2019 stories will continue to impact 2020

Editor’s note: After counting down the 10 top stories of 2019, the Van Wert independent also decided to talk about some of those stories that will continue to be newsmakers in 2020, along with new stories that may arise during the year.

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Several stories that were big news will continue to generate stories in 2020, while other stories may become top stories at the end of this new year.

Sometime this year, the multi-million-dollar Van Wert Health construction project will be completed, providing Van Wert County with an all-new, state-of-the-art hospital facility that includes new surgical suites and patient accommodations, among other amenities. 

Hopefully, the new hospital addition will be as successful as the Van Wert Health North facility in the Towne Center shopping center, which has far surpassed expectations, according to hospital President/CEO Jim Pope.

Meanwhile, this should be the fourth straight year the hospital has been a top news story, starting in 2017 with groundbreaking for the Van Wert North facility.

Another 2019 situation that will continue to provide newsworthy stories is the problems in the county treasurer and auditor offices.

Criminal proceedings will continue this month against Auditor Phil Baxter and two of this deputies related to their allegedly trespassing in the treasurer’s office.

In addition to the criminal proceedings, an audit of the treasurer’s office is also expected to be completed sometime this year. That independent audit could end up costing the county $100,000, or more, before it is completed.

In addition, two Republican challengers — outgoing Van Wert mayor Jerry Mazur and city resident Jerry McIntosh — will challenge Treasurer Nathan Vandenbroek for that party’s nomination in the March 17 primary election.

The economy as a whole, as well as The Landing at Dickinson Farms subdivision and Business Development Corporation development efforts specifically, should also continue to generate news in 2020 as more homes are built in the subdivision and the BDC completes its capital fundraising efforts and begins to use the money on capital projects.

Van Wert officials will also begin working this year to educate city residents concerning the benefits — and possible downsides — of transitioning the city from a statutory government to a charter form of government. While the move could possibly increase the cost of government, it would also provide more flexibility in how the city government operates, as well as provide more control over city officials, including making some city offices appointed positions, rather than elected positions, and making city elections non-partisan.

Van Wert County Regional Airport will also continue to be in the news as the Airport Authority begins its new terminal project in 2020, while also working to raise money to extend the primary runway from its current 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet to accommodate larger corporate jets.

In addition to the 2019 stories that will continue to generate news in 2020, downtown development should also take the spotlight this year as a new multi-million-dollar project comes to the forefront early this year.