The Fall high school sports season, the busiest of the three, has begun in earnest. During this time, FCM, a website and blog, will be covering as many events possible with photography and brief write-ups of as many Fulton County events possible with our one-man staff. All photographs will be placed into Google Photos files and will be in a jpeg format that will allow for any type of editing. Each file can be accessed through a link that will appear in a posting.
If you chose to follow the blog through fultoncountymedia.com, you will be notified by e-mail of every posting. There is NO CHARGE to follow the blog. Posted photos can be downloaded to your computer, also for NO CHARGE and there will be no watermarks. All postings can be found after opening the website and selecting MENU/BLOG or just BLOG and paging down.
Postings in FCM will also include occasional village council and school board articles, feature articles, human interest stories, editorials and ribbon cutting ceremonies.
The Swanton Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Classic, also known as the Drew McNeill Memorial Golf Outing, was held this past on Wednesday at Valleywood Golf Club on Airport Highway in Swanton. As always, the format was a four-person best ball scramble.
For the second consecutive year, Team Pilliod, composed of Dick Perkins, Bill Pilliod, Kevin Thornton and Robert Truckor, won the Men’s Team Championship with a -14 score of 57. Taking the Mixed Team Title was Team McNeill, with the foursome of Henry Cockerill, Jenny Salyers, Jerry Salyers and Andy Tena shooting a -4 score of 67.
Individual awards went to Julia Hage of Anne Grady Services with the longest drive on the women’s side and Robert Truckor with the longest drive for the men. Mike Fischer of PT Link had the longest putt on the day for the men.
Pictured: Team Pilliod – Kevin Thornton, Bill Pilliod, Swanton Chamber Executive Director Neil Toeppe, Robert Truckor and Dick Perkins
Click on the link above to access photos from the Classic. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
At the August 15th Delta Village Council meeting, results of the recent Delta Community Park survey were discussed with the primary focus on questions related to the pool. Prior to analyzing the numbers, Village Administrator Brad Peebles addressed the issue of a significant number of residents not receiving the survey questionnaire in the mail.
“We received 110 (questionnaires) of the approximately 1200 that were mailed. It does appear that there is a lack of understanding on the part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Delta office as to where the Village limits are. We have provided them with maps and helpful information so they know exactly where the boundaries of the Village are. There are areas of the Village that did not receive these,” explained Mr. Peebles.
Each of the Council members had a copy of the tabulated numbers from survey.
Question #1 – Do you members of your family use the public pool in the park? YES = 48 NO = 62
Question #2 – If you don’t, would you if there were new or additional attractions such as slides, infant wading pool, splash areas, rock climbing wall? YES = 24 NO = 62
Question #3 – Would you support a NEW property tax levy if placed on the ballot to support a new pool with an estimated cost $4M to $4.5M which would require 6.5 mills ($227.50 for each $100,000 of value) for 20 years? YES = 39 NO = 71
Question #4 – Would you support a NEW tax levy to make the required repairs and renovations to reopen the current pool in the amount of 3 mills ($105 for each $100,000 of value) for 10 years, estimated repair costs of $1.2M? YES = 57 NO = 49
Question #5 – Do you believe the pool should be eliminated completely? YES = 38 NO = 69
A NOTE included in the survey said, “If a new pool were constructed, additional operating funds would be needed to adequately staff. This would require a minimum of an additional 1 mill ($35.00 for each $100,000 of value) levy to support the operation.” Total millage for a new pool would be 7.5 mills ($262.50 for each $100,000 of value).
“You can see the numbers pretty much speak for themselves as far as the responses,” said Mr. Peebles. “Council is going to have to make some decisions on how you want to go forward on planning. Based upon this, it’s pretty apparent that if there is to be any pool updates it’s going to be to your existing pool. That’s basically what the survey indicates they would support if they were to vote on it.”
The survey also included questions related to other activities in the park.
Question #6 – Does your family have anyone active in the Delta Youth Leagues? YES = 41 NO = 68 Baseball (13), Softball (9), Soccer (19)
Question #7 – Do you find the fields adequate? YES = 82 NO = 17
Recommended improvements for the fields included better dugouts, more field lighting, better field maintenance, better concessions and better restroom facilities.
Questions regarding general amenities for all age groups were also asked.
Question #8 – Do you believe tennis court(s) would be utilized? YES = 31 NO = 69
Question #9 – Do you believe pickleball courts would be utilized? YES = 60 NO = 37
Question #10 – Do you believe other attractions are needed within the park? YES = 28 NO = 52
Other attractions listed were walking paths, disc golf, exercise equipment and an enclosed shelter facility. Mr. Peebles said that some of the survey recommendations have been discussed as things that are needed.
“Once you, as Council members, have had a chance to digest these numbers, we need to talk again, maybe the next meeting, as to what you think needs to be done going forward,” he said.
Former Swanton Bulldog baseball and softball players got together last Friday night for the Second Annual Bulldog Alumni Softball game. There were enough players to form three teams and two games were played in front of a large crowd. There was no injury report following the contests but both Rite-Aid and Kroger reported a run on over-the-counter pain relievers the next morning.
Pictured: Carter Swank heads for home after crushing a home run to left-center field.
Click on the link above to access photos from the games. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for free courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
A new and exciting chapter in the history of the Village of Swanton began this Tuesday morning when a ground-breaking ceremony was held for Birchwood Meadows, a soon to be constructed entertainment venue located in the Turtle Creek area on Airport Highway. Below is a press release submitted by the Swanton Chamber of Commerce:
The Village of Swanton is excited to welcome Birchwood Meadow to our community. This is the first large scale project in Swanton in over a decade. The owners could have selected anywhere in northwest Ohio for their venture but selected Swanton because of our access to the turnpike, the airport and our strong demographics.
They are already booking weddings for couples from all over Ohio and Michigan and even from other states. “We are fulfilling a longtime wish to create something together, and can’t think of a more life affirming, festive project than providing a venue and atmosphere that will help others fulfill their lifelong wedding dreams,” said Birchwood Meadow Proprietors Dave and Pam Mills.
No stranger to organizing and managing staff and events, Dave just retired as a Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard after 36 years and over 40 deployments, and Pam has been in Marketing and IT for over 25 years. They have six children together, with three married and three in college.
“It was after overseeing three of our five daughters’ weddings that we felt there was a need for a modern country venue,” said Pam, whose daughters craved a warm and rustic wedding. The Birchwood Meadow premier wedding and event venue will accommodate up to 350 people for a wedding with ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. Reserved entirely for you and your guests, this unique “Big Timber” barn features impressive 40’ vaulted ceiling in the main hall with Arched Big Timber trusses that span the entire main hall with three open air copulas. The 8,000 square ft. venue on 27 acres in Swanton, Ohio is modeled after a very popular barn venue in Oklahoma.
Dave and Pam estimate the external structure will be erected by sometime in December, allowing work to begin on the interior. Once the interior work is completed, estimated to be in March of next year, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held along with public tours.
Pictured: Pam Mills addresses a large crowd of family, friends, local business owners and politicians. (L to R): Swanton Village Councilwoman Sam Disbrow, Ohio State Representative Jim Hoops, Swanton Village Administrator Shannon Shulters, Swanton Village Councilman Dave Pilliod, Pam Mills, Swanton Mayor Neil Toeppe and Dave Mills
Despite the earlier-than-expected raindrops, the 2022 Swanton Corn Festival turned out to be a great event. Major kudos to Alan Robasser, Monique Gombash, Alyssa Walberg, Bob Wertz and the dozens of volunteers that worked so hard on this wonderful Swanton tradition.
Pictured: Alyssa Walberg hands the Swanton Jeopardy trophy to winner Bob Wertz, now recognized as the smartest man in Swanton.
Click on the link above to access photos from the festival. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
A BIG SHOUT OUT to Tara Shaver and the rest of the Corn Fest parade committee for a great parade to kick off the 2022 Swanton Corn Festival. Great floats, great bands and one of the longest parades in recent memory.
Click on the link above to access the over 700 photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for personal editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
The inaugural season for the Swanton Lady Bulldogs golf team got off to a great start this past week with a 279-290 victory over the Lady Tigers of Liberty Center in a match held at White Pines Golf Course. Yesterday, the Lady Bulldogs played in the first ever match at their home course, Valleywood Golf Club, against the Evergreen Lady Vikings. The Lady Vikings golf team, a program established several years ago, won the match 260-289.
Ashlynn Luttrell carded a score of 57 to capture medalist honors in leading the way for Evergreen. She was followed by her teammates Brooklyn Gleckler (64), Katie Hoffman (68) and Haley Entenmann (71). Rachael Hoffman shot a score of 80.
Alexia Ostrander fired a round of 58 to pace Swanton. Finishing scores for the Bulldog foursome was Ann Urbina (74), Hailey Frosch (76) and Kelissa James (81).
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 fultoncountymedia.com website.
At the Monday, August 8th, Village Council meeting, Council members voted unanimously to approve the First Reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 33 of the Swanton Village Code pertaining to other departments, boards and commissions by establishing an Economic Development Commission (EDC). This legislation had been advocated by Mayor Neil Toeppe during his first two years in office but was consistently rejected and voted down by the previous Council. Mr. Toeppe maintained, as his reasoning for the EDC, was to increase the local tax base by attracting businesses as opposed to increasing taxes on the residents or scale back local services such as police, fire and infrastructure. “The cost of government will only go up,” he said.
As partially stated in the ordinance, this new Commission would provide input from all aspects of the Swanton business community and be representative of the business community and residents of the Village of Swanton. The members would provide a sounding board, researching and analyzing issues affecting economic development in the Village.
The duties of the EDC shall include:
– Make recommendations on matters relating the improvement of sound economic growth and business development in the Village,
– Examine opportunities for fostering an attractive climate for businesses within the Village with respect to both existing and potential new business establishments.
– Recommend additional steps and measures to promote economic growth by retaining businesses and attracting new commerce and industry.
– Cooperate with Village elected officials and staff to realize appropriate goals and objectives relating to sound business practices and better employment opportunities.
Membership. The mayor shall appoint three (3) members of the Commission. The mayor shall be ex-officio a voting member of this commission, The Commission shall consist of up to 5 members. Each member shall be appointed for a three (3) year term, except for the initial members whose terms shall be staggered at one (1) year intervals. The 3 persons appointed to the Commission shall be persons whose business, occupational or professional activities are carried on in a substantial degree within the Village or have an interest in the economic success of the Village of Swanton. Additional members may be appointed by the mayor in an ad hoc basis depending on the various needs of the EDC. These members’ terms shall be limited to specific needs of the EDC. The mayor may appoint a member of council for a one (1) year term. Council members may not serve consecutive terms. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
Prior to the vote, Mike Jay, Director of Strategic Networks for the Regional Growth Partnership of Northwest Ohio, addressed the Council and emphasized how critical the legislation was to Swanton. He explained to the members how companies will use site consultants when looking to expand or establish themselves in a new area. Often these consultants will investigate a community without its knowledge and having an EDC in place lets them know that community would be willing to cooperate in an effort to acquire new businesses.
Also speaking before Council was Swanton resident John Schmidt. Mr. Schmidt had circulated a petition to have the creation of an EDC put on the ballot to let the voters decide after the previous Council would not agree to it. He related the reaction he received from fellow residents when he asked that they sign the petition.
“I had the opportunity to meet a lot of different people from many demographics,” said Mr. Schmidt. “Everyone wanted to sign the petition for the creation of an Economic Development Commission. And every one of them had their own specific reason. Primarily, it was service. The cost of service keeps rising, but nobody’s coming into the Village to share in the costs of these increases. And why is that?” Mr. Schmidt also said many of the residents he spoke to wanted to know why they always had to bear the brunt of the cost increases and that there was a lot of anger expressed toward the Council that was seated at the time.
There will be two more readings of the ordinance, one each at the next two regularly scheduled Council meetings, August 22nd and September 12th. If both are approved the legislation will take effect 30 days from then.
Pictured: Mike Jay, Director of Strategic Networks for the Regional Growth Partnership of Northwest Ohio,
It has recently come to my attention there is a relatively new publication called Black Swamp Football that provides in depth coverage of 53 high school football programs from Northwest Ohio. This includes all NWOAL teams and features an analysis of their offense, defense, special teams and their chances for success in the league. Below is a list of locations where the magazine may be purchased. You can also go to blackswampfootball.com for more information.
Fulton County Ohio Media 