The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and the Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) have announced the appointment of Rene Gabriel as Assistant Director. In this newly established role, Ms. Gabriel will support both organizations in their missions to foster economic growth and entrepreneurial development within the Bluffton community.
Ms. Gabriel brings a wealth of experience in business development, community engagement, and organizational leadership. Her background includes significant achievements in strategic planning and program management, which align seamlessly with the objectives of both the BACC and the BCE. MORE ▶︎
An AEP Ohio postcard is in the mail to Bluffton electricity customers. Titled "Important News About Your Smart Meter" it also includes information about a new disconnection policy. It reads:
"We are reminding customers about important information regarding your new smart meter. Your smart meter comes with many benefits. It eliminates estimated bills, provides information to our crews to improve response times to outages, and it gives you the power to view and manage your energy usage on-line at AEPOhio.com.
A settlement was filed in the Hardin County Common Pleas Court on Friday, March 21 in a case between Scott Gerber, plaintiff, vs. Ohio Northern University, et al. Judge Jonathan P. Hein provided a report of pre-trial conference and Notice of Agreed Settlement.
Gerber was removed from his teaching position at the Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law in Spring 2023. A series of lawsuits have been filed by both Gerber and ONU in the intervening period.
The report says the Court heard a summary of the positions of each party with the plaintiff identifying “procedural defects” in Gerber’s removal and claiming “ breach-of-contract, retaliation, defamation, and false light.” Ohio Northern University asked the court to dismiss “claims based on public policy violations and emotional distress.” MORE ▶︎
The following excerpts are from the March 2025 Bluffton Lions Club newsletter. Learn more about the Bluffton Lions at www.blufftonlions.org.
SERVICE AWARDS
Chevrons were presented to Bluffton Lions from Lions Clubs International recognizing length of service as follows:
Neil Reichenbach – 15 years
Jesse Blackburn – 15 years
Mitch Kingsley – 30 years
Fred Rodabaugh – 30 years
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 1 : Club meeting Town Hall 6:30 PM. Board to meet at 6 PM. Speaker will be Lion Barbara Plaugher topic of Service. 50/50 charity raffle draw.
April 4-5: District convention Findlay Hilton Garden Inn.
April 5: Road-side cleanup. Lion Andrew Rager to coordinate this project. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Bluffton Main Street and County Line Road 15. MORE ▶︎
The March 2025 breakfast meeting for Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce meetings began with a lively meal and networking session that left director Jim Enneking looking for someone who could whistle really loudly.
A drawing by breakfast sponsor Lisa Wenger of CCR Realtors for a gift basket from 1861 Wine Lounge helped get guests’ attention. Wenger also shared that she is celebrating 11 years of doing business in Bluffton.
CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Enneking introduced Rene Gabriel, the chamber’s new assistant director. She is originally from Arlington and graduated from Bluffton University.
The last indoor Bluffton Farmers Market has taken place. Market manager Greg Probst will hold a vendors meeting at 7:00 p.m. on April 3 and will have updated agreements to distribute. The outdoor market next to Citizens National Bank on Main St. will begin on May 3. MORE ▶︎
