Sherman Heineman Park in the 1800s:
Ashland couple retires after 40 years, son gifts them with endowment fund:
Ashley Nichole Wynn:
You’re listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what’s happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more.
Today – Recent problems at the former Ocie Hill Community Center and the Johns Park pavilion have gone public. Between the broken windows. Unsecured buildings. Trash. Gang graffiti. And even a dead rat – the executive director of the North End Community Improvement Collaborative had enough.
Deanna West-Torrence said she has always preferred to work behind the scenes, trying to get things done without creating public issues.
But these recent problems had gone too far. That’s why, after several attempts to resolve issues at the two north-end facilities, West-Torrence decided to take the issues public.
It all began when she heard concerns from residents. The former Mansfield City Council member then started making calls to elected officials. She also sent some of her staff to check out reports and to take photos themselves.
Her biggest concerns? The lack of concern and care at both locations. She said it was no coincidence both sites are in the north end.
It’s been more than a year since the Ocie Hill Community Center was closed by the city, and still nothing’s been done.
Vandals have recently hit the structure, breaking out windows and entering the facility. There have also been reports people have been sleeping inside the building.
Mayor Tim Theaker said he called Parks & Recreation Superintendent Mark Abrams when he heard the back door was unlocked. But Abrams said it’s been difficult to keep the building secured.
And beyond the current issues, the future of the building is of even bigger concern to West-Torrence. Throughout the years the structure has been known as the Creveling School, the Mansfield Opportunities Industrial Center, the Human Resource Bureau and the Neighborhood Youth Corps.
Then, in 1996, it was renamed for Ocie Hill. Hill was the first Black resident to be elected to Mansfield City Council and the longest serving individual on council in the history of Mansfield. He served from 1961 to 1991. Hill’s photo still hangs in council chambers.
The city purchased the building in 1988 and it was home to more than a dozen non-profit and government agencies before it closed in 2020.
At that point North end residents packed a City Council to raise their voices in displeasure.
But Theaker estimated at the time that work to replace the boiler, windows, doors and other required upgrades could cost several million dollars.
And when the COVID-19 pandemic reached the area, city buildings were closed to the public, including Ocie Hill. Finally, Theaker announced in June the building would not re-open.
West-Torrence, who once served as director of the center, said Mansfield needs to make a decision on the building. She calls it a cornerstone in the north end. She suggested demolition is in order — and then something new for the neighborhood built in its place.
She said Theaker had the right to close the building, but also has a responsibility to north end residents.
Still, the mayor said he is unsure about the future of the site.
Make sure to stay updated on future developments at richlandsource.com
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Now, some local history…
Did you know that By the 1880s, Mansfield had become a promising powerhouse in Ohio, so the town figured it would be a good idea to establish a green space at the edge of town that would serve the community?
Today we know the results of this dream as the recreational sequence of South Park, Middle Park and North Lake Park—but in 1887 when they were laid out, planted and dedicated, this entire continuum of public green land was called by one name: Sherman-Heineman Park.
You can read more about Sherman-Heineman Park and see pictures at richlandsource.com.
Next, From Ashland Source… The founders of a company that sells and services heating, venting and air conditioning products will cheer on the community from retirement…. and from their checkbook.
Jeff and Joy Reep recently retired from Comfort Control. And they were gifted with a donor-advised fund from the Ashland County Community Foundation during their retirement party.
A donor-advised fund is a type of endowment fund. It’s similar to a private foundation. It allows the trustees to make grants to support organizations, programs and projects. It also allows you to add money to your fund on one schedule and distribute dollars from your fund to another. That means you can maximize tax benefits and have money available when you’re ready to give.
Joe Reep, the couple’s son, has taken over as the company’s owner. He had joined the team seven years ago.
The couple had come to their Comfort Control’s facility along Main Street on Friday expecting a retirement celebration. The parking lot was filled with guests, two food trucks, a beer tent, games and cake.
Then, about an hour into the celebration, Joe grabbed a microphone to announce that his parents would now have their own donor-advised fund.
Jeff explained that Joe pulled a good one on him. It was the most awesome gift they could imagine. Joy said she was overwhelmed by the gift.
Jeff and Joy also serve on a number of boards in the Ashland area, including the Ashland Lank Bank, Ashland YMCA, the Ashland County Historical Society and others. And Comfort Control started in 1980, shortly after Jeff and Joy married.
The couple will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on Aug. 30.
They hope they get to travel and spend time with grandchildren — who all live locally — during their retirement.
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of 33 year old Ashley Nichole Wynn of Mansfield. Ashley passed away from complications of Huntington’s disease.
Ashley enjoyed watching game shows, especially The Steve Harvey Show and Family Feud. She loved animals and caring for her cats and pot belly pig. She always looked forward to spending time with family and friends for the holidays. Ashley also had a special relationship with her physical therapist, Mark, who helped her maintain her independence throughout life.
She is survived by her father, her brother, her sister, a son and her special nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles, and many friends.
She’ll be greatly missed. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Ashley’ life.
Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!
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Extra audio from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIiil0SlsAY
