Council honors Crone, OKs legislation

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council honored outgoing Councilman At-Large Brent Crone and also adopted two pieces of legislation during a brief and otherwise uneventful meeting.

Crone, who has served on City Council for more than a decade, on and off, was given a resolution honoring his service by Council President Ken Mengerink.

The Van Wert Republican Central Committee has 30 days to choose a successor to Crone. Those interested in the position should contact Republican Central Committee Chairman Martin Burchfield.

Also Monday, Council members approved an ordinance amending Chapter 30, otherwise known as Council rules, to put a procedure in place for electing a Council president pro tempore – someone who would preside over Council in the absence of the Council president.

Also adopted on first and final reading was an ordinance authorizing a contract for bridge inspections within the city.

Mayor Farmer also sought a Finance Committee meeting to discuss a suggestion he has regarding what could be done with the former Tire Waste Transport Company building in Vision Industrial Park. At this point, the building is scheduled to be sold at a sheriff’s sale that will likely take place sometime in June, according to Law Director John Hatcher.

As it now stands, Van Wert would likely lose money the company was awarded from the city’s revolving loan fund, which has not yet been paid.