Chillicothe — Mayor Luke Feeney said he had a sick child to get back home to, so I was not able to interview him after Monday’s council session. But I caught his briefing during council.
He thanked the Jaycees for a safe and calm Halloween Parade last Saturday, with the weather even cooperating.
Councilwoman Deirdre Nickerson had mentioned the Appalachian Community Grant for Yoctangee Park, which is an ongoing process of rapid planning because of the two-year deadline to spend the money.
Feeney said it was originally “a sprint to get the application in.” The grand unveiling was May 1st, with the governor appearing in front of Memorial Armory. A conceptual presentation was made to the Ross County Commissioners August 26th, and to some members of Chillicothe Council and the city on October 22nd.
Feeney said there were a few pending questions with the state, and once they get answers, they will make a presentation to the general public.
He pointed out that the the grant for the park is about $34.5M, and the county commissioners were successful in getting more funds from the state budget for an additional $5M – for a total of more than $40M.
Two speakers addressed the plans for Yoctangee Park in the later Public Comments section (more soon).
Feeney announced that a new chief building official started that day, after the city has been waiting for years without one.
He said council had approved the creation of a Code & Zoning Enforcement position – along with new software – and having a chief building official was part of the process. Within 30 to 45 days, Feeney said the department will be noticeably improved.
It’s just past, but Feeney said the city chooses the date for Trick or Treat based on a recommendation from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to have a unified Beggars Night.
That happened to be on Halloween this year. Unfortunately, it usually rains for Trick or Treat…but the event happens rain or shine.
