A Springfield Township trustee’s achievement in his career field did not go unnoticed by his fellow trustees.
At the December 20 meeting, trustees Andy Glenn and Tom Anderson Jr. lauded Trustee Bob Bethel on being named winner of the Lifetime Achievement in Human Resources Award.
Reading a letter from Jack Hollister, president of the Employers’ Association, Mr. Glenn said, “The award is given annually in recognition of an individual who has exhibited a lifetime of superior service and dedication to the northwest Ohio human resources profession.” He continued, “Bob Bethel has demon
He continued, “Bob Bethel has demonstrated excellence in his work as an HR practitioner, leadership through service to the HR profession, mentorship of others in the HR profession and a high level of integrity and character across a lifetime of employment.”
Mr. Glenn noted that Mr. Bethel has worked in the profession for more than 30 years and is set to retire next year.
During his career, he worked for the Andersons, S.E. Johnson, Mercy Health Systems, Bittersweet Farms and is currently vice president of HR and learning services for the Employers’ Association.
The trustee has donated his time for professional organizations and has served on the Northwest Ohio Human Resources Association board of directors, including as its president from 1999 to 2000. He participated with the Ohio HRM state council and also served many years as cochairperson of the annual Toledo HR Association’s conference.
In addition, Mr. Bethel sits on the council at his church and has served on the boards of Mobile Meals and Toledo Christian Schools. He has been a township trustee for the past 19 years.
“Bob is a true HR mentor, still meeting with associates he hired and worked with over his 30-year career,” Mr. Hollister concluded in his letter.
“Congratulations, Mr. Bethel,” Mr. Glenn said.
“I appreciate that,” Mr. Bethel replied, quipping, “I think it mostly means I’ve been around the HR field for some time.”
Sheriff’s Report
Lucas County sheriff department Lieutenant John Leach provided an overview of activities leading up to the holidays. “We are a couple of weeks into extra patrols of the joint economic development zone and have had 50 incidents already,” he informed the trustees.
The JEDZ encompasses the retail corridor on Airport Highway from Holland-Sylvania to Holloway roads.
He said residents are noticing the added law enforcement, adding that 30 minutes prior to the trustees meeting, he received a call from someone who expressed appreciation “of our extra patrols.”
While the lieutenant would like to see zero incidents, he is pleased there haven’t been a large number of issues.
Mr. Glenn believes the low number is justification in paying for extra deputies patrolling the area. “It tells me what we’re doing is the right thing,” he said.
The trustee also asked about the status of car breakins, criminal damage and vandalism in the Stone Oak subdivision.
Lt. Leach said the majority of the incidents appear to be the result of juveniles living in the area. “Sometimes kids get bored and do strange and foolish things. It’s hard for people to understand,” he added.
Regarding vehicle breakins and vehicles stolen at Valley Stream, he said most cases are occurring at the apartment complex. “Dodges are very popular
“Dodges are very popular right now,” the lieutenant explained. “They seem to target that brand of vehicle, especially Challengers and high end vehicles that are push button [start].”
In a related matter, Administrator Mike Hampton said the township has agreed to the installation of 25 cameras in “problem areas in the township.”
The cameras will be in place for one year and will help alert authorities to possible stolen vehicles and other issues, he explained. “It’s a free program, and we will get the data [from it].” Mr. Hampton added, “The
Mr. Hampton added, “The program is expected to lower the crime rate significantly.”
Other Business
In other business, the trustees: •Received an update on a
•Received an update on a meeting Mr. Bethel and Mr. Hampton had with Laura Koprowski, the new CEO of TARTA.
“I thought it was a good, productive meeting,” Mr. Bethel said, adding they were all in consensus that the primary service area should be the Airport Highway corridor and other high business traffic areas in the township. “They would like a trustee
“They would like a trustee to be part of the planning process. I thought that was a good thing.” •Authorized payment of
•Authorized payment of $10,742 to Bowers Asphalt for improvements to the Raymil Road cul-de-sac. Mr. Glenn explained the road was widened to provide a turnaround radius for school buses, refuse trucks and other large vehicles.
•Emerged from executive session and approved a wage increase for 12 non-bargaining employees. They will receive a 3 percent increase and a onetime lump sum amount of $500. The increases were effective December 20.
•Learned that the township had no violations in the annual stormwater program inspection.
•Received an update from the public services department on leaf collection which wrapped up the week of December 20. 3,028 tons of leaves have been collected, down 300 tons from 2020.
In addition, the department cleaned up storm damage, clearing two trees and repairing a stop sign in Apple Blossom subdivision.
•Announced that at the last joint economic development zone meeting, the organization established a budget for 2022 and re-elected officers. They also discussed cleaning a retention pond at Airport Highway and I-475.
Mr. Glenn believes businesses in the area are responsible for periodically cleaning the pond and suggested the JEDZ check with the Lucas County engineer’s office before initiating the process.
•Held a moment of silence for Keith Earley, former Lucas County engineer, and Dale Prentice, former mayor and member of Holland village council, who both died recently.
“Mr. Earley passed away suddenly and unexpectedly,” said Mr. Glenn.
•Approved Dumpster Days dates for 2022. They will run every other month from March through November and will be on the first Friday and Saturday of those months. Dumpsters are behind the administrative building, 7617 Angola Road.
•Established trustees meeting dates for next year. The trustees will meet at 5 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month with several exceptions due to holidays when the board will meet on Tuesday. Those dates are January 18, February 22, July 5 and September 6.
The trustees also approved a list of 2022 holidays. They are January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day; February 21, Presidents Day; May 30, Memorial Day; July 4, Independence Day; September 5, Labor Day; October 10, Columbus Day; November 11, Veterans Day; November 24 and 25, Thanksgiving; December 26, Christmas observed, and January 2, 2023 New Year’s Day observed. The administration office and department of public services will be closed on those dates.
•Learned that the park advisory board set 2022 meeting dates for the following Wednesdays: March 9, May 11, August 10 and October 12.
•Paid bills for December 8 to 21 totaling $155,333. They also approved electronic payments of $471,331, including the bi-weekly payroll of $275,854.
