More on Fostoria

More on Fostoria 1991

From Retiring Assistant Managing Editor R/t

R/t March 29,2004

Article by Larry Huffman

Reservoir Information & History

Reservoir #1 - Lake Daugherty, - Named for Eugene Daugherty, U.S. Navy, killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Dec. 7, 1941. Water surface area of 11 acres, volume of 25.3 million gallons and distance around of 3,300 feet. (0.625 miles)

Reservoir #2 - Lake Mottram, - Named in honor of Charles Mottram, United States Marine Corps, killed in the Pacific war zone in October 1942. Water surface area of 16.5 acres volume of 68 million gallons and distance around of 3,600 feet. (0.682 miles)

Reservoir #3 - Lake Lambejack, - Named in honor of Gerald J. Lambejack, U.S. Army, killed in action in Sicily, July 24, 1943. Water surface area of 31.7 acres, volume of 95 million gallons and distance around of 6,850 feet.(1.373 miles)

Reservoir #4 (1942) - Lake Mosier, - Named for Seaman 2/c William Mosier Jr., U.S. Coast Guard, lost in the North Atlantic March 9, 1944. Water surface area of 91.3 acres, volume of 305 million gallons and distance around of 7,850 feet. (1.487 miles)

Reservoir #5 - Lake LeComte, (1958) - Named for Lt. Charles E. LeComte, U.S. Army Air Forces, killed in action over Italy, Jan, 22, 1944. Water surface area of 128 acres, volume of 735.5 million gallons and distance around of 9,500 feet. (1.799 miles)

Reservoir #6 - Veterans' Reservoir, (1991)- Named in honor of all who have served in the nation's armed forces. Water surface area 160 acres, volume of 919 million gallons and distance around of 12,250 feet. (2.320 miles)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Water Key to Fostoria's Future

In March 11, 1941, Fostoria City Council determined to sell $200,000 in bonds and to take options on three sites; the Fox farm, the Ernest farm and a piece of land shared among several farms about three miles south of the city.

At that meeting, it was disclosed the firm interested in a greater water supply was the National Carbon Co., Which had been awarded a War Department contract for gas mask filters, a contract which would require use of 10 million gallons per month of water.

D.E. Davis, engineer with Chester Engineers of Pittsburgh, Pa., handed council a bit of a shock when he informed them the three reservoirs in service had a capacity of about 200 million gallons. Before his survey, the city had estimated the storage capacity at 325 million gallons when full, which was seldom.

Davis then departed for Columbus, where he was working to determine the city's fire insurance rating if three projects were completed: the water storage, a new water tower in the east part of town and more fire apparatus.

The city at first decided the Ernest farm would be best, but further examination of costs showed the Fox site would hold more water and construction cost would be less than first thought. That site was ultimately chosen.

Late in April 1941, plans and specifications for the work were authorized, and the Homes Construction Co. of Wooster was the successful bidder. The reservoir question was crowded from the front pages by war developments, but reports indicate the reservoir was ready at the end of 1941 or early 1942, and could store 305 million gallons of water, nearly twice the other three combined.

Though it had taken nearly 22 years for the city to feel the need for more water, it took only 16 until the problem arose again. More water-intensive industries, and the spurt in population growth (nearly 1,400 between 1950 and 1960) again drove the city to increase the supply.

With 1957 coming to a close, the city began work on reservoir 5, largest of the group, on a site west and south of Reservoirs 1 and 4. In January 1958, structures on the site of the "proposed" reservoir were being demolished, and the lumber reclaimed for a storage shed next to the sewage disposal plant. The shed would house street and sewer department equipment.

As February dawned, the city faced a protest by 15 farmers in the area, who feared the plan would increase silt in the Portage River and in their drainage tile, causing flooding of their farms.

In early March, the city began meeting with the farmer's to see what could be done. By April, the meetings had failed to bear fruit, and work resumed. As dry weather struck, workcrews went 18-hour shifts to speed the work.

Optimistic reports indicated the reservoir would be complete by Nov. 1 more than doubling city capacity. By Nov. 3 the word was that the reservoir needed a little more riprap. All was ready Nov. 17 -- well, not quite. It seemed there was no power to the reservoir pumps Handock-Wood Electric was reportedly getting poles as rapidly as possible, and pumps were to be tested Dec. 5, 1958. On Dec 6, a report showed the pumps worked fine -- but the automatic switch was missing.

Finally, by years end, the reservoir was ready, and another 735.5 million gallons of capacity was ready to serve people and industries.

Twenty years later, the city, almost unbelievable, again was facing problems. A report showed the city had been down to a 26-day supply of water during the winter of 1976-77. Mayor George Peeler proposed yet another reservoir and a study group was named to consider the matter.

By June 1980, then Mayor Ken Beier came out against the new reservoir unless the state kicked in much more aid than the $1.8 million promised saying the cost would be several times that. Despite the problem, a site was selected, between Reservoir 4 and Reservoir 5, and plans called for a 230-acre site abutting CR 23.

By March 1982, the state had temporarily withdrawn funds, and the idea for a sixth reservoir was dropped. However, the problem would not go away, In September 1982, the north wall of Reservoir 3 developed a crack, and early efforts to repair it only made the matter worse.

Then, in May of 1984, it was necessary to reinforce the east wall of reservoir 5, as high winds drove water over the wall.

As things again began to fall into place, the city continued plans or the project, even as a citizens coalition formed to battle the plan. By September 1989, the group had lost the court fight to halt the work, but was able to place a referendum on the November ballot.

The referendum (against) passed, but a court ruled that, under state law the work was under contract, and must go forward. By the end of construction in 1991, the reservoir, first proposed in a 1965 water study and promoted more heavily in the 1970's was in place adding 919 million gallons to the city's supply.

Perhaps ironically, during the citizens campaign, based on the proviso that a falling population made the expansion unnecessary, the city again face a water shortage when drought brought the storage to less than a months use.

Today citizens have a water supply reported sufficient for three years at full capacity with recreation and fishing areas for the citizens' enjoyment.

-------------------------

Note; A couple years ago when cities and towns in the area were rationing water to its residents Fostoria at the time had over seven hundred (700) days supply in storage at normal daily water usage.

From R/t May 26, 2001

Gene Kinn (Article)

Local AMVETS Organized

In 1990, several local veterans discussed the need for another organization since younger veterans did not meet the eligibility requirements of the other two posts. After subscribing the requisite 40 members, a charter was granted in 1991.

Members then purchased the Old Ohio Bell building at 155 East Tiffin Street, and converted it to a canteen and meeting rooms. The new facility opened in June of 1991. Last year, (2000) a major addition was added to the building.

Ralph Koerper, one of the original organizers, was the first commander. The present commander, Rich Waldron presides over nearly 500 members.

The local organization is strong on community service and has contributed a substantial amount of money to state and local charities including the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky and scholarships to the children of members. AMVETS is open to all veterans.

The AMVETS Post 69 recently celebrated its 10th anniversary (In the year 2001)