Staff Report Published 12:47 p.m. ET Jan. 1, 2020 | Updated 12:48 p.m. ET Jan. 1, 2020

COSHOCTON - As a new decade dawns, some notable individuals of Coshocton County takea look back at the last 10 years where the city and county has been, where it is at and where it is going. Elected officials, school superintendents and local agency directors share their memories, thoughts and comments.

Tiffany Swigert(Photo: Submitted)

In reflecting on the last 10 years in Coshocton, it would be a lie if we didnt acknowledge some of the hardshipswe faced. Losing significant industry in a community of our size is never easy, it is actually quite difficult. We have, however, learned valuable lessons from that adversity and we are well on our way to becoming a resilient community. The 2008 recession took its toll on Coshocton as it did other small towns across America. What defines us is the fact that we refuse to stay in that place of trauma. Coshocton is very focused on progressing in every area to ensure that we continue to provide opportunity to the members of our great community.

For years, driving out South Second Street by the empty former GE site was a constant reminder of the loss of Industry. Now, a motorist will see a sign that states Wileys Organic Technologies is the new owner.The expansions of Coshocton Grain and McWane Ductile is visible within a short distance from that same area. There is no shortage of jobs in Coshocton County and its surrounding areas. If you are wanting to work, there is a job in Coshocton for you. This is a stark contrast from the historical unemployment rates that followed the 2008 recession.

The heart of Coshocton, our Main Street, is taking on a different appearance as new businesses are opening their doors. Our Town Coshocton announced that we have 80-plus businesses on Main Street.ITM has undergone a major transformation as it invested in Coshocton. The purchase and renovation of 341 Main St.is its new home. The former Civic Center is now bustling with 85 employees. Multiple Main Street buildings have been acquired by excellent community partners that are dedicated to bring new life back to these old structures.

The former General Electric site, outlined in orange, was a primary site for business development identified by the Coshocton Port Authority in the past decade. The recent purchase of the land by Organic Technologies is hoped to see that development take place.(Photo: Submitted by Coshocton Port Authority)

Some of the brightest people I know are working daily with each other to create new and exciting space, programs and goals for Coshocton County. I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most determined students in our community and my hope for our future generations is higher than ever. We also have tremendous knowledge and leadership in our generations before us, it is more important than ever that we connect these brilliant minds and encourage a common focus for Coshocton growth.

A crane lifts a crucible after it was filled with melted iron at McWane Ductile in Coshocton. The expansion of the company over the past 10 years is viewed as a success by the Coshocton Port Authority. Just this past year, the company added a second shift and increased its employee numbers to nearly 500.(Photo: Chris Crook/Tribune)

There is a spirit of collaboration in our community currently that is contagious. Many of our local organizations and agencies are working with each other on projects that will be beneficial for years to come. Our local businesses, our civic organizations and local foundations are the most charitable with their time, talent and treasure. I believe that we have this fight in us right now that is undeniable and we are absolutely determined to continue the positive momentum into 2020.

The Coshocton Public Library System continued to evolve over the last decade to remain relevant in todays world.While remaining true to the early public library mission of repository for preservation of information, the modern library continues to embrace traditional philosophy of access to all while being a neutral space for interaction.

Jennifer Austin(Photo: File)

Over the last decade, the library circulated more than 3.76 millionitems. This includes digital resources that were expanded upon. Additions included growth of Ohio Digital Library, launching: Hoopla, Chilton Library, Fold3, Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center, Home Improvement Reference Center, Lynda from LinkedIn, Transparent Language Onlineand a YouTube Channel that focuses on navigating library digital resources. For descriptions of databases, please visit the librarys website at coshoctonlibrary.org.

A 0.5-mill, five-year levy for library operations was passed Nov.7, 2017. The passage of the levy brought extended hours of operation (open an additional 16 hours a week), additional print and audiovisual materials (more than14,000 volumes added), new digital content as explained aboveand growth of programming by 20 percent. The community was asked to consider the levy after state funding was cut by nearly 20 percentin 2009 and was not restored.

Youth services coordinator Cyndi Shutt shows She Smith (left), 8, and Isaiah Kaspar, 8, an example of a stained glass piece she made during Adventure 101's stained glass program at the Coshocton Public Library. The Adventure 101 program for youth was one of many new activities and events added to the library system over the past decade.(Photo: Sara C. Tobias/Tribune)

Nearly 2 million patrons visited the library between 2010 and today. The majority of these visits were made by those physically visiting brick-and-mortar locations, although those visiting digital platforms are on the rise. Patrons now have the option of applying for an eCard through the librarys website. An eCard gives non-card holders access to the librarys digital resources without needing to visit the library to obtain a card.

A new Bookmobile was purchased in 2017 to replace the existing 21-year-old bus. Prior to 2009, the library was able to put money into the Bookmobile Replacement Fund. Without community support, the new Bookmobile would not have been possible. Nearly half of the total cost was raised through grants from local foundations and businessesand through private donations. Since arrival, the new Bookmobile has made 1,768 stops, orapproximately 50 stops a month.

A digital technology educator was added to library staff following the passage of the levy. The position was created after identifying the need to have a staff member address the digital divide. Megan Staron-Baughman joined library staff from the teaching profession. Teaching digital literacy and the skills that are required to be digitally literate are the primary focus of the position. One-on-one appointments are available for those seeking technology assistance.

The Coshocton Public Library System added a new Bookmobile in 2017 as part of its expansion and continuation of services in the past decade.(Photo: Chris Crook/Tribune)

The librarys newsletter, Connections, became available in a digital format. Patrons may view the digital newsletter on the librarys websiteor request a copy be sent to their email inbox. All new library card applicants are asked if they would like to receive the digital version. Print copies are still available in the library.

The Board of Trustees of the Coshocton Public Library appointed me to the position of director following Eric Taggarts resignation to become director at Rodman Public Library in Alliance. Ihad been serving as assistant director prior to being named director in January 2018.

As always, community needs will continue to be evaluated for potential expanded services in future decades. The library will continue to evolve based on community needs, while remaining true to the foundation of public libraries.

The past decade for the River View Local School District has been a time of change.

Dalton Summers(Photo: Tribune file photo)

We began the decade with the changing of leadership at the superintendent level after the 14-year tenure of Kyle Kanuckel. We are ending the decade with the departure of two school board members, Dan Hothem serving 27 years and Brent Porteus serving 31 years. River Views record of longevity in leadership positions has been a contributing factor to its success through its history.

In the past 10 years, we have seen multiple, significant changes to the expectations, accountability measures and mandates applied to all public schools. Some view these changes as signs of positive examples of moving forward and others have held them in lessor regard.Nevertheless, there have been many adjustments made, policies changed or added and even traditional styles and strategies altered in order to comply and succeed with all that has been altered.

Our district report card measures have changed multiple times in the past 10 years. The state tests we use to measure student achievement, growth and competence have been expanded and/or eliminated every other year. The rise in school choice options like open enrollment, home school opportunities, charter schools and electronic schools has changed much of our focus, making the traditional school district become more of an option than a requirement. College Credit Plus options have given students more avenues to pursue what was once opportunities for a smaller percentage of students.

Adalynn Kyly, left, Brie Craycraft, Brooklyn D'Ostroph and Trae Darr work in a first-grade classroom at Warsaw Elementary School earlier this year.(Photo: Chris Crook/Tribune)

All of these changes, while mostly creating better opportunities, more accountability and potentially greater outcomes, have also come with greater financial challenges, more unpredictable enrollments, increased costs and less direct funding. Our greatest challenge of the decade has come at the end with the devaluation and closing of our local AEP Power Plant. This will decrease our revenue more than10 percentand has put us, as a community, in a position forced to make difficult decisions for our future decades to come.

The positive view when reflecting over the last decade is that through all the changes, increased mandates, financial challenges and ever-changing success targets, we have continued to provide a quality education for the students of River View Local Schools. We have graduated 1,775 students in the past 10 years. This is our ultimate goal and will continue to be our objective in the future.

On behalf of the River View Local School District, we thank the community for everything over the past 10 years and wish everyone health and prosperity over the next decade as well.

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How far have we come? Locals in business, education, library services reflect on the past decade - Coshocton Tribune