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.