|
|||||
| |
By John Gibney, Mirror Reporter
The Maumee Mirror (Maumee, OH)
04-18-96
A recent denial of state funding has not stopped the city of Maumee in its efforts to purchased the Fallen Timbers battlefield.
After the Ohio Department of Transportation denied Maumee's grant request to acquire land at the battle site, the city received a major endorsement when Heather Downs Country Club expressed its commitment to help preserve Fallen Timbers.
At a news conference on April 12 in front of the country club, Heather Downs officials, along with Maumee Mayor Steve Pauken, announced plans for a cooperative fund-raising event to assist in the land purchase.
On May 19, 1996, the "Save the Land" fund raiser will be held at the Heather Downs Country Club from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
"This is an opportunity to partner with the city of Maumee and do something to help them achieve a goal for all of us in the area," said Heather Downs president Chuck Marrale. "We're attempting to show organizations out there the historical nature (of Fallen Timbers). We're hoping this stimulates other organizations to come forward and assist."
Officials hope to raise enough money to support Pauken's offer of $2.4 million for the property to the city of Toledo.
The country club decided to join with Maumee after hearing about the grant's denial from the local news. Maumee had applied for $1.9 million through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, a grant which awards funding for enhancements tied to the transportation system.
Officials from Heather Downs also spoke of the connection between their club and the battlefield.
"(Heather Downs Country Club) is one of the oldest buildings in South Toledo so there's a natural tie as far as we're concerned," said Rick Michalak, vice president of Heather Downs. "Community involvement in something like this is important. The club wants to help ... preserve this valuable historic site, as well as pass on to future generations a valuable piece of American history."
Pauken commended Heather Downs for its support and discussed the effect of such a partnership.
"This does two things -- it raises money and it will also identify the broad base of public support and inspire others to raise funds," Pauken said.
"The government likes to see public-private partnerships," he added. "Something like this, whatever it raises, shows a commitment from the private sector."
Last summer, an archaeological dig led by Michael Pratt, a Heidelberg College professor, confirmed that land as the site of the Battle of Fallen Timbers, where Gen. Anthony Wayne defeated Indian forces in 1794.
After Pratt's discovery, which included musket balls, broken bayonets and buttons, Pauken lobbied Congress to designate the site as a national park.
The manager of Heather Downs, Emile Houtteman, said too many historical sites and buildings with American architecture are destroyed in the name of progress.
"We should give our descendants something to look back on ... the historical sites they deserve," Houtteman said.
The city of Toledo owns the land, part of the 1,200 acres it purchased in 1987. Developer George Issac has a right of first refusal on the property for the possible construction of a shopping mall.
Though Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner earlier questioned the accuracy of Pratt's findings, Pauken believes Toledo will openly discuss Maumee's purchase offer of $2.4 million.
"The city of Toledo is coming around to notice that a Battle of Fallen Timbers park concept is best (for that land)," Pauken said.
"The city of Toledo is willing to deal with us to purchase the land from them." The city of Maumee will also contribute $1.5 million toward the purchase, Pauken said, and he still believes the state of Ohio will eventually cooperate and help raise funding for the land purchase.
The Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor, a non-profit organization, has also pledged its support and will serve as a co-sponsor for the fund raiser. MVHC has fought to preserve the Fallen Timbers battlefield site for the past four years, according to its president Ted Ligibel.
"We have been involved with a whole series of different projects associated with Fallen Timbers. We were a logical group for (Heather Downs) to approach to help in this specific event," Ligibel said. "This is one of the most historic sites in the northwest territory. This was the battle that determined we would be in America and not Canada, so this is a major site and needs to be protected."
The donation for the fund raiser is $75.00 per person. Tickets can be purchased by calling Heather Downs Country Club at 382-3481, Mayor Pauken at 897-7101, or the Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor at 535-3050.
NOTICE: This article, which may be copyrighted, is reprinted with specific permission granted to Heidelberg College. Further reprint rights must be secured from the publisher.
Heidelberg College / Office of College Relations
/ webmaster@heidelberg.edu