store with an adult beverage. She believed the DORA concept should be allowed to proceed and tweaked as needed based on the Village’s experiences with it.
Prior to the hearing, Mayor Toeppe had asked Police Chief Adam Berg to follow up with other law enforcement officials from local communities with DORAs, as the Mayor had done, to find out what their experiences had been. Chief Berg gave his report and stated the other communities were having no issues with it.
The motion to approve the first reading of the DORA ordinance was made and seconded during the Council meeting and discussion followed. Councilman Derek Kania expressed concerns about liability to business owners if an individual were to fall and injure themselves on the side walk in front of their business or in their parking lot during the hours of DORA. Village solicitor Kent Murphree responded that the business owner would only be liable if the fall was caused the neglect of his private property.
Mr. Kania also thought the process was moving too quickly and asked about delaying the vote on the motion. Mr. Murphree recommended the vote be taken because it was only the first reading and another reading, along with Council discussion and possible public input, would be taking place at each of the next two Council meetings, giving everyone the opportunity to better understand the issue.
Council went ahead with the vote and the first reading passed with four “YES” votes and two abstentions. Council members Dave Pilliod, Sam Disbrow, Patrick Messenger and Mikey Disbrow voted yes and Mr. Kania and Councilwoman Diane Westhoven abstained.
A second reading and vote is expected to take place at the next Council meeting on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Swanton Village Municipal Building.
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