THANK YOU … Lance Talbott (right), representing the Unity Antique Power Club, was presented with a certificate of appreciation by West Unity Mayor Don Leu (left) for their support in the Cops for Kids program benefitting children in Williams County.
FINAL COUNCIL MEETING …Two members of the West Unity Village Council, Nathan Massie (left) and Dave Short (middle), were presented with certificates of appreciation by West Unity Mayor Don Leu (right) at the council meeting held on Thursday, December 11. It also marked the final council meeting for Massie and Short.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
WEST UNITY – West Unity Village Council held its final meeting of the year on Thursday, December 11, and recognized two outgoing council members, Dave Short and Nathan Massie, for their longtime service to the village.
Council members in attendance were Kevin Gray, Shawn Blaisdell, Terri Lebowsky, Stephen Marvin, along with Short and Massie.
The prayer was given by Pastor Robert Rodriguez from Solid Rock Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Both council members were attending their final meeting as Mayor Don Leu recognized Short and Massie with certificates honoring their longtime service to the village.
Short, who has been on the council for the past 16 years, thanked the community for supporting him over the years and felt that he did a good job for everybody.
“We’ve had our differences, but we talked about it and worked through it, but I’m going to miss you all,” said Short.
“As far as the new council members coming on, it’s a great council, because this is the best council I’ve been a part of and a good group to work with. The community is in really good shape because we don’t have too many day-to-day problems. It’s also time to move on because that’s why I didn’t run.”
Massie, who had served only one four-year term on the council, commented that he enjoyed the time serving the community.
“I told my wife that I’m going to miss doing this, which is one less thing on my plate, and someday I will run again,” said Massie.
“Everything is going smoothly around here, but when I first got here, it was ugly, and things kind of smoothed over since then. We’ve worked very well as a council and with the mayor as well.
“There were some rough days, and in the first few meetings where I felt like I had no clue what was going on, I also told my students in class that they need to be involved in local government, and that’s where you make your most impact.”
Council member Shawn Blaisdell, who has sat between Short and Massie at council meetings for the last few years, thanked both men for giving him the opportunity to learn over the years.
“I’ve learned a lot from both of these guys, and they will be hard to replace,” added Blaisdell.
Also recognized was Lance Talbott, representing the Unity Antique Power Club, who was presented with a certificate from Leu for his outstanding support for the Cops For Kids Program, which benefits between 200 and 230 kids in Williams County and is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police chapter of Williams County.
Council approved the second reading of an ordinance pertaining to temporary stores and transient dealers, and added regulations pertaining to food trucks.
Christal Swany, co-owner of Jacoby’s Ole Smokehouse, addressed council requesting additional support from the village for the property that is owned next to her business.
Swany told the council that she understood the project concerning the alley and inquired about a timeline for it.
“Ninety days ago, I was up here with this, and then ninety days later, this is where we’re at,” said Swany. “I understand that things do not turn quickly.
“My biggest concern is that I want to build out the back of my business, and that’s why I was up here for the first time.
“I came up here and requested two or three times if anybody can come down here and see where the property line ends, where the alley lines up, and how far I can go over.”
She also requested the village to provide snow removal and salting of the alley, which was approved by Village Administrator Josh Fritsch.
Depending upon budget approval, Leu said the packets for the project would go out for bid, and he is hoping construction will begin next spring.
Todd Gerig, representing the Hilltop Community Little League, addressed the council requesting improvements to village diamonds in which over 200 kids participated in summer baseball programs this year.
Gerig suggested the removal of the batting cage located behind Field No. 4, which has been an eyesore over the years.
He already has some bids to tear up the outfields on the former high school baseball diamond, as well as the same with Field No. 2.
The main reason Gerig attended the meeting concerning the replacement of two lawn mowers being used for diamond maintenance.
He suggested that the village purchase a John Deere Gator tractor to be used by the summer baseball program.
Village Administrator Josh Fritsch reported that RAM Construction Service of Toledo needed to fix one spot in the ditch project.
Fritsch also said the village is continuing to pick up leaves. He and Fiscal Officer Sarah Higdon are both working to close out the South Main Street Waterline Project.
Council approved the 2026 budget, which totals $2,592,793.96. It includes the Police Fund ($633,100.00), General Fund ($1,143,473.46), Street Fund ($134,935.00), State Highway Fund ($6,965.00), Park Fund ($49,813.40), Permissive Tax ($40,000.00), Coronavirus Relief Fund ($169,842.99), MVLT Fund ($24,845.00), Capital Projects ($919,301.00), Water Fund ($396,980.46), Sewer Fund ($940,083.04), Kissell Fund ($13,700,00) and Water Deposit Fund ($7,500.00).
A motion to distribute Christmas bonuses to village employees was approved. The employees will be receiving $100 in West Unity Chamber of Commerce money to be used within the community.
Council went into executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual, unless the employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing with no action taken in the ten-minute session.