Fostoria Passes Ch 946, Leachate & HazMat Incoming? CnclMember Claims It’s For “EPA Compliance”

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FOSTORIA – Council voted to enact chapter 946. Councilman Podach questioned whether this primarily for accepting landfill leachate. Mayor Mennel responded saying that 946 is for EPA compliance. Mennel also could not answer the question whether or not the writers of 946 knew that the City of Fostoria is considering taking leachate at a cheap rate of $0.04 per gallon.

Mennel also responded to Podach “Thats why you get 3 readings”.

Councilwoman Ward 3: Sue Lehmann voted in favor of 946 “because it puts us in compliance with the EPA”. Also stating that the leachate can be addressed at a later date. Lehmann also commented “Leachate is a new topic for us”. No its not!

Some community members also do not trust Bojhun Labs, a new local water testing lab doing business with The City of Fostoria. Due to their recent incomplete 1/2 page leachate testing report I can see why. Honest leachate testing does not fit on 1 page. It is my opinion that the City of Fostoria is acting negligently by using this inexperienced lab.

Fostoria: Council Member Addresses Council Over Leachate – Mayor Mennel Asleep at The Helm?

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Author: (2) Members of The Fostoria Free Press

FOSTORIA – During the February 18, 2025, Fostoria City Council meeting, council member Bob Podach addressed the city council as a citizen. He voiced his concerns regarding the city’s recent rush to accept the Win Waste Innovations Landfill, particularly in light of an alleged spill.

Podach was one of many individuals who addressed the city council that evening.

According to reports, leachate from the landfill is currently being transported by Bugner’s and Black Swamp septic companies via tanker trucks. These companies have reportedly been transporting the leachate as early as 4 a.m. This information came to light from a recently forced-out scale operator employee at the Win Waste Innovations Landfill in Fostoria.

Editor’s Note: Seeing a member of the city council addressing both the city council and the mayor as a citizen is a rare circumstance in my experience. This situation raises a red flag regarding Mayor Don Mennel and his apparent inability to communicate effectively with council members. After recently undergoing spine surgery and currently being in recovery, this development is not entirely surprising. Ultimately, it paints a picture that Mennel may be incapable of fulfilling his duties, largely due to a lack of communication within city government.

City of Fostoria Appoints Madison Stearns to Acting Safety Services Director

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FOSTORIA – In a significant development during the city council meeting held on February 18, 2025, Mayor Don Mennel announced the appointment of Madison Stearns as the acting Safety Services Director. This decision comes in the wake of the possible departure of the previous Safety Services Director, Eric Keckler, and has sparked discussions about leadership transitions and accountability within the city’s safety services department.

According to reports from the recent city council meeting, Mayor Mennel’s request for Stearns to step into the acting role was met with approval, signaling confidence in her ability to oversee the department during this transitional period. Stearns, whose background and qualifications were highlighted during the meeting, is expected to bring stability and continuity to the safety services operations, which are critical to the community’s well-being.

The context of this appointment is tied to the earlier tenure of Eric Keckler, who served as Safety Services Director. Sources indicate that Madison Stearns had been involved in covering for Keckler, taking on additional responsibilities to ensure that the department’s functions continued smoothly. While specific details about Keckler’s possible exit remain limited, it is understood that Stearns played a key role in maintaining operational efficiency during a period of uncertainty.