Maumee High School Student Artwork To Be Auctioned
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
One-of-a kind paintings, digital photos and sculptures by students at Maumee High School will go up for auction next week to benefit the Maumee Schools Foundation.
“An Evening of Arts,” presented by seniors Maggie Mockensturm, Juaniqua Booker and Sam Royster of DECA, will feature 25 pieces of student artwork.
“There are a lot of talented kids in the school, and we decided this would be a good way to show off their skills,” Sam said.
MHS art teacher Loren Burkey said the pieces are well designed by the student artists.
“We have donated a wide variety of student works that are of the highest quality. The principles and elements of design are evident in each piece, and they are all original works,” Burkey said.
The event will include grazing stations and a silent auction for items including gift baskets donated by local restaurants and businesses.
The event is part of a community service project organized by the student team as part of DECA, a program for students studying marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Organizing the event took a lot of effort, the students said.
“It was harder than I thought. We had to make a lot of calls and there has been a lot of follow-up,” Maggie said.
The students will present their experience in planning the student art auction at a regional competition next month.

“An Evening of Art” will take place Thursday, February 11 at the MHS Performing Arts Center from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets cost $5.00 and may be purchased at the high school, 1147 Saco St. For information, call (419) 893-0324.
All proceeds benefit the Maumee Schools Foundation, which funds classroom projects and student scholarships.

Health And Economy Concerns Voiced During Rep. Latta’s Visit
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Camped out for three hours in the Waterville administrator’s office, U.S. Rep. Robert Latta listened as a steady stream of constituents shared concerns ranging from the economy and health care reform to the impact of the US 24 bypass on the village.
Bob Brown of Perrysburg is a fly fisherman who is concerned about the Asian carp invading the Great Lakes and inland rivers.
“(Latta) was quite knowledgeable about Asian carp,” Brown said.
Three women in the audience awaiting their meeting with Latta shared health concerns.
Although doctors have written letters to the Social Security Administration explaining how Peggy Scherting’s cystic fibrosis affects every part of her body and makes it impossible for her to work, she’s been rejected for Social Security disability twice. Scherting shared her frustration with Latta, who said he would speak with Social Security administrators on her behalf.
Janet Mohrmann, a representative from the Northwestern Ohio Multiple Sclerosis Society, wanted to ask the congressman for funding to support efforts to create national registries for MS and Parkinson’s disease.
As an employee for her parents’ Nilsson Landscaping, Laura Nilsson sees how difficult it is for small businesses to provide health care coverage. Because she has ulcerative colitis, she knows she’d be unable to get a job and insurance elsewhere.
“For people who are healthy, they’re removed from it. But when it becomes real, the whole world changes,” she said of having a disease that has a lifelong impact.
Nilsson hopes Democrats and Republicans can work together to pass a health care bill.
Ginger Brown of Perrysburg and Jane and Bob Ratliff of Providence Township also encouraged Latta to work with both parties.
“Once they get to Washington, they should forget who is Republican and who is Democrat,” Bob Ratliff said.
Living on Social Security and interest from CDs – which has flatlined – the Ratliffs say they won’t be boosting the economy with any unnecessary spending.
“We talked about alarming unemployment rates, some over 16 percent right here in Ohio,” said Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Amy Shiffert, who packed a lot into her few minutes with Latta.
Shiffert also spoke with Latta about the impact of the US 24 bypass on the village, and business concerns of chamber members.
She also told Latta that Massachussetts’ choice of Republican Scott Brown for the Senate proves that people getting out and voting makes a difference.
Shiffert said she was glad to see so many people taking advantage of the opportunity to voice their concerns.
“Citizens shouldn’t sit at home being fed information by the government,” Latta told her. “They are supposed to be feeding us.”
Latta visits each of the 16 counties he represents at least once a year to hold one-on-one sessions.
To contact Latta, visit www.latta.house.gov.