News Briefs Week Of 1/31/2022

Community Challenge
Grant applications
AARP Ohio invites local organizations and governments across the state to apply for the 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant program through March 22.
Grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more. Now in its sixth year, the grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live.
“AARP Ohio is excited to kick-off the Community Challenge again in 2022 to continue helping communities across Ohio become great places for people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages, especially people 50-plus,” said AARP State Director Holly Holtzen. “The program has proven that quick-action projects can lead to long-lasting improvements right where Ohioans live.”
AARP will prioritize proposals that are inclusive, address disparities, directly engage volunteers, support residents age 50 and older and aim to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:
• Support communities’ efforts to build engagement and leverage funding available under new federal programs through laws like the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and more.
• Create vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities.
• Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements.
• Support a range of housing options that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices.
• Ensure a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion while improving the build and social environment of a community.
• Increase civic engagement with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion.
• Other community improvements; including health services, community development, and coronavirus pandemic recovery.
Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than 800 grants – including 24 in Ohio– through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The program provides direct support to all community types, including rural, suburban and urban communities. Previous projects have enabled long-term progress by garnering additional support from public and private funders, encouraging similar improvements throughout the community, advancing local policy, and generating engagement among residents and local leaders to advocate for change.
The Community Challenge is open to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects.
Past projects in Ohio have included a community farmers market, improvements to outdoor parks, public transportation improvements, pickle ball courts, temporary parks and public gardens.
The application deadline is 5 p.m. ET, March 22. All projects must be completed by Nov. 30. To apply and view past grantees, visit AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.

Republican Club
to meet Feb. 3
Oregon Republican Club will meet Thursday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in the conference room of the Hampton Inn, 2931 Navarre Ave., Oregon.
The club will welcome Madison Gesiotto Gilbert, who is running for U.S. Congress in the 9th District, and Joshua E. Williams, who is a candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives in District 40.
Gesiotto Gilbert is a small business owner, attorney, columnist, television commentator and a supporter of President Donald Trump. She graduated from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University in 2017. As a conservative political commentator, she has frequently appeared on Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Newsmax, MSNBC, CNN and more while writing as a columnist for The Washington Times. She lives with her husband, former NFL offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert in Northern Ohio.
Williams says he has entered the race to effect change in the state that he loves.
The meeting will also include food and fellowship. Call 419-481-2442 for more information.

Plein Air Experience
The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council will present “A Plein Air Experience,” featuring plein air artworks from northwestern Ohio artists affectionately called “The Group.”
An opening reception will be held Saturday, Jan. 29 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at The Arts Garage (TAG) at 317 W. Perry St., Port Clinton. The event is free and open to the public. Most artwork on display will be for sale.
“The Group” is a loosely knit group of northwest Ohio artists who come together to paint every Monday around Ottawa County and at TAG in the winter.
“A Plein Air Experience” will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in February from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at TAG.

Chris Buzzelli Trio
to perform Feb. 5
The Chris Buzzelli Trio, with vocalist Lori LeFevre will perform Saturday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Historic Pemberville Opera House, 115 Main St., as part of the ongoing Live in the House Concert Series.
Tickets are $12 and are available at the door or in advance at Beeker’s General Store or by contacting Carol at 419-287-4848.
The performers boast a large repertoire of American Songbook standards by composers such as Cole Porter, the
Gershwins, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Duke Ellington. In addition, they include classic jazz compositions and popular music of the Baby Boomer era in their performances.
LeFevre, who calls Toledo home, is a well-known jazz singer in the Toledo/Detroit/Ann Arbor area. Through theatre and music, she has had the opportunity to perform throughout the United States and Europe. She currently teaches jazz voice at the University of Toledo and the Toledo School for the Arts.
Guitarist Chris Buzzelli was a member of the music faulty at Bowling Green State University from 1984-2015, where he was a professor of guitar and jazz studies, director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble and founding director of the New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp. He has also served as adjunct faculty at the University of Michigan and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and has presented clinics and master classes at regional and national conferences and other colleges and universities around the nation. He maintains an active performing schedule, mostly in the Northwest Ohio
area, but has also played in some nationally recognized venues.
Bassist/vocalist Kevin Eikum has been the bassist for the Toledo Jazz Orchestra for more than 20 years, playing with local idols Gene Parker and Jimmy Cook in that ensemble, and rubbing musical shoulders with many other great local musicians. He is also a member of the vocal jazz quintet Sixth Edition (along with Lori) and the progressive rock band Boffo.
Drummer Scott Kretzer is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Heidelberg University, with degrees in music education. He is currently a freelance percussionist and teacher in the Northwest Ohio/southeastern Michigan area. He teaches applied percussion and world music and directs the Jazz Ensemble at Heidelberg University and teaches applied percussion and percussion methods at Adrian College. Kretzer performs regularly with the Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra, Carl Cafagna and North Star Jazz, and Sixth Edition.

District offers boil
water notice tips
With prolonged cold temperatures forecasted for the area, the Northwestern Water and Sewer District (The District) is reminding customers of what do to in case a boil notice is issued.
A water utility may issue a boil notice following a leak caused by pipes bursting due to cold weather or nearby construction. If a boil notice is issued, customers will be notified with hand-delivered door tags.
In case of a widespread boil notice, notification may be given via phone, at nwwsd.org, via social media and on television and radio.
“In most cases, issuing a boil water notice is a precautionary measure for the safety of our customers,” said District Assistant Superintendent Simon Grundy. “The chances of water contamination are remote, but we don’t want to take risks when it comes to your family’s health.”
If an advisory is issued:
• Do not consume your water without boiling it first.
• Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice.
• Bring water to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boil for two minutes, and don’t forget to cool the water before consuming it.
• Instead of boiling, purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source, such as The WaterShed.

Bill filed to
change date of
primary election

A bill that would move the Ohio primary election date to June 7 has been introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Sponsors of House Bill 544 said uncertainty surrounding Ohio’s congressional and state legislative district maps was the reason they filed the bill. Both sets of maps have been ruled unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court, which ordered the maps to be redrawn.
The primary election is scheduled for May 3 with a filing deadline of Feb 2. The bill would move the deadline for legislative candidates to March 3.
Representatives Lisa Sobecki, D-Toledo, and Thomas West, D-Canton, filed the bill two days after the Ohio Redistricting Commission approved new proposed state legislative maps that would give Republicans major seat advantages in the House and Senate.
“We had a second chance to draw fair maps, but with the possibility of another court challenge, we must prepare to delay the primary,” Rep. Sobecki said.

Mandate withdrawal
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following statement on the decision by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to withdraw its emergency vaccine mandate order for businesses with 100 or more employees that was issued on Nov. 5, 2021.
“Our case was about the limits of power, not about the vaccine. Today, the President of the United States bowed to the rule of law, even if it was forced upon him. It will not be the last time.”
Yost led a coalition of 27 attorneys general in seeking an immediate stay of the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued by OSHA.
The decision to withdraw by OSHA follows a decision earlier this month by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the request for a stay of the vaccine mandate.

New fire chief
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has announced Allison Armstrong to be the new Chief of the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department.
Chief Brian Byrd’s retirement was effective Dec. 11, 2021.
Chief Armstrong is the first woman to head the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department and has worked for the department for the last 21 years.
During her tenure with TFRD she has risen up the ranks with her most recent position as a Battalion Chief, Emergency Medical Services Bureau.
Chief Armstrong is an Ohio licensed registered nurse and Nationally Registered EMT-Paramedic.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercy College of NW Ohio, and holds a Master of Science in Health Informatics from the University of Cincinnati.

Contract bids
being accepted
The Village of Lindsey is accepting contract bids for repairing the municipal 75,000-gallon elevated water tank.
Bids will be accepted until Feb. 24 at 3:30 p.m. at which time they will be opened.
The work will include rehabilitating the interior and exterior coatings with new coatings, replacing the safety climb cable and related work.
Contract documents are on file at the village hall, 240 S. Main St.
The estimated cost is $350,000 to $500,000.

Officers elected
The Northwestern Water and Sewer District’s Board of Trustees has elected officers for 2022.
Mark Sheffer was re-elected to serve as board chairman. This will be his seventh consecutive year as chairman. Melinda Kale was elected to serve as vice-chair of the board. Douglas Miller was elected to serve as the secretary of the board.