Madison Messenger - March 3rd, 2024

PAGE 2 - MADISON MESSENGER - March 3, 2024
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Nearly $1 million could go to road repairs in ‘24
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
The city of London is looking at spending
nearly $1 million on street repairs this year.
Legislation to set aside the funds was introduced
at city council’s Feb. 15 meeting.
Part of the funding would come from a
grant reimbursement. In 2022, the Ohio De-
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partment of Development awarded the city
a $461,000 grant to tear down the former
school and gymnasium that once stood at 60
S. Walnut St. The demolition took place last
year. The city covered the costs up front.
The state is scheduled to reimburse the city
for those costs this year.
The legislation also calls for the city to
move $500,000 from its general fund to the
capital improvements fund for the street
work, bringing the total for the year to
$961,000.
Bill Long, head of the street department,
recommended the expenditures. The city
hasn’t done major city-wide road repairs
since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pre-COVID, we were doing $300,000 to
$500,000 or more in street repairs every
year,” said Mayor Patrick Closser, adding
that those expenditures were put on pause
during the pandemic. “Now, we’re bouncing
back and getting back into it. There are
things that need to be done.”
City officials plan to compile and prioritize
a list of street projects to be done.
“Then, we will just work down the list
and get as many done as we can with the allotted
money,” Closser said.
The proposal will be up for a second reading
at council’s March 7 meeting.
Other city government news
Council member Rich Hays said city
leaders have had initial talks about redrawing
ward boundaries for the city.
“As the city grows, some of the wards are
getting excessively big. So, we may have to
do something with that pretty soon,” he said.
Hays also said legislation likely will be
introduced at council’s March 7 meeting to
update the city’s building and zoning permit
fees to align more closely with fees of other
nearby municipalities.
Closser announced the city’s revamped
website and new smart phone app both
went live on Feb. 8. The website address is
www.londonohio.gov. The smart phone app
can be found by searching for “City of London
Ohio” in the app store.
“It’s just another tool to keep citizens informed
with info at their fingertips,” Closser
said about the app.
Council member Michael Norman sponsored
legislation that would authorize the
mayor or safety-service director to apply for
various grants throughout the 2024 calendar
year, instead of waiting for council approval
for each individual grant application,
as is done now.
This would allow city administration to
move quickly on opportunities with tight
deadlines. It would still be up to council
members to give the go-ahead to accept any
grants that come through. The measure
passed on first reading and will be up for a
second reading at council’s March 7 meeting.
Motorcycle club hosting Easter egg hunt
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
The Forgotten Ones Law Enforcement
Motorcycle Club and its London chapter, the
Founding Fathers, are hosting an Easter
Egg Hunt for the community at 10:30 a.m.
March 30 at the Merri-Mac Park ball fields,
250 Toland St., London.
Three age groups are planned with each
having their own hunt: 0-4 years old, 5-9
years old, and 10 and older. Participants
will hunt for plastic eggs filled with candy.
Prizes include bicycles and Easter baskets
filled with goodies.
Hot dogs, chips, and soft drinks will be
served. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance.
Parents and children are invited to
check out the motorcycles on display and
talk to the owners. The festivities will go on
until 2 p.m.
The egg hunt is one of the many ways
motorcycle club members are giving back to
the community. Founded in London in 2020,
the Forgotten Ones is comprised of police officers,
fire fighters, medics, correctional officers,
military personnel, and other first
responders. The organization’s fundamental
mission is brotherhood and charity.
Four chapters operate under the Forgotten
Ones umbrella: Founding Fathers in
London, The Gatekeepers in Washington
Court House, Crossroads in Springfield, and
The Flying Pigs in Cincinnati. All of the
clubs organize fundraisers to benefit different
charitable causes and help individuals
and families in need.
“We’re trying to do good, and we want
the community to know we want their support,”
said Jerry Nelson, a Founding Fathers
member.
In the last year, the London club has held
bike nights, poker runs, silent auctions,
50/50 raffles, and other events to help offset
medical expenses for a young girl with cerebral
palsy and for a teenager who was paralyzed
from the neck down as the result of
an ATV accident. Most recently, the club donated
$864 to HELP House Community
Outreach in London. They also plan to raise
funds for the family of a 7-year-old boy who
is battling cancer.
To learn more, visit “Forgotten Ones
LE/MC Founding Fathers Chapter” on
Facebook or send a message via email to
FoundingFathers0615@gmail.com.
In addition to the Easter Egg Hunt, the
London chapter is hosting a Bike Night Take
Over on April 20, 5-9 p.m., at Blackwoods
Tavern, 13665 Era Rd., Mount Sterling. The
event will raise funds towards securing a
service animal for an area resident.
Hoopsters are CBC champs
London Middle School’s seventh-grade girls’ basketball team beat No. 1 seed North
Union 34-29 to win the Central Buckeye Conference championship: (front row, from
left) Haven Whiteside, Maddie Herdman, Mya Edley, Sawyer McKenzie; (second row)
Gracie Alexander, Izzy Dengerd, Lucy Greene, Allie Webb, Kaydence Jackson,
Emma Alexander; (back row) Kenlee Dihrkop, Coach Brannon Edley, Makaylah Jackson,
Coach Jessica Hines, and Coach Kelly Nelson. The team finished the season
with an overall record of 19-1.