Edition 16                 July 28th, 2006

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Sherwood City Limits, newsletter for Sherwood Ohio, is provided by Bobbybee.Com

Around Sherwood

Steve & Ted's Tool Shed

Several months ago we talked of a new store coming to town, Steve & Ted's Tool Shed, remember, in the old Wirth's building downtown. Well they have taken the newspaper down out of the windows and are open for business. They have a starting inventory of tools, power tools, hand tools and even some lawnmowers. They have a tool box that caught me eye when I visited the other day. Stop in and give them a visit.

But that is not all of the Steve & Ted story, they actually started planning there Sherwood venture a year ago. One of the first projects was to put a laundry mat in the back of the building. I don't believe in all my years in Sherwood a laundry mat has ever been, but now we have a nice one. They installed new coin operated machines, a water conditioning system, major upgrades to the interior and a TV in the corner to entertain yourself while waiting on your laundry to get done. The new laundry mat opened for business after the first of the year. Next they remodeled a small retail store in the north side of the building to accommodate where DeVault's Variety store is now, which opened for business in May.

Now with the Tool Shed open for business, their next project will be to turn the upstairs area into 4 apartments. The upstairs has never been used for anything but meetings from time to time. Anyway I am sure that project will show it's problems before it is done, someone has to carry the drywall upstairs, right? Be sure and stop by Steve & Ted's Tool Shed, check them out, and let them know you read about them at Sherwood Ohio.com

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Sherwood Homecoming - Success or Failure?

Did you make it to the Sherwood Homecoming June 24th? The Parade at 3, or maybe the park festivities? How about the concert, were you there? I am looking for some discussion on how you felt about this year’s homecoming.

Emails arrived the day after the homecoming voicing concern as to the failure of the concert and that things were totally different as to the festivities at the park, some were sad that there was not much for the children to do. I am sure I will get more mails before the end of the week. There has even been some disappointed that they did not find Sherwood Ohio. com as a sponsor, sorry maybe next year. But all in all did you like it or were you dissatisfied?

Do you believe it was a success or failure, let everyone know your thoughts by posting a reply here. Talk about it - Sherwood Homecoming

 

 

Did you miss the parade? See what you missed at the Sherwood Homecoming.

 

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Sherwood Memorial park

A re-dedication of the Sherwood Memorial Park was held memorial day after the Memorial day services at the Sherwood cemetery, May 29th. The dedication service was to honor the sponsors and donors that have helped to make Sherwood Memorial Park a reality. Read More

But there is much more that has happened since the dedication of the park, a new flower bed is in the works. The raised flower bed, handicap accessible, is in a shape of an "S" and was started last month. The flower bed will include a center fountain and waterfall in the middle, a split rail fence behind it. A tool shed is currently under construction on the north side of the parking lot. This will be used for storage of maintenance tools needed to take care of the gardens.

  

Now with a nice park like this, vandalism has played a part in the upkeep of the park, shortly after the gazebo was put in place, some punks decided to show there artistic ability to the new vinyl faced wood, scribbles would be my words. How to curb this vandalism has been a main topic of discussion, even becomeing a matter for the town council. The village decided to install, on a trial basis, a surveillance camera at Sherwood Memorial Park due to the incidents of vandalism at the park. The Memorial Park revitalization committee donated $800 toward the security system that is estimated to cost $3,500 +, which will includes trenching conduit and a pole. The village is also looking at putting up a camera at Moats Park.

Maybe we can tap into the cameras and make this a live video feed at Sherwood Ohio.com. We could call it our own neighborhood watch. Sherwood has there own neighborhood watch program that was implemented by Sherwood Police, Chief Charles Fitzwater. Some of the funding came from grant monies, town council and I am sure other donations to establish this neighborhood watch program, but the last time I talked with Chuck around Memorial Day, he told me he had no one sign up yet?

Imagine that, I have seen signs at the edge of town denoting that we are a community watch area, I missed the the article in the paper and have heard of nothing more yet. I guess I will have to ask for the information from Chuck, again, and find out what this program is all about. I will keep you updated as I receive more info, you all know where to find your Sherwood information.
 

Another parking lot?

Part of the old KorKay building in downtown Sherwood was taken down this week, at last I heard the village had gone after court action to get this eyesore taken care of. Many of the residents around the town were worried that someone might get hurt in the run down building, that had the roof collapsing. Hopefully the standing side of the building will be refinished to make it look like something, maybe we could paint our logo on the side of it, we will have to work on that one!

 

  

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Upcoming events

Remember the Indian powwow that was held last August at Bob & Judy Keys property south of town, well Judy tells me that she is doing it again this year for three days, August 18th, 19th, and 20th.

 

Items planned for the tree day event will be a flea market, Indian dances, tee pee displays and much much more. Judy went on to tell us " THIS YEAR WE HAVE INVITED OVER 50 NATIVE AMERICANS TO COME HERE TO DANCE. WE HAVE AT LEAST 65 VENDORS. JOHN SPOTTED HORSE WILL BE OUR HEAD DRUMMER AND DANCER. OTHER DRUMMERS WILL ALSO BE HERE. LONE EAGLE AND DAVID KENCADE WILL BE HERE TO DANCE AS THEY DID LAST YEAR.

THE EMCEE WILL BE 'CECILE ISAAC, WHO WILL SET UP THE CIRCLE AND ANNOUNCE DANCES THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE. BRING THE KIDS OUT AND LET THEM COME IN AND DANCE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL INDIANS. THERE WILL BE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF INVITATIONS AND TIMES KIDS AND THERE PARENTS CAN GET AN OFFICIAL INDIAN NAME PRESENTED BY CHIEF TONTAKA SINTA. BRING YOUR CHAIRS, THERE WILL BE A LARGE TENTS FOR THE PEOPLE TO SIT UNDER TO WATCH THE DANCES.

WE HAVE MANY FOOD VENDORS, RIB AND CHICKEN ,JAN HUBBARD CONCESSIONS WITH HER BUFFALO BURGER, BUFFALO JOES AN MORE. CORN ON THE COB, KETTLE KORN AND FRY BREADS, AND ICE CREAM THAT WILL BE MADE OUT IN THE FIELD, THIS EVENT WILL BE A DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE WITH NO PROFANITY OR BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.

WE WILL HAVE AN AUCTION ON AUGUST 18 FEATURING ITEMS GIVEN TO US BY DEFIANCE AREA STORES TO HELP PAY FOR THE PERFORMERS. WE HAVE A LARGE WELDER, NEW BIKES, BLANKETS, GRILL, GUN RACK, SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER SETS, COME OUT AND SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT. THE AUCTION WILL START AT 7 SHARP. IF YOU HAVE SOME ITEM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO SELL PLEASE CALL ME AT 899-2591, WE WILL COME AND PICK IT UP, COME OUT AND JOIN US.
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LISTEN TO 98.1 FOR MORE NEWS ABOUT THE POWWOW

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Defiance County Fair Aug. 19 - 26

Tickets available at the

Sherwood Marathon

 Sherwood Community Calendar Provided by

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Central Local Schools

New school or Old school

Is it more responsible to spend $5.8 million in local money for a new school expected to last 50 or more years than to spend $8 million over 10 years to repair and update the existing facilities? That is the choice confronting Central Local Schools.

On Aug. 8 district voters will decide whether to approve 4.05 mills as local funding to match state dollars for building a new junior high and high school. The state is offering to cover 74 percent of the cost to build a new facility, leaving only 26 percent or $5.8 million over 28 years to be raised locally. If that issue fails again at the polls, the school district would look to repair and update its existing facilities.

Kraig Beilharz, engineer, appeared before Tuesday's special meeting of the Central Local school board with new figures projecting the cost of repairing and updating the current junior-senior high building over the next 10 years.

The first year, emergency spending of $158,594 for roof drain leader lines, hand rails, pavement patching, separating storm and sanitary sewers, and other items that are mandatory.

Projections show for the second year another $4,030,121 is needed, including a heating system at $1.2 million, electrical system in the high school at $696,350, various repairs to the kitchen including an addition at $656,000, and asbestos tile replacement, hazardous material removal, and fire alarm and security system.

By year five another $3.5 million will need to be spent to continue to meet state standards. By year 10 an additional outlay of $738,196 will be needed.

Other items - which would be addressed by constructing a new school - would need to be delayed beyond the 10-year period. These items amount to $1.3 million, and include educational technology, overlaying existing payment, casework in classrooms, separation between the middle school and high school, and white boards.

School Board members conceded that now is not the most opportune time to decide on a new school. The ink has barely dried on the paperwork for the new elementary school, but now is the time when the state is offering the money for a new junior-senior high.

No school has a say in when their number is up for funding at the state level, and if the local schools pass it up, the state does not care. They simply pass the money on to the next group of schools on the list.

Reports from the public indicate the district is asking for a second school too soon, but the board noted the timing is decided by the Ohio School Facilities Commission. The state has cautioned that delay in deciding to use the state's money is flirting with the possibility the program will be concluded before the taxpayers in the district say they are ready.

Officials noted the cost will probably be greater in the long run to keep the old building, which may last another 10 to 30 years, than to build a new one that could be in use 60 to 70 years down the line.

"It is wasted money to fix the present building and then tear it down when the same money would have replaced the building," said Mr. Beilharz. He said more repair is likely, such as rewiring, as the work progresses, and he reminded the board construction costs are going up.

The board also cannot add to the building as it stands without also installing a sprinkler system throughout the entire structure, according to state standards.

Said one teacher, "I agree it is a no-brainer. We need to be looking to the future. There may not be a later."

"I am afraid of the impact on the community, if we do not (pass the levy}." said board member Mickey Schwarzbek. "I beg the public to get the facts."

"No, the school is not falling down," said Superintendent David Bagley, "We did not come to the decision irrationally. The board is elected to be good stewards of the district's money"

 

With all this in mind, remember to vote August 8th, it could make a difference in your child's education.

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School starts

Central Local Schools will open Aug. 29th, remember to watch for the young ones. For more info on the Fairview schools, on-line calendar, school delays, sports times, events and much more, check out their website at http://www.centrallocal.k12.oh.us/

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Defiance County Economic Development News from Matt Gilroy

Good News in Defiance County

Crook-Miller Company has decided to restart production at their Hicksville location. The company closed in early 2005 due to the infestation of the emerald ash borer beetle and the quarantine placed on Defiance County to eradicate the insect. When this occurred, Crook Miller was unable to obtain the ash logs that they use as raw material when they produce items like shovel and rake handles and wood flagpoles. Crook Miller is a mainstay in the Hicksville community. The company has been in business since 1974. When they stopped production in 2005, they used the Hicksville facility as storage and warehouse for some of their inventory.

Due to changes in law and other developments; Crook Miller Company officials determined that an opportunity existed to resume production in Hicksville. After months of negotiation with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the company finally worked out an agreement that would allow them to transport logs from Southern Michigan and parts of Northeast Indiana as well as Ohio. Company officials hope to have twenty employees working at the Hicksville facility within the next two weeks. The company already has orders to fill and their goal is to produce 1.5 to 2 million board feet of product annually.

There were many people who worked hard to get an agreement with the USDA in place. I would like to thank company officials at Baker McMillen, headquartered in Stowe, Ohio; officials from Senator DeWine’s office, officials from Senator Voinovich’s office, Representative Paul Gillmor’s office, and State Senator Lynn Watchmann’s office. Without a team effort, this project may not have occurred.

More Good News in Defiance County

PEC Biofuels, Inc. has started production at their Hicksville facility. The company plans to hire a second and third shift and will soon start producing biodiesel product around the clock. The company currently employs ten people and is currently hiring. The current capacity of the plant is 2.5 million gallons of product per year. Defiance County is now the only county in Ohio that hosts two biodiesel producers.

Regional Economic Development News

The Defiance County Economic Development office is well aware that our partnerships with regional economic development organizations are important to our county’s growth and prosperity. Many times, the general public is not as aware of the activities within communities near their own. We have been asked by various parties to include more information of the developments regionally that benefit and affect the lives of people who live and work in Defiance County. This portion of this newsletter has been formed to complete that task. There is a new spin on this portion of the newsletter this month. Due to its regional implications, a project in Defiance County is the choice for regional news.

Johns Manville Corporation is recruiting thirty five to fifty people to work at its Carpenter Road facility in Defiance. The company invested over $130 million in Defiance last year and the machinery and equipment for this project will be put into place within the next few months. Candidates will be hired to work on the new line at the plant. Company officials asked the Northwest Ohio Job Center to take applications and conduct dexterity tests for each applicant. From July 3rd to July 7th, 1, 130 people applied for the 35-50 positions. JM officials are interviewing people this week at the Defiance County East building.

This is a very good paying job and a respectable company. Applicants came from all over Northwest Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. The economic development office has been assisting with this recruitment process since the beginning. It’s been terrific to see the efforts put on by the staff at the Northwest Ohio Job Center and the Department of Job & Family Services to support Johns Manville.

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Defiance County Genealogical Society

The Defiance County Genealogical Society meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the St. John United Church of Christ, Webster Street (next to the college campus), Defiance at 7:00 p.m. Upcoming speakers are:

Sept. 25 – George Kohart, local author and popular newspaper columnist

Oct. 23 – Louis Simonis, respected author and local historian, will speak on “Stories of the Defiance Area” Annual banquet and honoring of First Families of Defiance County. Details TBA

Nov. 27 – Gladys Donson, retired teacher, historian and genealogist, will present a story on “The History of Mark Township and Mark Center”

December – no meeting

Sherwood Ohio .com

Be sure and keep me up-to-date with all your Sherwood information. If you have an event or a story you would like to share with others that visit our site, please submit it to webmaster@sherwoodohio.com  .  Web traffic across Sherwood Ohio.com has set new records with more than 2350 visitors a month. Not bad for a town of 800 people.

 

The next newsletter, Sherwood City Limits, will be out sometime in November, until then have a great Summer and keep watch at Sherwood Ohio.com for more of the best on the net!

 

I have started a new area for the Sherwood forums, Talk about it, register as a user, and tell us your Sherwood Story, we would really like to hear it.

 

If you would like to be considered for an administrator of the new forums, I am looking for a select few to help in this area, E-mail Me with your request and I will fill you in on the details.

 

Bobbybee