All area residents and business persons are invited to attend a public meeting to help update our region’s long range transportation plan. The “On the Move” Plan was completed in 2007, and it’s time to see if it still meets our needs. What has changed in our community? How does transportation need to change?

If you are a resident of the Southwood Area, which includes North Baltimore, Hoytville, Van Buren, Bloomdale, Cygnet, Jerry City and all the farm ground in between, you know that big changes are coming because of the construction of the CSX Intermodal Rail Yard west of NB on State Route 18. If you live or own a business along SR 18 or on South Main Street or West State Street in NB you have a big stake in what is going to happen regarding transportation to and from the rail yard!

Whether what happens to us is good or bad, or at least not a major hassle, depends on YOU getting out and gathering information and letting our officials know what we think. We run the risk of having plans put in place that could lower property values and make life unsafe for all of us.

Or, we can be proactive and be involved and try to ensure that what is done with SR 18, the "connector route," our village streets and township and county roads will be a benefit and blessing. We want new businesses to locate close to the intermodal! We want these businesses to locate in Henry and Bloom Townships, we want them to locate in the NB School District. But we don't want haphazard planning and lack of information to doom us to the wrong course of action or worse yet, no action at all!

That is why your attendance at at least one of the meetings listed below will show The Toledo Metropolitan Area Council Of Governments (TMACOG) and other regional "partners" that we care what happens to our way of life in the SouthWood Area. Because like it or not, if we do not work with the regional entities, including TMACOG, as well as The Toledo - Lucas County Port Authority, The Northern Wood County Port Authority, The Wood County Commissioners and various State of Ohio Departments, then we are destined to get run-over by the coming influx of trains and trucks. We owe it to our children and grandchildren and all future generations to be diligent, mindful and team-players.

Friday, March 5
Toledo-Lucas County Main Library
325 North Michigan, Toledo
Huntington Bank Room.
Doors open 11:30 a.m.,
meeting noon-1 p.m.
Refreshments provided.

Wednesday, March 24
Wood County Public Library
251 N. Main, Bowling Green
Doors open 6 p.m., meeting 6:30-8 p.m.

Thursday, March 25
Christ Presbyterian Church
4225 W. Sylvania at Talmadge, Toledo
Doors open 6:30 p.m., meeting 7-8:30 p.m.