State legislators seek river flooding input

Van Wert independent/contributor content

FINDLAY — State Representatives Robert Sprague (R-Findlay) and Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon), along with State Senator Cliff Hite (R-Findlay), held a press conference Monday at Bindel’s Appliance (Main St., Findlay) to discuss flooding of the Blanchard River and announce a Constituents’ Call to Action in order for residents to offer feedback on what should be done to correct the problem.

Bindel’s Appliance is one of the many businesses throughout Hancock and Putnam counties that has been affected by the flooding of the river. The lawmakers are asking for business owners and residents along the river to participate in the Call to Action by taking a brief online survey at http://tinyurl.com/78m4czd by February 20. The survey has also been mailed to nearly 1,200 residents in both counties who live along or near the Blanchard.

“This is both an engineering issue and a funding issue,” Representative Sprague said. “After we receive strong feedback and have meetings with various officials, we are going to come back and let the community know how things are going.”

Representative Wachtmann highlighted the work that has already taken place in making state officials aware of the issue.

“It is critical as we move forward to continue the great relationship among people from both Putnam and Hancock counties,” Representative Wachtmann said. “While there is concern about what a community project is as we choose our budgeting priorities, this is a project that is truly a multi-county need.”

In 2007, the State of Ohio authorized a total of $9 million over six years to assist with flood mitigation. To date, only $3 million of that money has been officially distributed.

“There has been a lot of work done for flood mitigation in the watershed,” Senator Hite said. “Because of the private-public partnership, I believe we can achieve our goals of obtaining better flood mitigation in the area.”

The legislators ask that residents contact their offices regarding any questions on the process of filling out the Call to Action survey. They were joined at the press conference by officials from Putnam and Hancock counties, as well as officials from Ottawa and Findlay.