The Delphos Herald

CIC offers revolving loan

Nancy Spencer — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:00:11 +0000

DELPHOS — The Delphos Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) met in regular session on Tuesday to elect officers and discuss a revolving loan program and an option on land the group has just northeast of U.S. 30 and State Route 66.
The CIC supports economic development and is a non-profit arm of the city government that promotes initiatives for the Delphos area.
Dave Roach was re-elected as the corporation’s president, as were Vice President Mike Birkmeier and Secretary Stan Wiechart. Other members of the group include Greg Berquist, Michelle Schaffer, Tom Jettinghoff and Kevin Osting.
Votes were unanimous to institute a Delphos Business Enterprise Revolving Loan Program for corporations, partnerships and sole proprietorships located within the Delphos Downtown Business District.
Boundaries for eligibility include Washington, Main, Canal and Jefferson streets from Fifth Street to the CSX Rail Line. The target area includes in excess of 70 businesses.
Berquist said the city began the process by obtaining a Downtown Revitalization Grant from the Ohio Department of Development and the CIC identified a need to continue the process by offering businesses the opportunity to obtain low-interest loans to increase their economic stability and growth.
More than $70,000 has been put into the loan project that can only be used for capitol improvements.
In its first year, the CIC would like to award five to nine loans.
The CIC is also working to develop the parcel of land on State Route 66 just northeast of the U.S. 30 Interchange.
The group is exploring state and/or federal grants to develop this intersection, including 117 acres of Class A land owned by Farmer Seed and Grain the CIC now holds an option on.
The group believes the property would be ideal for smaller businesses; the Van Wert megasite a dozen miles west on U.S. 30 makes the parcel very attractive for that reason.
Paulette Huber of Poggemeyer Design Group in Bowling Green offered some options on grants and loans she felt the property and its location would benefit from the most. She also discussed bundling grant and loan requests so they could be used as matches for ones that require it, reducing the out-of-pocket expenses of developing the property for industry.
“I think the property the group has chosen is in prime location. The state is looking to develop along U.S. 30 as they have shown with improvements in the last several years and the Van Wert megasite just miles down the road makes it even more desirable for economic development,” Huber said. “A lot of the prep work has already been done, making it more likely to receive grants that have time limitations attached to them.”
Land purchased by the city along State Route 66 and to the Delphos-Gillmor Reservoir to put water lines in the ground will provide the needed infrastructure route to the property.
Huber and Rick Weaver, also of Poggemeyer, will return to meet with the CIC to do a study on what grants would give the group the most advantageous position.

Scholars of the Day

No Author — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:00:53 +0000

St. John’s Scholar of the Day is Madison Kroeger.
Jefferson’s Scholar of the Day is Shelby Diltz.

Buckeyes there to the bitter end this night

Jim Metcalfe — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:00:52 +0000

The Buckeyes came oh-so-close Monday night of knocking off favored Texas — that’s one game I wish I had been wrong on in my Pigskin Picks.
At least they didn’t get blown out, like they did the last two BCS bowl games they were in.
I had a friend e-mail me that it was a choke job — they lost because they finally played someone tough — and I very much disagreed.
I have been a consistent critic of the Buckeyes’ non-conference schedule, playing the Youngstown States and such, but it is not a problem isolated to OSU or the Big Ten. I think many a major power has had too many cupcakes on their non-conference slate.
The BCS should flat-out penalize teams for playing FBS teams and reward them for playing top-flight competition, even in a loss. As an example, I’d like to see OSU play a USC AND a Texas, or a Florida play a Penn State AND Oklahoma, during the regular season.
Wishful thinking, I guess.
Back to the game.
What was the difference, at least defensively? The Buckeyes went after McCoy more Monday night, whereas they sat back against Chris Leak and Matt Flynn the last two years and got ripped.
In all honesty, I thought Texas was at least as good as Florida of two years ago and LSU of last year, if not better.
I find it interesting to hear all the talk about who might be coaching where in the NFL next season.
The most interesting rumor is about Bill Cowher coaching in Dallas in 2010.
That would be a wonderful “vote-of-confidence” for Wade Phillips, wouldn’t it?
Personally, I don’t think Wade will be back next year, not after the absolute implosion on this team this year. Guess what? Jerry Jones has no plans to get rid of the problem children, either, at this point. Guess what that means?
What is the “definition” of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome? Jerry Jones has been the de facto general manager, director of player personnel and head coach since he fired Jimmy Johnson after he won his second Super Bowl after the 1994 season. He has won one since with Barry Switzer (SB XXX, in January of 1996) — with Jimmy’s players — but basically, the Cowboys have done nothing with the current arrangement. I don’t believe they have won a playoff game since then.
So let’s keep doing the same thing, shall we?
It’s just like in Cincinnati. The game is too complex, what with the salary cap, pension plans and other issues, for one man to be all that, as well as the owner.
I believe even former great owners like Papa Bear would struggle in today’s circumstances.
If Tony Dungy is reading this — do ya think? — here is my two cents. Coach at least one more year.
The NFL needs class acts like him more now than ever. I’m not a Colts’ fan even but that doesn’t matter. You want the best and classiest people in any sport, be it football, basketball or whatever.
Of course, I might not have anything to write about!

Jennings juniors set prom dress sale

No Author — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:00:29 +0000

A Prom Dress Sale Extravaganza will be held from noon-4 p.m. Jan. 18 at the former high school gym in Fort Jennings.
Anyone wanting to sell a prom dress may bring it to the old gym between 12:30-4 p.m. the day prior; it must be clean and on a hanger.
There will be a $5 fee per dress and the sale price may be set by the owner. The sale is cash only; no checks will be accepted.
Also available will be local beauticians demonstrating hair and make-up techniques.
Those selling dresses should arrive to collect all profits or dresses that do not sell between 4-5 p.m. Jan. 18. Any dress not collected will be donated to a thrift store.
All proceeds will benefit the Fort Jennings High School junior class Post Prom and are non-refundable.

No Author — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:00:06 +0000

ST. RITA’S MEDICAL CENTER
A girl was born Jan. 5 to Melissa Bailey and Chad Hosking of Delphos.

Peters volunteers at Petty’s camp

No Author — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:22 +0000

By STACY TAFF
The Delphos Herald

Victory Junction Gang Camp, founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty, is a year-round camp for disabled or terminally ill children, ages 6-16, who aren’t able to attend regular summer camps due to their unique conditions. First opened on June 20, 2004, the NASCAR-themed camp sprawls over 84 acres of land, donated to the cause by Richard and Lynda Petty.
Rachel Peters, 24, of Delphos, has traveled to Randleman, N. C., three times this year to volunteer at Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp. She has plans to return sometime in the near future.
The camp includes many different programs designed to keep the campers happy and engaged, while keeping a medical staff who make sure each child’s individual needs are met. In a safe environment, the campers have access to activities such as horseback riding, boating, fishing, arts and crafts and various sports. The camp has served children from 47 different states and three different countries. The final selection is determined by the Victory Junction Gang Camp medical staff.
Peters, a volunteer since last fall, is a volunteer crew chief.
“Basically what I do is when the families come to visit on the weekends, I am assigned a family and I lead them around the camp and through the various activities with their children,” Peters said.
Being from a family of NASCAR fans, Peters heard about the camp while watching a race.
“The thing I love most about Victory Junction Gang is getting to see the kids take part in things that they wouldn’t normally be able to do, like bowling or horseback riding. The camp is always looking for volunteers and I know it’s kind of a long drive for those of us from Ohio, but it’s worth it. I know a volunteer there that’s from Iowa,” Peters said.
People interested in this opportunity for their children might worry about the cost.
“The main thing people should know about the camp is that it’s completely free. It doesn’t cost the child or family anything because it’s all taken care of through donations from foundations and corporations,” she said.
Peters is the daughter of Chuck and Laura Peters of Delphos.

Lichtensteiger joins foundation

No Author — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:00:34 +0000

Thad Lichtensteiger was recently elected as the 54th trustee of the Van Wert County Foundation.
Executive Secretary Larry L. Wendel reported that Lichtensteiger was elected to fill the unexpired term of William Derry.
Lichtensteiger, of rural Van Wert, is a 1979 graduate of Crestview High School and a 1983 graduate of The Ohio state University with a B.S. in agriculture. Lichtensteiger is a partner in his family’s farming operation and manages a livestock operation on the west side of Van Wert in Harrison Township.
Lichtenstieger is serving his fourth term on the Crestview Board of Education, having served as both vice president and president of that board. He also regularly serves on the Liaison Committee and is a member of the negotiations team. Lichtensteiger has also held leadership positions in both Farm Focus and the Van Wert County Extension Advisory Committee, is a member of the Van Wert County Farm Bureau, the BGSU Falcon Club and actively serves on the Crestview Knight Pride Club. He has been an OHSAA licensed basketball official for the past 12 years.
Lichtensteiger and his wife Deb have four children. Kirk (Eliza) residing in Fort Wayne, Kory (Amanda) residing in Parker, Colo., Luke a senior at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne and Carly, a senior at Crestview High School. They also have two grandsons, Ayden and Kale.

Robert E. Wegesin Jr.

No Author — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:00:32 +0000

March 28, 1946-Jan. 5, 2009

Robert E. Wegesin Jr., 62, of Delphos, died at 5:30 a.m. Monday at St. Rita’s Medical Center.
He was born March 28, 1946, in Lima, to Robert and Ruth (Pohl) Wegesin Sr. His mother survives.
He was married to Annette Wegesin, who died on June 5, 1999.
Survivors also include sons Eric (Jody) Wegesin of Indianapolis and Matt Wegesin of Delphos; brothers Tim Wegesin of Austin, Texas, Ron (Barb) Wegesin of Arizona, Tom (Connie) Wegesin of Wapakoneta, Gerry (Carla) Wegesin of Virginia, Jim (Elaine) Wegesin of Gallion and Mark Wegesin of Virginia; and sisters Janice Wegesin of Michigan, Ginnie Wegesin of Columbus and Joyce (Bob) Lause of Fort Jennings.
Mr. Wegesin was a United States Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He was employed as a registered nurse and Director of Nursing with Oakwood Forensic Center. He held memberships with St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Delphos Eagles. He enjoyed woodworking and carving. He also enjoyed performing magic.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Rev. Mark Davis officiating. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, with military rites by the Delphos Veterans Council.
Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Harter and Schier Funeral Home, where a parish wake will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to the American Cancer Society.

Civil Service Commission elects Druckemiller chair

No Author — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:00:09 +0000

The Delphos Civil Service Commission met in regular session Monday evening, electing Monte Druckemiller as chairman and appointing Gene Haunhorst as assistant chair. The group opened their accounts for 2009. The commission oversees the application of civil service exams for the city and city schools and holds regular meetings at 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at the Delphos Municipal Building on North Canal Street. 2009 members of the Delphos Civil Service Commission include, from left, Assistant Chair Haunhorst, Secretary Deanne Clevenger, Randy McElroy and Chairman Druckemiller.

School resumes after 2-week holiday break

No Author — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:00:53 +0000

It’s business as usual in local schools today as students return to classes after a two-week holiday break. St. John’s Preschool students, Olivia Martin, left, Riley Trentman, Aliyah Smith and Abby Wrasman color before the bell rings this morning. Students will enjoy breaking a Christmas piñata this afternoon, an event that was postponed due to weather canceling the last day of school prior to Christmas break on Dec. 19.