By Margie Wuebker
mwuebker@dailystandard.com NEW BREMEN -- Smiles were much in evidence as the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers and their entourage filed into New Bremen Village Council chambers Tuesday night.
Fresh from a weekend event that drew some 2,000 people wanting to witness and taste history in the making, planners and committee members received a proclamation saluting their efforts from Mayor Jeff Pape.
Laughter rippled across the room as councilor John Turner, one of the seven men involved in baking what is believed to be the world's largest pumpkin pie, abstained from voting to approve the proclamation's issuance.
"This was a great feat," Pape told the visitors. "I am so proud of these people and the great honor they brought to the community."
The huge pie, baked Saturday in a specially constructed oven near the Crown Pavilion, measured 12 feet 4 inches and weighed 2,020 pounds. It dwarfed the previous record set two years ago in Windsor, Calif. That pie tipped the scales at 418 pounds. Organizers should learn in the next month or two whether the accomplishment will be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Village administrator Wayne York briefly discussed interest expressed by Celina and Piqua officials about joining an electrical utility program that currently involves 11 communities including New Bremen.
York indicated he would be bringing more information to council before year's end regarding involvement in a proposed hydrogeneration program on the Ohio River. Participation, which requires legislation on council's part, could provide an economical source for electrical power.
In other action, councilors:
¥ Gave second reading to a resolution approving a lease agreement with Alltel. The company wants to erect a communication antenna on top of the south water tower. The agreement calls for $800 monthly payments to the village during the first five years and 15 percent increases every five years thereafter.
¥ Received a list of proposed projects to be addressed during the next two or three years. York asked them to assign priorities. The prioritized lists are to be returned by Thanksgiving.
¥ Transferred $85,955 in Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency reimbursement to the general, electric, fire department and police funds. The money covers expenses incurred in a January ice storm.
¥ Authorized Pape and police chief Doug Harrod to attend a mayor's court certification program Nov. 18.
¥ Learned ghosts and goblins will go trick-or-treating in the village Oct. 27 between 6 and 8 p.m. The annual Cider Time event is set for Oct. 30, with the time to be announced later.
¥ Met in executive session for nearly an hour to discuss personnel and the purchase of land. No action was taken. |
