Holiday Window Decorations Create Festive Cheer In Uptown Maumee
BY NANCY GAGNET— MIRROR REPORTER
Using former department store displays, handmade giant cutout dolls and a jolly Santa, Tonya Haynes of the Maumee Valley Historical Society said the uptown Maumee window decorations would tie nicely into the holiday decorations at the Wolcott House.
“Thomas Nast introduced the fat jolly Santa in his painting, and we are featuring a jolly Santa and Nast’s other work at the Wolcott House this year,” Haynes said.
Haynes created a display at the former Artcrest building located at the corner of West Wayne and Conant streets as part of the Window Wonderland Uptown decorating event.
Sponsored by the Maumee Uptown Business Association and the Maumee Chamber of Commerce, the event features Christmas decorations in the uptown area created by several local businesses, organizations and churches, said Brenda Clixby, executive director of the Maumee Chamber of Commerce.
St. Joseph Catholic School in Maumee also reserved space in the Artcrest building to decorate a Christmas scene featuring St. Nicholas.
“We wanted to honor the true St. Nicholas, who was the patron saint of giving,” explained Jamie Orians, marketing and development director for the school.
A cottage house is used as a backdrop to symbolize the home St. Nicholas would visit. The scene also features a picket fence, cobblestone walkway, Christmas tree and shoes filled with candy canes, said parent volunteer Kristy Dieter, who helped organize the display.
“St. Nicholas would fill the shoes of poor children. We wanted to keep in line with the church and tell the story of the real Santa. We thought it would be fun,” she said.
Maintenance director Vince Debo also helped build the display.
Santa’s nine reindeer will be hidden in window displays throughout the uptown area and children can pick up a Reindeer Scavenger Hunt Card at the Maumee Indoor Theater beginning on Friday, November 25.
After finding each reindeer, children may redeem their cards at the theater until December 23 for a free movie pass and a chance to win prizes.
According to Taylor Burciaga, Maumee Chamber of Commerce event coordinator, the Window Wonderland event helps bring the uptown area to life during the holidays.
“It adds to the Christmas season and in the evening it looks absolutely beautiful. It also adds to the festivities when our parade comes down the street,” she said, referring to the Holiday Light Parade scheduled on Saturday, November 26.
“Residents are surrounded by the Christmas season in every way,” she said. “It is a way for businesses to say thank you and happy holidays.”
Santa Strut Pageant Planned For Kids Following Holiday Light Parade
The Maumee High School Interact Club will host a hot cocoa stand and kids’ pageant at the Maumee Indoor Theater on Saturday, November 26 following the Maumee Holiday Light Parade.
The Santa Strut Pageant, open to children ages 4-9, will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are asked to wear their silliest or most creative holiday character costume.
The cost to participate is $5.00 per child, and the deadline to register is Friday, November 25. Registration forms are available at the Maumee Indoor Theater.
Proceeds from the hot cocoa stand and pageant will benefit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to help fight childhood cancer.
For more information, call Cate Porter at (419) 810-3972.
Personnel Committee Approves Request To Add Dispatcher
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
After meeting with Maumee Police Chief Robert Zink, the Maumee personnel committee app-roved a request to add another dispatcher.
The committee will make its recommendation to Maumee City Council, which will give final approval on the proposal.
At the committee meeting, which took place November 14, Zink reported that there are currently 10 dispatchers in the department, or one fewer than what is considered full strength.
An additional dispatcher would help reduce overtime hours, Zink said.
“Having an additional dispatcher will add flexibility on busier shifts, where we can add four dispatchers per shift, which will help to lower overtime potential by filling voids,” he said.
Since 2007, the department has logged more than 3,000 overtime hours annually.
Currently, three dispatchers are staffed on three shifts; however, Zink said someone is usually off.
“They have medical issues and other situations. Every year more employees take extended leave,” he said.
According to Zink, the duties of a dispatcher include answering 911, in-house and non-emergency calls.
In addition, they must enter information into a computer system and communicate information to a first responder. They also monitor building security systems.
The starting pay is $40,741, according to city finance director Linda Wilker, who said that adding a dispatcher would reduce overtime costs by $40,000.
“Not in the first year because of the training period. But toward the end of the first year, and in the second year there should be a significant reduction in overtime hours,” she said.
To be eligible, candidates must take a civil service test and complete an interview process, Zink said.
The personnel committee, which consists of council members Doug Brainard, Tim Pauken and Michael Coyle, also discussed staff levels in the service department.
Service director Joe Camp requested that a position of commissioner of public service be created to replace an engineering position. The commissioner would have the authority to handle situations in the absence of the director, Camp said.
He also requested authorization to interview for a supervisor position due to a retiring employee.
The request by Camp would not add staff members to the department, which currently employs 46.
Brainard said the requests would be further reviewed before the committee makes a recommendation to council.
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