December 2022

  • /

GREENVILLE, South Carolina–James C. Blankemeyer, 87, formerly of Columbus Grove, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at his home surrounded by family. 

Jim was born July 30, 1935, to the late Cornelius and Cecilia (Goecke) Blankemeyer. He married Carolyn Ann (Rieman) Blankemeyer on Oct. 18, 1958. 

  • /

End of year comments from departments; Equipment replacement; financial wrapping up; council meeting packet

By Andy Chappell-Dick

Bluffton Council met on Tuesday, December 27, for its final meeting of 2022. The agenda was light on reports but heavy on emergency legislation, most presented by Fiscal Officer Kevin Nickel.  Five of six items dealt with year-end procedural accounting matters, and the sixth was renewing the Village's annual retainer contract with Findlay attorney Elliot Werth. All six passed 5-0. Councillor Phil Talavinia was absent.  

COMMITTEES
In the only committee report, Councilor Dave Steiner reported on Finance.  The committee had met to review various budgetary matters, and also put together recommendations for equipment purchases. This includes a new $60,000 F-250 pickup truck for the public works department. Village trucks are on a 15-year cycle, so this vehicle would replace a worn out 2008 model.  Also discussed was a new leaf vacuum machine for $95,000. These recommendations were both were approved 5-0.

ADMINISTRATION
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reported that work progressed rapidly in the week before Christmas on the Lawn Avenue waterline replacement.  With the stone quarry closed this week, there won't be much happening on this project until the new year.

  • /

Curious about the New Year's caroling to be hosted by the Swiss Community Historical Society?

In December 2021 the caroling was cancelled--but prompted this extended account "Reminisce: Bluffton’s unique tradition of New Year’s songs" by the Lima News and Allen County Historical Society.

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball team methodically beat Kenton 50-40 in a non-conference battle Tuesday night, December 27.

Bluffton improved to 7-2 with their first road win in three tries this season. Kenton fell to 3-7 with the defeat.

The Pirates outscored the Wildcats 22-2 at the foul line.

Bluffton held a 15-13 edge after the first period, and increased its advantage slightly to 28-25 at halftime.

The Pirate girls maintained a three-point lead at 39-36 heading to the fourth quarter.

  • /

Bluffton University will host an art exhibit January 11-February 19. The exhibit shares original works of art from the recently published “Voices Together” hymnal embracing the diversity of the Mennonite Church in North America and around the world, along with the breadth of scripture and the Christian tradition.

  • /

The following is an excerpt from The Crossroad, Ohio Department of Transportation news for Northwest Ohio.

A map displaying the counties currently represented by a transportation planning organization shows a glaring fact--many northwest Ohio counties are not included.

Chris Hughes, Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 deputy director, sought to remedy that and introduced the idea of forming a regional transportation planning organization (RTPO) to serve Van Wert, Putnam, Hancock, Hardin, Wyandot, Auglaize and Mercer counties. 

  • /

By Takayla Gadberry, sports information alumna

The Bluffton University men's basketball team opened the 2022 McDonald's Holiday Tournament with a hard fought, 63-61 loss to the Miami Hamilton Harriers. The Beavers fell to 2-7 on the season, while the Harriers improved to 7-6.

  • /

Applicants Ryan and Jessica Meyer are asking the Village of Bluffton for permissions to convert the former True Word Tabernacle church at 104 East Elm St. into a multiple apartment facility. Allen County Assessor's records show the 9,844 square foot building was constructed in 1920 and renovated in 2004.

Notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing before the Bluffton Board of Zoning and Building Appeals on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 7:00 pm in the third-floor Community Room at the Bluffton Town Hall located at 154 North Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following:

The property owner of 104 East Elm St. located in a C-I Commercial District, is requesting to convert the existing building into 8 apartment units.  The hearing is to consider both the approval of a conditional use for this property along with approved variance from the following Chapters and Sections of Village Code:

Chapter 153.142 Conditional Uses with Approval by the Village Board of Zoning and Building Appeals after a Public Hearing. (A). Single-, two-, three- and multi-family residential structures.  

» CONTINUES »

  • /

“Brrrr, winter has arrived with a big chill. But we keep the Senior Center nice and warm. Come in and stay awhile. We will be closed January 2 for the holiday but open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.” That’s your invitation from Bluffton Senior Center director, Tonya Meyer, in the January 2023 installment of the Golden Age News.

The newsletter shows a busy month at the center, which is located at 132 N Main St., phone (419) 358-8971. Among activities, announcements and opportunities are:

  • /

Join us in thanking the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce for being a Bluffton Icon advertiser. 

Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce members include retailers, service providers, manufacturers, educators, nonprofits, individuals, local and regional government, and more. For more information, visit www.explorebluffton.com , call 419-369-2985 and leave a message or email [email protected].

Pages