Monthly Archives: May 2017

Findlay City Council Passes Salary Ordinance Despite Contention

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

Original Post: 05/16/17 – 11 P.M.
Updated Post: 05/17/17 – 5:17 P.m.

Findlay City Council passed the salary ordinance with some contention during their Tuesday meeting. The ordinance sets the salary after the service-safety director position is split. Mayor Lydia Mihalik said that she is pleased with council’s decision.

Lydia Mihalik

Mihalik said that she thinks this will be beneficial to the city.

Lydia Mihalik

Three members of council voted against the ordinance. Councilwoman Holly Frische said that she thought more vetting needed to be done before passing the ordinance. She said that council is “just rubber stamping” what the administration recommends rather than looking into it. Mihalik disagreed saying that there is a high level of transparency between the administration and council. She added that she respects Frische’s desire to understand what is put before council.

Frische added that there needed to be more discussion about what the split will do and how much work will be involved. She questioned if the safety director position could be a part time job. This is because the police and fire departments are unionized. Mihalik disagreed saying that the unions play no role in managing city resources.

Hancock County Commissioners Approve New Contract For The Sheriff’s Office

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

05/16/17 – 6:52 P.M.

Sergeants in the corrections division at the Hancock County Sheriff’s office have a new three-year contract. The Courier reports that the Hancock County Commissioners agreed to the new contract during a Tuesday meeting. The new deal replaces an agreement that expired on March 7.

Members of the International Union of Police Associations will get 2% annual raises. The agreement also allows employees to receive 3 weeks of vacation time after 7 years rather than 8. There are 34 officers in the corrections division that have not yet had negotiations.

Matchmaking Opportunity Announced For Hancock County Community Mental Health Funds

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

05/16/17 – 6:42 P.M.

There is a gift-matching opportunity for donations to the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. Tom Buis said that he and other area residents have raised money for mental health.

Tom Buis

Buis said that the foundation’s goal is to raise 100,000 dollars for the Community Mental Health Fund.

Tom Buis

The funds will be given to support many mental health services in the county.

You can donate online at community-foundation.com or call 419-425-1100 to learn about donating through the mail.

VIDEO: Mitec Automotive Poised For Future Growth In Findlay

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

5/16/17 – 3:18 P.M.

German officials and the founder of Mitec Automotive met with Findlay leaders Tuesday. Minister President Bodo Ramelow and founder Christoph Militzer toured the company’s facility on Fostoria Avenue. While in town, company officials talked about possible growth in Findlay…

Audio: Tim Hall

Tim Hall is the president of Mitec’s North American Operations. He says one of those projects is a new contract with Honda of North America…

Audio: Tim Hall

Ramelow and Militzer met with Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik and Alliance Economic Development Director Tim Myle while in town. During their stop, company officials talked about the ease of doing business in our area.

Ottawa-Glandorf High School Students Recognized In National Award Contest

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

05/16/17 – 2:46 P.M.

Two Ottawa-Glandorf High School students are among 25 finalists for a national award. Senior Emily Annesser and Junior Jay Kauffman were recognized during a ceremony at 2 p.m. today. They are in the running for the U.S. Army – Pro Football Hall of Fame Award for Excellence program. The award highlights students who excel in athletics and the classroom.

Annesser and Kauffman will get to go to the U.S. Army Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend. The winner of the contest will be announced on August 5.

Port Authority Process Questioned

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

5/16/17 – 2:41 P.M.

The Hancock County Commissioners have some questions for the Blanchard Valley Port Authority. Commissioner Brian Robertson says the group rejected a proposal from Northwest Ohio Orthopedics Monday, marking the first time they’ve ever done that…

Audio: Brian Robertson

Robertson says the commissioners appoint two members of the port authority board. He adds that the county needs to make sure the representatives “match the temperament of the board of commissioners” going forward.

County Commissioners Answer Questions About River Maintenance

May 16, 2017UncategorizedMatt Demczyk

5/16/17 – 2:30 P.M.

Area residents once again voiced their opposition to proposed detention basins for flood mitigation. A Hancock County woman spoke at Tuesday’s Hancock County Commissioners meeting, asking why there isn’t consistent maintenance of the Blanchard. Commissioner Brian Robertson says it’s not solely a Hancock County decision…

Audio: Brian Robertson

Robertson added that there have been two river clean up projects in recent years. He said the commissioners from the five counties in the Blanchard watershed need to discuss another maintenance project soon.

He adds that completely removing downed trees from the river is very costly, which makes it a harder to sell to other commissioners in the watershed.

Osborn Avenue Bridge In Findlay To Be Replaced

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

5/16/17 – 11:02 A.M.

A bridge over the Blanchard River in Findlay is closing later this year. The Hancock County Commissioners approved a contract to replace the Osborn Avenue bridge in Findlay during their Tuesday meeting. The county only has to pay a little more than $100,000 for the replacement. The federal government is paying the rest of the more than $2.5 million tab.

The plans include lowering the bridge to give drivers better sight lines at the nearby East Main Cross intersection. It will also permanently close the section of East Main Cross that goes underneath the bridge.

County Engineer Chris Long says a construction date isn’t set at this point. He says it’s expected to take six months to finish the work.

Arlington Pool Set To Open Next Week

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

5/16/17 – 7:22 A.M.

The temperatures are getting warmer, and it’s almost time for area pools to open. The Courier reports the Arlington pool is on track to open next week. Village council set the first day of operation for May 25 at its Monday meeting.

Village officials say crews have drained and inspected the pool. They’ll clean the facility and fill it with water soon.

MORE: The Courier

Carey Clears Way For Electric Substation Grant

May 16, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

5/16/17 – 6:50 A.M.

Carey moved closer to getting a grant to pay for an electric substation project during their Monday meeting. The Courier reports council voted 5-0 to approve a resolution needed for the grant. The resolution confirmed the village has appropriated funds for the substation construction near Continental Structural Plastics.

The Economic Development Administration is making $418,000 available for the project. The agency initially offered $1.3 million, but lowered the amount when Carey’s council voted to take a higher bid for the project.

Councilman Bob Styer voted in favor of the resolution Monday. He had previously voted against it. In a written statement he said he voted for the measure to, “save the remaining EDA grant of $418,000 for the village electric project.” He added he still didn’t understand why council members took the higher bid at the expense of more grant money.

MORE: The Courier