Mount Vernon crews praised for actions during recent snow

By Lois Mittino Gray

Austin Colson appeared before the February 5, Mount Vernon Board of Works meeting to request permission to offer a tribute to his friend, Zack Allyn, for the fourth time. The Fourth Annual Zach Allyn Memorial Car Show is slated for June 6 downtown from noon to 4 p.m.

All proceeds will go towards a fund for Zach’s twins set up at Heritage Bank after their father was killed in an auto accident in November, 2022.

Colson explained the location will remain the same as in past years. Cars will be on Water Street between College and Mulberry and on Main from Water to Second Streets. He plans to talk to the Landing about using some of their parking spaces, too.

He added details to include that K & K Insurance Group will be contacted about event insurance again to get a one day event policy that will cover 24 hours. Portable toilets will be brought in as usual.

The entry fee will be $10 and there will be an entry form/waiver to submit. Classes for judging include: Classic Pre 64, Classic Muscle 64-89, Modern Muscle 90-Current, 4X4, Motorcycle, Tuner, and Allyn Family Choice. Donations will be accepted at the time. A Chinese Auction will be available and food trucks will be on site for a festive Saturday afternoon.

Colson asked the city to provide barricades for street closings and asked if he could put up an advertising banner on the city lot at Fourth and Main. All were approved. Board member David Dodd moved permission for the event and street closures as presented be given and it passed unanimously.

Under Department Reports, Mount Vernon Police Chief Justin Rutledge stated since the last meeting, there were 180 calls for service. Of those, 45 were traffic stops conducted and five traffic collisions were investigated. There were three individuals arrested on four different charges, including three warrants, and one domestic battery. He concluded by stating the department will be hosting a Citizens Academy soon. “We are looking at possibly April, and then it will run for four to six weeks for one night a week. We’ll be putting out final dates soon,” he told the Board.

Mount Vernon Fire Chief Wilson reported that since the last meeting, his department has responded to 42 calls for service including one motor vehicle accident and 41 various medical emergencies. He added the department is currently at 154 hours of training for the year. During last week’s storm, full-time employees put in 93 hours of overtime and part-time employees added 24 hours of coverage. This allowed the department to keep the station double staffed over the weekend. There is currently one individual in the warming shelter. They also provided medical/first aid stand-by for a total of 16 hours over two weekends for the Lady Cats Basketball Tournament.

In training, Assistant Chief Dakota Logan and Wilson will be starting Fire Instructor 2 Class on February 19, hosted by the CountryMark Fire Department. Firefighters Jackson and Harle will be starting Advanced EMT class the following week, put on by the School of EMS. Captains Reese and Bradford will be going to Jasper Fire School for an elevator operations and rescue class. Concluding his report, he stated February 12 he will be attending an eight hour class at Ohio Township Fire Department. The topic will be the ISO grading schedule and how to improve the city’s fire protection class for insurance ratings.

Street Commissioner Jim Kilgore stated they have been busy with snow removal, and they are now in the process of cleaning up their equipment. Utility Superintendent Chuck Gray and Code Enforcement Officer Clay Clifford were not present. Clifford’s report was presented by Rutledge, as follows: there were no tall grass/weeds cases opened or closed, and no work orders were issued. There were seven abandoned vehicle cases opened, none closed and none towed. There were no Area Plan Cases opened, closed, or forwarded. He concluded by stating there were 10 animal calls.

Mayor Steve Loehr stated hats off to all the departments and department heads during the recent snowstorm. They all handled it extremely well and he appreciates everything that was done. “I feel Mount Vernon was in great shape compared to many other cities. Thanks again to all. It was much appreciated.”

Under New Business, Loehr said he spoke with FFA Student Thomas Scates about the next Farm To Table dinner they plan to sponsor. “The Thursday before the River Days Festival date as they did last year was a possible conflict. They asked for the Wednesday before River Days, September 9, instead. They will be closing Main Street from Fourth to Third Streets to accommodate their long tables,” he said.

Kilgore stated last year Heritage Federal Credit Union complained that there was no way for customers to exit, as their exit goes right onto Main Street. “Actually customers will need to turn around and go out another nearby exit, so there shouldn’t be a problem,” he speculated. The Board had no issues with the FFA request and approved the new date.

Also under New Business, the Mayor gave Board members some paperwork from Restoration One. He is trying to bring the City Hall building up to where it is supposed to be. Clerk-Treasurer Cristi Sitzman’s staff has been working in the basement getting things together that can be destroyed or recycled and once that is hauled off, the entire basement will be cleaned. They need to get rid of the mold that is down there and then the basement will be sealed and painted. Upstairs there are many old, large books with a lot of the city’s history in them. The shelves have collapsed and they will be restored, as not to lose the valuable tomes. He added he has the money for the project. The numbers are $5,823.70 for the basement and $4,597.56 for upstairs. As long as the Board has no issues, this is just FYI and he will proceed with that plan.