By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green has selected people who will be putting out literal and figurative fires in the city.
City Council swore in a new fire chief and fire officers on Monday evening, plus appointed a team of people charged with updating the city’s charter.
Bill Moorman was sworn in as fire chief, followed by David Hagemeyer as captain, and Aaron Baer as lieutenant. The council chamber was packed with family and friends of the firefighters being promoted.
After the swearing-in ceremony, city resident Mark Heider asked to address council. Heider described how his father recently had a medical emergency when he was riding in his son’s vehicle. A police officer arrived quickly on the scene and took over administering CPR. Soon after, the fire and EMS crew arrived and worked to revive his father.
Though his father did not survive, Heider said he wanted to publicly thank the crew that responded. They showed great skill and caring in their treatment of his father and other family members who arrived at the hospital.
In other business on Monday, members of the newly-formed city charter review committee were named, with Shannon Orr and Jeff Crawford as co-chairs. Other members include Evelyn Bachman, Les Barber, Julie Broadwell, Sylvia Chandler, Holly Cipriani, Bill Culbertson, Greg Dickerson, John Fawcett, Gary Hess, Mark Hollenbaugh, Sarah Klotz, Chet Marcin, Rachel Phipps, Andy Schocket and Tom Walton.
The members selected present a cross section of city residents, Council President Mike Aspacher said.
“We’re very eager for the committee to begin its work,” Aspacher said.
The first meeting of the charter group will be Feb. 22, at 4 p.m., in the City Council chambers. The goal of the committee is to have its work completed by the end of May.
Also at Monday’s meeting, Aspacher assigned council’s public lands committee to study the issue of food trucks operating in the city. The committee, which includes Bill Herald, Sandy Rowland and John Zanfardino, will study ways that food trucks or other mobile vendors may be allowed to do business in Bowling Green.
In other business at Monday’s meeting:
- Heider, after thanking the first responders, addressed another issue involving the $5 fee charged by the city for additional trash bins at residences. His mother no longer needs two bins, and he would like the city to reimburse his family for the $60 a year fee.
- Council heard from Mary Hinkelman, of Downtown BG, about the annual Winterfest Chillabration this weekend.
- Council recognized Bob McOmber for his 12 years of service on City Council.
- Council was reminded that the next meeting will be Feb. 20, due to the Presidents’ Day holiday on Feb. 19.
