By Laura Mazur
Community Post
Goals to partner up with the community and get the community involved in the worthwhile cause of the Miami and Erie Canal were the topics of discussions last Wednesday night.

Board members of the bi-monthly meeting of the Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association met to look at goals, projects and see how they can get the word out.
“We need to find out how our work is going to complement (the community's) work and issues,” said MECCA Executive Director Neal Brady.
The director added that building relationships in the community will bring more interest in canal issues.
In response to MECCA's goal for outreach, Bob Thieman, board member of the Minster Historical Society, stepped forward to make it known to MECCA that the society is concerned with the current situation of the canal in the Minster area.
“It's one short little step, but it's long overdue,” said Thieman.
Brady said that by using MECCA as a resource, help may just be around the corner.
He commented, “My commitment and MECCA's commitment is here as a resource. One thing you'll find about this board is passion and commitment for the canal.”
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Water Representative Steve Dorsten spoke on his own department's commitment to the waterway.
Besides clean-up and other work that is going to be going on in Delphos, the culvert under Ohio State Route 33 has been estimated to have been built in 1972, with a current life expectancy of 25 to 30 years. The pedestrian traffic path by the culvert is to be upgraded in the next few years at the same time the culvert is. This will allow for better water access to 40 Acre Pond and better pedestrian traffic.
Stoner Ditch will be a 10-year project, however. Partnering with the Auglaize County Engineer's office, ODNR hopes to help drainage in this area and lessen flooding.
Brady said education about the canal and marketing may be the key to getting more MECCA members and getting more local people involved. Paid memberships for 2008 thus far are at 128, a bit off the approximate 200 members last year. Although some members kept on board after Brady sent December's renewal notices out in the mail, he has yet to hear from a number of members.
“I'd like to see that curve a little bit sharper,” he said.
MECCA is hoping to stir interest for canal issues even more as the weather thaws. Upcoming outings for the organization include the dedication of Kuenning-Dicke Nature Park on Monday, May 26, in New Bremen and the celebration of National Trails Day, in Sidney, on Saturday, June 7, in partnership with the American Hiking Society and the City of Sidney.
The next MECCA board meeting will be held on May 21, at 7 p.m. at the MECCA Heritage Center, in New Bremen.