April 10, 2025 • 9 mins
Wapakoneta Mayor Dan Lee joined Todd Walker on the Thursday edition of "Lima's Morning News" to preview his portion of today's "State of the City/County/Schools" event in Wapak.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Later today at the Wappawk Eagles. It'll be the State
of the City, County and Schools annual event that the
Chamber hosts said that is open to the public at
the Eagles if you want to go down there and
check them out in person. Right now, we have Mayor
Dan Lee from Wapa Canetta who will give us a
preview of the presentation he will give today. Mayor, thanks
(00:20):
for joining us.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Thanks for having me on. I really appreciate the opportunity
and all your listeners. I'm excited to be at the
State of the City, County and Schools today and looking
forward to hearing what the other two gentlemen have to
offer and put a little slice of wap Canetta and
what we've done and what we're going in the next year.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Yeah. Commissioner bam Bauer and the Superintendent Rex will also
address the assembled crowd later today. As far as Wapa
Canetta specifically the city of Mayor, there have been a
lot of projects in recent years to do with the
construction with really the roadways and streets, and Wapa Canetta
has a lot of that come to an end or are
(01:02):
we still in the midst of that.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Yeah, so we are on the tail end of it.
In fact, we're really just waiting for the asphalt companies
to open up and give us that asphalt that we
need to finish Water Street out. We've been talking to
the construction guys and they say, hey, we think we're
going to be done by the end of April, and
we said that's great, because you have to the end
of May. So we're excited that they think they're a
(01:26):
little ahead of schedule and we'll be able to wrap
that up. That's been a long, long project, and you know,
it's been an inconvenience for a lot of our citizens
and for the people that come through wapp Canetta. But
I'll tell you what, we did it. We did it right,
and we're not going to be tearing up that street
for hopefully another forty or fifty years. So to have
that done and finished, it's going to be behind us
(01:48):
and we're going to be able to travel a really
nice road through Wappa Canetta due to the diligence of
the people that did the construction and our people that
Suprise so excited about that opening up.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Yeah, was that a project more because the road had
deteriorated or that it just needed to be modernized or changed.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah, a lot of it was the infrastructure, the stuff
that you don't see that's, you know, twenty thirty feet
below ground. It was a lot about that, our sewer,
our water, making a new electrical through there. It just
it was time and you know, as our city continues
to grow, we need to make sure that we're taking
care of that infrastructure that you really don't see. You know,
(02:27):
it's nice to have that great fresh blacktop on top,
and if we wanted to do that, we probably could
have done that in a month or two. But to
get down and really do a deep construction, that was
a big deal and it's going to pay dividends though
for our citizens in the years to come.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Mayor Dan Leey from Wapkinetta our guest this morning. He'll
have the State of the City as part of the
program today at the Wallpawk Eagles. Also the state of
the County and the schools will be part of that
as well. So let's talk about some of the things
you're going to bring up at your State of the
City addressed today, Mayor. Other than the streets there, what
are some of the highlights.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
I'll tell you what you know that street construction is
a big deal, but I'll tell you there's been bigger
deals that's gone on. In the last year. We just
finished and did ribbon cuttings on both of our water
treatment plant, which is the fresh water that goes out
into the city. And then we just completed a total
reconstruction or new construction of our water reclamation plant and
(03:28):
that's the water that comes in after it's been used
through the city. So we finished both those ends and
that was approximately a ninety million dollar project for both
of those plants, and we just completed those this last
year in twenty twenty four. So we're really taking care
of the environment from the end that we receive and
(03:49):
we're making sure that the fresh water that comes out
as to the highest standards, and it really gives us
a great platform for new businesses, the businesses that we have.
People don't realize that when you have a business, a
lot of those businesses need good water, especially like Pratt,
(04:09):
which is a huge water user because they take recycled
cardboard and different fibers and mush it down. Well, to
mush it down, you got to have good water. And
if we didn't have a great water plant, we wouldn't
be able to attract businesses like Pratt and Miller's and
some other big water heavy water users. So for a
(04:32):
city our size to have that type of gym or
tool in our toolbox is just huge.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Also, I know on the city website for Wappa Caneta,
which would be Wapakanetta dot net, you're doing a survey, right.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah, So we're doing a comprehensive plan for the city
of Wapcanetta. The last one was done in twenty twelve,
so it's been a couple of days since that's happened,
and we've achieved some of the goals of the twenty
twelve comprehensive plan. But now we're looking to the future
and you know what we want to see as a
city for that And I would encourage anybody to go
(05:12):
through that survey and add their thoughts. They actually do
not have to be residents of wap Canetta to add
their thoughts. There's a box you can check and say,
you know, I'm not a resident, but I care about
wap Canetta. And I'll tell you what. We've had a
lot of those come through because a lot of people
come into Wapa Canetta to eat and dine and shop,
and we want to know what they think too, So
(05:33):
it does have to be a resident in wap Canetta
to take the survey, and we take all the input
and try to try to make wap Canetta a great
place to work, play and live.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Bob Puck. Mayor Dan Lee is with us previewing his
State of the City address later today in Wapawk at
the Eagles. Again, that event is open to the public
if you want to try and get in on that.
What are some of the forward looking things then that
you might be talking about or that you have on
the planning stage are in the discussion stages for the city.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Sure, Well, we're real excited. We've teamed up with a
Heritage Trails Park District in the city of Saint Mary's
and we're investigating a way to connect our two communities,
not via a vehicle, so working at biking and walking
paths that will connect the two cities along an abandoned
(06:25):
railway that we've kind of pinpointed for use. And so
we're really excited about connecting these two communities and also
being able to enjoy the outdoors. You know, public health
is huge, and the more that our citizens and community
can get out and enjoy the outdoors. I think the
(06:45):
healthier they are be, not only physically but mentally. And
it's shown that if you get out and the exercise,
you get out and you talk to people, you get
out and you're not solitary or solitude, you're going to
have a better life and you're going to have a
better outlook on life. So that's one way that we're
looking to encourage people to get out and enjoy the
outside and connect to two great communities. You know, Joe
(07:08):
over in or over in Saint Mary's. Hurlbert is the
mayor over there, and he's a great guy and doing
great things over there. We just want to, you know,
make sure our cities can connect in that fashion. So
really excited about that upcoming endeavor.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Well, the event today is the state of the city,
the county and the schools there in Wapaka. Out of
Mayor Lee talk about the cities working with the county
and the schools and some of the I guess synergies
there that help you out for sure.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Yeah, our city and county are engaging in possibly a
new bridge, well not a new bridge, but a reconstruction
of a bridge on Hamilton Street, and that's going to
happen probably in twenty six, possibly twenty seven, which is
going to take a collaborative effort, because you know, that's
a main artery of ours, and we want to make
(07:59):
sure that it's done well and done timely. So we're
in collaboration with that the schools in the city, or
in collaboration with an easement. We're putting in a new
water line between the downtown and the water reclamation plant,
and it's running through some of the school's foot property,
(08:21):
and so we're engaging in making sure that we do
due diligence on that, and they've been very very cooperative
with that. And then also the city and the school
always are looking to collaborate, whether it's through having a
police presence at some of their events, or they have
a job fair that's coming up May the tenth, and
(08:43):
the city will be going out to the job fair
looking for citizens or for the kids that are graduating
that might need employment, and also talking to them about
how to do a good interview, how to look people
in the eye, how to shake a hand, some of
those raw skills that sometimes go for and so I'm
excited about being out there and talking to the students
(09:04):
and how to do a good interview and excited about
the opportunity to interact with them.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Of course, we're always concerned about how all this will
help Wapacannetta football. We'll talk about that some other time
with Mayor Dan Lee. He'll be busy at lunchtime today
at the Wapawk Eagles at the State of the City,
County and School's event. Mary Lee, we appreciate you taking
time for us, and hopefully everything goes well today.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
For sure, I'm really excited about twenty twenty five and
thank you so much for your interest in Wapakanetta. I
hope people come down and either come to that event
or just stop buy and get something to eat or
buy something down here in Wapa Canetta. It's a great place,
so encourage all your viewers to come in and see
what's offered here in Wapa Canetta.
Later today at the Wappawk Eagles. It'll be the State
of the City, County and Schools annual event that the
Chamber hosts said that is open to the public at
the Eagles if you want to go down there and
check them out in person. Right now, we have Mayor
Dan Lee from Wapa Canetta who will give us a
preview of the presentation he will give today. Mayor, thanks
(00:20):
for joining us.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Thanks for having me on. I really appreciate the opportunity
and all your listeners. I'm excited to be at the
State of the City, County and Schools today and looking
forward to hearing what the other two gentlemen have to
offer and put a little slice of wap Canetta and
what we've done and what we're going in the next year.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Yeah. Commissioner bam Bauer and the Superintendent Rex will also
address the assembled crowd later today. As far as Wapa
Canetta specifically the city of Mayor, there have been a
lot of projects in recent years to do with the
construction with really the roadways and streets, and Wapa Canetta
has a lot of that come to an end or are
(01:02):
we still in the midst of that.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Yeah, so we are on the tail end of it.
In fact, we're really just waiting for the asphalt companies
to open up and give us that asphalt that we
need to finish Water Street out. We've been talking to
the construction guys and they say, hey, we think we're
going to be done by the end of April, and
we said that's great, because you have to the end
of May. So we're excited that they think they're a
(01:26):
little ahead of schedule and we'll be able to wrap
that up. That's been a long, long project, and you know,
it's been an inconvenience for a lot of our citizens
and for the people that come through wapp Canetta. But
I'll tell you what, we did it. We did it right,
and we're not going to be tearing up that street
for hopefully another forty or fifty years. So to have
that done and finished, it's going to be behind us
(01:48):
and we're going to be able to travel a really
nice road through Wappa Canetta due to the diligence of
the people that did the construction and our people that
Suprise so excited about that opening up.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Yeah, was that a project more because the road had
deteriorated or that it just needed to be modernized or changed.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah, a lot of it was the infrastructure, the stuff
that you don't see that's, you know, twenty thirty feet
below ground. It was a lot about that, our sewer,
our water, making a new electrical through there. It just
it was time and you know, as our city continues
to grow, we need to make sure that we're taking
care of that infrastructure that you really don't see. You know,
(02:27):
it's nice to have that great fresh blacktop on top,
and if we wanted to do that, we probably could
have done that in a month or two. But to
get down and really do a deep construction, that was
a big deal and it's going to pay dividends though
for our citizens in the years to come.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Mayor Dan Leey from Wapkinetta our guest this morning. He'll
have the State of the City as part of the
program today at the Wallpawk Eagles. Also the state of
the County and the schools will be part of that
as well. So let's talk about some of the things
you're going to bring up at your State of the
City addressed today, Mayor. Other than the streets there, what
are some of the highlights.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
I'll tell you what you know that street construction is
a big deal, but I'll tell you there's been bigger
deals that's gone on. In the last year. We just
finished and did ribbon cuttings on both of our water
treatment plant, which is the fresh water that goes out
into the city. And then we just completed a total
reconstruction or new construction of our water reclamation plant and
(03:28):
that's the water that comes in after it's been used
through the city. So we finished both those ends and
that was approximately a ninety million dollar project for both
of those plants, and we just completed those this last
year in twenty twenty four. So we're really taking care
of the environment from the end that we receive and
(03:49):
we're making sure that the fresh water that comes out
as to the highest standards, and it really gives us
a great platform for new businesses, the businesses that we have.
People don't realize that when you have a business, a
lot of those businesses need good water, especially like Pratt,
(04:09):
which is a huge water user because they take recycled
cardboard and different fibers and mush it down. Well, to
mush it down, you got to have good water. And
if we didn't have a great water plant, we wouldn't
be able to attract businesses like Pratt and Miller's and
some other big water heavy water users. So for a
(04:32):
city our size to have that type of gym or
tool in our toolbox is just huge.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Also, I know on the city website for Wappa Caneta,
which would be Wapakanetta dot net, you're doing a survey, right.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah, So we're doing a comprehensive plan for the city
of Wapcanetta. The last one was done in twenty twelve,
so it's been a couple of days since that's happened,
and we've achieved some of the goals of the twenty
twelve comprehensive plan. But now we're looking to the future
and you know what we want to see as a
city for that And I would encourage anybody to go
(05:12):
through that survey and add their thoughts. They actually do
not have to be residents of wap Canetta to add
their thoughts. There's a box you can check and say,
you know, I'm not a resident, but I care about
wap Canetta. And I'll tell you what. We've had a
lot of those come through because a lot of people
come into Wapa Canetta to eat and dine and shop,
and we want to know what they think too, So
(05:33):
it does have to be a resident in wap Canetta
to take the survey, and we take all the input
and try to try to make wap Canetta a great
place to work, play and live.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Bob Puck. Mayor Dan Lee is with us previewing his
State of the City address later today in Wapawk at
the Eagles. Again, that event is open to the public
if you want to try and get in on that.
What are some of the forward looking things then that
you might be talking about or that you have on
the planning stage are in the discussion stages for the city.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Sure, Well, we're real excited. We've teamed up with a
Heritage Trails Park District in the city of Saint Mary's
and we're investigating a way to connect our two communities,
not via a vehicle, so working at biking and walking
paths that will connect the two cities along an abandoned
(06:25):
railway that we've kind of pinpointed for use. And so
we're really excited about connecting these two communities and also
being able to enjoy the outdoors. You know, public health
is huge, and the more that our citizens and community
can get out and enjoy the outdoors. I think the
(06:45):
healthier they are be, not only physically but mentally. And
it's shown that if you get out and the exercise,
you get out and you talk to people, you get
out and you're not solitary or solitude, you're going to
have a better life and you're going to have a
better outlook on life. So that's one way that we're
looking to encourage people to get out and enjoy the
outside and connect to two great communities. You know, Joe
(07:08):
over in or over in Saint Mary's. Hurlbert is the
mayor over there, and he's a great guy and doing
great things over there. We just want to, you know,
make sure our cities can connect in that fashion. So
really excited about that upcoming endeavor.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Well, the event today is the state of the city,
the county and the schools there in Wapaka. Out of
Mayor Lee talk about the cities working with the county
and the schools and some of the I guess synergies
there that help you out for sure.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Yeah, our city and county are engaging in possibly a
new bridge, well not a new bridge, but a reconstruction
of a bridge on Hamilton Street, and that's going to
happen probably in twenty six, possibly twenty seven, which is
going to take a collaborative effort, because you know, that's
a main artery of ours, and we want to make
(07:59):
sure that it's done well and done timely. So we're
in collaboration with that the schools in the city, or
in collaboration with an easement. We're putting in a new
water line between the downtown and the water reclamation plant,
and it's running through some of the school's foot property,
(08:21):
and so we're engaging in making sure that we do
due diligence on that, and they've been very very cooperative
with that. And then also the city and the school
always are looking to collaborate, whether it's through having a
police presence at some of their events, or they have
a job fair that's coming up May the tenth, and
(08:43):
the city will be going out to the job fair
looking for citizens or for the kids that are graduating
that might need employment, and also talking to them about
how to do a good interview, how to look people
in the eye, how to shake a hand, some of
those raw skills that sometimes go for and so I'm
excited about being out there and talking to the students
(09:04):
and how to do a good interview and excited about
the opportunity to interact with them.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Of course, we're always concerned about how all this will
help Wapacannetta football. We'll talk about that some other time
with Mayor Dan Lee. He'll be busy at lunchtime today
at the Wapawk Eagles at the State of the City,
County and School's event. Mary Lee, we appreciate you taking
time for us, and hopefully everything goes well today.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
For sure, I'm really excited about twenty twenty five and
thank you so much for your interest in Wapakanetta. I
hope people come down and either come to that event
or just stop buy and get something to eat or
buy something down here in Wapa Canetta. It's a great place,
so encourage all your viewers to come in and see
what's offered here in Wapa Canetta.
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