PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CONCERNED BUSINESS OWNER … Christal Swany (above), co-owner of Jacoby’s Ole’ Smokehouse Meats, addresses council members concerning access to her business on Thursday, September 11.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The West Unity Village Council met in regular session on Thursday, September 11, and approved a resolution to obtain state funding for the South Liberty Pump Station.
Council members in attendance were Kevin Gray, Shawn Blaisdell, Terri Lebowsky, Nathan Massie, Stephen Marvin, and David Short.
Also in attendance were police chief J.R. Jones, village administrator Joshua Fritsch, fiscal officer Sarah Higdon, mayor Don Leu, and Pastor Robert Rodriguez of Solid Rock Church.
Following the pledge of allegiance and prayer by Rodriguez, the council then approved the minutes of the August 14, 2025, meeting.
Mayor Don Leu made a motion to suspend the rules in approving an emergency resolution authorizing Fritsch to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) state capital improvement program.
Council unanimously approved the emergency resolution by a 6-0 vote, enabling the village to apply for a state grant totaling $175,000 for improvements to the South Liberty Pump Station.
The resolution also authorizes Fritsch to enter into any agreements as may be necessary and appropriate for obtaining the financial assistance. He attended an OPWC hearing on Friday, September 12, to apply for funding for the project.
A second reading of a renewal levy tax request was approved by a 6-0 vote. The five-year levy, if approved by voters in 2026, is for the village parks and is estimated to collect $22,582.35 annually beginning in tax year 2026.
Council approved by a 6-0 vote an emergency ordinance to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the village during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Total appropriations are $3,578,107.63 for the village.
A first reading for adoption of the 2026 budget was unanimously approved by a 6-0 council vote. It will eventually be approved at the November meeting.
Police Chief Jones updated the council that the village patrol car is back and equipped and hopefully on the road over the next couple of weeks.
He also presented the August report listing 28 miscellaneous complaints, nine of them were ordinance violations; 24 agency assists; 37 traffic warnings, 24 of them were speeding violations; five traffic citations and three accidents involving either property damage or hit skip; and 32 police investigations, totaling 3,164 miles during the month.
In his village administrator report, Fritsch commented that the fire hydrant repair at the Ohio Turnpike was completed.
The big trash fall pickup will take place on the north side of the village on Thursday, September 25, and then on the south side of the village on Thursday, October 2.
Fritsch told the council that RAM Construction Services of Michigan, Inc. will be doing repairs on the South Oxidation Ditch at a cost of $37,708. The project will involve the entire concrete ditch after the village drains the water before work begins.
The village administrator would add that he’s going to wait until next year to do the North Oxidation Ditch.
Leu told council members that Trick-or-Treat Night in the village will take place on Saturday, October 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
He also brought up the fall bonfire in the park but tabled it after he checked with the village’s liability insurance policy about it.
Christal Swany and Alex Richmond, co-owners of Jacoby’s Ole’ Smokehouse Meats on 506 North Main Street, addressed the council about concerns surrounding their expanding business.
“I’m ready to grow and ready for movement,” said Swany, describing her expanding business. “My only issue is we’re having an issue with my drive, so-called alley.
“I know I brought it to the attention of the village before, and it’s been brought up a couple of times in village meetings. This is going to be the third time that I’m aware it has been brought up.”
Swany’s concern was initially brought up for the first time back in March 2023. She mentioned there were a couple of cars that came into her business that had damage to them.
“The way I see it on my blueprint that I got with when I had purchased the building, that is an alleyway for when you entrance the front off of the street all the way back to School Street,” she commented. “That is intended to be an alley, and that is located on here (blueprint).”
Swany told council members her biggest concern is that her business cannot grow and cannot continue to bring in more business with the entrance not being maintained.
“In 2003, it was discussed whose property was it; the village took responsibility for it,” noted Swany. “In January 2024, it was discussed on the longevity of the filling of the potholes. In September 2025, it’s still no better as far as I’m concerned.
“Not only it’s a reflection on my business, but it’s also a reflection on the village.”
She told council members that her business is requesting another entrance and another exit built because she has trailers driving down Legion Drive, going over the speed bumps.
“That is a disruption to those animals,” pointed out Swany. “By the time they get to my barn and unloaded, they destroy everything.
“They’re hard to get off and hard to unload. I have trailers backed up three deep because I have one deep that won’t get off because they have to come down Legion Drive. I’m willing to work with anything, but I just need help on what is going to be the best possible route for this.”
Council went into executive session to consider the purchase of property (both real and personal, tangible or intangible), or to consider the sale of property (either real or personal), by competitive bid if disclosure of the information would give a competitive advantage to the other side by division.
The next council meeting will be on Thursday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the village hall.