PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NEW MEMBERS … (Left to Right) Rebecca Miller and Shawna Leupp were sworn into their first Village of Stryker Council member term.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Stryker Village Council held its regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on January 19, 2026, to swear in two new members and to discuss a huge housing project that has the potential to come to the Stryker community.
The meeting opened with a prayer led by Nick Woodall of the United Brethren Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Navy Veteran Chris Fultz.
In attendance were Mayor Joe Beck, Vicki Cameron, Sean Ingram, Shawna Leupp, Rebecca Miller, Stanley Whitlock, and Nick Wlasiuk.
After the 2025 November election, two vacant seats remained open on the Stryker Village Council. Rebecca Miller and Shawna Leupp submitted letters of application to fill those seats, and both were accepted by the Council.
Vicki Cameron was once again elected President of Council with no other competing nominations.
A resolution was suspended and adopted the January 2026 Village of Stryker Comprehensive Plan, in order to be applicable for the State of Ohio’s Residential Economic Development District (REDD) program.
The REDD grant is designed to support counties, townships, and municipalities in Ohio by providing grants for housing development projects. It aims to fill the gap of housing shortages in workforce-dense areas.
To apply, municipalities must be within 25 miles of a major workforce development. For Stryker, they are within range of two factories, including First Quality Tissue located in Defiance.
The State of Ohio will be releasing $10,000,000 in funds for applicable projects. A range of $250,000 to $2,500,000 is allotted for each applied area.
The Village of Stryker’s plan outlines a five-year strategy addressing housing, infrastructure readiness, community connections, and preservation, which includes a potential development on approximately 34.48 acres owned by the village on the southeast side of town.
100 houses in a Planned Unit Development (PUD) were outlined, with engineering prints already made up for the proposition.
They consist of four different plots, which would be created in succession of each other. So far, Stryker is the only town in Williams County to apply for the funding.
“It has to be infrastructure for housing,” Rediger explained. “It’s to get started on a development.
“The theory is if you can get the money to start Plot One, you can attract a developer to go forward with the other plots, to continue the project.”
Fiscal Officer Beth Rediger remains confident in the village’s application strength, noting they have points in nearly every category.
With a first-round project submission date on January 16, 2026, it could be several months before they receive any further information.
Council moved forward to approve the meeting minutes from the December 15, 2025, session, along with the Financial Report, dated January 16, 2026.
Rediger commented, “Because it is the beginning of the year, we are always a little upside down from revenue to expenses because I don’t have the water-sewer totals, gas totals, that come in at the end of the month.”
She explained that the significant revenue does not usually come in until March. Mayor Beck opted to wait until the February session to assign committee roles within the council.
This gives the members time to familiarize themselves with positions and choose what they may or may not be interested in. The standing committees consist of the Service Committee, Safety Committee, Finance Committee, Health Committee, Welfare Committee, and the Judiciary Committee.
Under communications, council acknowledged the prior year-end fund status report and the 2025 notes to the financial statements.
“We finished good,” said Rediger. It consisted of carryover balances and ongoing projects, such as the water tower project.
Administrator Alan Riegsecker updated the Council on the recent ribbon-cutting events held within Stryker. “Two new businesses in town, Far and Wide Games on Defiance Street. They had a ribbon cutting – they sell games and that kind of thing. We had a good turnout!”
He mentioned that WEDCO members, Rotary Members, and Council members all attended the event.
“Trackside Studio on North Depot Street, they also have craft stuff, home-made paintings, and they sell honey. A lot of different things in there they can do. They are good, new businesses to have.”
Several other new businesses were mentioned, with talks of more potential ribbon-cuttings to appear within the village in February. “The good news is that we have some people trying to do some good things here in the village. Hopefully, they go and do well and get supported over there,” stated Mayor Beck.
During legislative business, Council approved a motion to write off past-due utility accounts as presented by Deputy Clerk Emily Clemens.
Council then suspended the rules and passed the first resolution of the year, approving and adopting the December 2025 Williams County Hazard Mitigation Plan prepared by Burton Planning Services.
The resolution was declared an emergency in order to remain eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance should a natural disaster occur.
Police Chief Steven Mendez reported a quiet month for Stryker, with nothing straying outside of routine. He mentioned participation in the State of Ohio’s Blue Envelope Program.
The Blue Envelope Program provides drivers with autism spectrum disorder or other similar issues a safe, effective way to let officers know of their communication challenges.
While handing over their information, they can quietly include a blue slip informing the officer of their restrictions.
As stated in his report, the program “promotes understanding, lowers stress, and encourages safer interactions for both drivers and officers.”
With no further business, the first Stryker Village Council meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m. The February meeting was rescheduled to February 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., due to a scheduling conflict.