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Friday, 23 November 2007 |
County works on courthouse policy
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
The 175th anniversary celebration of Wapakoneta and New Bremen is scheduled to begin in the Auglaize County Courthouse.
The opening ceremony planned for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 20 will be held inside the main lobby of the historic building, but having any event there has been a rarity because of a policy commissioners have held for several years.
“We’ve been hashing this around,” said Ivo Kramer, president of the board of commissioners. “We’ve not had a policy and we still don’t, but we’re in agreement to allow the facility to be used for this. We think it’s a big enough event that it’s awfully hard to say no. Between the three of us this is just something we felt we should do.”
Commissioner John Bergman said the celebration is essentially a county function.
Rachel Barber, administrator of the Auglaize County Historical Society, said it was important to start the year long celebration, which features a variety of events for all ages, in a common place. The 150th anniversary also was held in the courthouse.
“When you look at Wapakoneta and New Bremen, they were founded the same year, but their historical paths went in different directions,” Barber said. “This is something that would tie them back together and better symbolize what they have in common. This is the one building that ties them together.”
Sandy Brading, who also is serving on the Wapakoneta 175th Anniversary Committee, said the significance of opening the celebration there was important, a common thread between the two communities.
“We’re very pleased,” Brading said. “This is fitting to have this historical event in a historic building.”
Kramer said they scrambled hard to come up with a policy by their meeting with Barber this week, but while one has not been finalized they plan to do so within the next couple weeks.
The policy would address not only the Auglaize County Courthouse, but the Auglaize County Administration Building, and other county buildings as well.
“It’s a fairly comprehensive policy,” Kramer said. “We want to get it all addressed and be reasonable.”
Kramer added that the last several requests for its use were not honored.
Bergman said after checking with administrators of surrounding counties he found the policies vary.
“We just want to maintain some semblance of order and consistent use of buildings,” Bergman said. “We did not have a policy allowing the use of the building.”
The commissioners agreed the most difficult part is determining what types of activities can be held in the buildings and what constitutes as a county-related activity and what does not.
“We’re still ironing that all out,” Commissioner Doug Spencer said. “We just want to put a definitive plan in action so we can approve the legislation that we need.”
Logistics of the opening ceremony will be worked out closer to the beginning of 2008, but include a keynote speaker, James Dicke II, CEO of Crown Equipment. Dicke, a New Bremen resident, serves as chairman of the commissioners on the Smithsonian National Board, chairman emetrius of the Dayton Art Institute, past chairman of the Air Force Museum Board, and national past trustee of the San Antonio Museum of Art. Musicians and ministers will be included in the event.
At least 150 people are expected to attend, with a short reception following speakers that afternoon.
A snow date is planned for Jan. 27.
Other events scheduled throughout the year as part of the anniversary include the introduction of a commemorative postmark, special exhibits and talks at the Auglaize County Public District Library, lectures by a direct descendent of the Wright Brothers, dedication of an Ohio Historical Society marker, a parade, river fire, community potluck, harvest festival, and tour of historic homes. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 26 November 2007 )
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