Logan Rogers reflects on his love for the city and arts

Logan Rogers has always viewed Tipp City as a special place.

With that in mind, he couldn’t be more pleased to be serving as the city’s mayor, following a vote by fellow council members in January.

“It seems like people who live here think it is special. People who come here think it is special. Growth and change are inevitable, but we need to stay special,” he said.

Although not born in Tipp City, Rogers moved to the community at age 3 with his family, and considers this as his home.

"I had a great childhood in Tipp City, went sledding on the levee and skating on the pond, loved to go to the Tipp City Pool and looked forward to the Fourth of July carnival at Tipp City Park every year, I was always in the drugstore and Butler's Variety Store, and Rohrer's. I have wonderful memories of our library, it was always such a welcoming place for kids, and I'm glad that it still is,” he said.

“I was a Boy Scout, I was a "green shirt," taking care of kids at Campus for Kids and Camp Sunshine, the summer program of Community Services.

Rogers was used to hearing community discussions and witnessing involvement thanks to his parents, Logan, who worked at the community newspaper and was active in the community, and his mother, Jean, who also was active in community organizations.

A graduate of Tippecanoe High School Class of 1984, he attended Ohio University where he received a bachelor of Fine Arts degree before returning home.

He’s pursued a career in graphic arts and as an artist in more recent years.

Today, he works in continuous improvement at Westlake Royal Building Products in Franklin.

“At my job, they think it’s a real hoot that I am mayor,” he said. Rogers, though, thinks it is important to be involved and enjoys city government.

“I like being part of city government. I like knowing what is going on,” he said.

The city is a charter government with the mayor being a largely ceremonial role. This means Rogers’ activities can include participating in ribbon cuttings and other community activities as well as attending gatherings such as the Greater Dayton Mayors and Managers Group.

He’s also a fan of the historic downtown. He’s served on the Downtown Tipp City Partnership, including serving at one time as its president.

The downtown’s buildings also have been an inspiration for his art.

"I've done a lot of paintings of landmarks in and around Tipp City. I love to think of how so many different people have moved through the same spaces over the years, known their neighbors and their customers, and been there for all their life events, happy and sad; people came and went, but the community remained,” he said.

Rogers is the father of twins, John and Elizabeth, now age 21. John is in the Navy while Elizabeth is a student at Sinclair college and works at a couple of downtown businesses. He was glad they could grow up in a community such as Tipp City, Rogers said.

My kids may not end up staying in the area, but I know they'll always remember Tipp City as a great place to have grown up, just like I do,” he said.