By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council welcomed the new year with talk of spending the last of its COVID relief funds, of making draft legislation more accessible to the public, and plans to make the city’s marijuana rules mirror the state’s.
At its first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, council also welcomed the first openly queer, non-binary and Gen Z council member – Damon Sherry, representing the First Ward.
Though nervous at his first meeting, Sherry said he was ready to get started, “instead of being a bystander.”
Lindsay Jo Durham, representing BGO Pride, welcomed Sherry to his new role.
“We have been excited to watch you make history,” Durham said. She praised Sherry for his work to “open the door of opportunity for many citizens of Bowling Green.”
Sherry, 21, sees his victory as a breakthrough for Bowling Green. A political science major at BGSU, he will graduate in the spring but plans to continue living in Bowling Green.
“I’m fully committed to being here,” he said. “I’m excited to get started.”
Sherry envisions himself focusing his attention on parks and recreation, sustainability and community development – all with a fresh pair of eyes.
Sherry was sworn into office by Bowling Green Municipal Court Judge Mark Reddin, who also swore in re-elected council members Jeff Dennis, Bill Herald, Joel O’Dorisio and Rachel Phipps. The other returning council members are Mark Hollenbaugh and Greg Robinette.
Council members voted to return Hollenbaugh as council president, and Phipps as vice president.
Mayor Mike Aspacher was sworn in for his second term last week by Reddin. On Tuesday evening, the mayor talked about the city’s busy year in 2023, and predicted that this year will be no less busy.
Aspacher expressed his enthusiasm to work alongside council to make Bowling Green even better.
Robinette, as chair of council’s finance committee, highlighted council’s successes in 2023 in the areas of economic development, housing, the zoning code update and investment in infrastructure.
“The BG economic development team has successfully positioned BG as an attractive site for business, exemplified by Abbott’s decision to build a manufacturing facility in BG, and expertly continues its mission to attract, retain, and expand industry in general,” Robinette said.
City Council did its part by unanimously adopting all the legislation necessary, including adopting necessary changes to zoning, utilities, and approving tax abatement to make these economic development gains possible, he added.
In the area of housing, Robinette stressed the positives.
“It is frustrating to me that lost in the frequent discussion about the need for more housing, especially family housing, is our recent success in this area,” he said. The city has made progress on increasing the number of housing units with the addition of two new apartment complexes, a senior living complex, a single family housing development on the city’s northwest side, and a new plat at Stone Ridge.
“All of these projects required some type of legislation to address zoning issues and make the developments possible,” Robinette said.
The zoning code update was a major project for the city administration and this council.
“The result of many months of hard work spanning two calendar years is the new, revised zoning code that will support economic development, and benefit the citizens of Bowling Green for multiple decades to come,” he said.
Robinette also said council should be proud of investments in infrastructure over the past two years.
“In my opinion, one of our most important duties as legislators is to ensure that our infrastructure, particularly our roads, sidewalks, and utilities are updated and maintained,” he said. “We have made significant progress paving roads, improving sidewalks, and upgrading utility infrastructure that will continue into this year.”
