Town news

The Bluffton Hometown Amerifest, an annual event, was held Saturday and Sunday morning, June 26 and 27.

The event merged three separate functions, the Festival of Wheels, Relay for Life, and Freedom Fest.

"It went well, not perfect, but overall it was a nice day and a great event," said Dick McGarrity, of the Bluffton Lions Club. "For a small community to raise $50,000 in a single event is really remarkable."

Approximately $25,000 was raised via the sales of Corvette raffle tickets. Joan Swank, of Van Wert, won the raffle and was handed the keys to the 1990 Corvette on Monday, June 28 at Bud's Chevrolet-Buick, Inc. in St. Mary's, Ohio.

The Bluffton Relay for Life event raised over $22,000 and counting. Donations will continue to be accepted until August 20. Please contact Relay for Life organizer, Tracey Steele, for more information.

"I'd like to thank everyone who gave their time and especially those who donated cakes for the cake walk activity," said Steele. "It was great for all three organizations involved and will continue to improve year after year.

Next year's Hometown Amerifest is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26. In its beginning stages of planning, Amerifest 2011 may be blended with the sesquicentennial celebration planned for next summer.

In an effort to preserve the budget, Bluffton town council voted to eliminate the position of assistant village administrator at the June 14 meeting.

The responsibilities of the position, held by Nancy Benroth, will be absorbed by other members of village administration.

"We looked at each department and decided what we could eliminate without diminishing service to residents," said village administrator, Jamie Mehaffie.

The move will save the village an estimated $51,000 per year in wages and benefits.

The elimination was effective June 15. Nancy Benroth had been a village employee for 13 years.

The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) is offering assistance to business owners through the "Rent an Expert" program with the goal of retaining and creating jobs in northwest Ohio.

Business owners can "Rent an Expert" for a fee of $25 per hour, for up to eight hours, to help solve problems or develop new ideas. The experts are members of BCE board of directors and have advanced skills in sales, marketing, advertising, finance, banking, real estate, administration, accounting, taxes, retail, education, architecture, construction, communications, law, logistics, and manufacturing.

The program will run through August 2010.

For additional information, contact John Bauer, BCE Executive Director, at john.bauer@blufftonentrepreneurs.com.