By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
It was a tale of two cities at Bowling Green City Council Monday evening. There was the city that brought thousands of people to the community to shop and enjoy music on one weekend. And the city where police handled multiple street fights and gunshots fired on the next weekend.
“They are sharply contrasting weekends,” Mayor Dick Edwards said about the Black Swamp Arts Festival followed by this past weekend when police were kept busy responding to problems.
“Unfortunately this last weekend we had several situations that really tested especially our police force,” Edwards said.
Like many in the city, the mayor watched one of the fights unfold on a video that had been taken on a bystander’s phone and posted online.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Edwards said.
“It frankly sickens all of us, how they were being treated,” he said of the police officers.
The video shows people assaulting police as they try to make an arrest on East Court Street downtown. Spectators circled the police on the street as they wrestled to get control of a couple men.
None of the police officers draws a firearm or a taser.
“They showed outstanding professionalism.They exercised great restraint. I applaud the efforts of the officers involved and of course, you, chief,” Edwards said to Police Chief Tony Hetrick during the council meeting.
Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter also praised the restraint shown by the officers.
“This is why training is important,” she said.
City Attorney Mike Marsh agreed, calling the police “an outstanding force,” and telling City Council that their investment in training had paid off.
But Monday’s meeting was also one of compliments for the annual Black Swamp Arts Festival held earlier this month.
Festival chairman Bill Donnelly thanked city officials for rising above the rumors that the event was canceled due to all the downtown construction. He praised their efforts to tidy up the construction as much as possible for the festival. He said this year’s event was “incredibly successful,” and important to the downtown that has suffered from the prolonged construction.
From a financial perspective, the Black Swamp Arts Festival had its biggest grossing nights for concessions on both Friday and Saturday nights, Donnelly said.
Downtown BG Executive Director Tony Vetter talked about upcoming events planned, including the community tree lighting on Nov. 22, Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 30, and a new year-round campaign called “Think Local, Shop, Dine and Explore.”
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Hinkelman said this year’s Black Swamp Arts Festival was the “most stressful festival we probably have ever seen” due to the downtown construction.
“Thank you for sticking with us,” she said to city officials.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the mayor announced the appointment of citizens to the city’s new Sustainability Advisory Committee. This group will look at sustainability efforts already ongoing in the community, where improvement may be needed, and make recommendations on how these issues are evaluated.
Edwards said the committee includes people with diverse backgrounds, representing different areas of the city. The committee will include:
• Jodi Anderson (west side resident)
• Holly Cipriani (west side resident)
• John Cubberly (industrial—from Lubrizol)
• Andrea Depinet (BGSU, Campus Operations)
• Amanda Gamby (City of BG Sustainability Coordinator)
• Todd McGee (hotels—from Best Western Falcon Plaza)
• Megan Reedy (east side resident)
• Adam Smith (east side resident)
• Paula Williams (restaurants and middle school science teacher)
In other business, City Council member Greg Robinette presented an update on development efforts along East Wooster Street and zoning code changes.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Kristin Otley reported on upcoming events including a community focus group meeting for the parks on Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., in the community center.
