Waterville Police Chief Bob Selders Set to Retire After 32 Years Of Service
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
Waterville Police Chief Bob Selders never regretted his decision to enter law enforcement.
“I couldn’t think of working in any other community – dealing with the people here and the employees, we’ve got the best in the world,” he said.
After 32 years on the job, Selders is set to retire. His last day on the job is September 30.
“I just feel it’s time. There isn’t one thing that has motivated me to retire; it’s just time for somebody else to step in and move the department forward,” he said.
Selders, who joined the department in 1979, has served as a patrolman, crime prevention officer, sergeant and detective.
“I’ve pretty much held every position except lieutenant,” he said.
While the village of Waterville has grown into the city of Waterville, Selders has watched the department grow from a six-man force to a 14-man force, then back down to an 11-man force.
He also went from typing police reports to entering everything into a computer.
“The technology itself has changed so much that now I can’t see police work without it,” he said.
In May 2002 he was named chief of police.
“Bob takes his job very seriously, but also brings humor to the workplace. He’s a pleasure to work with,” said Lt. David Morrison, who has worked with Selders since 1982.
Describing Selders as caring and diligent, Morrison said he would be missed.
“He’s not overbearing and he’s very fair with people. If there is a problem, he’ll try to talk it over and work it out,” Morrison said. “I hate to see him go – it will be hard to replace him but I wish him the best of luck.”
For Selders, the interest to enter law enforcement was sparked at the tender age of 10, while growing up in North Royalton, Ohio.
“I knew some of the officers there and I was really impressed with the way they talked and the way they were and I guess that’s when I really thought about getting into it,” he said
He also had an uncle who worked as an FBI agent in Cleveland.
“I really respected them. I loved how they got involved with the community and it was just always something that I’ve wanted to do,” he said.
Selders graduated from Owens Technical College in 1975 with an associate’s degree in applied science in law enforcement, and he graduated from the Basic Ohio Police Officer Academy in 1977.
Prior to working in Waterville, Selders also served in the Ohio National Guard 137th Military Police Battalion and he was an officer with the Whitehouse Police Department and the Medical College of Ohio campus police department.
While he can’t pick a single event in his career that stands out, he says the daily experiences of working to solve identity and credit card theft, burglary and domestic violence cases as well as handling administrative duties have kept him busy.
“For me the biggest challenge has been trying to balance the job – the employees, administration, council and residents – trying to make it all mesh together and work,” he said.
Public works director Kenny Blair said that while the two men sometimes agreed to disagree, they always made the right decision.
“I’m going to miss him,” said Blair, who has known Selders throughout his entire career.
“He’s handled the position very well and he’s been a good friend over the years,” Blair said.
Selders admitted that he would also miss his co-workers and the community, especially the small-town feel he admires about Waterville.
“It’s been a pleasure working with employees, residents and elected officials for the past 32 years. I couldn’t think of a better community to work in,” he said.
Selders and his wife of 23 years, Evie, have eight children.
“There is never a dull moment. We’re constantly on the go, but we haven’t had a crisis yet that we couldn’t deal with. I always told my wife that I may not have much as far as money, but I’m the richest man in the world with the family I’ve got,” he said.
AWYF President Shares Update On Blue Creek Recreation Area
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
By spring, soccer, baseball, softball and lacrosse players will be utilizing the Blue Creek Recreation Area, Anthony Wayne Youth Foundation president Todd Frendt told Whitehouse Village Council during its September 6 meeting.
“It’s been a long haul, but we’re finally here,” Frendt said. “We’ve spent two years watching the grass grow.”
Frendt was joined by AWYF representatives Mandi Brannan, Thom Ovacek and John Rozic to answer questions about the area, located on Providence Street south of downtown Whitehouse and the large quarry.
Within the next few weeks, the fields will be aerated and seeded, and the infields of the 12-acre baseball and soccer fileds will be manicured to eliminate weeds.
With mowing, watering, fertilization and other maintenance, the foundation has spent $21,893 since June, Frendt said.
Due to requests from several residents on Providence Street, the AWYF will also be spending $15,000 to install mounds along the street from Helen Drive to Stiles Road. Trees may be added on the mounds by spring, at an estimated cost of $4,000, pending tree commission approval.
Recently, the foundation moved its offices to 6705 Providence St., and increased staffing to work on over $1 million in grant applications.
In October, the foundation will kick off an annual appeal, and in the spring a fund-raising event will be held, Frendt said.
During the meeting, council also:
• Agreed to provide new, more detailed requests for proposals for green waste collection.
After Clean Wood Recycling, Future Lawn and Ohio Compost both submitted proposals and then alternative proposals in more detail, solicitor Phil Davis recommended that a new, more definitive RFP be provided.
“There were some things that were not in the original request. A new RFP would serve both parties well,” Davis said.
The matter will be discussed during a public service committee meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 19.
• Approved Tiffany Bachman to fill the position of tax commissioner, vacated when Connie Busch died in June. Mayor Angie Kuhn recused herself from the interview process, stating that she knew all four candidates. She appointed Bachman, who has served as assistant tax commissioner for Wauseon since 2003, based on recommendations from administrator Jordan Daugherty and staff members. The appointment was unanimously approved.
• Heard that Daugherty is interviewing candidates for a part-time administrator and public works assistant.
• Discussed a Lucas County Solid Waste request to approve a $3.00 per ton disposal fee and an annual $5.00 per improved parcel fee, to pay for a materials recovery center. Council voted 5-1, with Debby Curry dissenting, to decline approving that request.
• Thanked public works director Steve Pilcher for completing sidewalks along Finzel Road. The portion between Bucher Road and the Wabash Cannonball Trail will be completed soon, Pilcher said.
• Amended an expanded mutual aid agreement for police to provide resources and personnel in times of emergency.
• Approved up to $2,300 for the fire department to finish building a fire pit at the park. Council members agreed that the Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce should be contacted to see if some of those funds could be offset by an investment from Cherry Festival profits.
• Heard Bill May ask if the contractor working on the downtown sewer and water lines could provide additional lighting around parked trucks.
• Heard that a new police car is being fitted with lights and painted.
• Learned that White-house will be hosting an antique appraisal and car show event on Saturday, September 17. Council agreed to close Lucas Street for the day.
• Heard that the design review board approved five new colors acceptable for use in the downtown area. The board also appointed Barbara Knisely, community development coordinator, to select fall and winter street banners.
The next Whitehouse council meeting is Tuesday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m.
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