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DHS grant rescinded: Lucas County Commissioners take a stand

By
Stephen Zenner
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Lucas County Commissioner Anita Lopez speaks during a Lucas County Commissioners meeting at 1 Government Center in downtown Toledo on Tuesday, Jan. 13. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

TOLEDO – Commissioners Lisa Sobecki and Anita Lopez appeared blindsided by their counterpart, Pete Gerken, as he made an impromptu attempt to vote symbolically against a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant during Tuesday’s Lucas County Commissioners Meeting at 1 Government Center in downtown Toledo. 

Gerken said the grant was supposed to empower the county to stop drug runners coming down from Canada, but stated that “ICE, DHS and Border Patrol have devolved in front of the country’s eyes, as we saw clearly this last week.” 

ICE in Minnesota

On Jan. 7, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents surged into Minneapolis, Minn. and, during neighborhood raids, killed Renee Good, a United States citizen.

A subsequent DHS action near Roosevelt High School later that same day led Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) to close their district for “safety concerns” for the rest of that week. 

Minnesota officials have claimed DHS agents are terrorizing the city and state, while DHS have maintained their actions are justified as part of their immigration raids. 

Under the Trump administration, concerns about due process, detaining American citizens and other aggressive tactics used by ICE have been criticized more significantly, but the killing of Good has cemented a more intense opposition to DHS.

Operation Stonegarden

Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

For over a decade, Lucas County has received money from the Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) Grant, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the commissioners unanimously voted to receive the $70,000 grant back on Dec. 2, 2025.

An “administrative error” landed the grant back in front of the commissioners on Jan. 13, and they had to approve the amended amount, $68,250, before the Sheriff could receive the funds. 

Gerken used the grant’s appearance on the agenda as an opportunity to speak on national politics, and stated outright that he began speaking without intent to rescind the grant. 

“I understand this is not a rescinding of that resolution [OPSG],” he said towards the beginning of a political monologue against DHS, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and ICE. 

“I’m not going to maintain my neutrality when it comes to taking any money for this county to do the purposes of DHS, ICE or Border Patrol…I think DHS, ICE and Border Patrol have gone from a legitimate law enforcement agency to a terrorist group.”

Then Gerken read the definition of a terrorist group: “A group who uses threats of violence to create fear, aiming to intimidate civilians or coerce governments to achieve political, religious or ideological goals, often by targeting noncombatants or property for maximum psychological impact.” 

No DHS

Lisa Sobecki, president of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Scrambling to pick up after Gerken’s impromptu speech, Sobecki said she agreed with Gerken, but the vote from December was still in place to receive the grant. 

Sobecki stood by her vote in December to receive the funds, but said she did not condone the actions of DHS agents in Minnesota. 

During both of the other commissioners’ speeches, Lopez’s face became quizzical.

When given an opportunity to speak, Lopez asked if the commissioners could turn Gerken’s symbolic words into real action, and asked if it was too late to rescind the grant in full.

Gerken responded with, “Oh, you’re going there.” 

Noting that this was not a contract, like the previous Flock contract the commissioners tried to pull out of last summer, Gerken said, “This is a grant. We can un-accept at any point with the will of the board.” 

A motion to right the administrative error to the OPSG was voted down, with Sobecki the only commissioner supporting the amendment to the grant. 

And then Gerken made a new motion, not on the agenda, to rescind the Dec. 2, 2025 vote, unaccepting the DHS grant. 

“Again, I voted for it” back in December, he said before taking the vote that would deny the funding from DHS. “Things have changed.” 

Then and now

Back in December, the Toledo Free Press asked, in light of Gerken’s outspoken opposition to Trump’s immigration policy, why he accepted the grant, and received this answer from him on Dec. 8, 2025 in an email: 

“This grant covers Lucas County Sheriff’s Office expenditures for overtime and vehicle use/maintenance related to border security. It is not a new grant; Lucas County has received federal funding for these operations for at least 20 years. It also is not a contract with ICE.

Lucas County is a border community. Monitoring our international border to combat drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other serious crimes is an important part of the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office’s work to keep our community safe.”

After stating things had changed, Gerken belittled the DHS patrol boat the federal government had supplied to watch Lake Erie, and said, “That was a waste of, probably, money to do that. It apprehended no drugs from Canada, but gave us a $300,000 boat to patrol Lake Erie on.”

“Given where we are today, in the history of our country, I don’t want to have monies co-mingled with our county funds,” he said, and made the motion to rescind the grant entirely. 

“I don’t want the sheriff to be tainted by that, so I would make a motion to rescind the resolution for the Stonegarden grant.”

Lopez and Gerken voted to rescind the grant, while Sobecki voted to receive the grant, and the grant was rescinded. 

Pete Gerken, a Lucas County Commissioner, speaks on the Department of Homeland Security next to his fellow Lucas County Commissioners Lisa Sobecki and Anita Lopez. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Sheriff’s response 

Back in December, the Toledo Free Press asked Lucas County Sheriff Michael Navarre about Operation Stonegarden in relation to ICE and Border Patrol, and he said in an email, 

“This grant was previously called the ‘Northern Border Initiative’ and has been in place for two decades. It was historically used for patrols on Lake Erie. It pays for overtime for deputies and is intended to stop illegal drug trafficking. It has nothing to do with enforcement of federal immigration laws.”

The Toledo Free Press reached out to Navarre for comment on the rescinding of OPSG, but did not hear back.

Navarre is quoted in The Blade, in an article by Alex Bracken, responding to the Board of Lucas County Commissioners’ decision:

“‘I think it is foolish to turn away free money from the federal government with no strings attached,’ Sheriff Navarre said. ‘We’re not working with the Department of Homeland Security, we’re not working with Customs and Border Patrol, and we’re not working with ICE — they’re just the providers of the money.’”

The report file for OPSG on hand with Lucas County reads: 

“The goal of this project is to enhance cooperation and coordination between Customs and Border Protection, United States Border Patrol, and Lucas County to improve overall border security.

…Lucas County law enforcement agencies will work in coordination with USBP to serve as force multipliers in a combined effort to disrupt, dismantle, and interdict transnational threats while improving communication and intelligence sharing. Lucas County will utilize their own law enforcement authorities to support the border security mission and do not receive any additional authority by participating in OPSG.

…To accomplish the Operation Stonegarden mission, law enforcement sensitive information is shared between Federal, State, and local friendly forces. This information includes intelligence sharing, CONOPS/Applications, Operations Orders, Fragmentary Orders, Daily Activity Reports, After Action Reports, and more.”

The day before the Commissioners’ meeting, the Toledo Free Press spoke with Navarre concerning another matter, during which he clarified, “My issue [with ICE] was the family separation that the federal government still has not adequately addressed.”

Navarre went on to say he is in communication with DHS entities on a regular basis, and he said, “If we get a request from ICE to assist them, we’re going to assist them. We’re not going to tell them no.”

“We’re not going to turn our backs on law enforcement. They’re taking orders from their bosses just like we are.”

Dissent

Commissioner Sobecki corroborated the Sheriff’s assessment on the grant. 

“It has nothing to do, in my opinion, in my vote, that I took today, that I also took in December— it had nothing to do with what was happening across our country with ICE,” she said. “I’m supporting the ability for the sheriff to be able to have a grant that came from the federal government, to be able to offset some costs…”

“I don’t agree with the fact that ICE can come into a community, wear a mask, and you don’t know what their names are and things like that,” Sobecki said, but upheld a difference between receiving the grant and directly supporting ICE. 

Limits on federal power

Lopez, who turned the symbolic gesture by Gerken into real action said, “We don’t want any of those dollars under this culture that has developed under Homeland Security.”

“If we accept those dollars, does that mean we silently approve of their actions and operations? I think that’s what it comes down to,” she said. 

Specifically, Lopez talked about the practice of wearing masks, “If we’re going to accept dollars, there should be parameters, so if our law enforcement are out there with no masks in operation with Homeland Security, then their law enforcement should also be transparent and be easily identifiable.”

At that moment, a group of county parole officers walked through the first floor of 1 Government Center, and Commissioner Lopez motioned to their un-masked example as to how law enforcement should carry out their duties. 

When the grant comes around next year, Lopez said she would be happy to renegotiate, but wanted assurances from DHS about their conduct in Lucas County. 

“I think we need to set some parameters when they’re in our county, and if not, we shouldn’t accept the dollars.”

Toledo Works: Caring for Toledo Kids

By
Toledo Free Press
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Episode One of Toledo Works

Everywhere in Toledo, you’ll find people who play a role in making our city tick – from hospitals and factories to restaurants and art galleries – and behind every person is a story. Our program, Toledo Works, highlights those stories from workers’ firsthand accounts. Each week, Toledo Free Press hosts Jaden Jefferson and Stephen Zenner focus on a different topic within the Toledo workforce, exploring their day-to-day challenges and triumphs.

In this episode, Jaden sits down with two workers from organizations that help Toledo kids thrive: Abbie Spencer from Toledo Day Nursery and Katie McGuckin from WIC.

Amy Barrett to join AW School Board

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Amy Barrett was voted in unanimously to the Anthony Wayne School Board. (Courtesy photo)

ANTHONY WAYNE – Amy Barrett is joining the Anthony Wayne Board of Education, filling out the remainder of Shellie McKnight‘s term. After a nearly 90-minute executive session on Jan. 13, board members Jeff Baden, Lindsay Hoipkemier, Kyle Miller and Mike Stamm returned to vote unanimously for Barrett, who ran for a seat on the board in a crowded 2023 election.

“We had a really good discussion. There’s so much talent. We really appreciate all 25 candidates who applied for this position,” Baden said.

Barrett has been involved in the district for over 28 years, including leading a drug prevention education, working as a substitute teacher, serving on parent-teacher organizations and founding a weekend food bag program. Currently Barrett is a self-employed grant writer and the volunteer coordinator for Anthony Wayne Neighborhood Bridges, which ensures that students have food, clothing and other resources.

“I am very honored to have been chosen to serve both the school district and our community in this capacity,” Barrett said.

She will be given the oath of office during the Monday, Feb. 9 board meeting.

The Anthony Wayne Board of Education approved the selection of Amy Barrett to serve out the remainder of Shellie McKnight’s term during its Jan. 13 meeting. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

During the meeting, Superintendent Kevin Herman gave a state of the schools address that is available in full on the district’s website at anthonywayneschools.org. 

He detailed the district’s financial health. While boosted with a $3.2 million revenue increase due to increases in property valuations, the district needs to be fiscally conservative to deal with increasing costs, Herman said, noting that the district is closely monitoring House Bill 335, which seeks to reduce the tax burden for property owners.

Student enrollment has declined over the past four years, with a total of 4,127 this year. 

“That surprises people when they see the new houses going in,” Herman said of the growing district. “People feel that we should be busting at the seams.”

The district continues to perform well, ranking in the top five percent in the state for academic performance.

“We will continue to work and build on that,” he said. “But success is not just measured in test scores.”

Superintendent Kevin Herman gave a state of the schools address.
(AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

In addition to strong academic performance, the district has excelled in the arts, athletics and other extracurricular activities – with a high percentage of student participation.

With the district’s five-year strategic plan set to wrap up in 2027, work will begin on updating the plan to incorporate changes in state laws and enrollment. Herman said the district’s other goals include deepening community partnerships and providing students with opportunities to gain the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing environment.

Herman encouraged community members to contact the district with questions.

“Your voice is important,” he said.

During the meeting, the board also:

-Named Jeff Baden as board president and Miller as vice president, approved committee assignments and set meeting dates.

The Anthony Wayne High School girls soccer team was honored for its state title win.
(Courtesy photo)

-Congratulated the state title-winning girls soccer team and coach Lori Williams, who noted that the 24 athletes also achieved a GPA of 4.16 while ending the season with a 19-0-3 record. Williams said the support from the community throughout the season was palpable.

-Listened to parent Roy Collaco share research about EdChoice vouchers, initially designed to give low-income families an opportunity to choose private schools. In the 2024-25 school year, 614 of the 3,802 students in the district used vouchers, although only 3 percent qualified as low-income, according to Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) data.

That means that families who can already afford private schools received up to $8,408 for that education. The public school, by comparison, receives $813 per student. In Ohio, EdChoice Expansion gave out 69,000 new vouchers but private school enrollment grew by less than 3,700, meaning that the money was used to pay the tuition of students already attending. Continuing this practice will cause greater cuts in public school funding, said Collaco, who urged voters to pay attention to candidates and whether they support school vouchers.

-Encouraged Anthony Wayne graduates who are couples to sign up for a Saturday, Feb. 14 basketball game followed by a reception with refreshments, photo ops and tours. The AW True Blue Sweethearts Reunion is a way of recognizing alumni couples – whether they met in school or later, Herman said.

Scott Jahns, Nick Sargent named to Waterville Council

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Scott Jahns (left) and Nick Sargent (right) stand with Waterville Mayor Tim Pedro after being named to fill two open positions on Waterville City Council during the January 12 meeting. The two will be sworn into office on Monday, Jan. 26. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WATERVILLE – Waterville City Council members Todd Borowski, Mary Duncan, Rod Frey and Wayne Wagner, along with Mayor Tim Pedro, unanimously selected Scott Jahns and Nick Sargent to fill two vacant council seats during the Jan. 12 meeting.

“It was a tough decision,” Pedro said, following nearly two hours in an executive session to interview the seven candidates, which also included Rob Allen, Karen Eboch, Tim Guzman, Michael Hampton III and Amy Self. 

Jahns, a retired engineer, has lived in Waterville for 32 years, and first got involved with city government six years ago, when he had ideas and questions about a changeover in refuse and recycling collection, recalled Pedro. He then got involved in serving on committees, including Charter Review, Public Works, Waterville Comprehensive Plan and Architectural Review. In the past two years, Jahns has attended nearly every city council meeting. 

“I started coming to Council so I could learn how government works. It became a passion of mine,” he said. “I believe I bring a positive outlook, fresh ideas and a common sense approach. I want to see the city prosper.”

Sargent, who moved to Waterville in 2013, is managing partner of S&L Cabling Solutions and brings a background in computer engineering and network infrastructure. He got involved with the city nearly a decade ago, serving on the Safety Committee and then chairing a levy that passed by 70 percent, funding the W3 Co-op – a collaboration between Waterville, Waterville Township and Whitehouse – which provides regular staffing, training and equipment for fire and EMS services in the area.

“Through those actions and the voters passing that legislation, we are able to save lives as firefighters are now physically in the building and responding to calls as opposed to responding from their homes,” he said. 

Sargent said he feels like it’s time to give back and be part of the growth and prosperity of the community by working on ordinances that have a long-lasting impact.

Maumee Municipal Court Judge Daniel Hazard will attend the Monday, Jan. 26 meeting to swear in the newly appointed council members.

Todd Borowski was named vice mayor of Waterville. (Courtesy photo)

During the meeting, council also:

-Witnessed Pedro administer the oath of office to re-elected council member Mary Duncan.

-Unanimously voted to name Todd Borowski as vice mayor – a role that includes filling in for Pedro in representing the city in the event he is out of town or unable to serve.

-Learned that the city ended its year with a cash balance of $12.4 million.

-Listened to Dave Weber of the Save the Bridge Association ask council to write letters of support for their efforts to save the Roche de Boeuf Interurban bridge, which was issued a one-year reprieve from demolition in April 2024 by Gov. Mike DeWine. He also asked council to consider applying to become a certified local government to show its commitment to protecting historic sites. And he asked for the city to consider ownership of the bridge. Pedro said a meeting with the current bridge owner, the Ohio Department of Transportation, is slated for Jan. 15.

-Heard that Pedro was interviewed by WGTE for a Monday With Mayors program that aired on Jan. 12.

‘Grassroots starts out here on the streets’: Toledoans protest ICE

By
Jaden Jefferson
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At the corner of Central and Secor, on Sunday, a protest was held by the group Toledo Persists. (TFP photo by Jaden Jefferson)

TOLEDO – The killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis this week sparked protests – not only in Minnesota – but across the country. Good was a mother and U.S. citizen whose name is now at the center of a movement to put a check on ICE’s power. At the corner of Central and Secor on Sunday, a protest was held by the group Toledo Persists.

The Trump administration has defended the ICE agent. Officials claim he shot in self-defense as Good attempted to run him over. However, for many who’ve seen videos of the incident, they draw a separate conclusion. Among them is Christine Mesmer, a veteran of Afghanistan and member of Toledo Persists. She believes “it was murder.”

“Everybody knows you do not fire into a vehicle. Unless you are going to disable it, you fire at the wheels, you fire at the engine block – you do not shoot the person behind the wheel – that is dangerous. A real police officer knows that; anybody that’s done any sort of law enforcement knows that.”

She explained what drove her to be a part of this movement.

“We need to have our voices heard. As a member of this community, as a member of a lot of other communities, we need to have our voices heard,” said Mesmer, who added, “It’s horrible how the machine keeps chewing us up and spitting us out.” 

At a time when many feel powerless, Mesmer agrees with the idea that protest is one way of reclaiming power.

(TFP video by Jaden Jefferson)


“Grassroots starts out here on the streets. This is an absolute grassroot movement. This is just the absolute beginning of what’s going to happen.”

She went on to explain that “at this point, we are going to band together and create community. We’re going to reach out. We’re going to make sure everybody has all the resources that they need, everybody knows where food banks are, where to get clothing, where to get emergency shelter.”

Mesmer said “our immigrant community is what makes this nation so great; diversity is what makes this nation great.”

Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken, who was among the demonstrators on Sunday, said that “ICE hasn’t been here yet, but we don’t wait until they get here.” 

Gerken had a message for his fellow elected officials, the county sheriff, and police captains: that they should “keep us safe first” in the event ICE comes to Toledo.

“So they’re not here yet, but let’s let them know that ICE – and the system of deportation trauma they’ve imposed – doesn’t play in Toledo, Ohio.”

He said, “I’m proud of our community for doing this and I wanna be part of it. I’ve been doing this since 1968 – I’m not gonna quit now, and more people are joining in.”

The Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio in Williams County is one of the holding facilities for ICE detainees. According to Commissioner Gerken, “We just received 57 more detainees from ICE two weeks ago.” He said most of them, as Lucas County officials are finding out, have no criminal charges and “are just here because they didn’t have their papers with them.”

(TFP photo by Jaden Jefferson)

Immigration agents have recently been operating in Ohio’s capital city. When asked if he’s concerned that Toledo could be next, Gerken said, “We have great, strong immigrant roots here. We have many people from everywhere here. That’s to say they could come here, so we’re prepared.” He added that “the resistance will meet it when it comes.”

Lucy Frank, in addition to protesting Good’s death, was present to collect signatures on behalf of Amy Acton’s gubernatorial bid.

“I’m a local Democrat and I believe in rights for everybody. My husband, who just became a citizen this past summer – we both believe everybody has a right to be here. And so, I really appreciate everybody coming out today.”

Frank noted that Columbus, which has the second largest Somali community in the U.S. (after Minneapolis), has been feeling the presence of ICE – more so than Toledo has thus far. However, she believes that “we all have to stand beside our brothers and sisters and people who are scared.”

She said that, as an occasional protestor, Good’s death concerns her. 

“The fact that I can’t go to a protest, and feel like I can come back alive…that’s not okay in the United States of America – it’s just not.”

There have been calls to abolish ICE, from Frank and others. It’s not something she expects to happen under the Trump administration, but believes the fact it’s a fairly new government agency – created in 2003 – means it’s not one that can’t be eliminated entirely.

(TFP photo by Jaden Jefferson)

Reverend TK Barger, senior minister at the First Unitarian Church of Toledo, spoke to the role of faith officials in activism.

“I don’t often wear a clerical collar, although my profession is minister. But, as I say, when you wear it for protest, you need to show that religion supports this type of action.”

He explained that “we are trying to live in ways that some of the great religious leaders have tried to demonstrate and advocate. Rather than to depend on some supreme entity to change us, it is up to the people to make that change.”

ICE protest: Toledoans gather to protest death of Renee Good

By
Stephen Zenner
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Jae Morales of central Toledo holds a sign protesting against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prompted by an ICE agent shooting and killing a Minneapolis, Minn. woman, Renee Good. The protest was held at 1 Government Center in downtown Toledo on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The protest was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) Toledo, Ohio 50501, Northwest Ohio Democratic Socialists of America (NW Ohio DSA), University of Toledo Students for Justice in Palestine (UTSJP) and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) Toledo. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

TOLEDO – 80 to 100 people gathered in front of Toledo City Hall, 1 Government Center, Thursday evening to protest the actions of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, Jonathan Ross, who shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, in Minneapolis, Minn. Good was killed on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Many videos, including different angles, of the shooting have spread across social media since the morning Good was killed while operating a vehicle with a number of ICE agents surrounding it. 

Outrage and protests against ICE started the same day as the shooting, following Good’s death, and the protest action on Thursday is one small part of that movement. 

Bryce Howard, a student at Bowling Green State University, speaks during the protest.

Nationally

President Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), immediately supported the ICE agent who shot Good saying that the agent acted in self-defense and denounced Good as a “domestic terrorist,” alleging Good was trying to attack the ICE agents with her car. 

In reaction to the statements by the president and DHS, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the claims of self-defense “bullshit” during a press conference, and said ICE was “causing chaos and distrust,” ultimately telling ICE to “get the fuck out of Minneapolis.” 

Later, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz backed Frey’s sentiments saying Trump and Noem had “done enough,” and issued a warning order to the Minnesota National Guard.

Throughout Jan. 7, ICE agents and protesters met in stalemates, and a large vigil of thousands was held for Good that night. 

Nora Riggs of south Toledo holds a sign during the downtown Toledo protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Outrage over the shooting divided the country along party lines with supporters of the president largely arguing the claim of self-defense, and detractors from the president claiming the shooting was a murder. 

The ongoing investigation of the shooting has been just as contentious as the federal and state leadership’s words to each other have been. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has pushed local and state jurisdictions in Minnesota off the case, with Noem casting doubt on Minnesota law enforcement for not investigating protesters who harass ICE. 

Walz has backed the state investigative bureau, and said that “Minnesota must be part of this investigation.”

Nora Riggs of south Toledo, Original Sub Shop owner Maureen Brogan, and south Toledo resident David Gedert (candidate for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District) all hold signs during the protest. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Local impact

A few Toledo Police cars actively watched the small crowd in front of city hall from 6 p.m. until it dwindled by 7 p.m., organized by Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) Toledo, Ohio 50501 (No Kings), Northwest Ohio Democratic Socialists of America (NW Ohio DSA), University of Toledo Students for Justice in Palestine (UTSJP) and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) Toledo.

Toledo City Council Member At-Large Nick Komives attended the protest, but not as an organizer, speaker or leader of it. He told the Toledo Free Press he was there to “stand in solidarity against a government that will attack us in the streets.”

Bryce Howard, a student at Bowling Green State University, speaks during the protest. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Chants of “Fuck ICE” were intermittent with individual speakers from the crowd grabbing a bullhorn, and highlighting a number of different issues going on in the country. 

One such speaker, LaMar Willis, pointed out that an off-duty ICE agent had shot and killed a Black father, Keith Porter, in Los Angeles, Calif. on New Year’s Eve, an incident still under investigation.

Other local community notables included the owner of the Original Sub Shop, Maureen Brogan, who said it was her patriotic duty to attend the protest. “The most patriotic thing you can do is want your country to be better,” she said, and called ICE a modern gestapo terrorizing communities.

David Gedert, made famous on the Food Network for his drag-queen-themed food truck (Maybe Cheese Born With It), announced his candidacy for Marcy Kaptur’s House seat early this week, and attended the protest. 

“We do not gun down Americans in the street,” Gedert said. “This is not a partisan issue, and not up for debate.”

Other statements said Good’s death was a failure of capitalism and the two party system.

A local organizer of the event with PSL Toledo, Joshua Haggans of Point Place, told the crowd that ICE was connected to every problem in America, and emphasized that this was not a “singular issue.” 

The event ended with a call to action to “do something” and get involved, as community members interacted organically. 

(TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
Nick Komives, Toledo City Council Member At-Large, stands in support of the protest. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
(TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
Joshua Haggans of Point Place speaks during the protest. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
LaMar Willis, of downtown Toledo, speaks during the protest. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
Bryce Howard, a student at Bowling Green State University, speaks during the protest. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Anthony Wayne: News from Whitehouse, Monclova & Providence

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Maumee Municipal Court Judge Daniel Hazard administered the oath of office to Whitehouse Village Council members (from left) Joe Bublick, Steve Fine and Louann Artiaga. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Whitehouse will consider a request to rezone 38 acres on Archbold Whitehouse Road. Monclova Township continues to hear requests for a data center moratorium. And Providence Township trustees held their first meeting of 2026. Read below for a summary of the Anthony Wayne area meetings held the first week of January. Visit anthonywaynefreepress.com for more AW stories and to sign up for our newsletter.

Whitehouse to consider rezoning 38 acres

A proposed zoning change for 38 acres at 11320 Archbold Whitehouse Rd. will be on the March 3 Whitehouse Village Council agenda, as Artisan Craftbuilt Homes owner Charles Grass seeks to build single-family homes on existing farmland.

During a Jan. 5 Planning Commission meeting, Grass presented his request to rezone the property from S-1 suburban to R-2 single family, which has lots with a minimum of 15,000 square feet. 

“There were a lot of questions from the audience about the site plan and what it will mean. That’s reasonable that they want to know, but the exclusive purpose of the public hearing and the Planning Commission is the zoning itself, not to review the actual site plan,” Administrator Jordan Daugherty told Whitehouse Village Council during its Jan. 6 meeting. “There were a lot of questions on what does R-2 mean and concerns from the audience on that type of density,” he added.

Artisan Craftbuilt Homes purchased the 38-acre parcel between the Oak Brook and Lone Oak Crossing subdivisions in June for $420,000 from Kennedy Investors. Grass applied in 2024 to rezone the property to R-3, which matches the nearby Oak Brook and Westwyck subdivisions, but was turned down after neighbors shared concerns about density.

While the Planning Commission at the time suggested that Grass should come back with an R-2 request, he then submitted a request for an R-2 with a planned unit development (PUD), which gives the developer more flexibility on setbacks. That, too, was turned down.

“He came back to fulfill his promise – making it a less dense, less populous area,” said Planning Commission Chair Dennis Kennedy, explaining that R-2 lots would be about one-third of an acre.

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning, so council would need a supermajority, or five out of six votes, to turn down that recommendation, said Law Director Kevin Heban.

The village will need to give 30 days notice to the community about the public hearing, which will be held Tuesday, March 3 at 6:15 p.m. Heban said he would draft legislation that could be read during three separate meetings, but could could also choose to vote on it as an emergency. 

If approved, Grass would then need to return to the Planning Commission with a site plan for approval, Kennedy said.

During the Jan. 6 meeting, Council also:

Maumee Municipal Court Judge Daniel Hazard administered the oath of office to Whitehouse Village Council members (from left) Joe Bublick, Steve Fine and Louann Artiaga. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

-Witnessed Maumee Municipal Court Judge Daniel Hazard administer the oath of office to re-elected council members Louann Artiaga and Steve Fine, and newly elected council member Joe Bublick.

-Unanimously voted for Fine to serve as council president for 2026.

-Heard Fine say that as a member of a Toledo Metropolitan Council of Governments subcommittee, he is working on fair scoring criteria for transportation grants.

-Approved Mayor Rich Bingham‘s appointments to committees, including: Rob Casaletta and Allen Kuck, Planning Commission; Chuck Kethel and Brian Slagle, Board of Zoning Appeals; Steve Connelly, at-large member, Tree Commission; Larry Yunker, Finance Committee; and Angie Kuhn and Phil Whaley, Charter Review Commission.

-Learned that Tom Vincent retired as a volunteer firefighter after 31 years.

-Heard that the fire department handled 1,093 incidents in 2025, a nearly 15 percent increase. Fire Chief Jason Francis said he is working on an open house to promote volunteering.

-Heard Police Chief Allan Baer say that the department will host a Citizens Police Academy in March, providing a hands-on understanding of what the department does.

Monclova residents urge trustees to work with them

Dozens of Monclova Township residents filled the Monclova Township hall on Jan. 5 meeting to deliver a message to trustees: work with the citizens, the county and neighboring communities to protect the township from data centers.

“DCs are a threat. And if it’s not now, then it will come and we need to be prepared,” said Diane Stroshine. “We need to strengthen our conditional use documents with strong restrictions on light, sound, setbacks, generators. Also, massive fines for noncompliance and escrow money to reclaim the land when they’re no longer useful.”

The Monclova Township Board of Trustees includes chair Barbara Lang, Chuck Hoecherl and vice-chair Deborah Stevens-Laux. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

She urged the board of trustees, including Barbara Lang, Chuck Hoecherl and Deborah Stevens-Laux, to issue a 12-month moratorium to allow time to modify the conditional use documents, study data centers and work alongside others who are facing the same challenges.

“Our leaders should be working with us, not against us. And remember, respectfully, that we are your bosses,” Stroshine said.

Last year, the trustees approved a text amendment to the township’s zoning resolution, allowing data centers in agriculturally zoned areas with the granting of a conditional use permit. This was the best option for protecting residents, as opposed to changing the zoning, which is a more cookie-cutter approach, said Zoning Administrator Eric Wagner. The process of issuing a permit and deciding on conditions is the role of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).

“The BZA, historically, is able, for conditional uses, to look at things in greater detail and work with a particular site. It gives them a lot of authority to do what they need to do to protect the surrounding property owners,” Wagner said.

John Langevin read aloud the township’s zoning resolution section on conditional uses. Landscaping, screening, parking, hours of operation and lighting are the only five items listed in the zoning regulations when it comes to conditional uses, he said. Langevin said he believes that language does not appear to allow the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) the authority to require additional setbacks or other aspects of control.

“You have mega corporations that have lawyers that would pick this thing apart,” Langevin said, urging the trustees to rescind the text amendment and start over with an open process that includes citizen input, so that everything is spelled out.

Hoecherl countered that it’s difficult to spell out conditions when the township hasn’t even received an application.

Resident Marilyn Campbell asked Hoecherl, Lang and Stevens-Laux to weigh in on whether they, as residents, would personally support a data center in the township. Lang has previously advised that trustees should not make a blanket statement against any type of development, as it could open them up for legal action. 

“I cannot say as a trustee, ‘I’m against apartments,’ and then the apartment person comes in and tries to build apartments, and they sue us because I’ve stated I’m against apartments,” Lang gave as an example. “I cannot come out – maybe I can as your neighbor across the fence – but I’m sitting at this desk being a trustee.”

Stevens-Laux, in her first meeting as a new trustee, said she’s not anti-data center but believes there are better places for them to locate.

“My personal opinion will never be part of this. It is always going to be about what is best for the residents,” she said.

Hoecherl said he’s not for or against data centers, but is against annexation, which remains a primary concern for the land off Black Road that is still within the township.

The law director is currently working on language to strengthen the township’s position against possible annexation of that land, he noted. In the meantime, Maumee is looking at a moratorium against data centers, which Campbell wondered if it would alleviate some of the township’s fears. 

Christina Egan said she’s reached out to Maumee’s new mayor and council members, as well as the Lucas County Commissioners and State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) about a county-wide moratorium and protecting the township from annexation.

“If you can get an annexation change, wow,” Lang replied.

Egan urged the trustees to represent the residents and ask the county for help.

“We appreciate everyone being so well-informed,” Stevens-Laux said. “We wouldn’t be able to do anything without all of your input.”

During the meeting, the trustees also:

-Named Lang as chair and Stevens-Laux as vice chair.

-Heard Hoecherl say that the township will work on updating the meeting agendas with more details prior to the regularly scheduled Monday trustees’ meetings.

-Certified that the township is responsible for the maintenance of 66.879 miles of public road, up .997 miles with the inclusion of roads in Crimson Hollow, Stonegate, Stoney Creek and the extension of Riverfort Drive.

-Learned that, per a contract between Republic Services and Lucas County Solid Waste Management District, the monthly price for trash and recycling pickup will increase from $16.44 per month to $17.26. The number of residential units has increased from 5,453 to 5,511. The annual cost will increase from $1,075,767 to $1,141,438. The township pays $522,442 out of its General Fund while residents will pay $618,995 from a special assessment on their property taxes to cover that total.

-Learned that as of Dec. 29, the township had 2,016 iOS downloads of the My Monclova app and 700 Android downloads. The app has been accessed 1,314 times through the website by users who have not downloaded the app.

Providence Township Trustees’ meeting

The Providence Township trustees include (from left) chair Steve Kendall, Lee Bialecki and vice chair Jeremiah Floyd. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

A Lucas County Engineer’s representative will be invited to visit the next Providence Township trustees meeting to discuss the county’s request to utilize the township’s salt storage facility.

During the Jan. 7 meeting, Trustee Jeremiah Floyd and Road Superintendent Kevin Keifer shared discussions they had with Albert Hilt, the county engineer’s road superintendent, about that possibility.

Floyd said that because the township is in the southwest corner of the county, county road crews lose up to 90 minutes in drive time by returning to the McCord Road facility to pick up salt up to six times per weather event. Allowing the county to store 30 tons in the township’s salt bin will not only ensure more efficient road clearing in the township but save the county time and the taxpayer’s dollars, Floyd added.

“Our salt bin is not in the best condition and not the biggest either,” said Keifer, expressing concern that some of the less experienced county drivers might damage their facilities, which don’t have a lot of space for maneuvering.

Floyd said Hilt assured him that the more tenured drivers – with more than 20 years of experience – request the rural routes instead of city routes, and would exercise caution. Hilt also noted that any salt removed would be replaced.

Trustees agreed to invite Hilt to come to a meeting to answer questions and put into writing any agreement between the township and the county.

The next meeting is slated for Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

During the meeting, the trustees also:

-Watched as solicitor David Chamberlain administered the oath of office to trustees Lee Bialecki and Jeremiah Floyd.

-Heard zoning inspector Jim Fischer say that he issued four permits in 2025: two for new homes; one for a home alteration; and one for a residential solar field.

-Listened to Fischer say that a Doran Road resident was asked to remove a sign from a right of way. He did that, but now it is back up, reinforced with 2 x 4s. Chamberlain said the homeowner will need to remove the sign or the township will do it for him.

-Held a discussion about a $4,121.29 bill to pay for electrical work done on the replacement of two diesel fuel tanks at the township building. Keifer said he was in a bind after learning that Stanwade Metal Products would not do the electrical work on the new tanks, which hold fuel used by township vehicles.

He contacted John Berry of Phase Electric who recommended contacting AE Electric, which completed the work. Floyd said he was concerned about the lack of written quotes from other companies, especially since AE is owned by Bialecki’s brother. He added that he had tried to stop the work as it was in progress when he learned that AE was doing the work. Solicitor David Chamberlain advised that Bialecki doesn’t have a conflict of interest in voting on payment or the work since he doesn’t financially benefit. Bialecki and Kendall voted to issue payment while Floyd abstained.

-Heard Fire Chief Rick Triggs say that the new 3,000-gallon tanker/tender – which is replacing a 1984 unit – should be complete and delivered by May. The township received a $523,809 FEMA grant to pay for the vehicle. The department had 462 runs in 2025, including: 15 structure fires; 27 outdoor fires; three car fires; 44 motor vehicle accidents; seven calls for downed wires; 306 EMS calls; and 60 miscellaneous runs.

New Legacy Business Park houses Yarder Manufacturing

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Yarder Manufacturing president Jeff Conlan and Vice President Matt Yarder are joined by Mosser Construction President Brian Geffe inside the new 100,000-square-foot Yarder Manufacturing facility in the Monclova-Maumee-Toledo Joint Economic Development Zone (MMT JEDZ). Construction is expected to be complete this summer. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

With the 100,000-square-foot Yarder Manufacturing headquarters now under roof and easily visible from I-475, Vice President Matt Yarder is getting more questions about his family’s business – and the newly-created Legacy Business Park where it’s located.

“I get calls from people who put the dots together, knowing we were planning to build in Monclova Township and then seeing it from the highway,” he said. “We’re going from a little, unassuming family business in a neighborhood in Toledo to having this kind of visibility.”

When Yarder and resident Jeff Conlan began looking at options for expansion of the sheet metal parts and product manufacturing business, they figured they would just buy a piece of land and build. In the process of looking for the right property with available utilities, Yarder teamed up with Mosser Construction to create a new business park on 70 acres in the Monclova-Maumee-Toledo Joint Economic Development Zone (MMT JEDZ).

YMG, as their partnership is known, purchased what is now Legacy Business Park and secured funding from Monclova Township, Lucas County and the state to fund the 1,200-foot extension of Riverfort Drive to access not only Yarder’s property but the north side of three other 20-acre properties and an 8-acre parcel to the west of Yarder Manufacturing. 

Legacy Business Park in the Monclova-Maumee-Toledo Joint Economic Development Zone just west of I-475 has space for additional companies to locate. Yarder Manufacturing teamed up with Mosser Construction to install a 1,200-foot extension of Riverfort Drive to allow access to the interior of the property. (Courtesy image)

“This was an opportunity to help a client like the Yarders find their next home,” said Mosser Construction president Brian Geffe. “When we look at available green sites available in Lucas County, there’s only a handful of them. This has great access to the interstate with the new US 20A interchange, and Monclova Township is business friendly. Once this starts to activate, I think we’ll see a lot of opportunities.”

The YMG team is already in discussions with another family-owned business eyeing one parcel and, now that Yarder’s construction is underway, are receiving inquiries about other areas. Yarder’s project is utilizing just half of the land while reserving the other half for future generations to expand in place, Matt said.

“We’ve been in our current facility since the mid-1940s, and it’s served us well for generations, but this facility will showcase our capabilities to the level of customers that we deal with. We have some global customers who visit our shop right now, and they’re impressed with what we’ve been able to do with our current space,” Yarder said.

The current facility doesn’t have shipping or receiving docks, so employees load and unload materials in the parking lot. The production takes place in five separate buildings. And their conference room is a closet-sized space under a stairwell, jokes Conlan.

The new building will feature 88,000-square feet of open production area for lasers and brake presses, and an enclosed area for grinding. Conlan expects that having all production under one roof will enhance the work flow.

“Right now we have stuff crammed everywhere. It will be nice to spread out in one building where everything flows the proper way,” Conlan said.

Wearing hard hats and safety vests, Yarder, Conlan and Geffe were joined by Mosser project manager Tom Koepfler and supervisor Nick Fisher last month for a tour of the facility, which includes a reception area, glass-fronted offices and a large, sunlit open area for employees in sales and purchasing to view the outdoors from three sides.

“Our employees have been involved in the design from the get-go,” Yarder said.

Mosser Construction employees (from left) Grady Welker, PJ Szakovits and Samantha Teigland look out the windows from the front offices to the receiving dock at the new Yarder Manufacturing facility. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Pointing to the windows facing the receiving docks that allow easy viewing of trucks coming in, Yarder explains that this was just one of several ideas shared during every phase of the design process.

On the east side of the administration building is a large breakroom that can be used to hold trainings and employee gatherings – a big step up from holding meetings in the cramped production area, Conlan said.

“It’s going to be a complete upgrade to our culture: the way that we recruit, the way we train, the way we engage with our staff. This whole project, we have had our culture in mind from Day 1. We’re family-owned and family-oriented in everything we do. We have a lot of limitations on our current site. This will allow us to expand on our culture.”

That culture also includes some downtime, Yarder said, noting that the No. 1 question he gets from employees is whether the detention pond out front will be stocked with fish. Yes, it will.

When Yarder first announced its move, the manufacturer had 62 employees. In the past year, eight more have joined the team. By the time the new facility opens, Conlan expects that number to grow to the mid 80s, including engineering, sales and purchasing positions.

If construction goes as planned and the electric is hooked up in time, Conlan expects that the transfer of machinery from the Toledo location to the new location will begin in June. Several area companies specialize in moving large equipment, including one laser that will require seven semis to move. 

For more information, visit yardermfg.com.

The Anthony Wayne Free Press is working on a series of articles about growth and projects in the Anthony Wayne area. To share information, contact [email protected].

First Lucas County Commissioners meeting of 2026

By
Stephen Zenner
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Lucas County Commissioners Pete Gerken, Lisa Sobecki and Anita Lopez during a Lucas County Commissioners Meeting at 1 Government Center in downtown Toledo on Monday, Jan. 6, 2026. This meeting appointed Sobecki as president of the Board of Commissioners for 2026. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

TOLEDO – Tuesday marked the first Lucas County Commissioners’ meeting of the year, where the first order of business was electing the new president of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners. 

Like last year, the three commissioners elected Lisa Sobecki to be their president, and similarly decided to continue holding their meetings on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. 

The third item designated the commissioners to seats on various boards and committees.

Commissioner Lisa A. Sobecki:

  • County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) Alternate
  • Community Corrections Planning Board (CPBB)
  • District Advisory Council of the Lucas County Health District
  • Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID)
  • Family Services Planning Committee
  • Lucas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)
  • Lucas County Data Processing Board
  • Lucas County Economic Development Corporation
  • Lucas County Emergency Planning Committee
  • Lucas County Family & Children First Council
  • Lucas County Land Reutilization Corporation (Land Bank)
  • Lucas County Plan Commission
  • Lucas County Solid Waste Management District
  • Lucas County Workforce Development Board
  • MacArthur Foundation’s Safety + Justice Challenge
  • National Association of Counties (NACo) Board of Directors Representative
  • Toledo Zoological Society Board of Trustees

Commissioner Pete Gerken:

Pete Gerken, Lucas County Commissioner, questions various members of local government before giving approval to their requests. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)
  • Corrections Commission of Northwest Ohio (CCNO)
  • County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO)
  • Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID)
  • Lucas County 9-1-1 Regional Council of Governments Administrators Technical Advisors Committee
  • Lucas County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau
  • Lucas County Economic Development Corporation
  • Lucas County Land Reutilization Corporation (Land Bank)
  • Lucas County Plan Commission
  • Lucas County Board of Revision (BOR)
  • Lucas County Solid Waste Management District
  • Lucas County Solid Waste Management District Policy Committee
  • Pathway, Inc. Board
  • Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board

Commissioner Anita Lopez:

  • Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Local Board
  • Healthy Lucas County Executive Committee
  • Lucas County 9-1-1 Regional Council of Governments Administrators Technical Advisors Committee (alternate)
  • Lucas County Common Pleas Drug Court Committee
  • Lucas County Economic Development Corporation
  • Lucas County Integrated Justice System
  • Lucas County Plan Commission
  • Lucas County Solid Waste Management District
  • Lucas County Records Commission
  • Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission

This year’s appointments to the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) were as follows:

Matt Killam will serve a three-year term on the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) Board of Trustees commencing immediately and expiring on April 30, 2026.

Part of the summary reads, “There is one (1) vacancy for a board term set to expire on April 30, 2028. Matt Killam has expressed interest in and has been recommended to serve on the TARTA Board of Trustees for the remainder of the current 3-year term which is set to expire on April 30, 2028.”

Mike Pniewski, the Lucas County Engineer, presents items for approval. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

County Engineer

Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski set the times for the annual township meetings and then had the County Highway System Mileage Certification approved. From Dec. 2024 to Dec. 2025, the county’s highway grew from 252.605 miles of highway to 252.607 miles of highway.

Then Pniewski accepted a bridge report concerning Lucas County’s 194 bridges. When presenting the information, he warned of the county’s aging bridges. Bridges, he said, have a service life of about 75 years, and said the average age of a bridge in Lucas County was about 50-years-old.

Pniewski then said the county does have a plan to upgrade most of the aging bridges over the next ten years.

Lucas County bridges on county and township roads were rated as follows:

15 were rated as excellent.

54 were rated as very good.

42 were rated as good.

33 were rated as satisfactory.

12 were rated as fair.

5 were rated as poor.

None were rated as “serious” or “critical.”

Lucas County bridges inside municipalities were rated as follows:

1 was rated as excellent.

17 were rated as very good.

4 were rated as good.

7 were rated as satisfactory.

3 were rated as fair.

1 was rated as poor.

None were rated as “serious” or “critical.”

The County Engineer then accepted roads on the following plats:

Monclova Township
Crimson Hollow Plat 11
Stoney Creek Plat 5
Stonegate Plat 8


Springfield Township
Hidden Grove


Sylvania Township
Bridgecreek Plat 5
Bridgecreek Plat 6
Brookside Plat 10
Brookside Plat 11
Eagle Creek Plat 11
Quarry Ridge Plat 5
Rivertree Plat 2
Village at Twelve Lakes Plat 4


Waterville Township
Coventry Glen Plat 5
Coventry Glen Plat 6

Sheriff

Frank Cody of the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office presented approval for Lucas County to reinstate the Inter-Governmental Communication Tower Site Agreement with Monroe County, Mich.

Eric Zatko, the director of Lucas County Common Pleas Court, presents for approval a refund for a software system with Tyler Technologies, refunding $142,387.94 to the county. Zatko briefly mentioned the software did not cover everything the common pleas court does. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Common Pleas

Eric Zatko, the director of Common Pleas Court, presented a refund for a software system with Tyler Technologies, refunding $142,387.94.

“You wanted this and now you don’t want it?” Gerken asked, an inquiry into the reason for the refund after Zatko gave a basic overview.  

Zatko explained that the software from Tyler Technologies did not have enough “functionality” to be used for the county’s pretrial bookings, despite being able to perform the functions dealing with probation adequately.

Juvenile Court

The Juvenile Court presented two items for approval:

An agreement with Unison Health for mental health services and treatment, and a memorandum of agreement with the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board to provide funding for youth mental health support.

Facilities

Asked for permission to advertise for the demolition of the Former Child Studies Institute located at 428 10th Street.

Job and Family Services

Item 16 approved a revenue generating agreement with Zepf Center.

Item 17 approved an intergovernmental contractor agreement with Lucas County Family and Children First Council for the Provision of Intersystem Coordination.

Items 18-24 approved transportation contractor agreements for non-emergency Medicaid and Title XX (TXX) transportation services.

Item 25 approved an intergovernmental agreement with Lucas County Family and Children First Council for the Bridges Out of Poverty Program.

Support Services

Two separate purchase orders were approved by the Commissioners, and travel for all three Commissioners for the year 2026 was approved.

Solid Waste Management District

$25,000 was approved for the maintenance and upkeep of four walking floor trailers, used in the recycling process.

There was some confusion initially while approving this request, as Nate Inkrott, the sanitary engineer for Lucas County, initially said the total cost was $10,000. When questioned by Commissioners Gerken and Sobecki about the price, Inkrott corrected himself, and assured the Commissioners the amount was in fact $25,000.

Administration

The commissioners authorized Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful (KTLCB) to accept, hold, and administer sponsorship funds on behalf of the County for EcoFest Toledo 2026.

And the final item before going into executive session was the approving the Ohio Department of Health’s Tuberculosis Funding Agreement.

Waterville Community Foundation’s impact on AW area and beyond

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Members of the Waterville Community Foundation presented a check for $40,000 to the city of Waterville in September, to be used to purchase a drone for the fire, police and public works departments. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WATERVILLE – In its 24 years, Waterville Community Foundation has been the silent partner for dozens of Anthony Wayne-area organizations – providing much-needed funding for projects that benefit children, animals, veterans, nonprofits and governmental entities.

Advocating Opportunity, Bittersweet Farms, Courageous Community Services, the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center, HOOVES, Nature’s Nursery an Sunshine Foundation are just a few of the well-known organizations that have benefitted from WCF grants over the years.

Bittersweet Farms, a community for individuals with autism, has benefitted from Waterville Community Foundation grants many times over the past 23 years. (Courtesy photo)

In 2025, the WCF gave $40,000 for the city of Waterville to purchase a drone for use by its police, fire and public works departments and $30,000 to help launch the Anthony Wayne Free Press.

Coming this year to a wall in downtown Waterville: a mural by local artist Dean Davis. Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission (AWAAC) just received $5,000 in matching funds from the WCF to support an 18-foot by 80-foot public mural to be painted on a building at 217 Mechanic St. – visible to all who enter town from the bridge, said AWAAC vice president Lisa Exner.

“We are super excited and will be working to make this mural a reality in 2026,” Exner said.

The idea for the Waterville Community Foundation sprouted in the early 2000s, as Tom Titus, who was city treasurer for 25 years, regularly heard representatives from area organizations asking Council for funding.

“In one council meeting, one proposal was debated for a half an hour. I thought, ‘This isn’t working. Now we’ll get more and more people asking for donations. We’ve got to do something,” Titus said.

As he researched ideas, Titus found that a local foundation could be formed under the umbrella of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, which WCF Board Member Paul Croy describes as the “mothership” – providing support and guidance. 

Starting with $10,000 in seed money from the city, the WCF was formed on Sept. 26, 2002. With the WCF in place, Council could refer those in need of funding to apply for a grant.

Even with regular fundraisers, the early WCF had just $20,000 to $30,000 in the bank – not quite enough to make any major gifts, Croy said. That was until he began talking with a church friend, Katherine R. Smith, about plans for her estate. 

“She loved children, but didn’t have any of her own,” Croy  said. “She wanted to set up a trust that would help area children.”

Smith decided use a good portion of her estate to set up the Katherine R. Smith Fund through the WCF, with direction to provide grants each year to organizations or programs serving children, including those who have been abused or neglected, those who are disabled, and scholarships for Anthony Wayne and Otsego graduates.

“One person with a vision can truly make a difference,” said Janice Braida, a WCF board member since 2002. “I’ve seen the foundation grow from one generous gift by one person to the organization it is today. This is Katherine Smith’s enduring legacy. And we are grateful for her.”

Along the way, the WCF has gained an influx of cash from others as well, such as when the Waterville Community Improvement Corporation dissolved. Titus and his wife set up a memorial fund through the WCF to honor their son, who died of leukemia when he was five. 

“Now we’re responsibly overseeing a couple of million. That gives us the ability to give out at least $60,000 a year. This year we gave out considerably more,” Croy said. 

The Anthony Wayne Rotary Club (formerly the Waterville Rotary Club) has benefitted from the WCF as well, said past president Deb Cheney. When the Rotary’s high school program, Interact, wanted to assemble thousands of nutritious meals to give to impoverished people, the WCF provided the funds.

“Kids love doing those hands-on projects, like food packs and bed builds,” Cheney said, referring to a Let’s Build Beds project in which $3,000 funded materials and mattresses to construct and outfit 40 beds for children in need.

After the annual Blues, Brews and Brats Festival – Anthony Wayne Rotary Club’s biggest fundraiser – was impacted by poor weather last July, the WCF stepped up to help Rotary continue to support its community programs.

“The Waterville Community Foundation has been a great supporter of Rotary,” Cheney said.

Choosing which organizations receive funding is a difficult decision, Croy said. A subcommittee reviews the applications with help from the Greater Toledo Community Foundation – which helps with paperwork, summaries and recommendations

“We don’t give away money lightly. We may take a long time to make a decision. We’re trying to be a good steward of the money,” Croy said.

For the board members, seeing the funds go to work in their own community over the years has had a tremendous impact. 

“We all share a love and commitment to the Waterville area. But each board member brings unique interests to the post. My passion is nurturing Waterville’s rich history and preserving its rural scenic landscapes as a regional destination,” Braida said.

The Waterville Community Foundation’s board includes (from left) president Tom Titus, Jim Seiwert, Janice Braida, Paul Croy, Pauline Glaza, Randy Sikorski and Todd Black. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Other board members include Bill Anderson, Todd Black, Pauline Glaza, Randy Sikorski, Jim Seiwert, Diana Waugh and Izzy Merkel. Merkel received a WCF scholarship when she graduated from Anthony Wayne High School in 2019.

Many outstanding students have been awarded scholarships, WCF members agree. Good grades, community involvement and high school participation – in sports, academic clubs or other activities – are factors considered by the scholarship committee. So are a good attitude and leadership potential.

“Working with the WCF is a great way to make a difference here and have your legacy continue to inspire the future of this great community,” Glaza said.

For Croy, who is an attorney aiding clients set up trusts, the WCF also provides an opportunity for retired individuals to support the community while staying in a lower tax bracket, as those ages 70-and-a-half years and older can give directly to a non-profit organization as non-taxable income as part of a required minimum distribution.

“You can set it up through a donor-directed pool fund. There are only eight community foundations in the country that can hold these kind of funds,” he said, explaining that the Greater Toledo Community Foundation – and the WCF – qualify. “This is a way to leave a legacy in our community.”

A new Waterville Community Foundation website is in the works. For information, visit toledocf.org.

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