hen they found the property for their new home in Goshen Township, George and Gaye Pliska didn't think twice about adding miles to their commutes to work.

HEN THEY FOUND THE property for their new home in Goshen Township, George and Gaye Pliska didn't think twice about adding miles to their commutes to work.
The quiet green pastures and wide-open spaces of the 10 acres they bought on Calla Road last summer are well worth the extra drive time to Aurora and Twinsburg, both in Portage County, Gaye said.
Gaye and her husband moved from Aurora into their newly constructed home in February.
"We always wanted some land where we could have horses," Gaye said. "We looked for about a year and looked around Berlin Lake. We just wanted more room, with the neighbors not so close."
The Calla Road property they found on one of their searches proved ideal.
The Pliskas are decorating the interior of their home and working on landscaping. They also are putting the finishing touches on a new barn for two horses they paid to house elsewhere while they were living on 11/2 acres in Aurora.
"We have seven stalls and only two horses, but I'm sure we'll fill those stalls up quickly," Gaye said.
The couple has three grown children, two of whom attend Kent State University. Gaye works for an Aurora veterinarian; George works for Daimler-Chrysler in Twinsburg. Both commute easily on state Route 14.
Peace and quiet
Gaye said she and her husband like the location of the township, which provides the rural peace and quiet they seek, but is just a few miles from restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
Trustees Abe Bricker, Rob Spencer and Bob McCracken say the Pliskas are among a growing number of people attracted to Goshen Township living.
McCracken said installation of a sewer system in 2002-03 sparked development in the township, most of it around Damascus. There are several areas of growth around the township, in addition to individual homes cropping up as farmers sell off frontage. The next area targeted for new homes is behind the new West Branch Schools' Damascus Elementary along state Route 534.
"We have a lot to offer," Spencer said. "We have excellent fire and police services and our school system has the newest and most updated facilities of any in the county."
Bricker's son John, Damascus fire chief, said the fire calls in the township have increased steadily over the years, but the most recent surge in housing development has had more impact on the department's emergency medical services.
He said the number of EMS calls in the past five years has increased dramatically, and he wants more firefighters certified as emergency medical technicians.
Damascus Fire Department has a roster of 30 firefighters, and 25 of those are EMTs, he said. His goal as fire chief is to keep pace with the growth by updating equipment, and having firefighters trained in the latest techniques.
Police coverage
Goshen Police District covers Goshen Township, Green Township and Beloit in Smith Township.
McCracken praised police efforts, with 24-hour service, and a strong D.A.R.E. program. He said Chief Jim Willock is "masterful at getting grants."
Willock said his officers take ownership of the areas they serve.
"They say, 'This is our community and we want to keep it safe.' They make a connection with the people," he said.
Willock said the growth of the township has brought more traffic, but he's also seen an increase in commuting traffic. Traffic is not the police district's only concern, however.
Willock said he and his officers know that rural areas such as Goshen are attractive to people seeking isolated areas for drug activity.
"Drug crimes are increasing everywhere, and we're always watching," Willock said. "Methamphetamine is a particular concern because people need private, hidden areas for meth labs."
Willock, who has been chief since 2001, also lives in the township.
"I like living out here," he said. "I don't mind the growth, as long as it's controlled.
No zoning
Growth in the township is managed without zoning. Trustees said zoning is not likely to be in force in the township anytime soon.
They said a group of residents launched a petition initiative and put the zoning question before voters about a decade ago. It was defeated by about 1,200 votes.
"The people of Goshen Township don't want zoning," Spencer said. "There was very heated debate, and it went down hard."
Although new homes are springing up all over the green pastures of Goshen, trustees said housing developers aren't the only ones investing in the township.
West Branch Schools recently finished some building projects that took several years, eliminating older elementaries and consolidating operations in new facilities.
Dr. Scott Weingart, superintendent, said the district can embrace children of new families because there are more pupils graduating than entering kindergarten each year. He said the new facilities can better support and enhance the district's academic programs and the efforts of the staff.
Golf focal point
Holly Ritchie, an owner of the Flying B golf course on Middletown Road, said township families have developed a sense of community through the West Branch Schools, and she wants to use the golf course to build on that family-friendly atmosphere.
"We are focusing on customer service and getting back to the basics," Ritchie said. "We want to use golf to bring families together."
Ritchie said they are organizing golf tournaments and offering specials for weekday golfers and weekend specials for families.
Ritchie and her twin sister, Polly, sister Pam and brother Terry are managing the golf course in a team effort. Their parents, Paul and Nancy Ritchie, owned and operated the Flying B for 45 years, and since their deaths, the children want to continue their legacy.
Salem Air Park
Another family enterprise on the rise is Salem Air Park, north of Salem on state Route 45.
Mike Pidgeon, a pilot, bought the airport last year after living next to it for many years. Celebrating his first anniversary owning Salem Air Park, Pidgeon said he and his family are committed to the township and want to make their airport a destination for fliers and local residents.
Mike's wife, Brenda, manages the airport office while sons Ben, Brian and Chet help with maintenance and construction. Daughter Megan will operate an ice cream parlor.
"Goshen Township is growing and doing well, even in our depressed economy," Mike said. "I want to make as many opportunities as possible for people to enjoy."
There are 79 hangars at the airport, including six new ones, and all of them are full. He's planning a restaurant, Skyline Diner, in addition to Megan's ice cream shop.
Mike wants to expand the runway so bigger twin-engine planes and small jets can land there. Also on staff are mechanics who know old techniques and specialize in restoring and rebuilding some of the older planes from the 1930s and 1940s.
Trustees, too, are taking an active part in the township's growth. Besides assisting other residents and business owners, trustees are working on some development projects of their own.
The trustees bought the former Goshen Center Elementary building from West Branch Schools for $100,000 and are converting it to a township government and community center.
Goshen Police District, trustees' and township clerks' offices are in the former school building, and trustees' meetings take place there. All township operations moved into the former school from a much smaller township building a few yards away.
Spencer said 4-H clubs and other groups use some former classrooms for meetings, and the gymnasium and cafeteria-kitchen are available for rent for family events such as retirement or birthday parties, or bridal or baby showers.
Township park
Another area under development is 25 acres along Stratton Road that Abe Bricker's uncle, Marion Bricker, set aside in his will for a township park.
Abe Bricker spearheaded efforts to get $43,000 in state and federal grants to develop the park, and put in a small lake. Residents and business owners in the township are donating equipment for picnic areas.
There have been Brickers in the township for decades, raising grain crops and dairy and beef cattle. The township remains primarily agrarian, but Abe and John said in today's economy it is increasingly difficult for families operating small or mid-size farms to make a living.
John said the family bought his uncle's farm, but they are now offering some of it for sale because of the disparity between commodities prices and the cost of farm operations. The Brickers raise beef cattle and grain crops.
"We're not making much more on our grain crops than my grandfather did," John Bricker said. "We have decisions to make every day. You just have to plan year by year, and do what you have to do to survive."
tullis@vindy.com