Habitat For Humanity’s ReStore Offers New Life For Surplus Home Items
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 14 for the grand opening of ReStore, located at 1310 Conant St. in Maumee. The retail business features reusable and surplus building materials, furniture, appliances and other home products, with proceeds benefiting Habitat. Pictured are (from left) Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity associate executive director Susan Rowland Miller, board member Don Rettig, executive director Michael McIntyre, board member Don Flenner, ReStore managers Chris Henry and Christian Powers, Mayor Tim Wagener, Maumee council member John Boellner and volunteer Dean Voyles. (read additional story) MIRROR PHOTO BY NANCY GAGNET
City Has Salt Supply On Hand If And When Snow Starts To Fall
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
While the Farmers’ Almanac has predicted that Old Man Winter will pack a hefty punch this season, it seems that so far he’s been sitting on the sideline.
“I never try to predict the weather. If it snows, that’s fine; if it doesn’t snow, that’s fine. We just want to be prepared if it does,” said Maumee service director Joe Camp.
The city of Maumee has over 4,000 tons of salt available to purchase this winter, and according to Camp, only 500 tons have been purchased thus far.
“Four minor salt runs have taken place in Maumee,” he said.
In June, Maumee City Council approved the purchase of road salt through a cooperative state purchase plan.
The city must purchase at least 3,200 tons of salt, or 80 percent of the baseline 4,000 tons, at a price of $55.61 per ton. That amount was set based on usage from previous years, Camp said.
“Every year we have met the baseline tonnage of salt we have purchased,” he said.
If there is heavier than expected snow, the city can purchase more than the baseline, or 4,800 tons of salt, at the state purchase plan price, he said.
The city has eight trucks that can be used to salt and plow streets and three small vehicles to plow parking lots.
The goal every season, Camp said, is to gear up and by ready to go by making sure salt spreaders are on the trucks and that the trucks are fully fueled when the snow does hit.
“I’m not disappointed if it doesn’t snow, but we’re always prepared for the worst if it does,” Camp said.
New MUBA Officers Welcome Ideas From Maumee Community
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
The Maumee Uptown Business Association is looking for fresh ideas for the new year.
“We want people to know what’s happening in uptown, and we want to do everything we can to support the Maumee community,” said Bethany McGraw, MUBA president for 2012.
McGraw is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Maumee. A 2006 graduate of Toledo Christian School, McGraw grew up in Perrysburg and attended Huntington University in Indiana.
During her senior year in college, McGraw realized that her passion for business and investing would steer her away from her exercise science major and into a career in business.
“A representative from Edward Jones contacted me about a job opportunity,” she said.
Following graduation, McGraw managed five Edward Jones branch locations – with a portfolio of $28 million – from an office in St. Louis, Mo.
Last January she moved back to the area to manage the Maumee branch, which serves approximately 300 clients.
She is also active in the Society of Young Professionals and is the finance director and worship team leader for River of Life Church.
“It’s definitely a great privilege to be selected MUBA president after only one year. I would like to introduce myself to local businesses to see what we can do to help support them. The whole community will benefit if we all pull together,” she said.
In addition to McGraw, the MUBA executive board includes vice president Ty Szumigala, secretary Tom Bauer and treasurer Brenda Clixby.
Since 1975 MUBA has supported the uptown area by attracting new businesses and creating shopping opportunities in the uptown area. The organization also works to create awareness and interest in the city’s historic district.
Several community events are supported by the association including Rock the Block, the Maumee Summer Fair, the Fourth of July community picnic, trick or treating in uptown Maumee and the Holiday Light Parade.
The group has also worked with local businesses to create a holiday display in store windows, which includes a scavenger hunt of Santa’s reindeer.
According to Szumigala, who manages the Maumee Indoor Theater, the goal of the organization is to improve the uptown area.
“Anything we do, and all of the money raised from our events, go right back into the city,” he said.
The money is used to promote Maumee, purchase displays and beautify uptown Maumee, he said.
“We work closely in conjunction with the city. They are very supportive of our work,” he said.
The association meets every other month or when needed, Szumigala said, and the public is always welcome to attend meetings.
“We’re always looking for input on things we can do for the betterment of Maumee,” he said.
For information, please visit online at www.maumeeuptown.com.
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