FINAL DRAFT
Swanton Area Sustainable Vision
Initiative:
A Community Vision Created through
Principles of Sustainability
Social Equity
Economic Prosperity
Ecological Integrity
Cooperating Partners:
Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce
Swanton Township * Swan Creek Township
Village of Swanton * Swanton School District
Fulton Township * Harding Township
Ohio State University Extension
May 2006
Acknowledgements
The following organizations and their representatives made this project possible
through their sponsorship, leadership and commitment of time:
Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce
Swan Creek Township
Village of Swanton
Swanton Local School District
Swanton Township
Harding Township
Fulton Township
St. Richard’s School
Harborside Healthcare
SPORTS
Welles Bowne Realtors
Green Ribbon Initiative
Swanton Library
Neil Toeppe
Richard Stout
Bill Bellinger
Robin Rayfield
John Warkentin
Doyle Drennan
Joe Gombash
Sr. Bernarda
Mary McConnell
Dan Brown
Gale Parsil
Jan Hunter
Linda Slaninka
Process Design and guidance was provided by The Ohio State
University Extension Sustainable Development Center:
Team Members:
Bill Grunkemeyer, Co-Director
and Interim Director, OSU
Extension Center at Wooster
Myra Moss, Co-Director and
Extension Specialist, OSU
Extension Center at Lima
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Table of Contents
I.
Executive Summary
II.
Vision Statement
III.
Introduction
IV.
Results from Vision Sessions
V.
Conclusion and Next Steps
VI.
Exhibit I: Summary of Vision Sessions
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Executive Summary
Swanton Area residents arrived at a list of aspirational goals that reflect the
values of the Swanton Area community. Implementing these goals over a long
term period can lead to a sustainable future. The list of goals is as follows:
(Note: to be finalized by steering committee)
Natural Environment:
1.
2.
3.
Built Environment:
1.
2.
3.
Socio-cultural:
1.
2.
3.
Economic:
1.
2.
3.
4
Vision Statement
The Swanton Area Community is a sustainable region that believes in a delicate
balance and intentional linkage among the social, environmental and economic
sectors of the communities.
We value our unique open spaces, natural sites, and recreational amenities such
as the Oak Openings, Kitty Todd Preserve, Pilliod Park, and area recreational
programs. We have many and varied outdoor recreational opportunities in close
proximity to the Swanton Area Community.
The Swanton Area Community maintains its excellent open spaces and amenities
and small town feel while carefully planning for balanced growth and controlled
economic and residential development. Residential development is clustered in
appropriate areas and business development has been steered to areas, such as
properties contiguous to the airport, ideally poised for business development.
The Swanton Area Community is in a good location to take advantage of the
services and resources offered by nearby larger cities such as Toledo while still
being able to maintain our “small town” feel of safety and family centeredness.
Our transportation networks and improved traffic flow, both within and to the
Swanton Area community, promote ease of travel without congestion.
The Swanton Area’s educational system is excellent, and offers a full range of
opportunities for kindergartners through college students and adult learners.
Our public school system is well funded and managed.
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Introduction
What makes a Sustainability Plan Unique
Sustainability is based on finding the balance between the economic,
environmental and social sectors of what creates a community. Each sector is
intentionally connected to the other sectors to assure the availability of resources
necessary to provide opportunities not simply for today but also for future
generations. Every community must establish the cornerstones upon which it will
build and sustain itself. The leaders of the Swanton Area Community have
chosen to build their community on the cornerstones of sustainability. These four
cornerstones of sustainability have guided the process of the Swanton Area’s
visioning as follows:
1. Balanced and Interconnected:
The concept of sustainability is defined as finding the long-term balance
between environmental (built and natural), social and economic issues.
Within this context, sustainability seeks to find and nurture a balance
among these three key sectors that impact the viability and vitality of a
community. Sustainability means giving all three factors careful
consideration and act with intentionality, not causality, as community
planning, development and redevelopment efforts move forward. The
next step in the comprehensive planning process will begin to draw
linkages among the input shared through visioning, arriving at holistic and
consensus community goals.
2. Long Term:
Sustainability planning is about looking out generations, not just decades
as is the case with most planning efforts. By focusing on the long term it
forces us to look beyond the more immediate conflicts and begin to
articulate what we want the future to be. The second question of the
visioning sessions, What do you hope the Swanton Area Community will
become for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren? pushes
residents to think out 50 years.
3. Inclusionary:
Sustainability planning is a resident-driven process which insures that all
segments of the community have the opportunity to become part of the
process. This is accomplished in two ways: first, by insuring that the
steering committee is comprised of members of all segments of the
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community, and second, by insuring that barriers to participation in the
visioning are reduced. Using “Lasswell’s Wheel” (see Exhibit I) the
steering committee has been formed to insure that all voices in the
Swanton Area community are at the table. Also using this tool, groups
and organizations that should be visited were identified. Thirdly, barriers
to participation in visioning were reduced by “going to where people
gather,” that is, by piggybacking on top of already scheduled gatherings,
going to places where residents were already familiar and comfortable.
4. Multi-dimensional Indicators:
Multi-dimensional indicators provide an effective method to track and
measure if chosen community goals are helping to reach the community’s
shared vision. They are multi-dimensional because they consider social,
economic and environmental qualities in measuring progress.
Process
The following report contains a compilation of resident statements regarding
what residents currently value about the Swanton Area community and what
residents hope for future generations in the Swanton Area community as
identified during 20 vision sessions held from September 2004 to October 2005.
The Swanton Area Community encompasses a region in northwest Ohio including
the Village of Swanton, Swanton Township, Swan Creek Township, Swanton
Local School District, Harding Township and Fulton Township. Over 329 Swanton
Area residents of all ages, ethnicity, race, backgrounds and walks of life gave of
their valuable time to provide their priorities, thoughts and dreams. What
emerges is a commonly shared ethos of Swanton Area residents. This shared
vision will provide direction and goals for the next stage of this planning process,
that is, the creation of the Swanton Area’s resident-directed goals built upon the
aforementioned cornerstones of sustainability.
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Results from Vision Sessions
I.
Identification of Broad Consensus Themes
Five themes received broad consensus from Swanton area residents during the
twenty community vision sessions. These themes were:





Parks and Recreation
Infrastructure/transportation
Economic Development
Education
Community Life and Values
An additional three themes received recognition, but not broad consensus from
each of the community sectors. These additional themes were:



Natural Resources
Historic Properties & Built Environment
Housing
Broad Consensus Themes are identified in red in the following report.
II.
Organization of this Report
The following vision session compilation is structured in the following manner:
The three major components of sustainability with the corresponding Consensus
Themes emerging from the vision sessions include the following:
I. Environmental Sustainability – Natural & Built


Parks and Recreation
Infrastructure/Transportation
II. Economic Sustainability

Economic Development
III. Social Sustainability


Education
Community Life and Values
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Summary Statements encapsulating the resident’s input appear in bold italics
underneath each theme. Individual resident comments (identified by a ●) then
appear, verbatim, under each Summary Statement by Community Category
(using Lasswell’s Values and Institutions Categories as a guide - see Exhibit I).
Please note that there were no group vision sessions conducted in the
“Enlightenment” category, which would include Universities, the Media, and
Research Organizations. As a result, no input is listed under this category.
Where appropriate, resident’s similar comments have been grouped and the
number of times they have been made is shown in parentheses after the
comment. Most of the resident’s comments are verbatim, written exactly as they
were stated during the vision session.
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Results from Vision Sessions
COMPONENT: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Swanton Area’s Natural & Built Environment
Theme: Natural Resources
I.
What we value (question #1):
We value the open and natural areas and rural atmosphere of the
Swanton Area community, specifically the Oak Openings Park, our rural
atmosphere, and agricultural lands.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Oak Openings Park (beautiful) (2)
 Farm lands
 Diversity of nature
 Rural atmosphere
 Agriculture
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Peaceful nature of being in the country
 Small farming community away from the hustle and bustle of the “big city”
 State park (Maumee State Forest) & Oak Openings
 Maumee River is nearby
Affection #2: Youth
 Nature reserves
 Nice scenery
Community Category: Respect
 Oak Openings Metro park (3)
Green Space – local parks and Oak Openings
 Tranquility of the area
 Metro parks
 Kitty Todd Preserve (2)
 Maumee State Forest
 Natural areas
 Sandy soil
 Rural areas
 Wetlands
 Irwin Prairie Preserve
 Lake Campbell
 Goll Woods
 Flat – can see a long way
Community Category:
Power
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Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Proximity to Oak Openings
 Rural Setting
 Good water
Community Category: Rectitude
 Mature tall trees
Community Category: Skills
 Clean streets – litter free
Community Category: Enlightenment
II:
What we hope (question #2)
The Swanton Area community remains rural and agricultural, with
many natural areas and green space, and is committed to balanced
growth.
Community Category: Well Being
 Family farms, not factory farms
 Maintain rural community
 Keep farm land
 Do not overdevelop
Community Category:
Affection
Community Category: Respect
 More natural areas
 Less development
 Keep rural
 Controlled growth
 Maintain small community
 Maintain green space
 Balance between development and green space
Community Category:
Power
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 People want to stay because of the natural setting
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
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Theme:
I.
Historical Properties and Built Environment
What we value (Question #1):
We value the historical properties in our community, our downtown
area, and the appearance of the community overall.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Culture
 Downtown renovations
Community Category: Affection
 Revitalized downtown
 Aesthetically pleasing town
Community Category: Respect
 Streetscape on Main Street
 Historical buildings
Community Category: Power
 Our maintenance for village
 Our town square stays the same
Community Category:
Wealth/Poverty
Community Category: Rectitude
 Increase in pride – in appearance of community
Community Category: Skills
 Community pride in property (well maintained)
Community Category:
II.
Enlightenment
What we hope (Question #2):
The Swanton Area Community maintains its historic heritage and
historic properties through wise planning and the active involvement of
residents and organizations.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Maintain township hall, churches, etc.
Community Category: Affection
 Main Street has a long term architectural master plan
 Main Street has a façade renovation guideline plan
Community Category: Respect
 We have an active historical society and heritage is important to our community
Community Category:
Power
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Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Our buildings are fully occupied and are well maintained
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
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Theme:
I.
Parks and Recreation
What we value (Question #1):
We value the wide variety of parks and recreational opportunities for
walking, bike riding, horseback riding, fishing, sports and youth
activities available within the Swanton Area community.
Community Category: Well Being
 Horse trails at Oak Openings (2)
 Walking & bike trails at Oak Openings (2)
 City park – very nice (2)
 Keep roller skating rink and bowling alley
 Keep City parks
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Park & recreation programs (2)
 Pilliod Park for exercise/relaxation
 Parks
 Parks programs
 Swanton area parks
 Park programs/activities for children
 Children’s activities – park, softball
 Fishing at the reservoir
Affection #2: Youth
 Parks
o Memorial Park
o Rotary park
 Community support for sports
 Recreation programs
o Soccer
Community Category: Respect
 Swanton Memorial Park (2)
 Doughboy at Memorial park
 Pilliod Park – especially at Christmas (2)
 Golf courses – Valleywood and White Pines
 Rails to Trails
 Horse trails at Oak Openings
 Harry Hughes horse arena – horse shows & camp outs
 Reservoir
 Youth Programs
Community Category: Power
 Parks & recreation
 The parks
 Youth programs – recreation
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Rotary park – local park system
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

Pilliod Park Christmas display
Valleywood Golf Course
Community Category: Rectitude
 Memorial Park
Community Category: Skills
 Parks
 Summer recreation programs
Community Category:
II:
Enlightenment
What we hope (Question # 2):
The Swanton Area community has a wide variety of recreational
activities, programs and amenities for persons of all ages.
Community Category: Well Being
 More after school activities – school & community based
 Recreation center and pool
 Hockey arena
 Public pool
 More parks and sports oriented activities
 Snowmobile trail
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Pool
 More social events (Party in the Park)
 Community Center
 Cultural arts center
 Community swimming pool
Affection #2: Youth
 Recreation program at the park
 Teen youth center
 Community center
 More entertainment opportunities
 Sports stadium
 More youth activities
o Theaters
o Swimming pool
o Game halls
Community Category: Respect
 There are more parks near neighborhoods
 More youth oriented activities (2)
 Pedestrian and bike trails
 Parks have education programs
 Connecting village to trail
 Recreation areas
 Ponds for fishing
 Reservoir – recreation & canoeing
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
Public sports programs/soccer
Community Category: Power
 More parks
 Swimming pool
 Community recreation needs
 Recreation Office/Director
 Winning sports tradition
 Closer collaboration with Park & Recreation and school indoor programs for kids
as well as Adults with use of facility
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Entertainment for kids, community center, youth programs, swimming pools,
hockey arena
 Expansion of existing parks
 Activity center for kids
Community Category: Rectitude
 Successful football season
 Youth pride in activities
Community Category: Skills
 Community swimming pool
Community Category:
Enlightenment
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Theme:
I.
Infrastructure/Transportation
What we value (question #1):
The Swanton Area community is situated ideally, located in close
proximity to Toledo, the airport and restaurants, shopping and
services, while having excellent local services and a small town safe
feel with little traffic, walkability and no congestion.
Community Category: Well Being
 No traffic
 Close to Toledo and airport
 Airport close by
 Adelphia Cable
 Responsive fire, police and rescue squad
 No waiting line at post office
 Low crime
 No gangs
 No crack houses
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Small town feel, not congested
 Small community close to larger city venues (shopping, dining, entertainment)
 Proximity to the airport
 Availability/access to restaurants/shopping/business either in town or nearby
 Safe community – can walk anywhere & feel comfortable
 Water
 Fire and rescue department
 Physicians & dentists
 Low crime
 Feel safe and secure
 Geographic location
 Having best of both worlds – land & space & privacy but minutes from shopping
 Small but located near larger centers
 Transportation access
o Turnpike and Airport
Affection #2: Youth
 Everything in the village is within walking distance
 Close enough to other convenient locations (Toledo, Wauseon) but far enough
away from congestion
 Airport and turnpike are close by
 Country roads
o Less congestion
Location
o Near small and large towns
o Can enjoy country and city venues
 Good legal system
o Police are fair
Community Category:
Respect
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


Good location, good transportation networks, close to metro area
Good access to highways
Lack of traffic congestion
Community Category: Power
 Our location in relationship to transportation and other facilities
 Public Service director
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Easy to travel – driving is easier
 Located near turnpike entrances and airport
 Close proximity to Toledo
Community Category: Rectitude
 Proximity to Toledo and urban advantages
 Airport
 The overall cost of living is reasonable
II.
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
What we hope for (Question #2):
Improved infrastructure supports residents and the local economy by
providing ease of transportation, including alternative transportation
options, access to technology, and an improved community image.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Get trucks off of SR 2 (Airport Highway)
 Remain unchanged – everything is 20 minutes from Toledo
 We have bus service to Toledo
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Overpass over railroad tracks
 Train tracks re-routed
 Increase in technology
 More modern look – cleaner
 Overpass for trains
 Extend water and sewer to encourage business development
Affection #2: Youth
o Improved access over/under/around train tracks
o Well paved roads
o Better traffic control on Airport Highway (CR2/Kroger)
o Better presentation of the community – how we look on Airport Highway and
Main Street
o Better signage to local schools and parks
o Reduce problems of circumventing trains
o Better access around, under or over the tracks
Community Category:
Respect
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


We have access to technology
The rail line is rerouted or eliminated
Pedestrian walkways
Community Category: Power
 Rerouting of train
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 City water to more townships
 Railroad track does not have such a long wait
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
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COMPONENT: ECONOMIC
Theme: Economic Development
I.
What we value (Question #1):
We value the existing small businesses (including agricultural), retail
and service providers, and other employers in the Swanton Area
community.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Not industrial
 Nice restaurants
 Kroger (2)
 Super Valu – 24 hours and cook outs (2)
 Candle outlet store
 Local produce
 BPs drive thru
 The bars
 Beauty shops
 Car wash
 Video Connection
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Local merchants
 Business community support
 Lots of businesses
 Bowling Alley
 Loma Linda’s
Affection #2: Youth
 Small businesses are important
 Good restaurants
 Honey Bear (Soft serve ice cream shop open during the summer)
 Variety of restaurants
 Hard to run out of gas in Swanton
 Multiple pharmacies
 Multiple grocery stores
 Self sufficient
o Variety of shopping
Community Category: Respect
 The way different organizations and businesses work together
 Orientation of business district
 Restaurants (2)
 Grocery stores – have good selection
 Fresh produce – Sadowski’s and orchards
 Local newspaper
Community Category:
Power
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




Our main street
Convenience of grocery, drug stores, banking
Small town atmosphere – especially downtown
Potential for growth
Ohio Gas Company
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Blue collar community – down to earth
 Nursing homes are better because most employees live here
 Close to Loma Linda’s
II.
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
What we hope (Question #2):
The Swanton Area community is home to a mix of many thriving small
businesses and larger employers, all of whom provide economic
stability and diversity.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Burger King & Taco Bell (2)
 Harborside Healthcare
 Add Harborside Assisted Living
 Work at Delta
 Some upscale mall
 Shoe store
 Movie theater or other activity for adults
 Theater or arts center
 Pro football team
 More restaurants open 24 hours
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adult
 Industry/business growth – thriving downtown
 Strong, thriving community
 Growing, prosperous business community without sacrificing small town
atmosphere
 Attractive to businesses
 Have more/bigger shopper options
 Advertise to transfer downtown into an “antique town” (shopping) to drive in
consumers
 Prosperous business in downtown
 Flourishing business district in downtown
 More support for local businesses
 More economically sound community
 Maintain small town atmosphere even as it grows in regard to industry, business
& population
 Get more business in town
 More growth – restaurants, retail stores, commercial businesses
 Successful downtown and Main Street
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
More restaurants – other than fast food
o Coffee shop
 Mall
 Encourage and promote industry
o Increase jobs
o Brings in more tax revenue
Affection #2: Youth
o Need large business
o More employment
o More tax revenue
o Businesses competing to locate in Swanton
o Large businesses – more jobs
o Mini Mall
o More fast food
o Taco Bell
o Burger King
o Arby’s
o Wall Mart
Community Category: Respect
 There will be more business
 The downtown area is revitalized
 There are more entertainment venues, such as a movie theater
 More jobs are available in area industries
 There are more dining places of more variety
 We have a broad economic base to support these projects
 Local color (mom & pop stores)
 Diversified economy
 Thriving businesses and industries
 Destination based businesses – vacation destination
 More opportunities for meaningful employment
 Jobs that keep families here
 Coordinated and agreed upon zoning and economic development plan
 Financial security
Community Category: Power
 More business
 Equitable tax balance
 More jobs
 Control over the future development of residential & industrial
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 More chain restaurants – steak houses
 Individually owned restaurants – no chains
 More businesses to generate more tax revenue to help schools
 Use buildings already here and light industry only
 Smaller shops – specialty shops
 More clothing stores
 Wal-Mart or department store
 Stronger economic base
 More employers
 Place people want to stay for entertainment/theater
 More restaurants and businesses
22
Community Category: Rectitude
 The way we fund schools is not based on business growth of large businesses
 Arts Center, Coffee shops, Gathering Center
 One downtown identity – Main Street vs. Airport Highway
 More small shops – not mega stores
 More/better dining experiences
Community Category: Skills
 Expanded employment opportunities
 Industry that utilizes existing buildings (or small businesses)
 More cottage industries
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COMPONENT: SOCIAL
Theme: Education
I.
What we value (Question #1):
We are proud of our public and parochial schools, with quality
teachers. new facilities, and a wide variety of excellent academic and
non-academic extra-curricular activities.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Good quality teachers
 High school and advanced school is available
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 School facilities
 Support for student athletes (SPORTS)
 Proud of school music programs
 Schools (2)
 St. Richards School (2)
 Small community where I was raised and attended St. Richard’s school and now
my children do
 The academic and spiritual growth of our children
Affection #2: Youth
 New High School (2)
 New school attracts people to move to Swanton
 Extra curricular
o Sports
o Music
o Academic clubs
Community Category: Respect
 Our local schools
 Great teachers
 Cherry Street School
 New school
 Junior High building
 Schools – headed in the right direction
Community Category: Power
 Our schools
 School spirit
 New modern high school
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 New High School
Community Category: Rectitude
 Value teachers – elementary and middle schools
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II.
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
What we hope (Question #2):
The excellent Swanton Area Schools are well funded and supported by
the community financially as well as through parental involvement.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Funding for extracurriculars maintained
 Education center – workforce program – GED
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Stronger school system
 Educators involved in community (giving back outside the classroom)
 Community is supportive of their schools
 Financial aid for technology in all area schools
 Thriving church and school
 Increase/improvements in education/courses of study
 The public school system is supported by the community
 We are a place where children are nurtured and encouraged to excel in school
 Better/stronger public school system (3)
 Better management of our school tax dollars
 More involvement of parents in the school system
 Families support children who cannot afford parochial school fees beyond
elementary school
Affection #2: Youth
o More community support for school levies
o More school clubs/classes/language classes
o Better cafeteria food at H.S.
Community Category: Respect
 Post secondary educational opportunities will be available in the area
 Local school district is being supported by the residents, both financially and in
spirit
 Our school systems, parochial and public, have more active student participation
 Nurturing education – preschool to successful life – more than books
 Efficient and effective schools
Community Category: Power
 More state money for our schools
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Like to see Swanton Schools become one of the best systems in the area
 Swanton Schools not to be “testing” schools
 Good school system
 Retain superior teachers
Community Category:
Rectitude
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Community Category: Skills
 Schools that continue to improve
Statement:
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
Affection #2: Youth
o Higher education facility or institution
Theme:
I.
Housing
What we value (Question #1):
The Swanton Area community’s housing is affordable and well planned.
Community Category:
Well-Being
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Community growth – housing development
 Affordable housing
Affection #2: Youth
o New housing growth
Community Category: Respect
 Affordability of housing
Community Category:
Power
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Controlled residential growth
II.
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
What we hope (Question #2):
Housing opportunities in the Swanton area community are well
planned and of different varieties, with some providing for the special
needs of retired persons.
Community Category:
Well-Being
Community Category:
Affection
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

More high end residential homes
Attract higher income people to Swanton
Community Category: Respect
 Planned housing and businesses
 High percentage of owner occupied homes
Community Category:
Power
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Housing for retired people in community setting
 Retirement facilities
 Place for retired people
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category: Skills
 More retirement housing
Community Category:
Theme:
I.
Enlightenment
Social Services
What we value (Question #1):
The Swanton Area community is home to many excellent public and
social services, volunteer groups and individuals; the Library is widely
appreciated for its facilities and programs.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Library (2) – GREAT resource
 Family health
 Harborside (2)
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Support from civic/community groups (Rotary, Elks, Chamber of Commerce)
 Library program
 Library
 Hard workers
o Volunteers
o Civic organizations
o Social organizations
Affection #2: Youth
o Library
Community Category: Respect
 Library is involved with youth programs
 Library (3)
 Community spirit, especially of volunteers
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II.
Community Category:
 The library
Power
Community Category:
 Library
Wealth/Poverty
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
 Library
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
What we hope (Question #2):
Public services, volunteerism, safety response and health care,
including the local hospital, provide improved services to residents.
Community Category:
Well-Being
Community Category: Affection
 Increased charitable support
Affection #2: Youth
o Improve police response
o Improved EMS response and system
o Improved law enforcement
o More police
o Keep crime rate low
o Improved health care
o Local hospital
Community Category:
Respect
Community Category:
Power
Community Category:
Wealth/Poverty
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
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Theme:
I.
Community Life & Values
What we value (Question #1):
The Swanton Area Community is a friendly, close-knit and safe
community with small town values where neighbors care for each
other and children are valued and protected.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Close knit
 Small/personal
 Friendliness of people in the community (2)
 Small town
 Morals of individuals in the community
Community Category: Affection
Affection Part I: Adults
 Familiarity – lifelong resident
 Friendly people (helpful, caring)
 Small community atmosphere (2)
 Caring community support
 Great place to raise a family
 Hometown attitudes, atmosphere, closeness
 Everyone knows everyone
 More like an extended family than a town
 People genuinely care for one another
 People
 It is everything I thought a small town should be. We would never go back to
big city living. Thank you Swanton for making life more pleasurable small town
with convenience of most necessities within a few miles
 Parents watch out for each other and each others’ children
 Feeling of “a community raises a child”
 Raising children in a safe secure community
 Safety and security
 Police Department
 Fire and Rescue services
 Quiet neighborhood to raise my family
 Down to earth, friendly people
 Great community pride
 People
o Know lots of people
o Good character
o Close knit
Affection Part II: Youth
 Small town – privacy
 People know each other
 Safe town
 Friendly people
 Openness of people
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 Safety and security
 Privacy
Community Category: Respect
 The enjoyable people
 Open, friendly people (2)
 Great place to raise a family
 Big family
 Community sense of being together
 Close knit community
 Quiet, relaxing neighborhoods
 Small town
 Good neighborhoods, sense of security and safety
 Low crime rate
 Our kids
 Feeling of safety
Community Category:
 The people
Power
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Quiet community
 People coming together on issues – family
 Whole sense of community
 Safety- less crime (2)
 Great rescue squad, fire department and police
 Good water
Community Category: Rectitude
 Smallness of community – maintain village sense
 People know each other
 Friendliness – warmth
Community Category: Skills
 Low crime rate, police protection and police cooperation
Community Category:
Enlightenment
The Swanton Area community supports diversity and religious values.
Community Category:
 Churches (2)
Well-Being
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Churches
 Collaborative church activities
 Churches
o Community involvement
o Preschools
Affection #2: Youth
 Lots of churches
 Variety of churches
30
Community Category: Respect
 Religious diversity
 Our churches work together
 We are a more racially and culturally diverse community
Community Category: Power
 Working relationships between our area churches
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Diversity of churches
Community Category: Rectitude
 Churches – faith community working together
Community Category: Skills
 Diverse religious choices
Community Category:
Enlightenment
The Swanton Area community is home to many community festivals,
events and special features that are a point of pride and carry great
tradition for local residents.
Community Category: Well-Being
 Fulton County fair
 Corn Fest (3)
 Keep community traditions
 Party in the Park (2)
 July 4th Fireworks
 Christmas lights in Pilliod Park
 Parades
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Corn Fest
 Parades
 Community involvement – Corn Festival, Christmas Parade, Relay for Life,
Fireworks
 Christmas music played downtown during holiday season
Affection #2: Youth
 Community activities
o Corn Festival
o Community garage sale
o Parades
Community Category: Respect
 Corn Fest
 Christmas parade
 Baker Steam engine
Community Category:
 Corn Festival
Power
31




Our parades
4th of July fireworks
Honey Bear
Doughboy
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Corn Festival brings people together (2)
 4th of July Fireworks
 Party in the Park
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category: Skills
 Corn Festival
 Christmas in Swanton & other community celebrations
 July 4th Fireworks
Community Category:
II.
Enlightenment
What we hope (Question #2):
The Swanton Area is a small, close knit, friendly and caring community
that is a good place to raise a family and is supportive of our children.
Community Category:
Well-Being
Community Category: Affection
 More close knit community – know your neighbors
 Established neighborhoods
 Swanton is a town people want to stay in – we retain people
 Great place to raise a family
Community Category: Respect
 Swanton is a small town atmosphere
 A place where people would want to stay/move to
 We know the value of a small caring community
 A warm, welcoming community
 We are friendly
 A place where families value each other
 We are a safe and prosperous community where we can raise our families
 A more supported community for our children’s sake
 Vibrant, well planned, close knit – smallness – interconnectedness
 Retain “home town” values
 Diverse population
Community Category:
 Rich-affluent
Power
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Maintain strong sense of community
32
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
The Swanton Area Community is safe with excellent health and other
public services.
Community Category: Well-Being
 We have a larger library
 Our recycling center is excellent
 We have a Children’s Clinic
 Young people’s counseling programs are available
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 We are a safe and secure community
Affection #2: Youth
 Bigger/improved library
o PC availability
Community Category: Respect
 There is more medical care, urgent care and physicians
 We are a quiet, safe community
 We are a safe home community
 Local Swanton newspaper is a resource
Community Category:
Power
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 We maintain a nice, safe environment for kids
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
The Swanton Area community is proud of who they are, has a clear
sense of their own identity, supports diversity and is positive about the
future.
Community Category:
Well-Being
Community Category: Affection
Affection #1: Adults
 Positive/responsible/supportive community dwellers – everyone in the community
takes ownership
 Purple Pride
 Community pride
 People find a reason to have pride in their hometown
33
 Stronger, prouder community
 Positive reputation
 Drug problems at Memorial Park have been solved
Affection #2: Youth
 More cultural diversity
Community Category: Respect
 Swanton is a community you can be proud of
 Swanton has a more self-sustaining identity and its own image
 We have a positive sense of optimism
 Continue traditional festival
 Youth have a positive view of the future
 Community of cheerleaders, not tear leaders
 Build up community beginning with youth
 Greater appreciation for what is here naturally – greater us and awareness
Community Category:
Power
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 More positive image of community
Community Category: Rectitude
 More church going people ($)
 More cultural diversity
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
Swanton Area leadership is excellent, with political/elected officials
and residents making wise decisions to further community goals based
on collective vision and values.
Community Category:
Well-Being
Community Category: Affection
 Improved collaboration between school board, village council, trustees
 Expand village limits
 Stronger leadership in the village (community government)
 Continue traditions of today keeping growth to a minimum
 Possibility of village growing by extending boarders
 Stronger leadership
Community Category: Respect
 We are one political subdivision instead of five
 Decisions (community, business, etc.) are made according to a shared
community vision and goals
 Our media is fair and does not create divisiveness
 We have an ongoing process of visioning and planning
 We have a political structure that synergizes local resources that maintain local
control rather than control from outside entities
34



Improved political unity
Local officials willing to talk and work together
Potential to get even better
Community Category: Power
 More recognition for town volunteers – Community Rewards
 One major community fundraiser for needy – worthwhile community fundraiser
Community Category: Wealth/Poverty
 Maintain control/voice in rural areas
 Control how land is split and subdivided
 Involvement of citizens
 More recognition from county seat
Community Category:
Rectitude
Community Category:
Skills
Community Category:
Enlightenment
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Conclusions and Next Steps
The Swanton Area Sustainable Vision Initiative has identified some key
components necessary to build a balanced approach to community development
in the area. To date the Cooperating Partners have not determined their shared
purpose(s) for undertaking this effort. The Ohio State University Extension
Sustainable Communities Team working on this project recommends the
following next steps for moving the effort forward:
1. Convene a Brainstorming Summit of the cooperating partners to explore
application of this information.
The United States is currently in a transition phase which is moving the country
into a new economy. This new economy is based on the asset of Knowledge and
the innovations created from applying this knowledge. A key component to a
community participating in this transition is their ability to think and act
regionally. The Cooperating Partners in this project representing seven
governmental leadership jurisdictions have begun a regional approach to the
issues and opportunities facing their region. It is extremely important that these
jurisdictions continue the initiative through the identification of shared initiatives
they wish to address collaboratively. A Brainstorming Summit led by the
cooperating partners with invitations to key area leaders is critical to moving the
vitality of the Swanton Area forward.
2. Initiatives should focus around the six themes identified from the Sustainable
Communities Initiative.
Residents have identified the importance of Parks & Recreation, Infrastructure &
Transportation, Economic Development, Education, Community Life & Values and
Natural Resources. Although these are broad theme areas, residents also
suggest specific initiatives that would maintain and enhance the value of living
within the Swanton Area. The suggested initiatives should be used as
beginnings for leadership’s collective Brainstorming Summit as outlined in
Recommendation # 1.
3. Unique Natural Resources have been identified that define a special element
of the Swanton Area.
Residents have clearly identified some key Natural Resource Areas that provide a
unique identity and lifestyle for the area. These resources should act as a core
from which Swanton Area leadership maintains and builds a future for the area.
36
The Ohio State University Extension Sustainable Development Team has
completed a number of similar processes for communities in Ohio. It is clear to
our Team that the Swanton Area resident’s assessment of their special Natural
Resources in the area identifies unique characteristics not present in most other
community projects completed by our Team.
4. Find the critical balance between the Environment, Economic and Social
Sectors of the community.
The key to success in ascertaining and building a sustainable future for the
Swanton Area is the ability of elected officials and residents to find the unique
balance between the Environmental, Social and Economic sectors of the
community. No one sector can be raised to a superior position over the other
two nor can one sector be subservient to the other two sectors. The New
Economy is based first on the lifestyle available to the entrepreneurs building our
economic base of tomorrow. These entrepreneurs seek a healthy natural
environment mixed with social amenities that provide lifestyle necessary to foster
innovation, creativity and a trained workforce. Finding the balance is key to
building a sustainable community.
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EXHIBIT I
Swanton Area Sustainable Community Vision Sessions
Community Sector and
Category (Lasswell’s
Values & Institutions)
Wealth/Poverty
Chamber, Industry
Small Business
Community Action
Landowners, Insurance
Foundations, Consumers
Well-Being
Recreation, Law Enforcement
Emergency Services/Fire
Solid Waste Management/
Recycling, Health
Enlightenment
Universities, Media
Research Organizations
Rectitude
Religious Organizations
Ministerial Associations
Skills
Public Schools
Non-Public Schools
Career Centers
Tech Schools
Workforce Development
Power
Village Councils, Township Trust.
Planning Commission
Court System, Human Services
Date
Final Status Report – February 20, 2006
Organization/Entity
Facilitators
# of
Participants
7/05
No Swanton Tax Committee
Neil Toeppe
2
10/7/04
Swanton Rotary
Bill Grunkemeyer
24
11/11/04
Welles Bowen Realty
Gail Parsil
8
10/21/04
Harborside Healthcare
Mary McConnell
42
5/05/05
Ministerial Association
Neil Toeppe
5
11/15/05
Swanton High School Teachers & Staff
Neil Toeppe
52
10/17/05
St. Richard’s Staff
Sr. Bernarda
27
5/05/06
Library
Linda Slaninka
7
9/1/04
Parks & Recreation Board
?
10
38
Affection
Youth
Families
Senior Citizens
4-H
Respect
Citizen’s Groups
Service Clubs
Civil Rights Groups
11/15/05
Swanton High School Students
Neil Toeppe
37
10/20/05
SPORTS
Dan Brown
10
10/14/05
St. Richard’s Parents
?
12
5/5/05
Green Ribbon Initiative
Jan Hunter
9
5/5/05
Oak Openings
Neil Toeppe, Bill
Grunkemeyer & Myra
Moss
8
9/23/04;
2 other
dates
Guidance Council
Neil Toeppe, Bill
Grunkemeyer & Myra
Moss
79
7/05
Knights of Columbus
Neil Toeppe
1
Total # of Sessions: 20
Total # of Participants: 329
% of Population Participating: 2%
% of Labor Force Participating: 5%
39