A 16-year study reveals that crime is on the decrease in Bluffton. Rick Skilliter, Bluffton police chief, shared the study, which shows annual incidents reported to police from 1995 to 2010.
The high year was 1998 with 498 incident reports. The low year was 2010 with only reports.
Skilliter said that 2010 was the "friendlest" - safest year to live in Bluffton during this report period. Dick McGarrity of council praised the police department by stating that much of the reason for this decline belongs to their efforts.
The cost dying will increase in Bluffton on Feb. 1. Bluffton council voted to increase the cost of preparing graves at Maple Grove Cemetery.
The current cost of $350 to open and close a grave with a casket will move to $450. The current cost of $200 to open a close a cremation burial will move to $250. According to Bernie Ludwig, Maple Grove sexton, the village currently pays more than it charges to open and close graves.
Renee Smith will lead the Bluffton school board in 2011. Smith was elected board president at the Jan. 11 reorganization meeting. Three school board positions will be up for re-election in 2011. That information is at the bottom of this story.
Several other appointments were made at the meeting,
Fred Rodabaugh, Bluffton mayor, announced that he will not seek re-election in 2011. His announcement was made at the first council meeting of the year.
"I will not run - my position is open," he said. Rodabaugh has served the village for over a quarter of a century as a council member or mayor. Four years ago he ran unopposed for the mayoral spot.
Persons interested in being on a Democrat or Republican party mayoral ballot in the May Ohio primary have until Feb. 2 to file petitions. Rodabaugh had served as mayor as a Republican.
The Allen County Commissioners' hearing on an annexation petition of 37 properties in the North Dixie Highway area south of Bluffton has been cancelled.
