By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A Bowling Green family known for its Mediterranean cuisine was honored Monday evening for building cultural bridges in this community.
So and Amal Shaheen were presented with an Honor Roll Award by the Bowling Green Human Relations Commission during a city council meeting. The award recognizes actions that promote respect and diversity in the community.
“Our town’s quality of life rests on this foundation of equality and understanding, a foundation built by countless actions, both in the public eye and behind the scenes,” said Rev. Mary Jane Saunders, co-chairperson of the commission.
The Shaheens, who own South Side Six, have taken very public actions to bring the community together.
“So and Amal Shaheen are an example of bridge builders whose quiet efforts enhance our town as a community of peace,” Saunders said.
Sometimes, the bridges are built with food – the Mediterranean cuisine from South Side Six that they have donated to the interfaith peace-making breakfasts held in Bowling Green.
“Summertime finds South Side Six serving their menu at Lunch in the Park and educating customers about Mediterranean cuisine,” Saunders said.
Sometimes, the bridges are built with words – such as during the Not In Our Town forums on the nature and the effects of Islamophobia.
“The planners thought it was critical to have a Bowling Green resident representing the Muslim faith,” Saunders said. “And so Amal convinced So, twice, that he should be that representative. Talking about one’s personal faith in such a vulnerable setting called for courage and community spirit, and So’s comments and insights were an important contribution to the understanding of his experience living the Muslim faith in the BG community.”
The Shaheen family has been a part of Bowling Green since 1991.
“When their name comes up in conversation, it’s always followed by the observation that ‘they are great people, very generous, and very community-oriented.’ They are good neighbors, and the Human Relations Commission is honored to present them with this Honor Roll recognition,” Saunders said.
Amal Shaheen was unable to attend the meeting, so So Shaheen accepted the award with two of their children by his side. He commented that he wanted his children to see the importance of being involved in the community.
In other business at the city council meeting:
- Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley reported the five-year master plan for the city’s park and rec department will be presented at the next park board meeting.
- Council gave a second reading to the resolution dedicating the space at 215 W. Wooster St., as open green space for the community.
- Council gave a second reading to the resolution creating a medical marijuana moratorium in the city.
- Utilities Director Brian O’Connell said three city employees and two city trucks were sent to Oberlin after heavy winds knocked down trees and poles in that community on Sept. 10. As a fellow AMP member, the communities provide mutual aid when needed. In 2014, mutual aid was sent to Bowling Green following heaving winds that knocked down poles.
- O’Connell reported that the heavy rains in Bowling Green this past Saturday, measuring 2.9 inches, caused a combined sewer overflow from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. The overflow should not count against Bowling Green in the permit process because it was caused by an exceptional rain event, he said.
At the end of the meeting, council member Bob McOmber said he wanted to remind the community that at the end of 2017, six of the seven seats on council will be up for grabs. The one remaining member will be Bruce Jeffers, since at-large council seats are staggered.
“I will not be running,” said McOmber, who is in his 11th year. “Council functions best when there is a mix of new people and veterans.”
McOmber said he will fulfill his term, but will not return for professional and personal reasons – the personal being a grandson near Cincinnati, who he would like to visit more often.
