Madison Messenger - February 12th, 2023

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PAGE 6 - MADISON MESSENGER - February 12, 2023 www.madisonmessengernews.com State of the City: Looking back, moving forward By Kristy Zurbrick Madison Editor London Mayor Patrick Closser took a look back at the past year and a look forward to the year ahead in his state of the city address delivered at the Feb. 2 city council meeting. “2022 was another difficult year for many. We never expected the economy to decline, but I am proud to say the city has not slowed down,” he said. “We will continue to improve and make London an even better place to live, work, play, and raise a family.” Closser covered accomplishments in 2022 and goals for 2023 for each department. Streets 2022—The street department repaired multiple storm sewers and catch basins, added new storm sewer lines to Mound Street, Graceland Avenue, and across Main Street, and purchased a sewer camera to assess sanitary sewer issues. ODOT completed its State Route 56 and State Route 38 paving project. 2023—The to-do list includes replacing a storm sewer line on Olive Street and adding a line to Mariemont Avenue, building a new ditch on Andrew Court, repairing streets with a micro sealing process, and continue work on the storm water system throughout the city. Police 2022—Police patrols increased traffic enforcement, resulting in a significant decrease in crashes. The department also started a school resource officer program at London City Schools and a Safety Town event for children. 2023—The department aims to increase enforcement of impaired driving by 10 percent and update and obtain items such as duty handguns and a license plate camera system. Plans also include creation of a police chaplaincy program to improve officer wellness and response to community crises. With two failed levy attempts last year to raise funds for a new police station, the department is looking to remodel its current space to make work flow more efficient and increase usable office space. Fire and EMS 2022—Calls to fire/EMS were up 4 percent over 2021. The department responded to a total of 2,720 calls—18 percent for fire and 82 percent for EMS. Average response time within the city was 3:10. Crews responded to 54 fires and 137 motor vehicle crashes. The department conducted 20 CPR/First Aid classes, provided fire prevention materials and presentations to students in grades PRESIDENT'S DAY 2023 This coming Monday, February 20, 2023 is President's Day here in America—a day set aside to honor two of our most famous Presidents: George Washington, “The Father of Our Country,” and Abraham Lincoln, “The Great Emancipator.” Let’s take time on that day to be thankful not only for these two truly great Americans, but for all of our leaders who have helped to make our Nation what it is today. E F Since 1908 Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home/Crematory www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com Dana Fisher 103 North Main Street London, Ohio 43140-1144 (740) 852-2345 K-4 at London Elementary and St. Patrick School, and assisted 289 families and 581 children in a toy drive cohosted by Madison County Job and Family Services. 2023—Fire/EMS plans to increase its CPR programs and implement a home risk reduction program covering trip hazards, smoke detectors, and general life safety initiatives. The department is awaiting delivery of a new fire engine. Parks and Recreation 2022—Hundreds of children participated in volleyball and basketball leagues put on by the parks and recreation department. The department upgraded lighting at the pool, allowing for after-hours rentals. Merri-Mac Park is now home to new playground equipment, and electrical upgrades were completed at Cowling Park. 2023—Plans for this year include revitalizing the baseball diamonds at Merri Mac Park and Park Avenue, creating a sand volleyball league, bringing back adult softball leagues, installing outdoor pickleball courts at Cowling Park, and resurfacing and painting the swimming pool. “The youth programs will continue to grow, and we need to grow with them,” Closser said. “We expect the three programs to have upwards of 600 participants, and we need to work on a long-term solution to host these programs.” For safety reasons, the city is currently demolishing the old school facilities that housed some of the youth sports. Early last year, a levy request failed for funds to build a new gym. For now, the parks and recreation department is partnering with London City Schools for gym time. Board of Public Utilities office 2022—The office staff processed 1,605 cellular meters into the city’s billing software. In October, they entered into a contract with Invoice Cloud, a new online payment solution for monthly water, sewer, and sanitation bills. The office will go live with the new system this month, providing new options for paying bills online, including pay by text, PayPal, Apply Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo. 2023—The board’s goal is to process the remaining cellular meters as they are installed, encourage customers to sign up for e-bills, and send quarterly flyers with updates about the sanitation, wastewater, and water departments. Sanitation 2022—The sanitation department continued to see the benefits of going automated in 2020 with new trash trucks. The vehicles have allowed the department to stay on schedule with residential and commercial accounts and reduce Bureau of Workers Compensation claims. “We have seen a large increase of trash and recycle pickups in the past years,” Closser added. 2023—Rumpke is providing a new trash compactor for the transfer station this year. Also, the department SAFETY Continued from page 1 will work on getting rear load customers converted to front load customers. Wastewater 2022—Among the tasks the wastewater department completed last year were installation of a new sewer line on East Second Street to replace a deteriorated main line. They also began preliminary engineering for the east side trunk sewer design. 2023—This year’s projects include construction of a screw press for sludge, sewer lining on East Lincoln Avenue and South Walnut Street, and identification and reduction of odor sources at the wastewater treatment plant. Water 2022—Closser described 2022 as “a year of challenges with progress on the horizon” for the water department. The big challenge has been the east water treatment plant which has sat idle for years due to high levels of ammonia in the water. “This was one of the toughest issues I’ve had to tackle when becoming mayor,” Closser said. “We have made much progress, and the finish line looks in sight. With funding, we hope to have that water plant up and producing by the end of the year.” Also last year, the department repaired and replaced a contact tank bearing, replaced or repaired all of the fire hydrants that needed attention, and installed 1,605 cellular meters. About the fire hydrants, Closser said, “This was a large focus of ours this past year. I am proud of all departments that helped make this happen.” 2023—Goals for this year are installation of the remaining 2,062 cellular meters, continued effort on the east water treatment plant, upgrades to the current plant, upgrades to water mains, and a stricter valve turning program. Building and Zoning 2022—The building department issued 359 permits, 35 of which were for dwellings. Council increased the zoning officer position from 10 hours per week to 20 hours per week, making the department more efficient and able to address more violations. “The amount of dwelling permits is great, but I see it really rising over the next two years with the Brooksedge expansion and the Pulte project,” Closser said. Auditor 2022—The auditor’s office put new technology in place to protect city funds and started the vendor payment process. Closser said the city’s finances were good in 2022 despite the uncertain economy. Overall, the city brought in $20.7 million. Expenses totaled $19.5 million. “I am proud to say that in the seven years I have been mayor, the city has never spent more money than it received and has continued to stay in the black,” Closser said. Since taking office in 2019, DeWine has led several initiatives to support school safety, including the creation of the Ohio School Safety Center, which works to assist local schools, colleges, universities, and law enforcement agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solutions-based approach to improving school safety. DeWine also created the Student Wellness and Success Fund, a $1.2 billion investment that is now a part of the school funding formula, to provide wraparound services to students. Wraparound services are programming and supports meant to build skills and fulfill a student or familial need. To date, this funding has launched 1,300 mental health programs and trained 6,500 educators and school professionals. As part of his executive budget proposal presented to the Ohio General Assembly in early February, DeWine is also requesting funding to help schools with the cost of staffing a school resource officer.
www.madisonmessengernews.com February 12, 2023 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 7 obituaries McMILLIN Jane Loretta (Landes) McMillin of London, Ohio, passed away on Jan. 23, 2023, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was age 88. Born on Feb. 14, 1934, in Grove City, Ohio, she was a 1952 graduate of Grove City High School. Jane was preceded in death by: her parents Richard Earl and Mary (Crowder) Landes; sisters, Ann and Betty Landes; and her husband of 52 years, William A. McMillin. For three decades, she served as a deputy clerk in the Madison County Clerk of Courts. She was also a member of London Church of Christ. Jane is survived by: sons, William (Vicki) McMillin, James (Robin) McMillin, Robert (Bobbie) McMillin, and John McMillin; daughter, Betty Ann (Mike) Writesel; grandchildren, Zachary (Rebecca) McMillin, Zane McMillin, Abby McMillin, James (Meghan) McMillin Jr., Jeremy McMillin, Jessica Writesel, Brittany (Danny) Writesel, Ashley (Kalei) Chandler, Justin (Sara) Writesel, and Lily Writesel; and numerous greatgrandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Jane was deeply loved by her family and will be dearly missed. Family and friends remembered and celebrated Jane’s life at graveside services on Feb. 11 in Oak Grove Cemetery in Georgesville, Ohio, with Pastor Gary Cotto officiating. Her family would greatly appreciate memorial contributions to: Ohio’s Hospice Loving Care Hospice, 779 London Ave., Marysville, OH 43040; American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate; London Church of Christ, 5 Westmoor Dr,, London, OH 43140. The family was served by Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home and Crematory, London. Condolences may be shared at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com. JONES William “Bo” Jones, 81, of West Jefferson, Ohio, passed away on Jan. 30, 2023. He was born on Jan. 26, 1942, in London, Ohio, a son of Freedman and Marie (Baird) Jones. Bo served the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1966 during the Vietnam War. He was a former employee of Wilson Freight and Owen Corning Fiberglass. He also was a member of DAV Chapter 13 and was an avid fisherman in his free time. He is survived by: wife, Joyce C. Jones; son, Brian Jones; daughter, Melissa (Adam) Woodard; six grandchildren, Dylan Jones, Gavin Jones, Breanna Jones, Michael Glover, Matthew Glover, and Haley Glover; numerous nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Phil Henry. Bo was preceded in death by: his mother, Marie Jones; father, Freedman Jones; brothers, Henry Jones and Charles Jones; sisters, Mary Ann Henry and Patricia Powers. He will be sadly missed by all. Visitation and a funeral service was held on Feb. 2 at Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home and Crematory, London, with Pastor Jim Blankenship officiating. Interment followed in Dennison Chapel Cemetery, London. Memorials in Bo’s name may be made to: Motts Military Museum, 5075 S. Hamilton Rd., Groveport, OH 43125. Condolences may be shared at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com. PETERMAN Dylan Matthew Peterman, 30, of London, Ohio, died on Feb. 2, 2023, in Grant Medical Center, Columbus. Born on June 8, 1992, in London, he was a son of Robert and Denise (Nagel) Peterman. Dylan had worked as an equipment operator for Wasserstrom. He enjoyed family time and listening to music, but the highlight of his life was spending time with his children. He leaves behind: two children, daughter Abigail Peterman and son Waylon Peterman; father, Robert Peterman; brother, Michael (Erin) Peterman; paternal grandfather, Mike Peterman; maternal grandmother, Becky Nagel (Gary Stapleton); aunt, Jessie Peterman; uncle, Mark Stuthard; numerous cousins. Dylan was preceded in death by: his mother, Denise Peterman; paternal grandmother, Linda Peterman; maternal grandfather, Dennis Nagel; aunts and uncles, Darrick Nagel, Jeremy Nagel, Lisa Stuthard, Donielle Peterman, and Josh Kimbler; cousins, Raelynn Peterman and Lakeynn Corbin. Visitation and a funeral service were held on Feb. 10 at Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home and Crematory, London, with Pastor Sue McClelland officiating. Interment followed in Paint Memorial Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com. STIRES Samuel P. Stires Sr., 87, of London went to be with the Lord on Feb. 6, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Sam worked as a farmer for many years before starting his own contracting company. He enjoyed attending and working in his church. He was in the National Guard Reserves for several years. He is survived by: his children, Kathy (Tom) Doggett, Sam (Sharon) Stires, Chris (Sarah) Stires, Jane (Don) Rumpff, Karen Kimbler, Trevor (Penny) Stires, Ted Rice, Pat (Ed) Arnold, Diana (Don) Miller, and Scott Rice; grandchildren, Darlene West, Cynthia (Jeff) Tremayne, Dan (Christina) Doggett, Christina (Joe) Kennedy, Shawn (Amanda) Stires, Chad (Sandra) Stires, Rachel Stires, Chris (Ashleigh) Stires, Greg Stires, Brian Stires, Adam Stires, Jonathon (Natalie) Rumpff, Robert (Crystal) Harper, James (Melanie) Harper, Jacob (Allison) Sollars, Tyler Stires, Summer (Eric) Linderman, and Cierra Stires; siblings, Fred Stires, Susan (Tony) Arnold; sister-in-law, Patricia Stires; numerous great-grandchildren, great-greatgrandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by: his wife, Rushie; parents; brother, Larry; sister, Barbara; daughter, Sherry Doggett; son, Gary Rice; grandson, Joshua Sollars; great-grandson, Kevin Compston; great-great-granddaughter, Callie Compston; and his little dog, Bubbles. Thanks to London Health and Rehab for taking such good care of him and a special thanks to the following caregivers: Baylee Semler, Taylor Hardin, Alexa Nagel, Jess Ernst, Patty Bussey, Kala Arnold, Alicia Baldwin, Kailyn Seymour, Heidi White, Casey Campbell, Amanda Blair, Christina Liston, Victoria Nicewaner, Olivia Carter, and Angela Simmons. Visitation and a funeral service were held on Feb. 9 at Lynch Family Funeral Home, London, officiated by Pastor Mark Jordan. Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery, Mutual, Ohio. Sam’s services were entrusted to Lynch Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services. An independent agency representing Contact us toda y to find out how you can save money on your home insurance Dwyer Insurance Agency 63 N. Main Street London, OH 43140 (740)852-0654 Ashley Winebrenner, Agent PREPLANNING...for Peace of Mind Perhaps you or a loved one have been considering “getting your affairs in order” by Estate Planning, which may include pre-planning final wishes for funeral or cremation decisions. For many years, the funeral directors at Rader-Lynch & Dodds Funeral Home have been helping people do just that. From the simplest to the more detailed service, including those with military honors, we can be there to guide you through these decisions. We offer all funeral and cremation services. Let us assist you by calling us, stopping by the funeral home, or we’ll come to you in the privacy of your home. There is no obligation, just peace of mind. More importantly, is that all of this being your decisions and choices, you can make changes at anytime. Lynch Family Funeral Home AND CREMATION SERVICE “Serving Families Like Family” 124 E. High St. • London • 740-852-9212 www.rldfuneralhome.com
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Madison Messenger - February 12th, 2023

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