By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
With their fellow firefighters filling the back of council chambers, Mayor Dick Edwards swore in three new lieutenants to the fire department Monday evening.
Brad Feehan with his family and Chief Tom Sanderson.
Ryan Patton, Brad Feehan and Jason Wilkins, with their families surrounding them, took the oath promoting them in the city fire department. Edwards praised the three firefighters and the profession as a whole, “who serve so unselfishly.”
Bowling Green Fire Chief Tom Sanderson called the three men solid firefighters, paramedics and natural leaders.
“We’re very proud of these three people,” the chief said. “We’re all glad to have them.”
Also at Monday’s meeting, city council voted to approve raises for non-union employees by 3 percent, the same amount granted to union employees of the city. Council member Robert McOmber stressed the city’s effort to keep pay increases the same for union and non-union employees.
Jason Wilkins and his family.
In other business, Planning Director Heather Sayler reported that the city is down this year in zoning permits, with 108 being requested so far, compared to 121 last year at this time.
The number of single-family housing permits is also down, with nine this year compared to 14 last year at this time.
Sayler also asked for council’s help reporting grass that exceeds the allowed height in the city, since the city has just one code enforcer.
As part of the Not In Our Town program, Sayler also introduced Margaret Montague and Carol Kinsey, who will be visiting businesses in the city to make sure they are aware of the program and ask them to put NIOT logos in their store windows.
In other business, City Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley reported that the “Building on Nature” project in Wintergarden Park may be completed as soon as next week. The new building includes maintenance space, plus public restrooms.
Otley noted the last in a series of focus groups for the parks and recreation department will be held this Wednesday at 7 p.m., in the community center. This forum will look at future directions for the parks, identifying the strengths and weaknesses.
Otley also reported that the city pool will open May 28.
In other business during Monday’s meeting, council:
- Declared the need for a 2-mill levy for city parks and recreation. The levy will appear on the November ballot.
- Agreed to sell obsolete items no longer needed by the city at a public auction.
- Adopted changes to the cemetery ordinance.
- Met Ruth Babel-Smith, who introduced herself to council as a candidate for Wood County sheriff.
- Had a moment of silence for former Congressman Delbert Latta, who died last week. He served the region in Congress for 30 years.
Also during Monday’s council meeting, Edwards asked that the following citizens be appointed to serve on various city boards and commissions:
- Audit Committee: Bill Culbertson, Theresa Charters Gavarone
- Bicycle Safety Commission: Kerica Bucks, Greg Dickerson, Ethan Ferguson, Steve Langendorfer
- Board of Public Utilities: Bill Culbertson
- City-University Relations: Julie Broadwell, Daniel Gordon, Barbara Ruland
- Human Relations Commission: Alyson Baker, Margaret Montague, Morgan Hollandsworth
- Parks and Recreation Board: Jeff Crawford
- Planning Commission: Gary Hess, Judy Ennis
- Tree Commission: Terrence Leek
- Board of Zoning Appeals: Chris Ostrowski
- Transportation Advisory Committee: Christy Gray, Melanie Stretchbery
Ex-officio members were also appointed:
- Bicycle Safety Commission: Kristin Otley
- Human Relations Commission: Dan Mancuso
- Records Commission: Jackie Spangenberg
- Transportation Advisory Committee: John Zanfardino
