Strasburg Council hires school resource officer

Strasburg Council passed an emergency resolution to hire Dannon Svab as the Strasburg-Franklin school resource officer, effective Feb. 17. Svab is currently employed by the village of Dalton. He has 23 years of law enforcement experience and three years of school resource officer experience and has completed the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction school resource officer training. Svab will serve a six-month probationary period.

At the Feb. 3 meeting, several coaches who hold a fall softball tournament at Franklin Park attended to voice concerns about charging each team an additional fee to play instead of charging a $5 parking fee.

“We are proposing $100 per team. An application would need to be submitted, and this is a way to give back to the park. We spent a total of $67,786 in 2025 for the park,” Mayor Bruce Metzger said.

“How will the fields be taken care of if the coaches are not at the park?” coaches asked. Two baseball fields were also improved as part of that cost.

“We are at the park every fall weekend, and all funds go to Strasburg softball,” coach Mike Lindsey said. “We will not be able to hold a tournament.”

Don “Duck” Krantz said it must be affordable for teams to come and play in the tournaments.

The discussion will continue, and no decision was made.

Council also passed a resolution to proceed with a 1-mill, five-year renewal levy to appear on the May 5 ballot. The levy is for the purpose of providing fire and emergency equipment services and cannot be used for salaries. The levy collects an estimated $58,534 annually, with no increase in real estate taxes.

Council learned the wastewater treatment plant expansion project will be submitted under the Economic Development Administration grant program, which offers 60% reimbursement of funds up to $2.5 million.

Council heard the fire department has signed a quitclaim deed to transfer the property across from the fire station to the village. The deed has been taken to the county map office, which requires seven to 10 days for processing.

Council learned Cornerstone Design and Restoration has started the annexation process for a portion of land on Railroad Avenue where duplexes will be constructed.

Council heard the fire department received an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Volunteer Fire Assistance grant, a 50-50 matching grant up to $10,000 for wildland gear used in fighting brush fires.

Council heard there was a garage fire on Winfield-Strasburg Road Jan. 24. A freezer in the garage caused the fire. Seven departments responded, including 11 Strasburg firefighters. A medical emergency occurred Jan. 28 involving a full cardiac arrest. First responders arrived in three minutes. Fire Chief Jason Ely thanked police for their assistance at the scene.

Council requested residents call 911 when contacting the fire department and not use the landline, as calls must go through 911.

Village Administrator Mike Rosenberry is collecting photos of Strasburg veterans and active-duty military, past and present, for military banners placed on Wooster Avenue. Photos should be 3-by-5, with the service member in uniform. On the back of the photo, print the first and last name, branch of service and a telephone number for returning the photo. Photos must be taken to Rosenberry at village hall by April 1.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. at the site of the new community center on North Bodmer Avenue.

Levco Striping Services Inc. will donate discounted signs and striping, and Willandale Golf Cart Sales and Service will donate the use of earth-moving equipment for the new community center.

Police responded to 85 calls from Jan. 20 through Feb. 3. The fire department responded to 31 calls for service from Jan. 16 through Jan. 31.

Council thanked Hardees, Pam Johnson of Subway and Circle K for food and hot beverages provided to employees during the fire and recent inclement weather.

The next meeting will be held Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.