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THE EARLY BIRD Weekend Edition of the Daily Advocate
Weekend edition
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Sunday, February 16, 2020 • $1
Huffman is Public Servant of the Year
Matt Huffman was honored by the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education.
Courtesy photo
COLUMBUS – State Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima) was named Public Servant of the Year by the Ohio ACTE (Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education) for his support of career technical education and commitment to improving the ways Ohio prepares its young people to compete for jobs in the 21st century economy. “As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, so too does the demand for skilled workers. Career
technical centers play an essential role in meeting the needs of job creators by preparing the next generation of Ohioans to enter the workforce,” said Huffman. Huffman was chosen for his work in the 132nd General Assembly on Senate Bill 216, which reduced the amount of unnecessary mandates and regulations affecting Ohio’s public schools, as well as his current work on Senate Bill 89, intended to reduce unfunded
mandates and state overreach of career technical schools and career-technical education (“CTE”) teachers by state agencies and other entities. “By reducing state mandates and regulations on our schools, our educators will be able to operate with greater efficiency and independence,” Huffman added. The Ohio ACTE is the only statewide, professional organization for all career-technical and adult educators and supporters.
Linda Moody | DarkeCountyMedia.com
Union City, Ohio, Mayor John Fields invites guests to their council meetings, which are held at 6 p.m. the first Monday of the month.
Union City mayor rockin’ it By Linda Moody
UNION CITY, Ohio — John Fields has been busy getting acclimated to his new role in the community — mayor of Union City, Ohio. He served on council for two terms and at the end of his second term decided he would run for mayor. He said he has been putting committees back together. His main focus is to get the village’s voters to pass the operating levy, which failed at the polls in November. “This levy was initiated in 1978, and is attached to property tax within the village at 1977 property values,” he said. “As a mayor, I can’t stress enough the importance of passage of these levies as we all work as one, to keep our village services operative and safe as well as striving to move forward under ever-increasing costs and mandates.” “This is all new for me,” said Fields, who noted that it was former mayor Scott Stahl who got See MAYOR | 3A
Ryan Berry | DarkeCountyMedia.com
Christy Bugher, executive director of United Way, and Joel Allread, campaign chairman for United Way, were joined by Kristian Garwood and Logan Thompson, co-chairmen for Whirlpool’s fundraising campaign, as well as their committee for the check presentation.
Whirlpool gives over $300K to United Way Funds help local non-profit agencies and company raised over $400,000 in the 2017/2018 campaign. According to Lisa HileGREENVILLE – On man, communication Tuesday, the Greenville Whirlpool/KitchenAid plant specialist for KitchenAid, Whirlpool Corporation is a presented a check to Darke huge supporter of United County United Way for $321,495.47. This is the sec- Way across the nation. The ond largest donation Whirl- local plant has gone from pool and its employees have holding events and fundraisers for a few weeks to made to the local United making it a year-round funWay office. The employees
By Ryan Berry
DarkeCountyMedia.com
draising event. This year’s co-chairmen included Kristian Garwood and Logan Thompson with assistance from Brent Fourman. Payroll deduction is one of the leading fundraising contributors to the Darke County United Way, but it may not be where the biggest donation comes from. The company holds product sales throughout the year and funds are donated to the local organization. Other fundraisers include food
trucks, silent auctions and Jim’s Hotdog Day with a combined donation from Miami Vending and Whirlpool. Employees were able to raise nearly $161,000 and the Whirlpool Foundation matched the donation. Joel Allread, 2019/2020 campaign chairman, and Christy Bugher, executive director for Darke County United Way, agreed that See WHIRLPOOL | 3A
OVER 90% OF OUR PROGRAMS CAN BE COMPLETED ONLINE. Speak with a Career Pathway Advisor today by calling 937.548.5546 or visit: www.edisonohio.edu OH-70174088
DarkeCountyMedia.com