The April 8 solar eclipse will pose some challenges for Allen County.
Allen County is in the path of totality for the April 8 eclipse and Jared Gesler, Deputy Director of the Allen County Emergency Management Agency, told us that our population could triple or even quadruple that day as people flock here to witness this amazing sight. He says that's going to create huge traffic problems, an overload of cell towers, a run on gasoline and groceries, and stress to local infrastructure. Jared told us that local officials have been planning for this for months to ensure that we're ready to meet the challenges. He encouraged us to do what we can in our own lives to prepare: if you have friends or relatives coming into town to watch the eclipse with you, encourage them to arrive early and stay late; make sure your cars are filled with gas and you have enough groceries in your house prior to April 8; understand that your cell phone may not work; if your business uses a digital payment processor, it may not operate that day; your businesses' deliveries and shipments may be disrupted; and your employees or students may have difficulties making it to and from work and school. With proper planning, the eclipse should be an awesome event everyone can enjoy. Learn more about all the local events planned for the eclipse at seetheeclipse.org.
Also at Monday's meeting, we inducted four new members into the club: Jennifer Truman - PMHNP at Lima Memorial Next Chapter Mental Health; Jessica Gavin; Tyson Goings - Assistant Superintendent at the Allen County Board of DD; and Dominic Inkrott - Project Manager at General Dynamics Land Systems. We welcomed back returning member Kevin Stolly, and Captain Charity Bender exchanged her red badge for her blue badge.
PolioPlus Chair Keith Horner announced that the club will reach its $3,000 PolioPlus goal for the year and prizes were drawn from those who contributed during the fundraising campaign: Tracie Sanchez won two bottles of bourbon, Sue Fifer won $100 worth of lottery tickets and Kelly Schooler won the classic map of Allen County. Sue Fifer was also the lucky winner of $100 in our monthly raffle drawing. Congratulations and thank you for your donations!
