Niswonger to help fund park project

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A field of dirt where the former Franklin Elementary School once sat could be a dream park for children and families in a couple of years, thanks to the efforts and financial support of Van Wert native and philanthropist Scott Niswonger.

Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer made the announcement that Niswonger would be spearheading efforts to construct a family park on the former school site during a Van Wert City Council meeting Monday evening.

Niswonger, who now lives in Greenville, Tenn., but attended Franklin Elementary when he was a young boy growing up in Van Wert, has pledged financial support to “a park that can attract all ages” on the former school site, and will also be sending his architect, John Fisher, who helped design the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, and landscape architect Jim Douglas to provide some ideas on how to develop the site.

“Van Wert provided a wonderful time and place to grow up,” Niswonger said during a telephone interview Monday evening. “I am happy to help with something special, and wanted to see something appropriate done with that space — especially for young people.”

Niswonger added that having an area available for children and families in a community is very important, noting that parks also add to a community’s attractiveness, when it comes to the issue of economic development.

In addition to providing the services of the two architects free of charge, Niswonger has also pledged to pay for at least half of the capital costs of constructing a park on the Franklin School site. The project would be named Franklin Park.

Niswonger also provided a lift for the proposed aquatic park project by pledging $70,000 as seed money to offset any operational shortfalls the aquatic park might experience, if voters approve construction of the project. A bond issue to pay for construction of the project is on the November general election ballot.

That money is an addition to a fund of approximately $1 million pledged by local businesses to provide maintenance of the facility.

Niswonger said he became aware of the Franklin and aquatics park projects this past summer, when his wife, Nikki, brought a group of Niswonger Scholars into town for some community service projects.

Niswonger added that he will be making a trip to Van Wert in a few weeks to see the park project get started.

Also Monday, Law Director John Hatcher gave updates to City Council on code enforcement and delinquent income tax collection efforts. Hatcher said he is making major changes in how delinquent taxpayers are dealt with. Approximately $50,000 in delinquent income taxes have yet to be paid, and 39 delinquent taxpayers have been sent notices.

Hatcher did note that his office is willing to work with people who owe city income taxes, although the mayor did note that city is ending its tax amnesty program.

City Auditor Martha Balyeat commended the majority of city taxpayers for paying their taxes, noting that most do pay when they’re supposed to. Balyeat also noted that the $50,000 owed in delinquent taxes, while substantial, is much lower than many communities Van Wert’s size.

Hatcher also noted that he had sent letters to 10 repeat violators of city junk and weed ordinances, with nearly half of those cases already settled. One property owner has turned over his property to the city for demolition under the Moving Ohio Forward program.

Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming noted that work is progressing on the West Main Street reconstruction project, with work now moving past Burt Street. Fleming also noted that the street portion between Burt and Shannon streets should be paved in the near future.

The safety-service director also noted that bids are being sought for work on a new concession stand at Smiley Park, while City Council later approved a supplemental appropriation of approximately $113,000 from an insurance settlement related to the arson fire that destroyed the old concession stand.

Balyeat also provided a financial update to City Council, noting that, while revenues were up $468,000 over last year, that number includes several one-time financial windfalls, such as the concession stand insurance settlement and a final round of inheritance tax revenues.

With those removed, the auditor said revenues were only up about $70,000.

Council, meeting Monday without Fourth Ward Councilman Pete Weir, who was in California, and Second Ward Councilman Joi Mergy, who had a family emergency, also approved a rezoning request for recently annexed property owned by Sabak Point LLC, on which the Kennedy-Kuhn farm implement dealership now sits, and also passed legislation adopting tax rates for the city and a measure formally accepting the former Franklin School property.