By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council thanked Daniel Gordon Monday evening for his service to the community.
Gordon admitted he came into the job with some cynicism about politics. He had seen political polarization at the national and state levels. But he found those divides did not exist in Bowling Green’s city government.
“The system works here,” Gordon said.
Mayor Dick Edwards presented a proclamation to Gordon, who served as First Ward representative on City Council from Jan. 1, 2012 to Oct. 17, 2018.
During that time, Gordon showed great concern for his constituents, Edwards said. He was a strong advocate for the First Ward, was responsible for the development of Ridge Park, helped the city through a difficult fiscal period, and offered a different generational viewpoint and relationship with BGSU.
“I’m deeply honored for receiving this resolution,” Gordon said, noting that his father, Jeff Gordon, received such a resolution 29 years ago after serving on City Council.
“Serving on City Council was the honor of my life,” Gordon said, as he stood surrounded by this family.
“Thanks to all of you, I can say I spent my 20s helping people,” he said to council members. “We made significant progress together.”
Gordon talked about the “thankless job” of being a City Council member.
“We work hard just to get incremental change,” he said.
But sometimes those little steps add up to big changes. Gordon listed the city’s success in passing anti-discrimination ordinances, building the largest solar field in Ohio, dedicating park space, saying “no” to violence and “yes” to food trucks, and working on complete streets and bike paths.
Also at Monday’s City Council meeting, Aaron Baer was sworn in as deputy fire chief. Fire Chief Bill Moorman acknowledged the presence of Baer’s family, and noted the importance of family support for members of the fire division.
Council also heard from Margaret Montague and Dr. Lisa Hanasono about a community forum held recently on the opioid crisis. Approximately 145 people attended and considered local steps such as making people more aware of how to dispose of old medications, educating people to administer Narcan, reaching out to schools and organizations with information on opioids, and “helping the helpers.”
Council also heard some citizen concerns Monday evening.
Lee Hakel told City Council that she frequently hears compliments about Bowling Green from international visitors. They often remark on the city’s beauty – based on the trees, gardens and parks in the community.
“Trees, shrubs and flowers are messy,” Hakel said. So she asked that as council makes rules for waste disposal that they keep in mind the community’s gardeners.
Hakel also asked that the city examine the northern entryway to the city – specifically the southeast and southwest corners of North Main Street and Poe Road. She referred to those spots as “eyesores.”
“Landscaping around these corners would really help,” she said. “This intersection should be attractive and inviting.”
Hakel asked for a renewed partnership between the city and citizens to help beautify the community.
Public Utilities Director Brian Craft noted that the city does offer a yard waste collection site that is open 24/7. The items left there are taken to the county landfill for composting, he said.
Neocles Leontis expressed his disappointment that the city is not moving ahead to create a sustainability commission. The city has created and filled the position of a sustainability coordinator, but decided to not form a commission.
Leontis said the commission could be of help to the sustainability coordinator, especially since the national and state government seem to be abdicating their environmental responsibilities. He asked that the proposed plastic bag ban ordinance and formation of a sustainability commission be decided as separate issues.
Carolyn Kawecka voiced her support of the city’s proposed single-use plastic bag ban. She also expressed concerns about H.B. 6, which defines nuclear and coal as “clean energy” and eliminates some green energy programs.
In other business Monday evening:
- Council voted to approve a feasibility study for a new city administration building.
- Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley reported on the start of summer programming and opening of the city pool. The annual lunches in the park on Fridays and concerts in the parks on Sundays will begin this week. A golf cart will be available for those who cannot find close parking spots due to construction in City Park.
- Public Works Director Brian Craft reported that the bridge deck over Interstate 75 should be installed soon, preparations are being made to pave the downtown, and Columbia Gas has started updating lines on the East Side.
