Fulton County Ohio Media

Law Director Kevin Heban informed Council members last Monday evening that Ordinance 21-21, directing the preparation and filing of ballot language addressing the issue of approving medical marijuana cultivation, processing and dispensing within the Village of Delta was being amended at the recommendation of the Fulton County Board of Elections.  “It seems the substance has not been amended but we’ve inserted the ballot language that’s actually going to appear on the ballot of this amended ordinance.  The Board of Elections has accepted it so it will go on for the public vote in May,” explained Mr. Heban.

In discussions before the Council vote on the ordinance, Councilman Chad Johnson asked if there were any opinions on the phrasing of medical marijuana versus medicinal marijuana.  “When I think of medical, I think of supplies and equipment,” said Mr. Johnson.  “But this is medicinal.  Were using it as medicine.  Unless we’re referring to the card.  I can see where that’s a medical card.”

There was further discussion on the distinction between the two marijuana terms and Mr. Heban told Council the change would require a second amendment of the ordinance but would not delay the process to meet the deadline to place it on the ballot.  The Council voted in favor of both amendments.

Mr. Johnson, speaking as the Chair of the Safety Committee, expressed his concerns about a possible vaccine mandate being imposed on companies with 100 or more employees and the impact it could have on the Village.  “It scares me to think what’s next to come for people that will resist it.  As a community, if there is anything that we can do to stop this from happening we should,” he said.  “I understand the we can at least put a resolution in place that says, ‘It’s not going to happen here,’ but it doesn’t hold any weight as far as the law is concerned.  You can’t supersede state law or federal law.  But it would send a message.”  Mr. Heban said because it was a general law, the Village would not be allowed to deviate from it.  The Council could, however, pass a resolution expressing their opinion on the law that would be sent to the state legislature and the Federal government.

Mr. Peebles also reported that the Village had been awarded $1,000,037 from the Build America Program of the Biden Administration.  “I don’t know if we will be in line for additional revenues as it pertains to the water tower project that we also made an application for,” he said.  Mayor Frank Wilton asked Mr. Peebles when the project might start.  Mr. Peebles said the design of the project is done but it had to be approved by the City of Toledo and the EPA but as already approved by the Fulton County Commissioners.  He expects legislation will be ready to be voted on by the next Council meeting.

Village Administrator Brad Peebles related details of a Village employee meeting, held on December 8^th, regarding paid employee holidays and a new holiday approved by the Federal government.  “It was a unanimous consent that we would give up Presidents Day and then recognize Martin Luther King Day,” said Mr. Peebles.  The employees have also requested to exchange Columbus Day for Good Friday and a full day on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

The next Council meeting will take place on January 3, 2022 at 5:30 PM at Memorial Hall.

At the final Delta Village Council meeting of 2021, Village Administrator Brad Peebles gave an update on the potentially new Delta Community Pool.  There were several schematic renderings of the pool on display for Council’s review as Mr. Peebles provided some detail on what the new facility would offer.

“With amenities, you’re going to see umbrellas, slides.  There will be an entirely new bathhouse because trying to adapt and reuse the existing bathhouse was not feasible.  It’s more cost effective to demolish it and start over,” said Mr. Peebles.  Other possible amenities could include a splash pad style attraction, water shower stations, a dual rock-climbing wall and a lily pad walk with an overhead balancing net.  He also explained that the entrance to the pool and the layout would differ from the current pool to give better access to existing water and sewer lines and avoid conflicts with other infrastructures in the park.

Mr. Peebles addressed the changes in the estimated costs of the project.  “Unfortunately, the anticipated costs just continue to escalate.  In large part it’s just because of the economic conditions we are currently in,” he said.  “Even if we wait, I don’t know if the costs are going to come down.  All indications are the costs are elevated and they’re going to remain elevated.  We’re anticipating if you were to try and construct that pool with the amenities as we currently have it, we’re between 4.5 and 5.0 million dollars.  Plus, we have another cost for demolishing the old pool and having it removed.”

From the Administrator’s Report:  To fund the pool project, it is estimated the Village will need a $4.5M bond issue at 3% interest for a period of 20 years which will require a levy for 5.75 mils per year on the November 2022 ballot.  A $5.0M bond issue would require a levy of 6.4 mils per year. 

Should the ballot issue fail, it will be placed on the 2023 election.  This would push the re-opening to 2024 at a minimum.  A new pool will require revenues to operate in staffing and maintenance costs.  It is estimated we would need an additional 1.0 to 1.25 mil levy for operations.  Should the levy request fail, and the direction be to close the pool, funds will be required for its closure and removal estimated at $200,000 to $250,000.

Pictured:  Administrator Brad Peebles presents new pool amenities to Council

December 22, 2021 DELTA, OH – Earlier this month, North Star BlueScope Steel (NSBSL) sponsored a meal hosted by The Open Door of Delta, an organization that helps those in need throughout the Delta area. The event took place on December 14th at The Open Door’s location on Monroe Street. Founded in 2003, The Open Door of Delta is a central hub of the community that serves as a food pantry, shelter and thrift store. The organization is run by faithful volunteers who host several events a year.

North Star donated 275 meals from Delta 109, a local restaurant, to help serve dozens of regional families and individuals. Six NSBSL team members and two team family members volunteered to serve food. “Volunteering is an important part of our lives,” said NSBSL volunteer April Johnson. “It provides each of us an opportunity to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others. It’s a wonderful way to spread hope and share happiness within our community and fill ourselves with love and gratitude.” North Star has supported this annual event for several years and frequently donates to The Open Door of Delta.

Several North Star employees arrived prior to the event to set up seating, prepare food and package meals before guests arrived. The event served as an opportunity to socialize as well, particularly for elderly Delta residents who’ve been isolated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Food was also prepared for takeaway meals, which were distributed to other senior community members by their neighbors.

“I had brief conversations with each person as they received their meal,” said North Star Inside Sales Rep Jamie Trzcinski. “I was very humbled by how thankful everyone was. Many people asked if they could take extra meals to go, so they could bring food to their neighbors who weren’t able to come.” The volunteers delivered extra food to Vision Ministries South Toledo Campus, where it was served as part of their community meal the following day. North Star BlueScope Steel is committed to supporting the community. If you’d like to learn more about The Open Door or make a donation, visit DeltaOpenDoor.org.

About North Star BlueScope Steel: Established in 1996, North Star BlueScope Steel is a highly productive steel mill that uses leading-edge technology and processes to produce more than 2 million tons of coiled steel every year. The company delivers hot-rolled bands to steel service centers, coil processors, cold roll strip producers, original equipment manufacturers, and the steel pipe and tube industry. North Star places a special emphasis on community and company culture. Employees enjoy an onsite fitness center, profit-sharing, and weekly bonus plans, plus health, dental and life insurance. Tuition reimbursement is also available for approved college courses.

Ten days ago, I buried Rick Claar, my best friend of over 50 years.  I am sure we can all relate, on some level, to how painfully difficult that can be to do.   He was not supposed to die.  Not just yet, anyway.  I did not want to go to the showing.  I did not want to go to the funeral.  I did not want to deliver the eulogy.  But I did.  With the support of my wife and my siblings I was able make it through all three.

The shock and denial of his passing seemed to fade very quickly.  But only because my anger with his death and the main reason for it was banging at my emotional door to let it in.  And now that it’s in, I don’t know when it will be leaving so I can begin to accept it and heal.

Sometime before my friend’s death, he was diagnosed with COVID-19.  He was not vaccinated.  He had made that choice not to be vaccinated.  I knew Rick’s politics, at least on a national level, were conservative.  I knew he voted for and supported Donald Trump. 

But I also knew how much he cared for others and how much he did for so many people.  Rick worked for the Woodmore Local School District for many years and the students and administration loved him.  He was also the Mayor of Elmore and an Elmore Councilman for 18 years prior to that.  Everything he did was for the students, staff and faculty at Woodmore and for the citizens of the Village of Elmore.  They were his life and he loved being there and working for them.

Rick had so much more to do, so much more to give, and more great plans to make Elmore a great place to live and raise a family and Woodmore a school to receive a great education.  That is why it is so hard to understand why he chose not to protect himself, to stay healthy so he could continue to serve his school and his community.  It does not make sense to me and makes me very angry.  Very sad, of course, but still so angry.

I live in Fulton County which is a heavily leaning conservative/Republican/red county in the red state of Ohio.  The latest statistics show Fulton County approximately 50% of the population having received the first dose of the COVID vaccine.  This is over 10% less than the state average and over 20% less than the national average.

The unvaccinated justify their choice in many ways.  The vaccines are unproven, it violates my freedom of choice, it goes against my religion, I’ve already been infected and survived, I don ‘t have time.  And the more outlandish reasons/excuses.  It’s all about government control, it contains a tracking chip, it doesn’t align with my politics. it’s all just a big hoax pushed mainly by big pharma.  The list goes on and on.

As we head into the holiday season and get together with friends and loved ones, I ask all that are unvaccinated to please reconsider your choice.  The pandemic is far from over. Look at those friends and family members when you are with them and imagine you not being there for them.  I know you do not want contract this virus and you do not want to infect anyone else.  You do not want to get sick.  You do not want to die too young.  You do not want to burden your family with having to arrange your funeral.  And trust me on this.  You do not want your best friend to give your eulogy too soon.

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The Swanton Bulldogs roared out to a 20-4 lead after the first quarter then watched the visiting Edgerton Bulldogs whittle that gap down to five points with just over two minutes remaining in the game before holding off the visitors at the free throw line to win 57-45.  Nic Borojevich, who led all scorers with 27 points on the night, sank 9 of 10 foul shots in the fourth quarter to spoil the Edgerton upset bid as Swanton won their sixth game in as many tries this season

Edgerton stayed within 16 points at the end of the half, 30-14, and managed to pull within 12 entering the fourth quarter.  The “other” Bulldog team kept the pressure on throughout the fourth, slowly chipping away at the Swanton lead until they were down just 46-41 with 2:16 left on the clock.

Needing to foul to get the ball back, Edgerton sent the hometown Bulldogs to the line 19 times in the final quarter where Swanton converted 15 of those opportunities to keep their perfect record intact.

Also scoring for Swanton was Kayden Davis with seven points.  Sam Betz and Lathan Pawlowicz had six points each.  Cole Mitchey added five points while Luc Borojevich scored four and Drew Smigelski had two.

Click on the link above to access all 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.

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Wauseon senior Marisa Seiler scored a game high 29 points, 19 in the second half, as the Lady Indians used a big second quarter to defeat the Archbold Lady Blue Streaks 65-50 to open the NWOAL girls’ basketball season.

The game was tight after the first quarter with the Streaks holding a slim 17-16 lead.  However, the Indians broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Archbold 20-8, despite losing starting center Hayley Meyer for the rest of the contest to an injury early in the frame.

Wauseon maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the second half and pushed the lead to 22 points in the fourth quarter before settling for 15-point victory.

Backing up Seiler offensively for the Lady Indians was Autumn Pelok with 13 points and Kadence Carroll with 10.  Meyer had nine points before leaving the game.

Addie Ziegler and Harley Phillips each scored 11 points for the Lady Blue Streaks and Leah McQuade added 10.

The win keeps Wauseon undefeated with a 6-0 overall record while Archbold falls to 4-5 with the loss.

Click on the link above to access all photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format and can be downloaded for FREE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

At the final Swanton Board of Education (BOE) meeting of 2021, Board members approved a resolution to place the renewal of an existing tax levy on May 3, 2022 election ballot.  The resolution was made in response to the substitute levy that failed by two votes in the November 2021 election.

The Resolution title language read as follows: A RESOLUTION DETERMINING TO SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS OF THE SWANTON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT THE QUESTION OF THE RENEWAL OF AN EXISTING TAX LEVY, PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 5705.194 TO 5705.197 OF THE REVISED CODE.

The explanation of the Resolution read as follows: This is the first resolution to submit to the electors of the School District at an election on May 3, 2022, the question of the renewal of the School District’s existing in the $825,000 emergency tax levy.  If approved, that tax would be first levied in tax year 2022 (and first collected in calendar year 2023) and would run for a period of five years. 

If approved, a certified copy of the resolution will need to be delivered to the Fulton County Auditor. Mr. Kolb, the Fulton County Auditor, will have five days after that delivery in which to certify to the Board to calculate the estimated millage required to raise the annual amount set forth in the resolution and certify that calculation and the School District’s total current tax valuation to the Board of Education.  

“It raises $825,000 a year, a fixed sum,” explained District Treasurer Joyce Kinseman.  “Back when this was first done, back in the 90’s (1996), it was at 7.4 mils.  Now it’s at 3.4 mils.  It has not, honestly, kept up with inflation but it is still a significant and critical piece of our revenue stream.  That’s what I’m asking the Board to approve.”  A motion was made to approve, seconded and passed unanimously.

Once the Resolution is returned by the Fulton County Auditor, another Resolution will be voted on at the January 2022 BOE meeting and sent to the Fulton County Board of Elections to be placed on the ballot if approved.

Pictured:  Swanton High School (South Side)

Last night, at the banquet hall of the Swanton Sports Center, members of the Swanton Lions Club handed out Christmas gifts, gathered and purchased from their annual Giving Tree program, to families that needed some help for their children this holiday season.

This year, the program staged Christmas stockings which contained a list of clothing needs of a child along with some of their toy and game likes, at several Swanton business locations including the American Legion, Benfield Wines, CK Sweets, Club Salon, First Federal Savings & Loan and Younique Boutique.  Many generous individuals took those lists and either shopped for the items or donated money to the cause and allowed Lions Club members to shop for the rest.

The Swanton Sports Center donated the space to store, sort, package and distribute all the gifts while Club members contacted all the families with pick up information.  Like every year, and not at all surprising, the generosity and support of people in the Swanton community was overwhelming.

Pictured: (L to R) Swanton Lions Club Members Holly Lawson, Dick Notestine, Jerry Salyers and Matt Fetterman

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The Swanton Bulldog bowlers held a 110-pin lead after the first two games then tacked on another 82 pins to the lead during the Baker Games round and defeated the visiting Evergreen Vikings 2198-2056 on Monday at the Swanton Sports Center

Seth Sweet (pictured) bowled games of 185 and 205 for a 390 series to lead the Bulldogs. Marty Mosher had a 364 series which included a 203 game.  Other series scores were Carson Santchi with a 347 and Scott Reside with a 312.  Makayla Balonek (113) and Mate Bates combined for a 266 series.

Evergreen’s Derek Cobb shot games of 210 and 223 for a 433 series to lead all bowlers.  Other series scores were Mason Luttrel with a 311, Michael Laver with a 288, Mitchell Gillen with a 269 and Zachary Laver with a 268.

Swanton’s victory brings their record on the season to 3-1 while Evergreen falls to 0-4.

Click on the link above to access all photos from the match.  Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

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The Delta Panthers Bowlers hosted the Tinora Rams at the Swanton Sports Center Monday night and took both matches from the visitors with the boys winning 222-2190 and the girls winning 1710-1397.

Brody Waugh (pictured) fired games of 215 and 208 for a 423 series to pace all bowlers. Other series scores were Gabe Syverson with a 375, Kaden Hawkins with a 349 and Dylan Stricker with a 298. Ethan Cone (112) and Paul McQueen (139) combined for a 251 series.

Ciarra Fleckinger rolled games of 176 and 148 for a 324 series to lead the Lady Panthers. Other series scores were Lexi Brown with a 273, Maddy Johnston with a 268 and Karyn Gillen with a 210. Serena Shelhart (98) and Mariss DeSantos (117) combined for 215 series.

Click on the link above to access all photos. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded free of charge courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.