It Happened in Crawford County: Doug Foght is all about community involvement

Doug Foght is a son of Doug and Nancy Long Foght. His grandfather, Bruce, built the Timken subdivision and named the streets after his family. He also built Garnet Court, Forest Hills Court and most of the houses near Aumiller Park.

Doug started school at Lincoln Elementary. In high school he enjoyed football and was involved in business marketing courses and DECA. He said he was blessed with great teachers who steered him in the right direction. He graduated from Bucyrus High School in 2004.

Doug said people told him he talked too much, so he decided to make a career of it. He began working at various jobs in Bucyrus, including Marmon/Keystone for almost 10 years. He wanted to be more involved in the community, so he earned his insurance license.

The next step happened when Duane Watts hired him at the Watt’s House of Insurance. Thanks to the Watts family, Doug became a Kiwanian and served as vice president and president. He also took charge of the city’s fireworks for eight or nine years, helped with the annual Kiwanis Pancake Day and volunteered for other events, including the chicken barbecue.

Doug was asked to run for Bucyrus City Council as the Ward 3 councilman. He was put on as economic development chairman and brought in Parr Safety Equipment, located just south of Bucyrus, which outfits police and fire vehicles.

He also updated the Community Re-Investment Act to incorporate residential properties as well as commercial. People can move into a lower income home with the intent to improve it and receive a tax abatement. After four years on council, Doug felt he had helped make a difference in Bucyrus and left to start a new business.

Opening Pack and Ship, serving the Bratwurst Festival

Doug’s dream came true in 2021 with the opening of Pack and Ship, 556 S. Sandusky Ave., the former Kimmel Cleaners. Working in the insurance business opens many conversations with clients about the city. One topic was the lack of place to pack and ship, not just a drop-off site.

Doug said feels fortunate to have Duane Watts as his partner. Doug’s wife, Ida, is the store manager, running the daily business. Together they strive to make packaging and shipping a good experience. For example, The Salvation Army planned to send 1,800 coloring books to children in the Ukraine. They anticipated the shipping cost at $10,000. Doug made it cost effective at $3,500, even with the last-minute addition of clothing.

Doug is active at Good Hope Lutheran Church, serving on its council as well as property care chairman. Doug is also the current vice president of the Bratwurst Festival board. He is honored to have run the "ceremonial bratwurst" down Sandusky Avenue for the past seven years. His grandfather, Boyd Long, ran it many years prior. Bucyrus is trying to keep the tradition to be the best festival in Ohio, now into the 57th year.

Doug also is a board member on the Bicentennial Commission for the nonprofit organization to continue the Norton Legacy. They are remembered as the founders of the City of Bucyrus. Doug also is involved in the Loretta Schimmoler Museum, a combined effort to bring attention to Port Bucyrus Airport, as well as the history of our airport’s first manager. She was the first female to manage an airport in the U.S. Doug is also involved with the airport’s Fly-In Pancake Breakfast. There are other interesting events held there. Check laurettaschimmolermuseum.org.

Enthusiasm for Bucyrus and its future

Doug’s enthusiasm for volunteerism shows he wants Bucyrus to be the best place possible. He also wants to be "the great salesman" for the city. He is constantly thinking of new opportunities. It’s his personal goal. He just can’t seem to say no when it comes to improving Bucyrus.

Doug says he is lucky and blessed to have started a career with the Watts family.

He is appreciative to be involved with the Kiwanis Club and a group of individuals who want to see Bucyrus continue to flourish. One of the biggest projects Kiwanis has ever done is the Splash Pad at Aumiller Park. The club raised almost $250,000 in two years for the project.

Doug is proud of the Volunteer Award he received from the Chamber of Commerce. He also wants to be recognized as a “servant to the Lord and to the community” ? a goal of his own.

Doug and Ida’s family consists of Jordan and Cheyenne and five grandchildren.

Go online for more of Mary Fox’s stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email l[email protected].

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Doug Foght is all about promoting Bucyrus