NORTH ROBINSON—Earlier this week, Colonel Crawford held their monthly board of education meeting.
Dan Bute, a resident in the district, spoke about his support of the controversial Honey Creek Wind Project.
“This project represents our country’s move toward renewable energy for now and future generations to come,” Bute began. “There is an organized effort by a group of residents to block the progress of our country’s journey to energy independence. While I can appreciate the passion for which they carry their guide on, the same passion for which is sometimes affected by fallacious, subjective, and unsubstantiated information.”
Bute addressed some concerns, stating, “First, the decrease in land and property values – while no one has been able to show a viable, statistical study that wind turbines have a direct effect on decreasing property values, one can look at the Van Wert County auditor’s website. In reviewing homes located nearest to the wind turbines, there were no properties that saw any decrease in the fair market value of the properties reviewed. On the contrary, property values have increased from when the windmills began operation in 2020. One point of objection is the potential increase in death of the avian population, specifically the bald eagle. While it is true that we ought to be sensitive to the habitats and behavior patterns of wildlife that we cohabitate, we must also stipulate that there is no evidence to support the argument that wind turbines will cause widespread death to the point of the decimation of our most cherished national airborne treasures.”
The last of the concerns he addressed was that of the views. “Finally, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Opponents of the Honey Creek Wind Project argue for the retention of the beauty of our countryside. These large and unsightly gigantic beasts will ruin our sightlines and cause us to be aggrieved in enjoying the view of our sunrises and sunsets. If these will be such a distraction, why aren’t electrical poles and electrical lines an impediment on our view? The corn bins west of my home do not allow me to enjoy the retreat of the sun past the horizon. I ask my friends on the other side, do as you do with the current obstructions of your line of sight – don’t miss the forest for the trees.”
Bute finished his address by asking the board to remain neutral on the matter.
Moving on to business, the board accepted the resignation of Mike Cauley as the Industrial Technology Instructor. Cauley had been with the district for forty-six years prior to his retirement.
The next retirement approved was that of Vickey Stump, the district’s treasurer.
“In reference to the two retirements, you couldn’t find two better people that have served our community and our students. Mike, forty-six years, summers, winters, he was always here and really was something special. Vickey, you built our schools. You came in and took over a mess that we had and straightened us out, and we will be forever grateful to you,” board member Norm Huber said.
Tammy Hamilla has been hired to serve as Interim Treasurer for the remainder of the school year.
Beginning next school year, current athletic director and boys basketball coach, David Sheldon, will be taking over as treasurer pending proper certification.
“I’m excited, nineteen years as an athletic director, and with my business background, I am very excited for the new challenge,” Sheldon said. “We’re fortunate to have a great office over there with Candice and Tonya right now, so that’s a great thing because you’re as good as the people around you, I’ve always said of leadership. We’ve got good people that Mrs. Stump has put in place.”
With Sheldon’s shift from athletic director to treasurer, that left some big shoes to fill for the next athletic director, current high school principal Jake Bruner.
Beginning next school year, Bruner will no longer be the high school principal but will serve as the dean of students, athletic director, and head football coach.
Nate Hill was approved as the K-8 physical education teacher and the head boys golf coach.
On Sunday evening at 7 p.m., the community is invited to attend the boy’s basketball banquet the celebrate the team’s historic season where they were the N10 conference champs, Sectional and Regional champs, had the first Elite 8 appearance in school history, had twenty-six wins (most all-time in a single season in school history), were ranked number one regular season A.P. Division 3. This season marked the team’s eleventh straight sectional championship.
“This is a special group. During this whole run, our guys wanted business as normal. We never had sendoffs. We never had fire trucks, so now I want to celebrate,” Sheldon said.
Individual accolades were also awarded, with senior Mason Studer earning First Team All-Ohio in Div. III and senior Carter Valentine earning Second Team All-Ohio in Div. III. Studer averaged 17.2 points, six rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.9 steals per game while shooting 52.4 percent from the field, making him one of the better point guards in the state. Valentine averaged 16.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
The athletic boosters will be spending sixty-eight thousand dollars to almost completely renovate the home press box at the stadium. It is projected to be completed by football season.
The next meeting is on April 25 at 7 p.m.