The presidents had their day after all. Monday, Feb. 21, was originally to be a holiday for Bluffton schools. Then, when the school system used its three cancellation days, Feb. 21 was placed back on the school calendar as a "school day."
Not so fast. At 5:56 a.m., the icy weather caused a two-hour delay. Then at 7:49 a.m., Greg Denecker, Bluffton superintendent, announced school was cancelled due to the ice.
Unless the Ohio legislature acts quickly, Bluffton's spring vacation in March will be cut short.
Bluffton's salt supply is about one bin full, according to Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator. "We have two bins, which each hold nearly 75 tons of salt," he told Bluffton council on Monday night.
"We have ordered another 75 tons of salt. This would put us slightly over our reserve tonnage allotment for the year, but we would still have access to an additional 30 tons if we need it and our supplier has it available," he said.
"In the next few months we will know more from the new governor on his plan to fund schools over the next two years," writes Greg Denecker, Bluffton school superintendent, in the winter school district newsletter released to residents of the school district this week.
Denecker's first-page column added that what we currently know is that the State of Ohio will be looking to save around $5 to $8 billion depending on which estimate is used for the state budget projections.
The Bluffton Fire Department is asking for your help. With the recent snows, fire hydrants in the Village of Bluffton have become snow covered, according to Jon Kinn, fire chief.
"The fire department is asking that you help out by clearing the snow around the fire hydrants in your yard or in your neighborhoods," he said.
If you notice a hydrant in your neighborhood that needs cleaned please call 419-358-8606 and press option 1 and leave a message.
The Village of Bluffton is seeking qualified candidates for the positions of assistant manager and lifeguards for the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool for the 2011 season, according to Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator.
"Qualified candidates for lifeguards must have or be in the process of obtaining CPR and lifeguard certifications," he said.
Applications can be obtained at the town hall, 154 N. Main St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
Completed applications are due on Friday, March 18, 2011.
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.
