Fulton County Ohio Media

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

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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.

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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.

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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 8^th, 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 22^nd and September 12^th.  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.

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The Swanton Bulldogs opened their home golf schedule by hosting the Bulldog Invitational on Monday, 8/8/22, at Swanton’s Valleywood Golf Club and finished third overall out of nine teams.  The Bulldog golfers, led by senior Ryan O’Shea’s round of 78, fired a 324 to place behind the champion Anthony Wayne Generals’ score of 309 and the runner-up Ottawa Hills Green Bears’ score of 312.

Rounding out the rest of the field were the Otsego Knights (361), the Emmanuel Christian Warriors (398), the Delta Panthers (453), the Evergreen Vikings (457), the Springfield Blue Devils (506) and the Northwood Rangers (DNF).  Medalist Honors went to Avery Watson of Anthony Wayne who shot a three under par 70. 

In addition to O’Shea’s 78 which earned him a spot on the All-Invitational Team, other Bulldog golfers factoring in the team scoring were Lucas Bloom (80), Mazin Rukieh (81) and Adam Lemon (85).  Ethan Bonifas shot a 100 and Brady O’Shea had a 119.

Team total scores for the Panthers were Adam Mattin (100), Slade Young (106), Walter Hallet (109) and Logan Ringle (138).  Drew Smith shot a 139 and Ashton Alig had a 154.

Team total scores for the Vikings were Adam Schmidt (104), Caden Beier (114), Logan Peebles (114) and Ayden Gleckler (125).  Mike Laver shot a 125.

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

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The Delta Chamber of Commerce held their Dancing in the Street event in a new venue this year, the Delta Community Park. Traditionally held on the lot on the corner of Main and Madison Streets, the new location provided much more space for the food and drink set-ups and more room for people to mingle or sit and listen to music or even to dance. There was also for more parking and no need to block off any streets.

Click on the link above to access photos from the evening. 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 free photos from the event. The next Swanton Downtown Market will take place on Saturday, September 3, 2022.

Following an executive session during the August 1^st Delta Village Council meeting, Council members unanimously (6-0) approved the sending of a letter to officials of Pike Township, York Township, Pike-Delta-York School District and the Fulton County Commissioners regarding the annexation of property for the Nova Steel & Tube manufacturing facility and the property’s initial tax obligations.  The letter read as follows:

Recently, 11 out of 12 property owners representing approximately 538 acres, signed a petition requesting to be annexed to the Village of Delta.

Village Council recognizes economic development for this community has new challenges which are important to the continued growth and development of our village, school district, townships and county.

Respecting the position of all public agencies, we understand that new and additional revenues are needed.  With the anticipated approval of the annexation petition being considered, Delta Village Council is prepared to alter its position regarding the expansion of the pre 1994 Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) to address these concerns.

The Village of Delta will amend its pre 1994 CRA one last time incorporating the Nova Steel & Tube property, understanding this commitment was made during their search for a location.  The Village will create a new CRA under the post 1994 status for the properties requesting to be annexed.  Currently, this reduces the percentage of abatement that can be approved solely by the Village from 100% to 50%.  The Village also plans to extend the term of abatements for the post 1994 program from the current 10 years to the maximum allowable 15 years.

Please know that the Delta Village Council sincerely looks forward to partnering with each of your agencies as we all work toward the betterment and mutual benefit of our region.

Should there be questions, please address them to Village Council in writing so they can be reviewed, understood and appropriately responded to.

The letter was signed by Mayor Frank Wilton and Council President Mike Tanner.